Different Patterns Of Behavior Research Articles

Health effect of multiple behaviours during pregnancy on birthweight: a latent class analysis of the Born in Bradford cohort

BackgroundPregnancy is a time of optimum motivation for many women to make positive behavioural change to improve their own health and the health of their unborn child. We aimed to identify and describe groups of pregnant women with similar patterns of self-reported health behaviours with use of latent class analysis, and to establish the association of these behaviours with birthweight. MethodsThe Born in Bradford (BiB) birth cohort is a longitudinal study of more than 13–000 infants born in the city of Bradford, in northern England, between 2007 and 2010. About half the study participants were of Pakistani ethnic origin. This study used data from 10–850 mother-pairs for whom the mother completed a baseline questionnaire and had a live term singleton birth. Data were available for smoking and alcohol consumption at three different timepoints, representing before pregnancy, first trimester, and second trimester. Data for other health-related exposures, including caffeine consumption, vitamin D supplementation, use of other tobacco products (including paan), and exposure to second-hand smoke and other illegal drugs, were available for the second trimester of pregnancy. We used latent class analysis to identify groups of individuals with similar patterns of health behaviours with Mplus 6.0. This analysis classified participants into groups on the basis of conditional probabilities. We then used linear regression to examine the association between group membership and birthweight and to adjust for maternal sociodemographic and birth characteristics. FindingsFive classes of behaviours groupings fitted these data best. Class one members (7142, 65·8%) were the most healthy, being more likely to take vitamin D and were unlikely to report unhealthy behaviours. Class two members (416, 3·8%) were unlikely to smoke but were heavier drinkers before or during pregnancy and had low levels of vitamin D consumption. Babies born to mothers in this group were on average 20 g (95% CI −66·5 to 28·4; p=0·42) heavier than were those born to women in class one, although we noted no evidence of a difference between classes. Class three members (1514, 14·0%) were most likely to be ex-smokers or be cutting back on smoking and drinking, and were otherwise healthy. Babies born to these mothers were on average 21 g (–5·6 to 51·3; p=0·15) heavier than were those born to mothers in class one, although we noted no evidence of a difference between classes. Class four members (907, 8·4%) reported cutting back on smoking and drinking but were still partaking in other unhealthy behaviours and were also more likely to be exposed to passive smoke than were mothers in other classes. Babies born to these mothers were on average 97 g (–59·7 to −130·1; p<0·0001) lighter than were those born to mothers in class one. Class five members (871, 8·0%) were most likely to report high levels of unhealthy behaviours and low levels of healthy behaviours, in addition to being exposed to passive smoke. Babies born to these mothers were on average 227 g (–187·1 to 262·1; p<0·0001) lighter were than those born to mothers in class one. InterpretationThis latent class analysis identified five subgroups of pregnant women with different patterns of behaviour; generally those with more healthy behaviours had heavier babies at birth. Further work will explore which of the behaviours drives the association with birthweight. FundingNone.

Static and dynamic properties of a lightly cemented silicate-grouted sand

This paper describes the results of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of a lightly grouted loose medium sand under both monotonic and cyclic loading. The experimental programme in the present study was carried out on both untreated and treated sand specimens stabilized with a silica-based grout, and comprises isotropic triaxial compression tests equipped with bender elements, drained triaxial monotonic shearing tests, and undrained cyclic tests in a simple shear (SS) apparatus. The results highlight that the weak cementation level induced by chemical treatment was sufficient to moderately increase small-strain stiffness and stress–dilatancy of the grouted sand during drained monotonic shear. A small cohesion intercept was observed in the analyzed failure envelope, while cyclic liquefaction resistance exhibited a much more significant increase, with a different pattern of behaviour between low and high stress levels. Finally, undrained cyclic SS test results evidenced that silicate grout employed in this research improves undrained cyclic shear strength in a manner similar to densification of the same material up to a density index of approximately 75%.

Clutch identity and predator-induced hatching affect behavior and development in a leaf-breeding treefrog

For species with complex life cycles, transitions between life stages result in niche shifts that are often associated with evolutionary trade-offs. When conditions across life stages are unpredictable, plasticity in niche shift timing may be adaptive; however, factors associated with clutch identity (e.g., genetic or maternal) may influence the effects of such plasticity. The red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) is an ideal organism for investigating the effects of genetics and life stage switch point timing because embryos exhibit adaptive phenotypic plasticity in hatching time. In this study, we evaluated the effects of experimentally manipulated hatching time and clutch identity on antipredator behavior of tadpoles and on developmental traits of metamorphs, including larval period, mass, SVL, and jumping ability. We found that in the presence of dragonfly nymph predator cues at 21 days post-oviposition, tadpoles reduced both their activity level and height in the water column. Furthermore, early-hatched tadpoles were less active than late-hatched tadpoles of the same age. This difference in behavior patterns of early- and late-hatched tadpoles may represent an adaptive response due to a longer period of susceptibility to odonate predators for early-hatched tadpoles, or it may be a carry-over effect mediated by early exposure to an environmental stressor (i.e., induction of early hatching). We also found that hatching time affected both behavioral traits and developmental traits, but its effect on developmental traits varied significantly among clutches. This study shows that a single early-life event may influence a suite of factors during subsequent life stages and that some of these effects appear to be dependent on clutch identity. This interaction may represent an evolutionary response to a complex life cycle and unpredictable environments, regardless of whether the clutch differences are due to additive genetic variance or maternal effects.

Electrochemical synthesis, characterization and electrochromic behavior of poly(4-aminodiphenylamine-co-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone)

A new electroactive and electrochromic copolymer of 4-aminodiphenylamine (ADPA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DADPS) was synthesized electrochemically in 0.5M H2SO4 in water and ethanol medium. The electrochemical synthesis of the copolymer by deposition on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and its characterization were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The voltammograms exhibited different patterns of behavior with different feed concentrations of DADPS. Equimolar concentrations of ADPA and DADPS or the combination with slight excess concentration of DADPS demonstrated very efficient growth of the copolymer film on the surface of the GCE. The copolymer is highly soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The scan rate of this copolymer on GCE showed linear variation, revealing the film's excellent electroactive adherent properties. The effect of pH on the copolymer film showed that the polymer was electrochemically active up to pH 7.0. Spectroelectrochemical analysis of the copolymer film, carried out on an indium tin oxide (ITO) plate, showed multi-color electrochromic behavior when the applied potential was changed. The copolymer was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectral data. The surface morphology was studied using SEM analysis and the grain size of the copolymer was measured using XRD studies and found to be 28nm. The electrical conductivity of the copolymer was 3.48×10−2Scm−1, as determined using a four-probe conductivity meter.

Defining the mode of tumour growth by clonal analysis

Recent studies using the isolation of a subpopulation of tumour cells followed by their transplantation into immunodeficient mice provide evidence that certain tumours, including squamous skin tumours, contain cells with high clonogenic potential that have been referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Until now, CSC properties have only been investigated by transplantation assays, and their existence in unperturbed tumour growth is unproven. Here we make use of clonal analysis of squamous skin tumours using genetic lineage tracing to unravel the mode of tumour growth in vivo in its native environment. To this end, we used a genetic labelling strategy that allows individual tumour cells to be marked and traced over time at different stages of tumour progression. Surprisingly, we found that the majority of labelled tumour cells in benign papilloma have only limited proliferative potential, whereas a fraction has the capacity to persist long term, giving rise to progeny that occupy a significant part of the tumour. As well as confirming the presence of two distinct proliferative cell compartments within the papilloma, mirroring the composition, hierarchy and fate behaviour of normal tissue, quantitative analysis of clonal fate data indicates that the more persistent population has stem-cell-like characteristics and cycles twice per day, whereas the second represents a slower cycling transient population that gives rise to terminally differentiated tumour cells. Such behaviour is shown to be consistent with double-labelling experiments and detailed clonal fate characteristics. By contrast, measurements of clone size and proliferative potential in invasive squamous cell carcinoma show a different pattern of behaviour, consistent with geometric expansion of a single CSC population with limited potential for terminal differentiation. This study presents the first experimental evidence for the existence of CSCs during unperturbed solid tumour growth.

Varying energetic costs of Brent Geese along a continuum from aquatic to agricultural habitats: the importance of habitat-specific energy expenditure

We investigated how habitat-specific differences in behavioural patterns affected Brent Goose energetics along a feeding continuum from natural aquatic to inland agricultural habitats. Time-budgets showed that geese using salt-marshes and inland habitats spent more time flying, being aggressive and alert than birds feeding in aquatic areas, and also spent much less time roosting. Frequency of disturbance was found to be higher in terrestrial habitats compared to aquatic habitats. These stress-related behavioural differences between habitats highlight the vulnerability of the species associated with adapting to different food sources. Combining time-budgets with activity-specific BMR-multiplicators showed that activity-based metabolic rates ranged from 1.7 to 2.7 × BMR within habitats exploited by Brent Geese, and emphasized that aquatic areas represent the energetically least expensive foraging habitat for these birds. This is largely the result of habitat-specific variation in time spent flying. These findings underline the importance of measuring habitat-specific behaviour and disturbance when studying avian energetics, and demonstrate the risk of uncritically using allometric relationships between body mass and energy expenditure in energetic studies and impact assessments across different habitats.

Stalking: clinical and criminological considerations through the results of a research contribution

Among the extensive results supplied by the psychiatric literature on the subject of stalking, few studies focus on the analysis of persecutory behaviors carried out against mental health professionals, who also identified as one of the most affected sample of victims. Particularly, for studies conducted in this way, further examination requires differentiation according to gender type into the social and personal characteristics of the authors' behavior patterns displayed towards the victims. Aim. To obtaine results by an epidemiological survey conducted in public and private psychiatric care structures in the city of Rome, to assess the incidence of the phenomenon as well as gender differences in behavior patterns practised out by the author for the two sample considered. Methods. Administration of a questionnaire to a sample make up by psychiatrists working in out-patient services for the Departments of Mental Health (ASL) of Rome and to a sample of psychiatrists who practise their professional activity in the private sector. Results. Regarding the incidence of the phenomenon, an increased presence has been found in private mental health care settings in comparison to the public service; regarding to the distribution of the phenomenon according to the sexual identity of the authors among the two samples analyzed, a statistical prevalence of female authors has been found in the sample of private sector. Discussion. The health's professionals, so much liable of victimization, are poorly formed on the phenomenon. So it's urgent to operate with integrated approaches (informative trainings; strengthening of administrative and clinical policies of the profession; multidimensional assessment).

A Computational Evaluation of Bond Order and Charge Distributions in Isomeric Aminotroponiminiums and Their Benzo-Fused Derivatives

This paper reports the results on the nature of bond-order and net charge distributions predicted by Ab initio Hartree- Fock procedures for 1-amino-2-iminio-, 1-amino-3-iminio- and 1-amino-4-iminiotropylium cations that incorporate, in order, the 1,7-, 1,3- and 1,5-diazapentadienium (vinamidinium) elements. There appears to be very little contribution from tropylium-type charge distribution, the positive charges residing largely in the nitrogen atoms. The partial bond fixations and charge distributions show interesting variation in the three isomers. The 1,3-isomer in which the 1,3-diazapentadienium element is preserved in the favoured zigzag conformation appears to be relatively the best stabilized. The six isomeric benzo-fused derivatives arising from the three amino-iminiotropylium cations show similar differences in patterns of behaviour. Interestingly, the isomer in which a zigzag 1,3-diazapentadienium element is conjugated with a styrene moiety receives the deepest stabilization. While showing that the element largely contributes to the relative stabilization among the systems studied, contribution from certain stereochemical destabilizing factors may not be insignificant.

Knowledge and social networks: New dimensions of economic interaction between firms

The paper explores the form and content of economic interaction of firms based on various concepts of agglomeration and social networks. It uses a case study of the machinery sector in the region of Styria as empirical background. Starting with types of clustering – the model of pure agglomeration, the industrial-complex model and the social-network model - the paper argues that certain geographical agglomerations allow different types of networks and different patterns of behaviour. Thus different forms of learning, knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. Some “stylized facts” in support of this perspective are derived from an analysis of a regional network. This network comprises individualistic open systems consisting of several areas which overlap. Physical linkages between these networks are weak, but intersections based on cooperative R&amp;D and R&amp;D infrastructure, qualification and informal exchanges are evident. From a regional perspective it can be seen to dominate. Despite evident sectoral concentrations direct links to the prevailing science base appear more significant as binding factors than long term supplier networks. These relationships are interpreted in terms of their need for proximity, their durability and above all their direction of knowledge dependency.

Studies on the bionomics of male Anopheles gambiae Giles and male Anopheles funestus Giles from southern Mozambique

Little is known about the fitness of wild male mosquitoes, the females of which are vectors of malaria. The problem of studying male biology has been exacerbated by difficulties associated with catching them. In southern Mozambique, however, almost the entire adult population of An. funestus and An. gambiae s.l. rest inside houses. They leave in a dusk exodus, which makes them easy to collect. In 8,348 exit collections from a village from 2003 to 2009, 567,195 male An. funestus and 34,591 male An. gambiae s.l. were collected. During the study, numbers of An. funestus increased but numbers of An. gambiae s.l. declined to the point of extinction. Overall numbers of An. gambiae s.l. were positively correlated with temperature, whilst the relationship between temperature and numbers of An. funestus changed from an initially positive one in the first three years of the study to a negative one in the last three years. Marked males were recaptured up to 300 m from the release site, with most recaptures occurring within 150 m. Estimated mean daily survival of male An. funestus was 0.86 (95% C.I. 0.869-0.850). For the years 2003-2007, estimated mean daily survival of male An gambiae s.l. was 0.660 (95% C.I. 0.682-0.638). For either species, there was no relationship between mean weekly temperature and estimated daily survival. These results imply that males of An. funestus live as long as females but have a relatively short flight range. They are discussed in the light of possible release strategies of sterile or genetically modified mosquitoes.

Exploring the behavioral patterns of learners in an educational massively multiple online role-playing game (MMORPG)

Massively multiple online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are very popular among students. Educational MMORPGs, however, are very rare, as are studies on gamers' behavioral patterns during such games. The current study is an empirical observation and analysis of the behavioral patterns of 100 gamers participating in an educational MMORPG called Talking Island^(C). In our study, we recorded and summarized the gaming behaviors demonstrated by these participants over 335 days of observation from December 2009 to October 2010. We coded the recorded behaviors and conducted a frequency analysis, sequential analysis and cluster analysis to explore the behavioral distributions, behavioral-frequency transition and behavior-cluster patterns in the MMORPG. Gender differences in behavioral patterns were also compared and discussed. Based on the results, we discuss the potential and limitations of the game and provide suggestions for future research on and the development of educational MMORPGs.

The use of 4D imaging in the behavioral assessment of high-risk fetuses

Fetal behavioral patterns have been considered as indicators of fetal brain development. Numerous studies employing conventional 2D ultrasound have shown that normally developing fetuses and fetuses at risk exhibit different patterns of behavior. With the appearance and development of 4D ultrasound, fetal behavioral movements, and the full range of facial expressions can be observed. After standardization of valid reference ranges of movements appropriate for the gestational age, the Zagreb group published a new scoring system for fetal neurobehavior based on prenatal assessment by 4D sonography, the Kurjak Antenatal Neurological Test. The aims and objectives of this article were to describe the latest 4D sonographic studies on fetal behavior and to present results of behavioral assessment by KANET in high-risk pregnancies.

Kinship, greenbeards, and runaway social selection in the evolution of social insect cooperation

Social Hymenoptera have played a leading role in development and testing of kin selection theory. Inclusive fitness models, following from Hamilton's rule, successfully predict major life history characteristics, such as biased sex investment ratios and conflict over parentage of male offspring. However, kin selection models poorly predict patterns of caste-biasing nepotism and reproductive skew within groups unless kin recognition constraints or group-level selection is also invoked. These successes and failures mirror the underlying kin recognition mechanisms. With reliable environmental cues, such as the sex of offspring or the origin of male eggs, predictions are supported. When only genetic recognition cues are potentially available, predictions are not supported. Mathematical simulations demonstrate that these differing mechanisms for determining kinship produce very different patterns of behavior. Decisions based on environmental cues for relatedness result in a robust mixture of cooperation and noncooperation depending on whether or not Hamilton's rule is met. In contrast, cooperation evolves under a wider range of conditions and to higher frequencies with genetic kin recognition as shared greenbeard traits. This "excess of niceness" matches the existing patterns in caste bias and reproductive skew; individuals often help others at an apparent cost to their inclusive fitness. The results further imply a potential for greenbeard-type kin recognition to create arbitrary runaway social selection for shared genetic traits. Suggestive examples in social evolution may be alloparental care and unicoloniality in ants. Differences in kin recognition mechanisms also can have consequences for maintenance of advantageous genetic diversity within populations.

Conflict Styles in a Cohort of Graduate Medical Education Administrators, Residents, and Board-Certified Physicians

To assess conflict styles and construct validity of the Thomas-Kilmann Mode of Conflict Instrument (TKI) among medical education personnel. From 2006 to 2009, 23 board-certified physicians (faculty), 46 residents, and 31 graduate medical education (GME) administrators participated in 3 behavior surveys. We used self-reported data (as completed by participants on the questionnaire). The TKI defines 5 conflict styles: competing, collaborating, compromising, accommodating, and avoiding. The My Best Communication Style Survey assesses 4 styles of communication: bold, expressive, sympathetic, and technical. The Interpersonal Influence Inventory categorizes 4 behavior styles: openly aggressive, assertive, concealed aggressive, and passive behaviors. A P value of < .05 was significant. Avoiding was the conflict style most chosen, closely followed by compromising and accommodating, whereas collaborating was the least likely to be selected. Collaborating percentiles were highest in GME administrators and lowest in faculty. Competing percentiles decreased from faculty to GME administrators (r = -0.237, P = .017). Openly aggressive scores were highest in faculty and lowest in GME administrators (P = .028). Technical communication scores were highest in residents and lowest in GME administrators (P = .008). Technical communication scores were highest in African Americans (P = .000). Asian Americans were more likely to be high in accommodating style (P = .019). Midwest respondents selected the collaborating style more than others did (41.3% versus 25%) (P = .009). Competing conflict style correlated positively with openly aggressive behavior and bold communication but negatively with expressive and sympathetic communications. There are differences in behavior patterns among faculty, residents, and GME administrators with suggestions of ethnic and geographic influences. Correlation among instruments supported theoretical relationships of construct validity.

The Experimental HWRF System: A Study on the Influence of Horizontal Resolution on the Structure and Intensity Changes in Tropical Cyclones Using an Idealized Framework

AbstractForecasting intensity changes in tropical cyclones (TCs) is a complex and challenging multiscale problem. While cloud-resolving numerical models using a horizontal grid resolution of 1–3 km are starting to show some skill in predicting the intensity changes in individual cases, it is not clear at this time what may be a reasonable horizontal resolution for forecasting TC intensity changes on a day-to-day-basis. The Experimental Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting System (HWRFX) was used within an idealized framework to gain a fundamental understanding of the influence of horizontal grid resolution on the dynamics of TC vortex intensification in three dimensions. HWFRX is a version of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model specifically adopted and developed jointly at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) for studying the intensity change problem at a model grid resolution of about 3 km. Based on a series of numerical experiments at the current operating resolution of about 9 km and at a finer resolution of about 3 km, it was found that improved resolution had very little impact on the initial spinup of the vortex. An initial axisymmetric vortex with a maximum wind speed of 20 m s−1 rapidly intensified to 50 m s−1 within about 24 h in either case. During the spinup process, buoyancy appears to have had a pivotal influence on the formation of the warm core and the subsequent rapid intensification of the modeled vortex. The high-resolution simulation at 3 km produced updrafts as large as 48 m s−1. However, these extreme events were rare, and this study indicated that these events may not contribute significantly to rapid deepening. Additionally, although the structure of the buoyant plumes may differ at 9- and 3-km resolution, interestingly, the axisymmetric structure of the simulated TCs exhibited major similarities. Specifically, the similarities included a deep inflow layer extending up to about 2 km in height with a tangentially averaged maximum inflow velocity of about 12–15 m s−1, vertical updrafts with an average velocity of about 2 m s−1, and a very strong outflow produced at both resolutions for a mature storm. It was also found in either case that the spinup of the primary circulation occurred not only due to the weak inflow above the boundary layer but also due to the convergence of vorticity within the boundary layer. Nevertheless, the mature phase of the storm’s evolution exhibited significantly different patterns of behavior at 9 and 3 km. While the minimum pressure at the end of 96 h was 934 hPa for the 9-km simulation, it was about 910 hPa for the 3-km run. The maximum tangential wind at that time showed a difference of about 10 m s−1. Several sensitivity experiments related to the initial vortex intensity, initial radius of the maximum wind, and physics were performed. Based on ensembles of simulations, it appears that radial advection of the tangential wind and, consequently, radial flux of vorticity become important forcing terms in the momentum budget of the mature storm. Stronger convergence in the boundary layer leads to a larger transport of moisture fluxes and, subsequently, a stronger storm at higher resolution.

Mapping communication research in Catalonia: A comparative analysis of publication patterns in scholarly journals (20072009)

The article analyses the main characteristics of scientific production in the communication sciences by Catalan authors during the years 20072009. Bibliometric techniques were used to observe institutional productivity, publication patterns, collaboration dynamics (intra- and inter-institutional) and journal consumption. The study is based on articles by authors attached to Catalan universities, companies and institutions and published in any of the sixteen main Spanish communication journals or in publications listed in the communication section of the Social Sciences Citation Index. Results reveal two different patterns of behaviour, depending on whether a Catalan researcher publishes in a Spanish or international journal.

Using Real-Time Decision Tools to Improve Distributed Decision-Making Capabilities in High-Magnitude Crisis Situations*

Multi-organizational collaborative decision making in high-magnitude crisis situations requires real-time information sharing and dynamic modeling for effective response. Information technology (IT) based decision support tools can play a key role in facilitating such effective response. We explore one promising class of decision support tools based on machine learning, known as support vector machines (SVM), which have the capability to dynamically model and analyze decision processes. To examine this capability, we use a case study with a design science approach to evaluate improved decision-making effectiveness of an SVM algorithm in an agent-based simulation experimental environment. Testing and evaluation of real-time decision support tools in simulated environments provides an opportunity to assess their value under various dynamic conditions. Decision making in high-magnitude crisis situations involves multiple different patterns of behavior, requiring the development, application, and evaluation of different models. Therefore, we employ a multistage linear support vector machine (MLSVM) algorithm that permits partitioning decision maker response into behavioral subsets, which can then individually model and examine their diverse patterns of response behavior. The results of our case study indicate that our MLSVM is clearly superior to both single stage SVMs and traditional approaches such as linear and quadratic discriminant analysis for understanding and predicting behavior. We conclude that machine learning algorithms show promise for quickly assessing response strategy behavior and for providing the capability to share information with decision makers in multi-organizational collaborative environments, thus supporting more effective decision making in such contexts.

Effects of transient global ischaemia on freezing behaviour and activity in a context-dependent fear conditioning task – Implications for memory investigations

Transient global ischaemia induces cell death in the CA1 layer of the hippocampus. To evaluate the functional consequences, we performed context-dependent fear conditioning. Ischaemia was induced by 2-vessel-occlusion (2VO) in gerbils. On day 6 post ischaemia or sham procedures (in control group) gerbils were placed in a test chamber and after 3min adaption time exposed to foot-shocks (training session). On the next day the animals were placed in the same test chamber without foot-shocks (test session). As a parameter for memory performance we used the standard method of measuring the total freezing time via a cumulative time-sampling procedure during the test session. We found a significant longer total freezing time in control animals than in ischaemic animals. In addition, however, we applied a more detailed analysis of (i) quantifying the number of freezing bouts, (ii) the average duration of single freezing bouts, (iii) the activity pattern during the training and test situation and (iv) we differentially evaluated all the single time segments of the experiment. These analyses revealed that although maintenance of freezing (duration of freezing bout) was significantly lower in ischaemic animals compared to controls, the initiation of freezing (number of freezing bouts) was not significantly different between the two groups during the test session. The activity scores of ischaemic and non-ischaemic gerbils were similar during the adaption time of the training session. The foot-shock, however, induced a significantly different pattern of behaviour in the ischaemic animals, which was selectively reproduced during the test session. In conclusion, ischaemic gerbils reacted to a fearsome thread with a behavioural pattern different from unlesioned animals and they revealed this specific foot-shock induced behaviour again during the test session. This indicated that CA1 hippocampal death did not interrupt memory performance but changed expression of fear. Therefore, measuring duration of freezing and the activity score seems to be not applicable for quantitative comparisons of memory deficits after 2VO in gerbils in a context-dependent fear conditioning task. Our results indicate, however, that initiation of freezing (number of freezing bouts) may be a more suitable parameter comparing gerbils with and without CA1 damage.

DOES DISAGGREGATION AFFECT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH CARE EXPENDITURE AND GDP? AN ANALYSIS USING REGIME SHIFTS*

This paper investigates the impact of policy shifts on disaggregated health expenditure-GDP relationship for Australia and the USA. In contrast to previous studies the disaggregation is at the level of type of service delivered and not at the level of source of expenditure. Our results show that the subcomponents of health expenditure exhibit different patterns of behaviour at both cointegration and unit root stages once policy shifts or structural breaks, such as the introduction of a publically funded medicare policy in the USA, are allowed in the empirical analysis. When the possibility of structural break is allowed we find a significant long run relationship between subcomponents of aggregate health expenditure and GDP that is not found when no break is considered. The underlying reasons for the occurrence of breaks and policy lessons are discussed subsequently.

Psychological Profiles Of Accountants And Accounting Majors: An Asian Study

Globalisation makes it inevitable for accounting professionals with diverse personalities to work under one roof. Such differences in behavioral patterns (Type A or Type B) impact performance in good and bad ways. This paper examines the psychological profile of Asian accounting professionals and accounting students using Type A or Type B behavior classifications. Examination of accounting professionals shows that Type B is the most common behavior among all professionals sampled and contrary to previous research, Type B also tended to be common even in higher management levels of the accounting firms. Accounting students also showed similar patterns. Type B behavior tended to be the most common psychological profile among both male and female accounting students while there is some evidence that Type A students do perform better as evidenced by self-reported grades. From the results, it is expected that future Asian accounting professionals to be dominated by Type Bs. This behavior pattern may cause problems unless dealt with properly as Asian professionals interact with non-Asian business partners and clients who may tend more towards Type A behavior. While recognition of this wont remedy the problem, understanding the cause of this potential conflict is a first step in identifying a solution to this future dilemma.