No description available.

Hypocretin/Orexin (HCRT) is a neuropeptide that is associated with both stress and reward systems in humans and rodents. The different contributions of signaling at hypocretin-receptor 1 (HCRT-R1) and hypocretin-receptor 2 (HCRT-R2) to compulsive alcohol drinking are not yet fully understood. Thus, the current studies used pharmacological and viral-mediated targeting of HCRT to determine participation in compulsive alcohol drinking and measured HCRT-receptor mRNA expression in the extended amygdala of both alcohol-dependent and non-dependent male rats. Rats were made dependent through chronic intermittent exposure to alcohol vapor and were tested for the acute effect of HCRT-R1-selective (SB-408124; SB-R1), HCRT-R2-selective (NBI-80713; NB-R2), or dual HCRT-R1/2 (NBI-87571; NB-R1/2) antagonism on alcohol intake. NB-R2 and NB-R1/2 antagonists each dose-dependently decreased overall alcohol drinking in alcohol-dependent rats, whereas, SB-R1 decreased alcohol drinking in both alcohol-dependent and non-dependent rats at the highest dose (30 mg/kg). SB-R1, NB-R2, and NB-R1/2 treatment did not significantly affect water drinking in either alcohol-dependent or non-dependent rats. Additional PCR analyses revealed a significant decrease in Hcrtr1 mRNA expression within the central amygdala (CeA) of dependent rats under acute withdrawal conditions compared to nondependent rats. Lastly, a shRNA-encoding adeno-associated viral vector with retrograde function was used to knockdown HCRT in CeA-projecting neurons from the lateral hypothalamus (LH). LH-CeA HCRT knockdown significantly attenuated alcohol self-administration in alcohol-dependent rats. These observations suggest that HCRT signaling in the CeA is necessary for alcohol-seeking behavior during dependence. Together, these data highlight a role for both HCRT-R1 and -R2 in dependent alcohol-seeking behavior.

No description available.

This study examined the relationship between language skills and reticence in 37 children with language impairment (LI) and 37 typically developing peers matched for age (ranging from 6;11 to 10;1 years) and gender. Subtests of the Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language (E. Carrow-Woolfolk, 1999) were used to evaluate language ability. The Teacher Behavior Rating Scale (C. H. Hart & C. C. Robinson, 1996) was used to evaluate reticence. The current study replicated previous research by documenting significantly higher levels of reticence in children with LI when compared to typical peers. Significant group differences were also found in paragraph comprehension, syntax construction, and pragmatic judgment skills, with children with LI performing poorer on each language subtest compared to typical peers. No significant gender differences were observed on any of the comparisons. Multiple regression analyses were applied to evaluate the relationship between the language subtests and reticence in the group with LI and the typical group. Results for both groups indicated that paragraph comprehension, syntax construction, and pragmatic judgment skills were not significant predictors of reticent withdrawal behavior, either in combination or independently. Results suggest that language alone cannot predict reticence in either children with LI or their typical peers.

Molting is a natural occurrence in the Avian species that can include a period of fasting. Animal rights groups view the longepted standard industry practice as inhumane. Based on influences from these groups and the recommendation of its scientific committee, United Egg Producers (UEP) requires members of its Animal Care Certified Program use a noneed withdrawal molting program, even though the morphological and physiological effects of this method have not been studied in depth and the existing literature provides contradictory results. Research regarding how to induce a noneed withdrawal molt has been performed using feed that is nutrient deficient or contains an additive to cease egg production. Studies have shown subsequent egg production to be comparable to hens molted using feed withdrawal. This study was designed to determine the morphological and physiological changes that occur in a noneed withdrawal molt. Two hundred hens divided into 40 groups of 3 birds each were molted in a staggered pattern so that the morphological and physiological effects of noneed withdrawal molt could be measured with identical environmental and housing variables. Data was divided into 5 sections including Control (n=5), Start (n=7), Mid-Molt (n-7), Near End (n=7), and Over (n=15). Internal organs were examined and measured. Corticosterone levels were measured to determine if noneed withdrawal molting causes less stress to hens. Pertinent blood parameters including cholesterol, glucose, O2, CO2, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were also measured. Results indicate internal organ weight changes due to noneed withdrawal molt were as expected. Decreases in the oviduct length, ovary weight, follicle weight, and follicle number indicate regression of the reproductive tract. No differences (P<0.05) were observed in corticosterone levels, suggesting that a noneed withdrawal molt does not increase stress in laying hens.

Water scarcity has quickly become one of the most pressing issues in the 21st century. Knowledge of the stress consumption places on water supply is therefore necessary for improved resource management. This research leverages monthly facility level withdrawal and discharge data from two different sources to provide important observations of consumptive water use across several spatial scales and water use sectors in Virginia between 2010-2016. Consumptive water is defined as water which is withdrawn and not returned to a water resource system. Consumption was estimated on statewide, watershed, county, and facility levels. The agriculture/irrigation, aquaculture, commercial, industrial, energy, and municipal sectors were considered for analysis. Facilities were matched between the two data sources by narrowing potential matches by distance and then by facility name using an approximate string distance mechanism. This analysis revealed that inconsistent discharge reporting affects estimates of consumption through time and any errors at finer spatial scales are ultimately masked at coarser levels. Statewide energy consumption in Virginia was found to be between 4-20% considering all available data and 0.4-4% across matched facilities. Non-energy consumption was an estimated 37-51% considering all available data and only 28-33% across matched facilities. Inconsistent reporting of discharge made it difficult to determine if consumption trends truly exist in Virginia, but monthly consumption appears to be persistent through time and slightly increasing in non-energy sectors. Industrial consumption in Virginia was also found to be higher than literature values. Results from this study are beneficial for water supply modeling and planning by providing more refined estimates of the actual stress withdrawals place on water supply. / This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Cooperative Agreement No. G17AC00322. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. / Master of Science / Water scarcity has quickly become one of the most pressing issues in the 21st century. Improved water resource management is critical for sustainable development, especially in historically water-rich states that have not had an urgency to improve water planning. This research provides key information about the impact consumption has on water supply in Virginia, using water use data from two different sources between 2010-2016. Consumptive water is defined as water which is withdrawn and not returned to a water resource system. This includes losses through evaporation, transpiration, conveyance, and incorporation into products and animals. Consumption was estimated on statewide, watershed, county, and facility levels. It was also estimated for the agriculture/irrigation, aquaculture, commercial, industrial, energy, and municipal sectors. Facilities were matched across the two data sources by narrowing potential matches by distance and then by facility name. This study revealed that statewide energy consumption in Virginia is between 4-20% considering all available data and 0.4-4% across matched facilities. Non-energy consumption is then between 37- 51% considering all available data and only 28-33% across matched facilities. Inconsistent reporting of return flow data made it difficult to determine if consumption trends truly exist in Virginia, but consumption appears to be persistent through time and slightly increasing in non-energy sectors. Results also suggest that industrial consumption in Virginia may be higher than published literature values. This study ultimately introduces a feasible method for water managers to estimate consumption using data from multiple sources. Results from this approach are beneficial for predicting future water demand and long-term resource planning by providing more knowledge of the actual stress withdrawals place on water supply.

Children with language impairment (LI) often demonstrate increased levels of withdrawal, specifically the reticent and solitary-passive subtypes. Although it is recognized that there are several subtypes of withdrawal, the relationship between withdrawal and children with LI is complex and unclear. The aim of this study was to examine items on the Teacher Behavior Rating Scale (TBRS) to better understand the nature of withdrawal in children with LI. A factor analysis of TBRS scores of 355 participants was conducted to ensure that individual items on each subscale were measuring the same construct. An invariance analysis was also performed to ensure items were equally valid for both groups. Finally, a Pearson chi-square test was performed to see which items had the greatest power to separate typical and atypical children. Factor analysis confirmed that items on each subscale grouped together. All four reticence items were invariant, however only 3 of the 5 solitary-passive items were invariant across groups. Item analysis of the Reticence Subscale revealed that participants showed the greatest differences in items related to on-looking, unoccupied, and fearful behavior. Item analysis of the Solitary Passive Subscale revealed an increase in behavior related to a preference for solitary play. In accordance with previous work, children with LI displayed higher levels of both reticence and solitary-passive withdrawal than their typical peers. This study confirms the validity of using the TBRS as a tool to investigate the complex relationship between language and reticent behavior in future research.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2010.

Uppsatsen syfte var att undersöka effekten av koffeinintag på mental uthållighet. Hypotesen var att koffein skulle förbättra mental uthållighet på ett statistiskt signifikant vis. 34 individer rekryterades genom ett bekvämlighetsurval. SART (Sustained Attention to Response Task) användes för att mäta mental uthållighet före och efter intag av 180 mg koffein. Resultat på SART visade en signifikant minskning i antal fel gjorda, men inte i responstid. Det påvisades även en signifikant korrelation mellan ålder och responstid där äldre individer uppvisade en längre responstid före och efter koffeinintag. De förbättrade resultaten på SART efter koffeinintag är i linje med annan koffeinforskning och studien ger ytterligare stöd till att koffein förbättrar mental uthållighet. Metodologiska brister i form av en eventuell förväntanseffekt, intag av B-vitaminer i samband med koffeinintag, okontrollerade motivationsfaktorer, och eventuellt andra oidentifierade confounding variabler i undersökningen gör att vi inte med fullständig säkerhet kan tillskriva den signifikanta förbättringen i mental uthållighet till enbart koffein. / The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caffeine on sustained attention. The working hypothesis was that caffeine would increase sustained attention in a significant way. 34 individuals were recruited by way of a convenience sample. SART (Sustained Attention to Response Task) was used to measure sustained attention before and after ingestion of 180 mg of caffeine. Results of SART showed a significant decrease in the number of errors made, but not in response time after caffeine ingestion. The study also showed a significant correlation between age and response time, in which older adults took a longer time to respond before and after caffeine ingestion. The improved results of SART after caffeine ingestion are in line with other caffeine studies and provide further support to the notion that caffeine improves sustained attention. Methodological shortcomings in shape of an eventual expectancy effect, intake of B vitamins in conjunction with caffeine intake, uncontrolled motivational factors and other eventual unidentified confounding variables makes it so that we can't ascribe the significant improvement in sustained attention to only caffeine with absolute certainty.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / ‘Cigarette smoking is a modern day epidemic that poses a substantial health burden’, it has been proven that smokers die on average fourteen years earlier than non smokers as a direct result of their smoking. An abundance of evidence indicates that the health risks associated with cigarette smoking can however be reversed with a sufficient period of abstinence. Thus achieving life-long abstinence must be a health priority for both developing and developed countries (Caponnetto &, Polosa, 2008). Over 80% of smokers express a desire to stop smoking and 35% of them try to stop each year. However, less than 5% are successful in un-aided attempts to quit (American Psychiatric Association, 1995). The greatest challenge facing smokers who wish to quit are nicotine withdrawal symptoms; these include dysphoric or depressed mood, insomnia, irritability, frustration, anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, decreased heart rate and increased appetite or weight gain (American Psychiatric Association, 1995). The aim of this double blind placebo controlled quantitative study was to determine the effectiveness of a homoeopathic complex (Caladium seguinum 30 CH, Nux vomica 30 CH and Staphysagria delphinium 30 CH); a tautopathic preparation and the combined effect thereof, in the treatment of nicotine withdrawal syndrome as determined by the Tolerance Dependence Questionnaire, Smoking History and Perceptions of Treatment Questionnaire. Methodology Forty participants recruited by means of convenience sampling were randomly and equally divided into one of four treatment groups, namely tautopathic group, homoeopathic group, combined tautopathic and homoeopathic group and placebo group. The duration of the study was 2 weeks and two consultations with each participant were conducted. The respective interventions were administered in oral spray format; participants were asked to spray their respective preparations directly into their mouth three times daily and to repeat the dose whenever they had a craving for a cigarette. iv Measurements in the form of the Tolerance Dependence Questionnaire (Appendix D), Perceptions of Treatment Questionnaire (Appendix H), and Smoking History (Appendix G) were used to quantify response to treatment. Non-parametric statistical analysis was conducted to analyse the data. Results All four research groups experienced a statistically significant reduction in the amount of cigarettes smoked, favourable perceptions of their response to treatment and improved tolerance. Statistically however when the groups were compared with each other they were similar with respect to their tolerance to nicotine, perception of response to treatment and reduction in amount smoked. Although interventions were statistically similar in terms of effectiveness, the data does suggest that Tautopathy as an intervention warrants exploration. The Tautopathic group achieved the highest reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked when comparing medians (11 less smoked per day), achieved the highest percentage of participants who experienced reduced cravings, and the highest percentage of participants who would continue using the intervention (90% respectively) as well as improvements in 6/9 variables of the Tolerance Dependence Questionnaire. Conclusions The study concludes that each of the four subject groups (including placebo) proved to be successful in aiding the participant to cease smoking. The results showed a significantly positive perception of the participants to the interventions used. The influence of the placebo effect however was very evident in this study; in addition other factors such as the unique method of administration of the medication (oral spray format on demand) the Hawthorn effect and the participants’ desire/commitment to quit smoking may have contributed to the positive results obtained. Notwithstanding the above and although not statistically significant; positive trends within the data do suggest that the Tautopathic approach used in this study should be further investigated in future.