Reinforcement Value Research Articles

Food Restriction Level and Reinforcement Schedule Differentially Influence Behavior during Acquisition and Devaluation Procedures in Mice.

Behavioral strategies are often classified based on whether reinforcer value controls reinforcement. Value-sensitive behaviors, in which animals update their actions when reinforcer value is changed, are classified as goal-directed; conversely, value-insensitive actions, where behavior remains consistent when the reinforcer is removed or devalued, are considered habitual. Basic reinforcement schedules can help to bias behavior toward either process: random ratio (RR) schedules are thought to promote the formation of goal-directed behaviors while random intervals (RIs) promote habitual control. However, how the schedule-specific features of these tasks interact with other factors that influence learning to control behavior has not been well characterized. Using male and female mice, we asked how distinct food restriction levels, a strategy often used to increase task engagement, interact with RR and RI schedules to control performance during task acquisition and devaluation procedures. We determined that food restriction level has a stronger effect on the behavior of mice following RR schedules compared with RI schedules, and that it promotes a decrease in response rate during devaluation procedures that is best explained by the effects of extinction rather than devaluation. Surprisingly, food restriction accelerated the decrease in response rates observed following devaluation across sequential extinction sessions, but not within a single session. Our results support the idea that the relationships between schedules and behavioral control strategies are not clear-cut and suggest that an animal's engagement in a task must be accounted for, together with the structure of reinforcement schedules, to appropriately interpret the cognitive underpinnings of behavior.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN REINFORCEMENT DAN SELF-EFFICACY SISWA DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRESTASI BELAJAR SISWA

The objectives of this study are 1). To determine how the effect of giving reinforcement in improving student learning achievement, 2). To determine how the effect of providing student self-efficacy in improving student learning achievement, 3). To find out how the effect of giving reinforcement and student self-efficacy in improving student learning achievement. The data collection method used is quantitative research method with survey research type. The population in this study were 40 students of class X SMTK Mardhi Wacana Alor Fanating and the sample used in this study were all grade X students of SMTK Mardhi Wacana Alor Fanating. The results of this study are (1). The results of the analysis of this study show that the acquisition of the R value is 0.096 and the R Squared value is in the range of 0.009. This shows that the reinforcement variable (X1) has a very low influence on the student learning achievement variable (Y). meaning that if the reinforcement value decreases, it will be followed by a decrease in student learning achievement. The R Squared value which is in the range of 0.009 is equivalent to 0.9%. This means that there is a very low influence between reinforcement (X1) on student learning achievement (Y) of 0.9%. (2). The result of this research analysis shows that the acquisition of R value is 0.413 and R Squared value is in the range of 0.170. This shows that the self-efficacy variable (X2) has a negative influence on the student learning achievement variable (Y). meaning that if the self-efficacy value increases, it will be followed by an increase in student learning achievement. The R Squared value which is in the range of 0.170 is equivalent to 17.0%. This means that there is an influence between self-efficacy (X2) on student learning achievement (Y) of 17.0%. (3). The results of the analysis of this study indicate that the reinforcement variable X1 and self-efficacy X2 have a negative influence on the student learning achievement variable (Y). meaning that if the value of reinforcement and self-efficacy increases, it will be followed by an increase in student learning achievement. The R Squared value which is in the range of 0.175 is equivalent to 17.5%. So that the higher the provision of reinforcement and student self-efficacy given, the more student learning achievement will increase.

Analytical Approach for Large Size Reinforced Square Hole With Rounded Corners in Orthotropic Circular Cylindrical Shells

Full field tangential stress distribution in a uniaxially loaded composite circular cylindrical shell with various laminate sequences with reinforced square hole with rounded corners is achieved and good agreement is obtained with finite element results. Available solution for stress distribution in an infinite plate with square hole under axial load is suitably modified with unknown coefficients in the power series of hole shape parameter, ε and curvature parameter, β (orthotropic plate solution + trigonometric terms as a function of πβ2 /2). The reinforcement thickness for a desired target SCF value (preferably 50% reduction) and region of reinforcement over the shell surface w.r.t hole centre for any combination of hole size, shell thickness and radius are arrived at by an empirical relation based on numerical analysis. Solution for shell with reinforced square hole with β ≤ 0.25 is arrived at by an iterative technique and further expressed and validated for large size reinforced holes for β ≤ 2.0.

Models of conditioned reinforcement and abnormal behaviour in captive animals

Abnormal behaviours are common in captive animals, and despite a lot of research, the development, maintenance and alleviation of these behaviours are not fully understood. Here, we suggest that conditioned reinforcement can induce sequential dependencies in behaviour that are difficult to infer from direct observation. We develop this hypothesis using recent models of associative learning that include conditioned reinforcement and inborn facets of behaviour, such as predisposed responses and motivational systems. We explore three scenarios in which abnormal behaviour emerges from a combination of associative learning and a mismatch between the captive environment and inborn predispositions. The first model considers how abnormal behaviours, such as locomotor stereotypies, may arise from certain spatial locations acquiring conditioned reinforcement value. The second model shows that conditioned reinforcement can give rise to abnormal behaviour in response to stimuli that regularly precede food or other reinforcers. The third model shows that abnormal behaviour can result from motivational systems being adapted to natural environments that have different temporal structures than the captive environment. We conclude that models including conditioned reinforcement offer an important theoretical insight regarding the complex relationships between captive environments, inborn predispositions, and learning. In the future, this general framework could allow us to further understand and possibly alleviate abnormal behaviours.

Effects of video self‐modeling on the preference and reinforcer value of toys for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

AbstractA primary characteristic of autism spectrum disorder includes restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. Because having few preferred items and activities can lead to social, communicative, and educational barriers, it is important to increase the number of preferred stimuli in the individual's environment. One way to do this is through conditioned reinforcement via observation. Such procedures involve the acquisition of a skill or change in behavior as a result of indirect contact (i.e., observation) with contingencies received by others. While conditioning through observation has been shown to be effective, one novel approach is video self‐modeling. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of video self‐modeling on the preference and reinforcer value of toys for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Cognitive Enhancer Donepezil Attenuates Heroin-Seeking Behavior Induced by Cues in Rats.

Opioid use disorder is a significant global problem. Chronic heroin use is associated with impairment of cognitive function and conscious control ability. The cholinergic system can be disrupted following heroin administration, indicating that activation of the cholinergic system may prevent chronic heroin misuse. Donepezil as an inhibitor of cholinesterase has been reported to clinically improve cognition and attention. In this study, the inhibition of heroin self-administration and heroin-seeking behaviours by donepezil were evaluated in rats. Rats were trained to self-administer heroin every four hours for 14 consecutive days under a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) reinforcement schedule, then underwent withdrawal for two weeks. A progressive ratio schedule was then used to evaluate the relative motivational value of heroin reinforcement. After withdrawal, a conditioned cue was introduced for the reinstatement of heroin-seeking behaviour. Donepezil (0.3-3 mg/kg, i.p.) was used during both the FR1 heroin self-administration and progressive ratio schedules. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the mechanism of action of donepezil in the rat brain. Pre-treatment with high dose donepezil (3 mg/kg) but not low doses (0.3-1 mg/kg) significantly inhibited heroin self-administration under the FR1 schedule. Donepezil decreased motivation values under the progressive ratio schedule in a dose-dependent manner. All doses of donepezil (1-3 mg/kg) decreased the reinstatement of heroin seeking induced by cues. Correlation analysis indicated that the inhibition of donepezil on heroin-seeking behaviour was positively correlated with an increased expression of dopamine receptor 1 (D1R) and dopamine receptor 2 (D2R) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and increased expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The present study demonstrated that donepezil could inhibit heroin intake and heroin-seeking behaviour. Further, donepezil could regulate dopamine receptors in the NAc via an increase of acetylcholine. These results suggested that donepezil could be developed as a potential approach for the treatment of heroin misuse.

Social familiarity and reinforcement value: a behavioral-economic analysis of demand for social interaction with cagemate and non-cagemate female rats.

Rats were studied in social reinforcement procedures in which lever presses opened a door separating two adjacent spaces, permitting access to social interaction with a partner rat. The number of lever presses required for social interaction was systematically increased across blocks of sessions according to fixed-ratio schedules, generating demand functions at three different social reinforcement durations: 10 s, 30 s, and 60 s. The social partner rats were cagemates in one phase, and non-cagemates in a second phase. The rate at which social interactions were produced declined with the fixed-ratio price, and was well described by an exponential model that has been successfully employed with a range of social and non-social reinforcers. None of the main parameters of the model varied systematically with social interaction duration or with the social familiarity of the partner rat. On the whole, the results provide further evidence of the reinforcing value of social interaction, and its functional parallels with non-social reinforcers.

Rammed Earth Construction Using Cement & Coir Fibers

The paper aims to investigate the geotechnical and mechanical properties of rammed earth blocks by analyzing their compressive and tensile strength, density, and durability, while taking into account the effects of coir elongation and cement content. The specific aspects that were analyzed in the study are as follows:a) Effect of coir % & elongation on OMC and MDD, b) Effect on Consistency of sample, c) Combined effect of cement and coir on compressive strength, d) Combined effect of cement and coir on tensile strength. The objective of this investigation is to determine the optimum value of stabilizer for rammed earth blocks that will improve their geotechnical and mechanical properties while also fulfilling the principles of sustainability. The experiment used 8% cement as a stabilizer and 8% coir as reinforcement in lengths ranging from 20 mm to 40 mm. Based on the results of the experiment, it was found that the characteristic dry compressive strength of the rammed earth blocks improves up to 1% coir of 20 mm length, and then gradually decreases as the length and percentage of coir increase. In addition, the strength ratio drops by about 3.05%–6.27% as the coir length increases from 20 mm to 40 mm.These results suggest that the optimum value of coir reinforcement for improving the mechanical properties of rammed earth blocks is 1% with a length of 20 mm. However, it is important to note that the sustainability of the technique should also be considered when determining the optimum value of stabilizer and reinforcement. Overall, the investigation demonstrates that the use of coir reinforcement along with cement stabilization can be an effective approach for improving the geotechnical and mechanical properties of rammed earth blocks. However, further research is needed to optimize the coir percentage and length to achieve the desired strength properties while ensuring sustainability.

The Influence of Relative Reinforcing Value of Food, Sensitization, Energy Intake and Diet Quality on zBMI Change over Two Years in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

The relative reinforcing value (RRV) of food and sensitization are associated with zBMI and zBMI change over time, but the mechanisms underlying these relationships is unknown. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that greater RRV and sensitization to HED food is associated with lower diet quality and greater energy intake at baseline and again at 24 months and that these relationships result in greater zBMI gain. The RRV of HED and LED food and dietary intake were measured at baseline and again after 24 months in a cohort of 202 boys and girls of 12–14 years old. The baseline RRV of HED food was associated with lower diet quality and lower energy intake at 24 months. zBMI gain was positively associated with the baseline energy intake but not baseline RRV of HED food or diet quality. However, diet quality moderated the relationship between baseline energy intake and zBMI change, with no difference in zBMI change as a function of energy intake when diet quality was high but significant and opposite relationships with energy intake when diet quality was low. This study suggests that high diet quality can reduce the negative impact of greater energy intake on zBMI change in adolescents.

Behavioral and neural network characterizations of the reinforcement of voluntary physical activity in heterogenous mice

Maintaining healthy and consistent levels of physical activity (PA) is a cost-effective means of reducing the onset of >40-chronic diseases; however, these benefits go largely unrealized by the ~97% of adult Americans who fail to meet activity guidelines. Our prior work suggests that acute activity engages aversion-related brain regions, which may act as a barrier to PA adherence. Chronic PA is reinforcing and creates neural remodeling a across a network of brain regions belonging to the mesocorticolimbic system - comprising of stress and aversion-related brain regions [such as the basolateral amygdala (BLA)] and important reinforcement brain regions [i.e., the ventral tegmental area (VTA)]. A primary focus of this study is to determine how neural inputs to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) -the central point of convergence for this system– are engaged during acute and chronic PA. Objectives: Here we tested whether sex differences in the reinforcing value of wheel-running exist in a genetically diverse population of mice, the Heterogeneous Stock/Northport (HS/Npt). Moreover, we sought to identify the neural circuits engaged during acute and chronic voluntary wheel-running in these mice. Hypothesis: Given established findings that female rodents run more than males, we hypothesized that female HS/Npt mice would find wheel-running less aversive than males. We further hypothesized that 1-week of voluntary wheel-running would increase cFos expression (compared to mice with 1-week of wheel-lock) in brain regions associated with stress and aversion, whereas 4-weeks of wheel-running would increase neural engagement in brain regions associated with reinforcement, including the NAc, insular cortex, VTA and the medial preoptic area (a sexually dimorphic brain region critical for the estrogenic control of wheel-running in female rodents). Methods: As a proxy for their hedonic state, mice were provided a two-bottle choice saccharin preference test following acute or chronic PA. To better define the mesocorticolimbic system, we used an established retrograde tracer (rAAV-retro) to label the neural inputs to the NAc, which helped to identify important brain region involvement at two distinct stages of PA reinforcement. Results: There were no differences in running distance between female and male mice at 1- or 4-weeks and no differences in saccharin preference at 1-week. In contrast, male HS/Npt showed lower saccharin preference compared to females at 4-weeks of voluntary wheel running, suggesting a potential sex difference in the reinforcement value of chronic PA. Whole brain cFOS imaging is currently underway. Conclusions: It appears that chronic voluntary activity may confer lower hedonic states in male mice. Moreover, an improved understanding of how neural circuits across the mesocorticolimbic system are engaged during crtical stages of PA (in males and females) may prove important for determining neural and behavioral barriers to exercise adherence in humans. American College of Sports Medicine This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Reinforcer value moderates the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on learning and reversal.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the leading cause of preventable developmental disability and are commonly characterized by alterations in executive function. Reversal learning tasks are reliable, cross-species methods for testing a frequently impaired aspect of executive control, behavioral flexibility. Pre-clinical studies commonly require the use of reinforcers to motivate animals to learn and perform the task. While there are several reinforcers available, the most commonly employed are solid (food pellets) and liquid (sweetened milk) rewards. Previous studies have examined the effects of different solid rewards or liquid dietary content on learning in instrumental responding and found that rodents on liquid reward with higher caloric content performed better with increased response and task acquisition rate. The influence of reinforcer type on reversal learning and how this interacts with developmental insults such as prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has not been explored. We tested whether reinforcer type during learning or reversal would impact an established deficit in PAE mice. We found that all male and female mice on liquid reward, regardless of prenatal exposure were better motivated to learn task behaviors during pre-training. Consistent with previous findings, both male and female PAE mice and Saccharine control mice were able to learn the initial stimulus reward associations irrespective of the reinforcer type. During the initial reversal phase, male PAE mice that received pellet rewards exhibited maladaptive perseverative responding whereas male mice that received liquid rewards performed comparable to their control counterparts. Female PAE mice that received either reinforcer types did not exhibit any deficits on behavioral flexibility. Female saccharine control mice that received liquid, but not pellet, rewards showed increased perseverative responding during the early reversal phase. These data suggest that reinforcer type can have a major impact on motivation, and therefore performance, during reversal learning. Highly motivating rewards may mask behavioral deficits seen with more moderately sought rewards and gestational exposure to the non-caloric sweetener, saccharine, can impact behavior motivated by those reinforcers in a sex-dependent manner.

No association of the dopamine D2 receptor genetic bilocus score (rs1800497/rs1799732) on food addiction and food reinforcement in Chilean adults.

Purpose: Different systems regulate food intake. In the reward system, dopamine (DA) is the main neurotransmitter, and a variety of genetic variants (rs1799732 and rs1800497) are associated with addiction. Addiction is a highly polygenic disease, where each allelic variant adds a small amount of vulnerability. Polymorphisms rs1799732 and rs1800497 are associated with eating behavior and hedonic hunger, but links to food addiction remain unclear. Aim: To evaluate the association between the bilocus profile (rs1799732-rs1800497) of the dopaminergic pathway with food reinforcement and food addiction in Chilean adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited a convenience sample of 97 obese, 25 overweight, and 99 normal-weight adults (18-35 years). Anthropometric measurements were performed by standard procedures and eating behavior was assessed using the: Food Reinforcement Value Questionnaire (FRVQ) and Yale Food Addiction scale (YFAS). The DRD2 genotypes were determined by TaqMan assays (rs1800497 and rs1799732). A bilocus composite score was calculated. Results: In the normal weight group, individuals who were heterozygous for the rs1977932 variant (G/del) showed higher body weight (p-value 0.01) and abdominal circumference (p-value 0.01) compared to those who were homozygous (G/G). When analyzing rs1800497, a significant difference in BMI was observed for the normal weight group (p-value 0.02) where heterozygous showed higher BMI. In the obese group, homozygous A1/A1 showed higher BMI in comparison to A1/A2 and A2/A2 (p-value 0.03). Also, a significant difference in food reinforcement was observed in the rs1800497, where homozygous for the variant (A1A1) show less reinforcement (p-value 0.01).In relation to the bilocus score in the total sample, 11% showed "very low dopaminergic signaling", 24.4% were "under", 49.7% showed "intermediate signaling", 12.7% showed "high" and 1.4% showed "very high". No significant genotypic differences were observed in food reinforcement and food addiction by bilocus score. Conclusions: The results indicate that the genetic variants rs1799732 and rs1800497 (Taq1A) were associated with anthropometric measurements but not with food addiction or food reinforcement in Chilean university students. These results suggest that other genotypes, such as rs4680 and rs6277, which affect DA signaling capacity through a multilocus composite score, should be studied. Level V: Evidence obtained from a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Structural performance of buried reinforced concrete pipelines under deep embankment soil

Purpose Buried pipelines under various soil embankment heights are cost-effective alternatives to transporting liquid products. This paper aims to assist pipeline architects and professionals in selecting the most cost-effective buried reinforced concrete pipelines under deep embankment soil with minor structural reinforcement while meeting shear stress requirements, safety and reliability constraints. Design/methodology/approach It is unfeasible to experimentally assess pipeline efficiency with high soil fill depth. Thus, to fill this gap, this research uses a dependable finite element analysis (FEA) to conduct a parametric study and carry out such an issue. This research considered reinforced concrete pipes with diameters of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 cm at depths of 5, 10, 15 and 20 m. Findings According to this research, the proposed best pipeline diameter-to-thickness (D/T) proportions for soil embankment heights 5, 10, 15 and 20 m are 8.75, 4.8, 3.5 and 3.1, correspondingly. The cost-effective reinforced concrete (RC) pipeline thickness dramatically rises if the soil embankment reaches 20 m, indicating that the soil embankment depth highly influences it. Most of the analyzed reinforced concrete pipelines had a maximum deflection value of less than 1 cm, telling that the FEA accurately identified the pipeline width, needed flexural steel reinforcement, and concrete crack width while avoiding significant distortion. Originality/value The cost-effective thickness for the analyzed structured concrete pipes was calculated by considering the lowest required value of steel reinforcement. An algorithm was developed based on the parametric scientific findings to predict the ideal pipeline D/T ratio. A construction case study was also shown to assist architects and professionals in determining the best reinforced concrete pipeline geometry for a specific soil embankment height.

Strengthening of deep RC coupling beams with FRP composites: A numerical study

Currently, most buildings have earthquake-resistant systems such as coupled shear walls and couple beams, designed based on previous code specifications. Also, due to specifications of new codes, diagonal reinforcement details in coupled beams are introduced, which due to the high reinforcement congestion, creates problems in fabrication and pouring. The main goal of this paper is to numerically study retrofitting with polymer composites reinforced with carbon fiber with external bonding for reinforced concrete coupling beams. The previous studies are divided into three categories. The first part concerns using externally bonded composite FRPs and the effect of fiber arrangement and thickness on the coupled beam behavior. The maximum displacement ductility in shear reinforcement patterns belonged to I and 2I patterns, which had the maximum ductility coefficients of 7.04 and 8.87. By comparing 7 CFRP reinforcement patterns, results showed that due to the mixed failure mode (flexural-shear) of the coupling beam, the U-X reinforcement pattern increased the load-bearing capacity by 18% compared with the base sample. By using suitable anchorage and preventing premature debonding, this method could be introduced as an effective method for improving the coupling beam’s behavior. In the second category, reinforcement with composite FRPs was compared with diagonal reinforcement and strengthening by installing steel plates and the accompanying behavior diagrams were given. Compared with other reinforcement methods in terms of load-bearing capacity and ductility, the specimen reinforced with CFRP and steel plates had a 49% and 70.4% increased load-bearing capacity of the control specimen. Among the studied specimens, the best performance belonged to the specimen with diagonal reinforcements, which had an increased load-bearing capacity and ductility of 124% and 4.2% compared with the base specimen. Finally, the third part is about the effective parameters of the coupling beam such as span length to height ratio and longitudinal reinforcement value regarding coupling beam behavior.

Exogenous Cannabinoids Impair Effort-Related Decision-Making via Affecting Neural Synchronization between the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens.

Humans and animals frequently make an endeavor-based choice based on assessing reinforcement value and response costs. The cortical-limbic-striatal pathway mediates endeavor-based choice behavior, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Furthermore, cannabinoid agonists demonstratively impairs decision-making processes. In this study, neural synchronization and functional connectivity between the NAc and ACC while endeavor-related decision-making and reaching reward were evaluated. The effect of exogenous cannabinoids on this synchronization was then assessed. A T-maze decision-making task with a differential expense (low vs. high endeavor) and remuneration (low vs. high remuneration) was performed and local field potentials (LFP) from the ACC and NAc were registered simultaneously. Results showed functional connectivity during endeavor-related decision-making while the animals chose the high endeavor/high remuneration in both regions' delta/beta (1-4 and 13-30 Hertz) frequency bands. Furthermore, functional connectivity existed between both areas in delta/theta (1-4 and 4-12) frequencies while reaching a remuneration. However, neural simultaneity was not observed while the animals received cannabinoid agonists, making a decision and reaching remuneration. The obtained results demonstrated that functional connectivity and neural simultaneity between the NAc and ACC in delta/beta and delta/theta frequencies have a role in endeavor-related decision-making and reaching remuneration, respectively. The effect of exogenous cannabinoids on decision-making impairment is relevant to changes in the ACC and NAC brain wave frequencies.

Exploring the Social Reinforcing Value of Brushing in Equine-Assisted Services: A Comparative Study with Food Reinforcement

Abstract Brushing is one of the most common human-horse interactions in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS). Previous research has shown both positive and negative effects of brushing on horses’ behavior and physiological states. One of the primary reasons horses are included in services such as mental and behavioral healthcare is to provide human clients with positive relational experiences; however, more empirical research is needed to determine if horses also receive socially derived benefits from their interactions with human clients. Therefore, we set out to determine whether brushing can function as a social reinforcer for horses utilized in EAS in comparison to food reinforcement. Six EAS horses from a university-based Premier Accredited Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International center in the Southwestern Region of the United States participated in a single-subject reversal ABCABC design experiment, in which stimuli (A: Brushing, B: Food, and C: Control [Extinction]) were provided contingent on an arbitrary behavior (nose touch to the experimenter’s closed fist). All horses exhibited maximal or near-maximal responding in the food condition, but low responding in the brushing and control conditions. Data indicated that brushing was not an effective reinforcer for horses compared to food, and this could suggest brushing is a low-value reinforcer. Alternatively, it is possible to access to food at relatively short intervals in time during the experiment may have impacted the reinforcing value of brushing. Human-animal interaction proponents are increasingly calling attention to the need to ensure that equine-inclusive healthcare services address horse welfare, including the promotion of positive welfare experiences. Results from this study support the need for more research on identifying optimal interactions that can promote mutual benefits to both humans and horses participating in EAS.

Prediction of Failure Modes and Minimum Characteristic Value of Transverse Reinforcement of RC Beams Based on Interpretable Machine Learning

Shear failure of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is a form of brittle failure and has always been a concern. This study adopted the interpretable machine-learning technique to predict failure modes and identify the boundary value between different failure modes to avoid diagonal splitting failure. An experimental database consisting of 295 RC beams with or without transverse reinforcements was established. Two features were constructed to reflect the design characteristics of RC beams, namely, the shear–span ratio and the characteristic value of transverse reinforcement. The characteristic value of transverse reinforcement has two forms: (i) λsv,ft=ρstpfsv/ft, from the China design code of GB 50010-2010; and (ii) λsv,fc′=ρstpfsv/fc′0.5, from the America design code of ACI 318-19 and Canada design code of CSA A23.3-14. Six machine-learning models were developed to predict failure modes, and gradient boosting decision tree and extreme gradient boosting are recommended after comparing the prediction performance. Then, shapley additive explanations (SHAP) indicates that the characteristic value of transverse reinforcement has the most significant effect on failure mode, follow by the shear–span ratio. The characteristic value of transverse reinforcement is selected as the form of boundary value. On this basis, an accumulated local effects (ALE) plot describes how this feature affects model prediction and gives the boundary value through numerical simulation, that is, the minimum characteristic value of transverse reinforcement. Compared with the three codes, the suggested value for λsv,fc′,min has higher reliability and security for avoiding diagonal splitting failure. Accordingly, the research approach in this case is feasible and effective, and can be recommended to solve similar tasks.

Longer duration intertrial intervals without visual stimuli have reinforcement value and increase the rate of reinforcement and punishment learning in computer-based discriminations in humans

In two experiments, we examined the motivational value of the duration of intertrial intervals and/or task delays on responding in a computer-based task in humans. In both experiments, four color stimuli with different response contingencies were displayed. Participants freely decided if they want to make a response or not towards each stimulus. The outcome that followed was either a putatively pleasant visual feedback (a “smiley face” display) or a blank screen, which was contingent on whether a response was made or withheld differently for different color stimuli. Our key manipulation was whether this blank screen outcome was longer or shorter than the visual feedback, that is whether the blank screen outcome made the next trial start sooner, later, or with the same delay as earning the visual feedback. We found 1) increased reinforced responding for encouraging visual feedback and 2) faster reinforcement and punishment learning to respond or withhold responding for this visual feedback if there was a longer duration blank screen outcome on trials in which people did not earn the visual feedback. This effect appeared to be driven more by the absolute length of the blank screen stimulus rather than whether it increased the delay until the start of the next trial more than the visual feedback. Additional research is needed to investigate boundary conditions that may determine when these blank screens do/do not have this motivational effect. Our findings suggest that manipulating task delay may be a way to increase motivation in laboratory studies in humans and possibly minimize individual differences in motivation due to differing sensitivity to demand characteristics in individual participants. However, additional research is needed to eliminate alternative explanations for this effect, such as an effect in which longer blank screen presentations led to better learning by preventing poorer learning that can be observed after massed trial presentations.

The Influence Of Teachers' Media Literacy Proficiency On Strengthening Character Education In Aisyiyah Kindergarten

This study was conducted with the aim of knowing the effect of teacher media literacy skills on strengthening character education in Aisyiyah Kindergarten in Makassar City. The population in this study were teachers of Aisyiyah Kindergarten in Makassar, amounting to 135 teachers spread from 47 Aisyiyah Kindergarten and in obtaining research samples using purposive random sampling technique which previously obtained a number of samples using the Slovin formula as many as 57 teachers. The data collection technique was obtained by using a like-art scale questionnaire whose instrument development procedures included validity testing using a gregory testing model and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability testing using the Cronbach alpha formula which resulted in a reliability coefficient value of 0.98 for the teacher's digital literacy skill instrument and a reinforcement value of 0.97 for the instrument's instrument character. The data collected were analyzed using inferential statistics, namely simple regression analysis. The results of the study revealed that water had a positive and significant effect on teacher media literacy skills on strengthening character education in Aisyiyah Kindergarten in Makassar CityKeyword : Teachers; Media literacy skills; Character education

The effect of adulteration with a bitter tastant, denatonium benzoate, on the reinforcing value of sucrose

According to the Multiplicative Hyperbolic Model of reinforcer value (MHM), the value of a reinforcer is an increasing hyperbolic function of its size (q). A recent experiment examined the effect of adulterating a sucrose solution with citric acid on the value of a sucrose reinforcer. In contrast to expectations derived from MHM, the effect of citric acid was consistent with the summation of positive (sucrose) and negative (citric acid) values. The present experiment extended these observations to a bitter tastant, denatonium benzoate (DB). Rats were trained under an adjusting-magnitude schedule in which a response on lever B delivered a fixed volume of a sucrose/DB mixture, while a response on lever A delivered a sucrose solution, the volume of which, qA, was adjusted according to the rats’ choices. When B was preferred in a given block of trials, qA was increased in the following block; when A was preferred, qA was reduced in the following block. qB was varied across five phases of the experiment and the corresponding indifference magnitudes of A were measured. The results indicated that, as was the case with citric acid, the value of the mixture reflected the summation of positive (sucrose) and negative (DB) values.