scholarly journals Impact of hedonic value of stimuli on sampling dynamics during a preference test

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin N Ballintyn ◽  
John Ksander ◽  
Donald B Katz ◽  
Paul Miller
Keyword(s):  
Food Preference ◽  
Neural Circuit ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Taste Stimulus ◽  
Hedonic Value ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gustatory Stimulus ◽  
A Current ◽  
Alternative Stimulus

The decision of whether to continue with a current action or to stop and consider alternatives is ever present in the life of an animal. Such continuous-time decision making lies at the heart of food preference tests whose outcomes are typically quantified by a single variable, the total amount consumed. However, the dynamics that give rise to such a quantity in terms of durations of bouts of sampling at a stimulus before pauses, and the impact of alternative stimuli on those bout durations and subsequent actions following a pause, can contain a richness of behavior that is not captured in a single palatability measure. Here we carry out multiple analyses of these dynamics, with a particular focus on assessing how the hedonic value of one taste stimulus impacts the behavior of a rat sampling a second taste stimulus during a preference test. We find evidence for an explicit competitive interaction between bout durations, such that the more palatable a stimulus the longer the bout durations when the rat samples the stimulus and the shorter the bout durations at the alternative. Such competition is reproduced in a model of a neural circuit that could underlie the continuous decision of when to end a sampling bout. We find that the competitive impact on bout durations is relatively short-lived whereas a competitive impact on the choice of which stimulus to approach following a pause persists. Such a discrepancy in the timescales for the decay of the impact of the alternative stimulus suggests different neural processes are involved in the choice of which stimulus to approach versus the choice of how long to sample from it. Since these two choices together combine to determine net consumption and therefore the inferred palatability or preference of a gustatory stimulus, our results suggest that palatability is not a unitary quantity but the result of at least two distinct, context-dependent neural processes.

VTA-IC dopaminergic inputs enhances the salience to consolidate aversive but not appetitive taste recognition memory via D1 receptors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvi Gil Lievana ◽  
Gerardo Ramirez Mejia ◽  
Oscar Urrego Morales ◽  
Jorge Luis Islas ◽  
Ranier Gutierrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Recognition Memory ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Insular Cortex ◽  
Taste Stimulus ◽  
D1 Receptors ◽  
Hedonic Value ◽  
The Neural Network ◽  
Aversive Taste ◽  
Dopaminergic Pathway

Taste memory involves storing information through plasticity changes in the neural network of taste, including the insular cortex (IC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), a critical provider of dopamine. Although a VTA-IC dopaminergic pathway has been demonstrated, its role to consolidate taste recognition memory remains poorly understood. We found that photostimulation of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA or VTA-IC dopaminergic terminals of TH-Cre mice increases the salience to facilitate consolidation of a novel taste stimulus regardless of its hedonic value, without altering their taste palatability. Importantly, the inhibition of the D1-like receptor into the IC impairs the salience to facilitate consolidation of an aversive taste recognition memory. Finally, our results showed that VTA photostimulation improves the salience to facilitate consolidation of a conditioned taste aversion memory through the D1-like receptor into the IC. It is concluded that the dopamine activity from the VTA into IC is required to increase the salience to facilitate consolidation of a taste recognition memory. Notably, the D1-like receptor activity into the IC is required to consolidate both innate and learned aversive taste memories but not appetitive taste memory.

The impact of hedonic dining experiences on word of mouth, switching intentions and willingness to pay

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupama Sukhu ◽  
Anil Bilgihan
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hedonic Value ◽  
Restaurant Managers ◽  
Positive Word Of Mouth ◽  
The Impact

PurposeWhen customers decide to dine out, they choose a restaurant for both physiological and psychological reasons. The psychological reasons include the hedonic/enjoyment goal of the consumer. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether dining experiences that provide a positive or negative hedonic value will influence positive word of mouth (PWOM), switching intentions (SI) and willingness to pay (WTP).Design/methodology/approachTwo survey-based experiments using student (N = 112) and general restaurant consumer samples (N = 270) were conducted to test the proposed theoretical model. The student sample provided internal validity, whereas the general consumer sample provided external validity for the study. Two types of manipulations were used to manipulate positive and negative restaurant service encounters. The second study randomly assigned participants into positive or negative scenarios.FindingsThe results suggest that positive (negative) service encounters lead to higher (lower) hedonic value. Higher hedonic value leads to PWOM, WTP and reduced SI. The findings of this study would assist restaurant managers and service scholars by bridging the gap between experiential and relationship marketing.Originality/valueThe current research investigates the dining out experience with a holistic lens.

scholarly journals Fertilizer distribution flows and logistic costs in Brazil: changes and benefits arising from investments in port terminals

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Débora da Costa Simões ◽  
José Vicente Caixeta-Filho ◽  
Udatta S. Palekar
Keyword(s):  
Linear Programming ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Port Development ◽  
Full Capacity ◽  
Port System ◽  
Infrastructure Investments ◽  
Port Infrastructure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
A Current

This study analyzes the impact of anticipated investments to alter Brazilian port infrastructure on fertilizer flows and fertilizer transportation logistics costs using a linear programming model designed for the task. The most notable among these investments are directed toward accelerating port development in Brazil’s “Northern-Arc”, thereby increasing fertilizer supply to new markets opening throughout the country’s expanding agricultural frontier, particularly in northern Mato Grosso state, while increasing supply to existing markets. Results from model runs show that the anticipated port infrastructure investments should ensure nationwide fertilizer logistics savings of US$ 845 million over the 2017 through 2025 period. Although these estimated benefits are outstanding, the study indicates that further expansion of Brazil’s port system, particularly in the Northern-Arc, presents additional opportunities. Model projections were that in 2025, after all planned infrastructure improvements are operational, port terminals will be near full capacity, which should make planning for future projects a current priority.

scholarly journals Fluoride removal using electrocoagulation technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 877 (1) ◽  
pp. 012047
Author(s):  
Hind M. Ewadh ◽  
Mustafa J. Al Imari ◽  
Sabrean F. Jawad ◽  
Hayfaa A. Mubarak
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Electrical Current ◽  
Electrode Spacing ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Fluoride Removal ◽  
Acidic Environment ◽  
Current Electrode ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Impact ◽  
A Current

Abstract A modest quantity of fluoride can increase the mineralization of teeth and reduce their cavities. But the presomerence of fluoride in excess in water can lead to severe disease infertility. In the past few decades, scientists have thus been preoccupied with developing ways to reduce sewage fluoride concentrations and reduce their effects on human health. The present study is aimed at using the technology of electrocoagulation to remove fluoride from polluted water. Tests have been done to examine the elimination of fluoride with a rectangular electrocoagulation cell and examine the impact of the experimental aspects on fluoride extraction, specifically electrical current, electrode spacing, and pH. The authors found that 93% of the fluoride has been extracted using 5mm spaced electrodes with a current density of 2 mA/cm2 and a level of pH of 7 from the polluted water after 20 min of processing. Experimental factors considerably impact the efficacy of fluoride removal. In the acidic environment, greater effectiveness of fluoride removal is being attained. The elimination effectiveness depends directly on the electric current, whereas the distance between poles is adversely linked to fluoride elimination.

scholarly journals Kappa-opioid receptor-dependent changes in dopamine and affective behavior occur differentially across the nucleus accumbens shell rostro-caudal axis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanne E. Pirino ◽  
Mary B. Spodnick ◽  
Andrew T. Gargiulo ◽  
Genevieve R. Curtis ◽  
Jessica R. Barson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
Dopamine Release ◽  
Neural Circuit ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Kappa Opioid Receptor ◽  
Affective Behavior ◽  
Kappa Opioid ◽  
Affective Behaviors ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTNeural circuit engagement within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell is implicated in the regulation of both negative and positive affect. Classically, the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system in the NAc was believed to promote dysphoric behavior, while dopamine was viewed as interacting with reward behavior, and KOR activation was known to inhibit dopamine release. Recently, however, both the KOR and dopamine systems have, separately, been shown to have differential effects across the rostro-caudal axis of the NAc shell on hedonic responses. Whether or not this is due to interactions between KORs and dopamine, and if it extends to other affective behaviors, remains to be determined. In this study, we examined in rats the relationship between the KOR and dopamine systems in both the rostral and caudal NAc shell using ex vivo fast scan cyclic voltammetry and the impact of KOR activation on affective behavior using approach-avoidance assays. We report here that activation of KORs in the caudal NAc shell significantly inhibits dopamine release, stimulates novelty-induced rearing behavior, increases avoidance behavior, and reduces locomotor activity. In contrast, activation of KORs in the rostral NAc shell inhibits dopamine release to a lesser extent and instead increases approach behavior. Taken together, these results indicate that there is heterogeneity across the rostro-caudal axis of the NAc shell in the effects of KOR stimulation on affective behaviors, and they suggest that this might be due to differences in KOR control over dopamine release.

scholarly journals LTD at amygdalocortical synapses as a novel mechanism for hedonic learning

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa S Haley ◽  
Stephen Bruno ◽  
Alfredo Fontanini ◽  
Arianna Maffei
Keyword(s):  
Taste Aversion ◽  
Insular Cortex ◽  
Taste Stimulus ◽  
Taste Aversion Learning ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Hedonic Value ◽  
Basolateral Nucleus ◽  
Synaptic Responses

A novel, pleasant taste stimulus becomes aversive if associated with gastric malaise, a form of learning known as conditioned taste aversion (CTA). CTA is common to vertebrates and invertebrates and is an important survival response: eating the wrong food may be deadly. CTA depends on the gustatory portion of the insular cortex (GC) and the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) however, its synaptic underpinnings are unknown. Here we report that CTA was associated with decreased expression of immediate early genes in rat GC of both sexes, and with reduced amplitude of BLA-GC synaptic responses, pointing to long-term depression (LTD) as a mechanism for learning. Indeed, association of a novel tastant with induction of LTD at the BLA-GC input in vivo was sufficient to change the hedonic value of a taste stimulus. Our results demonstrate a direct role for amygdalocortical LTD in taste aversion learning.

The impact of relative CEO compensation on not-for-profit contributions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Kaden ◽  
Gary Peters ◽  
Juan Manuel Sanchez ◽  
Gary M. Fleischman
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Ceo Compensation ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Content Type ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Survivorship Bias ◽  
Excess Cash ◽  
The Impact ◽  
A Current

PurposeThe authors extend research suggesting that external funders reduce their contributions to not-for-profit (NFP) organizations in response to media-reported CEO compensation levels.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a maximum archival sample of 44,807 observations from US Form 990s, the authors comprehensively assess the extent that high relative NFP CEO compensation is associated with decreases in future contributions.FindingsThe authors find that donors and grantors react negatively to high relative CEO compensation but do not react adversely to high absolute executive compensation. Contributors seem to take issue with CEO compensation when they perceive it absorbs a relatively large portion of the organizations’ total expenses, which may hinder the NFP’s mission. Additional findings suggest that excess cash held by the NFP significantly exacerbates the negative baseline relationship between future contributions and high relative CEO compensation. Finally, both individual donors and professional grantors are sensitive to cash NFP CEO compensation levels, but grantors are more sensitive to CEO noncash compensation.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors’ data are focused on larger NFP organizations, so this limits the generalizability of the study. Furthermore, survivorship bias potentially influences their time-series investigations because a current year large-scale decrease in funding due to high relative CEO compensation may cause some NFP firms to drop out of the sample the following year due to significant funding reductions.Originality/valueThe study makes three noteworthy contributions to the literature. First, the study documents that the negative association between high relative CEO compensation levels and future donor and grantor contributions is much more widespread than previous literature suggested. Second, the authors document that high relative CEO compensation levels that trigger reductions in future contributions are significantly exacerbated by excess cash held by the NFP. Finally, the authors find that more sophisticated grantors are more sensitive to noncash CEO compensation levels as compared with donors.

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