The proopiomelanocortin (POMC) molecule has been implicated in models of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in neurodevelopmental disorders, but it has never been specifically sequenced in search of base specific polymorphisms. The empirical focus of this preliminary study was to sequence the POMC gene in 11 children (mean age = 41.8 months, range = 12–60 months; 73% male) with clinical concerns regarding global developmental delay, 5 with reported self-injury. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples, and the POMC gene was amplified by specific oligonucleotide primers via polymerase chain reaction. The amplified gene products were sequenced by the University of Minnesota Genomic Center, and the results were analyzed using Sequencher software. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), 1130 C>T, was found in the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of two samples (one of whom had SIB). The program TargetScanHuman was used to predict the function of this mutation. Variant c.1130 C<T was predicted to be located in the target site of two microRNAs (miRNAs; hsa-mir-3715 and hsa-mir-1909), and the variant allele T may result in an increased minimum free energy for the two miRNAs. Further work with much larger samples is needed to continue the investigation of POMC’s possible function as a risk factor for the development of SIB in children with developmental delay/disability. The findings presented in this study show that the SNP found in the 3’ UTR could alter the binding of miRNAs to POMC 3'UTR, thus, increasing POMC expression and affecting several biological systems with high relevance to the biology of self-injury. There was a significant difference in β-endorphin levels between SIB (M = 169.25 pg/mL) and no SIB (M = 273.5 pg/mL, SD = 15.2) cases (p < .01). Intervention implications are tied to prior observations of individual differences among SIB responders and nonresponders to treatment with the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Stratifying individuals with SIB by POMC mutation status may provide a potential tailoring-like variable to guide the selection of who is more (or less) likely to respond to opiate antagonist treatment. Currently, opioid antagonistic treatment for SIB is empiric (trial and error).

From a 45ks Chandra observation of V42G Oph we have obtained high-resolution X-ray spectra at moderate signal-to-noise, and a, good quality, uninterrupted lightcurve. The spectra are reasonably fit with a cooling flow model, similar to EX Hya and U Gem. Our analysis of the Chandra and additional X-ray/optical lightcurves reveals a persistent modulation at 4.2 hr from 1988 to 2003, likely the white dwarf spin period indicating an intermediate polar nature for V426 Oph.

On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas. The ensuing unprecedented flooding throughout the Texas coastal region affected millions of individuals.1 The statewide response in Texas included the sheltering of thousands of individuals at considerable distances from their homes. The Dallas area established large-scale general population sheltering as the number of evacuees to the area began to amass. Historically, the Dallas area is one familiar with “mega-sheltering,” beginning with the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.2 Through continued efforts and development, the Dallas area had been readying a plan for the largest general population shelter in Texas. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:33–37)

During the red supergiant (RSG) stage of massive star evolution, emission from dust and molecules allows the copious stellar winds to be studied in great detail. This help us understand not only the evolutionary stages of the star (which are highly dependent on mass loss rates), but also the morphology of the eventual supernova remnant. Maser emission from OH and H2O has been mapped with milli-arcsec resolution (using MERLIN and the EVN/global VLBI) around RSG including VY CMa, S Per and VX Sgr. The H2O masers originate in clouds accelerating away from the star and OH mainlines masers interleave the outer parts of the H2O maser shell. Zeeman splitting of OH maser lines reveals the orientation and strength of stellar-centred magnetic fields.

The study of diffuse celestial sources in the ground-inaccessible ultraviolet spectral range is less advanced than UV studies of point and compact sources. The main reason is that the characteristics of instrumentation optimized for the two types of objects are quite different. Studies of diffuse objects are best made with fast focal ratio optics with wide fields of view, whereas studies of point and compact objects are best made with large telescope aperture and high angular resolution. As a result, most space ultraviolet instruments to date (such as the International Ultraviolet Explorer and the forthcoming Hubble Space Telescope) are not well suited to the study of faint, extended diffuse objects in the ultraviolet.

We present wide-field, spatially and highly resolved spectroscopic observations of Balmer filaments in the northeastern rim of Tycho’s supernova remnant in order to investigate the signal of cosmic-ray (CR) acceleration. The spectra of Balmer-dominated shocks (BDSs) have characteristic narrow (FWHM ~ 10 km s−1) and broad (FWHM ~ 1000 km s−1) Hα components. CRs affect the Hα-line parameters: heating the cold neutrals in the interstellar medium results in broadening of the narrow Hα-line width beyond 20 km s−1, but also in reduction of the broad Hα-line width due to energy being removed from the protons in the post-shock region. For the first time we show that the width of the narrow Hα line, much larger than 20 km s−1, is not a resolution or geometric effect nor a spurious result of a neglected intermediate (FWHM ~ 100 km s−1) component resulting from hydrogen atoms undergoing charge exchange with warm protons in the broad-neutral precursor. Moreover, we show that a narrow line width ≫ 20 km s−1 extends across the entire NE rim, implying CR acceleration is ubiquitous, and making it possible to relate its strength to locally varying shock conditions. Finally, we find several locations along the rim, where spectra are significantly better explained (based on Bayesian evidence) by inclusion of the intermediate component, with a width of 180 km s−1 on average.

Procedures and equipment have been described in previous date lists. Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal, and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH–Na4P2O7 and dilute H3PO4 before conversion to the counting gas methane; marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HCl instead of H3PO4. Pretreatment of bone varies with the condition of the bone sample; solid bone with little deterioration is first cleaned manually and ultrasonically. The bone is treated with 8% HCl for 15 minutes, then dilute NaOH–Na4P2O7 for 3 hours at room temperature, washed until neutral, and the collagen extracted according to Longin (1971). Charred bone is treated with dilute HCl, NaOH–Na4P2O7, and then dilute HCl again.

Procedures and equipment used in the University of Wisconsin laboratory have been described in previous date lists (Bender, Bryson & Baerreis 1965; Steventon & Kutzbach 1986). Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH-NA4P2O7 and dilute H3PO4 before conversion to counting gas methane; when noted, marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HCL instead of H3PO4.

Procedures and equipment used in the University of Wisconsin laboratory have been described in previous date lists (Steventon & Kutzbach 1983; 1984). Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal, and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH-Na4P2O7 and dilute H3PO4 before conversion to the counting gas methane; when noted, marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HCl instead of H3PO4. Pretreatment of bone varies with the condition of the bone sample; solid bone with little deterioration is first cleaned manually and ultrasonically. The bone is treated with 8% HCl for 15 minutes, then dilute NaOH-Na4P2O7 for 3 hours at room temperature, washed until neutral, and the collagen extracted according to Longin (1971). Charred bone is treated with dilute HCl, NaOH-Na4P2O7, and then dilute HCl again.

Procedures and equipment used in the University of Wisconsin laboratory have been described in previous date lists. Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal, and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH—NA4P2O7 and dilute H3PO4 before conversion to the counting gas methane; when noted, marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HCL instead of H3PO4. Pretreatment of bone varies with the condition of the bone sample; solid bone with little deterioration is first cleaned manually and ultrasonically. The bone is treated with 8% HCL for 15 minutes, then dilute NaOH—Na4P2O7 for 3 hours at room temperature, washed until neutral, and the collagen extracted according to Longin (1971). Charred bone is treated with dilute HCL, NaOH—Na4P2O7, and then dilute HCL again.

Procedures and equipment used in the University of Wisconsin laboratory have been described in previous date lists. Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal, and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH-Na4P2O7 and dilute H3PO4 before conversion to the counting gas methane; marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HCl instead of H3PO4. Pretreatment of bone varies with the condition of the bone sample; solid bone with little deterioration is first cleaned manually and ultrasonically. The bone is treated with 8% HCl for 15 minutes, then dilute NaOH-Na4P2O7 for 3 hours at room temperature, washed until neutral, and the collagen extracted according to Longin (1971). Charred bone is treated with dilute HCl, NaOH-Na4P2O7, and then dilute HCl again.

Procedures and equipment used in the University of Wisconsin laboratory have been described in previous date lists. The preamplifiers and counting system were replaced in 1977 using modified EC & G Ortec components. Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal, and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH-Na4P2O7 and dilute H3PO4 before conversion to the counting gas methane; when noted marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HCl instead of H3PO4. Pretreatment of bone varies with the condition of the bone sample; solid bone with little deterioration is first cleaned manually and ultrasonically. The bone is treated with 8% HCl for 15 minutes, then dilute NaOH-Na4P2O7 for 3 hours at room temperature, washed until neutral, and the collagen extracted according to Longin (1971). Charred bone is treated with dilute HCl, NaOH-Na4P2O7, and then dilute HCl again.

Procedures and equipment used in the University of Wisconsin laboratory have been described in previous date lists. Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal, and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH—NA4P2O7 and dilute H3PO4 before conversion to the counting gas methane; when noted, marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HCL instead of H3PO4. Pretreatment of bone varies with the condition of the bone sample; solid bone with little deterioration is first cleaned manually and ultrasonically. The bone is treated with 8% HCL for 15 minutes, then dilute NaOH—Na4P2O7 for 3 hours at room temperature, washed until neutral, and the collagen extracted according to Longin (1971). Charred bone is treated with dilute HCL, NaOH—Na4P2O7, and then dilute HCL again.

A narrow-band translator and filter system has been constructed for the Parkes Multibeam receiver. This brief note outlines the characteristics of the system and indicates the range of new projects that will be possible in studies of the Magellanic Clouds.

Improved solutions have been obtained for the orbit and equatorial cross-section of Mercury using radar ranging data spanning 22 years. These data have yielded new results on the precession of Mercury’s perihelion and better limits on a possible time variation in the gravitational constant G.

Division VI of the International Astronomical Union deals with Interstellar Matter, and incorporates Commission 34. It gathers astronomers studying the diffuse matter in space between the stars, ranging from primordial intergalactic clouds via dust and neutral and ionised gas in galaxies to the densest molecular clouds and the processes by which stars are formed. There are approximately 730 members. The working groups in Planetary Nebulae and Cosmochemistry have served us well in organising periodic seminars in these subject areas. However, the Organising Committee has recognised that other developing areas of the ISM are not properly represented in the current organisation. In January 1997, the Division formed a new ISM working group on Star Forming Regions including cross-divisional representation to monitor progress in their fields and to help develop proposals for future IAU Symposia or Colloquia. In the future, especially in view of the rapid developments in spaceborne X-ray and IR astronomy, Division VI also hopes to form other working groups on the Hot ISM and the Extragalactic ISM.