The role of schedules of reinforcement in the experimental analysis of social behavior.

In this paper, we review some results produced by our research group regarding the role of schedules of reinforcement in social behavior. We discuss data from studies in which we attempted to create conditions in which interdependent gains overlapped with individual reinforcement schedules so that these situations were more or less competitive and conflicting. We argue that normative rules about reinforcement schedules and interdependent reinforcement are crucial for analyzing social behavior since these rules allow us to differentiate the effects of individual and social contingencies or an interaction of both.

Novel Applicator Utilizing HIFES and Enhanced Synchronized Radiofrequency+ for Subcutaneous Fat Reduction: Porcine Model Study.

Objectives: Submental fullness has been associated with being perceived as unattractive. Technology combining radiofrequency and muscle stimulation offers submental contouring through fat reduction, muscle stimulation, and skin tightening. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of fat reduction aspect with a novel submentum applicator delivering HIFES and synchronized radiofrequency+ (RF+) energies.

The Superior Effect of Radiofrequency With Targeted Ultrasound for Facial Rejuvenation by Inducing Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis: A Pilot Preclinical Study.

Background: The level of dermal hyaluronic acid (HA) can be depleted by 75% at age 70. HA provides dermal hydration, volume, and thickness, making it a major component of the extracellular matrix. Restoration of dermal and epidermal HA can be achieved by combining radiofrequency (RF) energy and targeted ultrasound (TUS).

First Evidence of Cutaneous Remodelling Induced by Synchronized Radiofrequency Aided by High-Intensity Facial Muscle Stimulation: Porcine Animal Model.

Background: The quality of one's facial appearance diminishes with aging as skin and underlying soft tissues deteriorate. Connective tissue and musculofascial degeneration leads to skin laxity and wrinkles developing.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of synchronized radiofrequency with high intensity facial stimulation technology on dermal collagen and elastin fibers in a porcine model.

A dataset for benchmarking Neotropical anuran calls identification in passive acoustic monitoring.

Global change is predicted to induce shifts in anuran acoustic behavior, which can be studied through passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Understanding changes in calling behavior requires automatic identification of anuran species, which is challenging due to the particular characteristics of neotropical soundscapes. In this paper, we introduce a large-scale multi-species dataset of anuran amphibians calls recorded by PAM, that comprises 27 hours of expert annotations for 42 different species from two Brazilian biomes.

Egg Morphology of Two Neotropical Dragonflies: Micrathyria hesperis and Miathyria simplex (Odonata: Libellulidae).

Odonata species live through their immature development in aquatic habitats, where the eggs are adapted to survive the initial stages. The survival of the eggs is linked to the layers that make up the eggshell. These layers are common to all odonate species, but show variations among them, depending on the oviposition method.

Novel Technology for Facial Muscle Stimulation Combined With Synchronized Radiofrequency Induces Structural Changes in Muscle Tissue: Porcine Histology Study.

Background: With age, facial muscles lose the ability to complete contractions properly, resulting in limitation of facial expressions and fat shifting, and leading to skin creases and wrinkling.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the novel high intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) technology combined with synchronized radiofrequency on delicate facial muscles, using an animal porcine model.

Methods: Eight (n = 8, 60-80 kg) sows were divided into the active group (n = 6) and the control group (n = 2).

Modeling VI and VDRL feedback functions: Searching normative rules through computational simulation.

We present the mathematical description of feedback functions of variable interval and variable differential reinforcement of low rates as functions of schedule size only. These results were obtained using an R script named Beak, which was built to simulate rates of behavior interacting with simple schedules of reinforcement. Using Beak, we have simulated data that allow an assessment of different reinforcement feedback functions.

Rachlin's extended self: Influences on a Brazilian research group.

We pay tribute to Rachlin's work stating that researching and writing for posterity is an act of self-control and altruism. We show how Rachlin's work influenced a series of seminars at the University of São Paulo (Brazil) based on his book from 1989, Judgment, Decision, and Choice. This influence is illustrated through two empirical exercises conducted during our seminars, where students were actively involved in data collection and analysis.

Isolates-Serotypes and Susceptibility to Antimicrobials in Terms of Their Use on Selected Repopulated Czech Pig Farms.

represents a primary health problem (such as meningitis, septicemia and arthritis in piglets and fatteners) in the swine industry worldwide and also an emerging zoonotic pathogen. In the Czech Republic, many pig farms repopulated their herds over the past decades to reduce morbidity and minimize treatment. The study analysed serotypes, sequence types and antimicrobial susceptibility in 39 isolates obtained from organs of diseased pigs from selected 16 repopulated farms with a history of -associated diseases and routine antimicrobial treatment with tulathromycin and/or amoxicillin.

Simultaneous Application of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic and Synchronized Radiofrequency for Fat Disruption: Histological and Electron Microscopy Porcine Model Study.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) and high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technologies are used for noninvasive body shaping as standalone modalities.

Objective: To examine the effects of novel synchronized RF and HIFEM on subcutaneous adipose tissue in a porcine animal model.

Materials And Methods: Seven large white pigs aged 6 months received 3 abdominal treatments of simultaneous application of synchronized RF and HIFEM (30 minutes, once per week).

Activation of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells by a Device Simultaneously Applying High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Technology and Novel RF Technology: Fluorescent Microscopy Facilitated Detection of NCAM/CD56.

Background: Myosatellite cells are myogenic stem cells that can transform to provide nuclei for existing muscles or generate new muscle fibers as documented after extended exercise programs.

Objectives: The authors investigated whether the simultaneous application of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) and Synchrode radiofrequency (RF) affects the levels of satellite cells similarly as the prolonged exercise does to achieve muscle growth.

Methods: Three 30-minute simultaneous HIFEM and Synchrode RF treatments (once a week) were administered over the abdominal area of 5 Large White swine aged approximately 6 months.

On the "Strength" of Behavior.

The place of the concept of response strength in a natural science of behavior has been the subject of much debate. This article reconsiders the concept of response strength for reasons linked to the foundations of a natural science of behavior. The notion of response strength is implicit in many radical behaviorists' work.

Mechanism of nonthermal induction of apoptosis by high-intensity focused electromagnetic procedure: Biochemical investigation in a porcine model.

Background: Multiple studies have reported adipose tissue reduction after the application of the High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) field technology, yet cellular level evidence of the mechanisms has remained scarce.

Objectives: This study aims to verify or refute previous single-study histological evidence and further investigates the proposed mechanism of apoptotic induction.

Methods: The thigh of two Large White pigs was treated with HIFEM for 30 minutes.

Safety and mechanism of action of noninvasive radiofrequency treatment for vaginal laxity: Histological study in the swine vaginal model.

Background: Structural changes in collagen and elastin fiber density have been previously evaluated by qualitative histological studies; however, quantitative evaluations are lacking.

Aim: To evaluate quantitative changes in collagen and elastin fibers in the vaginal wall in a porcine model after volumetric radiofrequency heating with an intravaginal applicator.

Methods: An animal model was used (domestic pig, multipara: 5.

Induction of fat apoptosis by a non-thermal device: Mechanism of action of non-invasive high-intensity electromagnetic technology in a porcine model.

Objectives: While controlled thermal changes in subcutaneous tissue have been used to trigger apoptosis of fat cells and have been proven clinically efficacious, another mechanism of electromagnetic stress suggests that fat apoptosis could be achieved by a non-thermal manner as well. This animal model study investigates the use of a non-invasive high-intensity magnetic field device to induce apoptosis in fat cells.

Methods: Yorkshire pigs (N = 2) received one treatment (30 minutes) in the abdominal area using a High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) device.

The emergence of Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 078 in piglets in the Czech Republic clusters with Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 078 isolates from Germany, Japan and Taiwan.

Clostridium difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen in humans with an increasing incidence in the community. The "one-health" approach of research is needed to investigate possible reservoirs of C. difficile and route of its transmission.

Root distribution and its association with bean growth habit.

Associations between root distribution and bean growth habit may contribute to the selection of genotypes adapted to restrictive environments. The present work aimed to relate and compare root distribution with the growth habit in beans. 10 bean genotypes of different growth habits (I, II and III) were evaluated for root distribution in two agricultural years (2014/15 and 2015/16).

Temperature Effect on the Development of Tropical Dragonfly Eggs.

Physiological constraints in insects are related to several large-scale processes such as species distribution and thermal adaptation. Here, we fill an important gap in ecophysiology knowledge by accessing the relationship between temperature and embrionary development time in four dragonfly species. We evaluated two questions (1) what is the effect of temperature on the development time of Odonata eggs, and (2) considering a degree-day relationship, could a simple linear model describe the dependence of embrionary development time on temperature or it is better described by a more complex non-linear relation.

Surpass Flow Diverter for Treatment of Posterior Circulation Aneurysms.

Background And Purpose: Flow diverters for the treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms remain controversial. We aimed to identify factors contributing to outcome measures in patients treated with the Surpass flow diverter for aneurysms in this location.

Materials And Methods: We conducted an observational study of 53 patients who underwent flow-diverter treatment for posterior circulation aneurysms at 15 centers.

Efficacy of monopolar radiofrequency on skin collagen remodeling: a veterinary study.

The aesthetic market offers various radiofrequency treatments for the reduction of wrinkles and rhytids. Even though this not an uncommon aesthetic therapy, there is considerable lack of clinical evidence on the various energy delivery systems available (unipolar, bipolar, tripolar, multipolar, etc.).

A focused monopolar radiofrequency causes apoptosis: a porcine model.

Background: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of monopolar, focused radiofrequency (RF) with embedded cooling on subcutaneous skin structures. Specifically, the study was to prove that the monopolar RF with cooling can selectively heat fat, causing disintegration of adipocytes and programmed cell death (apoptosis) of the subcutaneous fat cells.

Methods: A non-invasive monopolar RF device with cooling (Exilis Elite, BTL Industries, Framingham, MA) was used to reduce abdominal fat in a porcine model.

Florfenicol residues in rainbow trout after oral dosing in recirculating and flow-through culture systems.

Aquaflor is a feed premix for fish containing the broad spectrum antibacterial agent florfenicol (FFC) incorporated at a ratio of 50% (w/w). To enhance the effectiveness of FFC for salmonids infected with certain isolates of Flavobacterium psychrophilum causing cold water disease, the FFC dose must be increased from the standard 10 mg·kg⁻¹ body weight (BW)·d⁻¹ for 10 consecutive days. A residue depletion study was conducted to determine whether FFC residues remaining in the fillet tissue after treating fish at an increased dose would be safe for human consumption.

Determination of antimycin-A in water by liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometry: single-laboratory validation.

An LC/MS method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination and confirmation of antimycin-A (ANT-A) in water from lakes or streams. Three different water sample volumes (25, 50, and 250 mL) were evaluated. ANT-A was stabilized in the field by immediately extracting it from water into anhydrous acetone using SPE.

Operator independent focused high frequency ISM band for fat reduction: porcine model.

Background: Selective fat reduction has been clearly shown for various methods and energy modalities including cryolipolysis and high intensity focused thermal ultrasound. Mathematical modeling of focused high frequency of the EM spectrum has indicated that selective heating of fat is possible using wavelengths not previous explored. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate in the porcine model that selective heating of fat is possible with a non-contact, operator independent device.