Slope-Driven Goal Location Behavior in Pigeons

A basic tenet of principles of associative learning applicable to models of spatial learning is that a cue should be assigned greater weight if it is a better predictor of the goal location. Pigeons were trained to locate a goal in an acute corner of an isosceles trapezoid arena, presented on a slanted floor with 3 (Experiment 1) or 2 (Experiment 2) orientations. The goal could be consistently determined by the geometric shape of the arena; however, its position with respect to the slope gradient varied, such that slope position was not a good predictor of the goal. Pigeons learned to solve the task, and testing on a flat surface revealed successful encoding of the goal relative to the geometric shape of the arena. However, when tested in the arena placed in a novel orientation on the slope, pigeons surprisingly made systematic errors to the other acute—but geometrically incorrect—mirror image corner. The results indicate that, for each arena orientation, pigeons encoded the goal location with respect to the slope. Then, in the novel orientation, they chose the corner that matched the goal’s position on the slope plus local cue (corner angle). Although geometry was 2 times (Experiment 2) or even 3 times (Experiment 1) as predictive as slope, it failed to control behavior during novel test trials. Instead, searching was driven by the less predictive slope cues. The reliance on slope and the unresponsiveness to geometry are explained by the greater salience of slope despite its lower predictive value

Genetic variants in novel pathways influence blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk.

Blood pressure is a heritable trait influenced by several biological pathways and responsive to environmental stimuli. Over one billion people worldwide have hypertension (≥140 mm Hg systolic blood pressure or  ≥90 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure). Even small increments in blood pressure are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. This genome-wide association study of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which used a multi-stage design in 200,000 individuals of European descent, identified sixteen novel loci: six of these loci contain genes previously known or suspected to regulate blood pressure (GUCY1A3-GUCY1B3, NPR3-C5orf23, ADM, FURIN-FES, GOSR2, GNAS-EDN3); the other ten provide new clues to blood pressure physiology. A genetic risk score based on 29 genome-wide significant variants was associated with hypertension, left ventricular wall thickness, stroke and coronary artery disease, but not kidney disease or kidney function. We also observed associations with blood pressure in East Asian, South Asian and African ancestry individuals. Our findings provide new insights into the genetics and biology of blood pressure, and suggest potential novel therapeutic pathways for cardiovascular disease prevention

THERAPEUTIC MISCONCEPTION AMONG PARTICIPANTS OF THE DOBELLE VISION IMPLANT PROJECT

Therapeutic misconception, as first described by Appelbaum, Roth, and Lidz (1982) is said to occur when a participant who is engaged in research, erroneously conflates the purpose and goals of a given research project with those of therapeutic treatment and personal care. Therapeutic misconception is considered ethically intolerable in research as its presence is thought to undermine the process of voluntary informed consent (Appelbaum, Roth, Lidz, Benson, and Winslade, 1987). Extensive literature suggests that therapeutic misconception is a common phenomenon which occurs within a variety of research domains, and may be present in approximately 62% of research participants (Appelbaum, Lidz, & Grisso, 2004). Despite this alarming prevalence, the possibility of therapeutic misconception in neural interface research, especially projects exploring artificial vision restoration, has received little attention. Vision prosthetic trials may be particularly susceptible to engendering therapeutic misconceptions among participants, due to the intense desire to restore visual functioning, the complexity of this research context, and the dearth of information available concerning vision prosthetic devices. As a mounting number of visual neural prosthetic projects advance and reach the threshold of human-subjects research, assessing for therapeutic misconception will become increasingly essential to ensure that participants fully comprehend the nature of their involvement. The present study, which represents the first known investigation into the potential of therapeutic misconception in artificial vision research, employs semi-structured interviews and qualitative deductive content data analyses to explore the possibility that therapeutic misconception was evident, and operating, among participants of the Dobelle Vision Implant Project.M.S. in Psychology, May 201

Slope-Driven Goal Location Behavior in Pigeons

A basic tenet of principles of associative learning applicable to models of spatial learning is that a cue should be assigned greater weight if it is a better predictor of the goal location. Pigeons were trained to locate a goal in an acute corner of an isosceles trapezoid arena, presented on a slanted floor with 3 (Experiment 1) or 2 (Experiment 2) orientations. The goal could be consistently determined by the geometric shape of the arena; however, its position with respect to the slope gradient varied, such that slope position was not a good predictor of the goal. Pigeons learned to solve the task, and testing on a flat surface revealed successful encoding of the goal relative to the geometric shape of the arena. However, when tested in the arena placed in a novel orientation on the slope, pigeons surprisingly made systematic errors to the other acute—but geometrically incorrect—mirror image corner. The results indicate that, for each arena orientation, pigeons encoded the goal location with respect to the slope. Then, in the novel orientation, they chose the corner that matched the goal’s position on the slope plus local cue (corner angle). Although geometry was 2 times (Experiment 2) or even 3 times (Experiment 1) as predictive as slope, it failed to control behavior during novel test trials. Instead, searching was driven by the less predictive slope cues. The reliance on slope and the unresponsiveness to geometry are explained by the greater salience of slope despite its lower predictive value

Stakeholders' views on online interventions to prevent common mental health disorders in adults implemented into existing healthcare systems in Europe

BACKGROUND: Online preventive interventions can help to reduce the incidence of mental disorders. Whereas knowledge on stakeholders' attitudes and factors relevant for successfully integrating online treatment into existing healthcare systems is available, knowledge is scarce for online prevention. METHODS: Stakeholders from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Spain were surveyed. Potential facilitators/delivery staff (e.g. psychologists, psychotherapists) completed an online questionnaire (n = 183), policy makers (i.e. from the governing sector or health insurance providers) participated in semi-structured interviews (n = 16) and target groups/potential users of mental illness prevention (n = 49) participated in ten focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to identify their experiences with and attitudes and needs regarding online programmes to prevent mental disorders. Additionally, it was examined which groups they consider underserved and which factors they consider as fostering and hindering for reach, adoption, implementation and maintenance (cf. RE-AIM model) when integrating online prevention into existing healthcare systems. RESULTS: Main advantages of online mental illness prevention are perceived in low structural and psychological barriers. Lack of personal contact, security, privacy and trust concerns were discussed as disadvantages. Relevant needs are high usability and target group appropriateness, evidence for effectiveness and the use of motivational tools. CONCLUSIONS: Positive attitudes among stakeholders are the key for successful integration of online mental illness prevention into existing healthcare systems. Potential facilitators/delivery staff must receive training and support to implement these programmes; the programmes must be attractive and continuously evaluated, updated and promoted to ensure ongoing reach; and existing infrastructure and contextual factors must be considered