Sleep is a fundamental feature of life for virtually all multicellular animals, but many questions remain about how sleep is regulated and what biological functions it plays. Substantial headway has been made in the study of both circadian rhythms and sleep in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, much of it through studies of individual fly activity using beam break counts from Drosophila activity monitors (DAMs). The number of laboratories worldwide studying sleep in Drosophila has grown from only a few 20 years ago to hundreds today. The utility of these studies is limited by the quality of the metrics that can be extracted from the data. Many software options exist to help analyze DAM data; however, these are often expensive or have significant limitations. Therefore, we describe here a method for analyzing DAM-based data using the sleep and circadian analysis MATLAB program (SCAMP). This user-friendly software has an advantage of combining several analyses of both sleep and circadian rhythms in one package and produces graphical outputs as well as spreadsheets of the outputs for further statistical analysis. The version of SCAMP described here is also the first published software package that can analyze data from multibeam DAM5Ms, enabling determination of positional preference over time.

The positional preference of an animal can be very informative regarding the choices it makes about how to interact with its environment. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a robust system for examining neurobiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Fruit fly positional preference can be gathered from TriKinetics Drosophila activity monitors (DAMs), which contain four infrared beams, allowing for tracking the position of individual flies along the length of a tube. Here, we describe a method for using DAM5Ms to examine food preference. Specifically, we show an example in which circadian changes in food preference are compared between different Drosophila species. More information about the evolution of behavior can be gathered by measuring feeding preference relative to time of day. Noni, fruit from Morinda citrifolia, contains octanoic acid, a chemical toxic to many species of Drosophila. D. melanogaster and D. simulans, both food generalists, show high sensitivity to octanoic acid, whereas D. sechellia, a specialist, can tolerate high concentrations. When two different food substrates are provided at each end of a tube, food preference can be inferred at various times of the day, using the sleep and circadian analysis MATLAB program (SCAMP) to extract and analyze positional data from DAM5Ms. Data gathered from these analyses can be used to compare avoidance or attraction to nutrients, tastants, or odors between species and genotypes or after specific different treatments. Additionally, such data can be examined as a function of time of day.

Sleep is a fundamental feature of life for virtually all multicellular animals, but many questions remain about how sleep is regulated by circadian rhythms, homeostatic sleep drive that builds up with wakefulness, and modifying factors such as hunger or social interactions, as well as about the biological functions of sleep. Substantial headway has been made in the study of both circadian rhythms and sleep in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, much of it through studies of individual fly activity using Drosophila activity monitors (DAMs). Here, we describe approaches for the activation of specific neurons of interest using optogenetics (involving genetic modifications that allow for light-based neuronal activation) and thermogenetics (involving genetic modifications that allow for temperature-based neuronal activation) so that researchers can evaluate the roles of those neurons in controlling rest and activity behavior. In this protocol, we describe how to set up a rig for simultaneous optogenetic or thermogenetic stimulation and activity monitoring for analysis of sleep and circadian rhythms in Drosophila, how to raise appropriate flies, and how to perform the experiment. This protocol will allow researchers to assess the causative role in the regulation of sleep and activity rhythms of any genetically tractable subset of cells.

Sleep is important for survival, and the need for sleep is conserved across species. In the past two decades, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a promising system in which to study the genetic, neural, and physiological bases of sleep. Through significant advances in our understanding of the regulation of sleep in flies, the field is poised to address several open questions about sleep, such as how the need for sleep is encoded, how molecular regulators of sleep are situated within brain networks, and what the functions of sleep are. Here, we describe key findings, open questions, and commonly used methods that have been used to inform existing theories and develop new ways of thinking about the function, regulation, and adaptability of sleep behavior.

BackgroundLong-term health conditions are major challenges for care systems. Social prescribing link workers have been introduced via primary care networks (PCNs) across England since 2019 to address the wider determinants of health by connecting individuals to activities, groups, or services within their local community.AimTo assess whether the rollout of social prescribing link workers was in areas with the highest need.Design and settingA retrospective study of social prescribing link workers in England from 2019 to 2023.MethodWorkforce, population, survey, and area-level data at the PCN-level from April 2020 to October 2023 were combined. Population need before the rollout of link workers was measured using reported lack of support from local services in the 2019 General Practice Patient Survey. To assess if rollout reflected need, linear regression was used to relate provision of link workers (measured by full-time equivalent [FTE] per 10 000 patients) in each quarter to population need for support.ResultsPopulations in urban, more deprived areas and with higher proportions of people from minority ethnic groups had the highest reported lack of support. Geographically these were in the North West and London. Initially, there was no association between need and provision; then from July 2022, this became negative and significant. By October 2023, a 10-percentage point higher need for support was associated with a 0.035 (95% confidence interval = −0.634 to −0.066) lower FTE per 10 000 patients.ConclusionRollout of link workers has not been sufficiently targeted at areas with the highest need. Future deployments should be targeted at those areas.

Kelley carries her Vita with her, but then realizes she can't play the games in public. Josh practices his dramatic Yakuza shirt ripping skills. And Chris uses an AI to generate a new Soul Hackers map.

The post RPG Cast – Episode 646: “You Have to Butter Your Sphinx” appeared first on RPGamer.

Chris is unmasked as The Corporate Body. Tam talks about anime and waifus. Kelley is excited about text size. Josh explains the meaning of "time to shipwreck." Subscribe to our latest offering, The Monthly Litterbox.

The post RPG Cast – Episode 744: “11.5-Bit Graphics” appeared first on RPGamer.

A newly spotted asteroid named 2024 RW1 burned up in the atmosphere over the South Pacific, creating a spectacular bright flash in the sky over the Philippines just hours after first being detected

$329/£300 graphics card is said to be "future ready" for your 1080p gaming needs.

In the first quarter of Monday's Dolphins-Rams game, ESPN reported that Tyreek Hill said a torn ligament in his wrist became worst after he was detained by police.

The storm decimated a region rich with dozens of species already struggling with habitat loss and disease

On May 13, 1985, after a long standoff, Philadelphia municipal authorities dropped a bomb on the headquarters of the African-American radical group MOVE. In the documentary Let the Fire Burn, director Jason Osder uses archival footage to chronicle the years of tension that ended in tragedy.

1. Church of England head Justin Welby who married Prince Harry and Meghan Markle resigns over pedophile scandal  Hindustan Times
2. Archbishop of Canterbury, Trump critic Justin Welby resigns. What is the sex abuse scandal?  The Times of India
3. Video | UK Church Abuse Scandal: Head Of Church Of England Steps Down  NDTV
4. ‘Church in crisis’: what the papers say about the archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation  The Guardian
5. World News Today Live Updates on November 13, 2024 : Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns amid sexual abuse case—Who is he? What's the scandal? All you need to know  Mint

Miami a empêché les Rams de Los Angeles d’inscrire un touché et l’a emporté 23 à 15, lundi soir, au SoFi Stadium.

A lockout at the Port of Montreal began Sunday night. The CEO of the Montreal Port Authority says if the dispute between dockworkers and the Maritime Employers Association drags on, it will have disastrous consequences for the economy.

BREAKING: A major undersea earthquake measuring 7.3 has struck the Philippines southeast of the island Jolo.

Joe Anderson, product and promotional marketing manager at Harland, explores the role of surface preparation in the application of hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings.

Torrential rain, made worse by climate change, has lashed Spain, with Valencia bearing the brunt of the floodwaters

 This paper presents the essential information that you need to get started with ODS Graphics in SAS 9.4.

CANBERRA — China is putting ever-greater pressure on the Philippines to cede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro said on Nov 12 after a meeting with his Australian counterpart in Canberra. "What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to concede our sovereign rights in the area," he said, adding that the Philippines was a "victim of Chinese aggression". China and the Philippines have sparred repeatedly this year over disputed areas of the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, one of Asia's most contested features. Teodoro's meeting with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles, their fifth since August 2023, reflects growing security ties between the countries, both of whom have expressed concern about Chinese activity in areas of the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations. The two nations signed a strategic partnership in September 2023 and held their first joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea several months later. The Philippines also joined war games in Australia this year for the first time.

May 30, 2024

Gen AI tools are rapidly making these emails more advanced, harder to spot, and significantly more dangerous. Recent research showed that 60% of participants fell victim to artificial intelligence (AI)-automated phishing, which is comparable to the success rates of non-AI-phishing messages created by human experts. Companies need to: 1) understand the asymmetrical capabilities of AI-enhanced phishing, 2) determine the company or division’s phishing threat severity level, and 3) confirm their current phishing awareness routines.

SOPHISTICATED CYBER-ATTACKS PROMPT CORPORATE BOARDS TO ELEVATE INFORMATION SECURITY TO THE C-SUITE

Preparations for a live screening of the Fight of the Century on a remote island in the Philippines

B-roll Footage from First-Ever Snack Week event. TV�s Andy Cohen helps launch new Hillshire Snacking Brand of Sophisticated Snacks at Haven's Kitchen in NYC.

Philippe Jourdan: Partner - Promise Consulting

CPhI and Global Angels � Visiting the Dam

A brief chat about weapons, self defense, senpais, fantasy replica weapons, and assorted chicanery, with Phil Elmore.

Hi again folks. Just announcing some upcoming events for the release of Gareth Hinds' graphic novel adaptation of Graceling:

Today, Gareth Hinds's beautiful graphic novel adaptation of Graceling hits stores. Join us for an event! Here's a link to all your options.

A new technique to make electronic fibers could help solve wearable technology’s flexibility problem

Animals that hibernate need a way to keep their blood flowing as their body temperature drops, and it seems that the mechanical properties of red blood cells may be key

First volume of manga adaptation ships on April 15

Tyreek Hill scores his first touchdown since the opening week of the season, as the Miami Dolphins beat the Los Angeles Rams 23-15 to end a three-game losing streak.

The Philippines has announced that it will again extend tax filing and payment deadlines, following the prolongation of restrictive measures during the coronavirus outbreak.

A proposal has been put forward for a digital services tax regime in the Philippines.

The Philippines Department of Finance has issued a statement warning against the introduction of a new tax on the super wealthy.

The Philippines Department of Finance has announced that the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) will complete the implementing rules and regulations for the corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act by the third week of May.

The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) announced that medlinkleptospirosis/medlink (!--ref1--) cases have continued to increase following the

A recent Australian study suggests that social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are contributing to unrealistic and unhealthy obsessions with

Prince Philip, the consort of UK's Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on Friday. He was 99. "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen

Drugs used to slow Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression may also suppress self-renewing cancerous stem cells in grade 4 glioblastoma, the most

Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D. and Michele B. Chan Join Prestigious List of Recipients of KCET Visionary Award at 10th Gala H

A biopharmaceutical company's drug has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating people with hemophilia B. CSL Behring has

Few things in life are as difficult as acknowledging mistakes, in particular those that we have made out of conviction. Choosing an unsuitable profession or...

Ameba takes the unstructured data in a retailer’s supply chain systems, sprinkles in some generative AI, and makes the whole thing more efficient. 

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Ultrasound is perhaps best known as the technology that enables noninvasive body scans and underwater communication and can help us park our cars. A young startup called Sonair out of Norway wants to employ it for something else: 3D computer vision used in autonomous hardware applications.  Sonair’s founder and CEO Knut Sandven believes the company’s […]

© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Since departing his role as Casper CEO in 2021, Philip Krim has spent the majority of his time investing and incubating companies via Montauk Ventures. The latest is an insurance company called Ranger, which aims to elevate the agents in the insurance industry, rather than replace them. Most of the new-wave insurance platforms out there […]

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कई लोगों को मीठा खाना बहुत पसंद होता है। लेकिन अपने हेल्थ को देखते हुए वो मीठा खाने से परहेज करते हैं। कोई अपने डायबिटीज को लेकर मीठे को इग्नोर करता है, तो कोई वजन बढ़ने के डर से चीनी

The festival of lights, Diwali, is the ideal time to try out striking makeup looks that capture the joyous glimmer. Graphic eyeliner is a popular trend this season that gives traditional clothing a dramatic and contemporary touch. You can achieve a