bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fan Cart: The Next Generation
Authors: Lamore Brian
Published: September 2016

For years the fan cart has provided physics students with an excellent resource for exploring fundamental mechanics concepts such as acceleration, Newton’s laws, impulse, momentum, work-energy, and energy conversions. The Physics Teacher has even seen some excellent do-it-yourself (DIY) fan carts and activities. If you are interested in developing the ‘E’ portion of your and your students’ STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills, one way to accomplish this is to revisit the DIY fan cart. In this article I share a design of a new edition of the DIY fan cart and some ideas for incorporating the engineering design process into your high school curriculum.
Revisiting A Surprising Demonstration of Total Internal Reflection
Authors: Lee Jiwon , Cha Yu Wha , Jung Yeon Su , Oh Eun Ju , Moon Ye Lin , Kim Jung Bog
Published: September 2016

Melton demonstrated a surprising disappearance using total internal reflection. When he put a Florence flask filled with marbles into a water tank and looked straight down from directly above the flask, he was only able to see marbles above a certain water level. When he added more water into the tank above the top line of the marbles, all of the marbles disappeared. He explained this phenomenon as due to a combination of both refraction and total internal reflection. Here, we wanted to develop this surprising idea to create more surprises. However, in our case, we only took the refraction effect from Melton’s idea to demonstrate our magic. This idea is supported by various perspectives. For instance, Viss and Sikkema demonstrated the critical angle without using total internal reflection, and James showed the novel optical properties of a submerged light bulb.
Using the Case Study Method in Teaching College Physics
Authors: Burko Lior M.
Published: September 2016

The case study teaching method has a long history (starting at least with Socrates) and wide current use in business schools, medical schools, law schools, and a variety of other disciplines. However, relatively little use is made of it in the physical sciences, specifically in physics or astronomy. The case study method should be considered by physics faculty as part of the effort to transition the teaching of college physics from the traditional frontal-lecture format to other formats that enhance active student participation. In this paper we endeavor to interest physics instructors in the case study method, and hope that it would also serve as a call for more instructors to produce cases that they use in their own classes and that can also be adopted by other instructors.
Measuring Intrinsic Curvature of Space with Electromagnetism
Authors: Mabin Mason , Becker Maria , Batelaan Herman
Published: September 2016

The concept of curved space is not readily observable in everyday life. The educational movie “Sphereland” attempts to illuminate the idea. The main character, a hexagon, has to go to great lengths to prove that her world is in fact curved. We present an experiment that demonstrates a new way to determine if a two-dimensional surface, the 2-sphere, is curved. The behavior of an electric field, placed on a spherical surface, is shown to be related to the intrinsic Gaussian curvature. This approach allows students to gain some understanding of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which relates the curvature of spacetime to the presence of mass and energy. Additionally, an opportunity is provided to investigate the dimensionality of Gauss’s law.
A Sustainable Energy Laboratory Course for Non-Science Majors
Authors: Nathan Stephen A. , Loxsom Fred
Published: September 2016

Sustainable energy is growing in importance as the public becomes more aware of climate change and the need to satisfy our society’s energy demands while minimizing environmental impacts. To further this awareness and to better prepare a workforce for “green careers,” we developed a sustainable energy laboratory course that is suitable for high school and undergraduate students, especially non-science majors. Thirteen hands-on exercises provide an overview of sustainable energy by demonstrating the basic principles of wind power, photovoltaics, electric cars, lighting, heating/cooling, insulation, electric circuits, and solar collectors. The order of content presentation and instructional level (secondary education or college) can easily be modified to suit instructor needs and/or academic programs (e.g., engineering, physics, renewable and/or sustainable energy).
Modeling Hidden Circuits: An Authentic Research Experience in One Lab Period
Authors: Moore J. Christopher , Rubbo Louis J.
Published: September 2016

Two wires exit a black box that has three exposed light bulbs connected together in an unknown configuration. The task for students is to determine the circuit configuration without opening the box. In the activity described in this paper, we navigate students through the process of making models, developing and conducting experiments that can support or falsify models, and confronting ways of distinguishing between two different models that make similar predictions. We also describe a twist that forces students to confront new phenomena, requiring revision of their mental model of electric circuits. This activity is designed to mirror the practice of science by actual scientists and expose students to the “messy” side of science, where our simple explanations of reality often require expansion and/or revision based on new evidence. The purpose of this paper is to present a simple classroom activity within the context of electric circuits that supports students as they learn to test hypotheses and refine and revise models based on evidence.
What proportion of high schools offer physics?
Authors: White Susan C.
Published: September 2016

Last month we highlighted our Quadrennial Survey of High School Physics Teachers. Using data from the survey, we have looked at the availability of high school physics. We report that about 95% of high school seniors attend a high school where physics is offered regularly—either every year or every other year. A U.S. Department of Education publication notes that “high-rigor courses access is not a reality across all of our nation’s schools: Nationwide, … 60% offer physics.”
Improving Critical Skills Using Wikis and CGPS in a Physics Classroom
Authors: Mohottala H. E.
Published: September 2016

We report the combined use of Wikispaces (wikis) and collaborative group problem solving (CGPS) sessions conducted in introductory-level calculus-based physics classes. As a part of this new teaching tool, some essay-type problems were posted on the wiki page on a weekly basis and students were encouraged to participate in problem solving without providing numerical final answers but only the steps. Each week students were further evaluated on problem solving skills, opening up more opportunity for peer interaction through CGPS. Students developed a set of skills in decision making, problem solving, communication, negotiation, critical and independent thinking, and teamwork through the combination of wikis and CGPS.
Let Students Discover an Important Physical Property of a Slinky
Authors: Gash Philip
Published: September 2016

This paper describes a simple experiment that lets first-year physics and engineering students discover an important physical property of a Slinky. The restoring force for the fundamental oscillation frequency is provided only by those coils between the support and the Slinky center of mass.
Hitting the Goalpost: Calculating the Fine Line Between Winning and Losing a Penalty Shootout
Authors: Widenhorn Ralf
Published: September 2016

The Portland Timbers won their first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Championship in December 2015. However, if it had not been for a kind double goalpost miss during a penalty shootout a few weeks earlier, the Timbers would never have been in the finals. On Oct. 30th, after what has been called “the greatest penalty kick shootout in MLS history,” featuring a combined 22 penalties that included penalties by both goalkeepers, the Timbers won their first-round playoff against Sporting Kansas City. During the thrilling shootout, which can be watched, for example, for example on the MLS website, Sporting had two potentially game-winning penalties miss by the smallest of margins. One penalty bounced off the goalpost back into the field and another was an improbable double post miss. For a physicist, this prompts an interesting research question. Could we find an estimate by what distance the double post penalty shown in Fig. 1 failed to be the game winning shot?
Imaging artificial satellites: An observational challenge
Authors: Smith D. A. , Hill D. C.
Published: September 2016

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, as of the beginning of 2016 there are 1381 active satellites orbiting the Earth, and the United States’ Space Surveillance Network tracks about 8000 manmade orbiting objects of baseball-size and larger. NASA estimates debris larger than 1 cm to number more than half a million. The largest ones can be seen by eye—unresolved dots of light that move across the sky in minutes. For most astrophotographers, satellites are annoying streaks that can ruin hours of work. However, capturing a resolved image of an artificial satellite can pose an interesting challenge for a student, and such a project can provide connections between objects in the sky and commercial and political activities here on Earth.
GlnR and PhoP Directly Regulate the Transcription of Genes Encoding Starch-Degrading, Amylolytic Enzymes in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: Xu Ya , Liao Cheng-Heng , Yao Li-Li , Ye Xu , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: September 2016

Starch-degrading enzymes hydrolyze starch- and starch-derived oligosaccharides to yield glucose. We investigated the transcriptional regulation of genes encoding starch-degrading enzymes in the industrial actinobacterium
Saccharopolyspora erythraea
. We observed that most genes encoding amylolytic enzymes (one α-amylase, one glucoamylase, and four α-glucosidases) were regulated by GlnR and PhoP, which are global regulators of nitrogen and phosphate metabolism, respectively. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analyses demonstrated that GlnR and PhoP directly interact with their promoter regions and collaboratively or competitively activate their transcription. Deletion of
glnR
caused poor growth on starch, maltodextrin, and maltose, whereas overexpression of
glnR
and
phoP
increased the total activity of α-glucosidase, resulting in enhanced carbohydrate utilization. Additionally, transcript levels of amylolytic genes and total glucosidase activity were induced in response to nitrogen and phosphate limitation. Furthermore, regulatory effects of GlnR and PhoP on starch-degrading enzymes were conserved in
Streptomyces coelicolor
A3(2). These results demonstrate that GlnR and PhoP are involved in polysaccharide degradation by mediating the interplay among carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate metabolism in response to cellular nutritional states. Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism underlying carbohydrate metabolism, and suggests new possibilities for designing genetic engineering approaches to improve the rate of utilization of starch in actinobacteria.

IMPORTANCE
The development of efficient strategies for utilization of biomass-derived sugars, such as starch and cellulose, remains a major technical challenge due to the weak activity of associated enzymes. Here, we found that GlnR and PhoP directly regulate the transcription of genes encoding amylolytic enzymes and present insights into the regulatory mechanisms of degradation and utilization of starch in actinobacteria. Two nutrient-sensing regulators may play important roles in creating a direct association between nitrogen/phosphate metabolisms and carbohydrate utilization, as well as modulate the C:N:P balance in response to cellular nutritional states. These findings highlight the interesting possibilities for designing genetic engineering approaches and optimizing the fermentation process to improve the utilization efficiency of sugars in actinobacteria via overexpression of the
glnR
and
phoP
genes and nutrient signal stimulation.
Rare Taxa Maintain Microbial Diversity and Contribute to Terrestrial Community Dynamics throughout Bark Beetle Infestation
Authors: Mikkelson Kristin M. , Bokman Chelsea M. , Sharp Jonathan O.
Published: September 2016

A global phenomenon of increasing bark beetle-induced tree mortality has heightened concerns regarding ecosystem response and biogeochemical implications. Here, we explore microbial dynamics under lodgepole pines through the analysis of bulk (16S rRNA gene) and potentially active (16S rRNA) communities to understand the terrestrial ecosystem responses that are associated with this form of large-scale tree mortality. We found that the relative abundances of bulk and potentially active taxa were correlated across taxonomic levels, but at lower levels, cladal differences became more apparent. Despite this correlation, there was a strong differentiation of community composition between bulk and potentially active taxa, with further clustering associated with the stages of tree mortality. Surprisingly, community clustering as a function of tree phase had limited correlation to soil water content and total nitrogen concentrations, which were the only two measured edaphic parameters to differ in association with tree phase. Bacterial clustering is more readily explained by the observed decrease in the abundance of active, rare microorganisms after tree death in conjunction with stable alpha diversity measurements. This enables the rare fraction of the terrestrial microbial community to maintain metabolic diversity by transitioning between metabolically active and dormant states during this ecosystem disturbance and contributes disproportionately to community dynamics and archived metabolic capabilities. These results suggest that analyzing bulk and potentially active communities after beetle infestation may be a more sensitive indicator of disruption than measuring local edaphic parameters.

IMPORTANCE
Forests around the world are experiencing unprecedented mortality due to insect infestations that are fueled in part by a changing climate. While aboveground processes have been explored, changes at the terrestrial interface that are relevant to microbial biogeochemical cycling remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the changing bulk and potentially active microbial communities beneath healthy and beetle-killed trees. We found that, even though few edaphic parameters were altered from beetle infestation, the rare microbes were more likely to be active and fluctuate between dormancy and metabolic activity. This indicates that rare as opposed to abundant taxa contribute disproportionately to microbial community dynamics and presumably biogeochemical cycling within these types of perturbed ecosystems.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist against severe aggression in autism
Authors: van der Weiden Robin M F , Helmerhorst Frans M , Eriksson Tomas
Published: September 2016

Aggression in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents an important therapeutic challenge. Conventional treatment appears to be inadequate in a number of cases. The occurrence of severe aggressive symptoms since the inception of adolescence in a male patient with ASD suggested a hormonal influence by androgens. Conventional treatment with antipsychotic and antiepileptic drugs and benzodiazepines was ineffective. A subcutaneous long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist) injection was given on a monthly basis resulting in a substantial improvement in his aggressive behaviour and renewed socialisation.
A modified holographic Ricci dark energy model in a self-creation cosmology
Authors: Bhaskara Rao M.P.V.V. , Reddy D.R.K. , Babu K. Sobhan
Published: September 2016

This paper deals with a locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type II space–time with dark matter and anisotropic modified holographic Ricci dark energy as source in second self-creation theory of gravitation proposed by Barber (Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 14, 117 (1982)). To solve the field equations of this theory we have used (i) hybrid expansion law, (ii) a relation between metric potentials and a modified holographic Ricci dark energy given by Chen and Jing (Phys. Lett. B, 679, 144 (2009)). The solution obtained represents a Bianchi type II modified holographic dark energy model in self-creation cosmology. We observe that there is a smooth transition of the universe from decelerated phase to accelerated phase. This fact is in good agreement with the observations of modern cosmology. We have also discussed some important physical aspects of the model.
Adaptive Booth Algorithm for Three-integers Multiplication for Reconfigurable Mesh
Authors: ASHER YOSI BEN , STEIN ESTI
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a three-integers multiplication algorithm R = A * X * Y for Reconfigurable Mesh (RM). It is based on a three-integer multiplication algorithm for faster FPGA implementations. We show that multiplying three integers of n bits can be performed on a 3D RM of size (3n + log⁡ n + 1) × (2n+1  +3)  × n+1 using 44 + 18 · log log MNO steps, where MNO is a bound which is related to the number of sequences of ‘1’s in the multiplied numbers. The value of MNO is bounded by n but experimentally we show that on the average it is n. Two algorithms for solving multiplication on a RM exists and their techniques are asymptotically better time wise, O(1) and O(log⁡* n), but they suffer from large hidden constants and slow data insertion time (O(n)) respectively. The proposed algorithm is relatively simple and faster on the average (via sampling input values) then the previous two algorithms thus contributes in making the RM a practical and feasible model. Our experiments show a significant improvement in the expected number of elementary operations for the proposed algorithm.
Mapping cancer signaling networks by an integrated multiplexed tissue imaging platform
Authors: Roberts Esteban , Jacob Thomas , Garsha Karl , Ramunno-Johnson Damien , Ventura Franklin , Korkola James , Ashworth-Sharpe Julia , Johnson Donald , Corless Christopher L. , Troxell Megan , Barnes Michael , Gray Joe W. , Shanmugam Kandavel , Vu Tania
Published: September 2016

Aberrant cellular signaling networks are implicated in major diseases including cancer, but are difficult to reliably quantitate, as many signaling proteins are expressed at low abundance and further reduced following specimen collection. MTIP is an integrated tissue-imaging platform that leverages bright, fluorescent reporters and sensitive spectral instrumentation, along with automated staining, image acquisition and non-parametric image analysis, to attain reproducible, multiplexed quantitation of signaling proteins in tissue. MTIP captured the phosphoactivity of six key PI3K/MAPK proteins (pAKTS473, pAKT308, pPRAS40, pS6, peIF4G and pERK1/2) at high precision (coefficient of variation, CV <10%), four-log dynamic range and subcellular resolution. We demonstrated the MTIP platform's capability to capture a diversity of PI3K/MAPK networks present in breast tumors. These protein networks are heterogeneously distributed across the tumor tissue and associated with subgroups of cells and underscore the importance of accessing information about signaling networks in spatially intact tissue. Analysis of PI3K/MAPK networks by hierarchical clustering showed that PI3K/MAPK networks do not strictly correlate with PI3K pathway mutations, also pointing to the value of functional signaling network profiling together with genomic information. MTIP's reliable quantitative capability can be applied to guide therapeutic development and selection in precision medicine.
Mitochondrial tRNA mutation with high-salt stimulation on cardiac damage: underlying mechanism associated with change of Bax and VDAC
Authors: Chao Zhu , Liuyang Tian , Nan Li , Qi Chen , Zhongqi Cai , Yang Li , Yuqi Liu
Published: September 2016

Mitochondrial transfer RNA (tRNA) mutation with high-salt stimulation can cause high blood pressure. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the potential molecular mechanisms of cardiac damage caused by mitochondrial tRNA mutation with high-salt stimulation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Unanesthetized, 44-wk-old, male, SHR were divided into four groups: SHR, SHR with high-salt stimulation for 8 wk (SHR + NaCl), SHR carrying tRNA mutations (SHR + M), and SHR + M with high-salt stimulation for 8 wk (SHR + M + NaCl). Healthy Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as controls. Left ventricular mass and interventricular septum were highest in the SHR + M + NaCl group ( P < 0.05), while ejection fraction was lowest in the SHR + M + NaCl group ( P < 0.05). Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed myocardial cell hypertrophy with interstitial fibrosis and localized inflammatory cell infiltration, in the hypertensive groups, particularly in the SHR + M + NaCl group. Electron microscopy showed different degrees of mitochondrial cavitation in heart tissue of the hypertensive groups, which was highest in the SHR + M + NaCl group. In hypertensive animals, levels of reactive oxygen species were highest in the SHR + M + NaCl group ( P < 0.05). Expression of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and the apoptosis regulator Bax were highest in the SHR + M + NaCl group ( P < 0.05), which also showed evidence of VDAC and Bax colocalization ( P < 0.05). Overall, these data suggest that mitochondrial tRNA mutation with high-salt stimulation can aggravate cardiac damage, potentially because of increased expression and interaction between Bax and VDAC and increased reactive oxygen species formation and initiation of apoptosis.
Seeing pain and pleasure on self and others: behavioral and psychophysiological reactivity in immersive virtual reality
Authors: Fusaro M. , Tieri G. , Aglioti S. M.
Published: September 2016

Studies have explored behavioral and neural responses to the observation of pain in others. However, much less is known about how taking a physical perspective influences reactivity to the observation of others' pain and pleasure. To explore this issue we devised a novel paradigm in which 24 healthy participants immersed in a virtual reality scenario observed a virtual: needle penetrating (pain), caress (pleasure), or ball touching (neutral) the hand of an avatar seen from a first (1PP)- or a third (3PP)-person perspective. Subjective ratings and physiological responses [skin conductance responses (SCR) and heart rate (HR)] were collected in each trial. All participants reported strong feelings of ownership of the virtual hand only in 1PP. Subjective measures also showed that pain and pleasure were experienced as more salient than neutral. SCR analysis demonstrated higher reactivity in 1PP than in 3PP. Importantly, vicarious pain induced stronger responses with respect to the other conditions in both perspectives. HR analysis revealed equally lower activity during pain and pleasure with respect to neutral. SCR may reflect egocentric perspective, and HR may merely index general arousal. The results suggest that behavioral and physiological indexes of reactivity to seeing others' pain and pleasure were qualitatively similar in 1PP and 3PP. Our paradigm indicates that virtual reality can be used to study vicarious sensation of pain and pleasure without actually delivering any stimulus to participants' real body and to explore behavioral and physiological reactivity when they observe pain and pleasure from ego- and allocentric perspectives.
Wind Load Reduction in Hollow Panel Arrayed Set
Authors: Markousi Michalina , Fytanidis Dimitrios K. , Soulis Johannes V.
Published: September 2016

Reducing the wind loading of photovoltaic structures is crucial for their structural stability. In this study, two solar panel arrayed sets were numerically tested for load reduction purposes. All panel surface areas of the arrayed set are exposed to the wind similarly. The first set was comprised of conventional panels. The second one was fitted with square holes located right at the gravity center of each panel. Wind flow analysis on standalone arrayed set of panels at fixed inclination was carried out to calculate the wind loads at various flow velocities and directions. The panels which included holes reduced the velocity in the downwind flow region and extended the low velocity flow region when compared to the nonhole panels. The loading reduction, in the arrayed set of panels with holes ranged from 0.8% to 12.53%. The maximum load reduction occurred at 6.0 m/s upwind velocity and 120.0° approach angle. At 30.00 approach angle, wind load increased but marginally. Current research work findings suggest that the panel holes greatly affect the flow pattern and subsequently the wind load reduction. The computational analysis indicates that it is possible to considerably reduce the wind loading using panels with holes.
Dual‐Directional Immunomodulatory Effects of Corbrin Capsule on Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases
Authors: He Tianyi , Zhao Ruxing , Lu Yiran , Li Wenjuan , Hou Xinguo , Sun Yu , Dong Ming , Chen Li
Published: September 2016

Purpose. To investigate the effects of Corbrin Capsule (CS‐C‐Q80), a drug derived from Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., on autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). Methods. 44 Patients with Graves’s disease (GD) and 56 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) were randomly assigned to treatment group (GD‐Tx and HT‐Tx) or control group (GD‐Ct and HT‐Ct). The control groups were given methimazole or levothyroxine only while the treatment groups were given Corbrin Capsule (2.0 g tid) besides the same conventional prescriptions as control groups. Thyroid hormones, thyroid antibodies, and T lymphocyte subsets were quantified at baseline and 24 weeks posttreatment. Results. Significant drop of serum anti‐TPO‐Ab levels was observed in both GD‐Tx and HT‐Tx groups. Before treatment, GD patients had higher helper T cells compared to cytotoxic T cells, while HT patients suffered from a nearly inverted proportion of helper T/cytotoxic T cells. There was a significant drop of the helper T/cytotoxic T cells ratio in GD‐Tx to the median of the normal ranges after Corbrin treatment for 24 weeks, while that in HT‐Tx was elevated. Conclusion. Corbrin Capsule could restore the balance between helper T and cytotoxic T cells in both GD and HT patients with dual‐directional immunomodulatory effects. And it could significantly reduce the autoantibody levels in both GD and HT.
Disparities in Risk Factors Associated with Obesity between Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland among Women of Reproductive Age Based on the 2010 TDHS
Authors: Paul Edwin , Mtumwa Abdalla H. , Ntwenya Julius Edward , Vuai Said A. H.
Published: September 2016

The occurrence of overweight and obesity has serious health implications. The 2010 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey data set was reanalysed to compare the prevalences of overweight and obesity between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar and to determine how demographic factors can predict overweight and obesity across the United Republic of Tanzania. About 7.92% of the Tanzanian women of reproductive age were obese, 15% were overweight, and 11.5% were underweight. Women from Mainland Tanzania (6.56%) were significantly less likely (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.53–0.82) to be affected by obesity as compared to women from Zanzibar (12.19%). The common predictors of obesity in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar were wealth index, marital status, and age. Whereas the place of residence and education level emerged as predictors of obesity in the Mainland Tanzania alone, the number of meals per day did so in Zanzibar. Most importantly, Zanzibar had a greater prevalence of obesity compared to Mainland Tanzania.
Electronic and Magnetic Properties Studies on Mn and Oxygen Vacancies Codoped Anatase TiO2
Authors: Zhou Zhongpo , Yang Xinwei , Wang Haiying , Zou Zhaorui , Guo Jingjing
Published: September 2016

The electronic and magnetic properties of Mn and oxygen vacancies codoped anatase TiO2were investigated. The calculated results showed that the TiO2codoped with Mn and oxygen vacancies have a magnetic moment value of 3.415 μBper Ti31MnO63supercell. Furthermore, Ti31MnO63gets the lowest energy with a geometrical optimization where the Mn ions locate at the nearest-neighbor sites of the oxygen vacancy. And experimental results indicated the magnetism is associated with the defects of Mn ions and oxygen vacancies induced by the Mn doping, which is consistent with the calculation results.
Body Condition Scores and Evaluation of Feeding Habits of Dogs and Cats at a Low Cost Veterinary Clinic and a General Practice
Authors: Sapowicz Stephanie A. , Linder Deborah E. , Freeman Lisa M.
Published: September 2016

This study assessed body condition scores (BCS) and feeding habits for dogs and cats. Eighty-six cats and 229 dogs (and their owners) were enrolled from 2 clinics: a low cost clinic (n=149) and a general practice (n=166). BCS and body weight were recorded. Owners completed a survey which included animal age, sex, and breed; owner demographics; and feeding practices (e.g., diet, rationale for feeding practices). Owners from the low cost clinic had a significantly lower income (P<0.001) and education (P<0.001) compared to those from the general practice. Animals from the low cost clinic were younger (P<0.001) and dogs were less likely to be neutered (P<0.001). Overweight prevalence was 55% overall (P=0.083), with a significantly higher prevalence in the general practice for cats (44% versus 66%;P=0.046), but not for dogs (58% versus 53%;P=0.230). Multivariate analysis showed that only neuter status was significantly associated with BCS (P=0.004). Veterinarians were the most common source of nutritional information, though lack of accurate nutrition knowledge was common among all participants. These findings support the need for enhanced communication about optimal BCS and nutrition regardless of socioeconomic status.
Phenozan Influence on the Physiological-Biochemical Parameters of the Young Minks Leading to Their Advanced Properties
Authors: Balakirev Nikolai A. , Zaitsev Sergei Yu. , Rizvanov Albert A.
Published: September 2016

The antioxidant influence on the physiological-biochemical parameters of productive animals is one of the most important directions in modern animal science. Phenozan is a synthetic antioxidant with high biological activities including those for animals. The positive effects of phenozan on the physiological-biochemical parameters of the mink blood were found. These effects are leading to the intensive growth, strong health, enhancement of the mink fur quality, and so forth. The total amount of the erythrocytes in the mink blood increased by about 4-5% due to phenozan inclusion in the mink diet. Even a more significant increase was found in hemoglobin content in the mink blood and erythrocytes (by about 9.5% and 8.8%, resp.) due to phenozan inclusion of 100 mg/day, whereas it was found only by about 6.1–5.3% or 5.5–0.3%, owing to phenozan inclusion of 50 or 150 mg/day. For many other parameters the optimal phenozan concentration was about 100 mg/day per head according to the result obtained for all studied animal groups. Thus, phenozan can be successfully used as a biologically active compound for mink nutrition and is recommended for other farm animals.
Intermittent Courses of Corticosteroids Also Present a Risk forPneumocystisPneumonia in Non-HIV Patients
Authors: Calero-Bernal Maria L. , Martin-Garrido Isabel , Donazar-Ezcurra Mikel , Limper Andrew H. , Carmona Eva M.
Published: September 2016

Introduction.Pneumocystispneumonia (PCP) is rising in the non-HIV population and associates with higher morbidity and mortality. The aggressive immunosuppressive regimens, as well as the lack of stablished guidelines for chemoprophylaxis, are likely contributors to this increased incidence. Herein, we have explored the underlying conditions, immunosuppressive therapies, and clinical outcomes of PCP in HIV-negative patients.Methods. Retrospective analysis of PCP in HIV-negative patients at Mayo Clinic from 2006–2010. The underlying condition, immunosuppressive therapies, coinfection, and clinical course were determined. PCP diagnosis required symptoms of pneumonia and identification of the organisms by visualization or by a real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results. A total of 128 cases of PCP were identified during the study period. Hematological malignancies were the predisposing condition for 50% of the patients. While 87% had received corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapies for >4 weeks prior to the diagnosis, only 7 were receiving PCP prophylaxis. Up to 43% of patients were not on daily steroids. Sixty-seven patients needed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 53 received mechanical ventilation. The mortality for those patients requiring ICU was 40%.Conclusions. PCP diagnosis in the HIV-negative population requires a high level of suspicion even if patients are not receiving daily corticosteroids. Mortality remains high despite adequate treatment.
Blockade of PLD2 Ameliorates Intestinal Mucosal Inflammation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Zhou Guangxi , Yu Lin , Yang Wenjing , Wu Wei , Fang Leilei , Liu Zhanju
Published: September 2016

Background. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronically remittent and progressive inflammatory disorders. Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases. However, the exact role of PLD2 in IBD is obscure.Methods. PLD2 expression was determined in peripheral blood cells and inflamed mucosa from patients with IBD by qRT-PCR. Colonic biopsies were also obtained from CD patients before and after infliximab (IFX) treatment to examine PLD2 expression. PLD2 selective inhibitor (CAY10594) was administrated daily by oral gavage in DSS-induced colitis mice. Bone marrow neutrophils from colitis mice were harvested to examine the migration using Transwell plate.Results. PLD2 was found to be significantly increased in peripheral blood cells and inflamed mucosa in patients with active IBD. Treatment with IFX could significantly decrease PLD2 expression in intestinal mucosa in patients with CD. Moreover, blockade of PLD2 with CAY10594 could markedly ameliorate DSS-induced colitis in mice and promote neutrophil migration.Conclusions. PLD2 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Blockade of PLD2 may serve as a new therapeutic approach for treatment of IBD.
Paliperidone Inducing Concomitantly Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, and Rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Kaur Jaspinder , Kumar Dileep , Alfishawy Mostafa , Lopez Ricardo , Sachmechi Issac
Published: September 2016

Paliperidone, an active metabolite of risperidone, is a new atypical antipsychotic agent. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), and rhabdomyolysis are the uncommon side effects of psychotropic drugs.We report a case of 35-year-old male with schizoaffective disorder who was admitted for acute-on-chronic exacerbation of his psychotic disorder for which intramuscular paliperidone 234 mg injection was given. Two days later, the patient developed hyponatremic seizures secondary to SIADH which was treated with hypertonic saline. On the third day, he developed high grade fever and severe muscle rigidity with raised creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and liver enzymes levels. He was treated with dantrolene 100 mg, bromocriptine 2.5 mg, and lorazepam 2 mg. Our patient required management of the three rare conditions following treatment with paliperidone. This case highlights the need for health care providers to be aware of the rare, potentially life threatening but preventable hyponatremia, NMS, and rhabdomyolysis as a possible adverse effect of paliperidone.
Role of Histone Demethylases in Cardiomyocytes Induced to Hypertrophy
Authors: Rosales Wendy , Carulla Juan , García Jeison , Vargas Diana , Lizcano Fernando
Published: September 2016

Epigenetic changes induced by histone demethylases play an important role in differentiation and pathological changes in cardiac cells. However, the role of the jumonji family of demethylases in the development of cardiac hypertrophy remains elusive. In this study, the presence of different histone demethylases in cardiac cells was evaluated after hypertrophy was induced with neurohormones. A cell line from rat cardiomyocytes was used as a biological model. The phenotypic profiles of the cells, as well as the expression of histone demethylases, were studied through immunofluorescence, transient transfection, western blot, and qRT-PCR analysis after inducing hypertrophy by angiotensin II and endothelin-1. An increase in fetal gene expression (ANP, BNP, andβ-MHC) was observed in cardiomyocytes after treatment with angiotensin II and endothelin-1. A significant increase in JMJD2A expression, but not in UTX or JMJD2C expression, was observed. When JMJD2A was overexpressed in cardiomyocytes through transient transfection, the effect of neurohormones on fetal cardiac gene expression was increased. We conclude that JMJD2A plays a principal role in the regulation of fetal cardiac genes, which increase in expression during the pathological hypertrophic process.
Theoretical Energy and Exergy Analyses of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell by Computer Simulation
Authors: Gimba I. D. , Abdulkareem A. S. , Jimoh A. , Afolabi A. S.
Published: September 2016

A mathematical model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was developed to investigate the effects of operating parameters such as temperature, anode and cathode pressures, reactants flow rates, membrane thickness, and humidity on the performance of the modelled fuel cell. The developed model consisted of electrochemical, heat energy and exergy components which were later simulated using a computer programme. The simulated model for the voltage output of the cell showed good conformity to the experimental results sourced from the literature and revealed that the operating pressure, temperature, and flow rate of the reactants positively affect the performance and efficiencies (energy and exergy) of the cell. The results also indicated that high membrane thickness above 150 μm is unfavourable to both the fuel cell performance and the cell energy and exergy efficiencies. The simulated results obtained on the influence of membrane humidity on the cell performance indicated that membrane humidity positively favours both the performance and energy and exergy efficiencies of the cell. It can therefore be inferred that the performance of the PEMFC and energy and exergy efficiencies of the cell are greatly influenced by the operating pressure, temperature, membrane thickness, membrane humidity, and the flow rates of fuel and oxidant.
Quantifying Poverty Temporal Changes in Association with Rural Transition in Guangxi, China
Authors: You Heyuan
Published: September 2016

Poverty is a social problem in developing countries, especially for the rural places experiencing rapid transition. This study characterizes the temporal changes of rural poverty under rural transition during 1991–2010 in Guangxi. In particular, poverty is measured by the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke method, and rural transition is described from three aspects including rural industrialization, regional urbanization, and agriculture commercialization. Relationships are quantified by multivariate linear regression. Results reveal that industry income proportion (IIP) and secondary industry proportion (SIP) are positive contributors to the poverty incidence, while urban-rural income gap (URIG) is a negative contributor to the poverty incidence. Industrial total output of township and village enterprises (ITOE), IIP, and grain commercialization rate (GCR) present positive correlation with the poverty depth. The URIG has a negative correlation with the poverty depth. Tertiary industry proportion (TIP) and expenditure on fixed productive assets per capita (EFPA) are positively correlated with the poverty severity, while URIG and power of agricultural machinery (PAM) associate with poverty severity negatively. Redundancy analysis shows that individual influence of rural industrialization is higher than that of regional urbanization and agriculture commercialization. The joint influences of rural industrialization, regional urbanization, and agriculture commercialization are the strongest.
A Unique Case of Intraabdominal Polyorchidism: A Case Study
Authors: Otero Javier , Ben-Yakar Natalie , Alemayehu Biruk , Kozusko Steven D. , Borao Frank , Vates III Thomas S.
Published: September 2016

Background. Polyorchidism, alternatively supernumerary testes (SNT), is a condition where an individual is born with more than two testicles. This congenital anomaly is quite rare and the literature has described various presentations.Questions/Purposes. To our knowledge, this presentation of polyorchidism has yet to be described in the literature. The goal of this case study is to add to the pediatric, general, and urologic surgery’s body of knowledge of the subject matter.Case Study. A nine-month-old boy was admitted for an impalpable right testis and phimosis. At the time of surgical exploration, there appeared to be polyorchid testis on the right-hand side, with three masses that potentially appeared to be undescended testes.Discussion. Proponents of a conservative approach argue that infertility is common in patients with polyorchidism and, by preserving a potentially functional SNT, there may be improved spermatogenesis. When performing definitive surgical treatment, meticulous intra-abdominal and intrainguinal exploration must be undertaken. Orchiopexy should be performed to reduce the chances of torsion, malignancy, and infertility.Conclusion. Our case is important to the literature as it is the first known case of polyorchidism with 3 SNT on the right side, located intra-abdominally, and in a patient less than 1 year of age.
Environmental Enrichment Therapy for Autism: Outcomes with Increased Access
Authors: Aronoff Eyal , Hillyer Robert , Leon Michael
Published: September 2016

We have previously shown in two randomized clinical trials that environmental enrichment is capable of ameliorating symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and in the present study, we determined whether this therapy could be effective under real-world circumstances. 1,002 children were given daily Sensory Enrichment Therapy, by their parents, using personalized therapy instructions given over the Internet. Parents were asked to assess the symptoms of their child every 2 weeks for up to 7 months. An intention-to-treat analysis showed significant overall gains for a wide range of symptoms in these children, including learning, memory, anxiety, attention span, motor skills, eating, sleeping, sensory processing, self-awareness, communication, social skills, and mood/autism behaviors. The children of compliant caregivers were more likely to experience a significant improvement in their symptoms. The treatment was effective across a wide age range and there was equal progress reported for males and females, for USA and international subjects, for those who paid and those who did not pay for the therapy, and for individuals at all levels of initial symptom severity. Environmental enrichment, delivered via an online system, therefore appears to be an effective, low-cost means of treating the symptoms of ASD.
Reconstruction of Input Excitation Acting on Vibration Isolation System
Authors: Zhou Pan , Li Wen L. , Li Wanyou , Shuai Zhijun
Published: September 2016

Vibration isolation systems are widely employed in automotive, marine, aerospace, and other engineering fields. Accurate input forces are of great significance for mechanical design, vibration prediction, and structure modification and optimization. One-stage vibration isolation system including engine, vibration isolators, and flexible supporting structure is modeled theoretically in this paper. Input excitation acting on the vibration isolation system is reconstructed using dynamic responses measured on engine and supporting structure under in-suit condition. The reconstructed forces reveal that dynamic responses on rigid body are likely to provide more accurate estimation results. Moreover, in order to improve the accuracy of excitation reconstructed by dynamic responses on flexible supporting structure, auto/cross-power spectral density function is utilized to reduce measurement noise.
Parallel Machine Scheduling with Nested Processing Set Restrictions and Job Delivery Times
Authors: Li Shuguang
Published: September 2016

The problem of scheduling jobs with delivery times on parallel machines is studied, where each job can only be processed on a specific subset of the machines called its processing set. Two distinct processing sets are either nested or disjoint; that is, they do not partially overlap. All jobs are available for processing at time 0. The goal is to minimize the time by which all jobs are delivered, which is equivalent to minimizing the maximum lateness from the optimization viewpoint. A list scheduling approach is analyzed and its approximation ratio of 2 is established. In addition, a polynomial time approximation scheme is derived.
Clinical Usefulness of Monitoring Expression Levels ofCCL24(Eotaxin-2) mRNA on the Ocular Surface in Patients with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis and Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Shiraki Yukiko , Shoji Jun , Inada Noriko
Published: September 2016

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of using expression levels ofCCL24(eotaxin-2) mRNA on the ocular surface as a biomarker in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC).Methods. Eighteen patients with VKC or AKC (VKC/AKC group) and 12 control subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study. The VKC/AKC clinical score was determined by objective findings in patients by using the 5-5-5 exacerbation grading scale. All subjects underwent modified impression cytology and specimens were obtained from the upper tarsal conjunctiva. Expression levels ofCCL24(eotaxin-2) mRNA on the ocular surface were determined using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results. The VKC group was divided into two subgroups, depending on the clinical score: the active stage subgroup with 100 points or more of clinical scores and the stable stage subgroup with 100 points or less.CCL24(eotaxin-2) mRNA expression levels in the active VKC/AKC stage subgroup were significantly higher than those in the stable VKC/AKC subgroup and the control group. Clinical scores correlated significantly withCCL24(eotaxin-2) mRNA expression levels in the VKC group.Conclusions.CCL24(eotaxin-2) mRNA expression levels on the ocular surface are a useful biomarker for clinical severity of VKC/AKC.
Mutual Inductance and Magnetic Force Calculations for Bitter Disk Coil (Pancake) with Nonlinear Radial Current and Filamentary Circular Coil with Azimuthal Current
Authors: Babic Slobodan , Akyel Cevdet
Published: September 2016

Bitter coils are electromagnets used for the generation of extremely strong magnetic fields superior to 30 T. In this paper we calculate the mutual inductance and the magnetic force between Bitter disk (pancake) coil with the nonlinear radial current and the circular filamentary coil with the azimuthal current. The close form expressed over complete elliptic integrals of the first and second kind as well as Heuman’s Lambda function is obtained for this configuration either for the mutual inductance or for the magnetic force. The results of this method are compared with those obtained by the improved modified filament method for the presented configuration. All results are in an excellent agreement.