How predictable are spontaneous decisions and hidden intentions? Comparing classification results based on previous responses with multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI BOLD signals

In two replication studies we examined response bias and dependencies in voluntary decisions. We trained a linear classifier to predict “spontaneous decisions” and in the second study “hidden intentions” from responses in preceding trials and achieved comparable prediction accuracies as reported for multivariate pattern classification based on voxel activities in frontopolar cortex. We discuss implications of our findings and suggest ways to improve classification analyses of fMRI BOLD signals that may help to reduce effects of response dependencies between trials

The Effects of Activating Gender-Related Social Roles on Financial Risk-Taking

Previous studies observed differences between men and women in terms of their financial risk-taking. However, these differences may stem not only from the gender of the decision-maker but also from other factors, such as stereotypical gender social roles. Media content exposes both men and women to stereotypical portrayals of their gender, and this might temporarily activate thoughts related to their social roles. A question arises whether such activation might impact the way people make risky financial decisions. The present experimental study investigated whether temporarily activated gender-related social roles influence the risk-taking propensities of men and women (N = 319) in the context of gambling and investment choices. The results show that activating a stereotypically male social role (professional employee) made both men and women more prone to take financial risks relative to a control condition. Furthermore, activating a stereotypically female social role (homemaker) lowered the propensity to take financial risks in both genders for the investment domain and in women only for the gambling domain. This study contributes to the literature on gender differences in economic behavior by showing that researchers should not overlook sociocultural factors

Characteristics of orange-whey fermented beverages

The aim of the present work was to determine the populations of ABT culture microorganisms in orange and orangewhey drinks after fermentation and during 28-day storage. The evaluation involved fermented fruit drinks without whey or with added acid or sweet (rennet) whey. The Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacteria counts were initially 3.5×105–8.3×105 CFU cm−3 and 2.4×106–5.9×106 CFU cm−3, respectively, and did not increase during fermentation. However, an increase was observed in the Lb. acidophilus count, which amounted to 3.0×106–2.4×107 CFU cm−3 after fermentation. During storage, the Str. thermophilus and Lb. acidophilus counts remained constant, but that for Bifidobacteria fell to 103 CFU cm−3 after 28 days. Bacteria survivability was higher in drinks containing whey than in non-whey orange drinks. In 100 cm3, antioxidant activity against ABTS/DPPH radicals varied between 260 and 550 μmol TE; vitamin C content was in the range of 15.7–17.6 mg; polyphenols were 26.6–34.4 mg (+)catechin. In the sensory evaluation the best results were obtained for non-whey drinks and those containing 50% acid whey

Photochemical properties of the cyclopentadienyliron complex of phenothiazine

Publisher's version/PDFPhotolysis of [([eta superscript 6]-phenothiazine)([eta superscript 5]-cyclopentadienyl)]iron(II) hexafluorophosphate (1) has been examined in various solvents such as MeOH, DMSO, THF, MeCN, furan, CH[subscript 2]Cl[subscript 2], CF[subscript 3]CH[subscript 2]OH and (CF[subscript 3])[subscript 2]CHOH. Photoreactions are induced by excitation at [lambda] = 254, 313, 337, 366, 514.5 and 647.5 nm. The major reaction leads to the photorelease of phenothiazine (2) which does not react further under the reaction conditions. Quantum yields of photolysis of 1, [phi](1), and photorelease of 2, [phi]([subscript 2]), are independent of concentration in the range of 1 × 10[superscript –4]–1 × 10[superscript–2] mol dm[superscript–3], wavelength of excitation and light intensity and in MeOH, MeCN, furan and THF, [phi]([subscript 1]) = [phi]([subscript 2]) = ca. 1. The quantum yields are lower in solvents of lower nucleophilicity and in CH[subscript 2]Cl[subscript 2], CF[subscript 3]CH[subscript 2]OH and (CF[subscript 3])[subscript 2]CHOH the [phi]([subscript 1]) values are 0.45, 0.26 and 0.03, respectively. In some solvents ferrocene formation is also observed. Applying oxygen as a quencher it is found that photochemical decay of 1 takes place from the excited state [superscript 3]E[subscript 1], with a lifetime of [tau][subscript 3][Epsilon][subscript 1] < 10[superscript –8]s and leads to formation of 2

Cycle-finite module categories

We describe the structure of module categories of finite dimensional algebras over an algebraically closed field for which the cycles of nonzero nonisomorphisms between indecomposable finite dimensional modules are finite (do not belong to the infinite Jacobson radical of the module category). Moreover, geometric and homological properties of these module categories are exhibited