• Title/Summary/Keyword: Behavioral sciences

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Evaluation/Diagnosis and Related Rates Reflecting the Nature of Gambling Problems (도박중독 문제의 본질에 충실한 평가/진단 및 비율 산정)

  • Lee, Soon-Mook;Kim, Jong-Nam
    • Korean Journal of Health Psychology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.1-26
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    • 2009
  • This paper deals with fundamental questions how we should understand and approach the gambling addiction problems optimally. We attempted to define the nature of gambling behaviors first and to understand gambling addiction as an extreme class of behaviors on a behavioral continuum. This frame of reference would allow researchers to diagnose, classify, and evaluate gambling problems clearly, and to estimate prevalence rate and incidence rate more accurately from a perspective of behavioral sciences. Also, we emphasized to get out of a dichotomy in classifying gambling behaviors(i.e., either pathological or non-pathological). In addition, we introduced multi-agent and multi-level approaches to understanding gambling problems. With these approaches, each of the agents pertinent to the gambling problems can take its own responsibility and collaborate with other agents to solve the problems together. Also it is a proper time to develop a new scale overcoming the limitations of existing scales. So we presented several cautions in developing new scales for evaluating gambling problems. Lastly, in building a gambling policy, the estimation of prevalence and incidence rate is an important issue. So we suggested various ways for accurate estimation of prevalence and incidence rates reflecting the nature of gambling problems.

An Empirical Study of B2C Logistics Services Users' Privacy Risk, Privacy Trust, Privacy Concern, and Willingness to Comply with Information Protection Policy: Cognitive Valence Theory Approach (B2C 물류서비스 이용자의 프라이버시 위험, 프라이버시 신뢰, 프라이버시 우려, 정보보호정책 준수의지에 대한 실증연구: 인지밸런스이론 접근)

  • Se Hun Lim;Dan J. Kim
    • Information Systems Review
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.101-120
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    • 2020
  • This study investigates the effects of privacy psychological characteristics of B2C logistics services users on their willingness to comply with their logistics companies' information protection policy. Using cognitive valence theory as a theoretical framework, this study proposes a research model to examine the relationships between users' logistics security knowledge, privacy trust, privacy risk, privacy concern, and their willingness of information protection policy compliance. To test the proposed model, we conducted a survey from actual users of logistics services and collected valid 151 samples. We analyzed the data using a structural equation modeling software. The empirical results show that logistics security knowledge positively affects privacy trust; privacy concern positively influences privacy risk; privacy trust, privacy risk, and privacy concern positively influence behavioral willingness of compliance. However, logistics security knowledge does not affect behavioral willingness of compliance. The results of the study provide several contributions to the literature of B2C logistics services domain and managerial implications to logistics services companies.

Development and characterization of 15 microsatellite loci from Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)

  • Kim, Hyo-Joong;Kim, Min-Young;Kwon, Deok-Ho;Park, Sang-Wook;Lee, Ye-Rim;Jang, Hyo-Young;Lee, Seung-Hwan;Lee, Si-Hyeock;Huang, Junhao;Hong, Ki-Jeong;Jang, Yi-Kweon
    • Animal cells and systems
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    • v.15 no.4
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    • pp.295-300
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    • 2011
  • Lycorma delicatula (White 1845), which has been recently introduced into Korea, is a notorious pest on grapes. This invasive insect has rapidly spread throughout central and southern Korea. To date, we have no behavioral or population genetics information, such as invasion routes and subsequent dispersal rates in Korea, to help understand and control populations of L. delicatula. Here, we have developed 15 novel microsatellite loci for L. delicatula. The isolated loci were polymorphic, with 2 to 19 alleles in 42 individuals from a single population in Korea. The analyses revealed that all 42 individuals had different multilocus genotypes with heterozygosity ranging from 0.214 to 0.866. Eleven of the 15 loci did not deviate significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The isolated markers will facilitate population genetic studies of L. delicatula.

Morphology, molecular phylogeny, and pigment characterization of an isolate of the dinoflagellate Pelagodinium bei from Korean waters

  • Potvin, Eric;Jeong, Hae Jin;Kang, Nam Seon;Noh, Jae Hoon;Yang, Eun Jin
    • ALGAE
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.183-195
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    • 2015
  • The dinoflagellate genus Pelagodinium is genetically classified in distinct sub-clades and subgroups. However, it is difficult to determine whether this genetic diversity represents intra- or interspecific divergence within the genus since only the morphology of the type strain of the genus Pelagodinium, Pelagodinium bei, is available. An isolate associated with the genus Pelagodinium from Shiwha Bay, Korea, was recently cultured. This isolate was clustered with 3 to 4 strains from the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean. This cluster was distinct from the subgroup more closely associated with P. bei. The morphology of the isolate was analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscopy and was almost identical to that of P. bei except that this isolate had two series of amphiesmal vesicles (AVs) in the cingulum, unlike P. bei that has one series. When the pigment compositions of the isolate and P. bei were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, these two strains had peridinin as a major accessory pigment and their pigment compositions were almost identical. In addition, the swimming behaviors of these two strains were very similar. The reexamination of the type culture of P. bei revealed two series in the cingulum as for the isolate. The new findings on the number of series of AVs in the cingulum, the pigment composition, and the swimming behaviors suggest that P. bei and the isolate are conspecific despite their genetic divergence. This study provides a basis to further understand the molecular classification within Pelagodinium combining genetic, morphological, pigment, and behavioral data.

Ionotropic Receptor 76b Is Required for Gustatory Aversion to Excessive Na+ in Drosophila

  • Lee, Min Jung;Sung, Ha Yeon;Jo, HyunJi;Kim, Hyung-Wook;Choi, Min Sung;Kwon, Jae Young;Kang, KyeongJin
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.40 no.10
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    • pp.787-795
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    • 2017
  • Avoiding ingestion of excessively salty food is essential for cation homeostasis that underlies various physiological processes in organisms. The molecular and cellular basis of the aversive salt taste, however, remains elusive. Through a behavioral reverse genetic screening, we discover that feeding suppression by $Na^+$-rich food requires Ionotropic Receptor 76b (Ir76b) in Drosophila labellar gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs). Concentrated sodium solutions with various anions caused feeding suppression dependent on Ir76b. Feeding aversion to caffeine and high concentrations of divalent cations and sorbitol was unimpaired in Ir76b-deficient animals, indicating sensory specificity of Ir76b-dependent $Na^+$ detection and the irrelevance of hyperosmolarity-driven mechanosensation to Ir76b-mediated feeding aversion. Ir76b-dependent $Na^+$-sensing GRNs in both L- and s-bristles are required for repulsion as opposed to the previous report where the L-bristle GRNs direct only low-$Na^+$ attraction. Our work extends the physiological implications of Ir76b from low-$Na^+$ attraction to high-$Na^+$ aversion, prompting further investigation of the physiological mechanisms that modulate two competing components of $Na^+$-evoked gustation coded in heterogeneous Ir76b-positive GRNs.

A Behavioral Study of Promethazine Interaction with Analgesic Effect of Diclofenac: Pain Combination Therapy

  • Amidi, Niloofar;Izadidastenaei, Zohreh;Araghchian, Malihe;Ahmadimoghaddam, Davoud
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.18-24
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: Pain is considered as a cause of sickness and the most prevalent symptom which makes people visit a physician. Nowadays, combination therapy is becoming useful to relieve chronic and postsurgical pain. The aim of this study was to study the promethazine (as an antihistamine) interactions with antinociceptive effect of diclofenac (as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Methods: In initial part of the study, we investigate the analgesic effect of diclofenac. Using writhing test, we demonstrate that diclofenac significantly reduces writhe response induced by acetic acid in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we evaluate the combination effect of promethazine on diclofenac analgesic effect. Results: We observed that diclofenac inhibited pain in the dose dependent manner which means that by increasing dose of diclofenac a significant decrease in pain was observed. This experimental setup allowed calculation of the dose that caused 50% antinociception (ED50) for diclofenac. The ED50 for diclofenac in this study was determined to be 9.1 mg/kg according our previous study. Additionally, promethazine was showed a dose-dependent inhibition of writhes. The combination of different doses of promethazine (2, 4, 6 mg / kg) with diclofenac ED50 (9.1 mg / kg) was injected to mice. Promethazine 4 and 6 mg / kg in combination with diclofenac had significantly led to increase analgesic effect of diclofenac. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results add important information to the existing knowledge on combination of diclofenac and antihistamine in pain therapies to be used in clinical practice and maybe helpful in designing the future guidelines.

Effects of environmental enrichment on behaviour, physiology and performance of pigs - A review

  • Mkwanazi, Mbusiseni Vusumuzi;Ncobela, Cypril Ndumiso;Kanengoni, Arnold Tapera;Chimonyo, Michael
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.1-13
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    • 2019
  • This paper aims to critically analyse and synthesise existing knowledge concerning the use of environmental enrichment and its effect on behavior, physiology and performance of pigs housed in intensive production systems. The objective is also to provide clarity as to what constitutes successful enrichment and recommend when and how enrichment should be used. Environmental enrichment is usually understood as an attempt to improve animal welfare and to a lesser extent, performance. Common enrichment objects used are straw bedding, suspended ropes and wood shavings, toys, rubber tubings, colored plastic keys, table tennis balls, chains and strings. These substrates need to be chewable, deformable, destructible and ingestible. For enrichment to be successful four goals are essential. Firstly, enrichment should increase the number and range of normal behaviors; secondly, it should prevent the phenomenon of anomalous behaviors or reduce their frequency; thirdly, it should increase positive use of the environment such as space and fourthly it should increase the ability of the animals to deal with behavioral and physiological challenges. The performance, behavior and physiology of pigs in enriched environments is similar or in some cases slightly better when compared with barren environments. In studies where there was no improvement, it should be borne in mind that enriching the environment may not always be practical and yield positive results due to factors such as type of enrichment substrates, duration of provision and type of enrichment used. The review also identifies possible areas that still need further research, especially in understanding the role of enrichment, novelty, breed differences and other enrichment alternatives.

Effect of omega-3 plus methylphenidate as an alternative therapy to reduce attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in children

  • Mohammadzadeh, Soleiman;Baghi, Narmin;Yousefi, Fayegh;Yousefzamani, Bahar
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.62 no.9
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    • pp.360-366
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    • 2019
  • Background: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common chronic behavioral disorders in school-aged children. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of omega-3 supplementation as an alternative therapy for ADHD, which can be caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Methods: This was a double-blinded clinical trial study. Sixty-six children with ADHD (aged 6-12 years) referred to our child and adolescent psychiatric educational and therapeutic clinic were selected based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria. Instruments including the Parent ADHD Rating Scale were used to assess ADHD at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks during the study. Results: The results showed no statistically significant difference between the methylphenidate with omega-3 group and methylphenidate with placebo group based on the Parents ADHD Rating Scale between week 0 ($P{\geq}0.96$) and week 8 ($P{\geq}0.75$). There were no significant intergroup differences between the Inattention ($P{\geq}0.48$) and hyperactivity/impulsivity ($P{\geq}0.80$) subscale scores on the Parents ADHD Rating Scale. The most common drug complications in the methylphenidate with placebo and methylphenidate with omega-3 groups were anorexia (27 [54%] vs. 41 [60.29%], respectively) and diarrhea (10 [20%] vs. 8 [11.76%], respectively), but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that a specific dose of omega-3 for 8 weeks had no effect on ADHD.

5-Hydroxytryptophan Reduces Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia via Regulating AKT/mTOR/S6K and CREB/ΔFosB Signals in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

  • Yujin Choi;Eugene Huh;Seungmin Lee;Jin Hee Kim;Myoung Gyu Park;Seung-Yong Seo;Sun Yeou Kim;Myung Sook Oh
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.31 no.4
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    • pp.402-410
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    • 2023
  • Long-term administration of levodopa (L-DOPA) to patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly results in involuntary dyskinetic movements, as is known for L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) has recently been shown to alleviate LID; however, no biochemical alterations to aberrant excitatory conditions have been revealed yet. In the present study, we aimed to confirm its anti-dyskinetic effect and to discover the unknown molecular mechanisms of action of 5-HTP in LID. We made an LID-induced mouse model through chronic L-DOPA treatment to 6-hydroxydopamine-induced hemi-parkinsonian mice and then administered 5-HTP 60 mg/kg for 15 days orally to LID-induced mice. In addition, we performed behavioral tests and analyzed the histological alterations in the lesioned part of the striatum (ST). Our results showed that 5-HTP significantly suppressed all types of dyskinetic movements (axial, limb, orolingual and locomotive) and its effects were similar to those of amantadine, the only approved drug by Food and Drug Administration. Moreover, 5-HTP did not affect the efficacy of L-DOPA on PD motor manifestations. From a molecular perspective, 5-HTP treatment significantly decreased phosphorylated CREB and ΔFosB expression, commonly known as downstream factors, increased in LID conditions. Furthermore, we found that the effects of 5-HTP were not mediated by dopamine1 receptor (D1)/DARPP32/ERK signaling, but regulated by AKT/mTOR/S6K signaling, which showed different mechanisms with amantadine in the denervated ST. Taken together, 5-HTP alleviates LID by regulating the hyperactivated striatal AKT/mTOR/S6K and CREB/ΔFosB signaling.

Prediction of Sleep Disturbances in Korean Rural Elderly through Longitudinal Follow Up (추적 관찰을 통한 한국 농촌 노인의 수면 장애 예측)

  • Park, Kyung Mee;Kim, Woo Jung;Choi, Eun Chae;An, Suk Kyoon;Namkoong, Kee;Youm, Yoosik;Kim, Hyeon Chang;Lee, Eun
    • Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.38-45
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    • 2017
  • Objectives: Sleep disturbance is a very rapidly growing disease with aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sleep disturbances and its predictive factors in a three-year cohort study of people aged 60 years and over in Korea. Methods: In 2012 and 2014, we obtained data from a survey of the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. We asked participants if they had been diagnosed with stroke, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, arthritis, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma, cataract, glaucoma, hepatitis B, urinary incontinence, prostate hypertrophy, cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or metabolic syndrome. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination for dementia screening in 2012, and depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in 2012 and 2014. In 2015, a structured clinical interview for Axis I psychiatric disorders was administered to 235 people, and sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The perceived stress scale and the State-trait Anger Expression Inventory were also administered. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict sleep disturbance by gender, age, education, depression score, number of coexisting diseases in 2012 and 2014, current anger score, and perceived stress score. Results: Twenty-seven percent of the participants had sleep disturbances. Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of medical diseases three years ago, the depression score one year ago, and the current perceived stress significantly predicted sleep disturbances. Conclusion: Comorbid medical disease three years previous and depressive symptoms evaluated one year previous were predictive of current sleep disturbances. Further studies are needed to determine whether treatment of medical disease and depressive symptoms can improve sleep disturbances.