text:
Q: Eigenvalues of a general 4x4 matrix with 16 independent variables. Suppose the following matrix:
$$
M=\pmatrix{a&b&c&d\\e&f&g&h\\i&j&k&k\\m&n&o&p}
$$
I am trying to solve this but the problem does not seem to have a short and sweet solution. I was wondering what can be done to improve the elegance of the solution further. Are there any known symmetries that can simplify the solution, for a problem of this type?

For reference, requesting the eigenvalues in Mathematica via
M=({
 {a, b, c, d},
 {e, f, g, h},
 {i, j, k, l},
 {m, n, o, p}
});
M//MatrixForm
Part[Eigenvalues[M],1]
ToRadicals[%]

The line M= Part[Eigenvalues[M],1] returns:
Root[d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m - b g l m -
   d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n +
   d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
   c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
   a f k p + (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
      b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o -
      h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p -
      f k p) #1 + (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
      l o + a p + f p + k p) #1^2 + (-a - f - k - p) #1^3 + #1^4 &, 1]

And the line ToRadicals[%] returns:
1/4 (a + f + k + p) -
 1/2 \[Sqrt](b e - a f + c i + g j - a k - f k + d m + h n + l o +
     1/4 (-a - f - k - p)^2 - a p - f p - k p +
     1/3 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o + a p +
         f p + k p) + (2^(
        1/3) ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
            a p + f p + k p)^2 -
          3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k -
             a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n +
             h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
             a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
          12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m -
             b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
             c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o +
             a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p +
             c e j p - a g j p - b e k p + a f k p)))/(3 (2 (-b e +
             a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o + a p +
             f p + k p)^3 -
          9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k -
             d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i - b g i -
             c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m -
             c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
             a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p -
             f k p) +
          27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
             b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n -
             d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p +
             g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
          27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
             b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
             d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
             b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
             c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
             a f k p) -
          72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
             a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
              c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n -
             a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o -
             d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p +
             b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
             a f k p) + \[Sqrt](-4 ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                  f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^2 -
                3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j +
                   b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
                   d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
                   a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                   a k p - f k p) +
                12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m -
                   b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
                   c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o +
                   a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p +
                   c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                   a f k p))^3 + (2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                  f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
               9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                  f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i -
                  b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
                  b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n -
                  g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
                  a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
               27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k +
                  d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n +
                  h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o +
                  b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
               27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
                  b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
                  d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
                  b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
                  c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                  a f k p) -
               72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
                  l o + a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m -
                  d f k m + b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n +
                  c h i n + d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n +
                  d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o -
                  a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
                  b e k p + a f k p))^2))^(1/3)) + (1/(
     3 2^(1/3)))((2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
          l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
       9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m -
          h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i - b g i - c e j +
          a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
          d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o +
          f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
       27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
          b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n -
          d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p +
          g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
       27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
          c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
          c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o +
          b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
          b e k p + a f k p) -
       72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
          a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
          c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
          c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o +
          b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
          b e k p +
          a f k p) + \[Sqrt](-4 ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k -
                d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^2 -
             3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j +
                b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
                d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
                a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                a k p - f k p) +
             12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m -
                b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
                c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o +
                a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p +
                c e j p - a g j p - b e k p + a f k p))^3 + (2 (-b e +
                a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o + a p +
               f p + k p)^3 -
            9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k -
               d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i - b g i -
               c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m -
                c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o -
               h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                a k p - f k p) +
            27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k +
               d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n -
                g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
               a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
            27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
               b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
               d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
               b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
               c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
               a f k p) -
            72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
                a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
               b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
               d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
               b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
               c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
               a f k p))^2))^(1/3))) -
 1/2 \[Sqrt](b e - a f + c i + g j - a k - f k + d m + h n + l o +
     1/2 (-a - f - k - p)^2 - a p - f p - k p +
     1/3 (b e - a f + c i + g j - a k - f k + d m + h n + l o - a p -
        f p - k p) - (2^(
        1/3) ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
            a p + f p + k p)^2 -
          3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k -
             a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n +
             h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
             a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
          12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m -
             b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
             c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o +
             a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p +
             c e j p - a g j p - b e k p + a f k p)))/(3 (2 (-b e +
             a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o + a p +
             f p + k p)^3 -

          9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k -
             d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i - b g i -
             c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m -
             c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
             a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p -
             f k p) +
          27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
             b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n -
             d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p +
             g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
          27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
             b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
             d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
             b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
             c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
             a f k p) -
          72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
             a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
              c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n -
             a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o -
             d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p +
             b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
             a f k p) + \[Sqrt](-4 ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                  f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^2 -
                3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j +
                   b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
                   d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
                   a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                   a k p - f k p) +
                12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m -
                   b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
                   c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o +
                   a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p +
                   c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                   a f k p))^3 + (2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                  f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
               9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                  f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i -
                  b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
                  b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n -
                  g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
                  a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
               27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k +
                  d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n +
                  h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o +
                  b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
               27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
                  b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
                  d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
                  b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
                  c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                  a f k p) -
               72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
                  l o + a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m -
                  d f k m + b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n +
                  c h i n + d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n +
                  d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o -
                  a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
                  b e k p + a f k p))^2))^(1/3)) - (1/(
     3 2^(1/3)))((2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
          l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
       9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m -
          h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i - b g i - c e j +
          a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
          d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o +
          f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
       27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
          b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n -
          d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p +
          g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
       27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
          c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
          c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o +
          b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
          b e k p + a f k p) -
       72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
          a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
          c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
          c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o +
          b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
          b e k p +
          a f k p) + \[Sqrt](-4 ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k -
                d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^2 -
             3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j +
                b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
                d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
                a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                a k p - f k p) +
             12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m -
                b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
                c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o +
                a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p +
                c e j p - a g j p - b e k p + a f k p))^3 + (2 (-b e +
                a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o + a p +
               f p + k p)^3 -
            9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k -
               d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i - b g i -
               c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m -
                c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o -
               h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                a k p - f k p) +
            27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k +
               d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n -
                g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
               a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
            27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
               b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
               d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
               b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
               c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
               a f k p) -
            72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
                a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
               b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
               d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
               b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
               c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
               a f k p))^2))^(
     1/3)) - (-(-a - f - k - p)^3 +
        4 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m -
            h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) -
        8 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
           b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n -
           d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p +
           g j p - a k p - f k p))/(4 \[Sqrt](b e - a f + c i + g j -
           a k - f k + d m + h n + l o + 1/4 (-a - f - k - p)^2 -
           a p - f p - k p +
           1/3 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n - l o +
               a p + f p + k p) + (2^(
              1/3) ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
                  l o + a p + f p + k p)^2 -
                3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j +
                   b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
                   d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
                   a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                   a k p - f k p) +
                12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m + c f l m -
                   b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n - a h k n -
                   c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o - d e j o +
                   a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p + b g i p +
                   c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                   a f k p)))/(3 (2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                   f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
                9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                   f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i -
                   b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
                   b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n -
                   g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
                   a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
                27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k +
                   d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n +
                   h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o +
                   b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +
                27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
                   b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
                   d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
                   b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
                   c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                   a f k p) -
                72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
                   l o + a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m -
                   d f k m + b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n +
                   c h i n + d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n +
                   d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o -
                   a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
                   b e k p +
                   a f k p) + \[Sqrt](-4 ((-b e + a f - c i - g j +
                    a k + f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p +
                    k p)^2 -
                    3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j +
                    a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m -
                    c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o -
                    h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p +
                    g j p - a k p - f k p) +
                    12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
                    c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n -
                    a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o -
                    d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p +
                    b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                    a f k p))^3 + (2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                    f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
                    9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                     f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i -
                     b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
                    b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n -
                    g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
                    a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
                    27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k -
                    a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n +
                    a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o +
                    f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p -
                    f k p)^2 +
                    27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m -
                    d f k m + b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n +
                    c h i n + d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n +
                    d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o -
                    a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
                    b e k p + a f k p) -
                    72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m -
                    h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m -
                    d f k m + b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n +
                    c h i n + d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n +
                    d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o -
                    a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
                    b e k p + a f k p))^2))^(1/3)) + (1/(
           3 2^(1/3)))((2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m -
                h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
             9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k -
                d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i - b g i -
                c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m +
                d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n -
                d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p +
                c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
             27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k +
                d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n +
                h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o +
                b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p)^2 +

             27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
                b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
                d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
                b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
                c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                a f k p) -
             72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
                l o + a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
                b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
                d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
                b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
                c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                a f k p) + \[Sqrt](-4 ((-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                     f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^2 -
                   3 (-a - f - k - p) (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j +
                     b e k - a f k + d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m -
                    d e n + a h n + h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o +
                    a l o + f l o + b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p -
                    a k p - f k p) +
                   12 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m + b h k m +
                    c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n + d e k n -
                    a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o - b h i o -
                    d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o - c f i p +
                    b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                    a f k p))^3 + (2 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                    f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p)^3 -
                  9 (-a - f - k - p) (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k +
                    f k - d m - h n - l o + a p + f p + k p) (c f i -
                    b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k + d f m -
                    b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n + h k n -
                    g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o + b e p -
                    a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p - f k p) +
                  27 (c f i - b g i - c e j + a g j + b e k - a f k +
                    d f m - b h m + d k m - c l m - d e n + a h n +
                    h k n - g l n - d i o - h j o + a l o + f l o +
                    b e p - a f p + c i p + g j p - a k p -
                    f k p)^2 +
                  27 (-a - f - k - p)^2 (d g j m - c h j m - d f k m +
                     b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n + c h i n +
                     d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n + d f i o -
                     b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o - a f l o -
                     c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p - b e k p +
                     a f k p) -
                  72 (-b e + a f - c i - g j + a k + f k - d m - h n -
                     l o + a p + f p + k p) (d g j m - c h j m -
                    d f k m + b h k m + c f l m - b g l m - d g i n +
                    c h i n + d e k n - a h k n - c e l n + a g l n +
                    d f i o - b h i o - d e j o + a h j o + b e l o -
                    a f l o - c f i p + b g i p + c e j p - a g j p -
                    b e k p + a f k p))^2))^(1/3)))))

If I were to add a line Simplify[%] then it doesn't return in a reasonable time on my system.

A: The characteristic polynomial of your matrix is a fourth-degree polynomial where the coefficients are some combination of the entries of your matrix. The eigenvalues of your matrix are the roots of that polynomial. The general formula for those roots, even with the simplified coefficients of the characteristic polynomial, is not pretty (that image is the formula for the roots of $x^4 + ax^3+bx^2+cx+d = 0$, consider what would happen if you swapped each letter there with the coefficients of the characteristic polynomial).
So it's no wonder that you get a complicated expression back, and I would much rather remember the algorithm to find eigenvalues than trying to actually memorize and use a formula.


text:
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Berman, A. H., Lundberg, U., Krook, A. L., & Gyllenhammar, C. (2004). Treating drug using prison inmates with auricular acupuncture; A randomized controlled trial (Vol. 26). 163, 4 Weeks(Substance-Related Disorders).
Abstract: This study tested the viability of auricular acupuncture in prisons for alleviating inmates' symptoms of psychological and physical discomfort and reducing their drug use. The experimental NADA-Acudetox protocol was compared with a non-specific helix control protocol in a randomized trial. Over a period of 18 months, a 4-week, 14-session auricular acupuncture treatment program was offered in two prisons to 163 men and women with self-reported drug use. Among treatment completers, no differences by method were found in self-reported symptoms of discomfort. Drug use occurred in the NADA group but not in the helix group. In contrast, confidence in the NADA treatment increased over time while it decreased for the helix treatment. No significant negative side effects were observed for either method. Participants in both groups reported reduced symptoms of discomfort and improved nighttime sleep. Future research should compare auricular acupuncture to a non-invasive control in order to attempt to disentangle active effects from placebo
Keywords: Acu Versus Sham; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Auricular Acupuncture; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; Penetrating Sham; NADA Protocol Acupuncture Style; Non Specific Acupoint Control; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Sham Control; Standard Needling Depth; TCM Acupuncture Style; Substance-Related Disorders; Group Acupuncture Style; Drug Addiction; Substance Abuse
Disease Category: Substance-Related Disorders
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Berman, B. M., Ezzo, J., Hadhazy, V., & Swyers, J. P. (1999). Is acupuncture effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia? (Vol. 48). N/A, N/A(Fibromyalgia).
Abstract: BACKGROUND: We conducted this study to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), report any adverse effects, and generate hypotheses for future investigation. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Manual Therapy Information System, the Cochrane registry, the University of Maryland Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pain, the Centralized Information Service for Complementary Medicine, and the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine databases for the key words "acupuncture" and "fibromyalgia." Conference abstracts, citation lists, and letters supplemented the search. We selected all randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials, or cohort studies of patients with FMS who were treated with acupuncture. Methodologic quality, sample characteristics, type of acupuncture treatment, and outcomes were extracted. Statistical pooling was not performed because of the differences in control groups. RESULTS: Seven studies (3 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies) were included; only one was of high methodologic quality. The high-quality study suggests that real acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture for relieving pain, increasing pain thresholds, improving global ratings, and reducing morning stiffness of FMS, but the duration of benefit following the acupuncture treatment series is not known. Some patients report no benefit, and a few report an exacerbation of FMS-related pain. Lower-quality studies were consistent with these findings. Booster doses of acupuncture to maintain benefit once regular treatments have stopped have been described anecdotally but not investigated in controlled trials. CONCLUSIONS: The limited amount of high-quality evidence suggests that real acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture for improving symptoms of patients with FMS. However, because this conclusion is based on a single high-quality study, further high-quality randomized trials are needed to provide more robust data on effectiveness
Keywords: Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Adverse Effects; Fibromyalgia; Pain; Systematic Review; Nervous System Diseases
Disease Category: Nervous System Diseases
Berman, B. M., Lao, L., Langenberg, P., Lee, W. L., Gilpin, A. M., & Hochberg, M. C. (2004). Effectiveness of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, controlled trial (Vol. 141). 570, 26 Weeks(Osteoarthritis, Knee).
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for reducing the pain and dysfunction of osteoarthritis is equivocal. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether acupuncture provides greater pain relief and improved function compared with sham acupuncture or education in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Two outpatient clinics (an integrative medicine facility and a rheumatology facility) located in academic teaching hospitals and 1 clinical trials facility. PATIENTS: 570 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (mean age [+/-SD], 65.5 +/- 8.4 years). INTERVENTION: 23 true acupuncture sessions over 26 weeks. Controls received 6 two-hour sessions over 12 weeks or 23 sham acupuncture sessions over 26 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function scores at 8 and 26 weeks. Secondary outcomes were patient global assessment, 6-minute walk distance, and physical health scores of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Participants in the true acupuncture group experienced greater improvement in WOMAC function scores than the sham acupuncture group at 8 weeks (mean difference, -2.9 [95% CI, -5.0 to -0.8]; P = 0.01) but not in WOMAC pain score (mean difference, -0.5 [CI, -1.2 to 0.2]; P = 0.18) or the patient global assessment (mean difference, 0.16 [CI, -0.02 to 0.34]; P > 0.2). At 26 weeks, the true acupuncture group experienced significantly greater improvement than the sham group in the WOMAC function score (mean difference, -2.5 [CI, -4.7 to -0.4]; P = 0.01), WOMAC pain score (mean difference, -0.87 [CI, -1.58 to -0.16];P = 0.003), and patient global assessment (mean difference, 0.26 [CI, 0.07 to 0.45]; P = 0.02). LIMITATIONS: At 26 weeks, 43% of the participants in the education group and 25% in each of the true and sham acupuncture groups were not available for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture seems to provide improvement in function and pain relief as an adjunctive therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee when compared with credible sham acupuncture and education control groups
Keywords: Acu Versus > 1 Control; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Arthritis; Electroacupuncture; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; Penetrating Sham; Non Penetrating Sham, Mechanical; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Sham Acupoint Control; Sham Control; Standard Needling Depth; Usual Care Control, Educational; Verum Acupoint Control
Disease Category: Arthritis
Berman, B. M., Singh, B. B., Lao, L., Langenberg, P., Li, H., Hadhazy, V., et al. (1999). A randomized trial of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee (Vol. 38). 73, 8 Weeks(Osteoarthritis, Knee).
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy to standard care for the relief of pain and dysfunction in elderly patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with symptomatic OA of the knee were randomly assigned to treatment (acupuncture) or standard care (control). Analysis was performed on last score carried forward to account for patients who dropped out before completion. Patients self-scored Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne indices at baseline and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Patients in the control group were offered acupuncture treatment after 12 weeks. The data for these patients are pooled with those from the original acupuncture group for within-group analysis. RESULTS: Patients randomized to acupuncture improved on both WOMAC and Lequesne indices compared to those who received standard treatment alone. Significant differences on total WOMAC Scale were seen at 4 and 8 weeks. There appears to be a slight decline in effect at 4 weeks after cessation of treatment (12 weeks after first treatment). No adverse effects of acupuncture were reported. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that acupuncture is an effective and safe adjunctive therapy to conventional care for patients with OA of the knee
Keywords: Acu Versus > 1 Control; Acupuncture; Analgesia; AcuTrials; Arthritis; Electroacupuncture; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain; RCT; Usual Care Control, Pharmaceutical; TCM Acupuncture Style; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only
Bernateck, M., Becker, M., Schwake, C., Hoy, L., Passie, T., Parlesak, A., et al. (2008). Adjuvant auricular electroacupuncture and autogenic training in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Auricular acupuncture and autogenic training in rheumatoid arthritis (Vol. 15). 44, 6 Weeks(Arthritis, Rheumatoid).
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In contrast to psychological interventions the usefulness of acupuncture as an adjuvant therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not yet been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of auricular electroacupuncture (EA) was directly compared with autogenic training (AT). METHODS: Patients with RA (n = 44) were randomized into EA or AT groups. EA and lessons in AT were performed once weekly for 6 weeks. Primary outcome measures were the mean weekly pain intensity and the disease activity score 28 (DAS 28); secondary outcome measures were the use of pain medication, the pain disability index (PDI), the clinical global impression (CGI) and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, which were assessed during the study period and 3 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment and at 3-month follow-up a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) could be observed in all outcome parameters and both groups. In contrast to the AT group, the onset of these effects in the EA group could already be observed after the 2nd treatment week. In the 4th treatment week the EA group reported significantly less pain than the AT group (p = 0.040). After the end of treatment (7th week) the EA group assessed their outcome as significantly more improved than the AT group (p = 0.035). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the EA group was significantly reduced (p = 0.010), and the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly increased compared to the AT group (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The adjuvant use of both EA and AT in the treatment of RA resulted in significant short- and long-term treatment effects. The treatment effects of auricular EA were more pronounced
Keywords: CAM Control; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Anesthesia; Arthritis; Auricular Acupuncture; Auricular Electroacupuncture; RCT; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Semi-Individualized Acupuncture Protocol; Symptom Based Point Selection; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only
Berry, H., Fernandes, L., Bloom, B., Clark, R. J., & Hamilton, E. B. (1980). Clinical study comparing acupuncture, physiotherapy, injection and oral anti-inflammatory therapy in shoulder-cuff lesions (Vol. 7). 60, 4 Weeks(Shoulder Impingement Syndrome).
Abstract: In a single-blind trial, five treatments for painful stiff shoulder were compared for a 4-week assessment period in 60 patients. The treatments were acupuncture, steroid injection with placebo and with active tolmetin sodium, physiotherapy in the form of ultrasound and 'placebo' physiotherapy with placebo tolmetin sodium. Objective assessment was gained by use of goniometer readings to monitor shoulder abduction. Pain was measured by visual analogue scales and by a 4-point scale. Comparative assessment was also recorded and at the end of the study a success or failure was recorded for each patient's treatment. With very few exceptions all patients improved markedly, both in terms of the subjective and objective parameters. No differences between the treatments were detected. The incidence and severity of side-effects was low. It is suggested that the results show that the painful stiff shoulder may be a self-limiting condition and that any beneficial effect was really due to natural recovery. This is an important consideration because patients do not always receive immediate attention when referred to an out-patient department and the use of physiotherapy and acupuncture in such cases, perhaps, should be critically examined
Keywords: CAM Control; Acu Versus > 1 Control; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Individualized Acupuncture Protocol; Moxibustion; Pain; Physical Therapy; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture + Other; Usual Care Control, Multimodality; TCM Acupuncture Style; Traditional Diagnosis Based Point Selection; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Shoulder Pain
Disease Category: Shoulder Pain
Betts, D., Smith, C. A., & Dahlen, H. G. (2016). Does acupuncture have a role in the treatment of threatened miscarriage? Findings from a feasibility randomised trial and semi-structured participant interviews. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 16(1), 298.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Threatened miscarriage is a common complication of early pregnancy increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labour. Currently there is limited evidence to recommend any biomedical pharmacological or self-care management, resulting in a 'watchful waiting' approach. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of offering acupuncture as a therapeutic treatment for women presenting with threatened miscarriage. METHODS: A mixed methods study involving a randomised controlled trial and semi structured interviews. A pragmatic acupuncture protocol including medical self-care advice was compared to an active control receiving touch intervention and medical self-care advice. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the demographic and baseline characteristics. Endpoints were analysed between groups using a mean t-test and chi-square tests with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Dichotomous data was expressed as Risk Ratio with 95 % confidence intervals. Eleven participants were purposively interviewed about their experiences on exiting the trial with interviews analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Forty women were successfully randomised. For women receiving acupuncture there was a statically significant reduction with threatened miscarriage symptoms including bleeding, cramping and back pain compared with the control (p = 0.04). Thematic analysis revealed women were dissatisfied with the medical support and advice received. An overarching theme emerged from the data of 'finding something you can do.' This encompassed the themes: 'they said there was nothing they could do,' 'feeling the benefits' and 'managing while marking time.' CONCLUSION: Acupuncture was a feasible intervention and reduced threatened miscarriage symptoms when compared to a touch intervention. Further research is required to further explore acupuncture use for this common complication and whether it can reduce the incidence of miscarriage. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN12610000850077 . Date of registration 12/10/2010. Retrospectively registered, with first participant enrolled 11/10/2012.
Keywords: Acupuncture; Feasibility study; Mixed methods; Randomised controlled trial; Supportive care; Threatened miscarriage
Bezerra, A. G., Pires, G. N., Andersen, M. L., Tufik, S., & Hachul, H. (2015). Acupuncture to Treat Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review. Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (eCAM), 2015, 1–16.
Abstract: Sleep disorders are commonly observed among postmenopausal women, with negative effects on their quality of life. The search for complementary therapies for sleep disorders during postmenopausal period is of high importance, and acupuncture stands out as an appropriate possibility. The present review intended to systematically evaluate the available literature, compiling studies that have employed acupuncture as treatment to sleep disorders in postmenopausal women. A bibliographic search was performed in PubMed/Medline and Scopus. Articles which had acupuncture as intervention, sleep related measurements as outcomes, and postmenopausal women as target population were included and evaluated according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool and to the STRICTA guidelines. Out of 89 search results, 12 articles composed our final sample. A high heterogeneity was observed among these articles, which prevented us from performing a meta-analysis. Selected articles did not present high risk of bias and had a satisfactory compliance rate with STRICTA guidelines. In general, these studies presented improvements in sleep-related variables. Despite the overall positive effects, acupuncture still cannot be stated as a reliable treatment for sleep-related complaints, not due to inefficacy, but rather limited evidence. Nevertheless, results are promising and new comprehensive and controlled studies in the field are encouraged.
Keywords: SLEEP disorders -- Treatment; SLEEP -- Evaluation; Acupuncture; ACUPUNCTURE points; COMPARATIVE studies; LONGITUDINAL method; CASE study (Research); Medline; ONLINE information services; RESEARCH -- Finance; SLEEP apnea syndromes; SYSTEMATIC reviews (Medical research); Polysomnography; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; TREATMENT effectiveness; RESEARCH bias; Postmenopause
Bezerra, A. G., Pires, G. N., Andersen, M. L., Tufik, S., & Hachul, H. (2015). Acupuncture to Treat Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2015.
Keywords: Systematic Review; Climacteric; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Acupuncture; Insomnia; Women's Health
Disease Category: Climacteric
Bi, J. - Q., Li, W., Yang, Q., Li, B. -lin, Meng, Q. - G., & Liu, Y. -fu. (2016). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Oculomotor Paralysis: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (eCAM), , 1–6.
Abstract: Copyright of Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (eCAM) is the property of Hindawi Publishing Corporation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Keywords: OCULOMOTOR paralysis -- Treatment; Acupuncture; JOINTS (Anatomy) -- Range of motion; PILOT projects; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; TREATMENT effectiveness; TREATMENT duration (Medical care); China
Biella, G., Sotgiu, M. L., Pellegata, G., Paulesu, E., Castiglioni, I., & Fazio, F. (2001). Acupuncture produces central activations in pain regions. Neuroimage, 14(1 Pt 1), 60–66.
Abstract: Acupuncture is largely used for pain control in several pathological conditions. Its effects on the central nervous system are not well defined. We investigated the effect of the application of acupuncture to 13 normal subjects (males, 21-32 years). H2(15)O bolus PET scans were read before the application of the needles (Rest, R) and after 25 min of needle insertion. Data were acquired by scanning in 3-D mode. The acupuncture application, true acupuncture (TA), was alternated to a placebo needle application (PA) in two different sequences (seven and six subjects, respectively), either R,PA,R, TA or R,TA,R,PA, a period of 15 min being left after every first TA or PA to allow for the recovery of basal conditions. Here we show that classic acupuncture activates the left Anterior Cingulus, the Insulae bilaterally, the Cerebellum bilaterally, the left Superior Frontal Gyrus, and the right Medial and Inferior Frontal Gyri. Most of the activated areas are shared with areas activated in acute and chronic pain states as described in the literature. Thus acupuncture appears to act by activating areas also involved in pain. This indicates that acupuncture could relief pain by unbalancing the equilibrium of distributed pain-related central networks.
Keywords: Healthy Subjects; Pain; PET Scan; Positron Emission Tomography; Acupunture; Outcomes Research
Bier, I. D., Wilson, J., Studt, P., & Shakleton, M. (2002). Auricular acupuncture, education, and smoking cessation: a randomized, sham-controlled trial (Vol. 92). 141, 4 Weeks(Tobacco Use Disorder).
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of acupuncture alone and in combination with education on smoking cessation and cigarette consumption. METHODS: We prospectively studied 141 adults in a quasi-factorial design using acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and education. RESULTS: All groups showed significant reductions in smoking and posttreatment cigarette consumption, with the combined acupuncture-education group showing the greatest effect from treatment. The trend continued in follow-up; however, significant differences were not maintained. Greater pack-year history (i.e. the number of years smoking multiplied by baseline number of cigarettes smoked per year, divided by 20 cigarettes per pack) negatively correlated with treatment effect. Trend analysis suggested 20 pack-years as the cutoff point for this correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture and education, alone and in combination, significantly reduce smoking; however, combined they show a significantly greater effect, as seen in subjects with a greater pack-year history
Keywords: Acu Versus > 1 Control; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Drug Addiction; Auricular Acupuncture; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; Penetrating Sham; Near Verum Acupoint Control; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Sham Control; Smoking Cessation; Standard Needling Depth; Usual Care Control, Educational; Substance-Related Disorders; Tobacco Use Disorder; Substance Abuse; Drug Addiction
Biernacki, W., & Peake, M. D. (1998). Acupuncture in treatment of stable asthma (Vol. 92). 23, 2 Weeks(Asthma).
Abstract: Previous studies of acupuncture in asthma have reported conflicting results, some claiming benefit for some patients. We conducted a randomized, double-blind (patient and evaluator) study in 23 non-smoking asthmatics (10 M; 13 F) aged 43 +/- 15 years with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 59 +/- 16% pred. After initial assessment (respiratory function tests and Asthma Quality Life Questionnaire) patients were randomized to receive either 'real' or 'sham' acupuncture. The measurements were repeated within 1 h and after 2 weeks. Patients were recording peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) throughout the period of the study. After 2 weeks patients who received 'real' treatment on the first visit received 'sham' treatment and vice versa. The measurements were again repeated within 1 h and after 2 weeks. There was no improvement in any aspects of respiratory function measured after either form of acupuncture. Despite this there was a significant improvement in AQLQ and parallel reduction in the usage of bronchodilators. We concluded that in some patients acupuncture could be useful in improving quality of life and reducing the need for using bronchodilators either by having a placebo effect or that the exact site of needle puncture on the chest is unimportant
Keywords: Acu Versus Sham; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Asthma; Cross-Over Design; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; Penetrating Sham; RCT; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Sham Acupoint Control; Sham Control; Standard Needling Depth; TCM Acupuncture Style
Disease Category: Respiratory Tract Diseases
Birch, S., & Jamison, R. N. (1998). Controlled trial of Japanese acupuncture for chronic myofascial neck pain: assessment of specific and nonspecific effects of treatment (Vol. 14). 46, 10 Weeks(Myofascial Pain Syndromes).
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This article examines the specific and nonspecific effects of Japanese acupuncture on chronic myofascial neck pain in a randomized single-blind trial. DESIGN: Forty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive relevant acupuncture, irrelevant acupuncture, or no-acupuncture control treatment consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. The two acupuncture groups underwent comparable light shallow needling. The irrelevant acupuncture group received acupuncture at specific sites not relevant for cervical pain. OUTCOME MEASURES: The study measures included the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form (SF-MPQ), the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R), medication diary, and physiologic measures. The factors examined as predictors of outcome pain ratings were experience with, beliefs about, and knowledge of acupuncture before treatment; perceived efficacy, credibility, and logic of acupuncture; perceived competence of the acupuncturist; and painfulness of acupuncture. RESULTS: No differences were found among the three groups at baseline, except that the relevant acupuncture group reported having had more previous acupuncture treatments. No significant differences in terms of perceived credibility or perceived effectiveness of treatment were found between the two acupuncture groups. The relevant acupuncture group had significantly greater pre-/posttreatment differences in pain than the irrelevant acupuncture and control groups (p < .05). The nonspecific effects of confidence in the acupuncturist, willingness to try any treatment, mood, and physiologic effect of needling were not predictive of treatment outcome, whereas confidence in the treatment and past experiences with acupuncture did correlate significantly with a decrease in pain. CONCLUSIONS: Relevant acupuncture with heat contributes to modest pain reduction in persons with myofascial neck pain. Previous experience with and confidence in treatment help to predict benefit. Measurement of nonspecific effects of alternative therapy is recommended in future clinical trials
Keywords: Acu Versus > 1 Control; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; Penetrating Sham; Ion Pumping Cords; Japanese Acupuncture Style; Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Neck Pain; Non Specific Acupoint Control; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture + Other; Superficial Needling Depth; Sham Control; Usual Care Control, Pharmaceutical; Heat Lamp
Disease Category: Neck Pain
Bjordal, J. M., Johnson, M. I., Lopes-Martins, R. A., Bogen, B., Chow, R., & Ljunggren, A. E. (2007). Short-term efficacy of physical interventions in osteoarthritic knee pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials (Vol. 8). N/A, N/A(Osteoarthritis,Knee).
Abstract: ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Treatment efficacy of physical agents in osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) pain has been largely unknown, and this systematic review was aimed at assessing their short-term efficacies for pain relief. Aims and methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis of efficacy within 1-4 weeks and 5-12 weeks. RESULTS: 36 randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) were identified with 2434 patients where 1391 patients received active treatment. 33 trials satisfied three or more out of five methodological criteria (Jadad scale). The patient sample had a mean age of 65.1 years and mean baseline pain of 62.9 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Within 4 weeks of the commencement of treatment manual acupuncture, static magnets and ultrasound therapies did not offer statistically significant short-term pain relief over placebo. Pulsed electromagnetic fields offered a small reduction in pain of 6.9 mm [95% CI: 2.2 to 11.6] (n=487). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, including interferential currents), electro-acupuncture (EA) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) offered clinically relevant pain relieving effects of 18.8 mm [95% CI: 9.6 to 28.1] (n=414), 21.9 mm [95% CI: 17.3 to 26.5] (n=73) and 17.7 mm[95% CI: 8.1 to 27.3] (n=343) on VAS respectively versus placebo control. In a subgroup analysis of trials with assumed optimal doses, short-term efficacy increased to 22.2 mm [95% CI: 18.1 to 26.3] for TENS, and 24.2 mm [95% CI: 17.3 to 31.3] for LLLT on VAS. Follow-up data up to 12 weeks were sparse, but positive effects seemed to persist for at least 4 weeks after the course of LLLT, EA and TENS treatment was stopped. CONCLUSION: TENS, EA and LLLT administered with optimal doses in an intensive 2-4 week treatment regimen, seem to offer clinically relevant short-term pain relief for OAK
Keywords: Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Arthritis; Electroacupuncture; Laser Acupuncture; Magnets; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain; Systematic Review; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; TENS; Meta-Analysis
Black, S., Carey, E., Webber, A., Neish, N., & Gilbert, R. (2011). Determining the efficacy of auricular acupuncture for reducing anxiety in patients withdrawing from psychoactive drugs. 101, 2 Weeks(Anxiety).
Abstract: Auricular acupuncture (AA) is a widely accepted treatment option for substance abuse that is used in more than 700 treatment centers worldwide. Despite claims of perceived clinical benefits by patients and treatment staff, research efforts have failed to substantiate purported benefits, and the mechanism(s) by which AA serves in the treatment of addiction remain inconclusive. Numerous studies have shown AA to be an effective treatment for perioperative anxiety. In this study, we hypothesize that AA reduces the anxiety associated with withdrawal from psychoactive drugs. The study used a randomized, controlled design and included a sample of 101 patients recruited from an addiction treatment service. Subjects were assigned to one of three treatment groups (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association [NADA] AA, AA at sham points, or treatment setting control) and were instructed to attend treatment sessions for 3 days. The primary outcome measure state anxiety was assessed using a pretest-posttest treatment design. The study hypothesis was not confirmed. The NADA protocol was not more effective than sham or treatment setting control in reducing anxiety. The widespread acceptance of AA in the treatment of addiction remains controversial.
Keywords: AcuTrials; RCT; Mental Disorders; Anxiety; Substance-Related Disorders; Acu + Usual Care Versus > 1 Control; Auricular Acupuncture; NADA Protocol Acupuncture Style; Group Acupuncture Style; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Sham Control; Penetrating Sham; Standard Needling Depth; Sham Acupoint Control; Usual Care Control, Unspecified
Disease Category: Mental Disorders
Blom, M., Dawidson, I., & Angmar-Mansson, B. (1992). The effect of acupuncture on salivary flow rates in patients with xerostomia (Vol. 73). 21, 12 Weeks(Xerostomia).
Abstract: Of 21 patients with severe xerostomia, 11 were treated with acupuncture and 10 patients received placebo acupuncture. Those patients who received acupuncture treatment showed increased salivary flow rates during and after the acupuncture treatment. The improved salivary values persisted during the observation year, whereas the patients who received placebo acupuncture showed some improvement of salivary flow rates only during the actual treatment. The results of the present study indicate that acupuncture may be a useful adjunct for the stimulation of salivary flow in some patients with xerostomia
Keywords: Acu Versus Sham; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Auricular Acupuncture; Penetrating Sham; Near Verum Acupoint Control; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Semi-Individualized Acupuncture Protocol; Superficial Needling Depth; TCM Acupuncture Style; Traditional Diagnosis Based Point Selection; Xerostomia; Stomatognathic Diseases; Dry Mouth
Disease Category: Stomatognathic Diseases
Blom, M., Dawidson, I., & Fernberg, J. O. (1996). Acupuncture treatment of patients with radiation-induced xerostomia (Vol. 32B). 38, 12 Weeks(Xerostomia).
Keywords: Acu Versus Sham; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Auricular Acupuncture; Cancer; Penetrating Sham; Near Verum Acupoint Control; Radiation; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Semi-Individualized Acupuncture Protocol; Superficial Needling Depth; Sham Control; TCM Acupuncture Style; Traditional Diagnosis Based Point Selection; Xerostomia; Stomatognathic Diseases; Dry Mouth
Bo, Q., & Zhang, J. (2007). Observation on Therapeutic Effects of Scalp Acupuncture Analgesia on Childbirth (Vol. 5). 70, 1 Day(Analgesia, Obstetrical).
Keywords: Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Analgesia; Fixed Acupuncture Protocol; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Scalp Acupuncture; Women's Health; Labor Pain; Analgesia, Obstetrical; Labor, Obstetric
Disease Category: Labor, Obstetric
Bo, Z., Wang, G., Zhu, W., Xiang, Y., Yuan, S., & Niu, Q. (2007). A clinical study on the therapeutic effect of abdominal acupuncture in treating radicular cervical spondylosis. 300, 2 Weeks(Spondylosis).
Keywords: Abdominal Acupuncture; Acu Versus Usual Care; Acupuncture; AcuTrials; Cervical Spondylosis; Neck Pain; RCT; Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only; Semi-Individualized Acupuncture Protocol; Usual Care Control, Physical; Symptom Based Point Selection; TCM Acupuncture Style; Spondylosis
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Which routes to push in my OpenVPN config for clients to access server's local network? I am generating an OpenVPN configuration for my server. I want clients to be able to access my server's router, which is 192.168.1.1, as well as the local network, so I pushed this route:
192.168.1.1/24

and then imported the OVPN file on my Windows OpenVPN client (the official one).
On my Windows, it works. On other Windows (from my father's computer), it connects but I can't access 192.168.1.1. I end up acessing the local router, not the remote one.
Somebody said on OpenVPN forum that I shouldn't add 192.168.1.1/24. Why? How should I do it then?

A: They are telling you not to use 192.168.1.1/24 because almost all home routers use that subnet by default. Just change it to 192.168.2.0/24 - that should cure your problem.

A: As @Hauke Laging have mentioned, you can map another subnet/IP (that is less often used by home routers) to 192.168.1.0/24/192.168.1.1. For example:
push "route 10.0.9.0 255.255.255.0"
push "client-nat dnat 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.9.0"

or
push "route 10.11.12.13"
push "client-nat dnat 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.255 10.11.12.13"

Then you can access 192.168.1.0/24/192.168.1.1 the server is connected to with 10.0.9.0/24/10.11.12.13 on the VPN client.
This can be done with DNAT or NETMAP in iptables as well. Assuming by "accessing the router" you mean its web UI, you may even just DNAT say $server_vpn_ip:80 to 192.168.1.1:80, if the former isn't occupied already.
(Note: assuming the server has already been doing IP forwarding and masquerading.)

A: Avoid commonly used private networks in VPN subnets
This concerns both the subnets assigned to the VPN clients on the remote side, but also all the networks that needs to be accessed using the VPN. If there is a local network the client is directly connected to and it has a overlapping subnet, it takes precedence.
I've listed some subnets you should avoid in an answer from 2017:

Techspot has A List of Common Default Router IP Addresses that
  helps with this. Usually home routers uses /24 subnets. Nowadays
  mobile phones are often used for sharing network connection, so we
  must take these ranges into account, too.  According to the list we
  can deduce we should avoid:

*

*192.168.0.0/19 - most of the routers seems to use some of these, above 192.168.31.255.

*10.0.0.0/24 is also widely used, and Apple uses 10.0.1.0/24.

*192.168.100.0/24 is used by Motorola, ZTE, Huawei and Thomson.

*Motorola uses (in addition) 192.168.62.0/24 and 192.168.102.0/24.

*192.168.123.0/24 is used by LevelOne, Repotec, Sitecom and U.S. Robotics (less common)

*Some D-Links have 10.1.1.0/24 and 10.90.90.0/24.

OpenVPN recommendations and defaults
OpenVPN has published an article on Numbering private subnets:

While addresses from these netblocks should normally be used in VPN
  configurations, it's important to select addresses that minimize the
  probability of IP address or subnet conflicts. The types of conflicts
  that need to be avoided are:

*

*conflicts from different sites on the VPN using the same LAN subnet numbering, or

*remote access connections from sites which are using private subnets which conflict with your VPN subnets.

The best solution is to avoid using 10.0.0.0/24 or 192.168.0.0/24 as
  private LAN network addresses. Instead, use something that has a lower
  probability of being used in a WiFi cafe, airport, or hotel where you
  might expect to connect from remotely. The best candidates are subnets
  in the middle of the vast 10.0.0.0/8 netblock (for example
  10.66.77.0/24).

For the client subnets, OpenVPN defaults to 10.8.0.0/24. From Topology in OpenVPN:

Subnet topology is the current recommended topology; it is not the
  default as of OpenVPN 2.3 for reasons of backwards-compatibility with
  2.0.9-era configs. It is safe and recommended to use subnet topology when no old/outdated clients exist that are running OpenVPN 2.0.9
  under Windows.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Space, Place, and the Art of Designing Deep Levels
Ever wondered what powers environmental storytelling? Placemaking. This article takes a look at how the process of placemaking can be used to help design deep video game levels.
Justin Reeve
The shaping of space is inherently political. When we modify our surroundings, we turn spaces like rooms, buildings, and cities into sites of social negotiation by imbuing them with a sense of place.
People turn spaces into places by investing them with meaning through various processes of modification, transformation, and change. Referred to as placemaking, the shaping of space involves a transfer of ideas and values into the world around us. Places in other words carry implicit arguments about political issues like race, class, and gender. They contain the views of the people who produce them.
While it serves to make us more critical observers of real-world spaces, understanding the process of placemaking is also useful as a tool for designing deep video game levels. The best way to explain something is often by example, so let's dive into a game which does politics particularly well: Dishonored 2.
In creating Karnaca, the development studio responsible for Dishonored 2, Arkane, put together an elaborate critique of class-based societies. Things like wealth, status, entitlement, and corruption were made manifest in a way that seemingly transcends level design. Arkane succeeded in making Karnaca feel as if it were a living, breathing city. How did the studio pull this off?
Arkane marked a clear division between the game's rich and poor. Karnaca's upper crust was made to inhabit a very different world than its lower classes. Power and prestige are on display in Upper Aventa and Upper Cyria. Humbleness and humility by contrast emanate from the Campo Seta Dockyards. Arkane established this by introducing a whole set of different oppositions into the level design, but we'll just focus on four: up/ down, organic/ synthetic, empty/ crowded, and clean/ dirty. These tend to be coincident and mutually reinforcing, so every part of the city displays a strongly defined character.
Nestled in a deep valley between towering peaks, verticality is Karnaca's most apparent physical feature.
Verticality structures Karnaca's physical and human geography
While verticality structures Karnaca's physical geography, it also structures the city's human geography. Gawking at the commoners below, the wealthy wine and dine far above sea level in districts like Upper Aventa and Upper Cyria. The poor hole themselves up in low-lying areas like the Campo Seta Dockyards. Visually dominating the surrounding cityscape, the Clockwork Mansion is a case in point. Kirin Jindosh looms large over Karnaca in this privileged position atop a stone spire in Upper Aventa. Gliding over the gap from the main district, you even teeter into his residence on an elevated tram line.
The Clockwork Mansion looms large over Karnaca
Related to verticality is the divide between organic and synthetic. Similar to so many things in Serkonos, nature's grasp on Karnaca seems to weaken with distance from sea level.
The Campo Seta Dockyards are bursting with life. Mostly animal. The unbroken stream of whale guts running down its main thoroughfare even turns the place into a bona fide blood bath. There's plenty of vegetation in the Campo Seta Dockyards, though. The district is cracking at the seams with scruffy trees, unkempt shrubs, wild grass, and every other kind of overgrowth. The building materials used in the area mostly reflect this bent for the biological: wood, stone, plaster, and a few stucco fittings for some badly-needed flair.
Karnaca's elite seemingly build to last. The use of glass and metal for construction is noticeably more common in districts like Upper Aventa and Upper Cyria than elsewhere in the city. But that's only half the story. In contrast to the Campo Seta Dockyards, the forces of nature have clearly been curtailed through art and artifice in both of these districts. The trees are trimmed, the shrubs are shorn, and the grass is nicely mowed. The wealthy apparently prefer to keep nature on the defensive.
The wealthy use a lot more stone, metal, and glass than the poor
Was cleanliness ever truly next to godliness? Well, it certainly isn't in Serkonos. The wealthy are pretty corrupt in Karnaca, but they definitely have some nice digs. Take the time to sneak around some of the richer districts and you'll find very little grime. (But lots of grimy people).
Few places in Karnaca exude privilege quite like Upper Cyria. With its perfectly clean and polished streets, the district's remarkable spotlessness plays a big role in this. The resulting impression is even a bit overwhelming. Everything is trim and tidy enough to make you wonder what the wealthy do with all their trash. Perhaps they blow it downslope? This would scarcely be surprising given their other predations on the poor. In any case, there's hardly a pile of trash in sight.
The Campo Seta Dockyards may offer gorgeous views onto Karnaca Bay, but they still fail to attract any refined residents. (Emily Kaldwin doesn't count). Maybe it's all the muck and mud? With its broken windows and peeling paint, the signs of decay and disrepair don't take very long to come across. The district is quite literally crammed with clutter. Graffiti adorn the walls. Filled with piles of random junk and overturned furniture, even the inhabited parts look strangely abandoned.
The poor parts of town are pretty dingy
The wealthy seem to get more personal space in Karnaca, too.
Creep around Upper Cyria for long enough and you'll pick up on something strange: there's nobody around. The guards are plentiful, but where's everybody else? In a town where even mimes attract attention, you'd expect a small crowd of loafers, loungers, and lingerers to be out and about. They'd probably find the sweeper in Malveros Victory Plaza to be quite the stir. Maybe somebody locked them up inside the Spectator Cub? Whatever the case may be, Karnaca's wealthy clearly have a couple hundred square feet more per capita than its poor.
The most impoverished parts of Karnaca stand in total opposition to Upper Cyria. Flush with the sights and sounds of city life, the streets are comparably teeming with activity. Take a stroll down by the waterfront and you'll stumble upon all kinds of (extra)ordinary people — sailors and singers of course, but merchants and mendicants, too. Everyone who was presumably priced out of places like Upper Aventa and Upper Cyria.
Places like the Campo Seta Dockyards are comparably crowded
What makes the city seem so lifelike? The answer is that Karnaca possesses a highly pervasive sense of place. This was created by establishing a series of oppositions in the level design. We only focused on four of these, but others definitely exist apart from up/ down, organic/ synthetic, empty/ crowded, and clean/ dirty.
These oppositions are what gives the city its profound sense of place. How exactly does this work? Building oppositions like up/ down, organic/ synthetic, empty/ crowded, and clean/ dirty into a video game's level design establishes that social differences exist in its world. In the case of Dishonored 2, the social differences in question revolve mainly around the concept of class. Arkane marked a clear distinction between the game's rich and poor. The same approach could be used to explore plenty of other political issues, though. The important thing is just that ingroups and outgroups of any kind are identifiable in the level design. This takes the form of oppositions like the ones which we looked at in Dishonored 2. Spaces can't really be places without them.
This article was reproduced from "Space and Place," posted to SlowRun on September 8, 2018.


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Principal Pet Nutritionist - Dr. Ramesh Khanal
Our Principal Pet Nutritionist Dr. Ramesh C. Khanal had found his keen interest in animal science when he was doing his associate degree in agricultural sciences and later received his Ph.D. degree in Animal Nutrition from Utah State University in early 2004. After obtaining his undergraduate degree in animal science with emphasis on animal nutrition from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in 1991, he obtained his Master's degree, also in Animal Nutrition, from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 1996. He obtained his Diplomate certification in Animal Nutrition from the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists in 2006. Since graduating with a degree in animal science, he has been extensively involved in animal and nutritional research, product development, ration formulation, technical support, QA, customer service, and for almost 30 years. Currently, he lives in Lancaster, PA with his family.
After moving to the United States in 2001 for his doctoral degrees, Dr. Khanal built a highly successful career in animal and nutritional sciences wherever he went. Initially, he was extensively involved in nutritional and health research and published almost 4 dozen peer reviewed original research and review articles in high impact journals that have garnered almost 2,000 total citations and an h-Index of 24 despite leaving the academia almost a decade ago. Most of those publications and citation history can be found by visiting Google Scholar, https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C39&q=rc+khanal&btnG=
Dr. Khanal is a highly accomplished pet nutritionist that has developed formulas not only of pet foods, treats, and mineral and vitamin premixes, but also a wide variety of other species of commercial livestock, laboratory animals, non-human primates, as well as zoo animals, aquatic species, birds and reptiles. While at Envigo, he developed close to a thousand laboratory research diets for various purposes, primarily related to improving human health, while also providing technical support to sales team and marketing initiatives. Dr Khanal can be instrumental in assisting your development department to help bring in new customers and assist your company in formulating some of the most exciting new products. His specialty in addition to creating new products is to revamp existing lines of pet treats and supplements and to resolve issues related to quality, texture, and appearance of products. Such formulations are related to both mass production as well as niche market and high end products. Many pet foods, treats, and supplement formulas that he helped launch are found in major pet food retailers, including Walmart, PetSmart, Chewy, PetValue, etc. among others, while also being exported to Europe, Asia, and South America.
Dr. Khanal has a thorough knowledge of nutrient requirements of basically all species of livestock, pets, laboratory research animals, as well as many other animals. He also has an extensive knowledge about the availability and characteristics of individual ingredients as well as their alternatives, nutrient profiles and their characteristics, market situation, new trends etc. as well as AAFCO nutritional, ingredient, and labeling guidelines, among others. Such a vast knowledge and experience can be utilized directly for your benefit in whichever way you deem necessary.
You can just say a hello to Dr. Khanal by calling him at 501-626-2863 or dropping an email Ramesh.khanal@science4pets.com
Dr. Nar Kaji Gurung (PhD, PAS, Dipl. ACAN)
Dr. Nar Kaji Gurung completed his Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences from Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab, India; Master of Science in Animal Nutrition from University of Melbourne, Australia and his PhD in Animal Nutrition from Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
He is an Associate Professor of Animal Sciences and Director of Caprine Research and Education Unit at Tuskegee University College of Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences where he teaches Small and Large Ruminant Production, Applied Animal and Companion Animal Nutrition, and Nutritional Toxicology to both undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Gurung is a member of the American Society of Animal Science since 1993, and the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) since 2005. He is also a Diplomate of the American College of Animal Sciences in Animal Nutrition Division since 2011. He is also serving as an Affiliate Professor of Animal Sciences at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama since 2014. He is a former Hubert Humphrey Fellow at University of California at Davis California in 1992.
Consulting Pet Nutritionist Dr. Ish Acharya
Dr. Acharya obtained his Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from South Dakota State University in 2016. Originally from Nepal, he obtained his undergraduate degree from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, while obtaining a master's degree, also in animal science, from the same university. He joined Nepal Agricultural Research Council as an animal scientist and focused his research on animal feed quality for several years before coming to the United States for pursuing his graduate studies, a second master's degree as well as doctoral degree, which he completed under the direction of Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. David J. Schingoethe.
He won the prestigious Dairy Farmers of America Cares Scholarship in 2016. As a graduate student, he was also awarded with several other student research awards, such as 2014 Ceres Trust Graduate Student Research Competition Fund ($10,000), first place in SDSU Sigma Xi Ph.D. Research Proposal Competition (2013), second place in SDSU Sigma Xi M.S. Research Proposal Competition (2012), as well as several others before joining SDSU. Currently, he is the director of research and product development at a renown dairy feed company in the mid-west.
Jerry Bruch
Jerry Bruch is an accomplished products specialist with an extensive track record of success in process improvements that exceed standards while maximizing productivity. His extensive experience in developing, producing and distributing products nationally has been quite rewarding and unique. Jerry has spent over 30 years manufacturing products in Asia and the USA. Areas of distribution include all channels of retail including warehouse clubs, discount chains and dollar stores chains. He has produced and distributed many different pet foods, treats, and supplements and supplied them to companies such as Costco, TJ Maxx and many other retail distributors in North America. Contact Jerry via email jerryb@science4pets.com
Mr. Bruch is a recognized licensing expert and has procured many licenses including:
Pepsi-Cola, Hershey Foods Corp, Underdog cartoons by Dream Works, Nascar Racing, Anheuser Busch, AC Delco, Pennzoil, NFL properties, Iron Chef