The tectonic evolution of the pioneer metamorphic core complex, south-central Idaho

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 1990.Includes bibliographical references.by David Scott Silverberg.Ph.D

Stable Coronal X-Ray Emission Over Twenty Years of XZ Tau

XZ Tau AB is a frequently observed binary YSO in the Taurus Molecular Cloud; XZ Tau B has been classified as an EXOr object. We present new Chandra/HETG-ACIS-S observations of XZ Tau AB, complemented with variability monitoring of the system with XMM-Newton, to constrain the variability of this system and identify high-resolution line diagnostics to better understand the underlying mechanisms that produce the X-rays. We observe two flares with XMM-Newton, but find that outside of these flares the coronal X-ray spectrum of XZ Tau AB is consistent over twenty years of observations. We compare the ensemble of XZ Tau X-ray observations over time with the scatter across stars observed in point-in-time observations of the Orion Nebula Cluster and find that both overlap in terms of plasma properties, i.e., some of the scatter observed in the X-ray properties of stellar ensembles stems from intrinsic source variability.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal. 19 pages, 11 figure

IBD genetic risk profile in healthy first-degree relatives of Crohn's disease patients

BACKGROUND: Family history provides important information on risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], and genetic profiling of first-degree relatives [FDR] of Crohn's disease [CD]- affected individuals might provide additional information. We aimed to delineate the genetic contribution to the increased IBD susceptibility observed in FDR. METHODS: N = 976 Caucasian, healthy, non-related FDR; n = 4997 independent CD; and n = 5000 healthy controls [HC]; were studied. Genotyping for 158 IBD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] was performed using the Illumina Immunochip. Risk allele frequency [RAF] differences between FDR and HC cohorts were correlated with those between CD and HC cohorts. CD and IBD genetic risk scores [GRS] were calculated and compared between HC, FDR, and CD cohorts. RESULTS: IBD-associated SNP RAF differences in FDR and HC cohorts were strongly correlated with those in CD and HC cohorts, correlation coefficient 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53 - 0.72), p = 9.90 x 10(-19). There was a significant increase in CD-GRS [mean] comparing HC, FDR, and CD cohorts: 0.0244, 0.0250, and 0.0257 respectively [p < 1.00 x 10(-7) for each comparison]. There was no significant difference in the IBD-GRS between HC and FDR cohorts [p = 0.81]; however, IBD-GRS was significantly higher in CD compared with FDR and HC cohorts [p < 1.00 x 10(-10) for each comparison]. CONCLUSION: FDR of CD-affected individuals are enriched with IBD risk alleles compared with HC. Cumulative CD-specific genetic risk is increased in FDR compared with HC. Prospective studies are required to determine if genotyping would facilitate better risk stratification of FDR

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Abstract Background: Many patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have chronic kidney insufficiency (CKI) and anemia. Aims: The purpose of this review is to clarify the relationship between these three factors and to study the effect of correction of anemia in CHF and CKI. Findings: Anemia, CHF and CKI are each capable of causing or worsening each other. Thus they form a vicious circle which can result in progressive CHF, CKI and anemia. Aggressive therapy of CHF, CKI and control of the associated anemia with erythropoietin and i.v. iron can prevent the progression of CHF and CKI, reduce hospitalization, and improve quality of life. Conclusion: CHF patients are a major source of end-stage renal failure patients and deserve special attention. If treated well and early, progressive heart failure and renal failure can be prevented. Cooperation between nephrologists, cardiologists, and other internists will improve the care of all three conditions and prevent their progression