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Background: There is currently a high demand for bereavement support coupled with inconclusive findings as to the efficacy of existing approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to improve human functioning and has shown efficacy across a wide range of conditions. ACT may be a promising means of supporting bereaved people, yet evidence on the use of ACT for bereavement support is lacking. The aim of this study is to explore how ACT is currently used for bereavement support and practitioner perspectives of how it helps following bereavement. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted online via MS Teams with practitioners experienced in using ACT for bereavement support. Data were analysed thematically guided by a framework approach. Results: Nine participants were recruited. Three themes were identified: (i) creating psychological space around grief; (ii) using psychological space for value-directed action in the midst of grieving, and (iii) adapting ACT for bereavement support. Practitioners indicated that ACT improves clients' relationship with distressing internal experiences. Metaphors and mindfulness techniques were used to encourage acceptance of grief responses, taking perspective on distressing thoughts and images, and contact with the present moment. Better relationships with distressing experiences were regarded as less psychologically taxing, improving coping and well-being, while providing the psychological space to engage in value-directed action. Values exploration, sometimes using metaphors and exercises, was seen as supporting the bereaved person to rediscover a sense of purpose and engage in meaningful activities alongside their grief. Practitioners used ACT flexibly, integrating other interventions, and adapted ACT to the perceived sensitivities of bereaved people, and age-related and developmental factors. Conclusion: ACT is used to support people who have been bereaved to live effectively with the difficult thoughts and feelings associated with grieving and to enable them to gradually identify, reconnect with, and act in line with their values after loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aim was to assess body mass index (BMI) change in children in the immediate 6 months of the pandemic, to follow longitudinal BMI change up to 30 months after the pandemic start, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with these changes. Our study included a retrospective chart review of 1298 children 2 to 18 years old with office visits at an Indianapolis primary care clinic. Body mass index and sociodemographic information were collected at visits during 3 time periods: Prepandemic (March 1, 2019-February 28, 2020), Early Pandemic (June 1, 2020-November 30, 2020), and Late Pandemic (December 1, 2020-September 30, 2022). Data analysis indicated statistically significant increases in BMI monthly rate of change from Prepandemic to Early Pandemic periods. Interestingly, BMI rate of change stabilized from Early Pandemic to Late Pandemic periods but remained positive, suggesting children had slower, but persistent, continued BMI increase after the pandemic initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that individual (single-epoch) spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can constrain some of the geometry and dynamics of the AGN broad line region. Studies of the cosmic influence of supermassive black holes are limited by the current large uncertainties in the determination of black hole masses. One dominant limitation is the unknown geometry, dynamics, and line-of-sight inclination of the broad line region, used to probe the central black hole mass. Recent progress has been made to constrain the spatial and kinematic structure of the broad line region using dynamical modelling of AGN monitoring data and an underlying physical model for the broad line region. In this work we test the ability of a modified version of this dynamical modelling code to constrain the broad line region structure using single-epoch spectra. We test our modelling code on single-epoch spectra of nearby Arp 151 by comparing our results with those obtained with monitoring data of this same object. We find that a significant fraction of the broad line region parameters can indeed be adequately constrained, with uncertainties that are comparable to, or at most a factor of approximately a few higher than those obtained from modelling of monitoring data. Considering the wealth of available single-epoch spectroscopic observations, this method is promising for establishing the overall AGN population trends in the geometry and dynamics of the broad line region. This method can be applied to spectra of AGNs at low and high redshift making it valuable for studies of cosmological black hole and AGN evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interval chest x-ray showed worsening of R sided lucency suggesting a bronchopleural fistula. There is no single consensus on the management of patients with bronchopleural fistula requiring mechanical ventilation. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Aristaless-related homeobox (ARX) is a paired-like homeodomain transcription factor that functions primarily as a transcriptional repressor and has been implicated in neocortical interneuron specification and migration. Given the role interneurons appear to play in numerous human conditions including those associated with ARX mutations, it is essential to understand the consequences of mutations in this gene on neocortical interneurons. Previous studies have examined the effect of germline loss of Arx, or targeted mutations in Arx, on interneuron development. We now present the effect of conditional loss of Arx on interneuron development.Results: To further elucidate the role of Arx in forebrain development we performed a series of anatomical and developmental studies to determine the effect of conditional loss of Arx specifically from developing interneurons in the neocortex and hippocampus. Analysis and cell counts were performed from mouse brains using immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization assays at 4 times points across development. Our data indicate that early in development, instead of a loss of ventral precursors, there is a shift of these precursors to more ventral locations, a deficit that persists in the adult nervous system. The result of this developmental shift is a reduced number of interneurons (all subtypes) at early postnatal and later time periods. In addition, we find that X inactivation is stochastic, and occurs at the level of the neural progenitors.Conclusion: These data provide further support that the role of Arx in interneuron development is to direct appropriate migration of ventral neuronal precursors into the dorsal cortex and that the loss of Arx results in a failure of interneurons to reach the cortex and thus a deficiency in interneurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverberation mapping probes the structure of the broad emission-line region (BLR) in active galactic nuclei (AGN). The kinematics of the BLR gas can be used to measure the mass of the central supermassive black hole. The main uncertainty affecting black hole mass determinations is the structure of the BLR.We present a new method for reverberation mapping based on regularized linear inversion (RLI) that includes modelling of the AGN continuum light curves. This enables fast calculation of velocity-resolved response maps to constrain BLR structure. RLI allows for negative response, such as when some areas of the BLR respond in inverse proportion to a change in ionizing continuum luminosity. We present time delays, integrated response functions, and velocity-delay maps for the H β broad emission line in five nearby AGN, as well as for H α and H γ in Arp 151, using data from the Lick AGN Monitoring Project 2008. We find indications of prompt response in three of the objects (Arp 151, NGC 5548, and SBS 1116+583A) with additional prompt response in the red wing of H β. In SBS 1116+583A we find evidence for a multimodal broad prompt response followed by a second narrow response at 10 d. We find no clear indications of negative response. The results are complementary to, and consistent with, other methods such as cross-correlation, maximum entropy, and dynamical modelling. RLI with continuum light-curve modelling provides a fast, complementary method for velocity-resolved reverberation mapping and is suitable for use on large data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present dynamical modelling of the broad-line region (BLR) for a sample of five Seyfert 1 galaxies using reverberation mapping data taken by the Lick AGN Monitoring Project in 2008. By modelling the AGN continuum light curve and Hβ line profiles directly, we are able to constrain the geometry and kinematics of the BLR and make a measurement of the black hole mass that does not depend upon the virial factor, f, needed in traditional reverberation mapping analysis. We find that the geometry of the BLR is generally a thick disc viewed close to face-on. While the Hβ emission is found to come preferentially from the far side of the BLR, the mean size of the BLR is consistent with the lags measured with cross-correlation analysis. The BLR kinematics are found to be consistent with either inflowing motions or elliptical orbits, often with some combination of the two. We measure black hole masses of $\log _{10}(M_{\rm \,BH}/\mathrm{M}_{\odot })=6.62^{+0.10}_{-0.13}$ for Arp 151, $7.42^{+0.26}_{-0.27}$ for Mrk 1310, $7.59^{+0.24}_{-0.21}$ for NGC 5548, $6.37^{+0.21}_{-0.16}$ for NGC 6814, and $6.99^{+0.32}_{-0.25}$ for SBS 1116+583A. The f factors measured individually for each AGN are found to correlate with inclination angle, although not with M BH, L5100, or FWHM/σ of the emission line profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an improved and expanded simply parametrized phenomenological model of the broad-line region (BLR) in active galactic nuclei for modelling reverberation mapping data. By modelling reverberation mapping data directly, we can constrain the geometry and dynamics of the BLR and measure the black hole mass without relying on the normalization factor needed in the traditional analysis. For realistic simulated reverberation mapping data sets of high quality, we can recover the black hole mass to 0.05–0.25 dex uncertainty and distinguish between dynamics dominated by elliptical orbits and inflowing gas. While direct modelling of the integrated emission-line light curve allows for measurement of the mean time lag, other details of the geometry of the BLR are better constrained by the full spectroscopic data set of emission-line profiles. We use this improved model of the BLR to explore possible sources of uncertainty in measurements of the time lag using cross-correlation function (CCF) analysis and in measurements of the black hole mass using the virial product. Sampling the range of geometries and dynamics in our model of the BLR suggests that the theoretical uncertainty in black hole masses measured using the virial product is of the order of 0.25 dex. These results support the use of the CCF to measure time lags and the virial product to measure black hole masses when direct modelling techniques cannot be applied, provided the uncertainties associated with the interpretation of the results are taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Acute articular injuries lead to an increased risk of progressive joint damage and osteoarthritis (OA), and no therapies are currently available to repair or protect the injured joint tissue. Intraarticular delivery of therapeutic proteins has been limited by their rapid clearance from the joint space and lack of retention within cartilage. The aim of this study was to test whether targeted delivery to cartilage by fusion with a heparin-binding domain would be sufficient to prolong the in vivo function of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Methods We produced a humanized and optimized recombinant HB-IGF-1 fusion protein. By injecting HB-IGF-1, IGF-1, or saline alone into the knee joints of adult Lewis rats, we tested whether fusion with a heparin-binding domain 1) altered the kinetics of retention in joint tissues, 2) prolonged functional stimulation as measured by radiolabel incorporation, and 3) enhanced efficacy in a rat model of surgically induced OA, using weekly injections. Results Fusion of heparin-binding domain with IGF-1 prolonged retention in articular and meniscal cartilage from <1 day to 8 days after injection. Unmodified IGF-1 had no functional effect 2 days after injection, whereas HB-IGF-1 stimulated meniscal cartilage at least 4 days after injection. HB-IGF-1, but not IGF-1, significantly slowed cartilage damage in a rat model of OA. Conclusion Heparin-binding domain fusions can transform rapidly cleared proteins into potential intraarticular therapies by targeting them to cartilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prominent broad Fe II emission blends in the spectra of active galactic nuclei have been shown to vary inresponse to continuum variations, but past attempts to measure the reverberation lag time of the optical Fe II lines have met with only limited success. Here we report the detection of Fe ii reverberation in two Seyfert 1 galaxies, NGC 4593 and Mrk 1511, based on data from a program carried out at Lick Observatory in Spring 2011. Light curves for emission lines including Hβ and Fe II were measured by applying a fitting routine to decompose the spectra into several continuum and emission-line components, and we use cross-correlation techniques to determine the reverberation lags of the emission lines relative to V-band light curves. In both cases, the measured lag (τcen) of Fe II is longer than that of Hβ, although the inferred lags are somewhat sensitive to the choice of Fe II template used in the fit. For spectral decompositions done using the Fe II template of V´eron-Cetty et al., we find τcen(Fe II)/τcen(Hβ) = 1.9±0.6 in NGC 4593 and 1.5±0.3 in Mrk 1511. The detection of highly correlated variations between Fe II and continuum emission demonstrates that the Fe II emission in these galaxies originatesin photoionized gas, located predominantly in the outer portion of the broad-line region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Particle impacts on spacecraft can cause considerable damage, even leading to complete failure. A theory for the resulting vehicle potential changes and the electromagnetic radiation from impact-induced plasma has been published by . Here we compare this theory to impacts registered by the Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrumentation on the Cassini spacecraft. We study both low-velocity (16km/s) large particles (2.6μm radius) detected in Saturn’s rings and high-velocity (450km/s) small particles (1nm radius) in the solar wind. The agreement with the theory is quite good. We also apply these results to earth orbit and conclude that both Electrostatic Discharge and Electromagnetic Pulse radiation are likely and could lead to spacecraft failure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lissencephaly is characterized by a thickened cortex and loss of gyri, resulting in the brain having a smooth surface. Patients with lissencephaly frequently exhibit epilepsy and mental retardation, conditions often associated with a defect in inhibitory neurons. While lissencephaly has traditionally been considered a disorder of radial migration, recent data indicate interneurons migrate non-radially, while projection neurons migrate radially. To determine if an interneuron defect, and therefore a non-radial migration defect, exists in patients with lissencephaly, we studied the calretinin-expressing interneuron subpopulation in the brains from two fetuses and two children with lissencephaly and a deletion involving 17p13 deletion (Miller-Dieker syndrome) along with age-matched controls. Our data indicate fetuses with the Miller-Dieker syndrome have a significant (tenfold) reduction in the number of calretinin-expressing interneurons present, whereas minimal reductions in the number of calretinin-expressing interneurons are present in children with this disorder. These data parallel those seen in the Lis1+/– mouse model of human lissencephaly, and are consistent with a non-radial cell migration defect in humans. Thus, when considering the pathogenesis of human lissencephaly and the clinical manifestations in these patients, defects in both non-radial cell migration (inhibitory interneurons) and radial migration (excitatory projection neurons) must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study describes the system architecture and user acceptance of a suite of programs that deliver information about newly updated library resources to clinicians' personal digital assistants (PDAs). Description: Participants received headlines delivered to their PDAs alerting them to new books, National Guideline Clearinghouse guidelines, Cochrane Reviews, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Alerts, as well as updated content in UpToDate, Harrison's Online, Scientific American Medicine, and Clinical Evidence. Participants could request additional information for any of the headlines, and the information was delivered via email during their next synchronization. Participants completed a survey at the conclusion of the study to gauge their opinions about the service. Results/Outcome: Of the 816 headlines delivered to the 16 study participants' PDAs during the project, Scientific American Medicine generated the highest proportion of headline requests at 35%. Most users of the PDA Alerts software reported that they learned about new medical developments sooner than they otherwise would have, and half reported that they learned about developments that they would not have heard about at all. While some users liked the PDA platform for receiving headlines, it seemed that a Web database that allowed tailored searches and alerts could be configured to satisfy both PDA-oriented and email-oriented users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consistent finding that normal adolescents endorse more MMPI items in the deviant direction than do normal adults, reflected in reliable adolescent-adult differences on the item, scale, and profile levels, suggests a developmental perspective. This perspective also implies that college students' MMPI mean raw scores might be expected to fall between means typically obtained for adolescents and adults. We examined 17 studies of college volunteer samples to evaluate this hypothesis. Findings showed that college student mean values do fall between adolescent and adult means, most strikingly on scales F, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It is recommended that more attention be given to the status of college students as a special population with distinctive MMPI characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Immaturity (IMM) Scale was developed as a supplementary scale for the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A). This study describes the development of the IMM Scale and presents some concurrent validity data derived from the MMPI-A normative sample of 1,620 adolescents and a clinical sample of 122 adolescent inpatients. The IMM Scale was examined in relation to Biographical and Life Events data to identify external correlates for the MMPI-A normative sample. In the clinical sample, external correlates were derived from diagnostic and rating form data provided by the adolescents' treatment staff and by their parents. Current findings were discussed in terms of the relationship of correlate patterns to descriptions of the preconformist and conformist stages of Loevinger's (1976) concept of ego development, and future research directions were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality inventory (MMPI) norms developed by Marks and Briggs (1967/1972) have served as the standard adolescent norms used for over 10 years. Additional adolescent, norms, have recently been produced by Gottesman, Hanson, Kroeker, and Briggs (1987) and by Colligan and Offord (1989), thereby providing MMPI users with a potential choice of adolescent norms. Our study examines the effects of these adolescent norm sets on single-scale and profile elevations. In addition, we examine the ability of these norm sets to generate T-score values that would serve to discriminate accurately among adolescents in outpatient (n = 100), inpatient (n = 100), and normal (n = 100) settings. Results indicated teat the choice of adolescent norms resulted in important differences in profile elevation. Findings from the discriminant function analyses, however, indicated that these normative sets were roughly equivalent in discrimmating among adolescents in the three settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the most consistent criticisms of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality inventory (MMPI) has been the adequacy of the standardly employed adult norms. Recent work at the Mayo Foundation has provided revised adult norms, and the Restandardization Project at the University of Minnesota Press will soon provide an additional norm set. This article reviews findings from 21 studies of normal adults, comparing obtained MMPI scale values to the standard norms. These comparisons indicate that the traditional adult norms may have contained detectable degrees of bias since their publication, and that consistent patterns of differences from standard MMPI norms can be found in independent studies published as early as 1949. Two separate considerations impact on the development of new adult norms: the research need for adult norms which accurately reflect the response patterns of the general population and the clinical need to evaluate individual psychiatric patients on norms that produce codetypes related to an empirical literature spanning more than 40 years. This study notes the inherent tension between these two purposes and discusses the implications of new adult MMPI norms for research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines central issues involving the accuracy of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) adolescent norms through examination of findings from eight investigations (n = 17,286), reporting MMPI mean values for samples of normal adolescents conducted between 1949 and 1964, and four studies (n = 1,758), based on adolescent samples collected since 1975. Issues related to sex and racial differences in adolescent samples are also examined. In addition, MMPI data from 1,315 normal adolescents, collected at the Mayo Foundation, and from 217 normal adolescents, collected in Norfolk, Virginia, are evaluated in relation to adult normative values on the Harris-Lingoes (Harris & Lingoes, 1955) content subscales to identify unique characteristics of adolescents' response patterns. Results support the adequacy of the adolescent norms, developed by Marks, Seeman, and Hailer (1974), for evaluation of samples of normal adolescents collected between 1947 and 1965. MMPI patterns, produced by contemporary samples of adolescents collected since 1975, are elevated above the Marks et al. norms on most clinical scales. This latter finding indicated the need for the development of new adolescent norms that more precisely reflect current adolescent response frequencies and patterns. Finally, results from Harris-Lingoes subscales are reviewed to highlight unique aspects of adolescent developmental experience and to underscore the necessity of development of age appropriate adolescent norms for MMPI special scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the agreement or congruence rate between clinical-discharge diagnoses rendered by a psychiatrist, and admission and discharge MMPI-derived diagnoses from four diagnostic classification systems that have been developed for the MMPI. The four classification systems included a simple high-point code based on the most elevated clinical scale in the profile, the Henrichs revision of the Meehl-Dahlstrom rules, the Goldberg equations, and a system developed by Lachar. Subjects consisted of 150 patients selected from a larger pool of patients who had completed a 9-week adult residential treatment program. Overall, this study yielded modest hit rates between 26% and 34% for MMPI-derived diagnoses and psychiatric diagnoses across the various classification systems. In addition, stability of MMPI-based diagnoses from admission to discharge assessments ranged from 48% to 51% depending on the classification system employed. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the use of the MMPI in patient diagnosis. It is recommended that the MMPI be used in conjunction with other sources of clinical and test information in deriving clinical diagnoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to limitations in current motion tracking technologies and increasing interest in alternative sensors for motion tracking both inside and outside the MRI system, in this study we share our preliminary experience with three alternative sensors utilizing diverse technologies and interactions with tissue to monitor motion of the body surface, respiratory-related motion of major organs, and non-respiratory motion of deep-seated organs. These consist of (1) a Pilot-Tone RF transmitter combined with deep learning algorithms for tracking liver motion, (2) a single-channel ultrasound transducer with deep learning for monitoring bladder motion, and (3) a 3D Time-of-Flight camera for observing the motion of the anterior torso surface. Additionally, we demonstrate the capability of these sensors to simultaneously capture motion data outside the MRI environment, which is particularly relevant for procedures like radiation therapy, where motion status could be related to previously characterized cyclical anatomical data. Our findings indicate that the ultrasound sensor can track motion in deep-seated organs (bladder) as well as respiratory-related motion. The Time-of-Flight camera offers ease of interpretation and performs well in detecting surface motion (respiration). The Pilot-Tone demonstrates efficacy in tracking bulk respiratory motion and motion of major organs (liver). Simultaneous use of all three sensors could provide complementary motion information outside the MRI bore, providing potential value for motion tracking during position-sensitive treatments such as radiation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Spring 2011, the Lick AGN Monitoring Project observed a sample of 15 bright, nearby Seyfert 1 galaxies in the V band as part of a reverberation mapping campaign. The observations were taken at six ground-based telescopes, including the West Mountain Observatory 0.91 m telescope, the 0.76 m Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope, 0.6 m Super-LOTIS at Kitt Peak, the Palomar 60 inch telescope, and the 2 m Faulkes telescopes North and South. The V-band light curves measure the continuum variability of our sample of Seyferts on an almost daily cadence for 2–3 months. We use image-subtraction software to isolate the variability of the Seyfert nucleus from the constant V-band flux of the host galaxy for the most promising targets, and we adopt standard aperture photometry techniques for the targets with smaller levels of variability. These V-band light curves will be used, with measurements of the broad emission line flux, to measure supermassive black hole masses and to constrain the geometry and dynamics of the broad-line region through dynamical modeling techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present models of the Hβ-emitting broad-line region (BLR) in seven Seyfert 1 galaxies from the Lick AGN Monitoring Project 2011 sample, drawing inferences on the BLR structure and dynamics as well as the mass of the central supermassive black hole. We find that the BLR is generally a thick disk, viewed close to face-on, with preferential emission back toward the ionizing source. The dynamics in our sample range from near-circular elliptical orbits to inflowing or outflowing trajectories. We measure black hole masses of for PG 1310−108, for Mrk 50, for Mrk 141, for Mrk 279, for Mrk 1511, for NGC 4593, and for Zw 229−015. We use these black hole mass measurements along with cross-correlation time lags and line widths to recover the scale factor f used in traditional reverberation mapping measurements. Combining our results with other studies that use this modeling technique, which brings our sample size to 16, we calculate a scale factor that can be used for measuring black hole masses in other reverberation mapping campaigns. When using the root-mean-square (rms) spectrum and using the line dispersion to measure the line width, we find pred = 0.57 ± 0.19. Finally, we search for correlations between f and other AGN and BLR parameters and find marginal evidence that f is correlated with MBH and the BLR inclination angle, but no significant evidence of a correlation with the AGN luminosity or Eddington ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Seyfert 1 galaxy Arp 151 was monitored as part of three reverberation mapping campaigns spanning 2008–2015. We present modeling of these velocity-resolved reverberation mapping data sets using a geometric and dynamical model for the broad-line region (BLR). By modeling each of the three data sets independently, we infer the evolution of the BLR structure in Arp 151 over a total of 7 yr and constrain the systematic uncertainties in nonvarying parameters such as the black hole mass. We find that the BLR geometry of a thick disk viewed close to face-on is stable over this time, although the size of the BLR grows by a factor of ∼2. The dynamics of the BLR are dominated by inflow, and the inferred black hole mass is consistent for the three data sets, despite the increase in BLR size. Combining the inference for the three data sets yields a black hole mass and statistical uncertainty of log10(/) = with a standard deviation in individual measurements of 0.13 dex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present inferences on the geometry and kinematics of the broad-Hβ line-emitting region in four active galactic nuclei monitored as part of the fall 2010 reverberation mapping campaign at MDM Observatory led by the Ohio State University. From modeling the continuum variability and response in emission-line profile changes as a function of time, we infer the geometry of the Hβ-emitting broadline regions (BLRs) to be thick disks that are close to face-on to the observer with kinematics that are well-described by either elliptical orbits or inflowing gas. We measure the black hole mass to be for Mrk 335, for Mrk 1501, for 3C 120, and for PG 2130+099. These black hole mass measurements are not based on a particular assumed value of the virial scale factor f, allowing us to compute individual f factors for each target. Our results nearly double the number of targets that have been modeled in this manner, and we investigate the properties of a more diverse sample by including previously modeled objects. We measure an average scale factor in the entire sample of when the line dispersion is used to characterize the line width, which is consistent with the values derived using the normalization of the –σ relation. We find that the scale factor f for individual targets is likely correlated with the black hole mass, inclination angle, and opening angle of the BLR, but we do not find any correlation with the luminosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider active galactic nucleus (AGN) photoionization of gas in companion galaxies (cross-ionization) as a way to sample the intensity of AGN radiation in both direction and time, independent of the gas properties of the AGN host galaxies. From an initial set of 212 AGN+companion systems, identified with the help of Galaxy Zoo participants, we obtained long-slit optical spectra of 32 pairs that were a priori likely to show cross-ionization based on projected separation or angular extent of the companion. From emission-line ratios, 10 of these systems are candidates for cross-ionization, roughly the fraction expected if most AGNs have ionization cones with 70° opening angles. Among these, Was 49 remains the strongest nearby candidate. NGC 5278/9 and UGC 6081 are dual-AGN systems with tidal debris, complicating identification of cross-ionization. The two weak AGNs in the NGC 5278/9 system ionize gas filaments to a projected radius 14 kpc from each galaxy. In UGC 6081, an irregular high-ionization emission region encompasses both AGNs, extending more than 15 kpc from each. The observed AGN companion galaxies with and without signs of external AGN photoionization have similar distributions in estimated incident AGN flux, suggesting that geometry of escaping radiation or long-term variability controls this facet of the AGN environment. This parallels conclusions for luminous QSOs based on the proximity effect among Lyman α absorbers. In some galaxies, mismatch between spectroscopic classifications in the common BPT diagram and the intensity of weaker He  ii and [Ne  v ] emission lines highlights the limits of common classifications in low-metallicity environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The olfactory system enables organisms to detect chemical cues in the environment and can signal the availability of food or the presence of a predator. Appropriate behavioral responses to these chemical cues are therefore important for organismal survival and can influence traits such as organismal life span and food consumption. However, understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying odor-guided behavior, correlated responses in other traits and how these constrain or promote their evolution, remain an important challenge. Here, we performed artificial selection for attractive and aversive behavioral responses to four chemical compounds, two aromatics (4-ethylguaiacol and 4-methylphenol) and two esters (methyl hexanoate and ethyl acetate), for thirty generations. Results: Artificial selection for odor-guided behavior revealed symmetrical responses to selection for each of the four chemical compounds. We then investigated whether selection for odor-guided behavior resulted in correlated responses in life history traits and/or food consumption. We found changes in food consumption upon selection for behavioral responses to aromatics. In many cases, lines selected for increased attraction to aromatics showed an increase in food consumption. We then performed RNA sequencing of lines selected for responses to 4- ethylguaiacol to identify candidate genes associated with odor-guided behavior and its impact on food consumption. We identified 91 genes that were differentially expressed among lines, many of which were associated with metabolic processes. RNAi-mediated knockdown of select candidate genes further supports their role in odor-guided behavior and/or food consumption. Conclusions: This study identifies novel genes underlying variation in odor-guided behavior and further elucidates the genetic mechanisms underlying the interrelationship between olfaction and feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present dynamical modeling of the broad-line region (BLR) in the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 50 using reverberation mapping data taken as part of the Lick AGN Monitoring Project (LAMP) 2011. We model the reverberation mapping data directly, constraining the geometry and kinematics of the BLR, as well as deriving a black hole mass estimate that does not depend on a normalizing factor or virial coefficient. We find that the geometry of the BLR in Mrk 50 is a nearly face-on thick disk, with a mean radius of 9.6+1.2–0.9 light days, a width of the BLR of 6.9+1.2–1.1 light days, and a disk opening angle of 25 ± 10 deg above the plane. We also constrain the inclination angle to be 9+7–5 deg, close to face-on. Finally, the black hole mass of Mrk 50 is inferred to be log10(MBH/M☼) = 7.57+0.44–0.27. By comparison to the virial black hole mass estimate from traditional reverberation mapping analysis, we find the normalizing constant (virial coefficient) to be log10f = 0.78+0.44–0.27, consistent with the commonly adopted mean value of 0.74 based on aligning the MBH-σ* relation for active galactic nuclei and quiescent galaxies. While our dynamical model includes the possibility of a net inflow or outflow in the BLR, we cannot distinguish between these two scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each adult mammalian skeletal muscle has a unique complement of fast and slow myofibers, reflecting patterns established during development and reinforced via their innervation by fast and slow motor neurons. Existing data support a model of postnatal "matching" whereby predetermined myofiber type identity promotes pruning of inappropriate motor axons, but no molecular mechanism has yet been identified. We present evidence that fiber type-specific repulsive interactions inhibit innervation of slow myofibers by fast motor axons during both postnatal maturation of the neuromuscular junction and myofiber reinnervation after injury. The repulsive guidance ligand ephrin-A3 is expressed only on slow myofibers, whereas its candidate receptor, EphA8, localizes exclusively to fast motor endplates. Adult mice lacking ephrin-A3 have dramatically fewer slow myofibers in fast and mixed muscles, and misexpression of ephrin-A3 on fast myofibers followed by denervation/reinnervation promotes their respecification to a slow phenotype. We therefore conclude that Eph/ephrin interactions guide the fiber type specificity of neuromuscular interactions during development and adult life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with a personal tragedy, this nurse longed for the comfort and support only another nurse could give. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out spectroscopic monitoring of 21 low-redshift Seyfert 1 galaxies using the Kast double spectrograph on the 3 m Shane telescope at Lick Observatory from 2016 April to 2017 May. Targeting active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with luminosities of λ L λ (5100 Ă...) ≈ 1044 erg sâˆ'1 and predicted H β lags of ∼20â€"30 days or black hole masses of 107â€"108.5 M ⊙, our campaign probes luminosity-dependent trends in broad-line region (BLR) structure and dynamics as well as to improve calibrations for single-epoch estimates of quasar black hole masses. Here we present the first results from the campaign, including H β emission-line light curves, integrated H β lag times (8â€"30 days) measured against V -band continuum light curves, velocity-resolved reverberation lags, line widths of the broad H β components, and virial black hole mass estimates (107.1â€"108.1 M ⊙). Our results add significantly to the number of existing velocity-resolved lag measurements and reveal a diversity of BLR gas kinematics at moderately high AGN luminosities. AGN continuum luminosity appears not to be correlated with the type of kinematics that its BLR gas may exhibit. Follow-up direct modeling of this data set will elucidate the detailed kinematics and provide robust dynamical black hole masses for several objects in this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: This study describes the system architecture and user acceptance of a suite of programs that deliver information about newly updated library resources to clinicians' personal digital assistants (PDAs). DESCRIPTION: Participants received headlines delivered to their PDAs alerting them to new books, National Guideline Clearinghouse guidelines, Cochrane Reviews, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Alerts, as well as updated content in UpToDate, Harrison's Online, Scientific American Medicine, and Clinical Evidence. Participants could request additional information for any of the headlines, and the information was delivered via e-mail during their next synchronization. Participants completed a survey at the conclusion of the study to gauge their opinions about the service. RESULTS/OUTCOME: Of the 816 headlines delivered to the 16 study participants' PDAs during the project, Scientific American Medicine generated the highest proportion of headline requests at 35%. Most users of the PDA Alerts software reported that they learned about new medical developments sooner than they otherwise would have, and half reported that they learned about developments that they would not have heard about at all. While some users liked the PDA platform for receiving headlines, it seemed that a Web database that allowed tailored searches and alerts could be configured to satisfy both PDA-oriented and e-mail-oriented users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) measure, including the MacAndrew alcoholism (MAC) scale, and the Sensation Seeking Scales (SSS) to adolescents drug use across nine drug categories. Subjects were 51 male and 72 female high school students between the ages of 14 and 18 (mean age = 16 years, 5 months). The drug use/abuse measure consisted of adolescents' self-reports on the Segal (1973) Alcohol-Drug Use Research Survey. Drug categories included for investigation were alcohol amphetamines, barbiturates, caffeine, cocaine, hallucinogens, marijuana, narcotics, and tobacco. Scores from standard MMPI scales, the MAC scale, and the SSS were examined in relation to individual drug use outcomes, and multivariate procedures were used to predict polydrug versus single drug use patterns. Results demonstrated significant and meaningful relationships between personality measures and drug use among adolescents, with consistently strong findings for the SSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin resistance is associated with aging in mice and humans. We have previously shown that administration of recombinant GDF11 (rGDF11) to aged mice alters aging phenotypes in the brain, skeletal muscle, and heart. While the closely related protein GDF8 has a role in metabolism, limited data are available on the potential metabolic effects of GDF11 or GDF8 in aging. To determine the metabolic effects of these two ligands, we administered rGDF11 or rGDF8 protein to young or aged mice fed a standard chow diet, short-term high-fat diet (HFD), or long-term HFD. Under nearly all of these diet conditions, administration of exogenous rGDF11 reduced body weight by 3–17% and significantly improved glucose tolerance in aged mice fed a chow (~30% vs. saline) or HF (~50% vs. saline) diet and young mice fed a HFD (~30%). On the other hand, exogenous rGDF8 showed signifcantly lesser effect or no effect at all on glucose tolerance compared to rGDF11, consistent with data demonstrating that GFD11 is a more potent signaling ligand than GDF8. Collectively, our results show that administration of exogenous rGDF11, but not rGDF8, can reduce diet-induced weight gain and improve metabolic homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverberation mapping (RM) is a powerful approach for determining the nature of the broad-line region (BLR) in active galactic nuclei. However, inferring physical BLR properties from an observed spectroscopic time series is a difficult inverse problem. Here, we present a blind test of two widely used RM methods: MEMEcho (developed by Horne) and CARAMEL (developed by Pancoast and collaborators). The test data are simulated spectroscopic time series that track the Hα emission line response to an empirical continuum light curve. The underlying BLR model is a rotating, biconical accretion disc wind, and the synthetic spectra are generated via self-consistent ionization and radiative transfer simulations. We generate two mock data sets, representing Seyfert galaxies and QSOs. The Seyfert model produces a largely negative response, which neither method can recover. However, both fail 'gracefully', neither generating spurious results. For the QSO model both CARAMEL and expert interpretation of MEMEcho ś output both capture the broadly annular, rotation-dominated nature of the line-forming region, though MEMEcho analysis overestimates its size by 50 per cent, but CARAMEL is unable to distinguish between additional inflow and outflow components. Despite fitting individual spectra well, the CARAMEL velocity-delay maps and RMS line profiles are strongly inconsistent with the input data. Finally, since the Hα line-forming region is rotation dominated, neither method recovers the disc wind nature of the underlying BLR model. Thus considerable care is required when interpreting the results of RM analyses in terms of physical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vivo microenvironment of tissues provides myriad unique signals to cells. Thus, following isolation, many cell types change in culture, often preserving some but not all of their in vivo characteristics in culture. At least some of the in vivo microenvironment may be mimicked by providing specific cues to cultured cells. Here, we show that after isolation and during maintenance in culture, adherent rat islets reduce expression of key β-cell transcription factors necessary for β-cell function and that soluble pancreatic decellularized matrix (DCM) can enhance β-cell gene expression. Following chromatographic fractionation of pancreatic DCM, we performed proteomics to identify soluble factors that can maintain β-cell stability and function. We identified Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) as an extracellular protein that significantly increased the expression of key β-cell genes. The ApoE effect on beta cells was mediated at least in part through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Together, these results reveal a role for ApoE as an extracellular factor that can maintain the mature β-cell gene expression profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soluble IL-13 receptor-a1, or sIL13ra1, is a soluble protein that binds to interleukin-13 (IL-13) that has been previously described in mice. The function of sIL13ra1 remains unclear, but it has been hypothesized to act as a decoy receptor for IL-13. Recent studies have identified a role for IL-13 in glucose metabolism, suggesting that a decoy receptor for IL-13 might increase circulating glucose levels. Here, we report that delivery of sIL13ra1 to mice by either gene transfer or recombinant protein decreases blood glucose levels. Surprisingly, the glucose-lowering effect of sIL13ra1 was preserved in mice lacking IL-13, demonstrating that IL-13 was not required for the effect. In contrast, deletion of IL-4 in mice eliminated the hypoglycemic effect of sIL13ra1. In humans, endogenous blood levels of IL13ra1 varied substantially, although there were no differences between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. There was no circadian variation of sIL13ra1 in normal human volunteers. Delivery of sIL13ra1 fused to a fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain provided sustained glucose lowering in mice on a high-fat diet, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy. These data reveal sIL13ra1 as a circulating human protein with an unexpected role in glucose metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]