BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS OF THE NEURAL ESCAPE CIRCUIT AND DOPAMINE FOOD SENSING

In this project, the locomotion of C. elegans was artificially modulated by inducing dopamine release and inhibiting backward locomotion. Using optogenetics, worms were observed yielding the following results: halorhodopsin inhibits backward locomotion; dopamine slows the nematode's locomotory rate; despite lacking a dopamine transporter, worms do not paralyze in the presence of excess dopamine expression. Based on these results, the following conclusions were made: the AVA neuron plays a major role in C. elegans ability to move backwards, and when inhibited, backward motion nothing assumes its role to compensate; an acute expression of dopamine induces a decrease in C. elegans locomotory rate; and worms compensate for dat-1 deficiency by regulating dopamine through other mechanisms

PRODUCING AN ON-CALL-HELP DISPATCHER GUIDE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE COSTA RICA FIRE DEPARTMENT

As Costa Rica becomes subject to a highly dynamic emergency scene, Cuerpo de Bomberos, the country's fire department, is in a constant search for ways to improve its response services. This includes everything from improving firefighter training to updating technological devices. This report details our contribution to a digital on-call-help dispatcher guide to complement their efforts of improvement in the fire department. Our guide was created specifically for the dispatchers at the Office of Communications, Santo Domingo, the site of this project