Sex Differences in the Anxiety Effects of Cannabinoids

Aim: Anxiety disorders are twice as common among women, and those with anxiety disorders are 2-3 times more likely to have a substance abuse disorder than the general populace. However, little data exists on the sexually dimorphic effects of cannabinoids. In male humans and rodents, low acute doses of cannabinoids are anxiolytic while high and/or chronic doses are anxiogenic. In the dose response curve (DRC), we examined whether the biphasic effects of cannabinoids observed in males are also present in females. In the CB1R antagonism study, CP55,940-induced CB1R activation was antagonized via the CB1R-selective antagonist rimonabant to test the hypothesis that sexually dimorphic CB1R activation underlies sex differences observed in response to CP55,940 administration. Methods: Male and female adult Wistar rats received 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.075 or 0.125 mg/kg i.p. of the THC agonist CP55,940 in the DRC. Thirty minutes later, rodents were tested for 10 minutes in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and their behavior analyzed with Med Associates tracking software. Western blot analysis assessed changes to p-DARPP-32 (Thr34), p-ERK, p-CREB and cFOS following sacrifice. In the CB1R antagonism study, rodents received 3.0 mg/kg of the CB1R antagonist rimonabant, followed thirty minutes later by 0.075 mg/kg i.p. CP55,940 and methods were thereafter as described for the DRC. Results: In the DRC, we found main effects of dose and sex on percent open arm time and percent open arm entries. Male manifested a bi-phasic, dose-dependent response as expected, while females had a dose-dependent anxiogenic reaction to CP55,940. Sex and dose effects were observed in multiple brain areas and proteins. The CB1R antagonism study demonstrated a potentiating effect of pretreatment with the CB1R antagonist rimonabant on anxiety, but a restorative effect on locomotion. Dose and sex effects were observed for changes in protein expression in multiple brain regions. Conclusion: Sex differences were observed in the effect of CP55,940 on anxiogenic and anxiolytic responses, and in the effects of rimonabant. Although males showed biphasic dose dependent responses, females showed only an anxiogenic response to CP55,940. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for these differences

Undertaking CPD in the workplace in physiotherapy

Continuous professional development (CPD) is a mandatory requirement for all ISCP registered physiotherapists and an increasing part of physiotherapy practice. The aim of this article is to highlight the many forms of CPD that can be used within the ISCP framework, to aid practitioners in attaining a balance of formal and informal CPD in the work setting. The ISCP framework for CPD allows for formal and informal (planned and unplanned) learning. These umbrella terms encompass many activities that physiotherapists perform routinely without realising or documenting as CPD. These activities such as in-service training, clinical supervision and performance appraisal, to name a few, can be utilised in the workplace to enhance the informal CPD opportunities. Reflection can be incorporated into these activities, and formal CPD such as attendance at courses and conferences enrich the learning experience and ensure that learning acquired is incorporated into clinical practice. Support for the implementation of CPD activities can be enhanced through the formation of CPD co-ordinators or mentors in the workplace. There are many different types of CPD allowed within the ISCP framework. All can be documented; however the key to improving patient care is the integration of learning through reflective practice into the everyday working life of the physiotherapist. As CPD is likely to become increasingly important within the profession due to introduction of statutory registration and development of the physiotherapy role, therapists should maximise opportunities to integrate CPD into everyday physiotherapy practice

Experiential Learning as Service for Others

In the hours and days immediately after the collapse of the World Trade Center on Sept 11, 2001. When it became evident there would be few survivors to care for, nurses realized that despite their clinical skills and medical knowledge, they were powerless to help during this tragedy. Many began to question the meaning of their practice and ask themselves what they could do to serve their country and fellow citizens in this time of uncertainty. Since the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, many nurses are learning other ways to serve and translating that service into personal and professional growth

Designing smart toys for the cognitive enrichment of elephants

This project investigates the potential for designing playful cognitive enrichment activities for captive elephants. We explore the usefulness of applying conceptual frameworks from HCI and game design to the problem of developing species specific smart toys that promote natural behaviour and provide stimulation

More than Human Aesthetics: Interactive Enrichment for Elephants

Species-specific aesthetics is an important consideration for interaction designers working with animals. The paper explores the concept of species-specific aesthetics with particular reference to elephants. Applying existing aesthetic dimensions and design principles to the challenge of designing interactive enrichment for them, we show how the insights gained can inform more than human centered design in different settings. We offer a multi faceted, multi- sensory lens for examining an animal-centred aesthetic experience of technology

Designing Interactive Toys for Elephants

This research is investigating the potential for designing digital toys and games as playful cognitive enrichment activities for captive elephants. The new field of Animal Computer Interaction is exploring a range of approaches to the problem of designing user-centred systems for animals and this investigation into devices for elephants aims to directly contribute towards a methodological approach for designing smart and playful enrichment for all species

NASA Ames Institutional Scientific Collection (ISC)

NASA's current human space flight research is directed towards enabling human space exploration beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Space Flight Payload Projects; Rodent Research, Cell Science, and Microbial Labs, flown on the International Space Station (ISS), benefit both the global life sciences and commercial space communities. Verified data sets, science results, peer-reviewed publications, and returned biospecimens, collected and analyzed for flight and ground investigations, are all part of the knowledge base within NASAs Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorates Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications (SLPSRA) Division, specifically the Human Research and Space Biology Programs. These data and biospecimens are made available through the public LSDA website. The Ames Institutional Scientific Collection (ISC), or ARC Biobank, stores flight and ground biospecimens from Space Shuttle and ISS programs. These specimens are curated and managed by the Ames Life Sciences Data Archive (ALSDA), an internal node of NASA's Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA). The ARC Biolbank stores over 15,000 specimens from experiments dating from 1984 to present. Currently available specimens include tissues from the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, integumentary, muscular, neurosensory, reproductive, respiratory and skeletal systems. The most recent contributions include RNA, DNA and protein extracts from Rodent Research 1 and tissues from Rodent Research 4. NASA's biospecimen collection represents a unique and limited resource. The use of these biospecimens maximizes utilization and scientific return from these unique spaceflight payload and ground control research subjects. These biospecimens are harvested following complex, costly NASA research activities to meet primary scientific objectives. Once the primary scientific objectives have been met, the remaining specimens are made available to provide secondary opportunities for complementary studies or new investigations to broaden research without large expenditures of time or resources. Innovative ways of sharing this information ultimately advances the frontiers of human space exploration as well as scientific understanding of the effects of gravity on life on earth

Playful UX for Elephants

This case study describes approaches to the challenge of designing interfaces for an elephant that enable her to control playful systems in her enclosure, for the purpose of enriching her environment. Our contribution to the symposium will showcase the progress of the enrichment toys and explain in detail how we have collected feedback during participatory design sessions with our play-tester Valli, a female Asian elephant. We have attempted to gain information about her enthusiasm for interacting with different systems and also establish how effectively she can use different interfaces by measuring her responses during the sessions

Exploring methods for interaction design with animals: a case-study with Valli

This case study describes our progress towards the goal of providing technology-enhanced enrichment for an Asian elephant so that she can exercise choice and control. We offer guidelines for developers to show how interaction design with a captive elephant might be approached

More than human aesthetics: interactive enrichment for elephants

Species-specific aesthetics is an important consideration for interaction designers working with animals. The paper explores the concept of species-specific aesthetics with particular reference to elephants. Applying existing aesthetic dimensions and design principles to the challenge of designing interactive enrichment for them, we show how the insights gained can inform more than human centered design in different settings. We offer a multi-faceted, multi-sensory lens for examining an animal-centred aesthetic experience of technology