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Background Obesity and insulin resistance are positively correlated with plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels; however, the mechanisms leading to increased ET-1 are not understood. Similarly, the full physiological complexity of ET-1 has yet to be described, especially in obesity. To date, one of the best treatments available for morbid obesity is bariatric surgery to quickly reduce body fat and the factors associated with obesity-related disease; however, the effects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on plasma ET-1 have not been described. Objectives To determine if SG will reduce plasma ET-1 levels and to determine if plasma ET-1 concentration is associated with weight loss after surgery. Setting The studies were undertaken at a University Hospital. Methods This was tested by measuring plasma ET-1 levels from 12 obese patients before and after SG. All data were collected from clinic visits before SG, 6 weeks after SG, and 6 months after surgery. Results At 6 weeks after SG, plasma ET-1 levels increased by 24%; however, after 6 months, there was a 27% decrease compared with presurgery. Average weight loss in this cohort was 11.3% ± 2.4% body weight after 6 weeks and 21.4% ± 5.7% body weight after 6 months. Interestingly, we observed an inverse relationship between baseline plasma ET-1 and percent body weight loss (R2 = .49, P = .01) and change in body mass index 6 months (R2 = .45, P = .011) post bariatric surgery. Conclusions Our results indicate that SG reduces plasma ET-1 levels, a possible mechanism for improved metabolic risk in these patients. These data also suggest that ET-1 may serve as a predictor of weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Texas has the greatest installed wind turbine capacity of any state in the United States, but as the percentage of wind generation approaches 10% of the utilities total electrical generation (in 2012, the total wind generated electricity in Texas was 7.4%), it becomes increasingly difficult for the utility to balance the electrical load due to the mismatch between the wind farm (WF) generated electricity and the utility electrical loading. In this paper WF output was shown to be diurnally and seasonally mismatched with the utility electrical loading in the Texas Panhandle (e.g. Texas Panhandle has the highest wind energy resource in Texas). In addition, the wind farm output in the Texas Panhandle does not normally contribute significantly at the peak hourly electrical load, and the peak hourly electrical load is a major deciding factor for a utility to add new power plants. A financial analysis was also performed on all the renewable energy systems analyzed. Various ratios of wind farm output to concentrating solar power (CSP) parabolic trough plant output (with 6 h of thermal storage) were calculated for the Texas Panhandle and compared to the utility electrical loading on an annual and peak monthly basis (each renewable energy system was analyzed at a 100 MW rating). The 67 MW wind farm and the 33 MW CSP plant with 6 h of thermal storage was approximately the best match to the utility electrical loading. The utility electrical load was also compared to: a 100 MW WF, a 100 MW CSP plant (with and without 6 h thermal storage), and finally the 67 MW WF with 33 MW CSP plant (with 6 h of thermal storage) on an annual, monthly, and peak hourly load basis. Typically for each month, the wind farm did not match the utility electrical loading except in the evening while the CSP plant (without storage) matched the utility electrical loading with the exception of in the evening. For the peak utility electrical loading months (July and August) and the days with the peak electrical loadings during those months, the 100 MW CSP plant with 6 h of thermal storage performed best in terms of supporting the utility electrical load (e.g. no wind farm). For the Texas Panhandle the estimated levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of a hybrid WF/CSP plant was in the range of $108/MW h to $129/MW h while the WF only system was estimated to be $64/MW h, but the benefits of adding CSP may justify the additional cost. Although the Texas Panhandle was the only location analyzed for combining CSP plants with WFs, the analysis described in this paper can be used for other regions, states, or countries.

The objective of this paper was to determine if three different direct normal irradiance (DNI) models were sufficiently accurate to determine if concentrating solar power (CSP) plants could meet the utility electrical load. DNI data were measured at three different laboratories in the United States and compared with DNI calculated by three DNI models. In addition, utility electrical loading data were obtained for all three locations. The DNI models evaluated were: the Direct Insolation Simulation Code (DISC), DIRINT, and DIRINDEX. On an annual solar insolation (e.g. kW h/m2) basis, the accuracy of the DNI models at all three locations was within: 7% (DISC), 5% (DIRINT), and 3% (DIRINDEX). During the three highest electrical loading months at the three locations, the monthly accuracy varied from: 0% to 16% (DISC), 0% to 9% (DIRINT), and 0% to 8% (DIRINDEX). At one location different pyranometers were used to measure GHI, and the most expensive pyranometers did not improve the DNI model monthly accuracy. In lieu of actually measuring DNI, using the DIRINT model was felt to be sufficient for assessing whether to build a CSP plant at one location, but use of either the DIRINT or DIRINDEX models was felt to be marginal for the other two locations due to errors in modeling DNI for utility peak electrical loading days – especially for partly cloudy days.

While many remote water pumping systems exist (e.g. mechanical windmills, solar photovoltaic, wind-electric, diesel powered), few combine both the wind and solar energy resources to possibly improve the reliability and the performance of the system. In this paper, off-grid wind turbine (WT) and solar photovoltaic (PV) array water pumping systems were analyzed individually and combined as a hybrid system. The objectives were to determine: (1) advantages or disadvantages of using a hybrid system over using a WT or a solar PV array alone; (2) if the WT or solar PV array interfered with the output of the other; and (3) which hybrid system was the most efficient for the location. The WT used in the analysis was rated at 900 W alternating current (AC). There were three different solar PV arrays analyzed, and they were rated at 320, 480, and 640 W direct current (DC). A rectifier converted the 3-phase variable voltage AC output from the WT to DC before combining it with the solar PV array DC output. The combined renewable energies powered a single helical pump. The independent variable used in the hybrid WT/PV array analysis was in units of W/m 2 . The peak pump efficiency of the hybrid systems at Bushland, TX occurred for the 900 W WT combined with the 640 W PV array. The peak pump efficiencies at a 75 m pumping depth of the hybrid systems were: 47% (WT/320 W PV array), 51% (WT/480 W PV array), and 55% (WT/640 W PV array). Interference occurred between the WT and the different PV arrays (likely due to voltage mismatch between WT and PV array), but the least interference occurred for the WT/320 W PV array. This hybrid system pumped 28% more water during the greatest water demand month than the WT and PV systems would have pumped individually. An additional controller with a buck/boost converter is discussed at end of paper for improvement of the hybrid WT/PV array water pumping system.

Background About one-third of patients undergoing a Roux-en-Y anastomosis develop Roux stasis syndrome, likely because of disordered electrical conduction. GI electrical stimulation has been previously used successfully in the management of postsurgical gastroparesis. Objective Endoscopic placement of temporary electrodes and GI electrical stimulation in the management of severe Roux stasis syndrome in a patient with esophagojejunostomy and to determine whether the patient would be a candidate for surgical permanent electrode placement. Design Case report. Setting Academic medical center. Patients This study involved a patient with Roux stasis syndrome. Intervention Upper endoscopy was performed, followed by endoscopic placement of two temporary electrodes, one each in the two jejunal limbs. Electrical stimulation was provided by an external stimulation device. The patient was re-evaluated 5 days later. Main Outcome Measurements Electrogastrogram (EGG) parameters including frequency, amplitude, and frequency-amplitude ratio and total symptom score and health-related quality of life score. Results There was a significant improvement in EGG parameters with electrical stimulation. Also, the patient had a marked improvement in total GI symptom score, from 11 to 4, with a dramatic improvement in the health-related quality of life score from −3 to +3. Limitations Single case report. Conclusion Endoscopic placement of temporary electrodes is feasible and safe. GI electrical stimulation of the jejunal limb is a potentially effective treatment for Roux stasis syndrome.

For several years, many types of solar powered water pumping systems were evaluated, and in this paper, diaphragm and helical solar photovoltaic (PV) powered water pumping systems are discussed. Data were collected on diaphragm and helical pumps which were powered by different solar PV arrays at multiple pumping depths to determine the pumping performance, efficiency, and reliability of the different systems. The highest diaphragm pump hydraulic efficiency measured was ∼48%, and the highest helical pump hydraulic efficiency measured was ∼60%. The peak total system efficiency (e.g. solar radiation to pumped water) measured for the diaphragm and helical pumps were ∼5% and ∼7%, respectively (based on PV modules with ∼12% efficiency). The daily water volume of the three-chamber high head diaphragm pump performed better than the dual-chamber high head diaphragm pump (∼5 to ∼100% depending on PV array input power and pumping depth). Use of a controller was shown to improve the quad diaphragm pump performance below a solar irradiance of 600 W/m 2 (20 m head) to 800 W/m 2 (30 m head). While diaphragm pumps made mostly of plastic demonstrated similar to much better pumping performance than diaphragm pumps made with a high proportion of metal, the metal pumps demonstrated a longer service life (>2 years) than the plastic pumps service life (

A method of producing relatively monodisperse, small-diameter (sub-500 nm diameter) aerosol fibers is described. This method involves the separation of porous thin films from their substrate. It was found that fibers with diameters of less than several hundred nm and lengths of several micrometers can be formed that do not adhere to one-another. Two μ m thick columnar thin films were fabricated and processed, yielding aerosol fibers with lengths up to 2 μm and diameters up to 170 nm. Diameter and length distributions of a collected aerosol showed that a broad range of fiber lengths and diameters are formed by this method. Further modification of the method, however, is expected to greatly narrow the range of effective diameters and lengths obtained.

We investigated the use of a novel class of porous thin films for the characterization of tapping mode atomic force microscope (AFM) tips. Chromium and titanium films were evaporated using the technique of glancing angle deposition (GLAD) onto rotating silicon substrates. The morphology of the resulting films consisted of isolated vertical posts of sub-micron size. These isolated topographical features are small enough to provide useful information about tip morphology and aid in assessing tip wear and damage. The films were imaged using an AFM, and previously published tip reconstruction algorithms were used to obtain three-dimensional tip functions. These compared well with envelope profiles determined from scanning electron microscope images of the tips.

A new approach is described in the deposition of thin films for thermal barrier applications. Using controlled substrate motion, porous layers and capping layers were vacuum deposited in an alternating fashion, creating a new, multilayered film structure. Direct measurements of the thermal properties of these multilayers were made using the 3ω and Mirage techniques. In the 3ω technique, heat is introduced into the coating by an AC current flowing through an evaporated resistor with a frequency ω. A fit of resistor voltage as a function of frequency yields the thermal conductivity. In the Mirage technique, an oscillating temperature is induced immediately above the film using a pulsed laser. A second probe laser aligned parallel to the surface is deflected by these temperature variations, and the thermal diffusivity is then found by fitting amplitude and phase shift data to the solution of the three-dimensional diffusion equation. Typically, the 3ω and Mirage techniques measure thermal constants in directions normal and parallel to the substrate, respectively. Measurements using these methods led to estimates of a reduction in thermal diffusivity of as little as 9% of that of films deposited entirely at normal incidence. Thermal simulations of similar structures also predicted a substantial decrease in overall thermal conductivity. In a specific case, an improved conductivity of 18% of that of films deposited by standard techniques was estimated.

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been used together with the Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD) technique [1,2] for the first time to produce highly porous structured films. A laser produced carbon plasma and vapour plume was deposited at a highly oblique incident angle onto rotating Si substrates, resulting in films exhibiting high bulk porosity and controlled columnar microstructure. By varying the substrate rotation rate, the shape of the microcolumns can be tailored. These results extend the versatility of the GLAD process to materials not readily deposited by means of traditional physical vapour deposition techniques.

The production of highly porous films by oblique deposition has attracted recent attention because of the possible applications of such films. The morphology of obliquely evaporated films is thought to be determined mainly by the mechanisms of self-shadowing and surface diffusion. The thin film process simulator GROFILMS has been used to verify the importance of these effects, and clarify some aspects of how they interact to determine the final film morphology. Good agreement between simulations and actual films has been achieved. Temperature control of the film during deposition is shown to be an important consideration for the production of structurally engineered films.