Tennessee Wesleyan College

About: Tennessee Wesleyan College is a education organization based out in Athens, Tennessee, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Psychological intervention & Intervention (counseling). The organization has 24 authors who have published 36 publications receiving 477 citations.

Note on behavioral indication of visual sensitivity in C3H/HE mice.

Abstract: Research using inbred strains of mice has formed much of the foundation for behavioral genetics. One strain frequently so used, C3H (of which there are several sublines), is known to suffer from a form of progressive retinal degeneration that has been assumed to leave adult animals blind ( 3 ) . However, behavioral research on this point is conflicting. Rose and Parsons ( 4 ) reported that C3H animals learned a visual avoidance task more easily than two other strains known to be visually reactive. Frank and Kenyon ( 2 ) reported random performance of C3H and two other retinally deficient strains on the visual cliff. The current study relied on a simple procedure to attempt to demonstrate visual ability in C3H animals. This procedure is based on the natural tendency of many rodents to avoid strong illumination ( 1 ) . C3H/He mice ( 15 females and 15 males) over 60 days of age were individually placed on a circular, bounded field, 24 in. in diameter. The field was plate glass, illuminated by two 14-w fluorescent tubes located 2 ft. below the surface. One half of the field was masked on its underside by black cardboard (dark side) ; the other half was similarly masked with translucent tissue paper (light side). Average illumination on the dark side was under five lumens; on the light side, 130 lumens. Trials were of 300-sec. duration; aker each trial the field was flushed with detergent and water. Temperatures of light and dark sides were of obvious concern, but in a series of samplings made under testing conditions on two separate days, no differences were found. This was primarily due to the use of fluorescent tubes as a light source and to the washing of the field every seven or eight minutes between trials. Subjects began in the center of the field at the boundary separating light and dark sides. The C3H animals averaged 185.0 sec. (SD = 64.07) on the dark side. A score of 150 sec. would indicate random movement, i.e., no aversion to light. The observed score differed significantly from this theoretical value ( t 2 9 = 2.99, $ < .01), providing further evidence of the presence of some visual sensitivity in C3H mice. REFERENCES 1. CROZIER, W. J., & PINCUS, G. Photonopism in young rats. Journal o f Genera/ Physiology, 1926, 10, 407-417. 2. FRANK. R.. & KENYON. 1. Visual cliff behavior of mice as a function of genetic dif, , , . ferences in eye characteristics. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 4 , 35-36. 3. GREEN, M. C. Murant genes and linkages. In E. L. Green (Ed.), Biology o f the laboratory mouse. (2nd ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill, 1966. Pp. 87-150. 4. ROSE, A., & PARSONS, P. A. Behavioral studies in different strains of mice and the problem of heterosis. Genetics, 1970, 41, 65-87.

The Long-Term Effects of Cellular Telephone-Delivered Telephone Intervention Problem Solving (TIPS) for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs): Rationale and Design

Abstract: Introduction. Although an extensive body of literature suggests that face-to-face problem-solving interventions are an effective means of fostering psychiatric medication adherence for persons with SSDs, the majority of outpatients with SSDs lack access to this proven intervention. There is a need for exploration of alternate delivery methods for problem solving. Design. This randomized controlled trial will examine the effectiveness of cellular telephone delivered Telephone Intervention - Problem Solving (TIPS) upon medication adherence, medication self efficacy and symptom management in outpatients with SSDs over 9 monthsMethods. To ensure consistent telephone access, all one hundred twenty eight participants will be provided a basic cellular telephone with unlimited local calling for 9 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to treatment as usual plus weekly TIPS or treatment as usual only (TAU). Assessment of serum medication levels, pill count medication adherence, medication attitudes and psychiatric symptoms will be conducted at baseline and every 3 months on all participants. Summary.In addition to testing the long term effect of TIPS, this study will provide information on the responses to our cellular telephone delivery method. We believe this information will be critical as we continue to explore a variety of cellular telephone technologies to provide needed interventions to persons with SSDs in a feasible, economical way.