Abstract
Individuals differ in the way they judge ambiguous information: some individuals interpret ambiguous information in a more optimistic, and others in a more pessimistic way. Over the past two ...decades, such “optimistic” and “pessimistic” cognitive judgment biases (CJBs) have been utilized in animal welfare science as indicators of animals’ emotional states. However, empirical studies on their ecological and evolutionary relevance are still lacking. We, therefore, aimed at transferring the concept of “optimism” and “pessimism” to behavioral ecology and investigated the role of genetic and environmental factors in modulating CJB in mice. In addition, we assessed the temporal stability of individual differences in CJB. We show that the chosen genotypes (C57BL/6J and B6D2F1N) and environments (“scarce” and “complex”) did not have a statistically significant influence on the responses in the CJB test. By contrast, they influenced anxiety-like behavior with C57BL/6J mice and mice from the “complex” environment displaying less anxiety-like behavior than B6D2F1N mice and mice from the “scarce” environment. As the selected genotypes and environments did not explain the existing differences in CJB, future studies might investigate the impact of other genotypes and environmental conditions on CJB, and additionally, elucidate the role of other potential causes like endocrine profiles and epigenetic modifications. Furthermore, we show that individual differences in CJB were repeatable over a period of seven weeks, suggesting that CJB represents a temporally stable trait in laboratory mice. Therefore, we encourage the further study of CJB within an animal personality framework.
In a comprehensive study to assess various aspects of the performance of qualified forensic firearms examiners, volunteer examiners compared both bullets and cartridge cases fired from three ...different types of firearms. They rendered opinions on each comparison according to the Association of Firearm & Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) Range of Conclusions, as Identification, Inconclusive (A, B, or C), Elimination, or Unsuitable. In this part of the study, comparison sets used previously to characterize the overall accuracy of examiners were blindly resubmitted to examiners to assess the repeatability (105 examiners; 5700 comparisons of bullets and cartridge cases) and reproducibility (191 examiners of bullets, 193 of cartridge cases; 5790 comparisons) of firearms examinations. Data gathered using the prevailing AFTE Range were also recategorized into two hypothetical scoring systems. Consistently positive differences between observed agreement and expected agreement indicate that the repeatability and reproducibility of examiners exceed chance agreement. When averaged over bullets and cartridge cases, the repeatability of comparison decisions (involving all five levels of the AFTE Range) was 78.3% for known matches and 64.5% for known nonmatches. Similarly averaged reproducibility was 67.3%% for known matches and 36.5% for known nonmatches. For both repeatability and reproducibility, many of the observed disagreements were between a definitive and inconclusive category. Examiner decisions are reliable and trustworthy in the sense that identifications are unlikely when examiners are comparing non-matching items, and eliminations are unlikely when they are comparing matching items.
•An index of Temporal Similarity of Replicates (TSR).•An index of Temporal Similarity of Products (TSP).•An index of Temporal Discrimination of Products (TDP).•Statistical inference for assessing ...significance of these indexes based on permutations.•Monitoring TDS and TCATA individual performances with a unique system.
There is a lack of tools for monitoring repeatability and product discrimination at an individual level in Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) and Temporal Check-All-That-Apply (TCATA). To fill in this gap, the paper proposes a unified approach applicable with both methods. The basic idea is to replace the continuous time used in both TDS and TCATA by k consecutive periods of equal durations. The data for each period is the union of all attributes elicited during the period. For measuring similarity between two TDS or TCATA sequences, the Jaccard index is computed by period and then averaged over the periods. The Jaccard index can vary between 0 (full dissimilarity) to 1 (full similarity). Statistical inference based on permutations of sequences was established. This index can be computed between replicates to investigate panelist repeatability or between products to investigate product similarity. This can be done by panelist or at the panel level by averaging over panelists. Further, a discrimination ratio can be computed at both individual and panel levels as the ratio between indexes of product dissimilarity and panelist unrepeatability. If the discrimination ratio is lower or equal to one, then this panelist or this panel is inconsistent. If not, again permutations can be used for testing significance of the discrimination ratio. The computation is done for a number of periods from 1 to k (k = 5 as a default value). It aims to estimate the maximal number of periods (temporal resolution) for which the panelist or the panel is repeatable and/or discriminative. Individual and panel indexes of repeatability and discrimination are respectively presented in two tables having panelists as rows and number of periods as columns. Values in the cells are indexes, with color codes indicating significance (p < 0.05), weak significance (0.05 ≤ p ≤ 0.15) or non-significance (p > 0.15) for repeatability and discrimination and eventually inconsistency in discrimination.
•Controlled temporal stimuli were delivered using a gustometer.•Consumers are able to report valid temporal sequence of attributes.•Applicability is interpreted as dominance by most ...consumers.•Duration and citation rates are correlated with few links to actual concentrations.•Particular attention should be paid to the quantitative interpretation of results.
Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) and Temporal Check-All-That-Apply (TCATA) are the most used qualitative temporal sensory evaluation methods. Considered as rapid methods, they are more and more used with consumer panels. However, no study has investigated in detail the validity and reliability of these methods when they are used with consumers. This study aimed to fill in the gap by comparing the results obtained from temporal measurements to controlled temporal stimuli delivered using a gustometer. A total of 149 consumers were randomly assigned to one of three panels, each panel using a different temporal sensory evaluation method among TDS (n = 50), TCATA (n = 50) and AEF-RATA (n = 49). AEF-RATA is introduced as a new method allowing the consumers to retrospectively report the intensity of the applicable attributes in three defined periods. Using a gustometer, four single-compound solutions were delivered to the consumers to evaluate their recognition ability using Free Comment. Then, eighteen multiple-compound solutions (composed of two to five compounds varying in their sequence, concentration and duration of stimulation) were delivered to the consumers to evaluate their ability to use the three temporal evaluation methods. The compounds included sodium chloride (“salty”), saccharose (“sweet”), citric acid (“acid”), citral (“lemon”) and basil hydrosol (“basil”). The results show that consumers were able to report temporal sequences of perceived attributes congruent with the delivered sequence of compounds in the stimuli. Contrary to our hypotheses, despite different operational definitions, very few differences are observed between the TDS and TCATA measures, suggesting that most consumers interpreted applicability as dominance. Citation rates and durations of dominance/applicability are strongly correlated between them, but not with the concentration of the compounds. Individual repeatability is low, but does not impact reliability of the measures at the panel level. Consumers can be confused with attribute identification, which can make the interpretation of low citation rates tricky. TDS restores the signal the closest to the stimuli, except for durations for which TCATA performs better. AEF-RATA has no advantage over the other methods. These results open a discussion on what is possible to ask consumer panels and how not to overinterpret the results.
Purpose
To demonstrate proof‐of‐concept of a T2*‐sensitized oxygen‐enhanced MRI (OE‐MRI) method at 3T by assessing signal characteristics, repeatability, and reproducibility of dynamic lung OE‐MRI ...metrics in healthy volunteers.
Methods
We performed sequence‐specific simulations for protocol optimisation and acquired free‐breathing OE‐MRI data from 16 healthy subjects using a dual‐echo RF‐spoiled gradient echo approach at 3T across two institutions. Non‐linear registration and tissue density correction were applied. Derived metrics included percent signal enhancement (PSE), ∆R2* and wash‐in time normalized for breathing rate (τ‐nBR). Inter‐scanner reproducibility and intra‐scanner repeatability were evaluated using intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC), repeatability coefficient, reproducibility coefficient, and Bland–Altman analysis.
Results
Simulations and experimental data show negative contrast upon oxygen inhalation, due to substantial dominance of ∆R2* at TE > 0.2 ms. Density correction improved signal fluctuations. Density‐corrected mean PSE values, aligned with simulations, display TE‐dependence, and an anterior‐to‐posterior PSE reduction trend at TE1. ∆R2* maps exhibit spatial heterogeneity in oxygen delivery, featuring anterior‐to‐posterior R2* increase. Mean T2* values across 32 scans were 0.68 and 0.62 ms for pre‐ and post‐O2 inhalation, respectively. Excellent or good agreement emerged from all intra‐, inter‐scanner and inter‐rater variability tests for PSE and ∆R2*. However, ICC values for τ‐nBR demonstrated limited agreement between repeated measures.
Conclusion
Our results demonstrate the feasibility of a T2*‐weighted method utilizing a dual‐echo RF‐spoiled gradient echo approach, simultaneously capturing PSE, ∆R2* changes, and oxygen wash‐in during free‐breathing. The excellent or good repeatability and reproducibility on intra‐ and inter‐scanner PSE and ∆R2* suggest potential utility in multi‐center clinical applications.
Abstract Mechanically driven light generation is an intriguing phenomenon holding great promise in various fields. However, the existing mechanoluminescence (ML) materials always suffer from poor ...self‐recoverability, low repeatability, and environmental disturbance, severely hindering their practical applications. In this work, a self‐activating ML system based on interfacial triboelectrification is created by compositing the Ca 6 BaP 4 O 17 :0.02Ce 3+ powders into a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. With no need for pre‐irradiation, the composite film emits self‐activating and self‐charging ML simultaneously in response to the rubbing or stretching stimuli. Accordingly, the Ca 6 BaP 4 O 17 :0.02Ce 3+ /PDMS exhibits desirable self‐recovery and repeatable ML performance, which could still be recorded (or observed by naked eyes) even after ca. 1000 stretching cycles with a fast self‐recovery period of < 0.1 s. Furthermore, the Ca 6 BaP 4 O 17 :0.02Ce 3+ /PDMS possesses good thermal stability in a temperature range from 298 to 473 K. The developed Ca 6 BaP 4 O 17 :0.02Ce 3+ /PDMS is applicable to various fields, and the dual‐mode information storage and photonic skin devices are created as representatives. Compared to the existing oxide‐based ML materials (the ML signal disappears after only several or tens of rapid mechanics cycles), this work breaks through the bottleneck issues on the self‐recoverability, repeatability, and thermal stability, which significantly advances the ML field.
Most of the previous graphene pressure sensors generally have problems, such as poor measurement range, insufficient sensing points, and complex fabrication processes. In order to enhance the ...performance of graphene pressure sensors with low cost and easy preparation, a novel MXene-doped graphene pressure sensor is designed with double-layer structure in this work. The doped MXene undergoes charge transfer with graphene, inducing scattering of graphene carriers. This process leads to a decrease in the concentration and mobility of graphene carriers, consequently increasing the resistivity of graphene, which in turn increases its sensitivity. The MXene-doped graphene pressure sensor is fabricated with a simple and inexpensive laser-engraved graphene-MXene film technology. The morphological features and microstructure of MXene-doped graphene are characterized with SEM, XRD, and Raman spectrum tests. This MXene-doped graphene pressure sensor can detect the pressure in the range of 0-10 kPa. Compared with previous graphene pressure sensors, the results indicate a significant improvement in sensitivity (2.13 kPa−1, 0-2.48 kPa; 0.23 kPa−1, 2.48-10 kPa). Simultaneously, the sensor exhibits good hysteresis (1.51%) and excellent repeatability (1.69%). The response and recovery times are both less than 13 ms. The influence of the bending radius of a PET substrate on sensor performance has been studied. The smaller the bending radius of the PET substrate, the higher the sensor resistance. Additionally, this sensor has good long-term stability, which enhances its reliability across industrial automation, healthcare, and smart wearables.
Objectives
To assess the precision of MRI radiomics features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors and liver parenchyma.
Methods
The study population consisted of 55 patients, including 16 with ...untreated HCCs, who underwent two repeat contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI exams within 1 month to evaluate: (1) test–retest repeatability using the same MRI system (
n
= 28, 10 HCCs); (2) inter-platform reproducibility between different MRI systems (
n
= 27, 6 HCCs); (3) inter-observer reproducibility (
n
= 16, 16 HCCs). Shape and 1st- and 2nd-order radiomics features were quantified on pre-contrast T1-weighted imaging (WI), T1WI portal venous phase (pvp), T2WI, and ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient), on liver regions of interest (ROIs) and HCC volumes of interest (VOIs). Precision was assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and coefficient of variation (CV).
Results
There was moderate to excellent test–retest repeatability of shape and 1st- and 2nd-order features for all sequences in HCCs (ICC: 0.53–0.99; CV: 3–29%), and moderate to good test–retest repeatability of 1st- and 2nd-order features for T1WI sequences, and 2nd-order features for T2WI in the liver (ICC: 0.53–0.73; CV: 12–19%). There was poor inter-platform reproducibility for all features and sequences, except for shape and 1st-order features on T1WI in HCCs (CCC: 0.58–0.99; CV: 3–15%). Good to excellent inter-observer reproducibility was found for all features and sequences in HCCs (CCC: 0.80–0.99; CV: 4–15%) and moderate to good for liver (CCC: 0.45–0.86; CV: 6–25%).
Conclusions
MRI radiomics features have acceptable repeatability in the liver and HCC when using the same MRI system and across readers but have low reproducibility across MR systems, except for shape and 1st-order features on T1WI. Data must be interpreted with caution when performing multiplatform radiomics studies.
Key Points
• MRI radiomics features have acceptable repeatability when using the same MRI system but less reproducible when using different MRI platforms.
• MRI radiomics features extracted from T1 weighted-imaging show greater stability across exams than T2 weighted-imaging and ADC.
• Inter-observer reproducibility of MRI radiomics features was found to be good in HCC tumors and acceptable in liver parenchyma.
Ecogeographical patterns describe predictable variation in phenotypic traits between ecological communities. For example, high-altitude animals are expected to show elevated hematological values as ...an adaptation to the lower oxygen pressure. Mountains act like ecological islands and therefore are considered natural laboratories. However, the majority of ecophysiological studies on blood traits lack replication that would allow us to infer if the pattern reported is a local event or whether it is a widespread pattern resulting from larger-scale ecological processes. In lizards, in fact, the increase of hematological values at high altitudes has received mixed support. Here, for the first time, we compare blood traits in lizards along elevational gradients with replication. We tested the repeatability of blood traits in mesquite lizards between different elevations in three different mountains from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. We measured hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte size in blood samples of low, medium, and high-elevation lizards. We obtained similar elevational patterns between mountains, but the blood traits differed among mountains. Middle-altitude populations had greater oxygen-carrying capacity than lizards from low and high altitudes. The differences found between mountain systems could be the result of phenotypic plasticity or genetic differentiation as a consequence of abiotic factors not considered.
Display omitted
•This is the first study that examines blood traits variation across replicated elevational gradients.•Blood traits followed a similar pattern between mountains but the magnitude of response is not similar.•Middle altitude populations had greater values of blood traits than low and high altitudes.•Blood traits did not differ by sex.
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