The Gambler’s Fallacy in Problem and Non-Problem Gamblers

Background and aims: Although numerous correlational studies have shown an association between cognitive distortions and problem gambling, only a few behavioral studies have investigated this topic by comparing problem (PGs) and non-problem gamblers (N-PGs). This quasi-experiment investigated the occurrence in both groups of a widespread cognitive distortion, the gambler’s fallacy (GF), using a fictitious roulette game. Moreover, it investigated whether the GF increased the bet amount and whether impulsivity and sensation seeking were associated with the GF. Methods: Two indices of the GF were used: a cognitive index, the probability estimate of each outcome (black/red) after manipulating the final run length (the same outcome occurring four times/once), and a behavioral index, the choice of the outcome on which to bet. A total of 320 (160 PGs and 160 N-PGs) unpaid male volunteers, aged between 18 and 68, participated in this study. Hypotheses: Erroneous probability estimates should mediate the effect of longer runs on the alternation choice (i.e., the choice of an outcome different from the previous one) to support the occurrence of GF. The GF should increase betting. PGs should be more prone than N-PGs to GF. Results: The choice of the outcome depended on both cognitive (erroneous probability estimates) and affective (preference for red) factors. PGs bet more than N-PGs but they were not more prone than N-PGs to incurring GF. Although impulsivity and sensation seeking were more intense in PGs than in N-PGs, they scarcely affected GF. Discussion and conclusions: Overall, our results corroborate the tested model of the GF that links mistaken probability estimates, choice of the outcome on which to bet, and bet amount. However, they are similar to PGs and N-PGs and fail to corroborate the hypothesis that the GF is more evident in PGs

Biological properties of a human compact anti-ErbB2 antibody.

ErbB2 is a prognostic factor and target of therapy for many carcinomas. In contrast with the other ErbB receptors, ErbB2 lacks a soluble direct ligand, but it is the preferred co-receptor for the ErbB family members, forming heterodimers with more potent and prolonged signalling activity than that of homodimers. We recently produced a new anti-ErbB2 antibody, Erb-hcAb, by fusion of Erbicin, a human, anti-ErbB2 scFv, selectively cytotoxic to ErbB2-positive cells, and a human Fc domain. This fully human antitumour antibody represents a compact version of an IgG1, with the cytotoxicity of the scFv moiety on target cells, combined with the ability of the Fc moiety to induce both antibody- and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Here, we describe the main properties of Erb-hcAb, using as a reference Herceptin, an anti-ErbB2 humanized monoclonal currently employed in clinical immunotherapy. We found that both bivalent Erb-hcAb and Herceptin increase receptor phosphorylation and downregulation, whereas monovalent Erbicin does not. These results correlate with the finding that Erb-hcAb is capable of inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell cycle progression in ErbB2-positive cells. Its powerful in vitro antitumour action matched that observed in vivo in experiments with human ErbB2-positive tumour xenografts established in athymic mice. Finally, Erb-hcAb displays a glycosylation profile virtually superimposable to that of a human IgG. These findings suggest that Erb-hcAb is a very promising new agent for the immunotherapy of carcinomas that overexpress the ErbB2 receptor

European Atlas of Natural Radiation

Natural ionizing radiation is considered as the largest contributor to the collective effective dose received by the world population. The human population is continuously exposed to ionizing radiation from several natural sources that can be classified into two broad categories: high-energy cosmic rays incident on the Earth’s atmosphere and releasing secondary radiation (cosmic contribution); and radioactive nuclides generated during the formation of the Earth and still present in the Earth’s crust (terrestrial contribution). Terrestrial radioactivity is mostly produced by the uranium and thorium radioactive families together with potassium. In most circumstances, radon, a noble gas produced in the radioactive decay of uranium, is the most important contributor to the total dose. This Atlas aims to present the current state of knowledge of natural radioactivity, by giving general background information, and describing its various sources. This reference material is complemented by a collection of maps of Europe displaying the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources. It is a compilation of contributions and reviews received from more than 80 experts in their field: they come from universities, research centres, national and European authorities and international organizations. This Atlas provides reference material and makes harmonized datasets available to the scientific community and national competent authorities. In parallel, this Atlas may serve as a tool for the public to: • familiarize itself with natural radioactivity; • be informed about the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources; • have a more balanced view of the annual dose received by the world population, to which natural radioactivity is the largest contributor; • and make direct comparisons between doses from natural sources of ionizing radiation and those from man-made (artificial) ones, hence to better understand the latter.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

Surgical treatment in acromegaly: Experience in Córdoba

La acromegalia tiene una prevalencia de 35-70/millón. La cirugía transesfenoidales el tratamiento de elección, siendo la tasa de remisión del 80% en microadenomas y 50% en macroadenomas. Debido a la falta de registros, nos propusimos evaluar los resultados quirúrgicos en Córdoba y determinar factores predictivos de remisión.Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo-descriptivo de pacientes con cirugía como primera línea terapéutica. Criterios de remisión: normalización de IGF1 para edad/sexo, con GH ≤1,0 g/L.TestX2 y test exacto de Fisher y p<0,05.Resultados:Se incluyeron 38 pacientes: 61% mujeres y 39% hombres; edad promedio 45 años. Motivos de consulta más frecuentes: cefalea y crecimiento acral (26%), alteraciones visuales (20%). El 84% de los tumores fueron macroadenomas. De 37 pacientes, 54% se sometierona cirugía microscópica, 38% endoscópica y 8% transcraneal. El 29% evidenció complicaciones postquirúrgicas, siendo la diabetes insípida la más frecuente (10%). El porcentaje de las mismas fue: cirugía transcraneal el 33%, endoscópica 29% y microscópica 25% (p= 0,557). La remisión bioquímica a los 6 meses fue de 34% y a los 12 meses 55% (p=0,0001). Sin diferencias significativas entre la vía endoscópica y microscópica (p=0,071). De 36 pacientes el 31% evidenció resección tumoral completa. La mejoría clínicasubjetiva fue del 88%. No hubo factores predictivos de remisión bioquímica estadísticamente significativos. La remisión bioquímica con la cirugía fue similar a la bibliografía. No encontramos factores predictivos deremisión pero un número mayor de casos podría modificar estos resultadosAcromegaly prevalence is 35-70 / million. Transsphenoidal surgery is the first-line treatment, with a remission rate of 80% for microadenomas and 50% for macroadenomas. Our aim was to evaluate the surgical results in Córdoba and determine predictive remission factors due to the lack of records. Methods: Retrospective-descriptive study of patients with surgery as the first therapeutic line. Remission criteria: IGF1 normalization for age/sex, with GH ≤1.0 g/L. Test X2 and Fisher´s exact test with p<0.05. Results: 38 patients were included: 61% women and 39% men; Average age 45 years. Most frequent chief complaint: headache and acral growth (26%), visual disturbances (20%). Macroadenomas were the 84% of the tumors. Of 37 patients, 54% underwent microscopic surgery, 38% endoscopic and 8% transcranial. The 29% of patients showed post-operative complications and diabetes insipidus was the most frequent (10%). The percentage of them was: 33% transcranial surgery, 29% endoscopic and 25% microscopic (p = 0.557). The biochemical remission at 6 months was 34% and at 12 months 55% (p= 0.0001). No significant differences between the endoscopic and microscopic approach (p = 0.071). Of 36 patients, 31% showed complete tumor resection. The subjective clinical improvement was 88%. There weren´t predictive remission factors with significant differences. Conclusion: The surgical biochemical remission was similar to the bibliography. We didn´t find predictive remission factors but a larger number of patients could modify these results.Key words: acromegaly; neurosurgery; postoperative complications; remission inductionFil: Rendón, Matilde Inés. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Cecenarro, Laura Anahi. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Andrada, Marta Cecilia. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Barovero, Mariela Susana. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Bertolino, María Lorena. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Cagliolo, Mariela. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Carpentieri, Agata Rita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Damilano, Roxana Analía. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: De Battista, Juan Carlos. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Estario, Paula. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Silvia. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Marquez, Maria Eugenia. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Monteserin, Natalia. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Quintero, María Lorena. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Sala, Claudia Susana. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Sosa, Gabriela Alejandra. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Surraco, María Elena. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: de Paul, Ana Lucia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Szafryk de Mereshian, Paula Maria. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Fux Otta, Carolina. Departamento Neuroendocrinología. Sociedad de Endocrinología y Metabolismo de Córdoba; Argentin

Effects of a chance task outcome on the offers in the ultimatum game: The mediation role of emotions

This study investigated the effect of a chance task outcome on the offers made at the Ultimatum Game (UG). In addition, the putative mediation role of incidental (unrelated to UG) and integral (elicited by UG) emotions and beliefs was examined. The incidental emotions were induced by manipulating the task outcome in a positive or negative direction. As concerns integral emotions and beliefs, we took into account those supposed to underlie the offers amount, such as empathy, sense of fairness, fear of rejection etc. Results showed that a negative outcome led proposers to decrease the offers amount and that this effect was mediated by integral emotions and beliefs. Instead, positive incidental emotions produced suppression effects

An Interdisciplinary Approach for Compulsive Behavior in Dogs: A Case Report

Compulsive disorder is a debilitating condition affecting both humans and animals, characterized by intrusive thoughts and recurring out-of-place behaviors. Among them, tail chasing might represent one of the most common traits in compulsive dogs. Herein, we reported the case of a 7-year-old intact male German Shepherd mixed-breed dog, presenting with tail chasing behavior. He underwent a first behavioral evaluation 1 year before (at the age of 6), when he injured himself with severe wounds at level of the tail and left thigh. To avoid any specific suffering and increase his physical health, of course, the study was carried out through an interdisciplinary approach, employing a veterinary behaviorist and a rehabilitating dog instructor. Three months after pharmacological treatment with fluoxetine and α-s1 casozepine, associated with a behavioral recovery program, the owner reported an improvement of compulsive events in his dog, in terms of intensity and frequency. Interestingly, over the following 3 months, the dog did not experience any new tail chasing episodes

Spreadsheet - Deciding the amount of effort to spend in a cognitive task - Matarazzo et al..sav

dataset of a study examining the effects of a performance feedback, relate feelings and a monetary reward on decision-makin

Dataset - Deciding the amount of effort to spend in a cognitive task

dataset of a study examining the effects of a performance feedback, related feelings and a monetary reward on decision-makin