Diagnostic Criteria for Problematic Internet Use among U.S. University Students: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation

Empirical studies have identified increasing rates of problematic Internet use worldwide and a host of related negative consequences. However, researchers disagree as to whether problematic Internet use is a subtype of behavioral addiction. Thus, there are not yet widely accepted and validated diagnostic criteria for problematic Internet use. To address this gap, we used mixed-methods to examine the extent to which signs and symptoms of problematic Internet use mirror DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder, gambling disorder, and Internet gaming disorder. A total of 27 university students, who self-identified as intensive Internet users and who reported Internet-use-associated health and/or psychosocial problems were recruited. Students completed two measures that assess problematic Internet use (Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire and the Compulsive Internet Use Scale) and participated in focus groups exploring their experiences with problematic Internet use. Results of standardized measures and focus group discussions indicated substantial overlap between students’ experiences of problematic Internet use and the signs and symptoms reflected in the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder, gambling disorder, and Internet gaming disorder. These signs and symptoms included: a) use Internet longer than intended, b) preoccupation with the Internet, c) withdrawal symptoms when unable to access the Internet, d) unsuccessful attempts to stop or reduce Internet use, e) craving, f) loss of interest in hobbies or activities other than the Internet, g) excessive Internet use despite the knowledge of related problems, g) use of the Internet to escape or relieve a negative mood, and h) lying about Internet use. Tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and recurrent Internet use in hazardous situations were uniquely manifested in the context of problematic Internet use. Implications for research and practice are discussed.     

Destructible Toys as Enrichment for Captive Chimpanzees

The use of destructible objects or toys as enrichment for nonhuman primates has had promising results in terms of increased use and positive behavioral effect. The purpose of this project was to determine the use and durability of a number of inexpensive, destructible toys provided one at a time or several at once. Nine singly caged chimpanzees were provided with 8 different toys made of plastic, vinyl, or cloth, and the frequency of use of the toys was determined during 15 min trials 2 times per day. A toy was removed when it was destroyed or when it was not contacted during 4 trials. The chimpanzees contacted the toys an average of 11 times per trial, and the use of the individual toys was significantly higher when provided 1 at a time rather than all at once. Use of the toys was fairly stable over time, and the toys remained in the cages an average of 3.2 days. The durability of the toys was related to the type of toy (e.g., more flexible cloth and vinyl toys lasted longer than rigid plastic toys). The destructible toys were used significantly more often than other permanent cage toys or televisions. Toy use was not related to age, level of abnormal behavior, or use of existing permanent toys or television. The implications of the results were related to the management of an environmental enrichment program and indicated that the provision of flexible, inexpensive toys 1 at a time can be an effective method of enrichment for captive chimpanzees.     

Destructible toys as enrichment for captive chimpanzees

The use of destructible objects or toys as enrichment for nonhuman primates has had promising results in terms of increased use and positive behavioral effect. The purpose of this project was to determine the use and durability of a number of inexpensive, destructible toys provided one at a time or several at once. Nine singly caged chimpanzees were provided with 8 different toys made of plastic, vinyl, or cloth, and the frequency of use of the toys was determined during 15 min trials 2 times per day. A toy was removed when it was destroyed or when it was not contacted during 4 trials. The chimpanzees contacted the toys an average of 11 times per trial, and the use of the individual toys was significantly higher when provided 1 at a time rather than all at once. Use of the toys was fairly stable over time, and the toys remained in the cages an average of 3.2 days. The durability of the toys was related to the type of toy (e.g., more flexible cloth and vinyl toys lasted longer than rigid plastic toys). The destructible toys were used significantly more often than other permanent cage toys or televisions. Toy use was not related to age, level of abnormal behavior, or use of existing permanent toys or television. The implications of the results were related to the management of an environmental enrichment program and indicated that the provision of flexible, inexpensive toys 1 at a time can be an effective method of enrichment for captive chimpanzees.     

Consistent condom use dynamics among sex workers in Central America: 1997-2000

The paper aims to provide evidence on consistent condom use dynamics among sex workers in Central America between 1997 and 2000, and to examine the most important predictors of use behaviour important for policy and programme interventions in the region. Data on 3500 sex workers, 1500 from 1997 and 2000 from the year 2000, were analysed. The samples represented sex workers in low socioeconomic neighbourhoods who met their clients at known sex establishments or by the roadside. Sex workers were more likely to have used condoms consistently in 2000 than in 1997 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.4, p < or = 0.05). Sex workers who discussed condoms with their partners or lovers used them consistently with all clients more than those who did not (OR = 1.3, p < or = 0.10). Knowledge of condom advantages had a positive influence on consistent use. Sex workers who reported using condoms to prevent pregnancy or STDs used them consistently with all clients more than those who did not (OR = 1.2, and 1.3 respectively, p < or = 0.10). The source of condoms is an important predictor of consistent condom use. Sex workers who bought condoms from health establishments or from brothels used them consistently more than those who did not (both OR = 1.3, p < or = 0.10, and p < or = 0.05, respectively). Self-efficacy had a positive effect on consistent condom use. Sex workers who reported that they would use condoms even if clients offered to pay more for unprotected sex used them consistently with all clients more than those who did not (OR = 18, p < or = 0.001). The findings suggest that having condom skill is positively related to condom use. Sex workers who had all four skills used condoms more consistently than those who had none (OR = 1.6, p < or = 0.01). In order to increase consistent condom use and avert more incidences of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, programme interventions need to use the most efficient way to provide quality information, and provide repeated training on condom negotiation and use skills to sex workers.     

Increased morbidity and mortality related to asthma among asthmatic patients who use major tranquillisers.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the potentially increased risk of death or near death from asthma in asthmatic patients with psychosis. DESIGN--Case-control study. SETTING--The computerised health databases of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. SUBJECTS--131 cases of death or near death from asthma identified within a cohort of asthmatic patients; 3930 matched non-cases. EXPOSURE AND OUTCOME MEASURES--The exposure of interest was the use of major tranquillisers in the period before an outcome event. Outcomes included death or near death from asthma. RESULTS--Crude analyses showed that asthmatic patients who had used major tranquillisers in the previous 12 months were at a 3.2 (95% confidence interval 1.4 to 7.5) times greater risk of death or near death from asthma than asthmatic patients who did not use major tranquillisers. Past users of major tranquillisers who had recently discontinued use were at a particularly high risk (relative risk 6.6; 2.5 to 17.6). Adjustment for use of antiasthma drugs and other confounders abolished this excess risk. CONCLUSIONS--Asthmatic patients who use major tranquillisers seem to be at an increased risk of death or near death from asthma. Physicians treating asthmatic patients with a history of use of major tranquillisers should exercise greater caution with regard to management of such patients.     

Patterns of substance use and abuse in inner-city adolescent medical patients

Distinct patterns of use and abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs are described in a sample of 2,415 teenage patients using primary health clinics over a two-year period. The sample was obtained in the course of a large-scale study to evaluate the effectiveness of consolidated medical programs directed to predominantly inner-city, minority-group adolescents. Information was obtained in personal interviews using a structured format and professional interviewers. Analysis of data proceeded in two steps. First, the rates of progression from abstention or light use of alcohol and drugs to regular use or abuse, and the reverse of this pattern (i.e., remission) were examined. The second step in the analysis was to examine the degree to which certain psychosocial variables characterized temporal patterns of heavy use. Regular tobacco use had a substantial influence on the progression to substance abuse in male and female patients. The results indicate that about 20 percent of the patients attending these clinics were in some phase of either increasing or decreasing their substance use, and another 20 percent engaged in regular use continuously over the two-year period, while the remaining 60 percent of patients stayed at low risk over this same period. These subgroups were rather easy to differentiate on the basis of concurrent behavioral and lifestyle problems.     

Pathomorphological picture of the liver in mice administered antitumor antibiotics intraperitoneally and its comparative assessment]

A single administration of carminomycin, ribomycin or olivomycin in LD50 or treatment of the experimental animals with these antibiotics for 10 days in the therapeutic doses equal to 10 per cent of the LD50 induced distrophic and necrobiotic changes in the liver. The use of bruneomycin in the equivalent doses induced sclerotic process in addition to the above doses resulted in a decrease in the colour intensity of DNA, RNA and protein as compared to the control, the content of glycogen and a marked increase in the amount of lipids in the hepatocyte cytoplasm. The most pronounced shifts were observed with the use of carminomycin, rubomycin and especially bruneomycin in single doses. With the use of olivomycin in a single dose the shifts were less pronounced. It should be noted that with the use of carminomycin and rubomycin the damages were of the same character by their intensity. The changes in the liver on the use of carminomycin, rubomycin and olivomycin in single doses or during the treatment course were reversible, while on the use of bruneomycin they preserved to the end of the experiment.     

A Biocultural Investigation of Gender Differences in Tobacco Use in an Egalitarian Hunter-Gatherer Population

In the developing world, the dramatic male bias in tobacco use is usually ascribed to pronounced gender disparities in social, political, or economic power. This bias might also reflect under-reporting by woman and/or over-reporting by men. To test the role of gender inequality on gender differences in tobacco use we investigated tobacco use among the Aka, a Congo Basin foraging population noted for its exceptionally high degree of gender equality. We also tested a sexual selection hypothesis—that Aka men’s tobacco use is related to risk taking. Tobacco use, income, tobacco purchases, tobacco sharing, reasons for using tobacco, risk taking, and other variables were measured using structured surveys and peer reports. Tobacco use was verified by testing for salivary cotinine, a nicotine metabolite. Contrary to expectations, we found a very large male bias in tobacco use. Low levels of use among females appeared to be explained by aversions to tobacco, concerns over its negative effects on fetal health, and a desire to attract husbands, who prefer nonsmoking wives. High male use appeared to be related to a desire to enhance hunting abilities and attract and/or retain wives, who prefer husbands that smoke. We conclude that low levels of smoking by Aka women are better explained by the hypothesis that women evolved to avoid plant toxins to protect their fetuses and nursing infants. High male use might be better explained by sexual selection. We also highlight the important role that recreational drugs appear to play in hunter-gatherer sharing relationships.     

Induction of Ovulation

Every effort should be made to find the cause of anovulation since specific therapy directed at correction of a specific hormonal deficiency or excess is, of course, much more effective than any empiric treatment. Moreover, some patients with disorders of ovulation may have serious, even fatal, underlying disorders. The use of thyroid or cortisone has been disappointing except in the treatment of an overt deficiency of thyroid or cortisone or an excess of adrenal androgens. Estrogens and progestational agents have not been consistently effective in the induction of ovulation. The use of clomiphene citrate, which apparently stimulates the release of gonadotropins, and the use of purified gonadotropins of human origin have been quite successful in the induction of ovulation in a variety of disorders of ovarian function. Because of real and potential hazards, the use of these new agents should be restricted to women for whom pregnancy is the primary goal or in whom standard methods of therapy have failed. Neither drug has been released by the Food and Drug Administration for routine clinical use.     

Systematic review of wireless phone use and brain cancer and other head tumors

We conducted a systematic review of scientific studies to evaluate whether the use of wireless phones is linked to an increased incidence of the brain cancer glioma or other tumors of the head (meningioma, acoustic neuroma, and parotid gland), originating in the areas of the head that most absorb radiofrequency (RF) energy from wireless phones. Epidemiology and in vivo studies were evaluated according to an agreed protocol; quality criteria were used to evaluate the studies for narrative synthesis but not for meta-analyses or pooling of results. The epidemiology study results were heterogeneous, with sparse data on long-term use (≥ 10 years). Meta-analyses of the epidemiology studies showed no statistically significant increase in risk (defined as P < 0.05) for adult brain cancer or other head tumors from wireless phone use. Analyses of the in vivo oncogenicity, tumor promotion, and genotoxicity studies also showed no statistically significant relationship between exposure to RF fields and genotoxic damage to brain cells, or the incidence of brain cancers or other tumors of the head. Assessment of the review results using the Hill criteria did not support a causal relationship between wireless phone use and the incidence of adult cancers in the areas of the head that most absorb RF energy from the use of wireless phones. There are insufficient data to make any determinations about longer-term use (≥ 10 years).     

The routine differential leukocyte count vs automated differential counts

The clinical use of the proposed performance standards for differential leukocyte counts is determined by multiple factors. Their use must be considered according to the specific use of the differential count, the sources of variability in differential counting, the relation between specific use and sources of variability, the role of analytic errors in the detection of nonspecific changes, the use of qualitative vs quantitative data, the sensitivity and specificity of the routine eye count, the role of disease or specific cell prevalence in determination of predictive value, the effect on use of automated instruments for screening, and whether abnormal specimen flagging can be done. The routine eye-count differential method, as performed by a well-trained technologist or technician, seems to lack both sensitivity and specificity. Because of the magnitude of technique- and method-related and biologic sources of variability, the 100- or 200-cell eye-count differential method is not a good screening method for detection of hematologic illnesses, particularly those that are uncommon. The automated differential leukocyte instruments address many of the technique- and method-related errors and are thus able to equal or exceed the performance of the routine eye-count differential method.     

Use of automobile seat restraints by children in two Canadian cities.

A telephone survey was conducted in Montreal and Calgary to determine the extent to which parents use safety restraints for their children in cars, the types of restraints used and the factors associated with such use. Of the combined sample 39% reported that their child regularly used a restraint, and 47% of the children in Montreal and 55% of those in Calgary wore an age-appropriate safety device. Birth order and the child''s and the respondent''s ages were significantly related to the use of restraints. However, the respondent''s use of seatbelts was the factor most likely to affect the rate of use of restraints for children. Although a large proportion of the parents with younger children owned a carseat, one in four did not use it regularly. Parents who did not use carseats believed they were useless or dangerous; many preferred to hold the child in their laps or arms. The seatbelt law in Quebec and the existence of a carseat rental program in Calgary appear to have had some influence on the rate of the use of restraints for children.     

Buddhism and neuroethics: the ethics of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement

This paper integrates some Buddhist moral values, attitudes and self-cultivation techniques into a discussion of the ethics of cognitive enhancement technologies – in particular, pharmaceutical enhancements. Many Buddhists utilize meditation techniques that are both integral to their practice and are believed to enhance the cognitive and affective states of experienced practitioners. Additionally, Mahāyāna Buddhism's teaching on skillful means permits a liberal use of methods or techniques in Buddhist practice that yield insight into our selfnature or aid in alleviating or eliminating du     kha (i.e. dissatisfaction). These features of many, if not most, Buddhist traditions will inform much of the Buddhist assessment of pharmaceutical enhancements offered in this paper. Some Buddhist concerns about the effects and context of the use of pharmaceutical enhancements will be canvassed in the discussion. Also, the author will consider Buddhist views of the possible harms that may befall human and nonhuman research subjects, interference with a recipient's karma , the artificiality of pharmaceutical enhancements, and the possible motivations or intentions of healthy individuals pursuing pharmacological enhancement. Perhaps surprisingly, none of these concerns will adequately ground a reflective Buddhist opposition to the further development and continued use of pharmaceutical enhancements, either in principle or in practice. The author argues that Buddhists, from at least certain traditions – particularly Mahāyāna Buddhist traditions – should advocate the development or use of pharmaceutical enhancements if a consequence of their use is further insight into our self-nature or the reduction or alleviation of du     kha .     

Fighting by Kittens and Piglets during Suckling: What Does it Mean?

Newborn kittens and piglets show some notable similarities in suckling‐associated behaviours. Both develop a pattern of teat use in which each member of the litter predominantly occupies one or two particular nipples or teats, both show agonistic behaviour towards littermates during suckling, and both are born with ‘weapons’–kittens with sharp claws and piglets with sharp needle teeth. Traditionally, the differential use of nipples or teats has been thought to be due to differential quality of the mammary glands. However, neither our findings in kittens nor an examination of the literature on piglets support this view. As mammary glands usually are of equal quality and as there are normally more glands than young, there seems little reason for littermates to fight. Furthermore, there is also little evidence that individual performance in suckling contests or use of ‘weapons’ is related to weight gain or to dominance relations. Given the present lack of satisfying adaptive explanations for the seemingly aggressive behaviour and use of weapons by kittens and piglets, we suggest these to be epiphenomena of developmental processes anticipating the use of these behaviours and structures in later adaptive contexts.     

Poor-to-moderate agreement between self and proxy interviews of mobile phone use

In epidemiological studies, cases cannot always be interviewed due to them being too ill or already deceased. Under these circumstances, proxy interviews are often conducted; however, the veridicality of information about mobile phone use gained by proxy interviews has been doubted. The issue is undecided due to the lack of empirical data. We conducted a study of 119 heterosexual couples. Both partners answered two questionnaires about mobile phone use, one about their own use and one about their partner's use. Overall agreement assessed using Cohen's kappa, Passing and Bablok regression, and concordance coefficients between self and proxy data was poor to moderate (e.g., concordance coefficients of 0.55 for duration of use). The only item with good agreement was whether or not a prepaid phone was used (Cohen's kappa 0.78 and 0.63 for male and female estimates, respectively), and to a lesser degree, the onset of mobile phone use (concordance coefficients of 0.66 and 0.61). Poorest agreement was obtained for the side of the head the mobile phone was held during calls (kappa coefficients of 0.20 and 0.24 for female and male estimates, respectively). We conclude that the assessment of mobile phone use by proxy data cannot be relied on except for information about onset of mobile phone use, use of prepaid or contract phones, and, to a lesser degree, duration of daily use. Agreement concerning the important information about side of the head the mobile phone is held during calls was poorest and only slightly better than chance. Bioelectromagnetics 33:561–567, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Life Cycle Impact assessment of land use based on the hemeroby concept

The impact category ‘land use’ describes in the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology the environmental impacts of occupying, reshaping and managing land for human purposes. Land use can either be the long-term use of land (e.g. for arable farming) or changing the type of land use (e.g. from natural to urban area). The impact category ‘land use’ comprises those environmental consequences, which impact the environment due to the land use itself, for instance through the reduction of landscape elements, the planting of monocultures or artificial vegetation, or the sealing of surfaces. Important environmental consequences of land use are the decreasing availability of habitats and the decreasing diversity of wildlife species. The assessment of the environmental impacts of land use within LCA studies is the objective of this paper. Land use leads to a degradation of the naturalness of the area utilised. In this respect the naturalness of any area can be defined as the sum of land actually not influenced by humans and the remaining naturalness of land under use. To determine the remaining naturalness of land under use, this study suggests applying the Hemeroby concept. “Hemeroby is a measure for the human influence on ecosystems” (Kowarik 1999). The Hemeroby level of an area describes the intensity of land use and can therefore be used to characterise different types of land use. Characterization factors are proposed, which allow calculating the degradation of the naturalness of an area due to a specific type of land use. Since the resource ‘nature/naturalness’ is on a larger geographical scale by far not homogeneous, the assessment of land use needs to be regionalised. Therefore, the impact category ‘land use’ has been subdivided into the impact sub-categories ‘land use in European biogeographic regions’. Following the general LCA framework, normalization values for the impact sub-categories are calculated in order to facilitate the evaluation of the characterization results with regard to their share in a reference value. Weighting factors, which enable an aggregation of the results of the different land use sub-categories and make them comparable to other impact categories (e.g. climate change or acidification) are suggested based on the assumption that the current land use pattern in the European biogeographic regions is acceptable.     

The enhanced tool‐kit of two groups of wild bearded capuchin monkeys in the Caatinga: tool making,associative use,and secondary tools

The use of stones to crack open encapsulated fruit is widespread among wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Cebus libidinosus) inhabiting savanna‐like environments. Some populations in Serra da Capivara National Park (Piauí, Brazil), though, exhibit a seemingly broader toolkit, using wooden sticks as probes, and employing stone tools for a variety of purposes. Over the course of 701.5 hr of visual contact of two wild capuchin groups we recorded 677 tool use episodes. Five hundred and seventeen of these involved the use of stones, and 160 involved the use of sticks (or other plant parts) as probes to access water, arthropods, or the contents of insects' nests. Stones were mostly used as “hammers”—not only to open fruit or seeds, or smash other food items, but also to break dead wood, conglomerate rock, or cement in search of arthropods, to dislodge bigger stones, and to pulverize embedded quartz pebbles (licking, sniffing, or rubbing the body with the powder produced). Stones also were used in a “hammer‐like” fashion to loosen the soil for digging out roots and arthropods, and sometimes as “hoes” to pull the loosened soil. In a few cases, we observed the re‐utilization of stone tools for different purposes (N=3), or the combined use of two tools—stones and sticks (N=4) or two stones (N=5), as sequential or associative tools. On three occasions, the monkeys used smaller stones to loosen bigger quartz pebbles embedded in conglomerate rock, which were subsequently used as tools. These could be considered the first reports of secondary tool use by wild capuchin monkeys. Am. J. Primatol. 71:242–251, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Construction of a confocal microscope for real-time x-y and x-z imaging

We describe the construction of a simple 'real-time' laser-scanning confocal microscope, and illustrate its use for rapid imaging of elementary intracellular calcium signaling events. A resonant scanning galvanometer (8 kHz) allows x-y frame acquisition rates of 15 or 30 Hz, and the use of mirrors to scan the laser beam permits use of true, pin-hole confocal detection to provide diffraction-limited spatial resolution. Furthermore, use of a piezoelectric device to rapidly focus the objective lens allows axial (x-z) images to be obtained from thick specimens at similar frame rates. A computer with image acquisition and graphics cards converts the output from the microscope to a standard video signal, which can then be recorded on videotape and analyzed by regular image processing systems. The system is largely made from commercially available components and requires little custom construction of mechanical parts or electronic circuitry. It costs only a small fraction of that of comparable commercial instruments, yet offers greater versatility and similar or better performance.     

The influence of the location of a nest box in an individually ventilated cage on the preference of mice to use it

The improvement of housing conditions for mice by using environmental enrichment materials is of high concern for the scientific community. Plastic, autoclavable nest boxes are commercially available and ready to use for specific cases such as in individually ventilated cages, metabolic cages, or during toxicological studies. The aim of this study was to see if the location of the nest box within the cage could influence the mice to prefer and use it. Located on the cage floor or hung from the cage lid, a nest box (MPLEX, Otto Environmental, Milwaukee, Wisconsin), enriched the cages. The study concluded that the location of the nest boxes in the individually ventilated cage plays a significant role in the mice preferring to use it or to avoid it. It is also important to use environmental enrichment items that provide animals with the possibility of expressing their preferences and manipulating them in a way to cope better with their environmental conditions.