Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion

Renewal of extinguished instrumental responses: independence from Pavlovian processes and dependence on outcome value

The source of renewal of instrumental responding in rats was investigated. In Experiment 1, two responses (R1 and R2) were reinforced with one outcome (O1) in contexts A and B (i.e., R1→O1, R2→O1), and then R2 was extinguished in A and R1 was extinguished in B. At test, the rate of R1 was higher than that of R2 in context A, and the reverse was the case in context B: Renewed responding was independent of the Pavlovian context→O1 associations. In Experiment 2, all rats received R1→O1 and R2→O2 trials in A and then were placed in B, where they were sated on O2 and either did (Group Extinction) or did not (Group No Extinction) receive concurrent extinction of R1 and R2. At test, we found more responding in A than in B for Group Extinction, but not for Group No Extinction, and the renewed responding in A was as sensitive to the current value of the outcome as responding that had not been subject to extinction (i.e., the rate was higher for R1 than for R2). That is, the renewed responding was goal-directed. These results identify the removal of contextual inhibion of either the response or the response→outcome associaon as potenal bases for renewal, and the response→outcome associaon as the source of renewed responding

Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Children: Epidemiology and Treatment

The incidence of overweight and obesity among children has increased dramatically in recent decades, with about one-third of children in the U.S. currently being either overweight or obese. Being overweight in early childhood increases risk for later obesity. There is evidence for the efficacy of family-based behavioral treatment to control weight and improve health outcomes. Obesity-related health risks have been documented, including metabolic syndrome. There is also increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among youth in recent years, with obesity and family history of T2D generally present. Lower income and ethnic minority status are associated with both obesity and T2D in youth. Most youth with T2D do not achieve optimal glycemic control, and are at high risk for later health complications. Obesity and T2D represent significant public health issues with potentially great personal and societal cost. Research addressing the prevention of obesity and T2D among youth is urgently needed