Routine Ones Research Articles

Integrating Real-World Applications into the Machine Design Course through an Open-Ended Assignment – A Case Study

This paper presents a case study in engineering education, focusing on enhancing conceptual understanding, realworld application, comprehension, teamwork, self-directed learning, and familiarity with design codes and standards. The study involves student analysis of artifact safety and optimization, engaging them in practical problem-solving. The outlined methodology covers artifact selection, analysis, and assessment of the assignment's impact. The findings exhibit improvements in knowledge acquisition, real-world relevance, teamwork, and selflearning. Moreover, the study highlights the assignment's enhanced appeal and challenge compared to conventional assignments. Students express a preference for more such assignments over routine ones. The paper underscores experiential learning's significance in cultivating critical skills for modern engineering and advocates integrating practical applications into curricula for holistic skill development. Keywords—Conceptual Understanding; Experiential Learning; Engineering Education; Real-World Applications; Open-Ended Assignments; Assignment Impact.

NEPHROPROTECTIVE THERAPY IN ACUTE PERITONITIS

Increasing the effectiveness of peritonitis treatment remains an urgent issue for abdominal urgent surgery. So far, several effective surgical technologies have been developed. However, conservative therapy in the early postoperative period is an object for development, including the target organ protection influence.
 The aim of the study is to determine the nephroprotective efficacy of complex treatment with remaxol in acute peritonitis.
 Materials and Methods. The authors examined 46 patients with acute peritonitis. The patients were divided into two groups: Groups 1 (comparison, n=26) received standardized treatment, Group 2 (main, n=20) was treated with remaxol. Research methods, in addition to routine ones, included the assessment of kidney functional state, endotoxicosis, and oxidative stress.
 Results. It is revealed that in acute peritonitis, the authors recorded substantial deviations in the functional state of the kidneys, such as endogenous intoxication, and oxidative stress. Maximum imbalance is diagnosed on the 1st day of the early postoperative period. The use of remaxol in the complex therapy of patients with acute peritonitis significantly improves the functional state of the kidneys, thus, optimizing the course of the early postoperative period and reducing the severity of endogenous intoxication. The positive effect of the drug is caused by its ability to manage the oxidative stress, a universal pathogenetic trigger for system and organ damage, including kidneys.
 Conclusions. Remaxol has a nephroprotective effect and improves the course of the early postoperative period.

Efficacy of Treatment Based on the Movement System Impairment Classification in People with Knee Pain: A Study Protocol

Background: Detection of abnormal movement patterns and disorders and their classification into specific sub-categories may result in effective therapeutic choices. Classification of movement system impairments has provided seven sub-categories for movement disorders in the knee joint with specific treatment recommendations for each. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of specific treatments proposed by this classification method and compare the effectiveness of this treatment method with routine ones. Materials and Methods: Participants who met the inclusion criterion were randomly assigned into control and experimental groups after the diagnosis of their movement impairment. Subcategories including patellar lateral glide syndrome and tibiofemoral rotation syndrome were recruited. Experimental groups were treated specifically based on their impairment; however, all control groups received the same routine physiotherapy, regardless of their movement impairment. Two knee function and disability instruments were used, including Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. Eventually, each experimental group’s outcome scores on the visual analog scale and frontal plane projection angles were compared with those in the control group. Results: Conclusion: We will try to figure out whether the specific treatments based on the movement impairment classification have any benefit over the routine treatment. This would also give clues about the validity of this classification in knee pain. If this is the case, detecting the movement impairment and giving treatment on this basis could be used as a comprehensive guideline.

Deep Learning Plus Three-Dimensional Printing in the Management of Giant (>15 cm) Sporadic Renal Angiomyolipoma: An Initial Report

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and effectivity of deep learning (DL) plus three-dimensional (3D) printing in the management of giant sporadic renal angiomyolipoma (RAML).MethodsThe medical records of patients with giant (>15 cm) RAML were retrospectively reviewed from January 2011 to December 2020. 3D visualized and printed kidney models were performed by DL algorithms and 3D printing technology, respectively. Patient demographics and intra- and postoperative outcomes were compared between those with 3D-assisted surgery (3D group) or routine ones (control group).ResultsAmong 372 sporadic RAML patients, 31 with giant ones were eligible for analysis. The median age was 40.6 (18–70) years old, and the median tumor size was 18.2 (15–28) cm. Seventeen of 31 (54.8%) had a surgical kidney removal. Overall, 11 underwent 3D-assisted surgeries and 20 underwent routine ones. A significant higher success rate of partial nephrectomy (PN) was noted in the 3D group (72.7% vs. 30.0%). Patients in the 3D group presented a lower reduction in renal function but experienced a longer operation time, a greater estimated blood loss, and a higher postoperative morbidity. Subgroup analysis was conducted between patients undergoing PN with or without 3D assistance. Despite no significant difference, patients with 3D-assisted PN had a slightly larger tumor size and higher nephrectomy score, possibly contributing to a relatively higher rate of complications. However, 3D-assisted PN lead to a shorter warm ischemia time and a lower renal function loss without significant difference. Another subgroup analysis between patients under 3D-assisted PN or 3D-assisted RN showed no statistically significant difference. However, the nearness of tumor to the second branch of renal artery was relatively shorter in 3D-assisted PN subgroup than that in 3D-assisted RN subgroup, and the difference between them was close to significant.Conclusions3D visualized and printed kidney models appear to be additional tools to assist operational management and avoid a high rate of kidney removal for giant sporadic RAMLs.

Vaccine market access pathways in the EU27 and the United Kingdom − analysis and recommendations for improvements

BackgroundVaccine market access (VMA) pathways across the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) are complex, lengthy, and heterogeneous, particularly when compared with pharmaceuticals. The knowledge base to inform recommendations for optimization of VMA is lacking. We therefore conducted a comprehensive evaluation of EU VMA pathways. MethodsResearch in two phases included: (1) mapping VMA pathways in each EU member state (including the UK) based on a literature review, expert interviews, and mathematical archetyping; and (2) interviews with vaccine experts to identify barriers, drivers, and recommendations for regional VMA alignments. ResultsKey steps in VMA across the EU include horizon scanning, early advice, National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) recommendation for inclusion in national immunization programs, health technology assessment (HTA), final decision and procurement. We found significant complexity and heterogeneity, particularly for early advice, and in the roles, decision-making criteria, and transparency of NITAGs and HTA bodies. The most important drivers for rapid VMA included demonstration of disease burden and vaccine benefit (e.g., efficacy, safety, economic). Key barriers were budget limitations and complexity/clarity of VMA processes (e.g., need for national-regional consensus, clarity on process initiation, and clarity on the role of HTA). Recommendations for alignment at EU and member-state levels include information sharing, joint clinical assessment, initiatives to address funding and political barriers, and improved transparency by decision-making bodies. Early engagement with vaccine stakeholders was a key recommendation for manufacturers. ConclusionsThere is significant potential for alignment, collaboration, and improvement of VMA across the EU. Roles, responsibilities, and transparency of key bodies can be clarified. The COVID-19 pandemic response should stimulate policies to improve access to all vaccines, including routine ones, and form the foundation upon which a consistent vaccine ecosystem can be created for the EU, one that is resilient, consistent between member states, and fit for purpose.

Particles and corrected particles of LDL and non-HDL are stronger predicters of coronary lesion in postmenopausal women

BackgroundThe optimum lipid indexes, predicting the coronary lesion in postmenopausal women are not clear.ObjectiveTo evaluate the optimum lipid predicter for coronary lesion in routine and advanced lipid tests.Method300 postmenopausal women were enrolled and assigned into coronary heart disease (CHD) Group (242), and non-CHD Group (58). Routine and advanced lipid indexes were measured with standard laboratory test and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The correlation and predictivities for CHD of routine and advanced lipid indexes were performed with Logistic regression, Spearman correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC).ResultsAge (hazard ratio (HR) 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–5.86, P = 0.03), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.15–1.59, P < 0.001), corrected particles of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-p-corr) (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.06, P < 0.001) and corrected particles of non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL-p-corr) (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, P < 0.001) were the risk factors of CHD. LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), LDL-p, LDL-p-corr, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C), non-HDL-p and non-HDL-p-corr were in linear correlation with Gensini score. Advanced lipid indexes LDL-p (area under curve (AUC) = 0.750, P = 0.02), LDL-p-corr (AUC = 0.759, P = 0.02), non-HDL-p (AUC = 0.693, P = 0.03) and non-HDL-p-corr (AUC = 0.699, P = 0.03) were more predictive for CHD than the routine ones (LDL-C and non-HDL-C).ConclusionIn postmenopausal women, age, ApoB, LDL-p-corr and non-HDL-p-corr were risk factors of CHD. Compared with traditional lipid items, LDL-p, LDL-p-corr, non-HDL-p and non-HDL-p-corr may be better lipid indexes for CHD in postmenopausal women.

Financial Education: an experience with 3rd Grade students

Financial education is a subject that has been developing in schools with younger pupils, as they become active consumers, even at an early age. For this reason, they must gain knowledge and develop financial skills, which will enable them to acquire financial competencies. With the theme of financial education, it is intended that citizen be trained to be able to act consciously and responsibly in the financial sphere and, consequently, maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with money. Thus, it is essential to provide individuals, all of them, with knowledge and skills that allow them to respond effectively to everyday financial situations, even the simplest and most routine ones.

ОТ ИНСАЙТА К АГА!-ПЕРЕЖИВАНИЮ: НОВАЯ ПАРАДИГМА В ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯХ РЕШЕНИЯ ЗАДАЧ

The article is dedicated to the insight phenomenon, namely the explanations of the rela-tionship between cognitive and affective components of insight that different theories suggest. The affective component of insight includes the subjective suddenness, certainty, and pleasure with which the solution comes to mind (Aha! experience). The cognitive component of insight is the assumed mechanisms contributing to the generation of the solution. In the first part of the article, we review classical approaches to explain the insight phenomenon's nature: special processes account and business-as-usual account. In the first approach, two mecha-nisms can be suggested: unconscious associative processing and representational change (restructuring). According to the business-as-usual account, insight solutions do not differ from routine ones and are implemented as a step-by-step movement to the goal state. In the second part of the article, we show that all classical theories of insight problem solving suggest the direct relation between Aha! experience and cognitive mechanisms of insight. Then, we analyze accumulated empirical data that stand for or against this notion. Based on this analysis, we conclude that there is no unequivocal evidence for the direct rela-tion between Aha! experience and the unconscious processing or restructuring. We propose that Aha! experience is an anomaly for the studies of insight problem-solving. The third part of the article aims to review possible ways to resolve the problem of Aha! experience. One way is to consider that the relation between affective and cognitive compo-nents of insight is indirect. We review studies of metacognition where the non-specificity of metacognitive experiences was proposed. According to this idea, metacognitive experiences reflect changes in cognitive processes dynamics (such as the information processing fluency) but do not carry specific information about their source. In the fourth part of the article, the attempts to apply the idea of non-specificity to the Aha! experience are reviewed. We analyze the empirical data supporting the hypothesis of indirect relation between Aha! experience and cognitive mechanisms of insight problem-solving. Based on it, we predict an increase in the number of studies developing this idea.

Liver Cirrhosis: Modern Approach to the Problem

Liver Cirrhosis: Modern Approach to the Problem

Nanorocks: a 10-year-old story

The presence of nanogranitoids (crystallized melt inclusions showing a granitic s.l. composition) in regionally metamorphosed migmatitic and granulitic terranes was documented for the first time in 2009. This important finding represented a hallmark event for crustal petrologists, demonstrating that the pristine composition of anatectic melts may be preserved and recovered in small objects hosted in peritectic minerals of high-grade metamorphic rocks. Many further occurrences were documented in rocks worldwide, from diverse geodynamic settings, from the Archean to Miocene, and these inclusions turned out to have diverse composition (from silicatic to carbonatitic). Therefore, we propose “nanorocks” as a comprehensive name for these crystallized melt inclusions. In the last decade, many studies demonstrated their utility in characterizing mechanisms of melting and in tracking crustal magma evolution. Although scholars are now able to easily recognize nanorocks in high-grade metamorphic rocks, only a few research groups remelt them by means of experimental devices because of a time-consuming preparation. However, when cutting-edge techniques are applied in addition to more routine ones, nanorocks do open new perspectives in crustal petrology.

Routine preservation of viscera: Is it really required? A Study from Gujarat, India

At most centers, viscera are routinely preserved in four jars, which involve multiple resources in terms of money, manpower and time. The present study was intended to examine & evaluate the reports of chemical analysis with a hypothesis that if blood tests alone are equivalent to chemical analyses, then the need of viscera preservation may be abandoned. The study was conducted at S. K. Hospital and P. S. Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India. Data were collected from poisoning cases in which autopsy examination was conducted during 2011–15 and routine viscera were preserved in four jars for chemical analyses. Details about their demographic profile, autopsy observations and chemical analysis report findings were incorporated in the validated proforma. Out of 121 alleged cases of poisoning where routine viscera were collected for chemical analyses, 116 cases reported positive findings. Of those 116 cases, blood testing was positive in 101 cases. The remaining 15 poisoning cases were not routine ones. The present study suggests and recommends that sending only blood samples for chemical analyses in place of routine preservation in autopsy poisoning cases will not only satisfy the purpose, but will also be less resource intensive. In some specific cases as per the discretion of the Forensic Expert, viscera can also be sent along with blood.

Impact of additional AMDAR data in the AROME-France model during May 2017

Abstract. From 1 May 2017 until 15 June 2017, the E-AMDAR operational service from EUMETNET disseminated more commercial aircraft data than usual on the Global Telecommunication System (GTS). Météo-France specifically requested the implementation of such a trial. It lead to an increase in the number of aircraft data over France, especially vertical profiles (ascents and descents). Though Météo-France routinely buys additional data with respect to the basic E-AMDAR service, this trial aimed at assessing the potential of French airlines to produce further data in collaboration with E-AMDAR and yield an observation network as dense as possible. This was the opportunity to check the impact of these additional data on forecast skill scores of the limited area and convective scale model AROME-France. A data denial experiment (OSE) was carried out on May 2017, by removing E-AMDAR profiles (about 14 % of data) to mimic the routine observing system. The reference was the operational AROME-France 3D-Var that assimilated all extra data in real-time. However, no dedicated flag allowed to distinguish supplementary data from routine ones. Therefore, a necessary step of the experimental methodology was to identify which data profile could be considered as supplementary. The examination of forecast skill scores from the denial experiment showed that the impact of the removal of the additional observations is rather small and mixed, depending upon the parameter of interest, the atmospheric level, and the forecast range. The case studies done did not exhibit any particular additional skill for the suite with augmented observations. The experimental set-up is described and the results are discussed on the basis of forecast scores, including precipitation scores. Finally, a number of recommendations are given for a more optimal assimilation of AMDAR data in the AROME-France model.

Reducing inter-observer variability and interaction time of MR liver volumetry by combining automatic CNN-based liver segmentation and manual corrections.

PurposeTo compare manual corrections of liver masks produced by a fully automatic segmentation method based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) with manual routine segmentations in MR images in terms of inter-observer variability and interaction time.MethodsFor testing, patient’s precise reference segmentations that fulfill the quality requirements for liver surgery were manually created. One radiologist and two radiology residents were asked to provide manual routine segmentations. We used our automatic segmentation method Liver-Net to produce liver masks for the test cases and asked a radiologist assistant and one further resident to correct the automatic results. All observers were asked to measure their interaction time. Both manual routine and corrected segmentations were compared with the reference annotations.ResultsThe manual routine segmentations achieved a mean Dice index of 0.95 and a mean relative error (RVE) of 4.7%. The quality of liver masks produced by the Liver-Net was on average 0.95 Dice and 4.5% RVE. Liver masks resulting from manual corrections of automatically generated segmentations compared to routine results led to a significantly lower inter-observer variability (mean per case absolute RVE difference across observers 0.69%) when compared to manual routine ones (2.75%). The mean interaction time was 2 min for manual corrections and 10 min for manual routine segmentations.ConclusionsThe quality of automatic liver segmentations is on par with those from manual routines. Using automatic liver masks in the clinical workflow could lead to a reduction of segmentation time and a more consistent liver volume estimation across different observers.

Strategies toward rheumatoid arthritis therapy; the old and the new.

Currently, medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are glucocorticoids (GCs) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), predominantly used for controlling the pain and inflammation, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), administered as first-line medication for newly diagnosed RA cases, and biological therapies, used to target and inhibit specific molecules of the immune and inflammatory responses. NSAIDs and other GCs are effective in alleviating the pain, inflammation, and stiffness due to RA. DMARDs that are used for RA therapy are hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, leflunomide, and sulfasalazine. The biological therapies, on the contrary, are chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) like etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab, a recombinant inhibitor of interleukin-1 (IL-1), anakinra, and costimulation blocker, abatacept. Moreover, newly under evaluation biological therapies include new TNF-α inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, anti-interleukin-6-receptor monoclonal antibodies (mABs), and antibodies against vital molecules involved in the survival and development of functional B cells. The new strategies to treat RA has improved the course of the disease and most of the patients are successful in remission of the clinical manifestations if the diagnosis of the disease occur early. The probability of remission increase if the diagnosis happens rapidly and treat-to-target approach are implemented. In this review article, we have attempted to go through the treatment strategies for RA therapy both the routine ones and those which have been developed over the past few years and currently under investigation.

Assessment of information content and optimization of the parameters of a plan for medical-biological diagnostic experiment

The task of the information content of the model of diagnostic medical-biological experiment planning is solved in the article. For this purpose, a detailed analysis of medical diagnostic tasks, including routine ones, was carried out. This analysis showed the necessity of planning such experiments using the information content or risk levels of the first and second types as a criterion. On the basis of the general theory of information, an information model of such an experiment for the case of two diagnosed states has been developed in the work. This model makes possible to quantify the information content of the experiment based on the specified parameters of the experimental design. For automatic information systems with training while working, a model is proposed that takes into account the number of training samples. The obtained models allowed to perform a study of the diagnostic experiment plan for the effect of the plan parameters on the resulting amount of the expected information. Besides, the proposed models allowed optimizing the parameters of the diagnostic experiment plan for the minimum average risk. In the work, the information theory of control and diagnostic solutions for the planning of a medical-biological experiment was further developed by creating mathematical models for obtaining the amount of information, taking into account the type of the experiment design, which allowed to maximize this information by selecting the plan parameters.

Theory of Additional Corpus Biopsy for Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori

Background: There is still debate on the best sites for biopsy- based tests of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastritis. This study was designed to determine if it is important to add corpus biopsies to the routine antral ones for identification of H. pylori, especially in case of gastric atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia. Methods: A causative role is now accepted for Helicobacter (formerly Campylobacter) pylori in type B gastritis, and evidence is accumulating that H. pylori infection plays a major contributory role in peptic ulcer disease. Preliminary studies have reported that the prevalence of H pylori infection increases with age, but detailed information on the prevalence of the bacteria in any defined population and on the factors that may influence the pattern of distribution remains scanty. Results: Up to 85% of people infected with H. pylori never experience symptoms or complications. Acute infection may appear as an acute gastritis with abdominal pain (stomach ache) or nausea. Where this develops into chronic gastritis, the symptoms, if present, are often those of nonulcer dyspepsia: stomach pains, nausea, bloating, belching, and sometimes vomiting or black stool. Conclusion: H. pylori has been associated with colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer. It may also be associated with eye disease.

Use of steroids in baseball primarily sports story

A content analysis of U.S. newspapers over 10 years revealed that the issue of steroids in baseball was the result of accidental events slightly more than routine ones. While both news and sports reporters covered accidental events, the news reporters’ attention faded without government officials to adopt the issue and routinize the story.

Unintentionally retained foreign bodies after surgical procedures. Analysis of 4547 cases.

this study aims to explore the experience of Brazilian surgeons on Unintentionally Retained Foreign Bodies (RFB) after surgical procedures. A questionnaire was sent to surgeons by electronic mail, between March and July 2012. The questions analyzed their experience with foreign bodies (FB), foreign bodies' types, clinical manifestations, diagnoses, risk factors and legal implications. in the 2872 eligible questionnaires, 43% of the surgeons asserted that they had already left FB and 73% had removed FB in one or more occasions, totalizing 4547. Of these foreign bodies, 90% were textiles, 78% were discovered in the first year and 14% remained asymptomatic. Among doctors with less than five years after graduation, 36% had already left a FB. The most frequently surgical procedures mentioned were the elective (57%) and routine (85%) ones. Emergency (26%), lack of counting (25%) and inadequate conditions of work contributed (12.5%) to the occurrence. In 46% of the cases patients were alerted about the FB, and 26% of them sued the doctors or the institution. challenging medical situations, omission of security protocols and inadequate work conditions contributed to RFB. However, RFB occurs mostly in routine procedures such as cesarean or cholecystectomy, and at the beginning of the professional career, highlighting, particularly in poorest countries, the need for primary prevention. Textiles predominated causing clinical repercussions and they were diagnosed in the first postoperative months. Surgeons were sued in 11.3% of the RFB cases.

Asociación de infección por Chlamydia trachomatis con el diagnóstico de cervicitis aguda

Introducción: la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis es la enfermedad de transmisión sexual más frecuente en el mundo y causa una importante morbilidad en las mujeres. Actualmente existen pocos estudios sobre su prevalencia en nuestra población, por lo que se hace pertinente la implementación de un estudio piloto que aporte información sobre su frecuencia en mujeres asintomáticas y con cervicitis aguda. Objetivo: determinar la asociación existente entra la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis y la presencia de cervicitis aguda en la población consultante a los servicios de urgencias y consulta externa del Hospital Universitario de Santander (HUS). Metodología: estudio de casos y controles en el cual se incluyeron 284 pacientes mayores de edad, no embarazadas y que no estuvieran menstruando, atendidas en el HUS. Se tomaron como casos las pacientes con diagnóstico de cervicitis aguda y controles aquellas sin el mismo. En los dos grupos se realizó un frotis endocervical al cual se aplicó un método de diagnóstico rápido para infección por Chlamydia trachomatis, Bioline Chlamydia SD®. Resultados: el promedio de edad fue de 32.08 y 28.82 para casos y controles, con una diferencia promedio de 3.27, p = 0.001. También hubo diferencias al evaluar estado civil; 82.40% de los controles tiene un vínculo marital frente al 71.83% de los casos, p = 0.014; ocupación, más estudiantes en el grupo de cervicitis que en los casos, p = 0.020; y consumo de alcohol, 21.13% de pacientes con cervicitis, contra 11.27% de los controles, p = 0.024. La prevalencia de infección por Chlamydia en los controles fue de 7.04% y 11.97% en los casos, p = 0.157. Al buscar una asociación entre cervicitis aguda y la infección por Chlamydia esta no se encuentra, OR = 1.79 (IC 95% 0.74 – 4.55). Esta falta se asociación se mantiene luego de ajustar los potenciales factores confusores (OR = 1.71, IC 95% 0.72 – 4.04). En el análisis multivariado solo el consumo de alcohol persiste asociado con la presencia de cervicitis, OR = 4.442 (IC 95% 1.362 – 14.215). Conclusiones: no se encontró asociación entre la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis y el diagnóstico de cervicitis aguda. Se encontró una prevalencia similar en los dos grupos, además no se encontraron diferencias sociodemográficas. El único factor de riesgo con una asociación fuerte para colonización por la bacteria y cervicitis aguda fue la historia de consumo de alcohol. [Jaimes-Bravo JM. Asociación de infección por Chlamydia trachomatis con el diagnóstico de cervicitis aguda. MedUNAB 2015; 18 (2): 116-124]

Can People Recollect Well and Change Their Source Memory Bias of “Aha!” Experiences?

AbstractAlthough many scientific discoveries were frequently reported as kinds of insightful breakthrough that suddenly illuminated in one's mind, we can never exactly know whether these afterward reports were reliable or not. In this study, subjects were asked to solve a list of Remote Associate Test problems and got both subsets of the insightfully and routinely solved items. Then, this study examined whether people can recollect their “Aha!” experiences as well as “non‐Aha” ones. It was found that subjects were more accurate in recollecting their Aha! experiences relative to the routine ones. The study further examined if the report bias of Aha! or non‐Aha problem solving experiences could be changed by the afterward‐suggestive information that indicated the discovery is unique (rare) or not. It was found that the tendency for participants to falsely recollect their routine problem solving experience as Aha! ones if they were told the item they had solved was very rare, and the tendency to falsely recollect the Aha! problem solving experiences as routine ones if the item were said to be common.