The influence of goal-state access cost on planning during problem solving

Two problem-solving experiments investigated the relationship between planning and the cost of accessing goal-state information using the theoretical framework of the soft constraints hypothesis (Gray & Fu, 2004; Gray, Simms, Fu, & Schoelles, 2006). In Experiment 1, 36 participants were allocated to low, medium, and high access cost conditions and completed a problem-solving version of the Blocks World Task. Both the nature of planning (memory based or display based) and its timing (before or during action) changed with high goal-state access cost (a mouse movement and a 2.5-s delay). In this condition more planning before action was observed, with less planning during action, evidenced by longer first-move latencies, more moves per goal-state inspection, and more short (≤0.8 s) and long (>8 s) “preplanned” intermove latencies. Experiment 2 used an eight-puzzle-like transformation task and replicated the effect of goal-state access cost when more complex planning was required, also confirmed by sampled protocol data. Planning before an episode of move making increased with higher goal-state access cost, and planning whilst making moves increased with lower access cost. These novel results are discussed in the context of the soft constraints hypothesis

Sex-dependent influence of endogenous estrogen in pulmonary hypertension

Rationale: The incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is greater in women suggesting estrogens may play a role in the disease pathogenesis. Experimentally, in males exogenously administered estrogen can protect against PH; however in models that display female susceptibility estrogens may play a causative role. Objectives: To clarify the influence of endogenous estrogen and gender in PH and assess the therapeutic potential of a clinically available aromatase inhibitor. Methods: We interrogated the effect of reduced endogenous estrogen in males and females using the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole, in two models of PH; the hypoxic mouse and Sugen 5416/hypoxic rat. We also determined the effects of gender on pulmonary expression of aromatase in these models and in lungs from PAH patients. Results: Anastrozole attenuated PH in both models studied, but only in females. To verify this effect was due to reduced estrogenic activity we confirmed that in hypoxic mice inhibition of estrogen receptor alpha also has a therapeutic effect specifically in females. Female rodent lung displays increased aromatase and decreased BMPR2 and Id1 expression compared to male. Anastrozole treatment reversed the impaired BMPR2 pathway in females. Increased aromatase expression was also detected in female human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells compared to male. Conclusions: The unique phenotype of female pulmonary arteries facilitates the therapeutic effects of anastrozole in experimental PH confirming a role for endogenous estrogen in the disease pathogenesis in females and suggests aromatase inhibitors may have therapeutic potential

Eficiencia agronómica del azufre elemental relativa a una fuente azufrada soluble en trigo en la Región Pampeana

67-77Agronomic efficiency of elemental sulphur (AE) compared with soluble and S-sulphate sulphur sources depends on reactivity of AE (e.g. particle size) and environmental conditions (soil and climate). Although there is published information suggesting that elemental sulphur has similar effectiveness than soluble sulphur sources, the information is not conclusive. We hypothesized that agronomic efficiency of AE and soluble S sources are similar under the Pampas Region conditions. The objectives of the study were to: i. Evaluate S grain response to a reactive source of AE compared to a soluble S source under different S rates and soil and climate conditions. ii. Compare, for the group of experiments, agronomic S efficiency between S sources. iii: Relate S responses with soil and climatic variables. Eight field experiments were conducted during two successive years on cropping systems in the Pampas Region. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four or six replicates and a factorial treatment arrangement (factor 1: S source, factor 2: S rate). The treatments were: check (without S application), fertilization with a micronized source of AE (95 percent of S) and a fertilization treatment with ammonium sulphate (SA, 24 percent). Both sulphur sources were applied at two S rates. Sulphur rates were 10 and 30 kg ha-1 (year 1) and 15 and 30 kg ha-1 (year 2). In the first year, wheat responded significantly to S in four of five sites (p less than 0.05) with yield increases of 231 to 857 kg ha-1. Significant yield increases were observed in all sites in the second year, ranging from 702 to 2,119 kg ha-1. There were no significant differences in grain yield among S sources, rates or interaction source x S rates (p greater than 0.05) in most sites. When all sites were combined, sulphur sources presented similar agronomic S efficiencies (p greater than 0.05). The lower S rate (10 or 15 kg ha-1) was enough to provide S to the crop under the Pampas Region conditions. Grain yield responses to S were positively correlated with organic matter content and rainfall (during tillering or the whole crop cycle) and inversely associated with SO4 2- at planting, although with a poor adjustment. No correlation was detected between S response and temperatures during tillering or the whole crop cycle

Eficiencia agronómica del azufre elemental relativa a una fuente azufrada soluble en trigo en la Región Pampeana

67-77Agronomic efficiency of elemental sulphur (AE) compared with soluble and S-sulphate sulphur sources depends on reactivity of AE (e.g. particle size) and environmental conditions (soil and climate). Although there is published information suggesting that elemental sulphur has similar effectiveness than soluble sulphur sources, the information is not conclusive. We hypothesized that agronomic efficiency of AE and soluble S sources are similar under the Pampas Region conditions. The objectives of the study were to: i. Evaluate S grain response to a reactive source of AE compared to a soluble S source under different S rates and soil and climate conditions. ii. Compare, for the group of experiments, agronomic S efficiency between S sources. iii: Relate S responses with soil and climatic variables. Eight field experiments were conducted during two successive years on cropping systems in the Pampas Region. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four or six replicates and a factorial treatment arrangement (factor 1: S source, factor 2: S rate). The treatments were: check (without S application), fertilization with a micronized source of AE (95 percent of S) and a fertilization treatment with ammonium sulphate (SA, 24 percent). Both sulphur sources were applied at two S rates. Sulphur rates were 10 and 30 kg ha-1 (year 1) and 15 and 30 kg ha-1 (year 2). In the first year, wheat responded significantly to S in four of five sites (p less than 0.05) with yield increases of 231 to 857 kg ha-1. Significant yield increases were observed in all sites in the second year, ranging from 702 to 2,119 kg ha-1. There were no significant differences in grain yield among S sources, rates or interaction source x S rates (p greater than 0.05) in most sites. When all sites were combined, sulphur sources presented similar agronomic S efficiencies (p greater than 0.05). The lower S rate (10 or 15 kg ha-1) was enough to provide S to the crop under the Pampas Region conditions. Grain yield responses to S were positively correlated with organic matter content and rainfall (during tillering or the whole crop cycle) and inversely associated with SO4 2- at planting, although with a poor adjustment. No correlation was detected between S response and temperatures during tillering or the whole crop cycle

A united front against marine invaders: Developing a cost‐effective marine biosecurity surveillance partnership between government and industry

Successful detection of introduced marine pests (IMP) relies upon effective surveillance. However, the expedience of responding following IMP detection is often dependent upon the relationship between regulators and stakeholders. Effective detection of IMP in areas such as commercial ports requires a collaborative approach, as port environments can be highly complex both above and below the water. This complexity can encompass physical, logistical, safety and legislative issues. With this in mind, the aquatic pest biosecurity section within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) developed the State‐Wide Array Surveillance Program (SWASP) in collaboration with Western Australian Port Authorities and port industry stakeholders. The SWASP is primarily based on passive settlement arrays for IMP detection. Arrays are deployed at strategic locations within Ports. Marine growth samples collected from the arrays are processed using Next‐Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify the presence of IMP within a specific geographical location. Over 8 years, participation in SWASP has grown from 3 to 11 ports, spanning over 11,000 km, from the tropical north to temperate south of Western Australia. The programme has proven to be highly effective as a means of fostering stakeholder involvement and, importantly for IMP surveillance. The growth and success of SWASP has continued primarily because of the commitment and farsightedness of the ports involved. The regular presence of the biosecurity regulator as a partner in SWASP has provided a consistent face for biosecurity and fostered good stakeholder relationships, ensuring there is a reliable and effective ongoing marine surveillance programme for the state. Synthesis and applications. Through a united and collaborative approach to marine biosecurity surveillance, port authorities, industry and biosecurity regulators have developed the State‐Wide Array Surveillance Program (SWASP) and closed a major gap in biosecurity surveillance. The SWASP collaboration uses passive settlement arrays and molecular analyses to provide regular marine pest surveillance from the tropics to temperate regions of Western Australia. The continued commitment has embedded valuable relationships between stakeholder and regulator ensuring ongoing surveillance in marine biosecurity for the state. The Western Australian SWASP example has inspired other jurisdictions around Australia to develop similar collaborative approaches which will have far‐reaching marine biosecurity benefits

Bi-cultural bi-national benchmarking and assessment of clinical reasoning in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Published: 23/06/2016Background: The Script Concordance Test (SCT) is being increasingly used in professional development in clinical reasoning (CR) in postgraduate medicine. On-line delivery favours multi-institutional collaboration. Objectives: To establish if: 1) SCT questions developed in the French-speaking University of Montreal were readily adaptable for use in the English-speaking University of Adelaide 2) expert reference panels (ERP) from both institutions could be used interchangeably 3) student cohorts would perform similarly in the same test. Study Design: 82 SCT questions based on 27 clinical cases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology were developed in Montreal and run in a volunteer cohort of year 3 and year 4 medical students (n=154). Local faculty translated all questions, selecting 31 based on 17 clinical cases for use in summative examinations a year 5 student cohort in Adelaide (n=123). Results: Mean (SD) percentage scores using each ERP key were: 74.2 (6.4) versus 73.3 (6.9), p<0.001 for Adelaide students and 72.5 (7.8) versus 70.6 (8.8), p<0.001 for Montreal students. The correlation coefficients were ≥ 0.928 (p<0.001). Conclusions: Student cohorts performed similarly regardless of which ERP key was used. With appropriate editorial control, SCT’s can be effectively shared between French and English-speaking institutions located in different hemispheres. Potential advantages include the creation of an international database of assessment items, benchmarking and cost sharing.Paul Duggan, Patricia Monnier, Alphonse Roex, Marie-Josée Bédard, Bernard Charli

Bi-cultural, bi-national benchmarking and assessment of clinical reasoning in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Abstract Background: The Script Concordance Test (SCT) is being increasingly used in professional development in clinical reasoning (CR) in postgraduate medicine. On-line delivery favours multi-institutional collaboration