Monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition-induced changes in plasma corticosterone levels, anxiety and locomotor activity in male CD1 mice

The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis is strongly controlled by the endocannabinoid system. The specific impact of enhanced 2-arachidonoylglycerol signaling on corticosterone plasma levels, however, was not investigated so far. Here we studied the effects of the recently developed monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL184 on basal and stress-induced corticosterone levels in male CD1 mice, and found that this compound dramatically increased basal levels without affecting stress responses. Since acute changes in corticosterone levels can affect behavior, JZL184 was administered concurrently with the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone, to investigate whether the previously shown behavioral effects of JZL184 are dependent on corticosterone. We found that in the elevated plus-maze, the effects of JZL184 on "classical" anxiety-related measures were abolished by corticosterone synthesis blockade. By contrast, effects on the "ethological" measures of anxiety (i.e. risk assessment) were not affected by metyrapone. In the open-field, the locomotion-enhancing effects of the compound were not changed either. These findings show that monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition dramatically increases basal levels of corticosterone. This endocrine effect partly affects the anxiolytic, but not the locomotion-enhancing effects of monoacylglycerol lipase blockade

A Framework for the Strategic Leveraging of Outside Resources to Enhance CTL Effectiveness

Many centers for teaching and learning (CTL) are challenged with developing new programs and services that are constrained by limited staff and resources. Tapping into on- and off-campus expertise is one way for CTL to expand their range of options for faculty development. In this paper, we present a framework that describes how CTL can assess the likely impact, value, and range of prospective leveraging opportunities when deciding whether to pursue on- and off- campus partnerships. We then discuss applying the framework as an analytical tool, developing leveraging strategies, and creating a strategic leveraging plan. Throughout this discussion, we provide numerous examples that highlight the ways that CTL can increase or complement their offerings and resources through the strategic leveraging of potential opportunities

Design of a 2D MEMS micromirror with indirect static actuation

We present the design of a 2D MEMS micromirror with indirect static actuation based on gyroscopic effects. Additionally to the primary resonant oscillation we introduce a second one, disturbing the angular momentum of the former. This under special conditions leads to a directed torque about a third axis. This concept thus uses only resonant actuation by still enabling static deflection, potentially being more energy efficient compared to current technologies. After discussion of the used manufacturing process, the MEMS design workflow and the resulting fully functional micromirror design is shown. In first experimental results we then show a proof of concept for the manufactured micromirror devices

A Novel Gyroscopic Actuation Concept for 2D MEMS Micromirrors

In this paper we present a novel approach to achieve indirect quasistatic deflection of 2D MEMS scanning micromirrors by solely resonant excitation utilizing gyroscopic effects. Therefore the micromirror is set to oscillate in its mirror plane additionally to its primary resonant oscillation with a similar frequency. According to angular momentum conservation this leads to a quasistatic deflection along a third axis orthogonal to the former. To investigate the applicability to MEMS micromirrors we develop a reference MEMS design to be used for fully transient FEM simulation. To achieve consistent simulation results we further develop a closed loop control algorithm. We then perform simulations using this method to prove the viability of the proposed concep

A Novel Indirect Quasi-Static Actuation Concept for 2D MEMS Micromirrors

We present a 2D MEMS raster scanning micromirror based on a novel actuation concept for the (quasi-)static axis. This is based on the distortion of the angular momentum generated by the primary resonant axis using a secondary oscillation. After introducing a model of the device dynamics using a rigid body approximation, several simulation studies are carried out to investigate the nonlinear dynamics of such a device. In the next step, a fully operational MEMS design is shown, that is actuated by piezoelectric as well as electromagnetic drive schemes. After manufacturing, we performed a series of experiments to obtain the characteristics of the resonant as well as the quasistatic axis, proving the viability of the proposed actuation concept