Pawedness trait test (PaTRaT) : a new paradigm to evaluate paw preference and dexterity in rats

Pawedness Trait Test (PaTRaT)-A New Paradigm to Evaluate Paw Preference and Dexterity in RatsIn rodents, dexterity is commonly analyzed in preference paradigms in which animals are given the chance to use either the left or the right front paws to manipulate food. However, paw preference and dexterity at population and individual levels are controversial as results are incongruent across paradigms. We have therefore developed a semi-quantitative method-the pawdeness trait test (PaTRaT)-to evaluate paw preference degree in rats. The PaTRaT consists in a classification system, ranging from +4 to 4 where increasingly positive and negative values reflect the bias for left or right paw use, respectively. Sprague-Dawley male rats were confined into a metal rectangular mesh cylinder, from which they can see, smell and reach sugared rewards with their paws. Due to its size, the reward could only cross the mesh if aligned with its diagonal, imposing additional coordination. Animals were allowed to retrieve 10 rewards per session in a total of four sessions while their behavior was recorded. PaTRaT was repeated 4 and 8 weeks after the first evaluation. To exclude potential bias, rats were also tested for paw fine movement and general locomotion in other behavioral paradigms as well as impulsivity (variable delay-to-signal, VDS), memory and cognitive flexibility (water maze). At the population level 54% of the animals presented a rightward bias. Individually, all animals presented marked side-preferences, >2 and <-2 for left-and right-sided bias, respectively, and this preference was stable across the three evaluations. Inter-rater consistency was very high between two experienced raters and substantial when two additional inexperienced raters were included. Left-and right-biased animals presented no differences in the ability to perform fine movements with any of the forelimbs (staircase) and general locomotor performance. Additionally, these groups performed similarly in executive function and memory tasks. In conclusion, PaTRaT is able to reliably classify rats' pawedness direction and degree.This work has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE) and the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement (project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023). It was also funded by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, FCT), under the scope of the projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038 and PTDC/NEU-SCC/5301/2014. Researchers were supported by FCT grant numbers SFRH/BD/109111/2015 (AMC), SFRH/BD/52291/2013 (ME via Inter-University Doctoral Programme in Ageing and Chronic Disease, PhDOC), PD/BD/114120/2015 (SPN via PhDOC), SFRH/BD/89936/2012 (SB), PD/BD/114117/2015 (MRG via PhDOC) and SFRH/BPD/80118/2011 (HL-A).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Agents in decentralised information ecosystems: the DIET approach

The complexity of the current global information infrastructure requires novel means of understanding and exploiting the dynamics of information. One means may be through the concept of an information ecosystem. An information ecosystem is analo gous to a natural ecosystem in which there are flo ws of materials and energy analo gous to information flow between many interacting individuals. This paper describes a multi-agent platform, DIET (Decentralised Information Ecosystem Technologies) that can be used to implement open, robust, adaptive and scalable ecosystem-inspired systems. We describe the design principles of the DIET software architecture, and present a simple example application based upon it. We go on to consider how the DIET system can be used to develop information brokering agents, and how these can contribute to the implementation of economic interactions between agents, as well as identifying some open questions relating to research in these areas. In this way we show the capacity of the DIET system to support applications using information agents.Future and Emerging Technologies arm of the IST Programme of the European Union, under the FET Proactive Initiative – Universal Information Ecosystems (FET, 1999), through project DIET (IST -1999-10088), BTexaCT Intelligent Systems Laboratory for stimulating discussion and comment

A feasibility study of market expansion for company X

This thesis was undertaken for company X which prefers anonymity due to its business field. The case company is of small size and operates in the gold recycling industry in Finland. The goal of this thesis is to contribute to the company‟s understanding of international markets in general, and, specifically to analyze the feasibility of a market expansion to Switzerland. The main theoretical concepts covered in this thesis relate to internationalization, market and country analysis, and the corporate decision making process. The market entry strategy is based on requirements rather than classical models. Country analysis is based on the four di-mensions model defined by Hofstede and the four factor model as defined by Dlabay and Scott. The decision making process model used is based on the PrOACT system. Research was completed in two stages: in the first stage a research report was compiled and presented to the case company. In the second stage the initial research was analyzed in co-operation with the case company and a focus for the secondary research was developed. Ini-tial research was undertaken in the form of desktop research and secondary research was un-dertaken in the form of interviews. The result of the research process provided a means of market comparison and feasibility analysis. The main conclusions that could be drawn are that the gold recycling industry is more competitive in Switzerland and as such a market expansion should only be undertaken in cooperation with a local partner. The case company should furthermore reassess its goals and objectives for international markets and analyze their willingness to take risk in relation to the overall investment

Schattenberechnung für die Visualisierung hybrider Datensätze

Die dreidimensionale Darstellung hybrider Datensätze hat sich in den letzten Jahren als ein wichtiger Teilbereich der wissenschaftlichen Visualisierung etabliert. Hybride Datensätze enthalten sowohl diskrete Volumendaten als auch durch geometrische Primitive definierte Objekte. Bei der visuellen Verarbeitung einer gegebenen Szene spielen Schatteninformationen eine wichtige Rolle, indem sie die Beziehungen von Objekten untereinander verständlich machen. Wir beschreiben ein einfaches Verfahren zur Berechnung von Schatteninformation, das in ein bestehendes System zur Visualisierung hybrider Datensätze integriert wurde. An einem Beispiel aus der klinischen Anwendung werden die Ergebnisse illustriert