Sequential learning and rule abstraction in Bengalese finches

The Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica) is a species of songbird. Males sing courtship songs with complex note-to-note transition rules, while females discriminate these songs when choosing their mate. The present study uses serial reaction time (RT) to examine the characteristics of the Bengalese finches’ sequential behaviours beyond song production. The birds were trained to produce the sequence with an “A–B–A” structure. After the RT to each key position was determined to be stable, we tested the acquisition of the trained sequential response by presenting novel and random three-term sequences (random test). We also examined whether they could abstract the embedded rule in the trained sequence and apply it to the novel test sequence (abstract test). Additionally, we examined rule abstraction through example training by increasing the number of examples in baseline training from 1 to 5. When considered as (gender) groups, training with 5 examples resulted in no statistically significant differences in the abstract tests, while statistically significant differences were observed in the random tests, suggesting that the male birds learned the trained sequences and transferred the abstract structure they had learned during the training trials. Individual data indicated that males, as opposed to females, were likely to learn the motor pattern of the sequence. The results are consistent with observations that males learn to produce songs with complex sequential rules, whereas females do not

A Distinct Role of the Queen in Coordinated Workload and Soil Distribution in Eusocial Naked Mole-Rats

We investigated how group members achieve collective decision-making, by considering individual intrinsic behavioural rules and behavioural mechanisms for maintaining social integration. Using a simulated burrow environment, we investigated the behavioural rules of coordinated workload for soil distribution in a eusocial mammal, the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber). We tested two predictions regarding a distinct role of the queen, a socially dominant individual in the caste system: the presence of a queen would increase the workload of other caste individuals, and the cues by a queen would affect the soil distribution. In experiment 1, we placed four individuals of various castes from the same colony into an experimental burrow. Workers exhibited the highest frequency of workload compared to other castes. The presence of a queen activated the workload by other individuals. Individuals showed a consistent workload in a particular direction so as to bias the soil distribution. These results suggest that individuals have a consensus on soil distribution and that the queen plays a distinct role. In experiment 2, we placed the odour of a queen in one of four cells and observed its effect on other individuals’ workload and soil distribution. Relative to other cells, individuals frequently dug in the queen cell so the amount of soil in the queen cell decreased. These results suggest that queen odour is an important cue in coordinated workload and soil distribution in this species

A Study of Extracting Related Documents for Essay Evaluation Modules

本研究では，小論文採点システムにおいて必要となる小論文に関連した文書を取得する方法を開発した．本研究プロジェクトの自動採点の評価軸の1 つに「妥当性」がある．妥当性の評価手法として，小論文の内容がWikipediaの文書の内容と，どの程度一致しているかを基準に妥当性スコアを算出する方法を考えている．しかし，Wikipediaの文書は多様であり，小論文で取り上げていない議題に関する文書も多く存在する．そこで本論文では小論文ごとに適切な文書を取得する方法を提案する．いくつかの手法を試した結果，単語ベクトルを使用した方法が，関連した文書を獲得することができたことを報告する．We are developing an automatic Japanese essay-scoring system that is composed of 4 evaluation criteria, comprehensiveness, logical consistency, validity, spelling and grammar. In this paper, we discuss the most powerful approach to extract documents of Wikipedia that relates to the reference texts of the target essay theme for validity evaluation. The reason for using Wikipedia documents for evaluating validity of students’essays is that we assume that validity can be evaluated by the expanded discussions in Wikipedia documents that relates to the essay theme. Experimental results show that the skip-gram based word vector is the best approach to extract relating documents to reference texts among several keyword-based evaluation approaches

Proposing an Unsupervised Approach to Evaluate Essays Using IDF on Reference Data

大学入試において2020 年から記述式問題が導入されることから記述式の問題を自動で採点する手法の開発が求められている．本論では，エッセイタイプの小論文課題を対象に，課題に関連する参照データとWikipedia 全文から作成したidf を利用した事前採点不要な自動採点手法を提案する．先行研究において，日本語小論文を対象とした自動採点では，多くの事前採点が必要となり，実際の数百人規模の試験では利用することが難しいと考えられる．そこで本研究では，事前採点が不要な小論文採点手法を提案する．また，小論文の模擬試験を実施して小論文データを構築する．構築した小論文データに対して採点手法を用い，実験を行い評価する．また小論文データの人手による採点に対しても評価を行う．評価実験の結果neologd 辞書を利用した形態素解析器を用いて， idf 値を利用した形態素の一致数が，人手の評価値と相関が高いことを示す．In this paper, we describe an on-going study of developing an automatic essay-scoring system in Japanese. Essay scoring systems have already been developed and used mainly in English, while not many previous studies have been done on Japanese essay evaluations. Most of the methods and systems of automatic essay evaluation need not small number of previously human-graded essays for calibrating the parameter of regression functions or parameter of machine learning. The previous studies show the high performance for essay evaluation task, however, it must be not easy to assume large graded essays in, for example, actual tests or entrance examinations. Thus, we take a approach to evaluate Japanese essays without previously human-graded essays but with assuming reference data related to essay questions. The proposed method is a simple one, that is, evaluating the essays with co-occurrences with the reference data in their words or morphemes. In the method technical terms would be given high scores using neologd dictionary and idf values. Experimental results show that the proposed method works well in our developing Japanese mock trial writing tests. Key words automatic scoring of essays, human annotation, supportin

SDSS J133401.39+331534.3: A New Subarcsecond Gravitationally Lensed Quasar

The quasar SDSS J133401.39+331534.3 at z = 2.426 is found to be a two-image gravitationally lensed quasar with the image separation of 0.833. The object is first identified as a lensed quasar candidate in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasar Lens Search, and then confirmed as a lensed system from follow-up observations at the Subaru and University of Hawaii 2.2-meter telescopes. We estimate the redshift of the lensing galaxy to be 0.557 based on absorption lines in the quasar spectra as well as the color of the galaxy. In particular, we observe the system with the Subaru Telescope AO188 adaptive optics with laser guide star, in order to derive accurate astrometry, which well demonstrates the usefulness of the laser guide star adaptive optics imaging for studying strong lens systems. Our mass modeling with improved astrometry implies that a nearby bright galaxy $\sim 4"$ apart from the lensing galaxy is likely to affect the lens potential.Comment: 24 pages, 6 figures. ApJ, in pres

Tool-use learning by common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

One of the most critical and common features of tool use is that the tool essentially functions as a part of the body. This feature is likely rooted in biological features that are shared by tool users. To establish an ideal primate model to explore the neurobiological mechanisms supporting tool-use behaviours, we trained common marmosets, a small New World monkey species that is not usually associated with tool use, to use a rake-shaped tool to retrieve food. Five naive common marmosets were systematically trained to manipulate the tool using a 4-stage, step-by-step protocol. The relative positions of the tool and the food were manipulated, so that the marmosets were required to (1) pull the tool vertically, (2) move the tool horizontally, (3) make an arc to retrieve a food item located behind the tool and (4) retrieve the food item. We found considerable individual differences in tool-use technique; for example, one animal consistently used a unilateral hand movement for all of the steps, whereas the others (n = 4) used both hands to move the tool depending on the location of the food item. After extensive training, all of the marmosets could manipulate the rake-shaped tool, which is reported in this species for the first time. The common marmoset is thus a model primate for such studies. This study sets the stage for future research to examine the biological mechanisms underlying the cognitive ability of tool use at the molecular and genetic levels

Exploration of Spinal Cord Aging–Related Proteins Using a Proteomics Approach

How aging affects the spinal cord at a molecular level is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore spinal cord aging–related proteins that may be involved in pathological mechanisms of age-related changes in the spinal cord. Spinal cords of 2-year-old and 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were dissected from the animals. Protein samples were subjected to 2-dimentional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Screened proteins were further investigated with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Among the screened proteins, we selected α-crystallin B-subunit (αB-crystallin) and peripherin for further investigation because these proteins were previously reported to be related to central nervous system pathologies. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed significant upregulation of αB-crystallin and peripherin expression in aged rat spinal cord. Further exploration is needed to elucidate the precise mechanism and potential role of these upregulated proteins in spinal cord aging processes

Current state of hypnotic use disorders: Results of a survey using the Japanese version of Benzodiazepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire

Aims Benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZ-RAs) are frequently prescribed to treat insomnia; however, their long-term use is not recommended. To introduce an appropriate pharmaco-therapy, the current state and background factors of BZ-RAs\u27 dependence must be elucidated. In this study, we developed a Japanese version of the Benzodiazepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire (Bendep-SRQ-J) and conducted a study of BZ-RAs\u27 use disorder. Methods The Bendep-SRQ-J was created with permission from the original developer. Subjects were inpatients and outpatients receiving BZ-RAs between 2012 and 2013. Clinical data collected were Bendep-SRQ-J scores, sleep disorders for which BZ-RAs were prescribed, physical comorbidities, psychotropic drugs, and lifestyle factors. Logistic analysis was performed to extract factors associated with severe symptoms. Results Of the 707 patients prescribed BZ-RAs, 324 had voluntarily tapered or discontinued their drugs. Logistic analysis showed that the total number of drugs administered in the last 6 months correlated with both worsening of symptoms or conditions. This was more notable among younger patients, and the proportion of patients with severe symptoms or conditions increased with the increasing number of drugs. Conclusion Using the Bendep-SRQ-J, we elucidated the current state of BZ-RA dependence. Nearly half of the patients were non-compliant. The proportion of patients with severe symptoms or disease conditions increased with the increase in the number of drugs administered. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to be aware of the likelihood of benzodiazepine dependence, especially in young patients and patients prescribed multiple hypnotics

The Eighth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Data from SDSS-III

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) started a new phase in August 2008, with new instrumentation and new surveys focused on Galactic structure and chemical evolution, measurements of the baryon oscillation feature in the clustering of galaxies and the quasar Ly alpha forest, and a radial velocity search for planets around ~8000 stars. This paper describes the first data release of SDSS-III (and the eighth counting from the beginning of the SDSS). The release includes five-band imaging of roughly 5200 deg^2 in the Southern Galactic Cap, bringing the total footprint of the SDSS imaging to 14,555 deg^2, or over a third of the Celestial Sphere. All the imaging data have been reprocessed with an improved sky-subtraction algorithm and a final, self-consistent photometric recalibration and flat-field determination. This release also includes all data from the second phase of the Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Evolution (SEGUE-2), consisting of spectroscopy of approximately 118,000 stars at both high and low Galactic latitudes. All the more than half a million stellar spectra obtained with the SDSS spectrograph have been reprocessed through an improved stellar parameters pipeline, which has better determination of metallicity for high metallicity stars.Comment: Astrophysical Journal Supplements, in press (minor updates from submitted version