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Diel Changes in the Molecular Physiology of Rainbow Trout Gill
Get PDFThe regulation of salt and water balance is a basic physiological challenge in vertebrates. In aquatic vertebrates, such as fishes, ionoregulation is strongly influenced by water conditions which, in turn, can be altered by diel changes and abiotic factors such as light. In this study, the effects of light and dark cycles on gene expression in the whole gill of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was quantified using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. It was hypothesized that diel changes would be observed in core-clock genes, which drive the circadian expression of many physiological processes in vertebrates, as well as in tight junction (TJ) proteins, which regulate the movement of salt and water between epithelial cells in the gill. As suggested, it was observed that mRNA abundance of several core-clock genes had diel rhythms that peaked at the dark-to-light transition or in the middle of the light period. Similarly, changes in select TJ proteins also followed a rhythmic pattern, with some transcripts showcasing a different oscillatory period than the expected 24 hours. Although mRNA abundance was rhythmic, interestingly, the protein abundance for some TJ proteins remained constant throughout the 24-hour experiment. Together, these results suggest that, at the molecular level, factors that generally contribute to regulating osmoregulation exhibit diel changes. These results will help bridge the current gap in knowledge regarding ionoregulation in the freshwater gill within the context of light and dark cycles, which may provide clues to evolutionary adaptations of fish and whether fish can anticipate changes in their environment in order to improve their survival
Canadian Pharmacare: A Tough Pill to Swallow
Get PDFAs communicable diseases continue to devastate low-income countries and non-communicable diseases elevate the global burden of disease, policymakers are beginning to investigate how to best reform the pharmacare system to meet the growing demand. The current discourse surrounding pharmacare accessibility heavily focuses on the perils of intellectual property rights. Although this is a central component to understanding and addressing the issue, it lacks contextual depth. This article frames the debate around the historical and contemporary frameworks which inform pharmaceutical policy and practises; namely capitalism, colonialism and imperialism. This is through an exploration of the governance mechanisms and power structures that are in place both locally and globally. This article also presents a case study of the Cuban healthcare system to appraise its quality and the possibility of expanding similar practices to the Canadian system. This investigation found that current pharmaceutical governance models are inadequate in protecting global health interests, that a self-sufficient national pharmaceutical system like the one implemented in Cuba can create health outcomes that surpass high-income counterparts, and that current ideologies and practises are only effective in profit creation, not the creation of equitable health outcomes. The author attempts to use this analysis to inform awareness campaigns and possible policy reform within a Canadian context. As the Canadian public and government continue to discuss the possibility of implementing a national pharmacare program, insight into how this nation can meet the needs and become a global provider would be incredibly valuable
Towards Revolutionary “Medicine”: Examining Western Medicine as a Colonial Tool
Get PDFThis article explores how the field of medicine transformed societal values during the British colonial era, and how it continues to do so by asserting a Eurocentric view of medicine in former colonies. Based on Samir Amin’s claim that intrinsic to the accumulation of profit in empire was the rapid expansion of capitalism within the colonies (1990), I argue that the institution of capitalist relations in British India from the 18th to the 20th century relied heavily on the imposition of Western medicine. The continuing encroachment of these capitalist relationships in the post-colonial era prevents the revival of indigenous medicine and can be classified as a form of neocolonialism. I employ a plurality of theoretical frameworks from various political theorists—namely Federici, Robinson, Quijano, and Harvey—to demonstrate how Western medicine transformed ecological and social relations within the Indian subcontinent to service Britain’s colonial project. Through the use of each framework as a basis of analysis, I discuss how Western medicine altered gender and environmental relations and created new ones centered on race. I show how these altered relations served the underlying colonial project in British India. Finally, I explicate how neo-colonial forces, by disrupting ecological relations, have prevented the resurgence of indigenous medicine post-partition. The institutionalization of the specific social and ecological relations necessary to colonialism, and more broadly to capitalism, in the subcontinent were implemented, in part, through Western Medicine
Does a Person’s Attractiveness Influence Our Tendency to Get to Know Them?
No full textThis study investigates the effects of attractiveness on trust and decision-making. Previous research has shown that attractive people appear more trustworthy, and individuals mainly rely on facial stimuli for these judgements. We were interested to see whether when people have the chance to get a description of a face, do they still make their decision based only on visual attractiveness or do they pay attention to the description. We used the trust game, in which players are given an amount of money each round and they decide how much to transfer to another player. We modified the trust game to implement facial stimuli for hypothetical players and a hint taking option, where participants could choose if they wanted to spend money for a description of the facial stimuli before making financial decisions. This study used a repeated measures design and was conducted through an online survey using snowball sampling (N = 214). We hypothesized that participants would be more likely to ask for a hint when shown a picture of a less attractive person; however, we found the opposite only in male participants. In other words, only male participants were more likely to choose a hint for more attractive faces, which was interpreted as interest rather than caution to trust. These findings suggest that factors other than attractiveness can play a role in decisions to trust unknown individuals. Further research should investigate gender differences in hint taking and practice racial matching of participants and stimuli
The Sixth Domain: Neurowarfare, Neuroweapons, and the Future of Counterterrorism
No full textTechnological advancements have led to the development of biochemical, pharmacological, and direct energy neuroweapons that are capable of manipulating the human brain and central nervous system. Available to both state and nonstate actors, neuroweapons can be used in military operations to enhance or degrade the physical, psychological, and physiological performance of allied forces and hostile terrorists. Neuroweapons are the future of warfare and counterterrorism and terrorism operations; however, little research exists on this subject. This project aims to contribute to neurowarfare research by uncovering how counterterrorism and terrorism forces acquire and utilize neuroweapons. This project also investigates the biological, chemical, pharmacological, and engineering processes behind neuroweapons and examines how these technologies hack into and augment the brain. This paper utilizes a three-pronged methodology: peer-reviewed literature like journal articles and books; grey literature, including sources such as government reports, articles, and exposes; and real-world case studies. Results of this research suggest that neuroweapons have ushered in a new, sixth domain of war: the human brain. Findings also indicate that neuroweapons can reduce or eliminate the primary, secondary, and tertiary effects of war, including death and displacement of innocent civilians; destruction of a nation’s cultural treasures; and regression of developing nations. Finally, results support the hypothesis that populations are the new weapons of mass destruction. This project is important because it contributes to an understudied field of scholarship, forecasts future security threats, and proposes how peace-seeking forces can gain an advantage over malicious actors without inflicting collateral damage
How Bullet Proof is the Toronto Community Housing Corporation?
Get PDFThis research study revolves around a silenced conversation within Toronto, Canada’s Somali community living in Toronto Community Housing. The purpose of the study is to explore the reasons behind the substantial increase in gun-related violence among Somali-Canadian youth, and whether living in low-income housing provided through the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) influences the high death rate of Somali Canadian youth. The role of TCHC resources and TCHC board representation is considered. Through the lens of the social determinants of health, this study investigates the relationship among socio-economic status, government housing, race, gender, and violence for Somali families living in TCHC-sponsored housing in Toronto neighbourhoods