Global distributed evolution of L-systems fractals

Internet based parallel genetic programming (GP) creates fractal patterns like Koch’s snow flake. Pfeiffer, http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/W.Langdon/pfeiffer.html, by analogy with seed/embryo development, uses Lindenmayer grammars and LOGO style turtle graphics written in Javascript and Perl. 298 novel pictures were produced. Images are placed in animated snow globes (computerised snowstorms) by www web browsers anywhere on the planet. We discuss artificial life (Alife) evolving autonomous agents and virtual creatures in higher dimensions from a free format representation in the context of neutral networks, gene duplication and the evolution of higher order genetic operators

Regulation of vascular tone, molecular mechanisms

The goal of this survey was to review briefly the molecular mechanisms that regulate vascular smooth muscle function. Components of the machinery involved in the contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle include the following.Contractile proteins. The force generated by vascular smooth muscle is the result of thin (actin) and thick (myosin) filaments being pulled by one another so that the cell tends to shorten. The processes by which this intereaction is regulated are a matter of some debate. However, most observations indicate that the process that initiates contraction is a calcium-dependent phosphorylation of the myosin light chain.Cellular sites for the regulation of myoplasmic calcium concentration. The final event that initiates the contractile process is an increase in the intracellular concentration of ionized calcium. Cellular sites that may contribute to the raising and lowering of ionized calcium include the following: (A) cell membrane, (B) sarcoplasmic reticulum, and (C) mitochondria.Membrane electrical events. The electrical state of the cell membrane influences contractile responses of vascular smooth muscle. Over the physiologic range, an elevation in the membrane potential has a reciprocal influence on muscle excitability. The membrane potential is the sum of the diffusion potentials and the electrogenic pump.Excitation-contraction coupling. The excitatory events of the cell membrane (changes in membrane potential and the generation of action potentials) are coupled to the interaction of the contractile proteins by an increase in myoplasmic ionized calcium.Cyclic nucleotides and calcium. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP may link contraction and relaxation to the release and uptake of activator calcium by subcellular organelles. These nucleotides also influence the level of phosphorylation of the myosin light chain.Energy metabolism and hypoxia. The chemical energy source for cellular processes in vascular smooth muscle is ATP. Vascular tone, or maintenance of a contractile force, in this muscle is a relatively efficient process that may reflect a special noncycling link between myosin and actin. Current evidence suggests that hypoxic conditions influence vascular tone by altering the activity of the electrogenic sodium pump.This listing of statements is by no means the final word in molecular mechanisms that govern vascular tone. Indeed, vascular smooth muscle remains to be a constant source of surprises for the interested investigator.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24206/1/0000465.pd

The function of attachment in first episode psychosis: a theoretical integration and clinical investigation

Abstract: Section I - Introduction: The thesis explores the value of attachment theory as a framework for understanding the onset of, and adaptation to the experience of psychosis. The first section of the thesis establishes the clinical and theoretical context from which this line of enquiry arises, starting with a brief historical overview of the clinical approaches towards psychosis, including the diagnosis of schizophrenia, as a nosological entity (Chapter 1). Particular attention is drawn to the role of affect in psychosis, following Bleuler’s (1911/1950) conceptualisation of the splitting of cognitive and affect processes in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The late 20th century growth of early intervention for psychosis, a psychologically informed service model, is discussed, in order to contextualise the service model explored for the second empirical study in the thesis. The parameters of the onset of psychotic difficulties, and subsequent adaptation to the experience of psychosis are then discussed (Chapter 2). Following this, the current literature on premorbid (i.e. before the onset of psychotic difficulties) functioning in psychosis and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is reviewed. The data finds no significant relationship between DUP and premorbid adjustment, and suggests that the role of social and academic functioning has been undervalued, particularly with regard to negative symptomatology and quality of life, with poorer adjustment relating to increased negative symptomatology and poorer quality of life. The importance of adolescent premorbid functioning is also highlighted. As premorbid adjustment concerns functioning prior to the onset of psychotic symptomatology, the review suggests scope for a reappraisal of the role of psychodevelopmental factors in psychosis (Chapter 3). This forms the rationale for viewing attachment theory as a theory par excellence in forwarding a psychodevelopmental understanding of psychosis, particularly given the relevance of contemporary perspectives on attachment theory (focussing on insecure attachment representations) in aiding the understanding of psychopathology in general (Chapter 4). Concluding the first section, a theoretical integration offers a framework for applying the principles of attachment theory, and the related constructs of mentalisation and affect regulation (e.g. Fonagy, Gergely, Jurist & Target, 2002) to the study of psychosis (Chapter 5). In particular the relevance of attachment and mentalisation to help-seeking, adaptation to psychosis and psychotic phenomenology is highlighted. It was hypothesised that secure attachment would associate with shorter DUP and better engagement, compared to insecure attachment classifications. Higher levels of mentalisation (operationalised as Reflective Function, RF) were also hypothesised to associate with shorter DUP, better help-seeking and better adjustment. Secure attachment was hypothesised to associate with higher RF. Section II – First Empirical study The second section of the thesis (Chapter 6) presents a short test of the theoretical validity of applying attachment theory to psychosis, using an analogue study to investigate the role of attachment in the phenomenology of paranoia and hallucinations. The results suggest attachment and a strategy of interpersonal distancing predict higher levels of paranoia, whereas hallucinatory phenomena were predicted by latent constructs representing interpersonal dependence and avoidance strategies (including attachment anxiety and avoidance). Section III – Second Empirical study The third section of the thesis builds on the first study by exploring the role of attachment in a clinical sample of individuals in the first year of treatment for a first episode psychosis, recruited from early intervention services in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The study utilises a cross-sectional cohort design (Chapter 7). The sample is characterised in terms of symptomatology, quality of life, DUP, help-seeking, premorbid adjustment, psychological variables, attachment states of mind (using the AAI) and mentalisation (Chapters 8). Premorbid adjustment and DUP are included to facilitate investigation of the relationships outlined in Chapter 3. Levels of psychotic symptomatology and the median DUP were all comparable with contemporary FEP cohort studies. Contrary to the findings of Chapter 3, results of the study with regard to premorbid adjustment suggest that this construct is significantly correlated with DUP, particularly in the social domain, in the direction of poorer adjustment associating with longer DUP,. Poorer premorbid social adjustment was significantly associated with greater negative symptoms and greater general psychopathology. Poorer premorbid adjustment was not associated with help-seeking, but was associated with poorer engagement with services after initiation of treatment. Longer DUP was not associated with greater positive symptomatology, or poorer engagement, but was associated with more help-seeking (Chapter 9). Attachment and mentalisation (RF) was investigated in a sub-sample of the main cohort. In contrast to chronic psychosis samples, both secure and insecure Attachment classifications were found in the FEP sample. Both secure and insecure/preoccupied attachment classifications were associated with higher RF. Attachment and RF were not related to psychotic symptomatology. However, higher RF was associated with poorer psychological quality of life. No significant relationships emerged between attachment and premorbid adjustment, DUP or help-seeking. No relationships between these variables emerged for RF. Attachment (but not RF) was significantly related to engagement, with secure attachment being associated with better engagement, and insecure/preoccupied attachment being associated with poorer engagement (Chapter 10). Section IV – Discussion The thesis represents a comprehensive assessment of theoretical links between attachment and psychosis, encompassing both phenomenological and clinical variables. The analogue study demonstrates the validity of the link between attachment and psychotic phenomenology, albeit limited by the use of self report measures of attachment. The clinical study is the first characterisation in Scotland of an FEP sample recruited from an early intervention cohort. The limitations of the clinical study are discussed in terms of small sample size, risk of Type I and II errors, and possible selection bias with regard to the attachment sub-sample. The low incidence of Unresolved attachment representations is also acknowledged. Theoretical implications of both studies are discussed in terms of the repositioning affect as an important factor in psychosis and the role of psychodevelopmental factors (including attachment, mentalisation and premorbid adjustment) in influencing onset and adaptation to psychosis. Clinical implications are discussed with regard to possible links with recovery trajectories, integrating attachment principles into treatment, and links to primary prevention of mental health problems in general (Chapter 11)

The environmental impact of artificial lighting in urban settings: gaps, challenges, and sustainable lighting design

Artificial light has significantly impacted the value and perception of the night in individuals who apply it, those who develop technologies to supply it, those who assess its environmental impact, and those who use and benefit from it. The unnatural illumination of nightscapes has become seamlessly integrated into society's fabric, making night-time bright and over-illuminated across landscapes where the natural light (e.g. emitted by the moon and stars) is masked by Artificial Light At Night (ALAN). In this way, ALAN has become a pollutant, known as light pollution (LP), that has emerged with the exponential increase of unnatural brightness and the change in spectral composition induced by improperly managed lighting technologies. ALAN has been shown to alter light environments of nocturnal terrestrial and aquatic habitats, which can impact many organisms' physiological processes, body functions and behaviour, affecting multiple intra- and interspecific interactions and even ecosystem processes. Current technological advances in outdoor lighting have the potential to develop light pollution reduction strategies that balance conflicting societal needs and environmental concerns. However, this potential remains largely untapped due to insufficient communication between ALAN researchers and lighting practitioners. The problem of reducing LP remains complex as it involves the active collaboration between ALAN researchers and lighting practitioners and a lingua franca between experts involved to transfer and translate research into practice. This thesis addresses the environmental impact of artificial lighting in urban settings, including existing communication and knowledge gaps, challenges posed by artificial light in aquatic realms and future perspectives towards sustainable lighting design. To mitigate the communication gaps between ALAN researchers and lighting practitioners, I propose a transdisciplinary framework between the experts in the practice, research, production, policy-making and planning of light and lighting. In collaboration with experts from ALAN research and the lighting practice, I suggest a four-step process to aid in establishing collaboration between the domains involved. Moreover, to set a shared understanding between ALAN research and the lighting practice, I propose a collaborative systematic review to aid in the transfer of diverse responses of plants, arthropods, insects, spiders, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and non-human mammals (including bats, rodents, primates, and ungulates) when exposed to ALAN. As well as a mutual agreement on key terms set by representatives from both domains. The systematic review is based on finally 216 studies reporting behavioural and physiological responses across six relevant organism groups. To transfer the results between the research and the lighting practice, collaborative discussions between the experts of each domain resulted in establishing an ALAN lingua franca on key terminologies and definitions related to natural and artificial light as knowledge both domains should acquaint. The collaborative discussions also included a common language on relevant radiometric and photometric parameters that ALAN researchers must consider in their research and lighting practitioners in their day-to-day lighting practice. Also, the discussions led to the proposal of two communication strategies: a communication framework and a knowledge infrastructure scheme to set an ecological ceiling of awareness (responses to avoid) and a lighting foundation (essential knowledge to gain) for a better flow of information between the domains involved. The findings of this study also indicated that aquatic organisms and their realms remain understudied and that further studies on the impact of ALAN on aquatic habitats and their inhabiting biodiversity are needed. Furthermore, I explored the potential implications of bridge illumination on a river transect to confront the existing knowledge gap on the potential impact of ALAN on riverine systems with illuminated bridges. The light field of a river was quantified from a research vessel considering seven illuminated bridges. The results indicated that LP was induced by surrounding illumination and bridge illumination. Via a conceptual model, the unnatural light scenarios at illuminated bridges and their potential impact on the life history of two migrating fish species, Atlantic salmon and European silver eels, were addressed. Additionally, at the same river transect and illuminated bridges, patterns of polarised light pollution (PLP) reflecting at the water's surface were quantified near the illuminated bridges and their potential effects on aquatic insects were discussed. The findings of the four studies highlight the need for (i) better communication frameworks between experts of ALAN research and the lighting practice, (ii) transdisciplinary interfaces and collaborations to efficiently translate ecological research into the lighting practice, as well as the need for (iii) quantified ALAN and PLP across inland waters to develop sustainable lighting solutions to preserve riverine nightscapes. This thesis provides communication frameworks to bridge communication gaps, a knowledge infrastructure scheme to mitigate the transfer of knowledge between the domains, evidence on LP and PLP induced by surrounding and bridge illumination on a river transect, together with a conceptual model on ALAN as a potential barrier for migrating fish. Additionally, this thesis discusses transdisciplinary approaches, perspectives inclusive of natural environments, and a vision towards lighting approaches that require an urgent change and concludes with recommendations for the future of ALAN research and the lighting practice

Measurement of mechanical properties of the skin in lower limb chronic venous disease compared to established non-invasive methods of assessment

Chronic venous disease (CVD) of the lower limbs is a major problem in the western world with 1% of the adult population estimated to be affected at any one time. The clinical sequelae of CVD of the lower limbs range from oedema, haemosiderosis and pigmentation, to gross lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) and venous ulceration. The site most commonly affected is the gaiter area of the lower limb. The extent and severity of venous disease can be assessed by clinical and physiological methods which include duplex ultrasonography and plethysmography. Tissue oedema can be assessed by volumetric or circumferential measurements and venous ulcers may be quantified by area measurements and response to treatment in ulcer healing studies. In the vast majority of patients a spectrum of skin changes precedes venous ulceration. At present, there is no standardised objective method of assessing the degree of skin change in these patients, so that the response to treatment can be objectively monitored. I have developed a tissue tonometer and standardised the methodology for the objective assessment and quantification of the skin changes seen in patients. The tissue tonometer is a simple non-invasive instrument which uses a sensing device that detects the movements of a loaded plunger placed on the skin. The movement of the plunger is dependent on the mechanical properties of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The instrument is positioned on the gaiter region of the leg with the subject in the supine position. The movement of the plunger into the tissues is recorded and analysed by a computer. The data obtained from the tonometer were analysed as distance and rate constant parameters. A simple mathematical model using spring and dashpot constants was also applied to see if it fitted the data. Skin compliance was investigated in normal control subjects and patients with varying severity of skin changes due to CVD, clinically classified according to the CEAP (Clinical, (A)Etiological, Anatomical and Pathophysiological) method. There was a significant reduction in skin compliance in patients with clinically severe LDS as compared to normal controls and patients with pigmentation alone or oedema without any clinical evidence of skin change. I further investigated the correlation between the recently introduced CEAP method of classification and scoring of chronic venous disease of the lower limbs with the tissue tonometry findings and parameters obtained with duplex ultrasonography, air plethysmography and photoplethysmography. Tissue tonometry provides a standardised objective means of assessing the severity of skin change in CVD which may prove to be useful in evaluating response to a particular treatment and comparing data from different centres. The deterioration of the venous physiology shown by blood flow measuring techniques correlates poorly with the clinical sequelae of venous disease, whether assessed by a trained observer or measured by the tonometer. Patients show a wide range of sensitivity to venous valvular incompetence, suggesting that factors related to the tissue response to venous hypertension are crucial in determining which patients develop venous ulceration

Meaningful Encounters: Creating a multi-method site for interacting with nonhuman life through bioarts praxis

This research advocates a multi-method approach to bioarts praxis, reflexively and critically questioning the contemporary contexts that frame our engagement with nonhuman life. In doing so, the research aims to generate further community engagement with nonhuman life and the environment, and engender critical discourse on the implications of developing biotechnologies. Hegemonic institutions influence the way culture is produced and how information is constructed and understood. Habermas (1987) suggests that these institutions will inevitably influence the individual’s lifeworld as they shape lived experience through the process of systemic colonisation. I assert that this process also shapes how individuals engage with or understand nonhuman life. Through the implementation of three major projects the research aims to develop the capacity of bioarts in challenging such institutions by providing the opportunity for hands-on life science activities and real-time interactions with nonhuman life. The research by employing such methods aims to counter-act the impact of urbanised living and indifference to environmental conservation. Each aspect of the creative praxis provides a reflexive case study to establish the research aims and answer the research agenda. This includes my creative bioartworks, an art-science secondary educational course and a curated group exhibition, symposium and workshop. This research provides an alternative communicative approach to hegemonic institutions such as the mass media, scientific biotechnological industries and traditional gallery spaces (Shanken, 2011)