Yawning

Here we show for the first time that the plasticity in morphology and duration of
yawning in Macaca tonkeana can be associated with different functional contexts.
Macaca tonkeana is classified as a tolerant macaque species characterized by social
interactions minimally constrained by dominance rank or kinship. Tonkean macaques,
as other egalitarian species, rely on a complex facial communicative system.
We found that the degree of mouth opening (ranging from covered to uncovered
tooth yawns) and the duration of yawning were not strictly dependent. The shortest
uncovered tooth yawns were associated with an intense locomotor/physical activity
and peaked immediately after stressful social events thus indicating an increase in
arousal. In contrast, longer yawns, independently from teeth exposure, were
primarily associated with a relaxed state of the subject. In conclusion, our study
suggests that to explore the potential different functions of yawning, it is necessary
to focus on the variability of its expression both in terms of morphology and
duration, because not all yawns tell the same story.

A person while driving a vehicle-if does not have proper sleep or rest, is more inclined to fall asleep which may cause a traffic accident. This is why a system is required which will detect the drowsiness of the driver. Recently, in research and development, machine learning methods have been used to predict a driver's conditions. Those conditions can be used as information that will improve road safety. A driver's condition can be estimated by basic characteristics age, gender and driving experience. Also, driver's driving behaviours, facial expressions, bio-signals can prove helpful in the estimation. Machine Learning has brought progression in video processing which enables images to be analysed with accuracy. In this paper, we proposed a method for detecting drowsiness by using convolution neural network model over position of eyes and extracting detailed features of the mouth using OpenCV and Dlib to count the yawning.

A person while driving a vehicle-if does not have proper sleep or rest, is more inclined to fall asleep which may cause a traffic accident. This is why a system is required which will detect the drowsiness of the driver. Recently, in research and development, machine learning methods have been used to predict a driver's conditions. Those conditions can be used as information that will improve road safety. A driver's condition can be estimated by basic characteristics age, gender and driving experience. Also, driver's driving behaviours, facial expressions, bio-signals can prove helpful in the estimation. Machine Learning has brought progression in video processing which enables images to be analysed with accuracy. In this paper, we proposed a method for detecting drowsiness by using convolution neural network model over position of eyes and extracting detailed features of the mouth using OpenCV and Dlib to count the yawning.

Neonatal imitation is the matching of (often facial) gestures by newborn infants. Some studies suggest that performance of facial gestures is due to general arousal, which may produce false positives on neonatal imitation assessments. Here we examine whether arousal is linked to facial gesturing in newborn infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We tested 163 infants in a neonatal imitation paradigm in their first postnatal week and analyzed their lipsmacking gestures (a rapid opening and closing of the mouth), tongue protrusion gestures , and yawn responses (a measure of arousal). Arousal increased during dynamic stimulus presentation compared to the static baseline across all conditions, and arousal was higher in the facial gestures conditions than the nonsocial control condition. However, even after controlling for arousal, we found a condition-specific increase in facial gestures in infants who matched lipsmacking and tongue protrusion gestures. Thus, we found no support for the arousal hypothesis. Consistent with reports in human newborns, imitators' propensity to match facial gestures is based on abilities that go beyond mere arousal. We discuss optimal testing conditions to minimize potentially confounding effects of arousal on measurements of neonatal imitation.

We evaluated the erectogenic properties of a new cyclic alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogue, Melanotan-II, to treat men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Ten men with erectile dysfunction of no known organic cause were entered in a double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study in which the erectogenic properties of Melanotan-II and a vehicle placebo were compared using real-time RigiScan monitoring. The presence, duration and rigidity of erections were recorded during a 6-hour period. In 8 of 10 men treated with Melanotan-II clinically apparent erections developed. Mean duration of tip rigidity greater than 80% was 38.0 minutes with Melanotan-II and 3.0 with placebo (p=0.0045). Transient side effects of nausea, stretching and yawning, and decreased appetite were reported more frequently after injections of Melanotan-II than placebo but none required treatment. Melanotan-II is a potent initiator of erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction and has manageable side effects at a dose of 0.025 mg./kg.

he ability to share others’ emotions, or empathy, is crucial for complex social interactions. Clinical, psychological, and
neurobiological clues suggest a link between yawn contagion and empathy in humans (Homo sapiens). However, no
behavioral evidence has been provided so far. We tested the effect of different variables (e.g., country of origin, sex, yawn
characteristics) on yawn contagion by running mixed models applied to observational data collected over 1 year on adult
(.16 years old) human subjects. Only social bonding predicted the occurrence, frequency, and latency of yawn contagion.
As with other measures of empathy, the rate of contagion was greatest in response to kin, then friends, then acquaintances,
and lastly strangers. Related individuals (r$0.25) showed the greatest contagion, in terms of both occurrence of yawning
and frequency of yawns. Strangers and acquaintances showed a longer delay in the yawn response (latency) compared to
friends and kin. This outcome suggests that the neuronal activation magnitude related to yawn contagion can differ as a
function of subject familiarity. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that yawn contagion is primarily driven by the
emotional closeness between individuals and not by other variables, such as gender and nationality.

In social species, yawning behaviour is considered to serve as social cue. In particular, contagious yawning  seems  to  reflect  an  empathic  relation  between  individuals in  human  and  non-human primates, and probably in dogs. In horses, highly social animals, yawning has been explored only in isolation, with results related to stereotypic behaviours, psychological stress or physical diseases.
This is an exploratory analysis of the social modulation of yawning behaviour in the domestic horse. The study was conducted on a herd of 5 males and 3 females, living in semi-free ranging conditions at  a  rescue  center  in  Italy  (IHP).  From  10  hours  of  video-recordings,  89  yawning  events were collected: 45 spontaneous events, defined as the condition where A yawns while B is close to A but does not yawn, and 44 events apparently derived from contagion, defined as the condition where B yawns within a 4 minutes time-window from the yawn of an individual A. The two kind of yawning events  seem  to  occur  a  t  random  (p>0.46,  One-way  Anova),  even  between  affiliate  individuals (‘friends’; p>1.00, One-way Anova), suggesting that contagious yawning may be absent in domestic horses. Nevertheless, social interactions (grooming, body contact, aggression) and yawns seem to be reciprocally influenced. Interactions between friends preceding a yawn event induce an increase in the number of yawns during a sequence (p>0.001, vs p>0.29 in non-friends; runs test). After a yawn event, interactions do not increase (p>0.38, One-way Anova), but they are nevertheless more frequent  between  friends  (p>0.001,  One-way  Anova).  The  act  of  yawning  seems  to  affect  the immediate social behaviour of the yawner, that switches from a passive to an interacting condition, and vice versa (p<0.03, c-score), or it moves closer or narrower to other individuals (p<0.001, cscore). These preliminary data support a social modulation of yawning behaviour in the domestic horse, that seems related with affiliative relations between subjects. Further analysis are needed to describe this behaviour in domestic horses and to assess its role in the species' social dynamics.

In this paper, we introduce three different nacelle yaw controllers that use distinct techniques and study their performances in improving the captured energy by the turbine. The first one is a carefully tuned Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) controller with its simple design; the second one is a linguistic fuzzy logic controller with its intuitive flexible design; and the third one is a Model-Predictive-Controller (MPC) with its adaptive functionality. The control objective of the developed controllers is to effectively track the wind direction by the yaw motion of the turbine nacelle; and consequently to improve the energy capture. A comparative study and a thorough analysis among the three controllers’ performances are carried out using extensive MATLAB/SIMULINK simulations.

To corroborate the result of postlaryngectomy olfactory rehabilitation evaluating the efficacy of the Polite Yawning Technique (PYT) with rhinomanometry and odours with the Smell diskettes Olfaction test (SDOT). Thirty-two laryngectomised patients were subjected to olfactory rehabilitation consisting of 15-minute training and independent exercising for two weeks. The sense of smell and nasal airflow in laryngectomised patients were examined before and after implementation of PYT. The differences in SDOT results prior to and after introduction of PYT were statistically significant, most patients achieving better results after rehabilitation. A significant positive correlation was obtained in results of SDOT and rhinomanometry prior to and after introduction of PYT. The results of measurements after rehabilitation showed that 75% of patients had improved nasal breathing, 78% of patients had a better sense of smell and 40% of patients became normosmic. PYT has proved to be an effective...

Background and purpose:The beneficial effect of 5-HT6 receptor antagonism in cognition remains controversial. This study has been undertaken to reassess the cognition enhancing properties of acute vs subchronic treatment with the selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SB-271046 in unimpaired rats, as well as against scopolamine (cholinergic-) or MK-801 (glutamatergic-mediated) deficits.The beneficial effect of 5-HT6 receptor antagonism in cognition remains controversial. This study has been undertaken to reassess the cognition enhancing properties of acute vs subchronic treatment with the selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SB-271046 in unimpaired rats, as well as against scopolamine (cholinergic-) or MK-801 (glutamatergic-mediated) deficits.Experimental approach:The Morris water maze was used, measuring behaviour acquisition and retention, and swim speed. Other behavioural measures included yawning and motor activity. SB-271046 was given acutely before each trial or subchronically for 7 days before the trials. The AChE inhibitor galanthamine was also used alone or in combination with SB-271046.The Morris water maze was used, measuring behaviour acquisition and retention, and swim speed. Other behavioural measures included yawning and motor activity. SB-271046 was given acutely before each trial or subchronically for 7 days before the trials. The AChE inhibitor galanthamine was also used alone or in combination with SB-271046.Key results:Subchronic treatment with SB-271046 improved acquisition in the Morris water maze, while the acute treatment only improved retention. Neither acute nor subchronic SB-271046 treatment reversed scopolamine-induced learning deficits. MK-801 induced learning impairment associated with a behavioural syndrome, reversed by acute, but not subchronic, SB-271046 treatment. Interestingly, combined treatment with galanthamine and SB-271046 reversed the scopolamine- or MK-801-induced learning impairments. Subchronic treatment with SB-271046 did not modify motor activity or the increased number of yawns, a cholinergic-mediated behaviour, induced by single administration of SB-271046.Subchronic treatment with SB-271046 improved acquisition in the Morris water maze, while the acute treatment only improved retention. Neither acute nor subchronic SB-271046 treatment reversed scopolamine-induced learning deficits. MK-801 induced learning impairment associated with a behavioural syndrome, reversed by acute, but not subchronic, SB-271046 treatment. Interestingly, combined treatment with galanthamine and SB-271046 reversed the scopolamine- or MK-801-induced learning impairments. Subchronic treatment with SB-271046 did not modify motor activity or the increased number of yawns, a cholinergic-mediated behaviour, induced by single administration of SB-271046.Conclusions and implications:These data suggest a potential therapeutic role of 5-HT6 receptor antagonists such as SB-271046, alone or in combination with galanthamine, in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction, such as those seen in Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 155, 434–440; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.281; published online 14 July 2008These data suggest a potential therapeutic role of 5-HT6 receptor antagonists such as SB-271046, alone or in combination with galanthamine, in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction, such as those seen in Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 155, 434–440; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.281; published online 14 July 2008

Amygdala dysfunction and abnormal fear and stress reactivity are common features of several developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Yet, little is known about the exact role the amygdala plays in the development of threat detection and emotional modulation. The current study examined the effects of neonatal amygdala lesions on defensive, emotional, and neuroendocrine reactivity of infant rhesus monkeys reared with their mothers in large species-typical social groups. Monkeys received either bilateral MRI-guided ibotenic acid amygdala (Neo-A; n = 16) or sham (Neo-C; n = 12) lesions at 24.8 ± 1.2 days of age, or served as behavioral control (Neo-BC; n = 3). Defensive and emotional responses were assessed using the Human Intruder paradigm as infants and as juveniles (2.5 and 12 months of age, respectively), whereas neuroendocrine reactivity was only examined during the juvenile period. As infants, Neo-A animals expressed similar levels of freezing and hostile behaviors as compared to controls, whereas during the juvenile period Neo-A animals expressed significantly less freezing compared to controls. Interestingly, the sex of the infant modulated the behavioral effects of neonatal amygdalectomy, leading to different patterns of behavior depending on the sex and lesion status of the infant. Unlike controls, Neo-A infants did not modulate their behavioral responses based on the salience of the threat. The impact of neonatal amygdalectomy increased with age, such that Neo-A juveniles exhibited fewer emotional behaviors and increased cortisol response to the stressor as compared to controls. These data indicate that the amygdala plays a critical role in the development of both emotional and neuroendocrine reactivity as well as the expression of sexually dimorphic emotional expression.

Raper J, Wallen K, Sanchez MM, Stephens SB, Henry A, Villareal T, Bachevalier J. Sex-dependent role of the amygdala in the development of emotional and neuroendocrine reactivity to threatening stimuli in infant and juvenile rhesus monkeys. Horm Behav. 2013 Apr;63(4):646-58. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.01.010. Epub 2013 Feb 1. PubMed PMID: 23380162; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3646621.

The effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME), a potent inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, injected into different brain areas on penile erection and yawning induced by apomorphine or oxytocin was studied in male rats. The compound was found to be able to prevent the above behavioral responses dose dependently when injected into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), but not in the caudate nucleus, medial septum, preoptic area, and the CA1 field of the hippocampus. When injected in the PVN, 5 micrograms of NAME induced a 30% reduction of apomorphine and oxytocin responses, while 20 micrograms induced an almost complete reduction. The effect of NAME seems to be related to the inhibition of guanylate cyclase secondary to the prevention of NO formation, because a dose-dependent reduction of apomorphine and oxytocin responses was obtained also with the inhibitor of guanylate cyclase methylene blue injected intracerebroventricularly (100-400 micrograms ICV), but not into the PVN. The results provide further support for a neurotransmitter role of central NO in the control of penile erection and yawning.