Initial Preference Research Articles

The effects of pre‐natal nicotine exposure on anxiety‐like behavior and ethanol place preference in adolescent Zebrafish

Maternal smoking during pregnancy has significantly decreased over the years; however, it is extremely important to understand how smoking can affect not only the mother, but the child as well. Incidences of both anxiety disorders and drug abuse increase in humans with prenatal exposure to nicotine. These studies tested the hypotheses that adolescent Zebrafish exposed to 5.6 or 18 μmol concentrations of nicotine during the larval stage would show increased anxiety‐like behavior and increased place preference for ethanol than age‐matched controls without larval nicotine exposure. Following larval nicotine exposure, Zebrafish were raised in standard aquatic housing tanks in groups of 20 to 40. Adolescent Zebrafish were removed from these tanks and assessed in the Novel Tank and Conditioned Place Preference tests in two separate cohorts. Testing for each cohort lasted one week. Between 46 and 53 fish were assessed per nicotine exposure dose. Levels of anxiety‐like behavior were measured using the Novel Tank Test. Reduced time spent in the top zone, fewer entries made into the top zone and increased latency to enter the top zone of a novel tank were interpreted to indicate increased anxiety‐like behavior in this task, while the effect of prior nicotine exposure on locomotor activity was determined using total distance swum. In the Novel Tank Test, significant interactions of cohort x nicotine were revealed for locomotor activity, top zone time and number of top zone entries (P's < 0.05). Interestingly, post‐hoc ANOVA analyses showed significant effects of embryonic nicotine exposure for fish used in Cohort 1, but not Cohort 2. Adolescent Zebrafish previously exposed to 5.6 μmol nicotine showed increased distance swum than both control Zebrafish (P < 0.05) and 18 μmol Zebrafish (P < 0.01). 18 μmol Zebrafish spent less time in the top zone than both control fish and 5.6 μmol Zebrafish (P's < 0.05) and made fewer entries into the top zone than 5.6 μmol Zebrafish (P < 0.01), suggesting that exposure to the highest dose of nicotine promoted increased anxiety‐like behavior during adolescence in this task. These Zebrafish were then tested the following week using a Conditioned Place Preference paradigm. On Day 1, initial preference for gray or dotted regions of a conditioning chamber was determined. On Days 2 and 3, fish were exposed to 0%, 1% or 1.5% ethanol in the previously non‐preferred region of the experimental chamber to condition the fish to the drug‐paired region. On Day 4, a final preference test determined if the preference for the previously drug‐paired region changed. Increases in preference for the drug‐paired region suggested that ethanol was rewarding for the fish during the conditioning days. Control (0 μmol) fish appeared to acquire place preference for ethanol, whereas subjects exposed to 5.6 μmol and 18 μmol nicotine did not. This may reflect impaired learning or it may reflect that experimental conditions were less than optimal. These data suggest that early exposure to the high dose of nicotine increased anxiety‐like behavior, but did not significantly affect preference for ethanol in adolescent Zebrafish. Future studies may include evaluation of adult subjects, expanding the nicotine dosage range and assessing the effects of early nicotine exposure on HPA axis activity.Support or Funding InformationA.J. Palumbo Student Research Grant, Individual SURF Award through ASPET, NSF1259904 ‐ Biology ScholarsThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Point Process Models for Quasi-Periodic Volcanic Earthquakes

Low frequency or long period (LP) earthquakes are a common phenomenon at active volcanoes, and are ubiquitous at persistently active andesitic and dacitic subduction zone volcanoes. At these systems, LP earthquakes provide critical information regarding the state of volcanic unrest, and their occurrence rates are key data on which eruption forecasts are based. Point process modeling of volcanic earthquake occurrence allows potential insights into the underlying physical processes driving unrest, and quantitative, probabilistic, eruption forecasts, for example, through application of the Failure Forecast Method (FFM). However, unlike high-frequency volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes, which are typically random or clustered in time, LPs are more commonly quasi-periodic or \textit{anti-clustered}. Consequently, the existing Poisson point process methods used to model occurrence rates of VT earthquakes are unlikely to be optimal for LP data. Here we evaluate the performance of candidate inhomogeneous point process formulations of the FFM for quasi-periodic LP data, based on four different inter-event time distributions: exponential (for Poisson), gamma, inverse Gaussian, and Weibull. Using example LP data recorded before a large explosion at Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador, we examine how well these models explain the observed data, and the quality of retrospective forecasts of eruption time. We use a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach to estimate parameter posterior distributions within a Bayesian framework. Goodness-of-fit is assessed using Quantile-Quantile and Kolmogorov-Smirnov methods, and results are benchmarked against those obtained from idealized synthetic datasets. Inverse Gaussian and gamma models were both found to fit the data well, with the inverse Gaussian model slightly outperforming the gamma model. However, retrospective forecasting analysis shows that the gamma model performs best, with the initial preference for the inverse Gaussian model controlled by catalog incompleteness late in the sequence. The gamma model fits the data significantly better than the Poisson model, and simulations show it produces better forecasts for highly periodic data. Simulations also show that forecast precision increases with the degree of periodicity of the earthquake process using the gamma model, and so should be better for LP earthquakes than VTs. These results provide a new framework for point process modeling of volcanic earthquake time series, and verification of alternative models.

Naloxone formulation for overdose reversal preference among patients receiving opioids for pain management

BackgroundOpioid-related overdose has increased 137% in the past decade. Training nonmedical bystanders to administer naloxone (Narcan™) is a widely-researched intervention that has been associated with decreases in overdose rates in the communities in which it has been implemented. A recent review advocated for noninjectable formulations of naloxone, however patient preference for naloxone formulations has not yet been examined (Strang et al., 2016). MethodsTwo cohorts of respondents (N1 = 501, N2 = 172) who reported currently being prescribed an opioid for pain management were recruited through the crowd-sourcing program Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to assess their preference for naloxone formulations. All respondents were provided a description of different formulations and asked to indicate all formulations they would be willing to administer for overdose reversal and to then rank formulations in order of preference. ResultsResults were remarkably similar across both cohorts. Specifically, respondents preferred noninjectable formulations (intranasal, sublingual, buccal) over injectable (intravenous, intramuscular) formulations. A small percent (8.9%–9.8%) said they would never be willing to administer naloxone. An identical percent of respondents in both cohorts (44.9%) rated intranasal as their most preferred formulation. ConclusionsTwo independent cohorts of respondents who were receiving opioid medications for pain management reported a preference for noninjectable over injectable formulations of naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. Though initial preference is only one of many factors that impacts ultimate public acceptance and uptake of a new product, these results support the additional research and development of noninjectable naloxone formulations.

Do You Know Him? Gaze Dynamics Toward Familiar Faces on a Concealed Information Test

Can gaze position reveal concealed knowledge? During visual processing, gaze allocation is influenced not only by features of the visual input, but also by previous exposure to objects. However, the dynamics of gaze allocation toward personally familiar items remains unclear, especially in the context of revealing concealed familiarity. When memorizing four pictures of faces on a short term memory task, participants’ gaze was initially directed toward a personally familiar face, followed by a strong avoidance from it. This avoidance was evident even when participants were instructed to conceal their familiarity and direct their gaze equally to all faces. On the other hand, participants were partially able to control the initial preference to fixate on the familiar face. By exploiting these patterns, a machine learning classification algorithm and signal detection analysis revealed impressive detection efficiency estimates, suggesting practical applications of recent theoretical insights from the domains of eye tracking and memory.

Alcohol Use in Context: a Psychosocial Investigation of Drinking Behaviors in a Diverse Community Sample in the United States

Personality characteristics, psychopathology, and other individual factors (e.g., motivation) are strongly associated with problematic drinking, but the extent to which these predict drinking behavior in a naturalistic setting, or how social aspects contribute to drinking behaviors in a diverse sample, is less understood. We sought to identify psychosocial variables linked to problematic alcohol use and examined real-time alcohol-related decision making in a naturalistic setting in a 2-day study involving a structured clinical interview, self-report measures, and an ad-lib social drinking task (following a 15-min mingling period, participants choose an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage to consume in a 30-min period). Fifty-one European American and African American community-based individuals (Mage = 23.78) in the Southeastern United States, classified as either “social” or “problematic” drinkers, participated. Those screening positively for major depression and antisocial personality disorder and those endorsing internal drinking motives reported greater problematic drinking. Individuals screening positive for major depression were more likely to choose alcohol in a social context, whereas impulsivity and social drinking motives were not predictive of beverage choice. Those engaging in social interaction during the social drinking task were more likely to choose alcohol regardless of initial preference. Results suggest social interaction not only influences drinking behavior, but impacts real-time decisions to drink alcohol, which is an area that has been largely overlooked in the literature.

A minimum deviation approach for improving the consistency of uncertain 2-tuple linguistic preference relations

Abstract This paper proposes a novel approach for improving the consistency of uncertain 2-tuple linguistic preference relations (U2TLPRs). In particular, we introduce a new definition of consistency for U2TLPRs and show that the degree of consistency of a given U2TLPR can be measured explicitly by minimizing its deviation from a consistent U2TLPR. Based on this finding, we provide an iterative algorithm for repeatedly adjusting the consistency of a U2TLPR to a desired level while taking into account the initial preferences of decision makers. In addition, by analyzing the structural properties of the algorithm, we further present an improved version of the procedure for directly obtaining an acceptable U2TLPR without any iteration. Numerical results indicate that the proposed method is not only simple and efficient in calculation but also effective in preserving the original preference information provided by decision makers.

To look or not to look during vaccination: A pilot randomized trial

ABSTRACT Background Clinicians commonly advise patients to look away from the needle during vaccinations; however, this recommendation is not evidence based. Aim The aim of this study was to determine whether looking at the needle versus looking away affects pain and fear during vaccinations in adults. Methods This was a pilot randomized two-group parallel trial with university students receiving influenza vaccinations. Participants were stratified according to their initial needle-looking preference and randomly assigned to either look at versus away from the needle. Participants self-reported their pain and fear during vaccination. Results Of the 184 subjects who agreed to participate, 160 were enrolled; 66% were female. A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA; Looking allocation assignment × Looking preference × Sex) revealed a significant main effect of looking allocation assignment on fear (P = 0.025); those who were randomized to look had higher fear scores than those who were randomized to look away. There was also a significant main effect of looking preference on fear (P < 0.001); those who preferred to look away had higher fear scores than those who preferred to look. There was no evidence of an effect of looking allocation assignment or looking preference on pain. There was a significant main effect of sex on fear and pain, with females reporting higher pain and fear scores than males (P = 0.017 and P = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant interactions. Conclusion These preliminary findings suggest that advising individuals to look away from the needle reduces fear. A larger trial including more individuals and a different population is recommended to confirm the results.

POPULARITY IN HOUSE PREFERENCE - A RESEARCH ON USER SATISFACTION: BURSA BALAT EXAMINATION

Objective: The purpose of this research is to explain, from the physical and socioeconomic dimensions, the reasons of the increasing popularity of neighborhoods based on the impact of the lifestyles they provide, by comparing the criteria of the users for the initial selection of neighborhoods and the satisfaction levels of such criteria. The study consists of literature reviews, evaluation of user satisfaction surveys and discussion of research findings. Method: A survey was conducted with the users of six gated communities in order to determine the factors that have an impact on preferences and satisfaction of the users in Balat neighborhood, which is a popular neighborhood in Bursa due to the social identity and lifestyle offered by gated communities, which have a high supply and demand. In addition to the user preferences, the study has also taken into consideration housing qualifications and qualifications related to housing estates and the neighborhood. In order to compare the data obtained about levels of satisfaction and the degree of significance, housing estates were rated with a 5-point Likert scale based on user responses. Findings: Priority in residential preference is earthquake safety, while priority for housing estates is safety and the sense of security for preference. Survey data shows that satisfaction level of such factors was high. Despite not being important during the initial choice, it has been seen that users are very satisfied to be living with families that are of similar social status. It is seen that the most important factor for preferring the Balat district was accessibility to the transportation network and its convenience, however it has been observed that satisfaction with both factors was very low. Additionally, it has been observed that traffic is a source of discontent for the whole neighborhood. Despite the medium level of significance attached to the social environment in selecting the neighborhood, it was observed that satisfaction with the elite society and living at Balat is very high. Conclusion: Satisfaction with various criteria, which initially affected preferences, may become low but some factors that did not seem to be important during the initial preference of the neighborhood can become very satisfying after users are settled. The results of the research reveal that problems that affect everyday life and create dissatisfaction become less important because users are satisfied with belonging to a certain social group and living a privileged lifestyle in Balat, which affects user preferences and increases the popularity of the neighborhood.

Preferences and Inhalation Techniques for Inhaler Devices Used by Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Inhaler technique and patient preferences are often overlooked when selecting maintenance treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but are important issues in ensuring drug efficacy and patient adherence. Few data on these issues are available for new inhalation devices. To evaluate the inhalation techniques for the HandiHaler®, Breezhaler®, Genuair®, and Respimat® inhalation devices, and patient preferences for the three latter inhalers that were recently developed. A prospective two-center cross-sectional study of COPD patients was conducted. The patients were required to be current HandiHaler users who had not previously used the new inhalers (Breezhaler, Genuair, Respimat). The patients were given the new devices and asked to identify the one they preferred before and after using the inhaler. Each patient tried the HandiHaler and two devices out of the three new inhalers: one preferred by the patient and one imposed by the investigator. Their inhalation technique was evaluated using an assessment checklist. A logistic regression model was used to determine which device was used with the fewest errors. Of the 98 patients who completed the study, 57.1% (95% CI: 47.4-66.9) had an adequate HandiHaler technique. There was no difference between the proportions of patients with an adequate Breezhaler and Genuair inhalation technique (aOR 1.08, 95% CI: 0.51-2.30), but 62% fewer patients using Respimat had an adequate technique than those using Genuair (aOR for adequate technique 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18-0.82). There were no significant differences in the initial patient preferences for the three new inhalers, and no association between the patient's preference and an adequate inhaler technique. Inhalation techniques were suboptimal and varied between inhalers. The arrival of new inhalers is an opportunity to reassess patient techniques and preferences. Further studies should also explore the association between the inhaler preferences and treatment adherence of patients.

Parents who wait: Acknowledging the support needs and vulnerabilities of approved adopters during their wait to become adoptive parents

AbstractThere is a significant amount of existing research exploring adoption policies, processes, and the experiences and safeguarding of children. However, although much research has children at the focus, little research has been conducted into the experiences of approved and waiting adopters. Where research has included adopters, focus tends to be on how adopters can aid an adoptive placement and what support they can provide to an adoptive child. In this article, the experiences of approved and waiting adopters are at the centre. This article reports on a digital ethnographic research project, which used unobtrusive methods to conduct a thematic analysis of over 600 posts made by waiting adopters on publically available UK online adoption forums in 2015. Online posts discussed the perceived over‐recruitment of adopters; the decision‐making behind adopters' initial preferences; and the negative emotional effects of the waiting period following approval. This article argues that more consideration needs to be given to the needs of and support for approved adopters whilst they wait for an adoptive child.

Involvement of people with dementia in making decisions about their lives: a qualitative study that appraises shared decision-making concerning daycare

ObjectiveTo explore how people with dementia, their informal caregivers and their professionals participate in decision making about daycare and to develop a typology of participation trajectories.DesignA qualitative study with a...

User perception of sentiment-integrated critiquing in recommender systems

Abstract Critiquing in recommender systems has been accepted as an effective feedback mechanism that allows users to incrementally refine their preferences for product attributes, especially in complex decision environments and high-investment product domains where users’ initial preferences are usually uncertain and incomplete. However, the traditional critiquing methods are limited in that they are only based on static attribute values (such as a digital camera’s screen size, effectiveness pixels, optical zoom). Considering product reviews contain other customers’ sentiments (also called opinions) expressed on some features, in this manuscript, we propose a sentiment-integrated critiquing approach, for helping users to formulate and refine their preferences. Through both before-after and within-subjects experiments, we find that the incorporation of feature sentiments into the critiquing interface can significantly improve users’ product knowledge, preference certainty, decision confidence, perceived information usefulness, and purchase intention. The results can hence be constructive for enhancing current critiquing-based recommender systems.

Factors associated with attrition in a longitudinal online study: results from the HaBIDS panel

BackgroundKnowing about predictors of attrition in a panel is important to initiate early measures against loss of participants. We investigated attrition in both early and late phase of an online panel with special focus on preferences regarding mode of participation.MethodsWe used data from the HaBIDS panel that was designed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding infections in the German general population. HaBIDS was divided into two phases: an initial phase when some participants could choose their preferred mode of participation (paper-and-pencil or online) and an extended phase when participants were asked to become members of an online panel that was not limited regarding its duration (i.e. participants initially preferring paper questionnaires switched to online participation). Using competing risks regression, we investigated two types of attrition (formal withdrawal and discontinuation without withdrawal) among online participants, separately for both phases. As potential predictors of attrition, we considered sociodemographic characteristics, physical and mental health as well as auxiliary information describing the survey process, and, in the extended phase, initial mode preference.ResultsIn the initial phase, higher age and less frequent Internet usage predicted withdrawal, while younger age, higher stress levels, delay in returning the consent form, and need for receiving reminder emails predicted discontinuation. In the extended phase, only need for receiving reminder emails predicted discontinuation. Numbers of withdrawal in the extended phase were too small for analysis. Initial mode preference did not predict attrition in the extended phase. Besides age, there was no evidence of differential attrition by sociodemographic factors in any phase.ConclusionsPredictors of attrition were similar in both phases of the panel, but they differed by type of attrition (withdrawal vs. discontinuation). Sociodemographic characteristics only played a minor role for both types of attrition. Need for receiving a reminder was the strongest predictor of discontinuation in any phase, but no predictor of withdrawal. We found predictors of attrition, which can be identified already in the early phase of a panel so that countermeasures (e.g. special incentives) can be taken.

On-line processing of English which-questions by children and adults: a visual world paradigm study.

Previous research has shown that children demonstrate similar sentence processing reflexes to those observed in adults, but they have difficulties revising an erroneous initial interpretation when they process garden-path sentences, passives, and wh-questions. We used the visual-world paradigm to examine children's use of syntactic and non-syntactic information to resolve syntactic ambiguity by extending our understanding of number features as a cue for interpretation to which-subject and which-object questions. We compared children's and adults' eye-movements to understand how this information shapes children's commitment to and revision of possible interpretations of these questions. The results showed that English-speaking adults and children both exhibit an initial preference to interpret an object-which question as a subject question. While adults quickly override this preference, children take significantly longer, showing an overall processing difficulty for object questions. Crucially, their recovery from an initially erroneous interpretation is speeded when disambiguating number agreement features are present.

Host-Mediated Effects of Semipersistently Transmitted Squash Vein Yellowing Virus on Sweetpotato Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Behavior and Fitness.

Plant viruses may indirectly affect insect vector behavior and fitness via a shared host plant. Here, we evaluated the host-mediated effects of Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) on the behavior and fitness of its whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East-Asia Minor 1, formerly biotype B. Alighting, settling, and oviposition behavioral assays were conducted on infected and mock-inoculated squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum and Nakai] plants. Developmental time of immature stages, adult longevity, and fecundity were measured on infected and mock-inoculated squash plants. For adult longevity and fecundity, whiteflies were reared on infected and mock-inoculated squash plants to determine the effects of nymphal rearing host on the adult stage. More whiteflies alighted and remained settled on infected squash than on mock-inoculated squash 0.25, 1, 8, and 24 h after release. No such initial preference was observed on watermelon plants, but by 8 h after release, more whiteflies were found on mock-inoculated watermelon plants than on infected plants. Whiteflies laid approximately six times more eggs on mock-inoculated watermelon than on infected watermelon; however, no differences were observed on squash. Development from egg to adult emergence was 3 d shorter on infected than mock-inoculated squash plants. Females lived 25% longer and had higher fecundity on infected squash plants than on mock-inoculated plants, regardless of infection status of the rearing host. The host-mediated effects of SqVYV infection on whitefly behavior differ on two cucurbit host plants, suggesting the potential for more rapid spread of the virus within watermelon fields.

Young infants’ visual fixation patterns in addition and subtraction tasks support an object tracking account

Investigating infants’ numerical ability is crucial to identifying the developmental origins of numeracy. Wynn (1992) claimed that 5-month-old infants understand addition and subtraction as indicated by longer looking at outcomes that violate numerical operations (i.e., 1+1=1 and 2−1=2). However, Wynn’s claim was contentious, with others suggesting that her results might reflect a familiarity preference for the initial array or that they could be explained in terms of object tracking. To cast light on this controversy, Wynn’s conditions were replicated with conventional looking time supplemented with eye-tracker data. In the incorrect outcome of 2 in a subtraction event (2−1=2), infants looked selectively at the incorrectly present object, a finding that is not predicted by an initial array preference account or a symbolic numerical account but that is consistent with a perceptual object tracking account. It appears that young infants can track at least one object over occlusion, and this may form the precursor of numerical ability.

Efficiency of Family Bargaining Models with Renegotiation: The Role of Transferable Utility across Periods

In dynamic family bargaining models, it is often assumed, for simplicity, that spouses have transferable utility as well as identical and constant marginal rates of intertemporal substitution. It has been argued that as long as spouses are at an interior solution, renegotiation does not hinder efficiency. We show that identical and constant marginal rates of intertemporal substitution (i.e., transferable utility across periods) are the source of this efficiency result. Even at an interior solution, renegotiation can cause inefficiency if marginal rates of intertemporal substitution are not constant. Our model is the first to both identify this source of inefficiency in a bargaining model in which the threatpoints of later periods are determined endogenously and demonstrate that there is no one-size-fits-all policy regulating divorce that can restore efficiency when couples are allowed to differ in their initial wage rates and/or preferences.

Rod Outer Segment Development Influences AAV-Mediated Photoreceptor Transduction After Subretinal Injection.

Vectors based on the adeno-associated virus (AAV) are currently the preferred tools for delivering genes to photoreceptors (PR) in small and large animals. AAVs have been applied successfully in various models of PR dystrophies. However, unknown barriers still limit AAV's efficient application in several forms of severe PR degenerations due to insufficient transgene expression and/or treated cells at the time of injection. Optimizations of PR gene therapy strategies will likely benefit from the identification of the cellular factors that influence PR transduction. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that the AAV transduction profile of PRs differs significantly between neonatal and adult mouse retinas after subretinal injection. This phenomenon may provide clues to identify host factors that influence the efficiency of AAV-mediated PR transduction. This study demonstrates that rod outer segments are critical modulators of efficient AAV-mediated rod transduction. During retinal development, rod transduction correlated temporally and spatially with the differentiation order of PRs when vectors were introduced subretinally but not when introduced intravitreally. All subretinally injected vectors had an initial preference to transduce cones in the absence of formed rod outer segments and then displayed a preference for rods as the cells matured, independently of the expression cassette or AAV serotype. Consistent with this observation, altered development of rod outer segments was associated with a strong reduction of rod transduction and an increase in the percentage of transduced cones by 2- to 2.8-fold. A similar increase of cone transduction was observed in the adult retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) retina compared to wild-type mice. These results suggest that the loss of rod outer segments in diseased retinas could markedly affect gene transfer efficiency of AAV vectors by limiting the ability of AAVs to infect dying rods efficiently. This information could be exploited for the development of more efficient AAV-based PR gene delivery procedures.

Aversive Learning of Colored Lights in Walking Honeybees.

The honeybee has been established as an important model organism in studies on visual learning. So far the emphasis has been on appetitive conditioning, simulating floral discrimination, and homing behavior, where bees perform exceptionally well in visual discrimination tasks. However, bees in the wild also face dangers, and recent findings suggest that what is learned about visual percepts is highly context dependent. A stimulus that follows an unpleasant period, is associated with the feeling of relief- or safety in humans and animals, thus acquiring a positive meaning. Whether this is also the case in honeybees is still an open question. Here, we conditioned bees aversively in a walking arena where each half was illuminated by light of a specific wavelength and intensity, one of which was combined with electric shocks. In this paradigm, the bees' preferences to the different lights were modified through nine conditioning trials, forming robust escape, and avoidance behaviors. Strikingly, we found that while 465 nm (human blue) and 590 nm (human yellow) lights both could acquire negative valences (inducing avoidance response), 525 nm (human green) light could not. This indicates that green light holds an innate meaning of safety which is difficult to overrule even through intensive aversive conditioning. The bees had slight initial preferences to green over the blue and the yellow lights, which could be compensated by adjusting light intensity. However, this initial bias played a minor role while the chromatic properties were the most salient characteristics of the light stimuli during aversive conditioning. Moreover, bees could learn the light signaling safety, revealing the existence of a relief component in aversive operant conditioning, similar to what has been observed in other animals.

Esbozo de un teoría verbal de la comedia

Theater is constituted by a double and correlative tension between auditory and visual elements, on one hand, and verbal and factual components, on the other. Due to restrictions in staging or to aesthetic preference, in the Spanish Golden Age Comedia there is an initial preference for auditory constituents over visual elements. However, this partiality does not entail, as could be expected from the double binary, a supremacy of the verbal over the factual, but rather requires an equivalence between both dimensions. Given the original diminished role of visual action, in the Spanish Comedia the word becomes the action; both are one and the same. From this hypothesis, I propose an analytical model wherein the play’s plot appears as set of verbal incidents that could be reduced to four: utterance of a statement, silence, correct and incorrect interpretation of an utterance. To prove or test the validity and the critical fruits of this theorization of the Comedia and the analytical method derived from it, the essay reviews (or better, rehears) a corpus of representative plays: El medico de su honra, El desden con el desden, El condenado por desconfiado, and Entre bobos anda el juego.