Electromechanical Magnetization Switching

We show that the magnetic moment of a composite multiferroic torsional oscillator can be switched by the electric field. The 180$^o$ switching arises from the spin-rotation coupling and is not prohibited by the different symmetry of the magnetic moment and the electric field as in the case of a stationary magnet. Analytical equations describing the system have been derived and investigated numerically. Phase diagrams showing the range of parameters required for the switching have been obtained.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Number of vortices generated in a rotating Bose-Einstein condensates in two-dimensional optical lattice

In the present paper we calculate the number of vortices generated in a rotating Bose-Einstein condensate in two-dimensional optical lattice. Our approach enabled us to parametrize the vortices number in terms of the thermodynamic potential $q(T)$ for the system under consideration. The thermodynamic potential is calculated using the semiclassical approximation approach. The finite size and the interatomic interaction effects are investigated. The calculated results show that the vortices number as a function of the angular velocity of rotation rate depends on the normalized temperature, number of particles, interatomic interaction, and optical potential

Role of free fatty acid receptors in the regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the enteric glial and endocrine cells

Recent deorphanization of several G-protein-coupled receptors (GPRs) as endogenous receptors for free fatty acids (FFAs) has increased our understanding of these nutrients as signaling molecules and the integral role of gut microbiota in the regulation of host defense mechanisms, energy metabolism, gastrointestinal motility and secretion. There are five distinct FFA receptors (FFRAs: FFAR1, FFAR2, FFAR3, FFAR4 and GPR84) that differ in molecular structure, ligand specificity, expression pattern, and functional properties. FFARs are grouped according to the chain length of FFAs that activate each FFAR. Enteric glial cells and enteroendocrine cells play a pivotal role in the secretion of gliotransmitters and peptide hormones, respectively, in response to specific stimuli. Neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are essential for the development and integrity of enteric nervous system in the gut and play an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions including motility and secretion. The aim of this study was to identify the expression of FFARs in enteric glial cells and endocrine cells and determine the effects of fatty acids in the regulation of BDNF levels. Expression studies of FFARs by quantitative PCR, western blot and Immunohistochemistry from glial cells and enteroendocrine cells (STC-1 cells) demonstrated predominant expression of FFAR4 in STC-1 cells and predominant expression of FFAR1 in glial cells. Both FFAR1 and FFAR4 are activated by long-chain fatty acid. Activation of specific G protein(s) coupled to FFAR1 and FFAR4 and signaling pathways downstream of G proteins in response to the endogenous long chain fatty acid, linolenic acid (100 µM), demonstrated both FFAR1 and FFAR4 are coupled to Gαq and stimulation of PLC-β/IP3/ Ca2+ pathway. In enteroendocrine cells (STC-1) long chain fatty acids preferentially activate FFAR4, whereas in glial cells long chain fatty acids preferentially activate FFAR1. Furthermore, measurement of changes in BDNF levels in response to linolenic acid by immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated that in STC-1 cells, long chain fatty acids increased BDNF content via FFAR4, whereas in glial cells they increased BDNF content via FFAR1. The present study shed light on the expression and physiological role of long chain fatty acids and FFARs in the regulation of BDNF levels, and thus, gastrointestinal functions

Abamectin exposure during lactation triggering oxidative stress and expression pattern of Bcl-2 perturbation in rat pups brain

Pesticides, for example, are thought to be essential drivers of brain injury and dysfunction. Abamectin (ABA) is by far the most routinely used pesticide in farming and healthcare, and its toxicity to nontarget organisms has attracted considerable interest. The effect of abamectin pesticide delivered at the postnatal period on the antioxidant defense system was assessed. This study also examined apoptotic gene expression indicators in the brains of rat pups over neonatal weeks. Pregnant Wister rats were split into two groups: G1 received deionized water (control), and G2 received 0.211 mg/L of abamectin. The first day of abamectin exposure was the first day after delivery and continued until the tenth day of lactation. After 10 days (mid lactation) and the lactation period, rat pup brain samples were taken for oxidative biochemistry investigations and apoptotic gene expression (RT–qPCR). In comparison to the control group G1, Abamectin reinforces protein carbonyl levels and glutathione-based enzymes (transferase and peroxidase), whereas superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels are reduced in the pup's brain. Furthermore, Abamectin induced considerable upregulation of proapoptotic (Bax) and antiapoptotic (Bcl-2) mRNA gene expression. Overall, our findings characterize the relationship between brain changes and abamectin administration during lactation periods, even at low doses that are considered safe, and indicate that this abamectin insecticide is harmful to the growing neurological system.

Implications of publication ban orders in Egypt on press journalists’ work and news dissemination

The issue of publication ban orders in Egypt, more commonly known as “gag orders”, has risen to public attention in recent years in Egypt. This attention has reflected in many reports emerging with rich data on the frequency and significance of publication ban orders. This thesis takes advantage of this recent availability of data to broach this topic on which there has been limited past academic research, particularly in Egypt. Such orders have barred the media from covering lawsuits that were mostly of a high public-opinion value, usually involving high and mid-ranking officials of government, security or judicial personnel. This qualitative thesis explores how these orders unfold in reality, and to what degree they affect journalist activity and news dissemination in Egypt. The findings of this study reveal a number of issues of direct practical impact on journalists’ activity, including legal dilemmas, an information blackout following such an order, and an increased sense of a limited media sphere. With regards to news disseminations, trends discussing the role of rumors and digital media in spreading news about a banned topic have also been detected

Detecting Bad Posture using Postuino among Engineering Graduate Students

Poster also presented at the Northeast Section American Society for Engineering Education 2015 at Northeastern University in Boston, MA on 2015-04-30.To understand how good posture minimizes computer related injury’s pain, we developed Postuino. A device that warns the computer users if they are leaning too close towards computer screen. Postuino has an accompanying web application that visualizes the collected data and displays a chart to simplify comparing be-tween straight time and slouch time. Also, the app suggests taking frequent breaks to minimize the risk of injuries and to increase productivity. Then, we designed an experiment with different factors to evaluate the efficiency of Postuino. In our study, 24 subjects first use the computer for 3 hours after disabling Postuino’s alert system. Afterwards, they use the computer again for another 3 hours after enabling the alert system. We collected data, analyzed it, and presented the results in this paper