Rhea E. Steinpreis

The Impact of Gender on the Review of the Curricula Vitae of Job Applicants and Tenure Candidates: A National Empirical Study

The purpose of this study was to determine someof the factors that influence outside reviewers andsearch committee members when they are reviewingcurricula vitae, particularly with respect to the gender of the name on the vitae. The participants inthis study were 238 male and female academicpsychologists who listed a university address in the1997 Directory of the American PsychologicalAssociation. They were each sent one of four versions of acurriculum vitae (i.e., female job applicant, male jobapplicant, female tenure candidate, and male tenurecandidate), along with a questionnaire and aself-addressed stamped envelope. All the curricula vitaeactually came from a real-life scientist at twodifferent stages in her career, but the names werechanged to traditional male and female names. Althoughan exclusively between-groups design was used to avoidsparking genderconscious responding, the resultsindicate that the participants were clearly able todistinguish between the qualifications of the jobapplicants versus the tenure candidates, as evidenced bysuggesting higher starting salaries, increasedlikelihood of offering the tenure candidates a job,granting them tenure, and greater respect for theirteaching, research, and service records. Both men andwomen were more likely to vote to hire a male jobapplicant than a female job applicant with an identicalrecord. Similarly, both sexes reported that the male job applicant had done adequate teaching,research, and service experience compared to the femalejob applicant with an identical record. In contrast,when men and women examined the highly competitive curriculum vitae of the real-life scientist whohad gotten early tenure, they were equally likely totenure the male and female tenure candidates and therewas no difference in their ratings of their teaching, research, and service experience. There was nosignificant main effect for the quality of theinstitution or professional rank on selectivity inhiring and tenuring decisions. The results of this study indicate a gender bias for both men and womenin preference for male job applicants.

Effects of the selective μ1-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine, on cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and locomotor behavior in rats

Administration of the non-selective opioid receptor antagonists, naloxone and naltrexone, attenuate the rewarding effects of cocaine. The relative contributions of specific opioid receptor subtypes that underlie this effect have not been well characterized. Administration of 20.0 mg/kg cocaine resulted in a conditioned place preference. Pretreatment with 20.0 mg/kg but neither 10.0 nor 1.0 mg/kg of the selective mu(1)-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine, blocked cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. On the days in which rats received cocaine only, locomotor behavior was elevated. Pretreatment with the selective mu(1)-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine, regardless of dose, had no effect on cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. These findings indicate that the rewarding effects of cocaine can be blocked solely by mu(1)-opioid receptor antagonism and are consistent with the view that the locomotor and rewarding effects of drugs can be dissociated.

Neurotransmitter levels in two populations of larval Fundulus heteroclitus after methylmercury exposure

The effects of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure on neurotransmitter (NT) levels in larval mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) obtained from a mercury-polluted site (Piles Creek (PC), NJ) and a reference site (Tuckerton (TK), NJ) were examined. Population differences between PC and TK larvae in neurochemical composition and in neurochemical changes in response to MeHg intoxication were found. Heads of untreated PC larvae (7 days posthatch (dph)) contained considerably higher levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) than TK. However, they had comparable levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) and 5-hyroxy-3-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-HT ratios. Changes in NTs with age were noticed, especially in PC larvae. Exposure of larvae to 10 microg/l MeHg induced neurochemical alterations. A significant increase in DA and 5-HT, as well as depressed dopaminergic and serotonergic activity (i.e. decreased DOPAC/DA, HVA/DA and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios) were seen in TK larvae. Exposure of PC larvae to 10 microg/l MeHg reduced 5-HT at 14 dph, increased serotonergic activity at 7 dph, and altered dopaminergic activity (i.e. increased DOPAC/DA ratios, but decreased HVA/DA ratios). Changes in DA levels were inconsistent over time. The DA level, which was considerably higher than the control at 7 dph, was significantly lower than the control at 14 dph. For the two populations, the level of 5-HT and serotonergic activity, as well as DOPAC and HVA levels, were correlated with previously noted spontaneous activity. The changes in NT levels after exposure to MeHg are an indication of neurological dysfunction in larvae.

The rewarding properties of NMDA and MK-801 (dizocilpine) as indexed by the conditioned place preference paradigm.

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) ([R]-2-[Methylamino]succinic acid) is a specific excitatory amino acid. Two experiments were conducted to determine the rewarding properties of this compound using the conditioned place preference paradigm. In the first experiment, 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats received place preference conditioning for a 4 day period. The conditioned place preference apparatus consisted of two chambers with distinct visual and tactile cues, separated by a removable door. On days 2 and 4, rats were systemically administered NMDA (1.0, 15.0, and 30.0 mg/kg) paired with one chamber. On days 3 and 5, rats were systemically administered saline paired with the other chamber. Day 6 was the test day, and the rat was allowed free run of the entire apparatus in a drug-free state. Time spent in each side of the apparatus was computer recorded. NMDA produced a significant increase in the amount of time spent on the side previously paired with drug for 15.0 and 30.0, but not 1.0 mg/kg NMDA. In the second experiment, systemic administration of NMDA (30.0 mg/kg) paired with the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg), resulted in neither place preference nor place aversion.

The effects of MK801 on place conditioning

The appetitive properties of MK801 were investigated using the conditioned place preference paradigm. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received conditioned place preference training for a four-day period. The conditioning box consisted of three chambers with distinctive visual and tactile cues, separated by removable doors. On alternating days rats received MK801 (0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg) paired with one side of the chamber and saline paired with the other side. On the fifth day, rats were placed in the center chamber and the time spent in each chamber, as well as entries into each chamber were recorded by a trained observer. MK801 produced a conditioned place preference for side paired with drug for the four highest doses. Contrary to previous findings, these results indicate that MK801 is appetitive at doses higher than has previously been assumed.

Effects of dietary lead and/or dimercaptosuccinic acid exposure on regional serotonin and serotonin metabolite content in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The lead (Pb) chelator, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) may be effective in reversing some of the adverse effects of Pb exposure. Pb-induced behavioral deficits observed in fish are due to disruptions in the integrative functioning of the medulla, cerebellum, and optic tectum. Pb exposure increased serotonin (5-HT) content in all three brain regions without an effect on 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). Pb exposure followed by no Pb in the diet increased 5-HT and 5-HIAA content in all three brain regions. The replacement of dietary Pb with DMSA had no effect on 5-HT and increased 5-HIAA content. DMSA increased 5-HIAA content in all three brain regions and increased 5-HT content only the optic tectum. Treatment with DMSA may be more effective than removal of Pb from the diet in reversing Pb-induced alterations in 5-HT.

The Effects of the Naltrexone Implant on Rodent Social Interactions and Cocaine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference

Two experiments were conducted to determine the behavioral properties of the naltrexone implant on: 1) rodent social interactions; and 2) the appetitive properties of cocaine. Rats were surgically implanted with a naltrexone implant (placebo, 10 or 30 mg) and placed into an open field for the recording of social interactions. The naltrexone implants increased latency to initiate contact and decreased pinning, bouts of grooming, and crawl unders on all 7 days. Other rats were surgically implanted with naltrexone (60, 120, or 240 mg) and habituated to a two-chambered conditioned place preference apparatus. After 6 days of conditioning, place preference was computer recorded. Cocaine produced a dose-dependent conditioned place preference in the rats implanted with placebo or 60 mg of naltrexone. The 120 and 240 mg naltrexone implants blocked the emergence of cocaine-induced place preference. The results indicate that naltrexone implants produce significant social behavioral effects within 1 day, and are effective at attenuating the conditioned place preference produced by cocaine.

The effects of atypical antipsychotics and phencyclidine (PCP) on rotorod performance.

A series of six experiments were conducted to determine the effects of haloperidol, clozapine, olanzapine, and phencyclidine (PCP) on rotorod performance. Rodents were trained to walk on a rotorod to avoid a mild shock to a criterion of 20 rpm for 3 min. None of the vehicles of any of these drugs disrupted rotorod performance. Haloperidol disrupted rotorod performance at doses of 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg, and olanzapine disrupted rotorod performance at doses of 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg. Clozapine produced a much milder disruption across all three doses (3.0, 10.0, and 30.0 mg/kg). PCP produced a consistent and severe disruption of rotorod performance at doses of 4.0 and 6.0 mg/kg, but not at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg. Twenty-four hours postinjection there were no residual PCP effects on rotorod performance. Coadministration of either haloperidol or olanzapine with PCP did not reverse PCP-induced disruption in rotorod performance, while clozapine produced a partial reversal at only one dose. These findings indicate that olanzapine functions similarly to classic antipsychotics with respect to their effects on locomotion and balance.

Methadone produces conditioned place preference in the rat

The appetitive properties of methadone were investigated using the conditioned place preference paradigm. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received conditioned place preference training for a 6-day period. The apparatus consisted of two chambers with distinctive visual and tactile cues, separated by removable doors. Rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of methadone (1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0 mg/kg methadone HCl) paired with one chamber and saline paired with the other chamber on alternating days. On the seventh day, rats were allowed free run of the entire apparatus and time spent in either chamber was computer recorded. Methadone produced a place preference for the side previously paired with drug in a dose-dependent manner. Place preference for methadone peaked at 4.0 mg/kg and aversion was produced at 10.0 mg/kg. These results indicate that at intermediate doses, methadone does have appetitive properties and is capable of producing a conditioned place preference.

Effects of cocaine and putative atypical antipsychotics on rat social behavior: an ethopharmacological study.

The effects of cocaine, amperozide, clozapine, olanzapine and cocaine/atypical antipsychotic combinations on aggression, affiliation and defensive behaviors was examined. Acute cocaine (30.0 mg/kg) decreased basal aggression and affiliation yet increased basal defense. Amperozide (1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/kg) decreased basal aggression, affiliation and defense had no effect on the cocaine-induced decrease in affiliation, and accentuated the cocaine-induced decrease in aggression. Near basal levels of defense were observed for animals treated with either amperozide, clozapine (3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg but not 30.0 mg/kg) or olanzapine followed by cocaine. Clozapine (3.0, 10.0 and 30.0 mg/kg) decreased basal aggression and affiliation. Clozapine (30.0 mg/kg but not 3.0 or 10.0 mg/kg) decreased basal defense. Clozapine attenuated the cocaine-induced decrease in aggression. Although 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg clozapine attenuated the cocaine-induced decrease in affiliation, 30.0 mg/kg clozapine accentuated this cocaine-induced effect. Olanzapine (1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) decreased basal aggression, affiliation and defense. Olanzapine had no effect on the cocaine-induced decrease in aggression. Olanzapine (3.0 mg/kg but not 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg) attenuated the cocaine-induced decrease in affiliation. Thus, acute cocaine administration had an antiaggressive effect, suppressed affiliative behavior and enhanced defensive behavior. Amperozide, clozapine and olanzapine have anticonflict and anxiolytic effects, as well as potent and specific antiaggressive effects.