Secondary Reinforcement and the Discrimination Hypothesis: The Role of Discrimination Training

1963 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Paige ◽  
H. J. McNamara

The purposes of this experiment are further investigation of: the discrimination hypothesis vs secondary reinforcement positions with respect to resistance to extinction; the role of explicit vs non-explicit discrimination training in resistance to extinction. One group of 32 rats was given explicit discrimination training in an L-type runway involving two goal boxes of different brightness. A second group of 32 Ss had non-explicit discrimination training, i.e., an unfastened card in the goal box entrances concealed the cues until S entered the goal box. Ss were always reinforced in the goal box of one brightness and never reinforced in the goal box of the other brightness. During extinction 16 Ss in each of the above groups were extinguished with the positive cue and 16 with the negative cue. Half of these positive cue and negative cue Ss encountered a card in the goal box entrance, and the rest did not. The results showed no significant difference in alley-running or arm-running times in extinction between the positive and negative cue Ss. Using number of trials to a criterion of two successive running times, Ss extinguished with the positive cue showed greater resistance to extinction. The type of discrimination training did not influence extinction results significantly, using running time or number of trials as a criterion. The results were interpreted as generally incompatible with the discrimination hypothesis prediction and only partially in support of a secondary reinforcement position.

2002 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Heaven ◽  
Dan McBrayer ◽  
Bob Prince

Self-touching gestures can be externally induced by the verbal presentation of anxiety-inducing stimuli and the active discussion of a passage. The frequency of these self-touching gestures appears to be affected by the individual interacting with the topic, the type of discourse (listening or discussing), the type of stimulus (canaries or leeches), and the interaction between the types of discourse and stimulus. This study assessed these variables as well as the sex of the participant and the order of presentation of stimulus type, neither of which were statistically significant. Participants were read two passages, one about a topic (leeches) expected to produce anxiety and the other about a topic (canaries) not expected to do so, and asked to answer questions about the passages. The number of self-touches was counted by an observer in another room. Each participant had both types of discourse (listening and discussing) and both types of stimulus (canaries and leeches). There was no significant difference between the number of self-touches by participants with either the male or female reader. Discussion as a method of discourse was associated with a significantly greater number of self-touches than listening. The interaction between discourse type and stimulus type was also significant. The combination of the anxiety producing stimulus and the active discourse (discussion) produced the highest average number of self-touches.


Author(s):  
Pooja Sharma ◽  
Anshu Palta ◽  
Anita Tahlan ◽  
Manveen Kaur ◽  
Ram Singh

Abstract Objectives Hypocellular bone marrow (BM) disorders comprise heterogeneous entities associated with peripheral cytopenias and decreased production of hematopoietic cells in BM. This study was undertaken to analyze immunohistochemical expression of CD34, CD117, and p53 in morphologically diagnosed patients of hypocellular BM (aplastic anemia [AA], hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome [h-MDS], and hypocellular acute myeloid leukemia [h-AML]). Materials and Methods BM specimens were obtained from patients presenting with pancytopenia/bicytopenia. On 30 patients diagnosed as hypocellular BM, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD34, CD117, and p53 was performed. Results BM cellularity was < 30% in all (100%) patients. Blast count was increased in h-MDS and h-AML. Features of dysplasia were noted in six (20%) patients. Out of these, three patients were diagnosed as h-MDS having bilineage/trilineage dysplasia, and the other three patients were of AA (11.5% patients) displaying only dyserythropoiesis. On IHC, percentage of BM CD34+ cells was increased in h-MDS+ h-AML (3.87 ± 0.86) as compared with AA (0.19 ± 0.15) and controls (0.81 ± 0.21), p = 0.01. Percentage of BM p53+ cells was also increased in h-MDS+ h-AML (2.9 ± 2.07) as compared with AA and controls, which did not show any p53+ cells, p = 0.0. No statistically significant difference was observed in the expression of CD117 in h-MDS+ h-AML (4.95 ± 3.40) compared with AA (4.49 ± 1.07), p = 0.99. Conclusion The study demonstrates the usefulness of CD34 and p53 immunoexpression as an important ancillary method in distinguishing various hypocellular BM disorders, especially h-MDS and AA. However, the role of CD117 remains unclear and needs to be evaluated further by larger studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0023
Author(s):  
Lukas Jud ◽  
Arnd Viehöfer ◽  
Sarvpreet Singh ◽  
Stefan Zimmermann ◽  
Tobias Götschi ◽  
...  

Category: Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Different factors are well known influencing the development of adult acquired flatfoot (AAF) deformity. So far less attention was paid to the lateral ligament complex. The idea that the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) probably influences AAF could be obvious concerning its anatomical course. Goal of this study is to assess the influence of ATFL on AAF and on operative AAF correction by lateral calcaneal. Methods: We reviewed all patients that undergone lateral calcaneal lengthening in AAF from 01/01/2008 to 07/31/2018 in our clinic. Patients were grouped in patients with intact ATFL and in those with injured ligament. Two independent readers performed assessment of common radiographic flatfoot parameters in preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Results: Statistical significant difference between two groups could be observed for preoperative talonavicular uncoverage angle (p=0.018) and talocalcaneal angle (p=0.032), with more severe AAF in patients with injured ATFL. The other common radiographic parameters showed no significant difference, although a tendency to a more severe AAF could be observed within the group with damaged ATFL. No difference could be observed in surgical outcome or consistency after lateral calcaneal lengthening between two groups. Conclusion: ATFL seems to take impact in AAF concerning talonavicular uncoverage angle and talocalcaneal angle. In patients undergoing lateral calcaneal lengthening the integrity of the ligament seems not to influence the degree of correction or the consistency of the postoperative result.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13674-e13674
Author(s):  
Claudia Piombino ◽  
Angela Toss ◽  
Alessandra Bologna ◽  
Elisa Gasparini ◽  
Vittoria Tarantino ◽  
...  

e13674 Background: BRCA germline (gBRCA) mutations occur in 11-15% of women with unselected ovarian cancers (OC), whereas somatic BRCA (sBRCA) mutations occur in approximately 5-7% of cases. The impact of sBRCA mutations on OC outcome is still debated. Methods: With the aim to explore the prognostic role of sBRCA mutations, the BRCA mutational status of 149 non-mucinous and non-borderline OC and their clinical-pathological features were evaluated. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutational profiles, either for sequence variants or copy number alterations, were evaluated by amplicon next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Results: 29 (19.5%) patients carried a gBRCA mutation (12.7% BRCA1 and 6.7% BRCA2). 26 (17.5%) patients presented a sBRCA mutation (6.7% BRCA1, 10% BRCA2, 0.6% BRCA1+BRCA2). Patients carrying a gBRCA mutation were slightly younger (57 years) than the others (60 years). The FIGO stage at the diagnosis was III-IV in 77.2% of cases, with no significant difference among subgroups. The most frequent histotype was serous for all the subgroups (93.1% in gBRCA, 84.6% in sBRCA, 77.7% in BRCA-negative, p = 0.08). 80.7% of sBRCA mutation carriers, 62.1% of gBRCA mutation carriers and 62.7% of BRCA-negative patients underwent upfront surgery (p = 0.46). 29.1% of sBRCA mutation carriers, 17.8% of gBRCA mutation carriers and 25.6% of BRCA-negative patients presented macroscopic residual disease after surgery (p = 0.68). Although non-statistically significant, gBRCA-associated OC were more likely to be platinum-sensitive (96.6%) than the other patients (92% in sBRCA and 87.1% in BRCA-negative patients). Overall, the median platinum-free interval (PFI) resulted shorter in sBRCA mutation patients compared to gBRCA and BRCA-negative patients (p = 0.051). No patient took PARP inhibitors as maintenance after the first line therapy. Also progression free survival 2 (PFS2) resulted shorter for sBRCA mutation patients (p = 0.008). Three sBRCA and 5 gBRCA mutation carriers took a PARP inhibitor as maintenance after the second line therapy. Finally, sBRCA mutated patients showed worse overall survival (OS) compared to the other subgroups (p = 0.014). Conclusions: Overall, 19.5% of OC patients presented a gBRCA mutation, while 17.5% of patients showed sBRCA mutations. sBRCA-related OC did not show significantly differences in clinical-pathological features (stage at diagnosis, histotype, time to surgery and residual after surgery). To our knowledge this is the first study showing shorter PFI, PFS2 and OS in patients carrying sBRCA mutations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meral Ekim ◽  
M. Ramazan Sekeroglu ◽  
Ragıp Balahoroglu ◽  
Halil Ozkol ◽  
Hasan Ekim

Venous thromboembolism has multifactorial origin and occurs in the context of complex interactions between environmental and genetic predisposing factors. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the physiopathology of venous thrombosis. Current study examined the role of oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine in the development of DVT with the parameters such as serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase, ADMA, homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12levels. Serum MDA levels were found significantly (P<0.005) high in patients with DVT compared with control group. Additionally, serum B6levels were found significantly (P<0.009) low in patients with DVT compared with healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the other parameters (P>0.05). This study showed that patients with DVT have increased oxidative stress compared with the healthy volunteers whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum ADMA levels. Thus serum ADMA levels seemed to be not related with development of DVT.


1967 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Porter ◽  
Rosemary Kopp

6 groups of 12 albino rats received 80 acquisition trials, defined as 12 bar-presses, with sucrose reward. Two groups received 100% reward; four groups received 50% reward, half with a dipper click on all trials (50C), half with a dipper click only when reinforced (50C-NC). 3 of the 6 groups had the bar present during the ITI, 3 did not. During extinction half of each group received the dipper click, half did not. During extinction the 50C-NC groups were significantly more resistant to extinction than the other 100% and 50% groups, which did not differ significantly. Results were discussed in terms of a discrimination hypothesis of secondary reinforcement.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Salman Al – Khazalah

This study aimed at identifying the role of the family and the role of school in preparing students for the General Secondary Certificate (GSC) in Al-Ahsa Governorate. The study sample consisted of 2000 students who were randomly selected (boys=1059, girls=941). The study found that the role of the family in preparing students for the General Secondary Certificate was high, but the role of school in such preparation was medium. The results indicated that there was no statistically significant gender difference in the role of the school. Academic stream,on the other hand, produced a statistically significant effect on the role of school in students preparation to GSC. Scientific stream students were better prepared than literary stream students. There was an interaction effect between gender and academic stream. In the scientific stream, males were higher, but in the literary stream females were higher. Also, there was significant difference between males and females regarding the role of family. 


1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 568-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. L. Lai

The role of oxygen radicals in capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction was investigated using scavengers of the radicals. A total of 48 guinea pigs weighing 293 +/- 7 g were employed in this study, which consisted of two phases. In phase 1, 35 anesthetized paralyzed animals were divided into five groups: group 1A, control (n = 6); group 1B, chronic dimethylthiourea (DMTU, n = 12); group 1C, acute DMTU (n = 6); group 1D, superoxide dismutase (n = 4); and group 1E, catalase (n = 7). All animals were injected with capsaicin (16 micrograms/kg iv), and changes in respiratory compliance and maximal expiratory flow rate were used as indicators of bronchoconstriction. The capsaicin injection caused a marked airway spasm that was significantly ameliorated by chronic DMTU pretreatment, but no amelioration was noted with the other treatments. An additional study for group 1C was performed using a double dose of DMTU. Again no amelioration was found. In phase 2, 13 animals were divided into two groups: group 2A, substance P (SP, n = 7) and group 2B, chronic DMTU + SP (n = 6). There was no significant difference in SP-induced bronchoconstriction between animals in these two groups. These data suggest that capsaicin-induced airway constriction is modulated by oxygen radicals which may augment mainly on the biosynthesis and/or axonal transport of tachykinins.


SIMULATION ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 95 (8) ◽  
pp. 753-766
Author(s):  
Kamal S Selim ◽  
Ahmed E Okasha ◽  
Fatma R Farag

For politicians, to promote intended messages to different groups of individuals, they could employ strategic individuals called “informed agents.” The aim of this article is to explore and measure the impact of two competing groups of informed agents on opinion dynamics within a society exposed to two extreme opinions. Thus, an agent-based model is developed as an extension to the bounded confidence model by assuming the existence of two groups of informed agents. The impact of these agents with respect to their social characteristics, such as, their size in the society, how tolerant they are, their self-weight and attitudes about others’ opinions is explored. Different assumptions about the initial opinion distributions and their effect are also investigated. Due to the difficulty of observing a real society, social simulation experiments are constructed based on artificial societies.The simulations conducted resulted in some interesting findings. With no dominating group of the two informed agents, the society will be ended up concentrated around a moderate position. On the other hand, with significant difference between the two group sizes, the larger group will polarize the population towards its opinion. However, this conclusion will not apply if the population is skewed towards the other opinion. In such case, the larger group will only succeed to turn some of the society to be more moderate. In a society skewed towards extreme opinion, dominant informed agents adopting the other extreme will not be able to shift the society towards their opinion. Finally, in radical societies informed agents could turn most of the society to be extremists.


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