Healy Carlsson (condorhorse2)

Energy homeostasis is regulated in coordinate fashion by the brain-gut axis, the homeostatic energy balance circuitry in the hypothalamus and the hedonic energy balance circuitry comprising the mesolimbcortical A10 dopamine pathway. Collectively, these systems convey and integrate information regarding nutrient status and the rewarding properties of ingested food, and formulate it into a behavioral response that attempts to balance fluctuations in consumption and food-seeking behavior. In this review we start with a functional overview of the homeostatic and hedonic energy balance circuitries; identifying the salient neural, hormonal and humoral components involved. We then delve into how the function of these circuits differs in males and females. Finally, we turn our attention to the ever-emerging roles of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-two neuropeptides that have garnered increased recognition for their regulatory impact in energy homeostasis-to further probe how the imposed regulation of energy balance circuitry by these peptides is affected by sex and altered under positive (e.g., obesity) and negative (e.g., fasting) energy balance states. It is hoped that this work will impart a newfound appreciation for the intricate regulatory processes that govern energy homeostasis, as well as how recent insights into the N/OFQ and PACAP systems can be leveraged in the treatment of conditions ranging from obesity to anorexia.This paper presents a personal view by the author of the role of bifilms in Al alloys. The mantra 'microstructure determines properties' is widely accepted as a truism, but is here critically assessed and found wanting. The case is made that bifilms from the casting process, while often invisible in the microstructure, are usually at least as important, if not of far greater importance, because they are often present as a dense population of cracks throughout the metal. The bifilm population controls the morphology of many features of cast and wrought structures. For cast alloys, bifilm control of pore morphology and Si morphology in Al-Si alloys is discussed, as is dendrite arm spacing (DAS). The tensile property benefits of grain refinement are seen to be mainly bifilm controlled. The properties ductility and fatigue appear to be especially dominated by bifilm content, as are invasive corrosion processes such as pitting, intergranular corrosion, hydrogen blistering and cracking. Bifilm control is proposed as a new concept permitting the improvement and control of metallurgical properties.Despite the steadily improving medical care situation in pediatrics, some drugs are still not available in a suitable dose or dosage form and thus need to be prepared extemporaneously. Capsules can be easily compounded at the hospital and public pharmacies, offering an alternative to liquid formulations. This study aims at testing a mass-based approach for the extemporaneous preparation of low-dose pediatric capsules and investigating systematically the API loss during this procedure. A total of 54 capsule batches were prepared with baclofen and spironolactone as pediatric-relevant drugs. The hard capsules were prepared using three different bulking agents consisting of either mannitol, lactose-monohydrate and microcrystalline cellulose mixed with 0.5% colloidal silica. Capsules were tested according to Ph. Eur. method "2.9.40 Content Uniformity" as well as for occurring powder loss and mass uniformity. The results reveal that the mass-based approach, in general, allows the preparation of low-dose pediatric capsules of appropriate quality. However, absolute quality is highly dependent on the homogeneity of the powder mixture and the use of defined parameters for capsule preparation.In this study, static induction transistors (SITs) with beta gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) channels are grown on a p-epi silicon carbide (SiC) layer via radio frequency sputtering. The Ga2O3