Hypoglycemia in Mitochondrial Disorders

INTRODUCTION: The electron transport chain (ETC) in mitochondria functions to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Defects in the mitochondrial or nuclear DNA that codes for components of the ETC lead to mitochondrial disorders (MTDs). MTDs are multi-system conditions affecting the heart, muscles, and especially brain. The endocrine system is commonly affected in MTDs, and diabetes and hyperglycemia are established secondary diagnoses. Rates of non-iatrogenic hypoglycemia have not been studied in individuals with MTDs. This study aims to investigate the frequency of hypoglycemia in patients with MTDs. METHODS: Individuals diagnosed with a ‘definite’ or ‘probable’ MTD according to the modified Walker criteria at The University of Texas, Mitochondrial Center of Excellence were included in this study. Exclusion criteria included diagnosis of diabetes or adrenal insufficiency or past or present use of hydrocortisone or prednisone. Patient charts were reviewed retrospectively for blood glucose values. Individuals with at least two values were recorded. Patients were classified as neonatal (≤28 days of life) or non-neonatal (\u3e28 days of life) at the time of measurement. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, mixed-model regression, and two-sample tests of proportion. All data analysis was done using Stata® (v.13, College Station, TX). Statistical significance was assumed at p\u3c0.05. RESULTS: Of the 116 patients included in this study, 22 (18.97%) experienced at least one episode of hypoglycemia. This is significantly higher (pp\u3c0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with MTD are more likely to experience hypoglycemia compared to the general population with especially low blood glucose readings during the neonatal period. This demonstrates hypoglycemia may be contributing to the high rate of neurological symptoms reported in MTDs and supports that MTDs should be on the differential diagnosis in cases of hypoglycemia, especially during the neonatal period. Additional and earlier monitoring of blood glucose could reduce negative outcomes such as decreased cognitive outcome, developmental delays, seizures, or brain damage in patients with MTDs

Properties of Excited Charm and Charm-Strange Mesons

We calculate the properties of excited charm and charm-strange mesons. We use the relativized quark model to calculate their masses and wavefunctions that are used to calculate radiative transition partial widths and the $^3P_0$ quark-pair-creation model to calculate their strong decay widths. We use these results to make quark model spectroscopic assignments for recently observed charm and charm-strange mesons. In particular we find that the properties of the $D_J(2550)^0$ and $D_J^*(2600)^0$ are consistent with those of the $2^1S_0(c\bar{u})$ and the $2^3S_1(c\bar{u})$ states respectively, the $D_1^*(2760)^0$, $D_3^*(2760)^-$, and $D_J(2750)^0$ with those of the $1^3D_1(c\bar{u})$, $1^3D_3(d\bar{c})$, and $1D_2(c\bar{u})$ states respectively. We tentatively identify the $D^*_J(3000)^0$ as the $1^3F_4(c\bar{u})$ and favour the $D_J(3000)^0$ to be the $3^1S_0(c\bar{u})$ although we do not rule out the $1F_3$ and $1F_3'$ assignment. For the recently observed charm-strange mesons we identify the $D_{s1}^*(2709)^\pm$, $D_{s1}^*(2860)^-$, and $D_{s3}^*(2860)^-$ as the $2^3S_1(c\bar{s})$, $1^3D_1(s\bar{c})$, and $1^3D_3(s\bar{c})$ states respectively and suggest that the $D_{sJ}(3044)^\pm$ is most likely the $D_{s1}(2P_1')$ or $D_{s1}(2P_1)$ states although it might be the $D_{s2}^*(2^3P_2)$ with the $DK$ final state too small to be observed with current statistics. Based on the predicted properties of excited states, that they not have too large a total width and they have a reasonable branching ratio to simple final states, we suggest states that should be able to be found in the near future. We expect that the tables of properties summarizing our results will be useful for interpreting future observations of charm and charm-strange mesons.Comment: 36 pages, 2 figures, 47 tables, more detailed results included as supplementary file. Version 2 has minor word changes and adds a few references. Version 3 expands discussion of strong decay model and corrects some typo

Bottomonium Mesons and Strategies for Their Observation

The $B$-factories and Large Hadron Collider experiments have demonstrated the ability to observe and measure the properties of bottomonium mesons. In order to discover missing states it is useful to know their properties to develop a successful search strategy. To this end we calculate the masses and decay properties of excited bottomonium states. We use the relativized quark model to calculate the masses and wavefunctions and the $^3P_0$ quark-pair creation model to calculate decay widths to open bottom. We also summarize results for radiative transitions, annihilation decays, hadronic transitions and production cross sections which are used to develop strategies to find these states. We find that the $b\bar{b}$ system has a rich spectroscopy that we expect to be substantially extended by the LHC and $e^+e^-$ experiments in the near future. Some of the most promising possibilities at the LHC are observing the $\chi_{b(1,2)}(3P)$, $\chi_{b(1,2)}(4P)$ and $\eta_b(3S)$ states in $\gamma \mu^+\mu^-$ final states that proceed via radiative transitions through $\Upsilon(nS)$ intermediate states and $1^3D_J$ and $2^3D_J$ into $\gamma\gamma \mu^+\mu^-$ final states proceeding via $1^3P_J\to 1^3S_1$ and $2^3P_J\to 2^3S_1$ intermediate states respectively. Some of the most interesting possibilities in $e^+e^-$ collisions are studying the $1^3D_J$ states via $4\gamma$ cascades starting with the $\Upsilon (3S)$ and the $3^3P_J$ states in $\gamma\gamma\mu^+ \mu^-$ final states starting with the $\Upsilon (4S)$ and proceeding via $\Upsilon (nS)$ intermediate states. Completing the bottomonium spectrum is an important validation of lattice QCD calculations and a test of our understanding of bottomonium states in the context of the quark model.Comment: 38 pages, 1 figure, 36 tables, Changes: A few minor word changes. Corrected phase error in equation A12 which effected strong decays to 1P_1 and 1P_1' final states. All instances have been corrected with no effect on our conclusion

Exploring Higgs Triplet Models via Vector Boson Scattering at the LHC

We present the results of a study of Higgs triplet boson production arising in the Littlest Higgs, Left-Right Symmetric, and Georgi-Machacek models in the W^\pm W^\pm, W^\pm Z, W^+ W^-, and Z Z channels at the LHC. We focus on the "gold-plated" purely leptonic decay modes and consider the irreducible electroweak, QCD, and t-quark backgrounds, applying a combination of forward-jet-tagging, central-jet-vetoing, and stringent leptonic cuts to suppress the backgrounds. We find that, given the constraints on the triplet vacuum expectation value (vev), considerable luminosity is required to observe Higgs triplet bosons in vector boson scattering. Observing a Higgs triplet at the LHC is most promising in the Georgi-Machacek model due to a weaker constraint on the triplet vev. In this model, we find that a Higgs triplet boson with a mass of 1.0 (1.5) TeV can be observed at the LHC with an integrated luminosity as low as 41 (119) fb^{-1} in the W^\pm W^\pm channel and as low as 171 (474) fb^{-1} in the W^\pm Z channel. Observation of Higgs triplet bosons in these channels would help identify the underlying theory.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, references adde

Propagation and secondary production of low energy antiprotons in the atmosphere

Current theories, in which the observed antiproton component is attributed strictly to secondary production in high energy inelastic collisions of protons with the interstellar medium or the atmosphere, apparently fail to explain the relatively high p vertical intensities measured at mountain and balloon altitudes. Therefore, a more careful calculation of the theoretical secondary intensity spectra is required before more exotic sources for these excess p's can be explored. A one dimensional diffusion equation is used to calculate the expected vertical intensity of p's due only to secondary production in the atmosphere; any assumed primary p spectrum is also included. Two adjustable parameters, the inelasticity and charge exchange in nucleon-nucleus collisions, were included in the algorithm. In order to obtain an independent estimate of their values the proton vertical intensities in the atmosphere were calculated, adjusting the parameters until the curves fit the experimental proton data, and then assumed that these values were identical in antinucleon-nucleus collisions

Spotlight on a Discipline: An Introduction to Archival Practices

Archives are often met with confusion and the assumption that they operate in similar ways to libraries. The differences between libraries and archives are vast, but once understood, make perfect sense. Drawing on the writings of archival scholars, my own knowledge, and the desire to explain the nuances of archives, this essay aims to educate the reader on archival theory and practices, explain the differences between libraries and archives, and demystify archives so that they are more accessible

Re-conceptualizing the Bible Belt : Southern spirituality in the novels of James Wilcox.

The following paper is a discussion of religions themes in the novels of James Wilcox, a contemporary Southern author. Through closely examining four of Wilcox\u27s nine novels (along with excerpts from a few others), this project explores the ways in which Wilcox displays the postmodern state of contemporary Southern culture and its effects upon the religious climate of this region. Incorporating a number of literary and religious scholars, in addition to observing some of the ties between Wilcox and Flannery O\u27Connor, this thesis serves as both an introduction to an author who has not received a great deal of scholarly attention and an investigation of his notions of contemporary Southern Christianity and the ever-changing identity of the Bible Belt region