Hubbard Model for Atomic Impurities Bound by the Vortex Lattice of a Rotating Bose-Einstein Condensate.

We investigate cold bosonic impurity atoms trapped in a vortex lattice formed by condensed bosons of another species. We describe the dynamics of the impurities by a bosonic Hubbard model containing occupation-dependent parameters to capture the effects of strong impurity-impurity interactions. These include both a repulsive direct interaction and an attractive effective interaction mediated by the Bose-Einstein condensate. The occupation dependence of these two competing interactions drastically affects the Hubbard model phase diagram, including causing the disappearance of some Mott lobes.

Capturing exponential variance using polynomial resources: applying tensor networks to nonequilibrium stochastic processes.

Estimating the expected value of an observable appearing in a nonequilibrium stochastic process usually involves sampling. If the observable's variance is high, many samples are required. In contrast, we show that performing the same task without sampling, using tensor network compression, efficiently captures high variances in systems of various geometries and dimensions. We provide examples for which matching the accuracy of our efficient method would require a sample size scaling exponentially with system size. In particular, the high-variance observable e^{-ßW}, motivated by Jarzynski's equality, with W the work done quenching from equilibrium at inverse temperature ß, is exactly and efficiently captured by tensor networks.

A new species of Merothrips from the Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, India (Thysanoptera, Terebrantia).

Merothrips mizoramensis sp.n. is described from northeastern India based on a single macropterous female. The fore wings of this specimen have a single longitudinal vein, the pronotal notopleural sutures are very long with the posteroangular setae displaced laterally, tergite IX lacks trichobothria, and many tergites and sternites bear an unusual number of sculptured lines.

Redescription and lectotype designation of Gynaikothrips microchaetus Ananthakrishnan & Jagadish (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae).

Gynaikothrips microchaetus Ananthakrishnan and Jagadish (1969) was described from Dharwar in Karnataka, and until now has been known only from southern India (Ananthakrishnan & Sen 1980). The original description was based on an unspecified number of syntypes, with no depositary indicated. However, one of the authors (R. Varatharajan) acquired four slides that are labelled by Ananthakrishnan as this species and bear the same collection details as given in the original description. These are assumed to be syntypes, and one female is here designated as lectotype. The other three slides are of males and are considered as paralectotypes. Further, during extensive surveys for thrips at Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram (23.320 N 92.130 E) and Manipur University campus (24.820 N 93.900 E) during 2014-18, we have collected both sexes of this species from the leaves of Ficus curtipes. The freshly collected specimens were mounted onto microscope slides in Canada balsam, and identified using the keys provided by Ananthakrishnan and Sen (1980). Hence, the species is illustrated and re-described with additional features, based on the type material together with freshly collected specimens from north eastern India, Manipur and Mizoram. The following abbreviations are used for pronotal setae: am-anteromarginals; aa-anteroangulars; pa-posteroangulars; ml-midlaterals; po-postocular; epim-epimerals; abdominal tergite IX setae S1, S2 & S3-setal pairs I, II and III respectively (S1 nearest the mid-line).

Relationships and revised status of Nagathrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripinae).

The generic name Nagathrips was erected as a sub-genus of Mesothrips for the single species, crenulatus Varatharajan and Singh (2000). Subsequent studies revealed character states that were not included in the original description. These are: prosternal basantra absent; antennal segment III with one slender sense cone, segment IV with three similar sense cones; fore wings parallel-sided with no median constriction. These character states are not found in any species of Mesothrips, a genus of the Tribe Haplothripini (Mound & Minaei 2007), but are typical of members of the Liothrips-lineage (Dang et al. 2014). To confirm such a relationship partial sequence data of the mitochondrial gene (CO1) was obtained and compared with that of Gynaikothrips species.

Sympathetic reinnervation of the sinus node and exercise hemodynamics after cardiac transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Sympathetic cardiac reinnervation occurs variably after cardiac transplantation (CT) in humans. We hypothesized that sinus node reinnervation would partially restore normal chronotropic response to exercise. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen recent CT recipients, 28 late CT recipients (> or =1 year after CT), and 20 control subjects were studied. Sinus node sympathetic reinnervation was determined by heart rate (HR) change after tyramine injection into the artery that perfused the sinus node. HR changes of <5 and > or =15 bpm were defined, respectively, as denervation and marked reinnervation. During treadmill exercise, HR, blood pressure, and expired O(2) and CO(2) were measured. All early transplant recipients exhibited features typical of denervation (basal HR, 88+/-2 bpm; peak HR, 132+/-4 bpm, peaking 1.8+/-0.3 minutes after exercise cessation and slowly declining after exercise). A similar pattern was found in the 12 late transplant recipients with persistent sinus node denervation. However, in patients with marked reinnervation, exercise HR rose more (peak HR, 142+/-4 and 141+/-2 bpm), peaked earlier after cessation of exercise (0.7+/-0.4 and 0. 3+/-0.1 minute), and fell more rapidly. Exercise duration and maximal oxygen consumption were not related significantly to reinnervation status, but a trend existed for longer exercise time in markedly reinnervated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present studies suggest that sympathetic reinnervation of the sinus node is accompanied by partial restoration of normal HR response to exercise. Both maximal oxygen consumption and exercise duration were markedly shorter in CT patients than in control subjects, and most of the difference was not related to innervation status.

Improving hypertension control in a private medical practice.

Hypertension is one of the most common diseases seen by the practicing physician. Yet, because of noncompliance, conditions of many hypertensive patients are not effectively controlled by treatment. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a patient education program in reducing the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive patients in a private, solo medical practice. The intervention program focused on three behavioral objectives-pill taking, appointment keeping, and dietary sodium reduction while stressing the need for taking responsibility for one's own care. It was hypothesized that patients receiving an educational intervention stressing self-care would benefit more than those receiving the usual medical care. A substantial reduction in BP was considered to be the measure of successful treatment. Thirty-nine hypertensive patients receiving drug therapy from a private, solo medical practice were randomized into either a treatment group or a control group. A comparison of means disclosed no pretreatment differences between the groups' average BPs. After following up both groups for six months, mean changes in BP were compared for both treatment and control patients using a two-sample t test for independent samples. The BP fell in the treatment group (-13 mm Hg, systolic; -8 mm Hg, diastolic) but rose slightly in the control group (3 mm Hg, systolic 0.5 mm Hg, diastolic). The difference in changes was significant for both the systolic and diastolic BP.

Marked spontaneous improvement in ejection fraction in patients with congestive heart failure.

PURPOSE: The overall prognosis for patients with congestive heart failure is poor. Defining specific populations that might demonstrate improved survival has been difficult. We therefore examined our patient database for patients with congestive heart failure who demonstrated sustained improvement in left ventricular function and associated resolution of signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 11 patients with severe congestive heart failure (average ejection fraction 21.9 +/- 4.23% (+/- SD) who developed spontaneous, marked improvement over a period of follow-up lasting 4.25 +/- 1.49 years. All 11 patients were initially symptomatic with exertional dyspnea and fatigue for a minimum duration of 3 months. They form a subset of a larger group of 97 patients with chronic congestive heart failure that we have followed with sequential ejection fraction measurements. All 11 patients were treated with digitalis diuretics, and either converting-enzyme inhibitors or a combination of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine. Ten of the 11 patients had a history consistent with chronic alcoholism, and each reportedly abstained from alcohol during follow-up. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, the average ejection fraction improved in 11 patients from 21.9 +/- 4.23% to 56.64 +/- 10.22%. Late follow-up indicates an average ejection fraction of 52.6 +/- 8.55% for the group. Congestive heart failure resolved in each case. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that selected patients with severe congestive heart failure can markedly improve their left ventricular function in association with complete resolution of heart failure. This appears to be particularly evident in those patients with chronic alcoholism who subsequently abstain.

Acquired tracheomalacia: etiology and differential diagnosis.

The noninvasive diagnosis of impaired mechanical integrity or compliance of the trachea is most accurately made by fluoroscopic observation recorded on video tape or cineradiography, with or without benefit of artificial contrast media (contrast tracheography). In particular, localized buckling, collapse or dilatation indicative of focal tracheomalacia may thus be diagnosed in vivo and correlated with diseases of the central airways. Congenital tracheomalacia is a rare, bu, well described entity. Cases of acquired tracheomalacia occur with increasing frequency, but are often not clearly recognized. We contrast the dynamic behavior of the normal trachea with the abnormal dynamics characteristic of focal tracheomalacia. Such lesions may result from trauma, surgical procedures, chronic irritation, inflammation, mechanical changes, or malignancy.

Physiologic assessment of the coronary collateral circulation in transplanted human hearts.

Coronary arteries of transplanted hearts frequently develop a vasculopathy characterized by severe lumenal narrowing in the distal coronary arteries. It has been thought, on the basis of angiographic studies, that the coronary circulation of transplanted hearts with vasculopathy fails to develop collateral vessels normally. To determine the extent of the collateral circulation in transplanted hearts with a significant coronary stenosis, we measured an index of the collateral circulation, the coronary artery occlusion pressure, during single-vessel coronary angioplasty in seven patients with allograft vasculopathy and 18 patients with atherosclerotic disease who did not undergo transplantation. Aortic and coronary artery pressure distal to the stenosis in the epicardial artery were measured during balloon occlusion (> or = 45 seconds). Measurement variability for determination of coronary occlusion pressure was assessed by measuring occlusion pressure on two separate balloon inflations (n = 17). The severity of the dilated stenotic lesion was assessed with quantitative angiography (Reiber-PIE Data method). The indexes of stenosis severity were similar in coronary arteries of transplanted and native hearts. Coronary occlusion pressure measurements were highly reproducible (mean absolute difference between measurements, 1 +/- 1 mm Hg, r = 0.98). Coronary occlusion pressure in transplanted hearts (32 +/- 4 mm Hg) was nearly identical to that measured in coronary arteries of native hearts (29 +/- 2 mm Hg). When vessels with total occlusion were excluded and corrections were made for minor differences in hemodynamics (heart rate and blood pressure) were made, the coronary occlusion pressure in transplanted hearts remained nearly identical to native hearts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pneumoperitoneum and pneumoretroperitoneum. Consequences of positive end-expiratory pressure therapy.

Patients receiving positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) therapy should be considered at risk for pneumoperitoneum. In the four patients described, chest roentgenographic demonstration of pulmonary interstitial gas and pneumomediastinum, frequently but not always associated with pneumothorax, preceded the dissection of gas into the abdominal cavity. Neither prompt intubation of the pleural space with reexpansion of the lung in the event of pneumothorax nor decrease in the PEEP applied precluded dissection of gas from the mediastinum into the retroperitoneal and peritoneal spaces. This sequence of roentgenographic events should strongly suggest pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumoperitoneum as a sequela to PEEP therapy rather than a ruptured viscus.

Radiologic considerations in the adult respiratory distress syndrome treated wih positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Radiographic changes with ARDS are similar to alveolar pulmonary edema in the typical case, although early changes may also be nodular in a small number of cases. These may last about 4 days. Following early alveolar changes the later ARDS findings evolve into a diffuse interstitial pattern, and if the patient survives without complications, the chest x-ray may eventually clear completely. PEEP therapy may cause no x-ray changes or may manifest an apparent hyperinflation appearance to the chest x-ray. PEEP may result in barotrauma changes to the lungs manifested by vesicular rarefactions, lucent lines streaking toward the hilus, radiolucent halos around vessels, pneumatocele formation, and subpleural emphysema manifested by blebs or lucent lines on the chest x-ray. Barotrauma pulmonary changes preceded more serious complications such as pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema and extrathoracic gas collection.

Obtaining follow-up interviews for treatment evaluation.

Studies of the outcomes of substance abuse treatment are often handicapped because of subjects lost to follow-up. While follow-up data may be obtained from several sources, the follow-up interview often serves as the principal source of data. Difficulties are regularly encountered in locating and interviewing subjects not in treatment. From review of the literature on follow-up methodology and our own experience, we identified 10 procedures for effective follow-up. Application of these procedures is illustrated in a follow-up study of illicit opioid users treated in a methadone maintenance program. Follow-up interviews were obtained with 98% of the subjects. We recommend use of the 10 procedures by follow-up researchers, and we also recommend review of several previous publications on follow-up methodology.

Effects of unidentified growth factor sources on feed preference of chicks.

The effect on feed preference of various feed ingredients considered to be sources of unidentified growth factors (UGF) was studied with egg-type chicks. In each experiment five or six pens of 20 males were assigned to each treatment. All chicks were fed a corn-soy basal diet with added fat during days 1 to 13. During days 14 to 21 chicks of the test treatment were offered a choice of the basal diet (Feeder 1) or a test diet with one of the UGF sources (Feeder 2). In pens of the control treatment both feeders contained the basal diet. All diets were approximately equal in calculated nutrient composition. The UGF sources, included at 5% of the diet, were meat and bone meal (MBM); fish solubles and meal (FSM); a commercial mixture made from fish, whey, and fermentation products (UGF mix); and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Each day feed consumption from each of the feeders was measured and their positions were alternated. Chicks showed a significant preference for FSM and UGF mix in two trials, no preference for MBM in one trial, and no preference for DDGS in one trial, and a significant rejection of DDGS in the other. No differences in weight gain were noted. The MBM decreased gain/feed and DDGS increased total feed intake in one of two trials. These studies indicate that some UGF sources improve feed preference in chicks fed practical diets.

Biological availability of selenodicysteine in chicks.

The biological availability of selenium (Se) in selenodicysteine (SDC) for chicks was evaluated using plasma glutathione peroxidase (SeGSHpx) activity and tissue Se levels as criteria. In each of two trials day-old Single Comb White Leghorn chicks were fed a basal diet low in Se but supplemented with vitamin E during Days 1 to 14. On Day 15 three replicate groups of eight chicks were assigned to each dietary treatment. Dietary treatments consisted of feeding the basal diet alone or supplemented with approximately 50, 100, or 150 ppb Se as either sodium selenite or SDC from Days 15 to 27. Pooled samples of blood, liver, and breast muscle were obtained from four chicks per replicate group on Day 27. Activity of SeGSHpx and the concentration of Se in plasma, whole blood, muscle, and liver were highly correlated (P less than .0001) with supplemental dietary Se. In Trial 1 no differences were observed between the slopes for each compound upon determining linear regression equations for SeGSHpx, plasma Se, whole blood Se, muscle Se, or liver Se versus supplemental dietary Se. In Trial 2 there were no differences between the slopes for each compound in equations for SeGSHpx, plasma Se, or whole blood Se versus supplemental dietary Se. The ratio of slopes (SDC/sodium selenite) was .82 for both muscle Se and liver Se versus dietary Se. Thus, data indicate that Se in SDC is highly available for chicks.

Effect of dietary aluminum on calcium and phosphorus metabolism and performance of laying hens.

The effect was studied of feeding dietary Al as aluminum sulfate on calcium and phosphorus metabolism and performance of Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens. In Trial 1, graded levels of Al (0, .05, .10, or .15%) were added to a corn-soybean meal layer diet containing 3.3% Ca and .5% available P. Each diet was fed for 28 days to six groups of six individually caged hens. Adding .15% Al to the diet significantly (P less than .05) reduced feed intake, egg production, body weight, tibia breaking strength, and plasma inorganic P. In Trial 2, graded levels of Al (0, .1, .2, or .3%) were added to the basal diet. Each diet was fed to five or six individually caged hens for 42 days. Feeding .3% Al significantly (P less than .05) decreased plasma inorganic P in samples collected immediately following oviposition after 10 and 42 days of treatment. Plasma total Ca, tibia weight, and tibia breaking strength were unaffected by dietary treatments. Egg production and feed intake during Days 1 through 21, but not during Days 22 through 42, were significantly reduced by .3% Al. The results indicated that the addition of .3% Al to a laying hen diet has a negative effect on P metabolism and egg production.

Effect of dietary aluminum and vitamin D interaction on growth and calcium and phosphorus metabolism of broiler chicks.

The interaction of dietary aluminum (as aluminum sulfate) and vitamin D on growth performance and calcium and phosphorus metabolism was investigated using male broiler chicks. A corn-soybean broiler starter diet, containing .88% Ca and .45% available P and without added cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), was fed with 0 or .2% Al and with 0, 100, or 200 ICU of vitamin D3/kg of diet in a complete factorial arrangement. Four replicate cages of 10 chicks, 1 day of age, were assigned to each dietary treatment. Average body weight gain (328 versus 545 g), feed intake (611 versus 784 g), gain:feed (.54 versus .68), and plasma inorganic P (4.2 versus 6.7 mg/dL) were significantly reduced (P < .05) in chicks fed diets with .2% Al, compared with those fed 0% Al. These four variables were improved by increasing the level of vitamin D3 in the diet from 0 to 100 ICU/kg. However, further improvements were not obtained by elevating the vitamin D3 level to 200 ICU/kg. There were significant interactions of Al and vitamin D3 on gain, feed intake, and gain:feed, but not on plasma P. Gain and feed intake were significantly decreased by Al at each level of vitamin D3. Plasma total Ca was significantly increased by vitamin D3, but was unaffected by Al. Increasing the level of dietary vitamin D3 did not completely alleviate the negative effects of Al.

Feed efficiency and gain responses to protein levels in two lines of birds selected for oxygen consumption.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the response of two populations of chickens, divergently selected for high and low oxygen consumption, to varying protein levels. Protein levels used for Experiments 1 and 2 were 16, 18, 20, and 22% and 20, 22, 24, and 26%, respectively. The birds were weighed initially and weekly to 4 weeks of age. Feed consumption was ad libitum with amounts consumed recorded weekly. Gross feed efficiency was computed per pen as the difference between initial and weight at 4 weeks divided by feed consumed adjusted for spillage. The results from these experiments indicate that at low protein levels both lines were equally efficient, but, as the level of protein was increased, the low line was increasingly more efficient while the high line became less efficient. Gain for the low O2 birds was greater than the high O2 birds in all cases with both lines increasing in gains equally with increased protein levels.

Effect of dietary protein and energy levels on pullet development.

The effects of protein and energy levels in rearing diets and protein levels in layer diets on pullet development and subsequent layer performance were studied using 576 Single Comb White Leghorn pullets of a commercial strain. Twelve groups of 16 1-d-old chicks were assigned to each of three dietary treatments. All chicks were fed a 19% CP starter diet during Week 1. Respective protein levels in diets fed during Weeks 2 through 6, 7 through 14, and 15 through 18 were 13.5, 15.8, and 18.9% for the increasing protein treatment; 15.8, 15.8, and 15.8% for the constant protein treatment; and 18.9, 15.8, and 13.5% for the decreasing protein treatment. During Weeks 15 through 18, half of the groups in each protein treatment were assigned to a high (3.09 Mcal AMEn/kg) or a low (2.78 Mcal AMEn/kg) energy diet. After 18 wk, half of the pullets within each rearing treatment were fed a layer diet containing 16% CP and 0.34% methionine, whereas the other half were fed a layer diet with 19% CP and 0.40% methionine. Increasing the level of protein fed during Weeks 2 through 6 significantly (P < 0.05) increased body weight and feed intake up to 14 wk of age. High dietary energy increased weight gain and decreased feed intake during Weeks 15 through 18. Mortality and days to 50% egg production, as well as egg production, feed intake, feed conversion, and egg weight during the first 16 wk following photostimulation were not affected by rearing dietary treatments. Egg weight, but not other production parameters, was significantly increased by raising CP in the layer diet from 16 to 19%.

Relationship of dietary aluminum, phosphorus, and calcium to phosphorus and calcium metabolism and growth performance of broiler chicks.

Dietary treatments providing three levels of added Al (0, .196, or .392%) as aluminum sulfate and of available phosphorus (Pav) .45, .68, or .78%) in a factorial arrangement were administered to day-old chicks in Experiment 1. Plasma inorganic phosphorus (Pi) was significantly (P less than .05) elevated by increasing Pav and was decreased by Al. Body weight gain, feed intake, and the gain:feed ratio at Day 21 were significantly decreased by increased concentrations of Al, but were unaffected by the Pav concentrations. Decreases of 39 and 73% in weight gain and of 34 and 66% in feed intake resulted from feeding .196 and .392% Al, respectively. In Experiment 2, day-old chicks were fed diets supplemented with 0 or .392% Al in combination with .9% Ca plus .45% Pav, .9% Ca plus .78% Pav, 1.8% Ca plus .45% Pav, or 1.8% Ca plus .9% Pav. After 21 days, the supplemental Al resulted in: 1) significantly poorer growth performance; 2) decreased plasma Pi, total Ca, Zn, and Mg; and 3) decreased tibia weight and breaking strength. Elevating Pav improved growth performance, plasma Pi, and tibia weight and strength, and decreased plasma total Ca. Increasing dietary Ca significantly decreased plasma Pi and increased plasma total Ca without affecting other parameters. Increasing Pav alleviated the negative effect of Al on plasma Pi without correcting the negative effect of Al on growth performance.