scholarly journals Macaques preferentially attend to intermediately surprising information

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengyi Wu ◽  
Tommy Blanchard ◽  
Emily Meschke ◽  
Richard N. Aslin ◽  
Ben Hayden ◽  
...  

Normative learning theories dictate that we should preferentially attend to informative sources, but only up to the point that our limited learning systems can process their content. Humans, including infants, show this predicted strategic deployment of attention. Here we demonstrate that rhesus monkeys, much like humans, attend to events of moderate surprisingness over both more and less surprising events. They do this in the absence of any specific goal or contingent reward, indicating that the behavioral pattern is spontaneous. We suggest this U-shaped attentional preference represents an evolutionarily preserved strategy for guiding intelligent organisms toward material that is maximally useful for learning.

Author(s):  
Ana Sanz Esteban ◽  
Javier Saldaña Ramos ◽  
Antonio de Amescua Seco

The development of information and communications technologies (ICT) in recent years has led to new forms of education, and consequently, e-learning systems. Several learning theories and styles define learning in different ways. This chapter analyzes these different learning theories and styles, as well as the main standards for creating contents with the goal of developing a proposal for structuring courses and organizing material which best fits students’ needs, in order to increase motivation and improve the learning process.


2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Hui Lin ◽  
Yi-Shun Wang ◽  
Ci-Rong Li ◽  
Ying-Wei Shih ◽  
Shin-Jeng Lin

The main purpose of this study is to develop and validate a multidimensional instrument for measuring mobile learning systems success (MLSS) based on the previous research. This study defines the construct of MLSS, develops a generic MLSS instrument with desirable psychometric properties, and explores the instrument’s theoretical and practical applications. By analyzing data from a calibration sample ( n = 241) and a validation sample ( n = 209), this study proposes a 6-factor, 25-item MLSS instrument. This empirically validated instrument will be useful to researchers in developing and testing mobile learning theories, as well as to educators in understanding MLSS from students’ perspective and promoting the use of mobile learning systems.


2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 265-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Hui Lin ◽  
Shinjeng Lin ◽  
Ching-Hsuan Yeh ◽  
Yi-Shun Wang

Purpose – Based on the literature on technology readiness, online learning readiness, and mobile computer anxiety, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a mobile learning readiness (MLR) scale which can be used to assess individuals’ readiness to embrace m-learning systems. Design/methodology/approach – Based on previous literature, this study conceptualizes the construct of MLR and generates an initial 55-item MLR scale. A total of 319 responses are collected from a three-month internet-based survey. Based on the sample data, this study provides an empirical validation of the MLR construct and its underlying dimensionality, and develops a generic MLR scale with desirable psychometric properties, including reliability, content validity, criterion-related validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and nomological validity. Findings – This study develops and validates a 19-item MLR scale with three dimensions (i.e. m-learning self-efficacy, optimism, and self-directed learning). A tentative norm of the MLR scale is presented, and the scale’s theoretical and practical applications are also discussed. Originality/value – This study is a pioneering effort to develop and validate a MLR scale. The results of this study are helpful to researchers in building m-learning theories and to educators in assessing and promoting individuals’ acceptance of m-learning systems.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 546-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Shun Wang ◽  
Ci-Rong Li ◽  
Hsin-Hui Lin ◽  
Ying-Wei Shih

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a multi-dimensional instrument to measure e-learning blog satisfaction (ELBS). Design/methodology/approach – This study introduces and defines the construct of ELBS, provides an empirical validation of the construct and its underlying dimensionality, develops a generic ELBS instrument with desirable psychometric properties, and investigates the instrument's theoretical and practical applications. Findings – After analyzing data from a calibration sample (n=238) and a validation sample (n=226), this study proposes a five-factor, 20-item ELBS instrument. Practical implications – This empirically validated instrument will be useful to researchers in terms of developing and testing blog-based learning theories, as well as to educators in terms of understanding students’ ELBS and promoting the use of blog-based learning systems. Originality/value – This study is a pioneering effort to develop and validate a multi-dimensional instrument to measure ELBS.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 72-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Viberg ◽  
Åke Grönlund

This study provides a systematic review of mobile assisted language (MALL) research within the specific area of second language acquisition (SLA) during the period of 2005-2012 in terms of research approaches, theories and methods, technology, and the linguistic knowledge and skills’ results. The findings show a shift from the prevailing SMS-based language learning in 2005-2008 towards the use of more advanced multimedia and intelligent learning systems in the last years. Many highly cited studies focus on design of mobile language learning systems and experimental evaluation of their effectiveness. Studies often draw on mature pedagogic models and methods. However, descriptive and small-scale experimental studies dominate. In terms of theoretical approaches and frameworks, there is a lack of specific reference to mobile learning conceptual and theoretical models, which makes it difficult to distinguish any specific mobile learning theories from other learning theories. Research has so far paid most attention to learners’ vocabulary acquisition.


Author(s):  
Glennelle Washington ◽  
Philip P. McGrath ◽  
Peter R. Graze ◽  
Ivor Royston

Herpes-like viruses were isolated from rhesus monkey peripheral blood leucocytes when co-cultivated with WI-38 cells. The virus was originally designated rhesus leucocyte-associated herpesvirus (LAHV) and subsequently called Herpesvirus mulatta (HVM). The original isolations were from juvenile rhesus monkeys shown to be free of antibody to rhesus cytomegalic virus. The virus could only be propagated in human or simian fibroblasts. Use of specific antisera developed from HVM showed no relationship between this virus and other herpesviruses. An electron microscopic study was undertaken to determine the morphology of Herpesvirus mulatta (HVM) in infected human fibroblasts.


Author(s):  
Julio H. Garcia ◽  
Janice P. Van Zandt

Repeated administration of methyl alcohol to Rhesus monkeys (Maccaca mulata) by intragastric tube resulted in ultrastructural abnormalities of hepatocytes, which persisted in one animal twelve weeks after discontinuation of the methyl alcohol regime. With dosages ranging between 3.0 to 6.0 gms. of methanol per kg. of body weight, the serum levels attained within a few hours averaged approximately 475 mg. per cent.


Author(s):  
A.M. Andrews ◽  
S.W. Wilson ◽  
A.C. Scallet ◽  
S.F. Ali ◽  
J. Bailey ◽  
...  

Exposure of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) to marijuana via inhalation or to intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), reportedly caused ultrastructural evidence of increased synaptic width. Chronic marijuana smoke in a single rhesus monkey examined after a six month withdrawal time caused ultrastructure changes in the septal, hippocampal and amygdala regions; the synaptic cleft was widened, electron opaque material was found in the cleft and in the pre- and postsynaptic regions, with some clumping of the synaptic vesicles. The objective of our study was to assess neuropathological alterations produced by chronic inhalation of marijuana smoke.Nineteen male rhesus monkeys, 3-5 years of age and weighing 3-8 kg, were divided into four treatment groups: a) sham control, b) placebo smoke (7 days/ week) c) low dose marijuana (2 times/week with 5 days/week sham) and d) high dose marijuana (7 times/week). A smoke exposure consisted of smoke from one cigarette (2.6% THC) burned down to 10 mm butt length. Smoke was administered via smoke generator (ADL II, Arthur D. Little, Inc. Cambridge, MA) and nose-mouth only masks (local production) equipped with one-way valves.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Demeter

Abstract A long-standing criticism of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) has been the inequity between the internal medicine ratings and the orthopedic ratings; in the comparison, internal medicine ratings appear inflated. A specific goal of the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, was to diminish, where possible, those disparities. This led to the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the World Health Organization in the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, including the addition of the burden of treatment compliance (BOTC). The BOTC originally was intended to allow rating internal medicine conditions using the types and numbers of medications as a surrogate measure of the severity of a condition when other, more traditional methods, did not exist or were insufficient. Internal medicine relies on step-wise escalation of treatment, and BOTC usefully provides an estimate of impairment based on the need to be compliant with treatment. Simplistically, the need to take more medications may indicate a greater impairment burden. BOTC is introduced in the first chapter of the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, which clarifies that “BOTC refers to the impairment that results from adhering to a complex regimen of medications, testing, and/or procedures to achieve an objective, measurable, clinical improvement that would not occur, or potentially could be reversed, in the absence of compliance.


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