The need-informational theory of emotions

As an evolvement of Pavlov ideas on higher nervous (psychic) activity 'the need-informational theory of emotions' was suggested by the author in 1964. According to it an emotion is a function of two major factors: (1) power and quality of actual need (or drive, or motivation) and (2) estimation of probability (possibility) of need satisfaction on the basis of phylo- and ontogenetic experience. In the process of experimental testing of 'the need-informational theory of emotions' the role of different cerebral structures (frontal neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus) in the genesis of emotional states and in the organization of goal-directed behavior was elucidated. The experimental data showed that these 4 brain structures play the major role in estimation of signals coming from environment and in the choice of subject's reactions. The individual characteristics of the interaction between the 4 brain structures must be taken into consideration in discussing neurophysiological backgrounds of different types of the higher nervous activity (temperaments), parameters of extra-introversion and neurotism (emotionality), the formation of main types of neurosis.     

Analysis of the influence of therapy and viral suppression on high-risk sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infections among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Taiwan

This study examined the effects of certain characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients related to the risks of practising unprotected sex (UPS) among 919 HIV-infected patients who attended the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic of the Taipei City STD Control Center, Taiwan, during the period January–July 2004. After learning that they were HIV-positive, 517 (56%) subjects had practised UPS, 476 (52%) had a new STD diagnosis, and 106 (12%) had used some form of injected drug. UPS was reported by 76% of homosexual/bisexual males, 19% of heterosexual males and 5% of females, and was reported more often by those individuals with casual sexual partners (p < 0.001). According to multivariate logistic regression analyses, UPS was associated with male-tomale sexual intercourse (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.26–4.86, p < 0.001), with casual sexual partners (OR 2.82; 95% CI 1.62–4.88, p < 0.001), and with an individual's knowledge of his/her HIV status for > 11 years (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.02–4.18, p < 0.05). Although using anti-retroviral therapy to prevent sexual transmission of HIV is rational, the avoidance of at-risk sexual behaviour should also be a priority among HIV-seropositive individuals. Ongoing risk-reduction counselling related to HIV transmission is needed to reduce certain sexual behaviours associated with HIV transmission.     

Structure and properties of methacrylate based dental restorative materials

The chemistry and structure of the dimethacrylate resins and the nature of the filler systems in dental composite resins are reviewed in relation to their influence on the setting behaviour, dimensional stability, aesthetics, fracture behaviour and adhesive potential. It is clear that a deeper understanding of the structure of the polymeric matrix and the mechanism of clinical wear is required. As a result of ongoing research in this area and with the development of dentine adhesives, the future prospects of composite resins are encouraging.     

A small-animal activity-analysing system for behavioural studies

Automated recording and data analysis of the activity of small laboratory animals are often required for psychological and other forms of behavioural investigation. This paper describes such a system using an open field of 1·14×1·14 m. Three arrays of infrared-light-emitting diodes and phototransistors are used to locate the animal. Two of the arrays are used to generate an xy grid, while the third one is used to determine whether the animal is rearing. The position of the animal gives rise to both digital and analogue signals; so the equipment can be interfaced directly with a minicomputer, or coupled to an analogue recorder. Several activity parameters, such as the path length (absolute value of the line integral), the time spent at a predetermined area of the open field or the latency to move, are computed and displayed in digital form.     

The time-course of ribavirin-provoked changes of basal and AMPH-induced motor activities in rats

The time-course of changes of basal and amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotor and stereotypic activities in adult male Wistar rats after a single ribavirin injection was studied. In the first set of experiments, 10, 20 or 30 mg ribavirin/kg body weight (b.w.) were injected i.p. to rats and their basal motor activities were recorded every 10 min for 2 h and compared with those of saline-treated controls. In the second set of experiments, the animals were pretreated with ribavirin and 20 min later i.p. injected with AMPH (1.5 mg/kg b.w.). The controls received AMPH 20 min after the saline injection. Motor activity was recorded after the first injection and until 120 min after AMPH administration. Ribavirin did not significantly affect the time-course of either basal locomotor or stereotypic activities. Pretreatment with any of the applied ribavirin doses decreased the AMPH-induced hyperlocomotor response. However, the most pronounced effect was observed with ribavirin doses of 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg when administered during the first 10 min and 30 min after the AMPH injection respectively. In contrast, the stereotypic activities of these animals were only slightly changed. These results indicate a different susceptibility of regions in the basal ganglia to ribavirin.     

Adaptive motor unit action potential clustering using shape and temporal information

An adaptive algorithm is described that groups motor unit action potentials (MUAPs), detected in a composite EMG signal during signal decomposition, and creates partial motor unit action potential trains (MUAPTs). Data-driven MUAP shape and motor unit firing-pattern based criteria are used to form the clusters. An algorithm for estimating MUAPT temporal parameter, which provides accurate estimates even for partially defined trains, is used to obtain firing-pattern information. No a priori knowledge is required regarding the number of clusters or the distribution of their template shapes. The clustering algorithm when applied to real concentric-needle detected MUAP data provides accurate and useful clustering results. Compared to a classical leader-based algorithm, it provides more robust performance, is better able to estimate the true number of motor units represented in a set of detected MUAPs, and obtains more complete and accurate MUAPTs.     

Monocular and binocular control of human interceptive movements

Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that binocular vision makes an important contribution to skilled reaching and grasping movements directed at static targets. In the present study we examine the contribution of binocular vision to interceptive reaching movements. We monitored such movements using a high-resolution, opto-electronic recording device (WATSMART), while subjects attempted to catch balls projected at them. No differences were found between monocular and binocular viewing conditions using this paradigm – either with respect to the velocity profiles or trajectories of the reaches. Moreover, the grasp was not affected by the type of vision available. It appears, then, that the moving targets provide adequate monocular depth and direction information (on the basis of optic flow) for the control of skilled interceptive movements directed at them. In addition, the time to achieve maximum grip aperture was constant across the trials – a finding consistent with the use of a time-to-contact variable derived from optic flow information. Finally, the transport component of prehension was found to be affected by certain variables that have, in the past, been thought to exclusively affect the grasp component of prehension, whereas the grasp component of prehension was affected by factors that have traditionally been thought to affect only the transport component. Received: 12 August 1996 / Accepted: 1 September 1997     

Effects of frustration on behaviour and plasma corticosteroid levels in pigs

Frustration was elicited in pigs by not rewarding the operant response of subjects having learnt to press a panel with their snout to get a food reward. When pigs were exposed singly to this situation, they extinguished their operant responding. Plasma corticosteroid levels increased during frustration and the number of responses emitted was correlated negatively with the initial plasma corticosteroid levels. When two pigs were submitted together to the frustration situation, they developed aggressive behaviour accompanied by increases of plasma corticosteroid levels. These experiments demonstrate that pigs are sensitive to the effects of frustration elicited by the omission of an expected reward.     

Cortical and subcortical components of the conditioned saccharin aversion

Cortical mechanisms of the conditioned saccharin aversion were studied in 190 rats by the functional ablation technique. Water deprived animals had 15-min access to water on the familiarization Days 1 and 2. On Day 3 the rats were offered saccharin (0.1%, CS) followed 30 min later by LiCl injection (0.14 M, 2% body weight, UCS). The resulting intoxication caused marked conditioned saccharin aversion leading to reduced saccharin ingestion (by 60–80%) on Day 4. Unilateral cortical spreading depression (CSD) elicited on Days 3 and/or 4 by application of 25% KCl on the same or on opposite hemispheres does not diminish conditioned saccharin aversion in comparison with intact animals. Bilateral CSD elicited after saccharin administration, 15 min before or 5 min after LiCl injection on Day 3, does not prevent the development of conditioned saccharin aversion. On the other hand, forced feeding of saccharin under bilateral CSD elicits conditioned saccharin aversion neither with 30 min nor with 5 min CS-UCS delays although significant conditioned saccharin aversion was observed under forced feeding conditions in normal rats. It is concluded that cerebral cortex is necessary for the initial short-term storage of the indifferent gustatory trace but that the association of this engram with aversive gastrointestinal stimuli can be accomplished without cortical participation.