Evidence suggests that, when compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars form, they may receive a 'natal kick', during which the stellar remnant gains momentum. Observational evidence for neutron star kicks is substantial, yet is limited for black hole natal kicks, and some proposed black hole formation scenarios result in very small kicks. Here we report that the canonical black hole low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) V404 Cygni is part of a wide hierarchical triple with a tertiary companion at least 3,500 astronomical units (AU) away from the inner binary.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMethyl aldohexopyranosides were C-labeled at contiguous carbons, crystallized, and studied by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and solid-state C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to examine the degree to which density functional theory (DFT) can calculate one-bond C-C spin-coupling constants () in saccharides with sufficient accuracy to permit their use in ' analysis, a newly-reported hybrid DFT/NMR method that provides probability distributions of molecular torsion angles in solution (Zhang , , 2017, , 3042-3058; Meredith , , 2022, , 3135-3141). Experimental values in crystalline samples of the doubly C-labeled compounds were measured by solid-state C NMR and compared to those calculated from five different DFT models: (1) values calculated from single structures identical to those observed in crystalline samples by X-ray crystallography (all atom refinement); (2) values calculated from the single structures in (1) but after Hirshfeld atom refinement (HAR); (3) values calculated from the single structures in (1) after DFT-optimization of hydrogen atoms only; and (4 and 5) values calculated in rotamers of torsion angle (C1-C2-O2-O2H) or (C4-C5-C6-O6) from which either specific or generalized parameterized equations were obtained and used to calculate values in the specific or rotamers observed in crystalline samples. Good qualitative agreement was observed between calculated values and those measured by solid-state C NMR regardless of the DFT model, but in no cases were calculated values quantitative, differing (over-estimated) on average by 4-5% from experimental values.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRencofilstat (RCF) demonstrated antifibrotic effects in preclinical models and was safe and well tolerated in Phase 1 studies. The aim of this Phase 2a study was safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and exploration of efficacy biomarkers in subjects with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This Phase 2a, multicenter, single-blind, placebo-controlled study randomized 49 presumed F2/F3 subjects to RCF 75 mg once daily (QD), RCF 225 mg QD, or placebo for 28 days.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLiquefaction of high solid loadings of unpretreated corn stover pellets has been demonstrated with rheology of the resulting slurries enabling mixing and movement within biorefinery bioreactors. However, some forms of pelleted stover do not readily liquefy, so it is important to screen out lots of unsuitable pellets before processing is initiated. This work reports a laboratory assay that rapidly assesses whether pellets have the potential for enzyme-based liquefaction at high solids loadings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: SARS-CoV-2 is a RNA virus that associates with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and complications. Auto-antibodies are identified in approximately 50% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Objectives: To determine the global incidence of myositis-related auto-antibodies (non Jo1-RNA synthetases: anti-PL7, anti-PL12, anti-EJ, anti-OJ and RNA-sensor: anti-MDA5) in our laboratory during COVID-19 pandemics, and to describe the clinical and laboratory features of these patients.