Despite an increasing focus on the neural basis of human decision making in neuroscience, relatively little attention has been paid to decision making in social settings. Moreover, although human ...social decision making has been explored in a social psychology context, few neural explanations for the observed findings have been considered. To bridge this gap and improve models of human social decision making, we investigated whether acquiring a good reputation, which is an important incentive in human social behaviors, activates the same reward circuitry as monetary rewards. In total, 19 subjects participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments involving monetary and social rewards. The acquisition of one's good reputation robustly activated reward-related brain areas, notably the striatum, and these overlapped with the areas activated by monetary rewards. Our findings support the idea of a “common neural currency” for rewards and represent an important first step toward a neural explanation for complex human social behaviors.
Human behaviors are motivated not only by materialistic rewards but also by abstract social rewards, such as the approval of others. When choosing an action in social situations, to evaluate each ...action, the brain must convert different types of reward (such as money or social approval) into a common scale. Here using fMRI, we investigated the neural correlates of such valuation computations while individuals freely decided whether to donate to real charities or to take the money for themselves in the presence or absence of observers. Behavioral evidence showed that the mere presence of observers increased donation rates, and neuroimaging results revealed that activation in the ventral striatum before the same choice (“donate” or “not donate”) was significantly modulated by the presence of observers. Particularly high striatal activations were observed when a high social reward was expected (donation in public) and when there was the potential for monetary gain without social cost (no donation in the absence of observers). These findings highlight the importance of this area in representing both social and monetary rewards as a “decision utility” and add to the understanding of how the brain makes a choice using a “common neural currency” in social situations.
A transparent garnet-type lithium-ion conducting solid electrolyte of 1.0wt% Al2O3-doped Li7La3Zr2O12 (A-LLZ) was prepared using hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The A-LLZ pellet sintered at 1180°C for ...36h was followed by HIP treatment at 127MPa and 1180°C under an Ar atmosphere. The bulk conductivity of the HIP treated A-LLZ was 9.9×10−4Scm−1 at 25°C. The Li/HIP treated A-LLZ/Li cell showed no short-circuit due to lithium dendrite formation at 0.5mAcm−2.
•Garnet-type solid electrolyte of HIP treated LLZ.•Bulk conductivity of 9.9×10−4Scm−1 at room temperature.•Light transmittance is 30%.•Li/transparent LLZ/Li showed no short-circuit.
Abstract
This paper introduces a new approach to measure the muon magnetic moment anomaly $a_{\mu} = (g-2)/2$ and the muon electric dipole moment (EDM) $d_{\mu}$ at the J-PARC muon facility. The goal ...of our experiment is to measure $a_{\mu}$ and $d_{\mu}$ using an independent method with a factor of 10 lower muon momentum, and a factor of 20 smaller diameter storage-ring solenoid compared with previous and ongoing muon $g-2$ experiments with unprecedented quality of the storage magnetic field. Additional significant differences from the present experimental method include a factor of 1000 smaller transverse emittance of the muon beam (reaccelerated thermal muon beam), its efficient vertical injection into the solenoid, and tracking each decay positron from muon decay to obtain its momentum vector. The precision goal for $a_{\mu}$ is a statistical uncertainty of 450 parts per billion (ppb), similar to the present experimental uncertainty, and a systematic uncertainty less than 70 ppb. The goal for EDM is a sensitivity of $1.5\times 10^{-21}~e\cdot\mbox{cm}$.
Annealed 1050-aluminum sheets were severely deformed at the strain magnitude of 2.32 through constrained groove pressing (CGP) process. Texture variations and mechanical properties were investigated ...during CGP and subsequent friction stir processing (FSP) with different volume fractions of SiC nanoparticles. The results revealed that the predominant texture component in the annealed aluminum was {001}〈100〉 cube texture. After CGP, deformed and shear texture components developed while the cube texture was partially remained. In the specimen undergone FSP without nanoparticles, {001}〈110〉 rotated cube and nearly {001}〈110〉 shear texture component C were mainly pronounced, which was indicative of shear deformation of material in the stir zone. Orientation distribution function analysis from the stir zone demonstrated variations in the texture development with the incorporation of SiC nanoparticles. An increase in the fraction of nanoparticles changed the grain orientation in such a way that the {001}〈110〉 shear texture component C gradually developed from the rotated cube texture. However, the overall texture intensity became weaker by increasing the fraction of SiC nanoparticles due to the activation of particle stimulated nucleation mechanism forming randomly oriented grains. The incorporation of SiC nanoparticles in the stir zone also enhanced the yield strength, Young's modulus, and hardness of the stir zone without considerable reduction in the elongation. In such situation, Orowan strengthening was suggested as a dominant mechanism involved.
Dissimilar friction stir welding between magnesium and aluminum alloy plates with thicknesses of 2 mm was performed. The tool for welding was rotated at speeds ranging from 800 to 1600 rpm under a ...constant traverse speed of 300 mm/min. For tool rotation speeds of 1000, 1200, and 1400 rpm, defect-free welds were successfully obtained and the surface morphology of the welds became smoother as the tool rotation speed was increased. The relatively simple bonded interface was clearly evident and had a zigzag pattern. A mixed microstructure of magnesium and aluminum alloys was formed near the bonded interface. The maximum tensile strength of about 132 MPa was obtained at the tool rotation speed of 1000 rpm. However, there were not noteworthy changes in the tensile strength as a function of the tool rotation speed. The elongation was 2% or less, regardless of the tool rotation speed.
The effects of different transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding times on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Hastelloy X joints made by Ni–Cr–B–Si–Fe filler alloy were investigated. The ...specimens were TLP bonded at 1070 °C for holding times of 5, 20, 80, 320, and 640 min. The electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) results revealed that the main eutectic phases observed at the joints following incomplete isothermal solidification were Ni-rich borides, Ni-rich silicides, Ni–Si eutectic, and some Cr-rich borides. A high density of plate-like, blocky, and acicular (Mo and Cr)-rich borides were observed in the diffusion-affected zone (DAZ) of the samples; however, increasing the holding time decreased the contents of these phases. The solid-state diffusion was found to be a more effective transportation phenomenon than base metal dissolution at longer holding times. The increased DAZ thickness and the complete isothermal solidification as a result of the improved solid-state diffusion helped increase the uniformity of the hardness profile of the TLP bond at higher holding times (320 and 640 min). The results showed reverse relationship between the athermally solidified zone (ASZ) width and the bonding strength. The highest tensile strength (∼617 MPa) was achieved for the sample bonded at a holding time of 320 min; this strength was more than 80% of the base metal strength. A fractographic analysis of the tensile failure revealed a cellular fracture surface, exhibiting the characteristics of both brittle and ductile fractures. The sites prone to stress concentration and crack initiation were reduced with the completion of isothermal solidification.
•Bonding of Hastelloy X joints by TLP method using Ni-Cr-B-Si-Fe filler alloy.•Effect of time on joint microstructure and mechanical properties.•Reduction in the room-temperature tensile strength of the joint owing to a layer of continuous borides.•Higher strength of samples prepared at longer holding times due to complete isothermal solidification.•Change in the joint fracture from brittle to cellular at longer holding times.
Abstract Background We conducted a randomized controlled trial (JCOG0212) to determine whether the outcome of mesorectal excision (ME) alone for rectal cancer is not inferior to that of ME with ...lateral lymph node dissection (LLND). The present study focused on male sexual dysfunction after surgery. Method ology: Eligibility criteria included clinical stage II/III rectal cancer, the lower margin of the lesion below the peritoneal reflection, the absence of lateral pelvic lymph node enlargement, and no preoperative radiotherapy. After confirmation of R0 resection by ME, patients were intraoperatively randomized. Questionnaires using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) about the sexual function of men were collected before and 1 year after surgery. Sexual dysfunction incidence was defined as the ratio of patients showing sexual dysfunction after surgery relative to the number who had no erectile dysfunction before surgery. Results Among 701 patients enrolled between June 2003 and August 2010, 472 males were included. Among them, 343 (73%) completed preoperative and postoperative questionnaires. According to the study protocol, the incidences of sexual dysfunction in patients who underwent ME alone and ME with LLND were 68% (17/25; 95%CI, 47%–85%) and 79% (23/29; 95%CI, 60%–92%), respectively (p = 0.37). Incidences of sexual dysfunction in patients with no or only mild erectile dysfunction before surgery who underwent ME alone and ME with LLND were 59% (48/81) and 71% (67/95), respectively (p = 0.15). Multivariate analysis identified age as the only risk factor for sexual dysfunction after surgery (p = 0.02). Conclusions LLND may not increase sexual dysfunction incidence after rectal cancer surgery. This incidence is associated with increased age. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00190541 and University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, number C000000034.
To evaluate the clinical utility of feature tracking (FT)-derived myocardial strain in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM).
Electronic database searches of PubMed, Web of ...Science Core Collection, Cochrane advanced search, and EMBASE were performed. Studies on NIDCM were divided into categories according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; <30%, 30–40%, >40%), and correlations between strains and prevalence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were evaluated by weighted correlation coefficients. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) hazard ratios were also integrated for prediction of future adverse events.
The present meta-analysis analysed data from 5,767 patients with NIDCM from 30 eligible studies. GLS and global circumferential strain significantly differed across the three LVEF categories (all p<0.05); however, global radial strain did not. Only GLS showed a strong correlation with the prevalence of LGE (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.61). The pooled HR of GLS for predicting adverse events was 1.15 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.07–1.23, p<0.001).
In this meta-analysis, FT-derived GLS was strongly correlated with myocardial fibrosis and was an important predictor of future adverse events. These results suggest that FT-derived GLS may be useful in the pathological evaluation and risk stratification of NIDCM.
•A meta-analysis reveals the clinical utility of FT-derived strain value in NIDCM.•FT-derived GLS has a strong correlation with LVEF and the prevalence of LGE.•The pooled hazard ratio of GLS for predicting adverse events was 1.15 in NIDCM.•FT-derived GLS may be useful in risk stratification of NIDCM.
•The solution plasma system was introduced to treat cellulose colloid.•The degradation of cellulose colloid was remarkably enhanced.•Iron electrode yields the incidental nanoparticles (10–20nm).•Iron ...electrode strongly promoted the reducing sugar production.•Iron electrode produced high amount of hydroxyl radical.
In the present study, cellulose colloids are treated with the solution plasma process in order to prepare reducing sugar. The investigated parameters are treatment time, type of electrodes, and applied pulse frequency of the bipolar supply. The reducing sugar was characterized by DNS method and the%yield of total reducing sugar (TRS) was then calculated. The crystal structure and chemical structure of plasma-treated cellulose was measured by XRD and FT-IR, respectively. The%yield of TRS was greatly enhanced by solution plasma treatment using Fe electrode. SEM and TEM micrograph indicated that Fe electrode yield the incidental Fe nanoparticles, hypothesized to catalyze the cellulose degradation during SPP treatment. The crystal structure of cellulose was destroyed. Solution plasma treatment of cellulose using Fe electrode at the high applied frequency pulse provided the highest%TRS.
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