Correlation analysis and modeling application from objective indicators to subjective evaluation of scented tea: A case study of rose tea.

Different scented teas provide various choices for consumers from appearance, aroma, flavor and others. Aiming to define advantages and market positions of different scented teas and promote optimization of market structure, characteristics for scented tea favored by consumers and outstanding attributes of different scented teas should be clarified. Rose tea was taken as study object. Sensory evaluation and consumer acceptance were investigated. GC-MS and HPLC fingerprints were established. Physicochemical characteristics were determined. RGB integration analysis was inventively proposed for correlation analysis. The volatile compounds with spicy, green or herbal odor as camphene, ß-phenethyl acetate, eugenol, and physicochemical parameters as antioxidant capacity, reducing sugar content, pH showed positive correlation with popular sensory properties. Six models for consumer preference by objective description were built through GA-SVR (accuracy = 1), and APP was developed. The research mode of scented tea has been successfully established to study multiple subjective characteristics with measurable objective parameters.

Goal-directed behavior in Tenebrio molitor larvae.

Can signs of intentional behavior be traced in an insect larva, traditionally thought to be driven only by mere reflexes? We trained Tenebrio molitor coleoptera larvae in a uniform Y-maze to prefer one target branch to get access to food, observing their ability to learn and retain access to the reward-associated side for up to 24 h. During reward devaluation, the reward food (experimental group) and a different food (control group) were paired with an aversive stimulus in a new environment. When tested again in the Y-maze, mealworms of the experimental group significantly reduced their visits to the target branch, whereas mealworms of the control group did not. Importantly, we found that the larvae did not have to experience the unpleasant consequences directly in the target branch to halt their behavior, as the exposure to the aversive taste occurred in a separate unfamiliar context. This is evidence that the mealworms formed a mental representation of action-consequence relationships, demonstrating flexible control of their actions to achieve desired outcomes at an early stage of their development.

The use of artificial songs to assess song recognition in imprinted female songbirds: a concept proposal.

We propose an experimental paradigm to examine acoustic features responsible for song preference and recognition in songbirds. Song preference in female songbirds is often influenced by early song experience. That is why several Estrildid species, including our subject species, the Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora), are known to show an imprinted preference for their father's songs. After confirming that Java sparrow females preferred their father's song compared to non-imprinted through song playbacks (first step), we repeated the playback tests in the same subjects using synthesized stimuli (second step). To create synthesized stimuli, we removed all the complex frequency modulations and subharmonics from song notes that we used for the first step playback tests to see the effect of spectrometric features on song recognition. The results indicated that females showed higher rate of calling towards synthesized father song stimuli, suggesting that the macroscopic patterns would play more important roles in song recognition than the microscopic acoustic features. Although we looked at spectrometric features and father-imprinted song preference in this study, similar testing can be applied in many ways to test preference for local dialects or subspecies-specific songs.

Effect of a microencapsulated blend of organic acids and bioactive compounds on the quality and visual appraisal of broiler meat.

For 2160 broilers, were raised from 1 to 42 d of age, was evaluated the consequences of microencapsulated blend of organic acids and bioactive compounds on dietary supplementation in broilers on meat quality and consumer acceptance during 200 d. Broilers were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments: Negative control (NC): basal diet; Positive control (PC): NC+ Zinc bacitracin 15%; B150: NC+150 g/t of the microencapsulated blend of organic acids and bioactive compounds; B300: NC+300 g/t of the microencapsulated blend of organic acids and bioactive compounds; B450:NC+450 g/t of the microencapsulated blend of organic acids and bioactive compounds; and B600:NC+600 g/t of the microencapsulated blend of organic acids and bioactive compounds. The poultry meat characteristics (thawing loss, cooking loss, shear force, color and microstructure of the meat), oxidative stability (lipid oxidation, antioxidant activity DPPH and ABTS) and consumer acceptance (visual appraisal and willingness to buy) were evaluated. Color parameters (L and b), thawing losses and shear force were not significantly different among the treatments (NC, PC, B150, B300, B450 and B600; P > 0.05). The highest level of a was in the PC. The cooking losses were the greatest in B600. No treatment showed changes in muscle fibers. The antioxidant activity for DPPH was higher for B600. For ABTS, B150 and B300 presented the least lipid oxidation. When evaluating consumers' visual preference, B300 had the greatest in consumer preference and B150 and B300 had the greatest purchase intention on the first day of storage. After 6 d, B300 continued to be the most preferred and B150 and B450 began to show the greatest purchase intention. The B300 treatment showed a protective effect on lipid stability and consumer preference. These results highlight the importance of using a precise additive dosage during animal production to guarantee the meat's quality and satisfy consumers' demands.

Two Structural Analogs of Kairomones are Detected by an Odorant Receptor HvarOR28 in the Coccinellid Hippodamia variegata.

In natural environments, general plant volatiles and herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) serve as critical clues for predatory natural enemies in the search for prey. The insect olfactory system plays a vital role in perceiving plant volatiles including HIPVs. In this study, we found that HIPV (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT) and the plant volatile geranyl acetate (GA), two structurally similar chemicals, displayed electrophysiological activities on the antennae of the ladybird Hippodamia variegata, but were only attractive to adult females in behavior. Moreover, mated female ladybirds laid a significantly higher number of eggs on TMTT-treated and GA-treated cotton leaves compared to controls. Screening of female-biased odorant receptors (ORs) from the antennal transcriptomes, performing Xenopus oocytes expression coupled with two-electrode voltage clamp recordings, suggested that HvarOR28 specifically tuned to TMTT and GA. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the amino acid residues Tyr143 and Phe81 of HvarOR28 are the key site for binding with TMTT and GA. Furthermore, RNA interference (RNAi) assay demonstrated that HvarOR28-silenced individuals demonstrated a notable decrease in electrophysiological responses, even female adults almost lost behavioral preference for the two compounds. Thus, it could be concluded that HvarOR28 in H. variegata contributes to facilitating egg laying through the perception of TMTT and GA. These findings may help to develop new olfactory modulators based on the behaviorally active ligands of HvarOR28.

Short-term temperature changes affected the predation ability of Orius similis on Bemisia tabaci nymphs.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), a major pest that can adversely affect economies and agriculture globally, is particularly sensitive to climate change-induced temperature fluctuations, which can intensify its outbreaks. Orius similis Zheng, a primary natural predator of B. tabaci, also experiences temperature-related effects that influence its biocontrol efficacy. Thus, understanding the response of O. similis to temperature changes is pivotal for optimizing its biocontrol potential. Herein, our investigations showed that the functional response of O. similis to both high- and low-instar nymphs of B. tabaci adheres to the type II model at temperatures of 19, 22, 25, 28, and 31 °C. At 28 °C, O. similis exhibits the highest instantaneous attack rate (high-instar: 1.1580, low-instar: 1.2112), and the shortest handling time per prey (high-instar: 0.0218, low-instar: 0.0191). The efficacy of O. similis in controlling B. tabaci nymphs follows the sequence: 28 °C > 25 °C > 31 °C > 22 °C > 19 °C. Additionally, search efficiency inversely correlates with prey density. Simulations using the Hessell-Varley interference model indicate that increased density of O. similis under any temperature condition leads to reduced predation rates. Moreover, O. similis shows a predation preference for low-instar nymphs of B. tabaci, with higher predation level observed at the same temperature. In conclusion, for effective control of B. tabaci in field releases, O. similis should be optimally released at temperatures between 25 and 28 °C to preferably target the egg or early nymph stages of B. tabaci and determining the appropriate number of O. similis is important to minimize interference among individuals and enhance biocontrol efficacy.

Oxytocin effects on socially transmitted food preferences are moderated by familiarity between rats.

RATIONALE: In the socially transmitted food preference (STFP) paradigm, rats change their preference for food rewards after socially interacting with a conspecific who has been fed with the originally non-preferred food. Here, we asked if oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide known for its role in social affiliation and social behavior, plays a role in STFP. Since OXT's influences on social behavior can be familiarity-dependent, we further asked if OXT effects on STFP are moderated by the familiarity between rats. OBJECTIVES: Does OXT modulate rats' socially transmitted food choices in a familiarity-dependent way. METHODS: We systemically injected either vehicle, low-dose (0.25 mg/kg) of OXT, or large-dose (1.0 mg/kg) of OXT before social interaction with either a familiar cagemate (in-group) or an unfamiliar conspecific from a different cage (out-group). RESULTS: We found an intergroup bias in STFP: vehicle-treated rats showed larger socially transmitted changes in food preference in the out-group than the in-group condition. OXT modulated STFP in a familiarity-dependent way: OXT prevented the increase in the consumption of the non-preferred food in the out-group, and decreased the consumption of the preferred food in the in-group. These effects were dose-dependent and observed under acute OXT action, but also on the subsequent day when acute OXT effects dissipated, suggesting long-lasting social learning effects of OXT. Additional analyses suggest that the familiarity and dose-dependent effects of OXT on STFP cannot be attributed to OXT's anorexic actions or differences in the duration of the social interactions. CONCLUSIONS: OXT modulates STFP in a familiarity-dependent way.

Variation in parental investment preferences for nestlings of the Gray-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus) in alpine environments.

In the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Gray-backed Shrike, a shrubland bird species of the plateau, confronts harsh living conditions. The impact of such an environment on their reproductive strategies has long intrigued us. This study reveals significant environmental effects on the investment of the Gray-backed Shrike during their nestling-rearing and egg-laying stages. (1) Based on measurements of 215 shrike eggs from 2017 to 2021, we found that under the cold alpine climate, Gray-backed Shrikes opt for a strategy of larger clutches and bigger eggs as average rainfall decreases. Concurrently, parents display a decreasing hatching order strategy, resulting in significant weight differences among newly hatched nestlings. (2) Marginal and core offspring exhibited no significant differences in fledging conditions. Core offspring generally have a slightly larger physique than marginal ones. However, marginal offspring exhibit the highest growth rate, with similar survival rates across different offspring categories. Parental rearing adopts a nest survival strategy. (3) The food provisioning rate by parents correlates strongly with the number of nestlings, the age of the nestling, and the nest's sex ratio. Differences exist between female and male provisioning rates based on begging intensity and average temperature; higher average temperatures lead to more food, with males providing more food. (4) Factors like nest sex ratio, offspring category, nestling age, and nestling sex influence the feeding preferences of parents. When overall nestling ratios skew towards either male or female, parental feeding preferences align with the actual nest sex ratio. Male and female parental feeding preferences differ based on average temperature and nestling sex. Males consistently exhibit a stronger preference for feeding male nestlings, regardless of the nest's sex ratio. In contrast, females don't show a clear preference, leading to differences in survival rates for different nestling sex under male feeding preferences.

The impact of different music genres on pain tolerance: emphasizing the significance of individual music genre preferences.

Music is a promising (adjunctive) treatment for both acute and chronic pain, reducing the need for pharmacological analgesics and their side effects. Yet, little is known about the effect of different types of music. Hence, we investigated the efficacy of five music genres (Urban, Electronic, Classical, Rock and Pop) on pain tolerance. In this parallel randomized experimental study, we conducted a cold pressor test in healthy volunteers (n = 548). The primary outcome was pain tolerance, measured in seconds. No objective (tolerance time) or subjective (pain intensity and unpleasantness) differences were found among the five genres. Multinomial logistic regression showed that overall genre preference positively influenced pain tolerance. In contrast, the music genres that participants thought would help for pain relief did not. Our study was the first to investigate pain tolerance at genre level and in the context of genre preference without self-selecting music. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that listening to a favored music genre has a significant positive influence on pain tolerance, irrespective of the kind of genre. Our results emphasize the importance of individual music (genre) preference when looking at the analgesic benefits of music. This should be considered when implementing music in the clinical setting.

Solving problems with an Aha! increases risk preference.

Solving problems with insight culminates in an "Aha! moment": a feeling of confidence and pleasure. In daily life, insights are often followed by important decisions, such as deciding what to do with a new idea. Here, we investigated whether having an Aha! moment affects subsequent decision-making. Because Aha! moments tend to elicit positive affect, which is generally associated with an increased risk-taking tendency, we hypothesized that people would favor a monetary payout with more upside despite greater uncertainty after solving a problem with insight. Participants were asked to solve verbal puzzles and report whether they solved them with insight or without insight. After each puzzle, they chose between two bonuses: a fixed payout or a risk payout with 50% chance of receiving a high or a low payout. Participants were more likely to choose the risk payout after they solved with insight compared to without, suggesting a temporarily higher risk preference. The study provided preliminary evidence of a carryover effect - the impact of an Aha! moment on the subsequent risk choice - that can have implications in everyday decision-making.

Seasonal dynamics, Leishmania diversity, and nanopore-based metabarcoding of blood meal origins in Culicoides spp. in the newly emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Northern Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Clinical cases of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites have been increasingly reported in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand. Recent evidence has shown that Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites successfully developed into infective metacyclic promastigotes in Culicoides biting midges, strongly supporting their putative role in disease transmission. However, Culicoides diversity, host preference, and Leishmania prevalence in endemic areas remain largely unknown. METHODS: We investigated the seasonal dynamics, infection prevalence, and blood meal identification of Culicoides collected from the emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Lampang Province, Northern Thailand, during 2021-2023. Midge samples were molecularly screened for Leishmania using SSU rRNA-qPCR and ITS1-PCR, followed by Sanger plasmid sequencing, and parasite haplotype diversity was analyzed. Host blood meal origins were comparatively identified using host-specific Cytb-PCRs and a nanopore-based metabarcoding approach. RESULTS: A total of 501 parous and gravid females and 46 blood-engorged ones belonging to at least 17 species of five subgenera (Remmia, Trithecoides, Avaritia, Hoffmania, and Meijerehelea) and two species groups (Shortti and Calvipalpis) were collected with temporal differences in abundance. Leishmania was detected by SSU rRNA-qPCR in 31 samples of at least 11 midge species, consisting of Culicoides oxystoma, C. guttifer, C. orientalis, C. mahasarakhamense, C (Trithecoides) spp., C. innoxius, C. shortti, C. arakawae, C. sumatrae, C. actoni, and C. fulvus, with the overall infection prevalence of 5.7%. The latter six species represent the new records as putative leishmaniasis vectors in Northern Thailand. The ITS1-PCR and plasmid sequencing revealed that Leishmania martiniquensis was predominantly identified in all qPCR-positive species, whereas L. orientalis was identified only in three C. oxystoma samples. The most dominant haplotype of L. martiniquensis in Thailand was genetically intermixed with those from other geographical regions, confirming its globalization. Neutrality test statistics were also significantly negative on regional and country-wide scales, suggesting rapid population expansion or selective sweeps. Nanopore-based blood meal analysis revealed that most Culicoides species are mammalophilic, with peridomestic and wild mammals (cow, pig, deer, and goat-like species) and humans as hosts, while C. guttifer and C. mahasarakhamense fed preferentially on chickens. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed seasonal dynamics and sympatric circulation of L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis in different species of Culicoides. Evidence of human blood feeding was also demonstrated, implicating Culicoides as putative vectors of human leishmaniasis in endemic areas. Further research is therefore urgently needed to develop vector control strategies and assess the infection status of their reservoir hosts to effectively minimize disease transmission.

Patient Acceptance of Reoperation Risk for Lumbar Decompression Versus Fusion.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbar decompression and lumbar fusion are effective methods of treating spinal compressive pathologies refractory to conservative management. These surgeries are typically used to treat different spinal problems, but there is a growing body of literature investigating the outcomes of either approach for patients with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis and stenosis. Different operations are associated with different risks and different potential needs for reoperation. Patient acceptance of reoperation rates after spinal surgery is currently not well understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify patient tolerance for reoperation rates following lumbar decompression and lumbar fusion surgery. DESIGN: A qualitative and quantitative survey intended to capture information on patient preferences was administered. PATIENT SAMPLE: Written informed consent was obtained from patients presenting to two spinal clinics. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were asked their threshold tolerance for reoperation rates in the context of choosing a smaller (decompression) versus larger (fusion) spinal surgery. METHODS: A survey was administered to patients at two spinal clinics-one surgical and one non-surgical. A consecutive series of new patients over multiple clinic days who agreed to participate in the study and filled out the survey are reported on here. Patients were asked to assess, contemplating a problem that could either be treated with lumbar decompression or lumbar fusion, the level at which 1) the likelihood that needing a repeat surgery within 3-5 years would change their mind about choosing the decompression operation and cause them to choose the fusion operation and then 2) the likelihood of needing a repeat surgery within 3-5 years that would be acceptable to them after the fusion operation. The distribution of patient responses was assessed with histograms and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Ninety patients were surveyed, and of these, 73 patients (81.1%) returned fully completed questionnaires. The median reoperation acceptance rates after a decompression was <60%, while the median acceptable revision rate when contemplating the fusion surgery was 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Patient acceptance for the potential need for revision surgery is higher when considering a decompression compared to a fusion operation. Reoperation risk rates along with the magnitude of the surgical intervention are important considerations in determining patients' surgical preferences. Understanding patient preferences and risk tolerances can aid clinicians in shared decision-making, potentially improving patient satisfaction and outcomes in the several lumbar pathologies which can be ameliorated with either decompression or fusion.

Assessment of green development level performance in G20 countries: A dynamic evaluation framework.

To achieve sustainable development goals and foster future prosperity globally, the promotion of green development is essential. Nevertheless, persistent regional disparities in green development among the G20 nations stem from differing economic and environmental conditions in dynamic contexts. In light of these conditions, it is essential for governments to evaluate their country's current green development performance in comparison with higher-performing nations and to learn from their experiences. This study introduces a new dynamic evaluation framework that integrates the importance of evaluation indicators using the dynamic entropy weighting method, a Dynamic Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method, and principal component analysis. This framework serves as a tool for G20 countries to assess their green development levels between 2015 and 2021. A key contribution of this study is the facilitation of the G20's ability to implement relevant reform measures and monitor green development progress in a dynamic environment. This framework can serve as a model for similar evaluations in other regions globally. The study's main findings indicate that G20 countries with high levels of green development possess strong economic foundations and prioritise the balanced development of their economies, societies, environments, and innovation.

Advancing multiple ecosystem service assessment in the tropics: Evidence from Barekese and Owabi watersheds in Ghana.

Watershed ecosystems are important for the provision of multiple ecosystem services (ES) that are critical to human welfare. Few studies particularly in the tropics assess the multiple ecosystem services, economic value, and effect of land use change on economic value. This paper provides evidence of the quantitative. economic value and effect of land use change on the economic value of watershed ESs from Barekese and Owabi in Ghana. Geospatial analysis and the stated preference method were used for the study. Primary and secondary data were collected from households, institutions, and other sources to quantify and estimate ecosystem services. The geospatial analysis showed that forest degradation and deforestation have increased over the last three decades in the watershed with settlements and cropland being the major land use changes. The two watersheds provide many ecosystem services, including provisioning services (water, fuelwood, bushmeat, fish), regulating services (carbon sequestration, water supply, water purification, soil fertility), and cultural services (ecotourism). An aggregated economic value for the ESs of GH₵ 707.701 x 106 ($144.428 x 106) was estimated for the two watersheds. For the different sites, the economic value for the Barekese and Owabi watersheds were $110.645 x 106 ($6609.06/ha/yr) and $33.783 x 106 ($5857.76/ha/yr) respectively. Our analysis showed that conversion of forest to other land uses resulted in a significant reduction in the value of ecosystem services. Conversion of the watershed to Tree Crop, Food Crop, Grassland or Settlement could reduce the economic value of ESs by 4%-80 %. The study demonstrates that ecosystem services assessment could provide important information for conservation and development policies related to watershed management in the tropics. To ensure ecosystem service supply, the risks of land use change should be considered in watershed conservation strategies including land use zoning and adaptive management systems.

Sending a Signal: Evaluating the Impact of Program and Geographic Preference Signaling on the Internal Medicine Residency Match.

Background For over a decade, the number of residency applications has surged, a trend known as "application inflation." COVID-19 further intensified this trend, leading the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to address the issue by introducing a supplemental application in the 2021-2022 cycle, allowing programs to identify applicants with a connection to their program or geographic region. For the 2022-2023 cycle, the number of program signals increased from five to seven. The impact of the supplemental application and the increase in signals on the likelihood of an applicant matching with a program has yet to be evaluated. Methods This retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of program signaling and geographic preference on the matching likelihood in our internal medicine residency program. Data from MyERAS® and the Supplemental Application for 640 applicants who applied to our large, urban, university-based program in the Southeastern United States during the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 application cycles were included. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we examined the correlation between program signal, geographic preference, and final match location. Results Applicants who sent a program signal had nearly three-fold higher odds of matching with our program. Geographic preference was numerically but not statistically associated with higher odds of matching. Both signaling a preference for matching with a program in an urban environment and couples matching correlated with decreased odds of matching with our program. Geography was an important predictor of match location as residing in our AAMC geographic region, our four-state area, and our specific state had increased odds of matching with our program. Conclusions Signaling our program was associated with increased odds of matching with our program. Geographic preferences were less predictive of a match with our program; however, they did predict the likelihood of a match at a program within that region. Future studies are needed to ensure external validity.

Decreased consumption of natural rewards in rhesus monkeys with prolonged methamphetamine abstinence.

Rationale: Relapse to drug use is a major clinical challenge in the treatment of addictive disorders, including psychostimulant use and may be exacerbated by reduced sensitivity to natural, non-drug reward. Given the relatively limited set of outcomes, and short withdrawal time in rodent studies, we conducted a more detailed assessment of the response to natural rewards in methamphetamine (METH) naive versus exposed monkeys during long-term abstinence. Methods: This study introduced an improved sucrose preference test (iSPT) to assess natural reward seeking and consumption in monkeys with long-term abstinence after methamphetamine (METH) use. The test was administered to sixteen naive monkeys and five METH exposed monkeys that had been abstinent for at least 3 months. Results: METH exposed monkeys showed a lower sucrose preference score in both the iSPT (z = -2.10, p = 0.036) and the sucrose preference test (z = -2.61, p = 0.009). The sucrose preference score was significantly correlated with the latency of the establishment of stable sucrose-preference (r = -0.76, df = 46, p < 0.001) but not with the other variables. Furthermore, water-sucrose switch latency and switch times were significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.50, df = 20, p = 0.02). Conclusion: These results show reductions in natural reward consumption during long-term methamphetamine abstinence.

Activation induces shift in nutrient utilization that differentially impacts cell functions in human neutrophils.

Neutrophils utilize a variety of metabolic sources to support their crucial functions as the first responders in innate immunity. Here, through in vivo and ex vivo isotopic tracing, we examined the contributions of different nutrients to neutrophil metabolism under specific conditions. Human peripheral blood neutrophils, in contrast to a neutrophil-like cell line, rely on glycogen storage as a major metabolic source under resting state but rapidly switch to primarily using extracellular glucose upon activation with various stimuli. This shift is driven by a substantial increase in glucose uptake, enabled by rapidly increased GLUT1 on cell membrane, that dominates the simultaneous increase in gross glycogen cycling capacity. Shifts in nutrient utilization impact neutrophil functions in a function-specific manner: oxidative burst depends on glucose utilization, whereas NETosis and phagocytosis can be flexibly supported by either glucose or glycogen, and neutrophil migration and fungal control are enhanced by the shift from glycogen utilization to glucose utilization. This work provides a quantitative and dynamic understanding of fundamental features in neutrophil metabolism and elucidates how metabolic remodeling shapes neutrophil functions, which has broad health relevance.

Effects of visual diet on colour discrimination and preference.

To what extent is perception shaped by low-level statistical regularities of our visual environments and on what time scales? We characterized the chromatic 'visual diets' of people living in remote rainforest and urban environments, using calibrated head-mounted cameras worn by participants as they went about their daily lives. All environments had chromatic distributions with the most variance along a blue-yellow axis, but the extent of this bias differed across locations. If colour perception is calibrated to the visual environments in which participants are immersed, variation in the extent of the bias in scene statistics should have a corresponding impact on perceptual judgements. To test this, we measured colour discrimination and preferences for distributions of colour for people living in different environments. Group differences in the extent of blue-yellow bias in colour discrimination were consistent with perceptual learning in local environments. Preferences for colour distributions aligned with scene statistics, but not specifically to local environments, and one group preferred distributions along an unnatural colour axis orthogonal to that dominant in natural scenes. Our study shows the benefits of conducting psychophysics with people at remote locations for understanding the commonalities and diversity in human perception.

The ventral tegmental area dopamine to basolateral amygdala projection supports acquisition of cocaine self-administration.

Dopamine signaling in the amygdala is known to play a role in associative learning and memory, including the process of learning to associate environmental cues with the reinforcing properties of drugs like cocaine. Evidence suggests that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) projection specifically to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) participates in establishing cocaine-cue associations that can promote later craving- and relapse-like responses to the cue alone. In order to further investigate the specific role of VTA-BLA projections in cocaine-reinforced learning, we used chemogenetics to manipulate VTA DA inputs to the BLA during cocaine self-administration, cue- and cocaine-primed reinstatement, and conditioned place preference. We found inhibiting DA input to the BLA during cocaine self-administration inhibited acquisition and weakened the ability of the previously cocaine-paired cue to elicit cocaine-seeking, while acutely inhibiting the pathway on the day of cue-induced reinstatement testing had no effect. Conversely, exciting the projection during self-administration boosted the salience of the cocaine-paired cue as indicated by enhanced responding during cue-induced reinstatement. Importantly, interfering with DA input to the BLA had no impact on the ability of cocaine to elicit a place preference or induce reinstatement in response to a priming cocaine injection. Overall, we show that manipulation of projections underlying DA signaling in the BLA may be useful for developing therapeutic interventions for substance use disorders.

[Investigation on cognition for insomnia and preference for acupuncture in breast cancer survivors: a in-depth interview study].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the cognition for insomnia and preference for acupuncture in breast cancer survivors based on the in-depth interview. METHODS: Thirty breast cancer survivors with insomnia symptoms were collected for in-depth interview. The interview questions included three aspects, i.e. sleep expectation, cognition for insomnia (discomfort caused by insomnia, and underlying inducing factors of insomnia) and the preference for acupuncture (treatment methods used in the past, the reasons for not choosing acupuncture, and the tendency of acupuncture treatment). Using Colaizzi content analysis method, the data was analyzed. RESULTS: Regarding sleep expectation, most breast cancer survivors with insomnia symptoms were able to maintain normal activity in daytime. Insomnia symptoms often led to fatigue, and the inducing factors of insomnia referred to the treatment with endocrine therapy, anticipatory anxiety and inadequate sleep hygiene. All of the patients had received pharmacotherapy. The use proportion of non-pharmacological therapies was relatively low, and acupuncture was not chosen due to "not familiar with" and "fear of pain". Concerning to the preference for acupuncture, patients preferred the therapeutic methods of acupuncture with mild pain sensation and gentle stimulation; and the treatment should be more acceptable if delivered 2 or 3 times a week. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors have the expectations for sleep, and are willing to receive the treatment with medication for their sleep disorders. Because of lack of the knowledge for acupuncture effect on insomnia and fear of strong needling sensation, a part of patients are unwilling to be treated with acupuncture therapy, but they are expected to receive the treatment with acupuncture while feeling more comfortable.