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Biomedical subjects

D A Carroll

Publications and source records attributed to D A Carroll.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

A comparative study of quiet sleep, active sleep, and waking on the first 2 days of life.

Direct behavioral observation and motility monitoring procedures provide reliable data, and both are appropriate for sleep/wake state measurements starting immediately after birth. Using these procedures, newborn rats, rabbits, and humans were found to have a greater amount of quiet sleep on the day of birth rather than 24 hr later. Changes in active sleep and wake were inconsistent across the 2 days. The quiet sleep findings are contrary to the developmental course which increases with age. The findings are interpreted as a temporary adaptive response to the stress of the birth process.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Reliability and validity of computer scoring of behavioral sleep-wake states in rats and rabbits.

Previous studies in human infants, rabbits, and rats have shown that states of sleep and wakefulness can be reliably identified from motility signals produced by respiration and body movement. Thoman has described a computer-scoring algorithm for automated scoring of behavioral states from motility signals in human infants. In the present studies, we report the use of the computer scoring program with motility signals obtained from electronic activity monitors. In the newborn rabbit, computer classification of the data into behavioral states agreed with visual scoring of the motility signals. In infant and adult rats, computer scoring across the entire age range was validated against direct behavioral observations, video-taped observations, and visual scoring of the motility signal. This procedure permits prolonged recordings of freely moving animals and eliminates the need for an observer to be present.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

A computer-aided procedure for measuring Lashley III maze performance.

As an animal swims through the Lashley III maze, an observer types into a Macintosh computer the path taken. The computer program, Observe Software, then breaks the string of choices into two-step sequences and counts the number of such sequences. These data are then sent to a spreadsheet, where the sequences are sorted into forward and backward responses. Forward choices are Correct Path, T Choice Errors and Cul Entry Errors. All backward choices are errors, by definition. They are classified as T Choices, Cul Entries, Cul Exits, and Return to Start. The animal's behavior is then described by the various error classes plus a measure called Learning Index. Examples of learning by rats and mice are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The short-term impact of Army smoking policies.

A cross-sectional study was performed among soldiers of an infantry battalion to determine smoking prevalence and to assess the short-term impact of Army smoking policies instituted within the preceding 6 months. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire. The response was 91.5%. Smoking prevalence was 45%. This study yielded conflicting data on the effectiveness of the new policies. The importance of educating the smoker on health risks was corroborated. Army health care providers had questioned the majority of the soldiers regarding their smoking status, but failed to suggest they quit or provide suggestions on how to quit.

Adult↗