Activity Based Anorexia as an Animal Model for Anorexia Nervosa–A Systematic Review

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe eating disorder affecting around 1 per 100 persons. However, the knowledge about its underlying pathophysiology is limited. To address the need for a better understanding of AN, an animal model was established early on in the late 1960's: the activity-based anorexia (ABA) model in which rats have access to a running wheel combined with restricted food access leading to self-starving/body weight loss and hyperactivity. Both symptoms, separately or combined, can also be found in patients with AN. The aim of this systematic review was to compile the current knowledge about this animal model as well as to address gaps in knowledge. Using the data bases of PubMed, Embase and Web of science 102 publications were identified meeting the search criteria. Here, we show that the ABA model mimics core features of human AN and has been characterized with regards to brain alterations, hormonal changes as well as adaptations of the immune system. Moreover, pharmacological interventions in ABA animals and new developments, such as a chronic adaptation of the ABA model, will be highlighted. The chronic model might be well suited to display AN characteristics but should be further characterized. Lastly, limitations of the model will be discussed

Self-interaction correction with Wannier functions

We describe the behavior of the Perdew-Zunger self-interaction-corrected local density approximation (SIC-LDA) functional when implemented in a plane-wave pseudopotential formalism with Wannier functions. Prototypical semiconductors and wide-bandgap oxides show a large overcorrection of the LDA bandgap. Application to transition-metal oxides and elements with d electrons is hindered by a serious breaking of the spherical symmetry, which appears even in a closed shell free atom. Our results indicate that, when all spherical approximations are lifted, the general applicability of orbital-dependent potentials is very limited and should be reconsidered in favor of rotationally invariant functionals.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Longitudinal flying qualities criteria for single-pilot instrument flight operations

Modern estimation and control theory, flight testing, and statistical analysis were used to deduce flying qualities criteria for General Aviation Single Pilot Instrument Flight Rule (SPIFR) operations. The principal concern is that unsatisfactory aircraft dynamic response combined with high navigation/communication workload can produce problems of safety and efficiency. To alleviate these problems. The relative importance of these factors must be determined. This objective was achieved by flying SPIFR tasks with different aircraft dynamic configurations and assessing the effects of such variations under these conditions. The experimental results yielded quantitative indicators of pilot's performance and workload, and for each of them, multivariate regression was applied to evaluate several candidate flying qualities criteria

Perspectives on the use of rule-based control

Issues regarding the application of artificial intelligence techniques to real-time control are discussed. Advantages associated with knowledge-based programming are discussed. A proposed rule-based control technique is summarized and applied to the problem of automated aircraft emergency procedure execution. Although emergency procedures are by definition predominately procedural, their numerous evaluation and decision points make a declarative representation of the knowledge they encode highly attractive, resulting in an organized and easily maintained software hierarchy. Simulation results demonstrate that real-time performance can be obtained using a microprocessor-based controller. It is concluded that a rule-based control system design approach may prove more useful than conventional methods under certain circumstances, and that declarative rules with embedded procedural code provide a sound basis for the construction of complex, yet economical, control systems

Predicting polarization and nonlinear dielectric response of arbitrary perovskite superlattice sequences

We carry out first-principles calculations of the nonlinear dielectric response of short-period ferroelectric superlattices. We compute and store not only the total polarization, but also the Wannier-based polarizations of individual atomic layers, as a function of electric displacement field, and use this information to construct a model capable of predicting the nonlinear dielectric response of an arbitrary superlattice sequence. We demonstrate the successful application of our approach to superlattices composed of SrTiO$_3$, CaTiO$_3$, and BaTiO$_3$ layers.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

If You're Not Scared, You Haven’t Been Paying Attention: Trump, die Radikalisierung der GOP und die Zukunft der US-amerikanischen Demokratie

Der Beitrag diskutiert die Zukunft der US-amerikanischen Demokratie nach dem Ausscheiden Donald J. Trumps aus dem Amt. Mit dem Amtsantritt Bidens scheint Trumps versuchter Selbst-Putsch gescheitert. Der vorliegende Beitrag argumentiert vor dem Hintergrund der Forschung zu demokratischer Regression, dass diese Sichtweise zu optimistisch ist. Erstens ist die Republikanische Partei (GOP) insgesamt mitschuldig am Angriff auf den demokratischen Verfassungsstaat. Zweitens schreitet die Kampagne der GOP, mit undemokratischen Mitteln eine Minderheitsherrschaft zu etablieren und dauerhaft zu sichern, auch nach Trumps Ausscheiden aus dem Amt ungebremst voran. Die Halbzeitwahlen 2022 und die Präsidentschaftswahlen 2024 sind somit entscheidend, ob die USA eine liberale Demokratie bleiben oder in eine Wettbewerbsautokratie degenerieren.The article discusses the future of US democracy after the end of Donald J. Trump’s scandal-ridden presidency, which culminated in a violent attempted self-coup. In contrast to many observers outside the United States who appear to assume that Joe Biden's inauguration marks the failure of the coup attempt, I argue that this view is overly optimistic. First, Trump by no means acted alone but was supported by leading figures in the Republican Party (GOP). Second, the attack on democratic norms and institutions to restore and permanently cement Republican minority rule continues to move forward. The 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential election et the course on whether the United States will return to liberal democracy or degrade into Hungary-style competitive authoritarianism

The Reluctant Peacekeeper: Japan's Ambivalent Stance on UN Peace Operations

The question of overseas deployment of the Self Defence Force (SDF) continues to be one of the most controversial issues in Japan’s foreign policy. This becomes particularly obvious with respect to participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Japan is caught between, on the one hand, the aspiration to contribute to international peace and security and, on the other, the need to adhere to the constitution, which renounces the use of force as an instrument of foreign policy. This has led to strict legal limitations concerning Japan’s participation in peacekeeping missions, resulting in significant practical problems in the field. Despite revisions of the legal framework, Japan’s contribution to peacekeeping activities remains severely limited, particularly with respect to so-called robust peacekeeping. Instead of gradually broadening the SDF’s activities, however, Tokyo would be better advised to strengthen its civilian contribution to peace operations

Taking Stock: The Focal Points of Abe's Foreign Policy

In September 2007, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned after only one year in office. Abe, who had been Chief Cabinet Secretary in the cabinet of Jun’ichiro Koizumi, had gained popularity mainly because of his tough stance towards North Korea, in particular concerning the abduction issue. During Abe’s premiership, foreign policy remained his forte. This article examines the continuities and discontinuities of Abe’s and Koizumi’s foreign policies. Overall, Abe has continued with Koizumi’s agenda of “normalising” Japan’s foreign policy. In spite of his reputation as an ultranationalist and revisionist, however, he has made serious efforts to repair Japan’s strained relations with China and South Korea, which had deteriorated due to Koizumi’s regular visits to the Yasukuni shrine. Furthermore, Abe has fostered strategic relations with India and Australia, and worked to further deepen the alliance with the United States