The Spheres & Shield Maze Task: A virtual reality serious game for the assessment of risk taking in decision making

[EN] Risk taking (RT) is an essential component in decision-making process that depicts the propensity to make risky decisions. RT assessment has traditionally focused on self-report questionnaires. These classical tools have shown clear distance from real-life responses. Behavioral tasks assess human behavior with more fidelity, but still show some limitations related to transferability. A way to overcome these constraints is to take advantage from virtual reality (VR), to recreate real-simulated situations that might arise from performance-based assessments, supporting RT research. This article presents results of a pilot study in which 41 individuals explored a gamified VR environment: the Spheres & Shield Maze Task (SSMT). By eliciting implicit behavioral measures, we found relationships between scores obtained in the SSMT and self-reported risk-related constructs, as engagement in risky behaviors and marijuana consumption. We conclude that decontextualized Virtual Reality Serious Games are appropriate to assess RT, since they could be used as a cross-disciplinary tool to assess individuals' capabilities under the stealth assessment paradigm.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness funded projects "Advanced Therapeutic Tools for Mental Health'' (DPI2016-77396-R), and "Assessment and Training on Decision Making in Risk Environments'' (RTC-2017-6523-6) (MINECO/AEI/FEDER,UE) and by the Generalitat Valenciana funded project "Rebrand'' (PROMETEU/2019/105).Juan-Ripoll, CD.; Soler-Domínguez, JL.; Chicchi-Giglioli, IA.; Contero, M.; Alcañiz Raya, ML. (2020). The Spheres & Shield Maze Task: A virtual reality serious game for the assessment of risk taking in decision making. Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking. 23(11):773-781. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0761S7737812311Bechara, A., Damasio, H., Tranel, D., & Damasio, A. R. (2005). The Iowa Gambling Task and the somatic marker hypothesis: some questions and answers. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(4), 159-162. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2005.02.002Krain, A. L., Wilson, A. M., Arbuckle, R., Castellanos, F. X., & Milham, M. P. (2006). Distinct neural mechanisms of risk and ambiguity: A meta-analysis of decision-making. NeuroImage, 32(1), 477-484. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.02.047Einhorn, H. J. (1970). The use of nonlinear, noncompensatory models in decision making. Psychological Bulletin, 73(3), 221-230. doi:10.1037/h0028695Figner, B., & Weber, E. U. (2011). Who Takes Risks When and Why? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(4), 211-216. doi:10.1177/0963721411415790Endsley, M. R., & Garland, D. J. (Eds.). (2000). Situation Awareness Analysis and Measurement. doi:10.1201/b12461Lauriola, M., & Levin, I. P. (2001). Personality traits and risky decision-making in a controlled experimental task: an exploratory study. Personality and Individual Differences, 31(2), 215-226. doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(00)00130-6Rundmo, T. (1996). Associations between risk perception and safety. Safety Science, 24(3), 197-209. doi:10.1016/s0925-7535(97)00038-6Zuckerman, M., & Kuhlman, D. M. (2000). Personality and Risk‐Taking: Common Bisocial Factors. Journal of Personality, 68(6), 999-1029. doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00124Dahlen, E. R., Martin, R. C., Ragan, K., & Kuhlman, M. M. (2005). Driving anger, sensation seeking, impulsiveness, and boredom proneness in the prediction of unsafe driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 37(2), 341-348. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2004.10.006Donohew, L., Zimmerman, R., Cupp, P. S., Novak, S., Colon, S., & Abell, R. (2000). Sensation seeking, impulsive decision-making, and risky sex: implications for risk-taking and design of interventions. Personality and Individual Differences, 28(6), 1079-1091. doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(99)00158-0Moreno, M., Estevez, A. F., Zaldivar, F., Montes, J. M. G., Gutiérrez-Ferre, V. E., Esteban, L., … Flores, P. (2012). Impulsivity differences in recreational cannabis users and binge drinkers in a university population. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 124(3), 355-362. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.02.011Dvorak, R. D., & Day, A. M. (2014). Marijuana and self-regulation: Examining likelihood and intensity of use and problems. Addictive Behaviors, 39(3), 709-712. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.11.001Trocki, K. F., Drabble, L. A., & Midanik, L. T. (2009). Tobacco, marijuana, and sensation seeking: Comparisons across gay, lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual groups. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23(4), 620-631. doi:10.1037/a0017334Ames, S. L., Zogg, J. B., & Stacy, A. W. (2002). Implicit cognition, sensation seeking, marijuana use and driving behavior among drug offenders. Personality and Individual Differences, 33(7), 1055-1072. doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(01)00212-4Highhouse, S., Nye, C. D., Zhang, D. C., & Rada, T. B. (2016). Structure of the Dospert: Is There Evidence for a General Risk Factor? Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 30(2), 400-406. doi:10.1002/bdm.1953Jackson, D. N., Hourany, L., & Vidmar, N. J. (1972). A four-dimensional interpretation of risk taking1. Journal of Personality, 40(3), 483-501. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1972.tb00075.xSkeel, R. L., Neudecker, J., Pilarski, C., & Pytlak, K. (2007). The utility of personality variables and behaviorally-based measures in the prediction of risk-taking behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(1), 203-214. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2006.11.025Horvath, P., & Zuckerman, M. (1993). Sensation seeking, risk appraisal, and risky behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 14(1), 41-52. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(93)90173-zLejuez, C. W., Aklin, W. M., Zvolensky, M. J., & Pedulla, C. M. (2003). Evaluation of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) as a predictor of adolescent real-world risk-taking behaviours. Journal of Adolescence, 26(4), 475-479. doi:10.1016/s0140-1971(03)00036-8Verhulst, N., De Keyser, A., Gustafsson, A., Shams, P., & Van Vaerenbergh, Y. (2019). Neuroscience in service research: an overview and discussion of its possibilities. Journal of Service Management, 30(5), 621-649. doi:10.1108/josm-05-2019-0135de-Juan-Ripoll, C., Soler-Domínguez, J. L., Guixeres, J., Contero, M., Álvarez Gutiérrez, N., & Alcañiz, M. (2018). Virtual Reality as a New Approach for Risk Taking Assessment. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02532Bechara, A., Damasio, A. R., Damasio, H., & Anderson, S. W. (1994). Insensitivity to future consequences following damage to human prefrontal cortex. Cognition, 50(1-3), 7-15. doi:10.1016/0010-0277(94)90018-3Bottari, C., Dassa, C., Rainville, C., & Dutil, É. (2009). The factorial validity and internal consistency of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Profile in individuals with a traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 19(2), 177-207. doi:10.1080/09602010802188435Verschoor, A., D’Exelle, B., & Perez-Viana, B. (2016). Lab and life: Does risky choice behaviour observed in experiments reflect that in the real world? Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 128, 134-148. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2016.05.009Tarr, M. J., & Warren, W. H. (2002). Virtual reality in behavioral neuroscience and beyond. Nature Neuroscience, 5(S11), 1089-1092. doi:10.1038/nn948Alcañiz, M., Rey, B., Tembl, J., & Parkhutik, V. (2009). A Neuroscience Approach to Virtual Reality Experience Using Transcranial Doppler Monitoring. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 18(2), 97-111. doi:10.1162/pres.18.2.97Chittaro, L., & Ranon, R. (2009). Serious Games for Training Occupants of a Building in Personal Fire Safety Skills. 2009 Conference in Games and Virtual Worlds for Serious Applications. doi:10.1109/vs-games.2009.8Lovreglio, R., Gonzalez, V., Amor, R., Spearpoint, M., Thomas, J., Trotter, M., & Sacks, R. (2017). The Need for Enhancing Earthquake Evacuee Safety by Using Virtual Reality Serious Games. Lean and Computing in Construction Congress - Volume 1: Proceedings of the Joint Conference on Computing in Construction. doi:10.24928/jc3-2017/0058Rizzo, A. A., Bowerly, T., Buckwalter, J. G., Klimchuk, D., Mitura, R., & Parsons, T. D. (2009). A Virtual Reality Scenario for All Seasons:The Virtual Classroom. CNS Spectrums, 11(1), 35-44. doi:10.1017/s1092852900024196Chicchi Giglioli, I. A., de Juan Ripoll, C., Parra, E., & Alcañiz Raya, M. (2019). Are 3D virtual environments better than 2D interfaces in serious games performance? An explorative study for the assessment of executive functions. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 28(2), 148-157. doi:10.1080/23279095.2019.1607735Huang, H.-M., Rauch, U., & Liaw, S.-S. (2010). Investigating learners’ attitudes toward virtual reality learning environments: Based on a constructivist approach. Computers & Education, 55(3), 1171-1182. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2010.05.014Dalgarno, B., & Lee, M. J. W. (2009). What are the learning affordances of 3-D virtual environments? British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(1), 10-32. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2009.01038.xFowler, C. (2014). Virtual reality and learning: Where is the pedagogy? British Journal of Educational Technology, 46(2), 412-422. doi:10.1111/bjet.12135Zuckerman, M., Kolin, E. A., Price, L., & Zoob, I. (1964). Development of a sensation-seeking scale. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 28(6), 477-482. doi:10.1037/h0040995Patton, J. H., Stanford, M. S., & Barratt, E. S. (1995). Factor structure of the barratt impulsiveness scale. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(6), 768-774. doi:10.1002/1097-4679(199511)51:63.0.co;2-1So, R. H. Y., Lo, W. T., & Ho, A. T. K. (2001). Effects of Navigation Speed on Motion Sickness Caused by an Immersive Virtual Environment. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 43(3), 452-461. doi:10.1518/001872001775898223Zuckerman, M. (2008). Sensation Seeking. The International Encyclopedia of Communication. doi:10.1002/9781405186407.wbiecs029Orlebeke, J. F., Van Der Molen, M. W., Dolan, C., & Stoffels, E. J. (1990). The additive factor logic applied to the personality trait disinhibition. Personality and Individual Differences, 11(6), 553-558. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(90)90037-rPopham, L. E., Kennison, S. M., & Bradley, K. I. (2011). Ageism, Sensation-Seeking, and Risk-Taking Behavior in Young Adults. Current Psychology, 30(2), 184-193. doi:10.1007/s12144-011-9107-0Roberti, J. W. (2004). A review of behavioral and biological correlates of sensation seeking. Journal of Research in Personality, 38(3), 256-279. doi:10.1016/s0092-6566(03)00067-9Zuckerman, M., Eysenck, S. B., & Eysenck, H. J. (1978). Sensation seeking in England and America: Cross-cultural, age, and sex comparisons. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46(1), 139-149. doi:10.1037/0022-006x.46.1.139Television campaigns and adolescent marijuana use: tests of sensation seeking targeting. (2001). American Journal of Public Health, 91(2), 292-296. doi:10.2105/ajph.91.2.292Barry, D., & Petry, N. M. (2008). Predictors of decision-making on the Iowa Gambling Task: Independent effects of lifetime history of substance use disorders and performance on the Trail Making Test. Brain and Cognition, 66(3), 243-252. doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2007.09.00

Evaluation of Petrifilm™ Select E. coli Count Plate medium to discriminate antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Screening and enumeration of antimicrobial resistant <it>Escherichia coli </it>directly from samples is needed to identify emerging resistant clones and obtain quantitative data for risk assessment. Aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of 3M™ Petrifilm™ Select <it>E. coli </it>Count Plate (SEC plate) supplemented with antimicrobials to discriminate antimicrobial-resistant and non-resistant <it>E. coli</it>.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A range of <it>E. coli </it>isolates were tested by agar dilution method comparing the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for eight antimicrobials obtained by Mueller-Hinton II agar, MacConkey agar and SEC plates. Kappa statistics was used to assess the levels of agreement when classifying strains as resistant, intermediate or susceptible.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SEC plate showed that 74% of all strains agreed within ± 1 log₂dilution when comparing MICs with Mueller-Hinton II media. High agreement levels were found for gentamicin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol and cefotaxime, resulting in a kappa value of 0.9 and 100% agreement within ± 1 log₂dilution. Significant variances were observed for oxytetracycline and sulphamethoxazole. Further tests showed that the observed discrepancy in classification of susceptibility to oxytetracycline by the two media could be overcome when a plate-dependent breakpoint of 64 mg/L was used for SEC plates. For sulphamethoxazole, SEC plates provided unacceptably high MICs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>SEC plates showed good agreement with Mueller-Hinton II agar in MIC studies and can be used to screen and discriminate resistant <it>E. coli </it>for ampicillin, cephalothin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime and gentamicin using CLSI standardized breakpoints, but not for sulphamethoxazole. SEC plates can also be used to discriminate oxytetracycline-resistant <it>E. coli </it>if a plate-dependent breakpoint value of 64 mg/L is used.</p

Trim17, novel E3 ubiquitin-ligase, initiates neuronal apoptosis

Accumulating data indicate that the ubiquitin-proteasome system controls apoptosis by regulating the level and the function of key regulatory proteins. In this study, we identified Trim17, a member of the TRIM/RBCC protein family, as one of the critical E3 ubiquitin ligases involved in the control of neuronal apoptosis upstream of mitochondria. We show that expression of Trim17 is increased both at the mRNA and protein level in several in vitro models of transcription-dependent neuronal apoptosis. Expression of Trim17 is controlled by the PI3K/Akt/GSK3 pathway in cerebellar granule neurons (CGN). Moreover, the Trim17 protein is expressed in vivo, in apoptotic neurons that naturally die during post-natal cerebellar development. Overexpression of active Trim17 in primary CGN was sufficient to induce the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in survival conditions. This pro-apoptotic effect was abolished in Bax(-/-) neurons and depended on the E3 activity of Trim17 conferred by its RING domain. Furthermore, knock-down of endogenous Trim17 and overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of Trim17 blocked trophic factor withdrawal-induced apoptosis both in CGN and in sympathetic neurons. Collectively, our data are the first to assign a cellular function to Trim17 by showing that its E3 activity is both necessary and sufficient for the initiation of neuronal apoptosis. Cell Death and Differentiation (2010) 17, 1928-1941; doi: 10.1038/cdd.2010.73; published online 18 June 201

Emergent global patterns of ecosystem structure and function from a mechanistic general ecosystem model

Anthropogenic activities are causing widespread degradation of ecosystems worldwide, threatening the ecosystem services upon which all human life depends. Improved understanding of this degradation is urgently needed to improve avoidance and mitigation measures. One tool to assist these efforts is predictive models of ecosystem structure and function that are mechanistic: based on fundamental ecological principles. Here we present the first mechanistic General Ecosystem Model (GEM) of ecosystem structure and function that is both global and applies in all terrestrial and marine environments. Functional forms and parameter values were derived from the theoretical and empirical literature where possible. Simulations of the fate of all organisms with body masses between 10 µg and 150,000 kg (a range of 14 orders of magnitude) across the globe led to emergent properties at individual (e.g., growth rate), community (e.g., biomass turnover rates), ecosystem (e.g., trophic pyramids), and macroecological scales (e.g., global patterns of trophic structure) that are in general agreement with current data and theory. These properties emerged from our encoding of the biology of, and interactions among, individual organisms without any direct constraints on the properties themselves. Our results indicate that ecologists have gathered sufficient information to begin to build realistic, global, and mechanistic models of ecosystems, capable of predicting a diverse range of ecosystem properties and their response to human pressures

Solitary metastatic adenocarcinoma of the sternum treated by total sternectomy and chest wall reconstruction using a Gore-Tex patch and myocutaneous flap: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The consequences of bone metastasis are often devastating. Although the exact incidence of bone metastasis is unknown, it is estimated that 350,000 people die of bone metastasis annually in the United States. The incidence of local recurrences after mastectomy and breast-conserving therapy varies between 5% and 40% depending on the risk factors and primary therapy utilized. So far, a standard therapy of local recurrence has not been defined, while indications of resection and reconstruction considerations have been infrequently described. This case report reviews the use of sternectomy for breast cancer recurrence, highlights the need for thorough clinical and radiologic evaluation to ensure the absence of other systemic diseases, and suggests the use of serratus anterior muscle flap as a pedicle graft to cover full-thickness defects of the anterior chest wall.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman who was referred to our hospital for the management of a retrosternal mediastinal mass. She had undergone radical mastectomy in 1999. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 74.23 × 37.7 × 133.6-mm mass in the anterior mediastinum adjacent to the main pulmonary artery, the right ventricle and the ascending aorta. We performed total sternectomy at all layers encompassing the skin, the subcutaneous tissues, the right pectoralis major muscle, all the costal cartilages, and the anterior part of the pericardium. The defect was immediately closed using a 0.6 mm Gore-Tex cardiovascular patch combined with a serratus anterior muscle flap. Our patient had remained asymptomatic during her follow-up examination after 18 months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Chest wall resection has become a critical component of the thoracic surgeon's armamentarium. It may be performed to treat either benign conditions (osteoradionecrosis, osteomyelitis) or malignant diseases. There are, however, very few reports on the results of full-thickness complete chest wall resections for locally recurrent breast cancer with sufficient safety margins, and even fewer reports that describe the operative technique of using the serratus anterior muscle as a pedicled flap.</p

Remodeling of the chromatin structure of the facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) locus and upregulation of FSHD-related gene 1 (FRG1) expression during human myogenic differentiation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disorder associated with the partial deletion of integral numbers of 3.3 kb D4Z4 DNA repeats within the subtelomere of chromosome 4q. A number of candidate FSHD genes, adenine nucleotide translocator 1 gene (<it>ANT1</it>), FSHD-related gene 1 (<it>FRG1</it>), <it>FRG2 </it>and <it>DUX4c</it>, upstream of the D4Z4 array (FSHD locus), and double homeobox chromosome 4 (<it>DUX4</it>) within the repeat itself, are upregulated in some patients, thus suggesting an underlying perturbation of the chromatin structure. Furthermore, a mouse model overexpressing <it>FRG1 </it>has been generated, displaying skeletal muscle defects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the context of myogenic differentiation, we compared the chromatin structure and tridimensional interaction of the D4Z4 array and <it>FRG1 </it>gene promoter, and <it>FRG1 </it>expression, in control and FSHD cells. The <it>FRG1 </it>gene was prematurely expressed during FSHD myoblast differentiation, thus suggesting that the number of D4Z4 repeats in the array may affect the correct timing of <it>FRG1 </it>expression. Using chromosome conformation capture (3C) technology, we revealed that the <it>FRG1 </it>promoter and D4Z4 array physically interacted. Furthermore, this chromatin structure underwent dynamic changes during myogenic differentiation that led to the loosening of the <it>FRG1</it>/4q-D4Z4 array loop in myotubes. The <it>FRG1 </it>promoter in both normal and FSHD myoblasts was characterized by H3K27 trimethylation and Polycomb repressor complex binding, but these repression signs were replaced by H3K4 trimethylation during differentiation. The D4Z4 sequences behaved similarly, with H3K27 trimethylation and Polycomb binding being lost upon myogenic differentiation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We propose a model in which the D4Z4 array may play a critical chromatin function as an orchestrator of <it>in cis </it>chromatin loops, thus suggesting that this repeat may play a role in coordinating gene expression.</p

Non-fasting lipids and risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of postprandial time on the associations and predictive value of non-fasting lipid levels and cardiovascular disease risk in participants with diabetes. This study was conducted among 1,337 participants with diabetes from the Dutch and German (Potsdam) contributions to the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. At baseline, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured and the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol was calculated. Participants were followed for incidence of cardiovascular disease. Lipid concentrations changed minimally with increasing postprandial time, except for triacylglycerol which was elevated just after a meal and declined over time (1.86 at 0.1 h to 1.33 at >6 h, p for trend <0.001). During a mean follow-up of 8 years, 116 cardiovascular events were documented. After adjustment for potential confounders, triacylglycerol (HR for third tertile compared with first tertile (HR(t)₃(to)₁), 1.73 [95% CI 1.04, 2.87]), HDL-cholesterol (HR(t)₃(to)₁, 0.41 [95% CI 0.23, 0.72]) and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio (HR(t)₃(to)₁, 1.65 [95% CI 0.95, 2.85]) were associated with cardiovascular disease, independent of postprandial time. Cardiovascular disease risk prediction using the UK Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine was not affected by postprandial time. Postprandial time did not affect associations between lipid concentrations and cardiovascular disease risk in patients with diabetes, nor did it influence prediction of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it may not be necessary to use fasting blood samples to determine lipid concentrations for cardiovascular disease risk prediction in patients with diabete

Conservation implications of the mating system of the Pampa Hermosa landrace of peach palm analyzed with microsatellite markers

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) is cultivated by many indigenous and traditional communities from Amazonia to Central America for its edible fruits, and is currently important for its heart-of-palm. The objective of this study was to investigate the mating system of peach palm, as this is important for conservation and breeding. Eight microsatellite loci were used to genotype 24 open-pollinated progenies from three populations of the Pampa Hermosa landrace maintained in a progeny trial for genetic improvement. Both the multi-locus outcrossing rates (0.95 to 0.99) and the progeny level multi-locus outcrossing rates (0.9 to 1.0) were high, indicating that peach palm is predominantly allogamous. The outcrossing rates among relatives were significantly different from zero (0.101 to 0.202), providing evidence for considerable biparental inbreeding within populations, probably due to farmers planting seeds of a small number of open-pollinated progenies in the same plot. The correlations of paternity estimates were low (0.051 to 0.112), suggesting a large number of pollen sources (9 to 20) participating in pollination of individual fruit bunches. Effective population size estimates suggest that current germplasm collections are insufficient for long-term ex situ conservation. As with most underutilized crops, on farm conservation is the most important component of an integrated conservation strategy