Sand and shine: an inexpensive method to measure terrestrial arthropod movement in the laboratory

2020 ◽  
Vol 152 (6) ◽  
pp. 823-829
Author(s):  
Alexandre M.M.C. Loureiro ◽  
Vilis O. Nams

AbstractUnderstanding what drives insect movement is crucial to understanding how they might be affected by environmental or human disturbances. Methods that measure movement can be expensive, and few are available that do not rely on some sort of video footage. We developed a relatively inexpensive method that allows the user to see the full path of the individual insects within an arena after a certain amount of time, which can be captured with a photograph and later analysed with computer software applications. In our proof-of-concept experiment, we found that the ground beetle, Harpalus rufipes (Coleoptera: Carabidae), was more active in darkness and in light than in ultraviolet light and that it displayed different movement patterns under all three light treatments.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-807
Author(s):  
Lars Arendt-Nielsen ◽  
Jesper Bie Larsen ◽  
Stine Rasmussen ◽  
Malene Krogh ◽  
Laura Borg ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground and aimsIn recent years, focus on assessing descending pain modulation or conditioning pain modulation (CPM) has emerged in patients with chronic pain. This requires reliable and simple to use bed-side tools to be applied in the clinic. The aim of the present pilot study was to develop and provide proof-of-concept of a simple clinically applicable bed-side tool for assessing CPM.MethodsA group of 26 healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed as test stimuli from the lower leg before, during and 5 min after delivering the conditioning tonic painful pressure stimulation. The tonic stimulus was delivered for 2 min by a custom-made spring-loaded finger pressure device applying a fixed pressure (2.2 kg) to the index finger nail. The pain intensity provoked by the tonic stimulus was continuously recorded on a 0–10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS).ResultsThe median tonic pain stimulus intensity was 6.7 cm (interquartile range: 4.6–8.4 cm) on the 10 cm VAS. The mean PPT increased significantly (P = 0.034) by 55 ± 126 kPa from 518 ± 173 kPa before to 573 ± 228 kPa during conditioning stimulation. When analyzing the individual CPM responses (increases in PPT), a distribution of positive and negative CPM responders was observed with 69% of the individuals classified as positive CPM responders (increased PPTs = anti-nociceptive) and the rest as negative CPM responders (no or decreased PPTs = Pro-nociceptive). This particular responder distribution explains the large variation in the averaged CPM responses observed in many CPM studies. The strongest positive CPM response was an increase of 418 kPa and the strongest negative CPM response was a decrease of 140 kPa.ConclusionsThe present newly developed conditioning pain stimulator provides a simple, applicable tool for routine CPM assessment in clinical practice. Further, reporting averaged CPM effects should be replaced by categorizing volunteers/patients into anti-nociceptive and pro-nociceptive CPM groups.ImplicationsThe finger pressure device provided moderate-to-high pain intensities and was useful for inducing conditioning stimuli. Therefore, the finger pressure device could be a useful bed-side method for measuring CPM in clinical settings with limited time available. Future bed-side studies involving patient populations are warranted to determine the usefulness of the method.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Geddes ◽  
Henry D. Hutchinson ◽  
Alex R Ha ◽  
Nicholas P. Funnell ◽  
Andrew Goodwin

<div> <div> <div> <p>Using a non-negative matrix factorisation (NMF) approach, we show how the pair distribution function (PDF) of complex mixtures can be deconvolved into the contributions from the individual phase components and also the interface between phases. Our focus is on the model system Fe||Fe3O4. We establish proof-of-concept using idealised PDF data generated from established theory-driven models of the Fe||Fe3O4 interface. Using X-ray PDF measurements for corroded Fe samples, and employing our newly-developed NMF analysis, we extract the experimental interface PDF (‘iPDF’) for this same system. We find excellent agreement between theory and experiment. The implications of our results in the broader context of interface characterisation for complex functional materials are discussed. </p> </div> </div> </div>


2011 ◽  
pp. 47-98
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Andriole

This chapter looks at the range of investment targets ranging all the way from software applications to communications networks to new advanced technologies like Web 2.0 and Web 3.0. The chapter talks about the opportunities in succession describing the range of opportunities available to CIOs, vendors, and VCs. The chapter also highlights the individual opportunities for all three investors through investment guidelines that appear at the end of each major section.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Furtado Falorca

Purpose This study aims to present a strategic framework aiming to streamline building operation and sustainability issues. To make available a further contribution to respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an operational prevention guideline relying on the level of spread risk has also been developed, primarily intended for users when accessing and circulating within common spaces of buildings in general. Design/methodology/approach The research approach involved the development of a whole theory, essentially based on a qualitative design, by means of tree schematic representations and explanatory frames. It presents part of a model already developed (called SIAPME), although, in general, besides integrating the underlying aspects of the individual experience of daily life, it is based on insights and impressions taken from the literature review. Findings With an identity of its own, this study offers an overview of an alternative set of well-founded and integrated strategies to improve working processes in a number of fields of the building operation function. A structured vision has thus, been provided with interest in certain key topics of the present time, such as energy management, comfort and sustainability. Still, in this context, based on a frame of knowledge gathered to date, a current, innovative and simple guidance has also been designed to help prevent the contagion of COVID-19. Research limitations/implications The draft of procedures is part of an ambitious goal to serve as a well-founded strategic basis for the eventual development of an advanced software solution. As it is mainly limited to qualitative analysis, from which themes and generalisations have been arranged, this research may need more empirical evidence and additional work will be necessary to overcome any gaps that may be found. Practical implications An overall assessment of this study seems to corroborate the idea that a significant impact on the developments in building operation can occur if stakeholders seek a more integrated way of management, based on cross-referencing of current issues. At a time when great uncertainties remain and knowledge advances are in full swing, the designed framework aims to be an added input towards already existing research. Furthermore, it can be seen as a valuable contribution to improving related software applications. Originality/value The originality lies in trying to better understand how and in which aspects the general day-to-day management of building operation can be handled more effectively, sustainable and framed, following a reasoned scientific line, in addition of trying to figure out greater capacity to deal with users’ contagions, especially in the existing context of the pandemic.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Hsin ◽  
Geraldine Legendre

Abstract We present elicited production data reflecting cross-linguistic interference effects in the English wh-questions of Spanish-English bilingual children to provide a proof-of-concept for a proposed new formal analysis of such effects across cross-linguistic influence phenomena. The observed interference effects are interpreted as evidence for the Strong Integration hypothesis of bilingual grammatical architecture, in the context of independently documented facilitation and interference effects in a range of bilingual acquisition contexts. Building on an existing Optimality-Theoretic (OT) model of monolingual acquisition and a specific account of the adult grammar of wh-structures across dialects of Spanish, we propose that the individual patterns documented, in particular the sensitivity in child English to distinctions made in Spanish dialects on the basis of an argument/adjunct contrast, find a straightforward explanation in the OT model of acquisition as adapted to bilingual situations. The generalizability of the model as well as effects of exposure and dominance are discussed.


Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (20 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S1.2-S1
Author(s):  
Kristen Lila Lacelle ◽  
Mario Stampanoni Bassi ◽  
Allen Anthony Champagne ◽  
Nicole Coverdale ◽  
Douglas J. Cook

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to characterize high magnitude subconcussive impacts in football to identify injurious relationships between player/game-based characteristics and impact magnitude and frequency.BackgroundSubconcussive impacts are asymptomatic head impacts thought to induce alterations in the brain after repetitive exposure. Understanding factors that lead to higher magnitude or frequency of head impacts in football is crucial to develop harm reduction and prevention strategies.Design/MethodsEighty-one male university level football players were equipped with helmet accelerometers to capture linear acceleration (LA), impact frequency and helmet impact location. Impacts with LA = 60 g were included in the analysis. Video footage from 15 games over three seasons was analyzed to characterize aspects of play including play type, position, closing distance, player technique, tackling versus blocking and impact type (helmet-to-helmet/body/ground).ResultsA total of 570 impacts were included in the analysis with a mean LA of 83.44 g ± 23.60. Impacts with a closing distance of = 10 yards resulted in higher LA compared to <10 yards and occurred most frequently in run plays. Wide receivers and defensive backs were most often involved in impacts with a larger closing distance and experienced the highest average LA behind quarterbacks. Helmet-to-body impacts generated significantly higher LA compared to helmet-to-helmet, though helmet-to-helmet occurred more often. Players involved in a tackle sustained significantly higher LAs than those involved in a block. Impacts in which players exhibited poor technique lead to higher LA and occurred more frequently in tackling versus blocking impacts.ConclusionsThe results of this work suggest that rules regarding offensive backfield running starts could be adjusted to decrease risk of impact after a larger closing distance. Behavioral modifications and coaching approaches aimed at improving tackling technique could decrease exposure to threshold impacts at the level of the individual player.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-489
Author(s):  
Gustavo Barbalho Guedes EMILIANO ◽  
Fernando Souza MARINHO ◽  
Rogério Nogueira de OLIVEIRA

ABSTRACT Periapical X-rays are the most common complementary tests in the dental clinic. The indication of image tests in forensic identification depends on the produced X-rays quality. The image processing of conventional radiographs can improve image quality. This study aimed to report the potential contribution of image processing from radiographic films by digitally edited periapical radiographs for case reporting of positive identification. The results of anthropological examinations and dental arches of the victim matched the information transferred by the family of the missing person. The antemortem and postmortem periapical radiographs were digitized on photo scanner (Hewlett-Packard Development Company, HP ScanJet G4050 Photo, United States) and images were processed in Corel PaintShop Pro X4 editing software (Corel Corporation, v14, Canada). The comparison of antemortem and postmortem periapical radiographs digital images allowed to determine 8 concordant points in the contour and delimit the maxillary sinus as well as periodontal and dental structures of the tooth 17. Identification of the individual was possible by digital editing of radiographs in computer software. Editing allowed adjusting image brightness, contrast and sharpness, color temperature and saturation of tooth-jaw structures. Such technological feature effectively contributed to positive identification performed by Forensic Dentistry.


Author(s):  
Fadilah Fadilah ◽  
Arry Yanuar ◽  
Ade Arsianti ◽  
Retnosari Andrajati ◽  
Erni Hernawati Purwaningsih

Objective: Apoptosis is one method the body uses to get rid of unneeded or abnormal cells, but cancer cells have strategies to avoid apoptosis. Apoptosis inducers can get around these strategies to cause the death of cancer cells.Methods: We screened some derivatives aryl eugenol based on their interactions with Bcl-2 in many cancer tissues, using computer software applications (in silico method) to determine the best compounds. The docking experiment on Bcl-2 (Protein Data Bank ID 4LXD) was carried out by suitably positioning the energy-minimized ligand in the active site while carefully monitoring non-bonded interactions of the ligand enzyme.Results: The resulting ligand-receptor complex was docked using the Autodock Vina software. Docking results based free binding energy, EUGACl (21), EUASABr (17), EUGEABr (19), and EUASACL (17), has the lowest binding energy than navitoclax and binds significantly to BCL 2. In silico ADMET predictions revealed that except SA, ASA, and GEA, all other compounds had minimal toxic effects and had good absorption as well as solubility characteristics.Conclusion: These compounds of aryl eugenol (17, 19, and 21) may serve as a potential lead compound for developing new anticancer as apoptosis inducers.


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