Improved constraints on non-Newtonian forces at 10 microns

Several recent theories suggest that light moduli or particles in "large" extra dimensions could mediate macroscopic forces exceeding gravitational strength at length scales below a millimeter. Such new forces can be parameterized as a Yukawa-type correction to the Newtonian potential of strength $\alpha$ relative to gravity and range $\lambda$. To extend the search for such new physics we have improved our apparatus utilizing cryogenic micro-cantilevers capable of measuring attonewton forces, which now includes a switchable magnetic force for calibration. Our most recent experimental constraints on Yukawa-type deviations from Newtonian gravity are more than three times as stringent as our previously published results, and represent the best bound in the range of 5 - 15 microns, with a 95 percent confidence exclusion of forces with $|\alpha| > 14,000$ at $\lambda$ = 10 microns.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in PRD. Minor changes, replaced and corrected Figs 4,5,

From Gatekeeping to Engagement: A Multicontextual, Mixed Method Study of Student Academic Engagement in Introductory STEM Courses.

The lack of academic engagement in introductory science courses is considered by some to be a primary reason why students switch out of science majors. This study employed a sequential, explanatory mixed methods approach to provide a richer understanding of the relationship between student engagement and introductory science instruction. Quantitative survey data were drawn from 2,873 students within 73 introductory science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses across 15 colleges and universities, and qualitative data were collected from 41 student focus groups at eight of these institutions. The findings indicate that students tended to be more engaged in courses where the instructor consistently signaled an openness to student questions and recognizes her/his role in helping students succeed. Likewise, students who reported feeling comfortable asking questions in class, seeking out tutoring, attending supplemental instruction sessions, and collaborating with other students in the course were also more likely to be engaged. Instructional implications for improving students' levels of academic engagement are discussed

TBX5 and NuRD Divide the Heart

In this issue of Developmental Cell, Waldron et al. (2016) identify an interaction between a master regulator of heart development, TBX5, and the NuRD complex and describe how mutations affecting the interaction may contribute to congenital heart disease. Furthermore, these interactions may have contributed to the evolution of cardiac septation

The Adsorption of Hydrogen, Ethylene and Ethane by Tin Oxide

The adsorption of hydrogen, ethylene and ethane by tin oxide has been studied at several temperatures. Calculations of the adsorption magnitudes have been made on the assumption that helium is not adsorbed. The tin oxide used has been found to be very stable and is easily reproducible. The problem is being extended to include the study of the catalytic influence of the oxide upon the velocity of the reaction: C2H4 + H2 ⇔ C2H6

Osteopontin ablation ameliorates muscular dystrophy by shifting macrophages to a pro-regenerative phenotype.

In the degenerative disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy, inflammatory cells enter muscles in response to repetitive muscle damage. Immune factors are required for muscle regeneration, but chronic inflammation creates a profibrotic milieu that exacerbates disease progression. Osteopontin (OPN) is an immunomodulator highly expressed in dystrophic muscles. Ablation of OPN correlates with reduced fibrosis and improved muscle strength as well as reduced natural killer T (NKT) cell counts. Here, we demonstrate that the improved dystrophic phenotype observed with OPN ablation does not result from reductions in NKT cells. OPN ablation skews macrophage polarization toward a pro-regenerative phenotype by reducing M1 and M2a and increasing M2c subsets. These changes are associated with increased expression of pro-regenerative factors insulin-like growth factor 1, leukemia inhibitory factor, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Furthermore, altered macrophage polarization correlated with increases in muscle weight and muscle fiber diameter, resulting in long-term improvements in muscle strength and function in mdx mice. These findings suggest that OPN ablation promotes muscle repair via macrophage secretion of pro-myogenic growth factors

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Strain HTF-F and Its Extracellular Polymeric Matrix Attenuate Clinical Parameters in DSS-Induced Colitis

Date of Acceptance: 26/02/2015 Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Perancangan Strategi Promosi Aplikasi Muscle Fit Community Di Surabaya

Aplikasi Muscle Fit Community merupakan aplikasi mobile yang memiliki fitur utama untukmenemukan komunitas agar dapat berolahraga bersama. Sebagai aplikasi dari brand Muscle Fit, keberadaannyamemiliki peran untuk meningkatkan brand awareness. Namun, aplikasi ini belum diketahui oleh masyarakatkarena merupakan aplikasi baru. Untuk menciptakan pengenalan terhadap aplikasi Muscle Fit Communitydiperlukan strategi promosi yang terstruktur menjadi beberapa tahapan promosi. Strategi promosi yang akandibuat didasarkan pula pada nilai brand Muscle Fit, analisis data target audience, dan pembelajaran strategi daripesaing sejenis. Oleh karena itu, strategi promosi aplikasi Muscle Fit Community dibuat denganmempertimbangkan pula beberapa aspek termasuk kesesuaian dengan media promosi yang digunakan