An exactly solvable coarse-grained model for species diversity

We present novel analytical results about ecosystem species diversity that stem from a proposed coarse grained neutral model based on birth-death processes. The relevance of the problem lies in the urgency for understanding and synthesizing both theoretical results of ecological neutral theory and empirical evidence on species diversity preservation. Neutral model of biodiversity deals with ecosystems in the same trophic level where per-capita vital rates are assumed to be species-independent. Close-form analytical solutions for neutral theory are obtained within a coarse-grained model, where the only input is the species persistence time distribution. Our results pertain: the probability distribution function of the number of species in the ecosystem both in transient and stationary states; the n-points connected time correlation function; and the survival probability, definned as the distribution of time-spans to local extinction for a species randomly sampled from the community. Analytical predictions are also tested on empirical data from a estuarine fish ecosystem. We find that emerging properties of the ecosystem are very robust and do not depend on specific details of the model, with implications on biodiversity and conservation biology.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures. To appear in Journal of Statistichal Mechanic

Anion dual mode fluoro-chromogenic chemosensor based on a BODIPY core

Herein, we report the synthesis and chromo-fluorogenic behaviour of a BODIPY derivative. The BODIPY core was functionalized with a phenyl group at meso-position and a formyl group at 2-postion introduced through the Vilsmeier Haack reaction. The compound showed an absorption band at 492 nm and an emission band at 508 nm, with a ФF = 0.84. The evaluation of the chemosensing ability of the BODIPY was investigated in the presence of several anions with environmental and biomedical relevance and a simultaneous colorimetric and fluorimetric response was observed for cyanide and fluoride anions.The authors acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia—FCT (Portugal) for funding through CQUM (UID/QUI/00686/2020) and a Ph.D. grant to. R. C. R. Gonçalves (SFRH/BD/05278/2020). The NMR spectrometer Bruker Avance III 400 is part of the National NMR Network and was purchased within the framework of the National Program for Scientific Re-equipment, contract REDE/1517/RMN/2005 with funds from POCI 2010 (FEDER) and FCT

A New Galactic 6cm Formaldehyde Maser

We report the detection of a new H2CO maser in the massive star forming region G23.71-0.20 (IRAS 18324-0820), i.e., the fifth region in the Galaxy where H2CO maser emission has been found. The new H2CO maser is located toward a compact HII region, and is coincident in velocity and position with 6.7 GHz methanol masers and with an IR source as revealed by Spitzer/IRAC GLIMPSE data. The coincidence with an IR source and 6.7 GHz methanol masers suggests that the maser is in close proximity to an embedded massive protostar. Thus, the detection of H2CO maser emission toward G23.71-0.20 supports the trend that H2CO 6cm masers trace molecular material very near young massive stellar objects.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letter

Inhibition by bradykinin of voltage-activated barium current in a rat dorsal root ganglion cell line: role of protein kinase C

The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record Ba2+ currents through voltage-activated calcium channels in the clonal dorsal root ganglion cell line F11-B9. The pain-producing peptide bradykinin (BK; 100 nM) reduced the sustained Ba2+ current in F11-B9 cells by 30%. In cultures prelabeled with 3H-arachidonic acid and tested under ionic conditions similar to those used for recording Ba2+ currents, BK also induced a concentration-dependent, transient, 2.7-fold accumulation of 3H-diacylglycerol. Both the elevation of 3H-diacylglycerol and the inhibition of Ba2+ current began within 5 sec following BK exposure, and the effective concentration range of BK was similar for the 2 responses. In whole-cell recordings, extracellularly applied 1-oleoyl-2- acetylglycerol (OAG; 0.5–5 microM) mimicked the degree of block and occluded the block of sustained current by BK. Another protein kinase C (PKC) activator, 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8), blocked 70–100% of sustained current when applied intracellularly or extracellularly at 5 microM, whereas extracellular application of ethylene glycol dioctanoate (5 microM), an analog reported not to stimulate PKC, inhibited only 14% of sustained current. The pseudosubstrate peptide PKC19–36 (2 microM in pipette) and the lipid staurosporine (100 nM in pipette), both inhibitors of PKC, reduced the effects of maximal concentrations of OAG or BK by 55–60%. Dynorphin A applied intracellularly (2 microM) as a control for nonspecific effects of PKC19–36 did not inhibit the block of sustained current by BK. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that BK inhibits whole-cell sustained Ba2+ current in F11-B9 cells via a mechanism that involves activation of PKC

What Is the evidence from past National Institute of Health and Care Excellence single-technology appraisals regarding company submissions with base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of less than £10,000/QALY?

© 2017 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recently proposed that company submissions with a base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of less than £10,000/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) might be eligible for a "fast-track" appraisal. Objectives: To explore outcomes relating to previously conducted single-technology appraisals (STAs) with base-case ICERs of less than £10,000/QALY. Methods: All STAs with published guidance from 2009 to 2016 were included; those with company base-case ICERs of less than £10,000/QALY were identified and analyzed. A secondary analysis was also conducted for those with a company base-case ICER of £10,000 to £15,000/QALY. Relevant data were extracted and presented in a narrative and in tables. Results: In total, 15% (26 of 171) of STAs included a company submission with a base-case ICER of less than £10,000/QALY. Of these, 73% (19 of 26) were given positive recommendations after the first Appraisal Committee (AC) meeting, whereas 27% (7 of 26) were initially given a Minded No before receiving a positive recommendation in the final appraisal determination, albeit with restricted recommendations for three technologies. Five STAs had company base-case ICERs of £10,000 to £15,000/QALY and all received a positive recommendation after the first AC meeting. Conclusions: Most previous STAs with a company base-case ICER of £10,000 or even £15,000/QALY received a positive recommendation after the first AC meeting, but a number of them proved more complicated and required detailed appraisal, which influenced the final recommendation. This finding might have implications for the proposed fast-track process of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

A Search for H2CO 6cm Emission toward Young Stellar Objects III: VLA Observations

We report the results of our third survey for formaldehyde (H2CO) 6cm maser emission in the Galaxy. Using the Very Large Array, we detected two new H2CO maser sources (G23.01-0.41 and G25.83-0.18), thus increasing the sample of known H2CO maser regions in the Galaxy to seven. We review the characteristics of the G23.01-0.41 and G25.83-0.18 star forming regions. The H2CO masers in G23.01-0.41 and G25.83-0.18 share several properties with the other known H2CO masers, in particular, emission from rich maser environments and close proximity to very young massive stellar objects.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Serie

Rendering an Account: An Open-State Archive in Postgraduate Supervision

The paper begins with a brief account of the transformation of research degree studies under the pressures of global capitalism and neo-liberal governmentality. A parallel transformation is occurring in the conduct of research through the use of information and communication technologies. Yet the potential of ICTs to shape practices of surveillance or to produce new student-supervisor relations and enhance the processes of developing the dissertation has received almost no critical attention. As doctoral supervisor and student, we then describe the features and uses of a web-based open state archive of the student's work-in-progress, developed by the student and accessible to his supervisor. Our intention was to encourage more open conversations between data and theorising, student and supervisor, and ultimately between the student and professional community. However, we recognise that relations of accountability, as these have developed within a contemporary "audit revolution" (Power, 1994, 1997) in universities, create particular "lines of visibility" (Munro, 1996). Thus while the open-state archive may help to redefine in less managerial terms notions of quality, transparency, flexibility and accountability, it might also make possible greater supervisory surveillance. How should we think about the panoptical potential of this archive? We argue that the diverse kinds of interactional patterns and pedagogical intervention it encourages help to create shifting subjectivities. Moreover, the archive itself is multiple, in bringing together an array of diverse materials that can be read in various ways, by following multiple paths. It therefore constitutes a collage, which we identify as a mode of cognition and of accounting distinct from but related to argument and narrative. As a more "open" text (Iser, 1978) it has an indeterminacy which may render it less open to abuse for the technologies of managerial accountability

Development of a Core Outcome Set for the research and assessment of inoperable malignant bowel obstruction

BackgroundMalignant bowel obstruction is experienced by 15% of people with advanced cancer, preventing them from eating and drinking and causing pain, nausea and vomiting. Surgery is not always appropriate. Management options include tube or stent drainage of intestinal contents and symptom control using medication. Published literature describing palliative interventions uses a broad range of outcome measures, few of which are patient-relevant. This hinders evidence synthesis, and fails to consider the perspectives of people undergoing treatment.AimsTo develop a Core Outcome Set for the assessment of inoperable malignant bowel obstruction with clinician, patient and caregiver involvement, using COMET methodology (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials).MethodsA systematic review of clinical trials and observational studies, a rapid review of the qualitative literature and in-depth patient and clinician interviews were conducted to identify a comprehensive list of outcomes. Outcomes were compared and consolidated by the study Steering Group and Patient and Public Involvement contributors, and presented to an international clinical Expert Panel for review. Outcomes from the finalised list were rated for importance in a three-round international Delphi process: results of two survey rounds were circulated to respondents, and two separate consensus meetings were conducted with clinicians and with patients and caregivers via virtual conferencing, using live polling to reach agreement on a Core Outcome Set.Results130 unique outcomes were identified. Following the independent Expert Panel review, 82 outcomes were taken into round 1 of the Delphi survey; 24 outcomes reached criteria for critical importance across all stakeholder groups and none reached criteria for dropping. All outcomes rated critically important were taken forward for re-rating in round 2 and all other outcomes dropped. In round 2, all outcomes were voted critically important by at least one stakeholder group. Round 2 outcomes were presented again at online consensus meetings, categorised as high ranking (n = 9), middle ranking (n = 7) or low ranking (n = 8). Stakeholders reached agreement on 16 core outcomes across four key domains: Symptom control, Life impact, Treatment outcomes, and Communication and patient preferences.ConclusionUse of this Core Outcome Set can help to address current challenges in making sense of the evidence around treatment for inoperable malignant bowel obstruction to date, and underpin a more robust future approach. Clearer communication and an honest understanding between all stakeholders will help to provide a basis for responsible decision-making in this distressing situation in clinical practice

Primary Care Screening and Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force

Five to ten percent of individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) progress to active tuberculosis (TB) disease. Identifying and treating LTBI is a key component of the strategy for reducing the burden of TB disease. To review the evidence about targeted screening and treatment for LTBI among adults in primary care settings to support the US Preventive Services Task Force in updating its 1996 recommendation. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and trial registries, searched through August 3, 2015; references from pertinent articles; and experts. Literature surveillance was conducted through May 31, 2016. English-language studies of LTBI screening, LTBI treatment with recommended pharmacotherapy, or accuracy of the tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). Studies of individuals for whom LTBI screening and treatment is part of public health surveillance or disease management were excluded. Two investigators independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles. When at least 3 similar studies were available, random-effects meta-analysis was used to generate pooled estimates of outcomes. Sensitivity, specificity, reliability, active TB disease, mortality, hepatotoxicity, and other harms. The review included 72 studies (n = 51 711). No studies evaluated benefits and harms of screening compared with no screening. Pooled estimates for sensitivity of the TST at both 5-mm and 10-mm induration thresholds were 0.79 (5-mm: 95% CI, 0.69-0.89 [8 studies, n = 803]; 10 mm: 95% CI, 0.71-0.87 [11 studies; n = 988]), and those for IGRAs ranged from 0.77 to 0.90 (57 studies; n = 4378). Pooled estimates for specificity of the TST at the 10-mm and 15-mm thresholds and for IGRAs ranged from 0.95 to 0.99 (34 studies; n = 23 853). A randomized clinical trial (RCT) of 24 weeks of isoniazid in individuals with pulmonary fibrotic lesions and LTBI (n = 27 830) found a reduction in absolute risk of active TB at 5 years from 1.4% to 0.5% (relative risk [RR], 0.35 [95% CI, 0.24-0.52]) and an increase in absolute risk for hepatoxicity from 0.1% to 0.5% (RR, 4.59 [95% CI, 2.03-10.39]) for 24 weeks of daily isoniazid compared with placebo. An RCT (n = 6886) found that 3 months of once-weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid was noninferior to 9 months of isoniazid alone for preventing active TB. The risk difference for hepatoxicity comparing isoniazid with rifampin ranged from 3% to 7%, with a pooled RR of 3.29 (95% CI, 1.72-6.28 [3 RCTs; n = 1327]). No studies evaluated the benefits and harms of screening compared with no screening. Both the TST and IGRAs are moderately sensitive and highly specific within countries with low TB burden. Treatment reduced the risk of active TB among the populations included in this review. Isoniazid is associated with higher rates of hepatotoxicity than placebo or rifampin