Behavior in mice subjected to a Token Slot-machine: effect of Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress

Several studies have succeeded in teaching animals (primates, pigeons, rats, but not mice) the value of tokens by having them executing a task using a vending-machine apparatus, where in order to receive the primary reinforcement (food), the animals had to perform a specific action that allowed them to obtain the secondary reinforcement (tokens: metal balls). We tried to assess this kind of behavior in mice that had previously been trained to use some tokens, with the aim of rewarding them not with food, but with other tokens, as a result of a token economy task. We found that mice exhibit economic behavior. Further on, our research tried to investigate the effect of stress on their operant decision-making. Therefore, the mice were divided into two groups: a Control group (n=10) and a group subjected to an Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress (UCMS) treatment (n=8). We found that chronic stress increases some aspects of sub-optimal economic activity.

Optimizing of the Cementitious Composite Matrix by Addition of Steel Wool Fibers (Chopped) Based on Physical and Mechanical Analysis

The demand for durable, resistant, and high-strength structural material has led to the use of fibers as reinforcing elements. This paper presents an investigation into the inclusion of chopped steel wool fibers (CSWFs) in cement to form a high-flexural strength cementitious composite matrix (CCM). CSWFs were used as the primary reinforcement in CCM at increments of 0.5 wt%, from 0.5–6 wt%, with ratios of cement to sand of 1:1.5 and water to cement of 0.45. The inclusion of CSWFs resulted in an excellent optimization of the physicomechanical properties of the CCM, such as its density (2.302 g/cm3), compressive strength (61.452 MPa), and maximum flexural strength (10.64 MPa), all of which exceeded the performances of other reinforcement elements reported in the literature.

The click is not the trick: the efficacy of clickers and other reinforcement methods in training naïve dogs to perform new tasks

Background A handheld metal noisemaker known as a “clicker” is widely used to train new behaviors in dogs; however, evidence for their superior efficacy compared to providing solely primary reinforcement or other secondary reinforcers in the acquisition of novel behavior in dogs is largely anecdotal. Methods Three experiments were conducted to determine under what circumstances a clicker secondary reinforcer may result in acquisition of a novel behavior more rapidly or to a higher level compared to other readily available reinforcement methods. In Experiment 1, three groups of 30 dogs each were shaped to emit a novel sit and stay behavior of increasing duration with either the delivery of food alone, a verbal stimulus paired with food, or a clicker with food. The group that received only a primary reinforcer reached a significantly higher criterion of training success than the group trained with a verbal secondary reinforcer. Performance of the group experiencing a clicker as a secondary reinforcer was intermediate between the other two groups, but not significantly different from either. In Experiment 2, three groups of 25 dogs each were shaped to emit a nose targeting behavior and then perform that behavior at increasing distances from the experimenter using the same three methods of positive reinforcement as in Experiment 1. No statistically significant differences between the groups were found. In Experiment 3, three groups of 30 dogs each were shaped to emit a nose-targeting behavior upon an array of wooden blocks with task difficulty increasing throughout testing using the same three methods of positive reinforcement as previously tested. No statistically significant differences between the groups were found. Results Overall, the findings suggest that both primary reinforcement alone as well as a verbal or clicker secondary reinforcer can be used successfully in training a dog to perform a novel behavior, but that no positive reinforcement method demonstrated significantly greater efficacy than any other.

Stability Analysis of a Slope considering Two Reinforcement Processes

The strength reduction method embedded in a distinct element code was used to analyse the stability of a slope in a coal mining area that had been reinforced twice, primarily with pile and retaining wall, followed by porous steel-tube bored grouting. For the primary reinforcement, the factor of safety was calculated, slip surface and failure mechanism were determined, and the damage phenomenon of primary reinforcement was analysed in detail. Failure time of slope without further strengthening was predicted by applying a new quantitative method based on monitoring displacement data. The slope instability at the primary reinforced stage was verified by these analyses. For the second reinforcement, the effect was evaluated by combining the new factor of safety and the final monitoring data, which validates the slope stability. Especially, variations of displacement and factor of safety due to water influence are analysed. Through this procedure, a systemic method for the slope safety evaluation and assurance is presented for engineering practice reference.

Seismic Responses of GRS Walls with Secondary Reinforcements Subjected to Earthquake Loading

Secondary reinforcement has been proven to be effective in increasing the performance of geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) walls under working stress conditions, enabling an eco-friendlier environment. However, the seismic responses of GRS walls with secondary reinforcements are still unclear. In this study, in-depth finite element analyses were used to investigate the seismic responses of GRS walls with secondary reinforcement subjected to earthquake motions. The numerical procedure was first validated using measurements obtained from both a field GRS wall with secondary reinforcement and benchmark large-scale shaking table tests. Then, the validated GRS walls procedure was utilized to explore the effects of secondary reinforcement length and stiffness, the vertical spacing of the primary reinforcement, and wall height on the seismic responses. Based on the study, the following findings can be drawn: (i) the secondary reinforcement length and stiffness under various wall heights and peak ground accelerations (PGAs) have a limited influence on the relative lateral facing displacement and acceleration amplification, however, they can significantly decrease the connection load and the maximum reinforcement load; (ii) increasing the length of the secondary reinforcement is more effective for reducing the connection load and the maximum reinforcement load than increasing the stiffness of the secondary reinforcement; (iii) the effect of secondary reinforcement is more evident for greater wall height, the larger vertical spacing of primary reinforcement, and smaller PGA; and (iv) GRS walls with secondary reinforcement could ease the acceleration amplification. The study has highlighted the salient effect of secondary reinforcement on GRS wall performance under seismic conditions.

PERENCANAAN PONDASI SUMURAN PADA PROYEK PEMBANGUNAN GEDUNG ASRAMA BALAI PEMBANGUNAN SDM DAN PERTANIAN BANTUL DIY

The foundation serves to hold the burden on the upper structure, which is transmitted to the soil layer. Data collection uses primary and secondary data, as well as direct visits to the development project site. The choice of wells foundation because of the restricted location of restricted location and minimal vibration chose the wells foundation as a method of implementation. There are two types of foundation types, namely P1 type with a load of 46.093 tons and P2 type of foundation with a load of 78.517 tons. The carrying capacity of the land for type 1 was 59,227 tons, with a decrease of 0,143 Cm. While the carrying capacity of P2 type is 118.1 tons with a reduction in type 2 of 0.202 Cm. The maximum reduction requirement is 2.5 Cm, then of each kind of foundation the safe reduction condition. The planned foundation of the primary reinforcement uses 12 D19, and the spiral reinforcement uses Ø10-100. For support of the pile cap, the X direction uses D19-175, and the Y direction uses D19-175.Pondasi berfungsi untuk menahan beban pada struktur atas yang diteruskan ke lapisan tanah. Perolohan data menggunakan data primer dan sekunder, serta meninjau langsung ke tempat proyek pembangunan. Pemilihan pondasi sumuran karena lokasi sempit lokasi sempit dan minim getaran memilih pondasi sumuran sebagai metode pelaksanaan. Terdapat 2 jenis tipe pondasi, yaitu tipe P1 dengan beban yang dipikul sebesar 46,093 ton dan tipe pondasi P2 dengan beban yang dipikul sebesar 78,517 ton. Daya dukung tanah untuk tipe 1 sebesar 59,227 ton, dengan penurunan sebesar 0,143 Cm. Sedangkan daya dukung tanah tipe P2 sebesar 118,1 ton dengan penurunan tipe 2 sebesar 0,202 Cm. syarat penurunan maksimal adalah 2,5 Cm, maka dari masing-masing tipe pondasi syarat penurunan aman. Pondasi yang direncanakan tulangan utama menggunakan 12 D19 dan tulangan spiral menggunakan Ø10 – 100. Untuk penulangan pile cap arah X menggunakan D19 – 175 dan arah Y menggunakan D19 – 175.

Utilization of waste spent alumina catalyst and agro-waste rice husk ash as reinforcement materials with scrap aluminium alloy wheel matrix

In this study, an attempt was made to utilize waste products from industries to develop composite materials. In the present study, car scrap aluminium alloy wheels (SAAWs) was used as matrix material. Waste rice husk ash (RHA) was collected from a rice mill to utilize as a primary reinforcement material. Spent alumina catalyst (SAC) waste was used as a secondary reinforcement material. SAC was collected from the oil refinery industry. These wastes produced lots of soil and air pollution. However, by utilizing these wastes, some environment pollutions can be reduced. Car scrap aluminium alloy wheels (SAAWs) based composite material was developed using RHA as primary reinforcement material and SAC as a secondary reinforcement material by stir casting technique followed by squeeze pressure on the universal testing machine (UTM) in mushy zone. Microstructure behaviour shows a uniform distribution of RHA and SAC in a recycled aluminium alloy matrix. Mechanical properties such as hardness, ductility, compressive strength and tensile strength were improved using RHA and SAC as reinforcement material simultaneously in SAAWs matrix material. Thermal expansion behaviour, soil degradation test and corrosion loss were also observed to see the effect of agro-waste RHA and SAC in recycled aluminium alloy.

Varenicline rescues nicotine-induced decrease in motivation for sucrose reinforcement

Varenicline is one of the top medications used for smoking cessation and is often prescribed before termination of nicotine use. The effect of this combined nicotine and varenicline use on the reward system and motivation for primary reinforcement is underexplored. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of nicotine and varenicline on the consumption of sucrose. In Experiment 1, we first assessed the responding for sucrose after pretreatment with nicotine (0, 0.1, or 0.4 mg/kg) and varenicline (0.0, 0.1, 1.0 mg/kg) using a behavioral economics approach. The responding for sucrose was then assessed using a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement after pretreatment with all possible combinations of nicotine and varenicline doses. In Experiment 2, rats were assessed for the consumption of sucrose in home cages after pretreatment with nicotine and varenicline. We found that a) nicotine decreased economic demand for sucrose, b) varenicline rescued nicotine-induced reduction in economic demand for sucrose, and c) history of varenicline treatment predicted responding for sucrose on a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement where rats with a history of varenicline treatment responded significantly lower for sucrose across nicotine doses than rats that have not being exposed to varenicline. The results of Experiment 2 largely confirmed that nicotine decreases motivation for sucrose using a passive consumption protocol and that varenicline rescues this effect. Overall, these findings suggest that varenicline interacts with the effects of nicotine by restoring nicotine-induced reduction in motivation for appetitive rewards.

The creation of junior schoolchildren’s interest in the experimental study of physical phenomena using the elements of the technology of problem-based

The goal of the paper is to define the place and role of the technology of problem-based learning in demonstrating physical phenomena and processes to junior schoolchildren within a framework of the Child University and InteLSummer projects of Elabuga Institute of Kazan Federal University for higher interest in learning physics – a science about nature. The method is the technology of problem-based learning. Children face a certain problem, which is a cognitive task, and students (themselves or assisted by a teacher) investigate the ways and methods to solve it. We can use the elements of problem-based technology (creation of a problem, joint scientific learning, and primary reinforcement of the obtained knowledge) in teaching junior schoolchildren. Results: we considered the ways of creating particular problem situations with both a teacher and, most importantly, children participating in their solution on the example of a cycle of laboratory and practical classes devoted to electrical and magnetic phenomena. In the end, the experience of applying the technology of problem-based learning has shown that children’s participation in looking for the ways to solve a learning problem supports a cognitive interest of junior schoolchildren in the study of physical phenomena. The participation of pedagogical university students - future teachers - in the Child University and Intel Summer projects is a perspective form of a practice-oriented approach to future professional activity.