Increased GFAP immunoreactivity by astrocytes in response to contact with dorsal root ganglia cells in a 3D culture model

Failure of repair mechanisms in the injured CNS is widely attributed to the inhibitory environment of the lesion site, most notably the formation of the glial scar which forms a physical and physiological barrier to axon regeneration. We developed an in vitro 3D cell culture model to investigate the response of astrocytes to cells found at the inhibitory interfaces formed following damage to the spinal cord. CellTrackerTM labelled dissociated DRGs were seeded onto astrocyte-populated collagen gels and maintained in culture for 5 days. Astrocytes near the DRG interface showed marked GFAP up-regulation and adopted a reactive morphology which was observed up to 1mm away. Intensity of GFAP fluorescence at this interface was 3 fold higher than that seen away from the interface or in controls (astrocyte only gels). Furthermore, the presence of DRG conditioned medium was not capable alone of eliciting this response. In conclusion this model may provide a useful tool for understanding reactive astrogliosis in response to cells found at inhibitory interfaces following spinal cord or dorsal root injury. The contact between astrocytes and satellite cells may be enough to induce astrocyte reactivity and formation of the gliotic scar, or this contact may induce the secretion of a soluble factor which is not released from DRG cultures under physiological conditions

THE EFFECTS OF VIRTUAL PANOPTICISM

As technology further integrates into everyday life, the effects of technological advancement surface. The research contained in this thesis places philosopher Michel Foucault’s ideas of the panoptic, discipline, punishment and a carceral society in a virtual reality thus creating a virtual panopticon. Adapting Foucault’s theories to the present-day technological climate allows researchers to begin understanding the why behind humans’ interactions with various forms of technology (e.g. iPhone usage, Smart TVs, online banking, Alexa/Echo, etc.). Additionally, virtual panopticism sheds light on the corruption of those who manipulate information online to wield power, maintain control and make money. I discuss surveillance capitalism and highlight Foucault’s main influencers such as Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche. By conducting a voluntary survey, participants revealed how they operate within a virtual panopticon specifically in the areas of religion, personal technology usage, literature and film and education. Since thinking directly affects actions, the importance of understanding this information is critical to interpreting modern-day culture. The goal of this research is to reveal the effects of virtual panoptical structures on thinking, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for technological accountability

P1_7 Row, Let's Row Away

This paper investigates the potential, energy difference between flying to a destination, compared to rowing to it. i.e. the energy burned per passenger on an airplane, compared to a passenger rowing across the sea to the destination. The destinations we consider are from London Heathrow to New York JFK airport, and we found that for a Boeing 747 and an Airbus A380, the energy used is 6069.1 MJ and 5677.8 MJ respectively. The amount of energy to row the distance in a single lightweight scull was found to be 128.67 MJ; in comparison to the Airbus the rower uses approximately 98% less energy

P1_6 Geothermal Power

Geothermal power is a green power source that could provide substantial renewable power. This paper looks at the approximate energy that the planet could provide using the stored thermal energy beneath the surface of the Earth. It was calculated that the energy that could be used was 3.9x1030J. However, actually extracting this energy is unrealistic with today’s technology, as well as hazardous to the planet

P1_2 Melting Mirrors

High powered lasers have been portrayed as being able to cut through almost anything, but a simple mirror seems to easily reflect them. The purpose of a mirror is to reflect optical light but surely there is a limit to the energy it can do so before it begins to deform and melt. Thorough research into this showed us that if we consider a mirror with an optical coating of silver and a 500 nm laser was applied to it, it would take 11.65 J to destroy the illuminated area, if conductivity and scattering were not considered

P1_10 Fus Ro Dah

The power of the “Thu’um†is unquestionable within the video game, Skyrim [1]. This paper investigates the possibility of knocking down an opponent using only their voice. It was calculated that the minimum amount of force required to do so is 121.2N, and that an average person can only produce 3.74N

A 3D <i>in vitro</i> model reveals differences in the astrocyte response elicited by potential stem cell therapies for CNS injury.

Aim: This study aimed to develop a 3D culture model to test the extent to which transplanted stem cells modulate astrocyte reactivity, where exacerbated glial cell activation could be detrimental to CNS repair success. Materials & methods: The reactivity of rat astrocytes to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) and differentiated adipose-derived stem cells was assessed after 5 days. Schwann cells were used as a positive control. Results: NCSCs and differentiated Schwann cell-like adipose-derived stem cells did not increase astrocyte reactivity. Highly reactive responses to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and Schwann cells were equivalent. Conclusion: This approach can screen therapeutic cells prior to in vivo testing, allowing cells likely to trigger a substantial astrocyte response to be identified at an early stage. NCSCs and differentiated Schwann cell-like adipose-derived stem cells may be useful in treating CNS damage without increasing astrogliosis

P1_1 Everybody knows the moon is made of cheese...

This report investigates the possible implications of our moon being made of cheese as suggested in the Wallace and Gromit film 'A Grand Day out'. If it were the same size as the current moon, and made of Wensleydale, then it would exert 13.1 x1019N less force on Earth. If it were to exert the same force then its radius would increase by 0.78 x 106m, appearing 144% larger in the night sky

Hydrodynamic motion of guiding elements within a magnetic switchyard in fast ignition conditions

Magnetic collimation via resistivity gradients is an innovative approach to electron beam control for the cone-guided fast ignition variant of inertial confinement fusion. This technique uses a resistivity gradient induced magnetic field to collimate the electron beam produced by the high-intensity laser–plasma interaction within a cone-guided fast ignition cone-tip. A variant of the resistive guiding approach, known as the “magnetic switchyard,” has been proposed which uses shaped guiding elements to direct the electrons toward the compressed fuel. Here, the 1D radiation-hydrodynamics code HYADES is used to investigate and quantify the gross hydrodynamic motion of these magnetic switchyard guiding elements in conditions relevant to their use in fast ignition. Movement of the layers was assessed for a range of two-layer material combinations. Based upon the results of the simulations, a scaling law is found that enables the relative extent of hydrodynamic motion to be predicted based upon the material properties of the switchyard, thereby enabling optimization of material-combination choice on the basis of reducing hydrodynamic motion. A multi-layered configuration, more representative of an actual switchyard, was also simulated in which an outer Au layer is employed to tamp the motion of the outermost guiding element of the switchyard