Probing the Hypersalience Hypothesis—An Adapted Judge-Advisor System Tested in Individuals With Psychotic-Like Experiences

Individuals with psychotic-like experiences and psychosis gather and use information differently than controls; in particular they seek and rely on less information or over-weight currently available information. A new paradigm, the judge-advisor system, has previously been used to investigate these processes. Results showed that psychosis-prone individuals tend to seek less advice but at the same time use the available advice more. Some theoretical models, like the hypersalience of evidence-matching hypothesis, predict that psychosis-prone individuals weight recently available information to a greater extent and thus provide an explanation for increased advice-weighting scores in psychosis-prone individuals. To test this model, we adapted the previously used judge-advisor system by letting participants receive consecutively multiple pieces of advice. To meet this aim, we recruited a large MTurk community sample (N = 1,396), which we split in a group with high levels of psychotic-like experiences (at least 2 SD above the mean, n = 80) and a group with low levels of psychotic-like experiences (maximum 0.5 SD above the mean, n = 1,107), using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences' positive subscale. First, participants estimated five people's age based on photographs. Then, they received consecutive advice in the form of manipulated age estimates by allegedly previous participants, with outliers in some trials. After each advice, participants could adjust their estimate. This procedure allowed us to investigate how participants weighted each currently presented advice. In addition to being more confident in their final estimates and in line with our preregistered hypothesis, participants with more frequent psychotic-like experiences did weight currently available advice more than participants with less frequent psychotic-like experiences. This effect was especially pronounced in response to outliers, as fine-grained post-hoc analysis suggested. Result thus support models predicting an overcorrection in response to new incoming information and challenges an assumed general belief inflexibility in people with psychotic experiences.

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Digit Variability in Carotenoid Scores Obtained with the Veggie Meter: A Pilot Study (P02-001-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz029.p02-001-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Velarie Ansu ◽

Stephanie Dickinson ◽

Alyce Fly

Keyword(s):

Indiana University ◽

Left Hand ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Right Hand ◽

Period Data ◽

The Mean ◽

The Right ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Main Effects ◽

Mean Square Errors

Abstract Objectives To determine which digit and hand have the highest and lowest skin carotenoid scores, to compare inter-and-intra-hand variability of digits, and to determine if results are consistent with another subject. Methods Two subjects’ first(F1), second(F2), third(F3) and fifth(F5) digits on both hands were measured for skin carotenoids with a Veggie Meter, for 3 times on each of 18 days over a 37-day period. Data were subjected to ANOVA in a factorial treatment design to determine main effects for hand (2 levels), digits (4), and days (18) along with interactions. Differences between digits were determined by Tukey's post hoc test. Results There were significant hand x digit, hand x day, digit x day, and hand x digit x day interactions and significant simple main effects for hand, digit, and day (all P < 0.001). Mean square errors were 143.67 and 195.62 for subject A and B, respectively, which were smaller than mean squares for all main effects and interactions. The mean scores ± SD for F1, F2, F3, and F5 digits for the right vs left hands for subject A were F1:357.13 ± 45.97 vs 363.74 ± 46.94, F2:403.17 ± 44.77 vs. 353.20 ± 44.13, F3:406.76 ± 43.10 vs. 357.11 ± 45.13, and F5:374.95 ± 53.00 vs. 377.90 ± 47.38. For subject B, the mean scores ± SD for digits for the right vs left hands were F1:294.72 ± 61.63 vs 280.71 ± 52.48, F2:285.85 ± 66.92 vs 252.67 ± 67.56, F3:268.56 ± 57.03 vs 283.22 ± 45.87, and F5:288.18 ± 34.46 vs 307.54 ± 40.04. The digits on the right hand of both subjects had higher carotenoid scores than those on the left hands, even though subjects had different dominant hands. Subject A had higher skin carotenoid scores on the F3 and F2 digits for the right hand and F5 on the left hand. Subject B had higher skin carotenoid scores on F5 (right) and F1 (left) digits. Conclusions The variability due to hand, digit, and day were all greater than that of the 3 replicates within the digit-day for both volunteers. This indicates that data were not completely random across the readings when remeasuring the same finger. Different fingers displayed higher carotenoid scores for each volunteer. There is a need to conduct a larger study with more subjects and a range of skin tones to determine whether the reliability of measurements among digits of both hands is similar across the population. Funding Sources Indiana University.

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Evaluation of Changes in Depression Levels of Bruxism Patients Treated With Botulinum Toxin-A

Journal of Advanced Oral Research ◽

10.1177/23202068211006554 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 232020682110065

Author(s):

Deniz Erdil ◽

Nilsun Bagis ◽

Hakan Eren ◽

Melike Camgoz ◽

Kaan Orhan

Keyword(s):

Botulinum Toxin ◽

Botulinum Toxin A ◽

Age Groups ◽

Treatment Method ◽

Definitive Treatment ◽

Toxin A ◽

Physiological Factors ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mean ◽

Post Hoc

Aim: Bruxism is defined as the involuntary recurrent masticatory muscle activity characterized by gnashing, grinding, clenching of teeth, and/or pushing the mandible. Factors creating its etiology are peripheral (morphological) or central (physiopathological and physiological), and exogenous. Recently, among physiological factors, depression and bruxism were considered to be related. A definitive treatment method does not exist for bruxism; however, botulinum toxin-A (BT-A) application is an up-to-date and effective way of treatment. The present study is aimed to evaluate the levels of depression in bruxism patients treated with BT-A application. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 individuals (23 females and 2 males) who were diagnosed as bruxism patients were included in the study. 25 U of BT-A for each masseter muscle was injected into the patients. Patients were prospectively observed for a possible change in depression levels by using Beck’s Depression Inventory. The inventory was implemented before and six months after the BT-A application. Depression levels before and six months after the injection were compared. A paired t-test was used to compare “before” and “after” treatment values. One-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey tests were used to evaluate the change in Beck’s Depression Inventory scores according to age groups. Results: The mean total score was 7.80 ± 8.10 before the treatment and 7.16 ± 6.52 six months after the treatment. The decrease in the mean score was not statistically significant ( P > .05). Conclusion: In conclusion, despite the decrease in the mean Beck’s Depression Inventory scores, a statistically significant decrease in the depression levels of patients was not observed.

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Lightweight detection algorithm for fine-grained surface defects of aerospace seal rings

Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems ◽

10.3233/jifs-202614 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Hui Liu ◽

Boxia He ◽

Yong He ◽

Xiaotian Tao

Keyword(s):

Feature Extraction ◽

Defect Detection ◽

Surface Defect ◽

Surface Defects ◽

Detection Algorithm ◽

Seal Ring ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Aerospace Applications ◽

Surface Defect Detection ◽

The Mean

The existing seal ring surface defect detection methods for aerospace applications have the problems of low detection efficiency, strong specificity, large fine-grained classification errors, and unstable detection results. Considering these problems, a fine-grained seal ring surface defect detection algorithm for aerospace applications is proposed. Based on analysis of the stacking process of standard convolution, heat maps of original pixels in the receptive field participating in the convolution operation are quantified and generated. According to the generated heat map, the feature extraction optimization method of convolution combinations with different dilation rates is proposed, and an efficient convolution feature extraction network containing three kinds of dilated convolutions is designed. Combined with the O-ring surface defect features, a multiscale defect detection network is designed. Before the head of multiscale classification and position regression, feature fusion tree modules are added to ensure the reuse and compression of the responsive features of different receptive fields on the same scale feature maps. Experimental results show that on the O-rings-3000 testing dataset, the mean condition accuracy of the proposed algorithm reaches 95.10% for 5 types of surface defects of aerospace O-rings. Compared with RefineDet, the mean condition accuracy of the proposed algorithm is only reduced by 1.79%, while the parameters and FLOPs are reduced by 35.29% and 64.90%, respectively. Moreover, the proposed algorithm has good adaptability to image blur and light changes caused by the cutting of imaging hardware, thus saving the cost.

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Mudrock Microstructure: A Technique for Distinguishing between Deep-Water Fine-Grained Sediments

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min11060653 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 653

Author(s):

Shereef Bankole ◽

Dorrik Stow ◽

Zeinab Smillie ◽

Jim Buckman ◽

Helen Lever

Keyword(s):

Grain Size ◽

Deep Water ◽

Sedimentary Facies ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Weak Current ◽

Large Area ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Mean Size ◽

The Mean ◽

Water Facies

Distinguishing among deep-water sedimentary facies has been a difficult task. This is possibly due to the process continuum in deep water, in which sediments occur in complex associations. The lack of definite sedimentological features among the different facies between hemipelagites and contourites presented a great challenge. In this study, we present detailed mudrock characteristics of the three main deep-water facies based on sedimentological characteristics, laser diffraction granulometry, high-resolution, large area scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique. Our results show that the deep-water microstructure is mainly process controlled, and that the controlling factor on their grain size is much more complex than previously envisaged. Retarding current velocity, as well as the lower carrying capacity of the current, has an impact on the mean size and sorting for the contourite and turbidite facies, whereas hemipelagite grain size is impacted by the natural heterogeneity of the system caused by bioturbation. Based on the microfabric analysis, there is a disparate pattern observed among the sedimentary facies; turbidites are generally bedding parallel due to strong currents resulting in shear flow, contourites are random to semi-random as they are impacted by a weak current, while hemipelagites are random to oblique since they are impacted by bioturbation.

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AVERAGING OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MOMENT CONDITION ESTIMATORS

Econometric Theory ◽

10.1017/s0266466614000851 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 30-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Xiaohong Chen ◽

David T. Jacho-Chávez ◽

Oliver Linton

Keyword(s):

Moment Condition ◽

Moment Conditions ◽

Parameter Heterogeneity ◽

Class Of Estimators ◽

Optimal Weighting ◽

The Mean ◽

The Moment ◽

Image Position ◽

Nonlinear Estimators ◽

Available Information

We establish the consistency and asymptotic normality for a class of estimators that are linear combinations of a set of$\sqrt n$-consistent nonlinear estimators whose cardinality increases with sample size. The method can be compared with the usual approaches of combining the moment conditions (GMM) and combining the instruments (IV), and achieves similar objectives of aggregating the available information. One advantage of aggregating the estimators rather than the moment conditions is that it yields robustness to certain types of parameter heterogeneity in the sense that it delivers consistent estimates of the mean effect in that case. We discuss the question of optimal weighting of the estimators.

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The use of vitreous renal chemistries in the discrimination of postmortem fresh water drowning

Toxicology Research and Application ◽

10.1177/2397847321997523 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 239784732199752

Author(s):

Eni-yimini Solomon Agoro ◽

Charles German Ikimi ◽

Tommy Edidiong

Keyword(s):

Fresh Water ◽

Biochemical Parameters ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Diacetyl Monoxime ◽

Water Pond ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Cover Up

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated drowning as the leading cause of unintentional death in the world, with 372,000 deaths reported annually. Not all drowning are unintentional; some could be disguised to cover up an act of heinous criminality. This study was aimed at using some vitreous renal function biochemical parameters as a discriminant of postmortem fresh water drowning. Twelve albino rabbits constituted the sample size as validated by Mead’s formula. The study was divided into three groups; the control, postmortem-drowned and truly drowned as mimicked using an artificial fresh water pond. Vitreous humours were extracted using Coe method. The vitreous renal chemistries were analysed using diacetyl monoxime, Jaffe’s test, uricase and ion-selective electrode (ISE) methods respectively. Result: The mean of vitreous creatinine, urea, uric acid, Na+, K+, Cl−, Ca2+, glucose and CO2 of the control, postmortem-drowned and truly drowned groups were compared using One-way Anova (post-hoc-LSD) with the aid of SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA; Version 18–21 package. The findings revealed a significant increase in concentrations of vitreous creatinine, glucose, Ca2+ and K+ of the drowned death group, whereas vitreous concentrations of CO2 and urea significantly decreased when compared to the controls and/or postmortem-drowned death. Conclusion: The study has shown that some of the studied vitreous biochemical parameters could be used as an ancillary tool in discriminating death due to fresh water drowning from that of disguised or postmortem-drowned death.

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Prospective cohort study of regenerative potential of non vital immature permanent maxillary central incisors using platelet rich fibrin scaffold

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93236-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Selvakumar Kritika ◽

V. Sujatha ◽

N. Srinivasan ◽

Senthil Kumar Renganathan ◽

Sekar Mahalaxmi

Keyword(s):

Gradual Increase ◽

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate ◽

Permanent Teeth ◽

Bonferroni Correction ◽

Platelet Rich Fibrin ◽

Triple Antibiotic Paste ◽

Fibrin Scaffold ◽

The Mean ◽

Post Hoc

AbstractRegenerative endodontic procedures have gained momentum as a treatment modality of young immature permanent teeth. Literature reports reveal that platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) stimulates growth factors and induces regeneration. This study was undertaken to assess the regenerative potential of non-vital immature permanent maxillary central incisors using PRF with a follow-up for 2 yrs. 19 patients in the age group of 9–25 yrs with immature, non-vital permanent maxillary central incisors (n = 23) with/without signs and/or symptoms of periapical pathosis and open apex were included in this study. In the first appointment, access opening, canal disinfection and triple antibiotic paste placement were done. In the subsequent visit, PRF was prepared and placed inside the canal. Access was sealed with Mineral trioxide aggregate plug and composite. The patient was reviewed up to 24 mths. The mean difference was statistically analyzed using Friedman test followed by Dunn post hoc test and adjusted by Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05). As per AAE guidelines, the primary and secondary goals were achieved. A significant (p < 0.001) gradual increase in the root length, thickness of dentinal walls and decrease in apical diameter were observed. Within the limitations of this study, PRF placement was clinically and radiographically effective in inducing regeneration of non-vital immature permanent teeth.

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The penetration of methanol into bovine cardiac and hepatic tissues is faster than ethanol and formalin

European Journal of Histochemistry ◽

10.4081/ejh.2018.2880 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michelle Steicke ◽

Guang Yang ◽

Tam Nguyen Dinh ◽

Matthew Dunster-Jones ◽

Owen Sargisson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Tissue ◽

Penetration Rate ◽

Biological Tissues ◽

Heart Tissue ◽

Penetration Distance ◽

Before And After ◽

Tissue Shrinkage ◽

The Mean ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Liver Tissues

Methanol, ethanol and formalin are commonly used as fixatives to preserve biological tissues from decay in the preparation of histological sections. Fixation of the inner layers of the tissue depends on the ability of the fixative to diffuse into the tissue. It is unknown whether methanol penetrates tissues at similar rates to other fixatives. This study aimed to compare the penetration rates of methanol, ethanol and formalin into bovine heart and liver tissues. The penetration distance and tissue shrinkage or expansion were measured by analysing the digital images of tissue before and after immersion in different fixatives for 1, 2, 6 or 10 h. Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni’s post-hoc test. The penetration distance of methanol was significantly greater in both heart and liver tissues compared with that of ethanol (N=4, P<0.001). Methanol or ethanol immersion led to similar shrinkage of both tissues (P>0.05). The penetration rate of formalin was similar to that of ethanol in both tissues however it was significantly slower than methanol (N=4, P<0.005 in the heart; P<0.001 in the liver). The mean penetration coefficients of methanol, formalin and ethanol in the heart tissue were 2.609, 1.994 and 1.801, respectively, and 3.012, 2.153 and 2.113, respectively, in the liver tissue. The penetration coefficient of methanol was significantly greater than that of ethanol or formalin in both tissues (P<0.001 for each comparison). In conclusion, methanol penetrates tissue significantly faster than ethanol and formalin.

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Loneliness and social interaction dynamics: An ambulatory assessment study in a student population

10.31234/osf.io/4gq68 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Timon Elmer ◽

Gerine M. A. Lodder

Keyword(s):

Social Interaction ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Sensor Data ◽

Ambulatory Assessment ◽

Survival Models ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Fine Grained ◽

The Mean

Loneliness is the feeling associated with a perceived lack of qualitative and quantitative aspects of social relationships. Loneliness is thus evidently intwined with individuals’ social behaviors in day-to-day life. Yet, little is known about the bidirectional pathways between loneliness and social interactions in daily life. In this study, we thus investigate (a) how loneliness predicts the frequency and duration of social interactions and (b) how frequency and duration of social interactions predict changes in loneliness. We examine these questions using fine-grained ambulatory-assessed sensor data of student’s social behavior covering 10 weeks (N_participants = 45, N_observations = 74,645). Before (T1) and after (T2) the ambulatory assessment phase, participants completed the UCLA loneliness scale, covering subscales on intimate, relational, and collective loneliness. Using multistate survival models, we show that T1 loneliness subscales are not significantly associated with differences in social interaction frequency and duration– only relational loneliness predicted shorter social interaction encounters. In predicting changes in loneliness subscales (T1-T2), only the mean duration of social interactions was negatively associated with collective loneliness. Thus, effects of loneliness on the structure of social interactions may be small or limited to specific forms of loneliness, implying that the quality of interactions may be more important.

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Behavior Change Theories: a New Medical Education Paradigm?

Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica ◽

10.1590/1981-5271v44.4-20200276.ing ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Leonardo Essado Rios

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Explanatory Models ◽

Teaching Profession ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Motivation To Change ◽

New Paradigm ◽

Behavior Change Theories

Abstract: A critical perspective on the importance of evidence-based behavior change theories for medical education is presented. Numerous theoretical models have been proposed to explain behavior changes, with two theories currently emerging as a new paradigm, namely the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the Prime Theory of Motivation. Behind this is the fact that these theories were proposed based on comprehensive literature review about explanatory models of behavioral changes, in addition to consensus among experts. The basic principle is that any change in behavior necessarily involves three interrelated aspects: capability, opportunity, and motivation. In the present essay, these theories were addressed with a view to problems involving behaviors in medical education, and emphasis on the problem of obsolete teaching practices in the training of health professionals. Assuming that good teachers have a global view of the teaching profession, and not merely of their specialty, interventions to change outdated teaching performances among health educators should start by understanding their motivation to change. It is also necessary to investigate their knowledge and skills about innovative teaching-learning methods (capability), as well as whether the environment supports methodological diversification and innovation (opportunity). In summary, evidence-based behavior change theories may represent a new paradigm for medical education when the goal involves overcoming behavioral problems.

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