title: Exposure to familiar versus novel conspecifics is associated with differential activity of oxytocin circuits

authors: Blaza, Ron Christian

abstract: Oxytocin (OT) signalling has been shown to be significantly involved in the regulation of social behaviour, particularly in regards to pro-sociality. Familiarity with another conspecific is a major modifier of social behaviour. Here we investigated whether exposure to a familiar versus novel conspecific was associated with differential activity in OT neuronal circuits. We placed male mice in a chamber with a restrainer containing either a familiar or novel conspecific, with an empty restrainer as a control. Immunhistochemical analysis following this exposure showed greater activation of OT neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus in response to exposure to a familiar conspecific, which was not found to occur in response to exposure to a novel or unfamiliar conspecific. Furthermore, there is increased general neuronal activation in the medial posterior amygdala in response to a familiar, but not novel, conspecific, and increased general neuronal activation in the medial anterior amygdala to exposure to both familiar and novel conspecifics, but the magnitude of this activation is significantly greater in response to the familiar conspecific. To substantiate the claim of a relationship between familiarity and OT, we injected male mice with the OT receptor (OT-R) antagonist L-368,899 and placed them in a scenario where they could choose to spend time in a chamber with a trapped conspecific or a chamber with a palatable tastant. OT-R antagonism reduced time spent with a familiar, but not novel conspecific. We conclude that familiarity and social context result in differences in OT neuronal activity and OT signalling.

text: Exposure to familiar versus novel conspecifics is associated with differential activity of oxytocin circuits Oxytocin (OT) signalling has been shown to be significantly involved in the regulation of social behaviour, particularly in regards to pro-sociality. Familiarity with another conspecific is a major modifier of social behaviour. Here we investigated whether exposure to a familiar versus novel conspecific was associated with differential activity in OT neuronal circuits. We placed male mice in a chamber with a restrainer containing either a familiar or novel conspecific, with an empty restrainer as a control. Immunhistochemical analysis following this exposure showed greater activation of OT neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus in response to exposure to a familiar conspecific, which was not found to occur in response to exposure to a novel or unfamiliar conspecific. Furthermore, there is increased general neuronal activation in the medial posterior amygdala in response to a familiar, but not novel, conspecific, and increased general neuronal activation in the medial anterior amygdala to exposure to both familiar and novel conspecifics, but the magnitude of this activation is significantly greater in response to the familiar conspecific. To substantiate the claim of a relationship between familiarity and OT, we injected male mice with the OT receptor (OT-R) antagonist L-368,899 and placed them in a scenario where they could choose to spend time in a chamber with a trapped conspecific or a chamber with a palatable tastant. OT-R antagonism reduced time spent with a familiar, but not novel conspecific. We conclude that familiarity and social context result in differences in OT neuronal activity and OT signalling.

year: 2015

title: Using the Global Positioning System (GPS) in household surveys for better economics and better policy

authors: Gibson, John

subjects: distance

abstract: Distance and location are important determinants of many choices that economists study. While these variables can sometimes be obtained from secondary data, economists often rely on information that is self-reported by respondents in surveys. These self-reports are used especially for the distance from households or community centers to various features such as roads, markets, schools, clinics and other public services. There is growing evidence that self-reported distance is measured with error and that these errors are correlated with outcomes of interest. In contrast to self-reports, the Global Positioning System (GPS) can determine almost exact location (typically within 15 meters). The falling cost of GPS receivers (typically below US$100) makes it increasingly feasible for field surveys to use GPS as a better method of measuring location and distance. In this paper we review four ways that GPS can lead to better economics and better policy: (i) through constructing instrumental variables that can be used to understand the causal impact of policies, (ii) by helping to understand policy externalities and spillovers, (iii) through better understanding of the access to services, and (iv) by improving the collection of household survey data. We also discuss several pitfalls and unresolved problems with using GPS in household surveys.

text: Using the Global Positioning System (GPS) in household surveys for better economics and better policy Distance and location are important determinants of many choices that economists study. While these variables can sometimes be obtained from secondary data, economists often rely on information that is self-reported by respondents in surveys. These self-reports are used especially for the distance from households or community centers to various features such as roads, markets, schools, clinics and other public services. There is growing evidence that self-reported distance is measured with error and that these errors are correlated with outcomes of interest. In contrast to self-reports, the Global Positioning System (GPS) can determine almost exact location (typically within 15 meters). The falling cost of GPS receivers (typically below US$100) makes it increasingly feasible for field surveys to use GPS as a better method of measuring location and distance. In this paper we review four ways that GPS can lead to better economics and better policy: (i) through constructing instrumental variables that can be used to understand the causal impact of policies, (ii) by helping to understand policy externalities and spillovers, (iii) through better understanding of the access to services, and (iv) by improving the collection of household survey data. We also discuss several pitfalls and unresolved problems with using GPS in household surveys.

year: 2007-03

title: Te whakahuatanga i te reo Māori: Kua ahatia e tātou i roto i ngā tau 100 kua hipa nei? (The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 Years?)

authors: Harlow, Ray

subjects: Te reo Māori

abstract: In the words of the proverb: 'The land remains, but humankind vanishes.' One should perhaps extend this to read: 'The land remains, humankind vanishes, and language changes.' For languages are old, handed down from one generation to another, but no matter what, they change. Present-day English is not Shakespeare's or Chaucer's language. The pronunciation has changed, new words have entered the language, some words have been lost, the grammar is now different. Māori is like that as well. Over the last two centuries, many aspects of the language have become different. Many words have been borrowed from English, and become part of the language. Many new words have been created in recent years to accommodate the new topics now being spoken about in Māori. Many words have changed their meaning, e.g., 'pūtea' originally a type of basket, but now a 'fund', source of money. In the grammar, there are now constructions being used which were not correct in earlier centuries.So far as the pronunciation is concerned, how is one to observe its development? That is the substance of a research project which has only just now begun, and it is the purpose of this paper to explain the nature of that research and show some of the preliminary findings. Hence the title: The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 years? The project is supported by the Marsden Research Fund.

text: Te whakahuatanga i te reo Māori: Kua ahatia e tātou i roto i ngā tau 100 kua hipa nei? (The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 Years?) In the words of the proverb: 'The land remains, but humankind vanishes.' One should perhaps extend this to read: 'The land remains, humankind vanishes, and language changes.' For languages are old, handed down from one generation to another, but no matter what, they change. Present-day English is not Shakespeare's or Chaucer's language. The pronunciation has changed, new words have entered the language, some words have been lost, the grammar is now different. Māori is like that as well. Over the last two centuries, many aspects of the language have become different. Many words have been borrowed from English, and become part of the language. Many new words have been created in recent years to accommodate the new topics now being spoken about in Māori. Many words have changed their meaning, e.g., 'pūtea' originally a type of basket, but now a 'fund', source of money. In the grammar, there are now constructions being used which were not correct in earlier centuries.So far as the pronunciation is concerned, how is one to observe its development? That is the substance of a research project which has only just now begun, and it is the purpose of this paper to explain the nature of that research and show some of the preliminary findings. Hence the title: The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 years? The project is supported by the Marsden Research Fund.

year: 2005-05