Measuring Behavior 2018 Conference Proceedings

These proceedings contain the papers presented at Measuring Behavior 2018, the 11th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research. The conference was organised by Manchester Metropolitan University, in collaboration with Noldus Information Technology. The conference was held during June 5th – 8th, 2018 in Manchester, UK. Building on the format that has emerged from previous meetings, we hosted a fascinating program about a wide variety of methodological aspects of the behavioral sciences. We had scientific presentations scheduled into seven general oral sessions and fifteen symposia, which covered a topical spread from rodent to human behavior. We had fourteen demonstrations, in which academics and companies demonstrated their latest prototypes. The scientific program also contained three workshops, one tutorial and a number of scientific discussion sessions. We also had scientific tours of our facilities at Manchester Metropolitan Univeristy, and the nearby British Cycling Velodrome. We hope this proceedings caters for many of your interests and we look forward to seeing and hearing more of your contributions

12th Man in Space Symposium: The Future of Humans in Space. Abstract Volume

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is pleased to host the 12th IAA Man in Space Symposium. A truly international forum, this symposium brings together scientists, engineers, and managers interested in all aspects of human space flight to share the most recent research results and space agency planning related to the future of humans in space. As we look out at the universe from our own uniquely human perspective, we see a world that we affect at the same time that it affects us. Our tomorrows are highlighted by the possibilities generated by our knowledge, our drive, and our dreams. This symposium will examine our future in space from the springboard of our achievements

The development and applications of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for the detection of illicit drugs in saliva samples

Anti-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), anti-cocaine and anti-morphine polyclonal antibodies were produced. These antibodies were successfully applied to an ELISA format for the detection of THC, cocaine, and morphine in saliva samples. Monoclonal antibodies against amphetamine and its derivatives were produced using two different conjugates, amphetamine-bovine serum albumin and methamphetaminebovine serum albumin. Two successful clones were produced, and the antibodies were applied to an ELISA format for the detection of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and the other common amphetamine derivatives, such as methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The ELISA was developed using saliva as the matrix. During the screening stage of the production of these antibodies, particular attention was given to their cross reactivity profiles. Among the molecules tested for cross-reactivity, were legally available medications such as ephedrine, as other commercially available antibodies show cross reactivity. The resulting monoclonal antibodies detected amphetamine and other designer derivatives, and showed negligible cross reactivity with the legal structurally related molecules. The antibodies were applied to a biosensor (BIAcore) assay for the detection of amphetamine and methamphetamine in saliva samples. The affinity constants for the antibodies were determined by ELISA and BIAcore methods. The values obtained were found to be similar by both methods. A novel automated prototype device, developed by our collaborators, Envitec, was optimised and the anti-THC polyclonal antibody was applied to it for the screening of saliva samples for the presence of THC. This was a rapid, qualitative test, and it could be performed in less than 20 minutes. The basis of the assay was competition between horseradish peroxidase-labeled THC and THC present in the saliva samples, for binding to the anti-THC polyclonal antibodies that coated the reaction wells of the device

Bibliography on aircraft fire hazards and safety. Volume 1: Hazards. Part 1: Key numbers 1 to 817

Ignition temperatures of n-hexane, n-octane, n-decane, JP-6 jet fuel, and aircraft engine oil MIL-7-7808 (0-60-18) were determined in air using heated Pyrex cylinders and Nichrome wires, rods, or tubes. Ignition temperature varied little with fuel-air ratio, but increased as the size of the heat source was decreased. Expressions are given which define the variation of the hot surface ignition temperatures of these combustibles with the radius and the surface area of the heat source. The expressions are applicable to stagnant or low velocity flow conditions (less than 0.2 in./sec.). In addition, the hot gas ignition temperatures of the combustible vapor-air mixtures were determined with jets of hot air. These ignition temperatures also varied little with fuel-air ratio and increased as the diameter of the heat sources was decreased

Comparing live to recorded music and stories using multiple psychoneuroendocrine and psychological measures

Listening to music brings health benefits, according to an expanding opus of empirical research. Studies to date cover a wide range of music interventions and outcome measures. Music has been applied to healthy participants, as well as clinical populations to target anxiety and pain. But little is known about whether live music is more effective than recorded music as an intervention for these common symptoms. This exploratory study sought answers with the emerging science of saliva analysis, which focuses on biomarkers that indicate stress and immune function. In this case salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, immunoglobulin-A, interleukin- 1beta, and pH levels were measured. Saliva samples from 50 university students and 23 palliative care and surgical patients were compared before and after each participant listened to a live (ML), audiovisual (MAV) or audio recorded (MA) standardised program of classical music played on a solo violin, viola or cello. Live (SL) or audio (SA) story readings were added as interventions to control for psychosocial variables. Saliva’s non-invasive, repeatable, objective psychoneuroendocrine (PNE) snapshots were supplemented with subjective visual analogue scales for anxiety (VASA) and pain (VASP), and self-report affect scales to rate liking, perceived and felt emotion, and absorption. Participants were also asked for a one-word summary of their listening experience. It was anticipated that ML would reduce anxiety and pain, as well as boost the immune markers, more than MAV and MA, and that music overall would demonstrate stronger benefits than the story readings. No single outcome measure provided sufficient data to draw conclusions, but trends in the melange of both objective and subjective instruments revealed that overall more positive health indicators arose from live music than recorded music, particularly in the clinical settings. Stories were also shown to have some moderating effects on pain and anxiety. This study demonstrated the therapeutic values of music as well as story readings, and the superior benefits of live music and stories compared to audio recordings of the same presentations. The PNE methodology had some limitations, particularly with the clinical population, resulting in gaps in the patients’ biomarker data. Some differential results highlighted the value of using a kaleidoscope of both objective and subjective outcome measures to gain a fuller understanding of the complex cognitive, emotional, neural, hormonal, and biopsychosocial processes involved in music’s beneficial effects