Bioresorbable silicon electronics for transient spatiotemporal mapping of electrical activity from the cerebral cortex.

Bioresorbable silicon electronics technology offers unprecedented opportunities to deploy advanced implantable monitoring systems that eliminate risks, cost and discomfort associated with surgical extraction. Applications include postoperative monitoring and transient physiologic recording after percutaneous or minimally invasive placement of vascular, cardiac, orthopaedic, neural or other devices. We present an embodiment of these materials in both passive and actively addressed arrays of bioresorbable silicon electrodes with multiplexing capabilities, which record in vivo electrophysiological signals from the cortical surface and the subgaleal space. The devices detect normal physiologic and epileptiform activity, both in acute and chronic recordings. Comparative studies show sensor performance comparable to standard clinical systems and reduced tissue reactivity relative to conventional clinical electrocorticography (ECoG) electrodes. This technology offers general applicability in neural interfaces, with additional potential utility in treatment of disorders where transient monitoring and modulation of physiologic function, implant integrity and tissue recovery or regeneration are required

Drivers of Change in Arctic Fjord Socio-ecological Systems: Examples from the European Arctic

Fjord systems are transition zones between land and sea, resulting in complex and dynamic environments. They are of particular interest in the Arctic as they harbour ecosystems inhabited by a rich range of species and provide many societal benefits. The key drivers of change in the European Arctic (i.e., Greenland, Svalbard, and Northern Norway) fjord socio-ecological systems are reviewed here, structured into five categories: cryosphere (sea ice, glacier mass balance, and glacial and riverine discharge), physics (seawater temperature, salinity, and light), chemistry (carbonate system, nutrients), biology (primary production, biomass, and species richness), and social (governance, tourism, and fisheries). The data available for the past and present state of these drivers, as well as future model projections, are analysed in a companion paper. Changes to the two drivers at the base of most interactions within fjords, seawater temperature and glacier mass balance, will have the most significant and profound consequences on the future of European Arctic fjords. This is because even though governance may be effective at mitigating/adapting to local disruptions caused by the changing climate, there is possibly nothing that can be done to halt the melting of glaciers, the warming of fjord waters, and all of the downstream consequences that these two changes will have. This review provides the first transdisciplinary synthesis of the interactions between the drivers of change within Arctic fjord socio-ecological systems. Knowledge of what these drivers of change are, and how they interact with one another, should provide more expedient focus for future research on the needs of adapting to the changing Arctic

GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNA expression and function in hippocampal neurons developing in vitro

Gamma - amino butyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian brain. The GABAA receptor is a pentameric ligand gated chloride channel and the site of action for commonly used antiepilecptic drugs (AEDs). Numerous subunits have been cloned and grouped into families based on sequence similarity: α(1–6), β(1–3), γ(1–3), δ, ϵ, π, and &thetas;. These subunits have been found to be differentially expressed developmentally and anatomically. Little is known about how developmental changes in the subunit mRNA expression affect the pharmacology of the receptor in the maturing neuron. Furthermore, impact of chronic exposure to AEDs on the GABAA subunit expression and synaptic pharmacology in developing animals remains to be determined. Here, we present experiments examining the relationship between subunit mRNA changes and functional pharmacology in hippocampal neurons developing in culture. Additionally, we report on the effect of chronic exposure of these neurons to clinically relevant levels of clonazepam and phenobarbital. We demonstrate that over the first 3 weeks in culture, zinc and clonazepam sensitivity diminishes. The fall in zinc inhibition is consonant with the previously described increase in γ2 mRNA levels in these cells during the same period. However, the decrease in benzodiazepine sensitivity was surprising given these mRNA changes. We postulate that a developmental increase in the benzodiazepine insensitive α6 subunit is responsible for the fall in clonazepam responsiveness. Furthermore, we report that chronic clonazepam and phenobarbital exposure results in statistically significant changes in levels of a number GABAA subunit transcripts. However these changes were seen only in subunits which are likely expressed at low levels (based on detected signal). Surprisingly, physiological data indicates that chronic AED treatment does not affect the coupling of phenobarbital and clonazepam to synaptic GABAA receptors. Finally, we demonstrate that chronic exposure of clinically relevant levels of these drugs results in neuron loss in hippocampal cultures. This suggests that these cultures may be a useful model for elucidating the mechanism of AED toxicity

GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNA expression and function in hippocampal neurons developing in vitro

Gamma - amino butyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian brain. The GABAA receptor is a pentameric ligand gated chloride channel and the site of action for commonly used antiepilecptic drugs (AEDs). Numerous subunits have been cloned and grouped into families based on sequence similarity: α(1–6), β(1–3), γ(1–3), δ, ϵ, π, and &thetas;. These subunits have been found to be differentially expressed developmentally and anatomically. Little is known about how developmental changes in the subunit mRNA expression affect the pharmacology of the receptor in the maturing neuron. Furthermore, impact of chronic exposure to AEDs on the GABAA subunit expression and synaptic pharmacology in developing animals remains to be determined. Here, we present experiments examining the relationship between subunit mRNA changes and functional pharmacology in hippocampal neurons developing in culture. Additionally, we report on the effect of chronic exposure of these neurons to clinically relevant levels of clonazepam and phenobarbital. We demonstrate that over the first 3 weeks in culture, zinc and clonazepam sensitivity diminishes. The fall in zinc inhibition is consonant with the previously described increase in γ2 mRNA levels in these cells during the same period. However, the decrease in benzodiazepine sensitivity was surprising given these mRNA changes. We postulate that a developmental increase in the benzodiazepine insensitive α6 subunit is responsible for the fall in clonazepam responsiveness. Furthermore, we report that chronic clonazepam and phenobarbital exposure results in statistically significant changes in levels of a number GABAA subunit transcripts. However these changes were seen only in subunits which are likely expressed at low levels (based on detected signal). Surprisingly, physiological data indicates that chronic AED treatment does not affect the coupling of phenobarbital and clonazepam to synaptic GABAA receptors. Finally, we demonstrate that chronic exposure of clinically relevant levels of these drugs results in neuron loss in hippocampal cultures. This suggests that these cultures may be a useful model for elucidating the mechanism of AED toxicity

How and why do Research Based Spin-Offs change their Business Model?

Research based spin-offs (RBSO) are new firms created to commercially exploit knowledge, technology or research results developed within an academic institution. The phenomenon of RBSOs has become an increasingly important way of transferring technology and knowledge from research institutions into commercial value. RBSOs are characterized by their academic origin and their technology is often based on generic research. These characteristics distinguish RBSOs from other start-ups, and influence their development and behavior. RBSOs consistently underperform compared to other spin-offs and a better perception of how RBSOs act and evolve is important to understand why they underperform and how they can overcome their specific challenges.Many researchers as well as our own entrepreneurial experience support that initial strategic decisions are important to future performance and survival. A popular way of describing how firms create, capture and deliver value is through the concept of business models. Hence, knowledge of what influences the choices that lead to a RBSO s initial operational business model and how this may change over time will contribute to a better understanding of how they can improve their performance. With this in mind, part one of this master thesis seeks to contribute to the knowledge of what drivers may lead to different choices regarding RBSOs business model. This is done by an extensive literature study. The second part investigates financial capital as a driver, by tracking the development of 84 Norwegian RBSOs from 2000-2012. This is presented in a second article.Article one is a literature review concerning drivers for choice of business models among RBSOs. Through a systematic literature search we have identified and analyzed the drivers that lead to the choice of specific types of business models. These drivers were categorized into three internal and three external categories. All drivers was analyzed according to their influence on activity based and growth oriented business model types respectively. How and why RBSOs choose to pursue certain types of activity based and growth oriented business models was found to be largely unexplored in the literature. We also found that financial capital, social capital, support from the parent institution and environmental factors are categories of enabling drivers, by providing the possibility for the RBSOs to choose any desirable business model. However, technology characteristics, market/industry conditions and resources are categories of drivers that directly affect the choice of activity orientation of the business model. In addition, we suggest that drivers in the categories financial capital, human capital, technology characteristics, market conditions and founder s mindset influence the choice of growth orientation.Article two empirically investigates how financial capital affect the RBSOs choice of business model, as well as the impact of the change itself. Three hypotheses were investigated in a mixed method approach. Cases of all activity based business model change combinations were found in the sample of 84 RBSOs. Financial capital as a constrainer was found to be dominating. Unsatisfactory financial situation was in particular found to limit which model a firm may change to. In addition, we found that the likelihood of being discontinued was significantly lower for RBSO that had made a business model change compared to others. Further, financial situation was found to have a significant impact on occurrence of activity based business model change, measured over two consecutive years. Lastly, the act of changing business model was found to have a positive impact on firm survival. The framework of drivers for choice of business models proposed in article 1 has shown to be a useful tool in the study in article 2

Models of hypoxia and ischemia-induced seizures

Despite greater understanding and improved management, seizures continue to be a major problem in childhood. Neonatal seizures are often refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs, and can result in later life epilepsy and cognitive deficits, conditions for which there are no specific treatments. Hypoxic and/or ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the most common cause for neonatal seizures, and accounts for more than two-thirds of neonatal seizure cases. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms is essential for identifying new therapeutic strategies that control the neonatal seizures and its cognitive consequences. This heavily relies on animal models that play a critical role in discovering novel mechanisms underlying both epileptogenesis and associated cognitive impairments. To date, a number of animal models have provided a tremendous amount of information regarding the pathophysiology of HIE-induced neonatal seizures. This review provides an overview on the most important features of the main animal models of HIE-induced seizures. In particular, we focus on the methodology of seizure induction and the characterizations of post-HIE injury consequences. These aspects of HIE-induced seizure models are discussed in the light of the suitability of these models in studying human HIE-induced seizures

The future of Arctic fjord systems. Insights from participatory scenario workshops about Nuup Kangerlua (Greenland), Isfjorden (Svalbard) and Porsangerfjorden (Norway):Deliverable 4.2 Workshop reports

Environments connected to Arctic fjords are changing rapidly, with consequences for society. A warmer climate is an important driver of change, but other factors also play a major role, including pressures and opportunities from fishing, tourism, shipping, and changing socio-economic conditions. This report provides a synthesis of insights from participatory scenario workshops with local stakeholders around the fjords Nuup Kangerlua, Greenland; Isfjorden, Svalbard; and Porsangerfjorden, Northern Norway. It includes narratives of potential futures intended as input to discussions about adaptive co-management options for two focus areas in the EU-funded FACE-IT project: Food provision and local livelihood and Nature-based tourism. While each social-ecological fjord system faces its unique management challenges, the workshops highlight severalcommon concerns, including changing biodiversity, the importance of policy decisions and regulations as shapers of change, and increasing competition for space.<br/

Bioresorbable silicon electronics for transient spatiotemporal mapping of electrical activity from the cerebral cortex

Bioresorbable silicon electronics technology offers unprecedented opportunities to deploy advanced implantable monitoring systems that eliminate risks, cost and discomfort associated with surgical extraction. Applications include post-operative monitoring and transient physiologic recording after percutaneous or minimally invasive placement of vascular, cardiac, orthopedic, neural or other devices. We present an embodiment of these materials in both passive and actively addressed arrays of bioresorbable silicon electrodes with multiplexing capabilities, that record in vivo electrophysiological signals from the cortical surface and the subgaleal space. The devices detect normal physiologic and epileptiform activity, both in acute and chronic recordings. Comparative studies show sensor performance comparable to standard clinical systems and reduced tissue reactivity relative to conventional clinical electrocorticography (ECoG) electrodes. This technology offers general applicability in neural interfaces, with additional potential utility in treatment of disorders where transient monitoring and modulation of physiologic function, implant integrity and tissue recovery or regeneration are required