Enhancement and Suppression of Ultradian and Circadian Rhythms Across the Female Hamster Reproductive Cycle

The impact of ovarian hormones on hamster ultradian rhythms (URs) is unknown. We concurrently monitored URs and circadian rhythms (CRs) of home cage locomotor activity during the estrous cycle, pregnancy, and lactation of Syrian hamsters. URs with a mean period of 4–5 h were evident during the dark phase in more than 90% of females on days 1 and 2 of the estrous cycle but were significantly less prevalent on cycle days 3 and 4. The period of the UR did not vary as a function of estrous cycle stage, but at all stages, the UR period was longer in the dark than the light phase. The UR acrophase occurred significantly earlier on cycle day 4 than on days 1 and 2, and UR robustness and amplitude were reduced on days 3 and 4. Robustness, mesor, and amplitude of CRs were greater during cycle days 3 and 4; timing of the CR acrophase was delayed on day 4 relative to all other cycle days. Effects of the estrous cycle on URs were evident only during the dark phase. The proportion of hamsters displaying dark phase URs increased significantly during early and late gestation and decreased during lactation. Pregnancy significantly increased UR complexity, robustness, and amplitude. The emergence of URs over gestation was paralleled by decrements in the robustness and amplitude of CRs, which also were absent in a significant proportion of dams during lactation but re-emerged at weaning of litters. The changing endocrine profile of the estrous cycle, hormonal dynamics of pregnancy and lactation, and nursing demands placed on dams are each associated with alterations in the expression of ultradian and circadian locomotor rhythms. Diminution of CRs and augmentation of URs may afford greater behavioral flexibility during life stages when interactions with mates and offspring are less predictable

Synthesis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Phenyl Addition-Dehydrocyclization: The Third Way.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent the link between resonance-stabilized free radicals and carbonaceous nanoparticles generated in incomplete combustion processes and in circumstellar envelopes of carbon rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Although these PAHs resemble building blocks of complex carbonaceous nanostructures, their fundamental formation mechanisms have remained elusive. By exploring these reaction mechanisms of the phenyl radical with biphenyl/naphthalene theoretically and experimentally, we provide compelling evidence on a novel phenyl-addition/dehydrocyclization (PAC) pathway leading to prototype PAHs: triphenylene and fluoranthene. PAC operates efficiently at high temperatures leading through rapid molecular mass growth processes to complex aromatic structures, which are difficult to synthesize by traditional pathways such as hydrogen-abstraction/acetylene-addition. The elucidation of the fundamental reactions leading to PAHs is necessary to facilitate an understanding of the origin and evolution of the molecular universe and of carbon in our galaxy

Baseline skin conductance level as a predictor of response to propranolol for anxiety and other clinical outcomes in autism spectrum disorder

"Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition indicated by deficits in social and communication skills, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. A meta analysis found that anxiety is comorbid in up to half of the individuals studied (Van Steensel , 2011), with other studies seeing anxiety in up to 84% of individuals with ASD (Santosh and Singh, 2016). This demonstrates the prevalence of co occurring anxiety is very high in ASD patients. Currently there is no diagnostic biomarker nor any proven pharmacological means of treating the hallmark features of ASD. Furthermore, the effectiveness of pharmaceutical agents for mood disturbances in ASD are unclear, thus more research is necessary to find evidence supporting a standard treatment for anxiety in ASD. Research suggests that anxiety correlates with increased sympathetic tone. Because sweating is solely controlled by sympathetic activity, as sweat gland activity rises, it can be quantified by a rise in electrical skin conductance levels (SCL), which may indicate higher levels of anxiety. Propranolol, a beta adrenergic antagonist, blocks the physiologic effects of sympathetic tone and is widely used for its anxiolytic effects in those without ASD. However, more research is needed to better understand its use for anxiety in ASD. We are interested to know whether higher SCL might act as a biomarker to predict a patient’s response to propranolol use for anxiety in ASD patients. We hypothesize that individuals within the ASD population with higher SCL experience increased anxiety, and that greater changes in SCL from baseline to the end of the study may predict a greater response to propranolol use for anxiety in autistic patients."--Introduction

Special Libraries, January 1911

Volume 2, Issue 1https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_sl_1911/1000/thumbnail.jp

Reactivity of the Indenyl Radical (C9 H7 ) with Acetylene (C2 H2 ) and Vinylacetylene (C4 H4 ).

The reactions of the indenyl radicals with acetylene (C2 H2 ) and vinylacetylene (C4 H4 ) is studied in a hot chemical reactor coupled to synchrotron based vacuum ultraviolet ionization mass spectrometry. These experimental results are combined with theory to reveal that the resonantly stabilized and thermodynamically most stable 1-indenyl radical (C9 H7 . ) is always formed in the pyrolysis of 1-, 2-, 6-, and 7-bromoindenes at 1500 K. The 1-indenyl radical reacts with acetylene yielding 1-ethynylindene plus atomic hydrogen, rather than adding a second acetylene molecule and leading to ring closure and formation of fluorene as observed in other reaction mechanisms such as the hydrogen abstraction acetylene addition or hydrogen abstraction vinylacetylene addition pathways. While this reaction mechanism is analogous to the bimolecular reaction between the phenyl radical (C6 H5 . ) and acetylene forming phenylacetylene (C6 H5 CCH), the 1-indenyl+acetylene→1-ethynylindene+hydrogen reaction is highly endoergic (114 kJ mol-1 ) and slow, contrary to the exoergic (-38 kJ mol-1 ) and faster phenyl+acetylene→phenylacetylene+hydrogen reaction. In a similar manner, no ring closure leading to fluorene formation was observed in the reaction of 1-indenyl radical with vinylacetylene. These experimental results are explained through rate constant calculations based on theoretically derived potential energy surfaces

Pastoral Neolithic Settlement at Luxmanda, Tanzania

The later Holocene spread of pastoralism throughout eastern Africa profoundly changed socio-economic and natural landscapes. During the Pastoral Neolithic (ca. 5000–1200 B.P.), herders spread through southern Kenya and northern Tanzania—areas previously occupied only by hunter-gatherers—eventually developing the specialized forms of pastoralism that remain vital in this region today. Research on ancient pastoralism has been primarily restricted to rockshelters and special purpose sites. This paper presents results of surveys and excavations at Luxmanda, an open-air habitation site located farther south in Tanzania, and occupied many centuries earlier, than previously expected based upon prior models for the spread of herding. Technological and subsistence patterns demonstrate ties to northerly sites, suggesting that Luxmanda formed part of a network of early herders. The site is thus unlikely to stand alone, and further surveys are recommended to better understand the spread of herding into the region, and ultimately to southern Africa

Gene expression by marrow stromal cells in a porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold is affected by pore size and mechanical stimulation.

Marrow stromal cell (MSC) populations, which are a potential source of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, and culture scaffolds that mimic natural extracellular matrix are attractive options for orthopaedic tissue engineering. A type I collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffold that has previously been used clinically for skin regeneration was recently shown to support expression of bone-associated proteins and mineralisation by MSCs cultured in the presence of osteogenic supplements. Here we follow RNA markers of osteogenic differentiation in this scaffold. We demonstrate that transcripts of the late stage markers bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin are present at higher levels in scaffold constructs than in two-dimensional culture, and that considerable gene induction can occur in this scaffold even in the absence of soluble osteogenic supplements. We also find that bone-related gene expression is affected by pore size, mechanical constraint, and uniaxial cyclic strain of the CG scaffold. The data presented here further establish the CG scaffold as a potentially valuable substrate for orthopaedic tissue engineering and for research on the mechanical interactions between cells and their environment, and suggest that a more freely-contracting scaffold with larger pore size may provide an environment more conducive to osteogenesis than constrained scaffolds with smaller pore sizes

Are Non-Pharmacological Interventions Effective in Reducing Drug Use and Criminality? : A Systematic and Meta-Analytical Review with an Economic Appraisal of These Interventions

Background: The numbers of incarcerated people suffering from drug dependence has steadily risen since the 1980s and only a small proportion of these receive appropriate treatment. A systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness and economic evidence of non-pharmacological interventions for drug using offenders was conducted. Methods: Cochrane Collaboration criteria were used to identify trials across 14 databases between 2004 and 2014. A series of meta-analyses and an economic appraisal were conducted. Results: 43 trials were identified showing to have limited effect in reducing re-arrests RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.89-1.07) and drug use RR 0.90 (95% CI 0.80-1.00) but were found to significantly reduce re-incarceration RR 0.70 (95% CI 0.57-0.85). Therapeutic community programs were found to significantly reduce the number of re-arrests RR 0.70 (95% CI 0.56-0.87). 10 papers contained economic information. One paper presented a cost-benefit analysis and two reported on the cost and cost effectiveness of the intervention. Conclusions: We suggest that therapeutic community interventions have some benefit in reducing subsequent re-arrest. We recommend that economic evaluations should form part of standard trial protocols

Raising rivals’ fixed costs

This article demonstrates that raising fixed costs can serve as a credible mechanism for a well placed firm to exclude its rivals. We identify a number of credible avenues, such as increased regulation, vexatious litigation and increased prices for essential inputs, through which such a firm can raise fixed costs. We show that for a wide range of oligopoly models this may be a profitable strategy, even if the firm’s own fixed costs are affected as much (or even more) than its rivals and even if it is less efficient. The resulting reduction in the number of firms in the market is detrimental to consumer welfare and hence worthy of scrutiny by competition and regulatory authorities

NO SPACE LEFT BEHIND - Graduate Urban Design Studio - LANDARCH 606

The following report documents the work of the 2015 Spring Graduate Urban Design Studio course in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. This fourteen week studio focused on using tactical urbanism to engage Springfield’s Metro Center neighborhood with visions to revitalize the downtown core of this legacy city. In addition to completing the components of a traditional urban design studio (site analyses, schematic plans, spatial designs, and programming), the student teams also developed conceptual projects to immediately engage the public. These efforts culminated in a free afternoon walking tour throughout the Metro Center that presented several tactical interventions. These interactive, public installations illustrated potential future initiatives and brought attention to overlooked areas and assets. Throughout the semester the teams were challenged to continuously consider both the short-term impacts of their interventions and the long-term visions for the future of Springfield’s urban core. This strategy allowed students to develop a process-based approach to urban design. It provided opportunities to engage stakeholders and test new ideas with the public, rather than simply creating a master plan without any real world interactions with the city and its populace. STUDIO GOALS • To enliven public space in Springfield’s Metro Center through small-scale urban design interventions which illustrate and inform long-term plans • To activate residual spaces in the downtown with Tactical Urbanism By matching long-term visions for the Metro Center with short-term, site-specific tactical interventions the teams were able to deliver a variety of ideas in multiple formats. Furthermore, the experience of interacting with community members during the installation of projects added a great deal of meaning to the research and design process. The work explores a community service learning strategy within the framework of an urban design studio with the goal of revitalizing the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, through sustainable design, planning, and engagement with the community. The six design-team interventions are documented and published as team-authored videos: 1. Union Station Green Corridor Maozhu Mao, Yuqing Wu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnE8Yt8x0Es&feature=youtu.be 2. (No) Vacancy Chris Counihan, Michalagh Stoddard, Ruoying Tang https://youtu.be/CapaQ9gDxeM 3. Extra Space, Active Street Yu Yu https://youtu.be/2pgYq5HLNHA 4. Spring into Art Emilie Jordao, Matt Hisle, Jing Wang https://youtu.be/Vf2yk6Se6rU 5. Urban Agua Kellie Fenton, James Prendergast, Nelle Ward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk2PUJMdhTU&feature=youtu.be 6. Make the Connection Yue Li, Yanhua Lu, Yi Yang https://youtu.be/EvQD0QYV97