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Comparative effects of pulsed and continuous‐wave 2.8‐GHz microwaves on temporally defined behavior
Author(s) -
Thomas John R.,
Schrot John,
Banvard Richard A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.2250030207
Subject(s) - microwave , reinforcement , continuous wave , microwave power , materials science , nuclear magnetic resonance , zoology , physics , optics , biology , composite material , telecommunications , computer science , laser
The effects of pulsed‐(PW) and continuous‐wave (CW) 2.8‐GHz microwaves were compared on the performance of rodents maintained by a temporally defined schedule of positive reinforcement. The schedule involved food‐pellet reinforcement of behavior according to a differential‐reinforcement‐of‐low‐rate (DRL) contingency. The rats were independently exposed to PW and to CW fields at power densities ranging from 1 to 15 mW/cm 2 . Alterations of normal performance were more pronounced after a 30‐minute exposure to the PW field than to the CW field. The rate of emission of appropriately timed responses declined after exposure to PW at 10 and 15 mW/cm 2 , whereas exposure at the same power levels to the CW field did not consistently affect the rate of responding. Change in performance associated with microwave exposure was not necessarily related to a general decline in responding: in some instances, increases in overall rates of responding were observed.