A New Mathematical Model For Assessment of Memorization Dynamics

Se propone un nuevo modelo de memoria basado en el análisis de regresión y las curvas exponenciales de aprendizaje. La eficacia del modelo se verifica con varios tipos de experimentos incluyendo la aversión a la comida en caracoles, el aprendizaje de laberintos en ratas y las pruebas de memoria en adultos y niños. El modelo también se pone a prueba en drogadictos y alcohólicos. Los resultados de las pruebas de bondad de ajuste indican que nuestro modelo puede ser empleado con precisión para predecir las dinámicas de la memoria en diversos experimentos y poblaciones. También puede emplearse el modelo para predecir tanto la ejecución grupal como la individual. Se comenta la aplicación del modelo para detectar el deterioro de la memoria, así como las limitaciones del mismo.A new memory model is proposed based on regression analysis and exponential- shaped learning curves. The efficacy of the model is tested with several types of experiments including food aversion in snails, maze learning in rats and memory tests for adults and children. The model is also tested on drug abusers and alcoholics. The results of goodness of fit tests indicate that our model can accurately be used to predict the memory dynamics of diverse experiments and populations. The model can also be used to predict both group and individual performance. The application of the model to detect memory impairment is discussed, as are limitation

Overall Memory Impairment Identification with Mathematical Modeling of the CVLT-II Learning Curve in Multiple Sclerosis

The CVLT-II provides standardized scores for each of the List A five learning trials, so that the clinician can compare the patient's raw trials 1–5 scores with standardized ones. However, frequently, a patient's raw scores fluctuate making a proper interpretation difficult. The CVLT-II does not offer any other methods for classifying a patient's learning and memory status on the background of the learning curve. The main objective of this research is to illustrate that discriminant analysis provides an accurate assessment of the learning curve, if suitable predictor variables are selected. Normal controls were ninety-eight healthy volunteers (78 females and 20 males). A group of MS patients included 365 patients (266 females and 99 males) with clinically defined multiple sclerosis. We show that the best predictor variables are coefficients B3 and B4 of our mathematical model B3 ∗ exp(−B2  ∗  (X − 1)) + B4  ∗  (1 − exp(−B2  ∗  (X − 1))) because discriminant functions, calculated separately for B3 and B4, allow nearly 100% correct classification. These predictors allow identification of separate impairment of readiness to learn or ability to learn, or both

Case for interdisciplinary environmental education and research

Problem statement: Interdisciplinary environmental education and research at American colleges and universities have been criticized for ambiguous focus, insufficient integration and lack of rigor. Part of the reason for a clearly articulated conceptualization of the field is the failure to reach a consensus among those in the environmental profession and academic community on an overarching paradigm of environmental education and research.Approach: This essay argued for situating interdisciplinary environmental education and research on the principles of sustainability.Results: We believe that sustainable solutions to the complex problems facing us at the interface of society and nature cannot be found using unidisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. Instead, what is needed is an interdisciplinary synthesis across a wide range of natural sciences, social sciences, applied sciences and the humanities. The appropriate mix of these depends on the particular problem being addressed.Conclusion: By focusing on human quality of life, the health of systems that supply the resources needed for quality of life improvements and the regulation of capital flows between and among these systems, we can devised an educational and research agenda that more efficiently meets the needs of today's generations and those that follow.Peer reviewedPsycholog

A Portable System for Detecting Infrasound Using a Microcontroller

The purpose of this project was to create a device to detect infrasound communication from elephants. The device was designed and prototyped to be capable of monitoring an input signal for infrasound. If infrasound is detected, an audible alarm is sounded. This device can record audio signals for long periods of time to a digital storage device. It can be utilized for other areas of study with some modification. For example, by selecting appropriate sensors the device can be used for studying vibrations in structures. The device is low-cost so it would be able to be procured more easily and in higher quantities than more expensive and cumbersome laboratory monitoring equipment. This device could also be used as an educational and research device for students studying animal behavior in the field and laboratory. Infrasound is not limited to only elephants, but hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses and giraffes also communicate with infrasound. Environmental infrasound from sources such as wind turbines, sonic booms, explosions, tornadoes, and earthquakes can also be monitored

Improving the psychology undergraduate curriculum in developing countries: A personal note with illustrations from Brazil

In this article we suggest various ways in which the undergraduate curriculum for psychology students can be improved in developing countries. Suggestions based on the author's experience in the northeast of Brazil include forming psychology clubs, creating community outreach programs, establishing a human subject pool, skills training, developing research-based courses and seeking outside funding.Peer reviewedPsychologyZoolog

Why Asia Needs Comparative Psychology: Applications in Canine-Human, and Equine-Human Interactions

This article provides a brief history and description of comparative psychology and provides perspectives about the current state of comparative psychology and unique research opportunities in Asia. An argument is made for why comparative psychology is needed in Asia and practical, teaching, and other aspects and applications are discussed. The application of comparative psychology in equine-human and canine-human interactions and therapies are highlighted

The View of Russian Students on Whether Psychology is a Science

The Psychology as Science Scale (Friedrich, 1996) was administered to 525 psychology students from nine Russian universities to assess their beliefs about the nature of the discipline. About half of students (49.6%) generally agreed that psychology may be called a scientific discipline. Specifically, 71. 5% of the students agreed that psychology is a natural science, similar to biology, chemistry, and physics, 39. 9% of students agreed that psychological research is important and training in psychological methodology is necessary, and 43.1% of students agreed that human behavior is highly predictable. Students who took three methodology courses shared significantly stronger beliefs in the need for psychological research and the importance of training in methodology compared to students who did not take any methodology courses. Furthermore, students with a specialist degree had significantly stronger beliefs that psychology is a science compared to students who have just finished school. In terms of the effect of students’ career aspirations, students who wanted to be academic psychologists and clinicians had significantly stronger beliefs that psychology is a science compared to students who did not have clarity about their future careers. Regardless of the study limitations, these findings have potential implications for Russian psychology instructors

Distinguishing personal belief from scientific knowledge for the betterment of killer whale welfare – a commentary

We contest publication of Marino et al. regarding captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) welfare because of misrepresentations of available data and the use of citations that do not support assertions. Marino et al. misrepresent stress response concepts and erroneously cite studies, which appear to support Marino et al.’s philosophical beliefs regarding the cetacean hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. To be clear, these misrepresentations are not differences of scientific opinion, as the authors’ conclusions lack any scientific basis. More extensive review of Marino et al.’s citations reveal a dearth of empirical evidence to support their assertions. Further, Marino et al.’s approach to animal welfare is not consistent with conventional veterinary approaches to animal welfare, including their apparent opposition to use of preventative and therapeutic veterinary interventions. While Marino et al. argue that killer whales’ cognitive and spatial needs preclude management of this species under human care, misrepresentation of the citations used to support this opinion invalidates their arguments. Misleading interpretations of data relative to killer whales’ cognitive and emotional needs and specious and unsubstantiated comparisons with states experienced by humans with posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions, represent a number of strategies used to misrepresent knowledge regarding killer whale welfare. These misrepresentations and fallacies are inconsistent with scientific ethical standards for credible, peer-reviewed journals (ICMJE, 2018), and are barriers to rigorous discourse and identification of strategies for optimizing killer whale welfare. Assertions in the paper amount to nothing more than a compilation of conclusory, philosophical statements. We would also like to mention that manuscripts such as Marino et al.’s do great damage to the fields of comparative psychology and to behavioral science as a whole

Learning in plants: Lessons from Mimosa pudica

This article provides an overview of the early Mimosa pudica literature; much of which is in journals not easily accessible to the reader. In contrast to the contemporary plant learning literature which is conducted primarily by plant biologists, this early literature was conducted by comparative psychologists whose goal was to search for the generality of learning phenomena such as habituation, and classical conditioning using experimental designs based on animal conditioning studies. In addition to reviewing the early literature, we hope to encourage collaborations between plant biologists and comparative psychologists by familiarizing the reader with issues in the study of learning faced by those working with animals. These issues include no consistent definition of learning phenomena and an overreliance on the use of cognition. We suggested that greater collaborative efforts be made between plant biologists and comparative psychologists if the study of plant learning is to be fully intergraded into the mainstream behavior theory.Peer reviewedPsychologyIntegrative Biolog

Exposure to citral, cinnamon and ruda disrupts the life cycle of a vector of Chagas disease

The main vector of Chagas disease in Venezuela was exposed to the odors of citral, cinnamon and ruda. Cinnamon was found to stop the life cycle of Rhodnius prolixus relative to untreated animals. Citral and ruda also influenced the life cycle but not to the extent of animals exposed to cinnamon. We suggest that future research be directed toward using cinnamon in field and toxicity tests.Peer reviewedPsychologyZoolog