Behavioral thermoregulation with microwave radiation of albino rats.

Abstract

The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the extent to which microwave radiation would reinforce operant behavior in a cold environment. A reversal-design with the single subject serving as its own control was used for testing the reinforcing properties of microwaves. Six albino rats were conditioned to produce 6-sec. pulses of microwave radiation within a refrigerated environment. The schedule of reinforcement was continuous (crf). Each lever press produced a 6-sec. output of microwave radiation. The intensity of radiation was varied across blocks of sessions in the reversal design. Microwave values used were as follows: 62.5 W, 125 W, 250 W, and 437.5 W. Sessions lasted from 8 to 9 hr. over an approximate 7-mo. period. Results showed that rates of operant responding varied as a direct function of microwave intensity. Relatively high mean rates were associated with moderate microwave intensity (250 W), whereas lower mean rates of responding were associated with extreme microwave intensities (62.5 W and 437.5 W) in the reversal design. These data are explained in terms of satiation and deprivation of the reinforcing value of microwave radiation.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In a refrigerated environment, rats were conditioned to lever-press to produce 6-second microwave pulses. Operant response rates varied directly with microwave intensity, with higher mean responding at a moderate intensity (250 W) and lower responding at the lowest (62.5 W) and highest (437.5 W) intensities tested.

Outcomes measured

• Operant responding rate (lever pressing) as reinforcement/behavioral thermoregulation in a cold environment

Limitations

• Exploratory study
• Small sample size (n=6)
• Single-subject reversal design; generalizability unclear
• Microwave frequency and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "6-sec pulses contingent on lever press; sessions 8–9 hr over ~7 months"
    },
    "population": "Six albino rats",
    "sample_size": 6,
    "outcomes": [
        "Operant responding rate (lever pressing) as reinforcement/behavioral thermoregulation in a cold environment"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In a refrigerated environment, rats were conditioned to lever-press to produce 6-second microwave pulses. Operant response rates varied directly with microwave intensity, with higher mean responding at a moderate intensity (250 W) and lower responding at the lowest (62.5 W) and highest (437.5 W) intensities tested.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exploratory study",
        "Small sample size (n=6)",
        "Single-subject reversal design; generalizability unclear",
        "Microwave frequency and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "albino rats",
        "operant conditioning",
        "reinforcement",
        "behavioral thermoregulation",
        "cold environment",
        "reversal design",
        "intensity (W)"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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