Interval timing is involved in a variety of cognitive behaviors such as associative learning and decision-making. While it has been shown that time estimation is adaptive to the temporal context, it remains unclear how interval timing behavior is influenced by recent trial history. Here we found that, in mice trained to perform a licking-based interval timing task, a decrease of inter-reinforcement interval in the previous trial rapidly shifted the time of anticipatory licking earlier. Optogenetic inactivation of the anterior lateral motor cortex (ALM), but not the medial prefrontal cortex, for a short time before reward delivery caused a decrease in the peak time of anticipatory licking in the next trial. Electrophysiological recordings from the ALM showed that the response profiles preceded by short and long inter-reinforcement intervals exhibited task-engagement-dependent temporal scaling. Thus, interval timing is adaptive to recent experience of the temporal interval, and ALM activity during time estimation reflects recent experience of interval.
Animals ; Mice ; Reward ; Time Factors ; Cognition ; Learning ; Decision Making ; Reinforcement, Psychology

Disulfiram has been used for the treatment of alcohol dependence for nearly 65 years and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It causes negative reinforcement by accumulating toxic acetaldehyde due to irreversible inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase. Disulfiram has very few side effects when taken without alcohol. Epileptic seizure induction is a rare side effect in therapeutic doses, and its mechanism is unknown. We present a patient with a single epileptic seizure which was thought to be due to disulfiram used in the treatment of alcohol dependence. We did not find it ethical to administer disulfiram again because the patient discontinued alcohol use and was afraid of epileptic seizures.
Acetaldehyde ; Alcoholism ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; Disulfiram ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; United States Food and Drug Administration

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of usual care management (UCM) and a newly-developed lifestyle modification with contingency management (LMCM) for geriatric depressive symptoms in the community. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 93 older adults with major depressive disorder at community mental health centers. A 12 week multi-domain LMCM was developed by providing positive reinforcement using ‘gold medal stickers’ as a symbolic incentive to motivate their participation and adherence. Participants were allocated to LMCM (n=47) and UCM (n=46) groups. They were then subjected to the 12 week treatment. Effects of the two intervention methods on Geriatric Depression Scale were determined using mixed model analysis. RESULTS: Participants in the LMCM group had greater decline in GDS score per month than participants in the UCM group after adjusting for age, sex, years of education, living alone, and MMSE scores at baseline examination [coefficient for GDS score (95% CI): -1.08 (-1.51, -0.65), p < 0.001, reference: UCM group]. CONCLUSION: LMCM is safe and easy to use with a low cost. LMCM is suitable as psychosocial intervention for older adults with depressive symptoms in the community.
Adult* ; Aged ; Community Mental Health Centers ; Depression* ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Education ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Motivation ; Numismatics ; Reinforcement (Psychology)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the parenting of mothers with infants and preschoolers in an effort to determine types of parenting. METHODS: The 32 participating mothers were interviewed and from the content of the interviews, their parenting was analyzed. Statements were categorized and analyzed according to the selected procedure. RESULTS: The parenting of mothers was classified into positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement, including 55 significant statements and 14 categories. Positive reinforcement was categorized as frequent skin contact, giving pleasure, spending a lot of time with children, improving children's self-esteem, being sensitive to children's needs, realistic discipline, developing independence, listening to children, and understanding and respecting children's feelings. Negative reinforcement was categorized as overprotection, inconsistent attitude, negligence, negative educational behavior, and emphasis on obedience. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that systematic education should be provided for mothers to increase their ability to provide good parenting. It is expected that the findings of this study would be useful in the development of efficient educational programs.
Child ; Child Rearing* ; Child* ; Education ; Humans ; Infant* ; Malpractice ; Mothers* ; Parenting ; Parents ; Pleasure ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Skin

The number of healthcare professionals (HCPs) abusing propofol has been steadily growing, while recreational use of propofol among the general public has become a social concern. Propofol was once believed to be unsuited for the purpose of abuse because it wears off too quickly and induces unconsciousness more frequently than euphoria. However, studies have demonstrated the abuse potential of propofol. Animal studies have shown that propofol increases dopamine levels in the mesolimbic dopamine system, which is a putative mechanism of addiction for most addictive drugs. Behavior studies, not only with animals but also with human beings, have demonstrated that administration of propofol induces conditioned rewards and reinforcement. Although the incidence of propofol abuse among HCPs seems to be lower than that of abuse of common addictive substances, multiple articles and case reports have documented cases. Easy access to the drug is closely associated with its abuse among HCPs. In addition, the pharmacologic properties of propofol, specifically its short onset and offset, is one of reasons HCPs start to abuse this drug without any serious consideration and makes propofol abuse difficult to detect. To reduce propofol abuse among HCPs, we should develop a strict pharmacy control system for limiting access to propofol. Adopting radio-frequency identification system for controlled drugs could be an effective option. However, substance dependent HCPs are quite resourceful even in obtaining controlled drugs. Therefore, a multilateral approach to stem the rising tide of propofol abuse among HCPs is needed: a combination of preventative education, early identification and intervention, aggressive treatment, and consistent rehabilitation.
Animals ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dopamine ; Euphoria ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pharmacy ; Propofol ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Reward ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Unconsciousness

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of various metal oxides on impact strength (IS), fracture toughness (FT), water sorption (WSP) and solubility (WSL) of heat-cured acrylic resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty acrylic resin specimens were fabricated for each test and divided into five groups. Group 1 was the control group and Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 (test groups) included a mixture of 1% TiO2 and 1% ZrO2, 2% Al2O3, 2% TiO2, and 2% ZrO2 by volume, respectively. Rectangular unnotched specimens (50 mm x 6.0 mm x 4.0 mm) were fabricated and droptower impact testing machine was used to determine IS. For FT, compact test specimens were fabricated and tests were done with a universal testing machine with a cross-head speed of 5 mm/min. For WSP and WSL, discshaped specimens were fabricated and tests were performed in accordance to ISO 1567. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: IS and FT values were significantly higher and WSP and WSL values were significantly lower in test groups than in control group (P<.05). Group 5 had significantly higher IS and FT values and significantly lower WSP values than other groups (P<.05) and provided 40% and 30% increase in IS and FT, respectively, compared to control group. Significantly lower WSL values were detected for Group 2 and 5 (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Modification of heat-cured acrylic resin with metal oxides, especially with ZrO2, may be useful in preventing denture fractures and undesirable physical changes resulting from oral fluids clinically.
Collodion ; Denture Bases ; Dentures ; Oxides ; Polymers ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Solubility ; Water

INTRODUCTIONMyopia is a significant public health problem in Singapore with estimates that more than 50% of the population is affected by it by the time of adulthood. Childhood obesity is also increasing and has been linked to long-term health problems. Recent studies have found that Singaporean children in Primary 1 spend less than 3 hours a day outdoors which is less than children in other countries. Physical activity has been shown to be protective against obesity and recently, there has been some evidence to suggest that time spent outdoors may reduce the prevalence and severity of myopia. This study aims to explore the barriers and enablers to children in Singapore participating in outdoor activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODSQualitative data, gathered from focus group discussions was thematically analysed against the PRECEDE component of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model which provided a conceptual framework for examining factors relevant to children participating in an outdoor activity intervention. A total of 31 people participated in 4 focus groups held over a 6-month period.

RESULTSThis feasibility study was exploratory in nature but provided valuable information concerning barriers and enablers to participation. Data informed the development of a larger study.

CONCLUSIONResults indicated that families preferred structured activities such as orienteering and a choice of weekend attendance days and times.

Attitude to Health ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Community Participation ; Counseling ; Feasibility Studies ; Focus Groups ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Jogging ; physiology ; Medical Records ; Motivation ; Motor Activity ; Myopia ; prevention & control ; Parents ; psychology ; Program Development ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Running ; physiology ; Singapore ; Walking ; physiology

BACKGROUND: The ability to achieve a long-term, stricture-free urethral repair is one of the ongoing challenges of reconstructive urologic surgery. A successful initial repair is critical, as repeat procedures are difficult, owing to distortion, scarring, and short urethral stumps. METHODS: We describe a technique in which the gracilis muscle flap is laid on or wrapped around the urethral repair site to provide a well-vascularised soft tissue reinforcement for urethral repair. This technique promotes vascular induction, whereby a new blood supply is introduced to the repair site to improve the outcome of urethral repair or anastomotic urethroplasty. The surface contact between the muscle flap and the repair site is enhanced by the use of fibrin glue to improve adherence and promote inosculation and healing. We employed this technique in 4 patients with different urethral defects. RESULTS: After a follow-up period of 32 to 108 months, all of the urethral repairs were successful without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the use of a gracilis muscle flap to vascularise urethral repairs can improve the outcome of challenging urethral repairs.
Cicatrix ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Muscles ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of glass fiber pre-impregnated with light-curing resin on the fracture strength and fracture modes of a maxillary complete denture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maxillary acrylic resin complete dentures reinforced with glass fiber pre-impregnated with light-curing resin (SES MESH, INNO Dental Co., Yeoncheon-gun, Korea) and without reinforcement were tested. The reinforcing material was embedded in the denture base resin and placed different regions (Control, without reinforcement; Group A, center of anterior ridge; Group B, rugae area; Group C, center of palate; Group D, full coverage of denture base). The fracture strength and fracture modes of a maxillary complete denture were tested using Instron test machine (Instron Co., Canton, MA, USA) at a 5.0 mm/min crosshead speed. The flexure load was applied to center of denture with a 20 mm diameter ball attachment. When fracture occurred, the fracture mode was classified based on fracture lines. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There were non-significant differences (P>.05) in the fracture strength among test groups. Group A showed anteroposterior fracture and posterior fracture mainly, group B, C and control group showed partial fracture on center area mostly. Most specimen of group D showed posterior fracture. CONCLUSION: The location and presence of the fiber reinforcement did not affect the fracture strength of maxillary complete denture. However, reinforcing acrylic resin denture with glass fiber has a tendency to suppress the crack.
Denture Bases ; Denture, Complete ; Dentures ; Glass ; Reinforcement (Psychology)

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of silicone blocks as graft material for mastoid cavity obliteration in the prevention of problematic mastoid cavities after canal wall down mastoidectomies. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 20 patients who underwent mastoid obliteration with silicone blocks between 2002 and 2009 at the Chonnam National University Hospital. The cases consisted of 17 patients with chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma and 3 patients with adhesive otitis media. The postoperative follow-up period was an average 49 months (range, 6 to 90 months). The surgical technique used at our institution composed four major steps: First, the canal wall down mastoidectomy was performed and the middle ear procedure was completed. The silicone blocks were used to fill up the mastoidectomized cavity. Then, a cortical bone pate was used to cover the surface of the silicone blocks. Finally, temporalis fascia and a split musculoperiosteal flap were used to surround the bone pate for reinforcement of the reconstructed canal wall. We examined postoperative success rate and hearing outcomes. RESULTS: In 19 cases (95%), the reconstructed canal wall maintained a cylindrical shape and the ear drum healed without perforation. In only 1 case (5%), the reconstructed canal wall was destroyed with ear drum perforation. The mean improvement in air-bone gap was about 12 dB (P<0.05), and the mean improvement in air-conduction was about 16 dB (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that silicone blocks could be valuable resources as graft materials for mastoid obliteration after canal wall down mastoidectomies.
Adhesives ; Cholesteatoma ; Ear ; Ear, Middle ; Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing ; Humans ; Mastoid ; Otitis Media ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicones ; Transplants