160 research outputs found
Can Motivation Normalize Working Memory and Task Persistence in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? The Effects of Money and Computer-Gaming
Visual-spatial Working Memory (WM) is the most impaired executive function in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some suggest that deficits in executive functioning are caused by motivational deficits. However, there are no studies that investigate the effects of motivation on the visual-spatial WM of children with- and without ADHD. Studies examining this in executive functions other than WM, show inconsistent results. These inconsistencies may be related to differences in the reinforcement used. The effects of different reinforcers on WM performance were investigated in 30 children with ADHD and 31 non-ADHD controls. A visual-spatial WM task was administered in four reinforcement conditions: Feedback-only, 1 euro, 10 euros, and a computer-game version of the task. In the Feedback-only condition, children with ADHD performed worse on the WM measure than controls. Although incentives significantly improved the WM performance of children with ADHD, even the strongest incentives (10 euros and Gaming) were unable to normalize their performance. Feedback-only provided sufficient reinforcement for controls to reach optimal performance, while children with ADHD required extra reinforcement. Only children with ADHD showed a decrease in performance over time. Importantly, the strongest incentives (10 euros and Gaming) normalized persistence of performance in these children, whereas 1 euro had no such effect. Both executive and motivational deficits give rise to visual-spatial WM deficits in ADHD. Problems with task-persistence in ADHD result from motivational deficits. In ADHD-reinforcement studies and clinical practice (e.g., assessment), reinforcement intensity can be a confounding factor and should be taken into account. Gaming can be a cost-effective way to maximize performance in ADHD
Genetic diversity and signatures of selection in various goat breeds revealed by genome-wide SNP markers
A genome scan for milk production traits in dairy goats reveals two new mutations in <i>Dgat1</i> reducing milk fat content
The quantity of milk and milk fat and proteins are particularly important traits in dairy livestock.
However, little is known about the regions of the genome that influence these traits in goats. We
conducted a genome wide association study in French goats and identified 109 regions associated
with dairy traits. For a major region on chromosome 14 closely associated with fat content, the
Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene turned out to be a functional and positional candidate
gene. The caprine reference sequence of this gene was completed and 29 polymorphisms were found in
the gene sequence, including two novel exonic mutations: R251L and R396W, leading to substitutions
in the protein sequence. The R251L mutation was found in the Saanen breed at a frequency of 3.5% and
the R396W mutation both in the Saanen and Alpine breeds at a frequencies of 13% and 7% respectively.
The R396W mutation explained 46% of the genetic variance of the trait, and the R251L mutation 6%.
Both mutations were associated with a notable decrease in milk fat content. Their causality was then
demonstrated by a functional test. These results provide new knowledge on the genetic basis of milk
synthesis and will help improve the management of the French dairy goat breeding program
Healthcare professionalsâ acceptance of BelRAI, a web-based system enabling person-centred recording and data sharing across care settings with interRAI instruments: a UTAUT analysis
CaracterĂsticas quĂmicas e sensoriais do leite de cabras MoxotĂł alimentadas com silagem de maniçoba
Shell occupation by the South Atlantic endemic hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901) (Anomura: Diogenidae)
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