Supersymmetric Biorthogonal Quantum Systems

We discuss supersymmetric biorthogonal systems, with emphasis given to the periodic solutions that occur at spectral singularities of PT symmetric models. For these periodic solutions, the dual functions are associated polynomials that obey inhomogeneous equations. We construct in detail some explicit examples for the supersymmetric pairs of potentials V_{+/-}(z) = -U(z)^2 +/- z(d/(dz))U(z) where U(z) = \sum_{k>0}u_{k}z^{k}. In particular, we consider the cases generated by U(z) = z and z/(1-z). We also briefly consider the effects of magnetic vector potentials on the partition functions of these systems.Comment: Changes are made to conform to the published version. In particular, some errors are corrected on pp 12-1

Public Health Disaster Research: Surveying the Field, Defining its Future

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness are commonly perceived as subfields of the larger fields of medicine and public health rather than being recognized as an emerging academic field embracing all of the disciplines that contribute to effective disaster response. As such, they serve as appropriate subjects for multidisciplinary work in the social sciences, whether it is a sociological analysis of mass behavior during a disaster, psychological studies of the willingness to work of various workforces, or organizational theory or network analyses applied to ad hoc disaster coalitions. Laboratory sciences and bioinformatics contribute as well to the development of new treatment modalities, medical products, and surveillance technologies. As is true in the broader medical and public health fields, much of the work is empirical and evaluative. In this article, the authors survey the literature in the field and suggest that broader, more ecologically based research is needed

Leptin and Hypertension in Obesity

Leptin, a peptide discovered more than 10 years ago, decreases food intake and increases sympathetic nerve activity to both thermogenic and nonthermogenic tissue. Leptin was initially believed to be an anti-obesity hormone, owing to its metabolic effects. However, obese individuals, for unknown reasons, become resistant to the satiety and weight-reducing effect of the hormone, but preserve leptin-mediated sympathetic activation to nonthermogenic tissue such as kidney, heart, and adrenal glands. Leptin has been shown to influence nitric oxide production and natriuresis, and along with chronic sympathetic activation, especially to the kidney, it may lead to sodium retention, systemic vasoconstriction, and blood pressure elevation. Consequently, leptin is currently considered to play an important role in the development of hypertension in obesity

Environmental change and Rift Valley fever in eastern Africa: projecting beyond HEALTHY FUTURES

Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF), a relatively recently emerged zoonosis endemic to large parts of sub-Saharan Africa that has the potential to spread beyond the continent, have profound health and socio-economic impacts, particularly in communities where resilience is already low. Here output from a new, dynamic disease model [the Liverpool RVF (LRVF) model], driven by downscaled, bias-corrected climate change data from an ensemble of global circulation models from the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project run according to two radiative forcing scenarios [representative concentration pathway (RCP)4.5 and RCP8.5], is combined with results of a spatial assessment of social vulnerability to the disease in eastern Africa. The combined approach allowed for analyses of spatial and temporal variations in the risk of RVF to the end of the current century. Results for both scenarios highlight the high-risk of future RVF outbreaks, including in parts of eastern Africa to date unaffected by the disease. The results also highlight the risk of spread from/to countries adjacent to the study area, and possibly farther afield, and the value of considering the geography of future projections of disease risk. Based on the results, there is a clear need to remain vigilant and to invest not only in surveillance and early warning systems, but also in addressing the socio-economic factors that underpin social vulnerability in order to mitigate, effectively, future impacts

Web-browser encryption of personal health information

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Electronic health records provide access to an unprecedented amount of clinical data for research that can accelerate the development of effective medical practices. However it is important to protect patient confidentiality, as many medical conditions are stigmatized and disclosure could result in personal and/or financial loss.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We describe a system for remote data entry that allows the data that would identify the patient to be encrypted in the web browser of the person entering the data. These data cannot be decrypted on the server by the staff at the data center but can be decrypted by the person entering the data or their delegate. We developed this system to solve a problem that arose in the context of clinical research, but it is applicable in a range of situations where sensitive information is stored and updated in a database and it is necessary to ensure that it cannot be viewed by any except those intentionally given access.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>By developing this system, we are able to centralize the collection of some patient data while minimizing the risk that protected health information be made available to study personnel who are not authorized to use it.</p

Reservoir characterization and three-dimensional models of Mt. Simon gas storage fields in the Illinois basin

Ope

Curvature-Induced Defect Unbinding in Toroidal Geometries

Toroidal templates such as vesicles with hexatic bond orientational order are discussed. The total energy including disclination charges is explicitly computed for hexatic order embedded in a toroidal geometry. Related results apply for tilt or nematic order on the torus in the one Frank constant approximation. Although there is no topological necessity for defects in the ground state, we find that excess disclination defects are nevertheless energetically favored for fat torii or moderate vesicle sizes. Some experimental consequences are discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 15 eps figure

The New York City Principals Pandemic Flu Survey: Are Schools Prepared?

It will be only a matter of time before another influenza pandemic occurs. Pandemic flu refers to a novel human influenza virus that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic. Researchers cannot accurately predict the timing, severity, or source of the next pandemic, but are certain it would present a myriad of issues for the public health infrastructures of our local communities. In the case of a pandemic flu outbreak, daily routine would be interrupted and school administrators would have many challenges to face. School principals in particular serve a unique role in their communities -- they are the link between their schools and the outside world, as well as a means of communication between these two sectors. It is important for individuals in this role to be seen as a clear and constant channel of communication at all times, especially during an emergency. In October of 2006, researchers from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP), in coordination with the New York City (NYC) based Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), conducted a web based survey of NYC school principals to gauge their level of preparedness and to address the concern of principals for the many consequences that may arise for their schools if a pandemic flu outbreak is to occur. 330 of the 1260 principals responded (26.2%). Among key findings were the following: 1) 84.1% of principals did not have a pandemic flu plan; 2) Among the few schools with a plan, four out of five principals were not familiar with it; 3) The overwhelming majority of principals said their school had no process for talking with parents, and few have been involved in community level planning efforts. Schools are a resource to the safety of the community, and the well-being of schools and the community are inexorably intertwined. Recommendations for the future center on the need for schools and communities to work together to prepare for pandemic flu, as well as other emergencies. Other important recommendations include improving upon the role of the principal as a risk communicator and integrating the pandemic flu plan into the school's existing safety plan