Home Cage Compared with Induction Chamber for Euthanasia of Laboratory Rats

This study compared behavioral and physiologic changes in Sprague-Dawley and Brown Norway rats that were euthanizedby using a 30% volume displacement rate of CO2 in either their home cage or an induction chamber; rats euthanized in thehome cage were hypothesized to demonstrate a higher level of animal wellbeing. No significant differences were detectedin the physiologic responses to home cage versus induction chamber euthanasia groups. A few strain-related behavioraldifferences occurred. The number of digs per second was higher in Brown Norway compared with Sprague-Dawley rats when in the home cage, where a digging substrate was present. Rearing frequency was higher in both Brown Norway and Sprague-Dawley rats in the induction chamber compared with the home cage. This study demonstrated that although strainspecific differences were associated with the process of euthanasia, there were no significant differences between the treatment groups of home cage compared with induction chamber. This finding suggests that-from the perspective of a rat-either the home cage or an induction chamber can be used for euthanasia, with likely extension of this conclusion to use of either method to the induction of anesthesia

Sauver les médias:Capitalisme, financement participatif et démocratie

Les médias sont en crise. Pas seulement la presse écrite, mais toute la chaîne de production de l’information. Confrontés à une concurrence croissante et à une baisse inexorable des recettes publicitaires, les journaux, les radios, les télévisions, les pure players sont tous à la recherche d’un nouveau modèle. Fondé sur une étude inédite des médias en Europe et aux États-Unis, ce livre propose de créer un nouveau statut de « société de média à but non lucratif », intermédiaire entre le statut de fondation et celui de société par actions. Ce statut permettrait d’œuvrer pour des médias indépendants des actionnaires extérieurs, des annonceurs et des pouvoirs publics, mais dépendants de leurs lecteurs, de leurs salariés et des internautes. Il s’agit d’un modèle économique adapté à la révolution numérique et aux enjeux du XXIe siècle. Le débat est ouvert : il en va, tout simplement, de l’avenir de notre démocratie. Normalienne, titulaire d’un doctorat de l’université de Harvard, Julia Cagé est professeur d’économie à Sciences Po Paris. Elle est également membre de la Commission économique de la nation. (résumé éditeur

Adsorption properties of hydrazine on pristine and Si-doped Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage

The interaction of hydrazine (N₂H₄) molecule with pristine and Si-doped aluminum nitride (Al₁₂N₁₂) nano-cage was investigated using the density functional theory calculations. The adsorption energy of N₂H₄ on pristine Al₁₂N₁₂ in different configurations was about -1.67 and -1.64 eV with slight changes in its electronic structure. The results showed that the pristine nano-cage can be used as a chemical adsorbent for toxic hydrazine in nature. Compared with very low sensitivity between N₂H₄ and Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage, N₂H₄ molecule exhibits high sensitivity toward Si-doped Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage so that the energy gap of the Si-doped Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage is changed by about 31.86 and 37.61 for different configurations in the SiAlmodel and by about 26.10 in the SiNmodel after the adsorption process. On the other hand, in comparison with the SiAlmodel, the adsorption energy of N₂H₄ on the SiNmodel is less than that on the SiALmodel to hinder the recovery of the nano-cage. As a result, the SiNAl₁₂N₁₁ is anticipated to be a potential novel sensor for detecting the presence of N₂H₄ molecule. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Theoretical infra-red, Raman, and Optical spectra of the B36N36 cage

The B36N36 fullerene-like cage structure was proposed as candidate structure for the single-shell boron-nitride cages observed in electron-beam irradiation experiment. We have performed all electron density functional calculations, with large polarized Gaussian basis sets, on the B36N36 cage. We show that the cage is energetically and vibrationally stable. The infra-red, Raman and optical spectra are calculated. The predicted spectra, in combination with experimentally measured spectra, will be useful in conclusive assignment of the proposed B36N36 cage. The vertical and adiabatic ionization potentials as well as static dipole polarizability are also reported.Comment: RevTex, 4 pages, 4 figures (TO appear in Physical Review A (Breif Report)

Electronic structure, vibrational stability, infra-red, and Raman spectra of B24N24 cages

We examine the vibrational stability of three candidate structures for the B24N24 cage and report their infra-red (IR) and Raman spectra. The candidate structures considered are a round cage with octahedral O symmetry, a cage with S_4 symmetry that satisfies the isolated square rule, and a cage of S_8 symmetry, which combines the caps of the (4,4) nanotube, and contains two extra squares and octagons. The calculations are performed within density functional theory, at the all electron level, with large basis sets, and within the generalized gradient approximation. The vertical ionization potential (VIP) and static dipole polarizability are also reported. The S_4 and S_8 cages are energetically nearly degenerate and are favored over the O cage which has six extra octagons and squares. The IR and Raman spectra of the three clusters show notable differences providing thereby a way to identify and possibly synthesize the cages.Comment: (Uses Elsevier style file; To appear in Chemical Physics Letters

The improved management of small-scale cage culture in Asia: final technical report

The purpose of the project is to develop sustained small-scale cage fish culture in inland and coastal waters through improved understanding of the social, institutional and resource environment of resource poor groups. Two Asian countries, Bangladesh (inland systems) and Vietnam (marine), were studied with this workshop bringing together both sides of the project together with representatives of collaborative institutions, government departments and universities. Addressing the overall aim of producing guidelines for the planning and extension of cage aquaculture in Asia a combination of group work and plenary discussion was conducted producing the following outputs. 1) An assessment of cage aquaculture potential, 2) Development options for small-scale cage culture, 3) A review of tools and methodologies and 4) Policy initiatives for sustainable cage culture development. Key issues raised were the use of outputs as a guide to be adapted to regional circumstances to facilitate farmer and extension worker discussion and not as a rigid methodology. The degree of linkage between development, research and government institutions was also considered a crucial factor in benefiting the research and development of cage culture at the local, regional and national level and vital in affecting the future policies by both development and government institutions. [PDF contains 242 pages