Beat the Bots: Exploring the Effects of Placebo Manipulation on Performance During Video Gameplay

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 923-927
Author(s):  
Sean Brantley ◽  
Michael Wilkinson ◽  
Jing Feng
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Sports Psychology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Expectancy Effect ◽  
Expectancy Condition ◽  
Game Performance

This study investigates placebos and video games’ usefulness as psychological research tools. One proposed underlying mechanism of the placebo effect is participants’ expectations. Such expectation effects exist in sports psychology and healthcare domains, but inconsistent findings have emerged on whether similar effects impact a participants’ cognitive performance. Concurrently, using video games as task environments is an emerging methodology relating to expertise and large-scale behavioral data collection. Therefore, this study examines the expectancy effect induced by researcher instructions on in-game performance. The instructional expectancy condition for this study is in-game successes framed using emoting (e.g., emoting under the pretense of subsequent performance increases) versus a control group. Preliminary results showed no evidence of different in-game performance between expectancy conditions. Potential mechanisms that could have led to a lack of effect were discussed.

How Can Wii Learn From Video Games?

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Downs ◽  
Mary Beth Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Real World ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Motion Controller ◽  
Game Players ◽  
Tiger Woods ◽  
Game Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Motion controlling technology allows game players to interact with video games using kinesthetic body motions that replicate real-world activities. A 2x2 fully crossed, between-subjects experiment, plus control group was designed to empirically test how the type of controller (motion controller vs. symbolic controller) and avatar customization (customized vs. not customized) contributed to affective and behavioral responses when playing the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game. Findings indicated that using the motion controller led to better video game performance, in addition to better performance in a real-world putting task. Further, use of the motion controller led to greater perceptions of golf efficacy (indirectly through presence), and was positively correlated with liking of the video game, which in turn led to greater perceptions of liking of the game of golf. Theoretical and practical implications for these findings are discussed.

Gambling-like video game practices: A cross-sectional study of links with problem gambling and disordered gaming

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zendle
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Video Gaming ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Streaming Services ◽  
Clinically Significant

A variety of practices have recently emerged which are related to both video games and gambling. Most prominent of these are loot boxes. However, a broad range of other activities have recently emerged which are also related to both gambling and video games: esports betting, real-money video gaming, token wagering, social casino play, and watching videos of both loot box opening and gambling on game streaming services like Twitch.Whilst a nascent body of research has established the robust existence of a relationship between loot box spending and both problem gambling and disordered gaming, little research exists which examines whether similar links may exist for the diverse practices outlined above. Furthermore, no research has thus far attempted to estimate the prevalence of these activities.A large-scale survey of a representative sample of UK adults (n=1081) was therefore conducted in order to investigate these issues. Engagement in all measured forms of gambling-like video game practices were significantly associated with both problem gambling and disordered gaming. An aggregate measure of engagement was associated with both these outcomes to a clinically significant degree (r=0.23 and r=0.43). Engagement in gambling-like video game practices appeared widespread, with a 95% confidence interval estimating that 16.3% – 20.9% of the population engaged in these activities at least once in the last year. Engagement in these practices was highly inter-correlated: Individuals who engaged in one practice were likely to engage in several more.Overall, these results suggest that the potential effects of the blurring of lines between video games and gambling should not primarily be understood to be due to the presence of loot boxes in video games. They suggest the existence of a convergent ecosystem of gambling-like video game practices, whose causal relationships with problem gambling and disordered gaming are currently unclear but must urgently be investigated.

Methods for the Quantification of Salivary Cortisol and of a-amylase in Biosensors and Portable Devices

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2857-2859
Author(s):  
Cristina Mihaela Ghiciuc ◽  
Andreea Silvana Szalontay ◽  
Luminita Radulescu ◽  
Sebastian Cozma ◽  
Catalina Elena Lupusoru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Salivary Amylase ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity

There is an increasing interest in the analysis of salivary biomarkers for medical practice. The objective of this article was to identify the specificity and sensitivity of quantification methods used in biosensors or portable devices for the determination of salivary cortisol and salivary a-amylase. There are no biosensors and portable devices for salivary amylase and cortisol that are used on a large scale in clinical studies. These devices would be useful in assessing more real-time psychological research in the future.

Identification of N-Substituted Triazolo-azetidines as Novel Antibacterials using pDualrep2 HTS Platform

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 346-354
Author(s):  
Yan A. Ivanenkov ◽  
Renat S. Yamidanov ◽  
Ilya A. Osterman ◽  
Petr V. Sergiev ◽  
Vladimir A. Aladinskiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Mic Value

Aim and Objective: Antibiotic resistance is a serious constraint to the development of new effective antibacterials. Therefore, the discovery of the new antibacterials remains one of the main challenges in modern medicinal chemistry. This study was undertaken to identify novel molecules with antibacterial activity. Materials and Methods: Using our unique double-reporter system, in-house large-scale HTS campaign was conducted for the identification of antibacterial potency of small-molecule compounds. The construction allows us to visually assess the underlying mechanism of action. After the initial HTS and rescreen procedure, luciferase assay, C14-test, determination of MIC value and PrestoBlue test were carried out. Results: HTS rounds and rescreen campaign have revealed the antibacterial activity of a series of Nsubstituted triazolo-azetidines and their isosteric derivatives that has not been reported previously. Primary hit-molecule demonstrated a MIC value of 12.5 µg/mL against E. coli Δ tolC with signs of translation blockage and no SOS-response. Translation inhibition (26%, luciferase assay) was achieved at high concentrations up to 160 µg/mL, while no activity was found using C14-test. The compound did not demonstrate cytotoxicity in the PrestoBlue assay against a panel of eukaryotic cells. Within a series of direct structural analogues bearing the same or bioisosteric scaffold, compound 2 was found to have an improved antibacterial potency (MIC=6.25 µg/mL) close to Erythromycin (MIC=2.5-5 µg/mL) against the same strain. In contrast to the parent hit, this compound was more active and selective, and provided a robust IP position. Conclusion: N-substituted triazolo-azetidine scaffold may be used as a versatile starting point for the development of novel active and selective antibacterial compounds.

Dietary Quercetin Alleviated DSS-induced Colitis in Mice Through Several Possible Pathways by Transcriptome Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 1666-1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyang Dong ◽  
Jiaqi Lei ◽  
Bingkun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Colon Tissue ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Intestinal Integrity ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
Key Pathways

Background: The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease is rapidly increasing around the world. Quercetin is a flavonoid commonly found in vegetables and fruits and has been reported to exert numerous pharmacological activities such as enhancing antioxidant capacity or suppressing inflammation. Objective: We aimed to explore whether quercetin was effective for IBD and the underlying mechanism of quercetin for the ameliorative effects on the DSS-induced colitis in mice. Methods: Thirty-six mice were randomly assigned to three treatments, including the control group (Ctr), DSS-induced colitis group (DSS) and DSS-induced colitis supplemented with 500 ppm quercetin (DQ500). Colitis was induced by DSS intake, and body weight was recorded every day. After six days administration of DSS, intestinal permeability was measured, and the liver was taken for antioxidant enzyme tests. Colonic tissue was taken for the histopathlogical score and RNA-sequencing analysis. Results: In this experiment, dietary quercetin for 500ppm alleviated the DSS-induced colitis, possibly by strengthening intestinal integrity, liver antioxidant capacity. Based on the results of the transcriptome of colon tissue, several key genes were modulated by quercetin. ERK1/2-FKBP pathway and RXR-STAT3 pathway were involved in the development of IBD, furthermore, in the down-regulation of S100a8/9, FBN2 contributed to lowering the risk of colongenesis. Conclusion: We demonstrated that dietary quercetin alleviated the DSS-induced colitis in mice. This is most likely due to its beneficial effects on intestinal integrity and modulation of several key pathways. Based on our research, quercetin was a promising candidate for IBD and its pharmaceutical effects on both IBD and colongenesis need further research.

Evaluation of Ovaries in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome using Shear Wave Elastography

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 578-583
Author(s):  
Aysegul Altunkeser ◽  
Zeynep Ozturk Inal ◽  
Nahide Baran
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Shear Wave Elastography ◽  
Left Ovary ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tissue Elasticity ◽  
Group I ◽  
Pcos Group ◽  
The Right

Background: Shear wave electrography (SWE) is a novel non-invasive imaging technique which demonstrate tissue elasticity. Recent research evaluating the elasticity properties of normal and pathological tissues emphasize the diagnostic importance of this technique. Aims: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic overgrowth, may cause infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the elasticity of ovaries in patients with PCOS using SWE. Methods: 66 patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria (PCOS = group I) and 72 patients with non-PCOS (Control = group II), were included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were recorded. Ovarian elasticity was assessed in all patients with SWE, and speed values were obtained from the ovaries. The elasticity of the ovaries was compared between the two groups. Results: While there were statistically significant differences between the groups in body mass index (BMI), right and left ovarian volumes, luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels (p<0.05), no significant differences were found between groups I and II in the velocity (for the right ovary 3.89±1.81 vs. 2.93±0.72, p=0.301; for the left ovary 2.88±0.65 vs. 2.95±0.80, p=0.577) and elastography (for the right ovary 36.62±17.78 vs. 36.79±14.32, p=0.3952; for the left ovary 36.56±14.15 vs. 36.26±15.10, p=0.903) values, respectively. Conclusion: We could not obtain different velocity and elastography values from the ovaries of the patients with PCOS using SWE. Therefore, further large-scale studies are needed to elucidate this issue.

scholarly journals Optimizing Manufacturing and Osseointegration of Ti6Al4V Implants through Precision Casting and Calcium and Phosphorus Ion Implantation? In Vivo Results of a Large-Scale Animal Trial

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wölfle-Roos JV ◽  
Katmer Amet B ◽  
Fiedler J ◽  
Michels H ◽  
Kappelt G ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ion Implantation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Implant Surface ◽  
Precision Casting ◽  
Pull Out ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus

Background: Uncemented implants are still associated with several major challenges, especially with regard to their manufacturing and their osseointegration. In this study, a novel manufacturing technique—an optimized form of precision casting—and a novel surface modification to promote osseointegration—calcium and phosphorus ion implantation into the implant surface—were tested in vivo. Methods: Cylindrical Ti6Al4V implants were inserted bilaterally into the tibia of 110 rats. We compared two generations of cast Ti6Al4V implants (CAST 1st GEN, n = 22, and CAST 2nd GEN, n = 22) as well as cast 2nd GEN Ti6Al4V implants with calcium (CAST + CA, n = 22) and phosphorus (CAST + P, n = 22) ion implantation to standard machined Ti6Al4V implants (control, n = 22). After 4 and 12 weeks, maximal pull-out force and bone-to-implant contact rate (BIC) were measured and compared between all five groups. Results: There was no significant difference between all five groups after 4 weeks or 12 weeks with regard to pull-out force (p > 0.05, Kruskal Wallis test). Histomorphometric analysis showed no significant difference of BIC after 4 weeks (p > 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis test), whereas there was a trend towards a higher BIC in the CAST + P group (54.8% ± 15.2%), especially compared to the control group (38.6% ± 12.8%) after 12 weeks (p = 0.053, Kruskal–Wallis test). Conclusion: In this study, we found no indication of inferiority of Ti6Al4V implants cast with the optimized centrifugal precision casting technique of the second generation compared to standard Ti6Al4V implants. As the employed manufacturing process holds considerable economic potential, mainly due to a significantly decreased material demand per implant by casting near net-shape instead of milling away most of the starting ingot, its application in manufacturing uncemented implants seems promising. However, no significant advantages of calcium or phosphorus ion implantation could be observed in this study. Due to the promising results of ion implantation in previous in vitro and in vivo studies, further in vivo studies with different ion implantation conditions should be considered.

An Internet-based health gateway device for interactive communication and automatic data uploading: Clinical efficacy for type 2 diabetes in a multi-centre trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Hyoung Cho ◽  
Hun-Sung Kim ◽  
Seung Hyun Yoo ◽  
Chang Hee Jung ◽  
Woo Je Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Glucose Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Diabetes Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Automatic Data

Introduction The aim of this study was to improve the quality of diabetes control and evaluate the efficacy of an Internet-based integrated healthcare system for diabetes management and safety. Methods We conducted a large-scale, multi-centre, randomized clinical trial involving 484 patients. Patients in the intervention group ( n = 244) were treated with the Internet-based system for six months, while the control group ( n = 240) received the usual outpatient management over the same period. HbA1c, blood chemistries, anthropometric parameters, and adverse events were assessed at the beginning of the study, after three months, and the end of the study. Results There were no initial significant differences between the groups with respect to demographics and clinical parameters. Upon six-month follow-up, HbA1c levels were significantly decreased from 7.86 ± 0.69% to 7.55 ± 0.86% within the intervention group ( p < 0.001) compared to 7.81 ± 0.66% to 7.70 ± 0.88% within the control group. Postprandial glucose reduction was predominant. A subgroup with baseline HbA1c higher than 8% and good compliance achieved a reduction of HbA1c by 0.8 ± 1.05%. Glucose control and waist circumference reduction were more effective in females and subjects older than 40 years of age. There were no adverse events associated with the intervention. Discussion This e-healthcare system was effective for glucose control and body composition improvement without associated adverse events in a multi-centre trial. This system may be effective in improving diabetes control in the general population.

The effect of preloading statins prior to primary reperfusion on in-hospital mortality risk in a contemporary large-scale cohort of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Fu ◽  
C.X Song ◽  
X.D Li ◽  
Y.J Yang
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Reperfusion Therapy ◽  
St Elevation Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
St Elevation

Abstract Background The benefit of statins in secondary prevention of patients stabilized after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been well established. However, the benefit of preloading statins, i.e. high-intensity statins prior to reperfusion therapy remains unclear. Most previous studies included all types of ACS patients, and subgroup analysis indicated the benefit of preloading statins was only seen in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the sample size of subgroup population was relatively small and such benefit requires further validation. Objective To investigate the effect of loading dose of statins before primary reperfusion on 30-mortality in patients with STEMI. Methods We enrolled patients in China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) registry from January 2013 to September 2014. CAMI registry was a prospective multicenter registry of patients with acute acute myocardial infarction in China. Patients were divided into two groups according to statins usage: preloading group and control group. Patients in preloading group received loading does of statins before primary reperfusion and during hospitalization. Patients in control group did not receive statins during hospitalization or at discharge. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Baseline characteristics, angiographic characteristics and outcome were compared between groups. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to mitigate baseline differences between groups and examine the association between preloading statins on in-hospital mortality risk. The following variables were used to establish PS matching score: age, sex, classification of hospitals, clinical presentation (heart failure at presentation, cardiac shock, cardiac arrest, Killip classification), hypertension, diabetes, prior angina, prior myocardial infarction history, prior stroke, initial treatment. Results A total of 1169 patients were enrolled in control group and 6795 in preloading group. A total of 833 patients (334 in control group and 499 in preloading group) died during hospitalization. Compared with control group, preloading group were younger, more likely to be male and present with Killip I classification. The proportion of hypertension and diabetes were higher in preloading group. After PS matching, all the variables used to generate PS score were well balanced. In the PS-matched cohort, 30-day mortality risk was 26.3% (292/1112) in the control group and 11.9% (132/1112) in the preloading group (p&lt;0.0001). Conclusions The current study found preloading statins treatment prior to reperfusion therapy reduced in-hospital mortality risk in a large-scale contemporary cohort of patients with STEMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

scholarly journals Improved response of human gingival fibroblasts to titanium coated with micro-/nano-structured tantalum

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chu-nan Zhang ◽  
Lin-yi Zhou ◽  
Shu-jiao Qian ◽  
Ying-xin Gu ◽  
Jun-yu Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Human Gingival Fibroblasts ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Human Gingival Fibroblast ◽  
Gingival Fibroblast ◽  
Gingival Fibroblasts ◽  
Integrin Β1

Abstract Objectives This study aims to evaluate the ability of tantalum-coated titanium to improve human gingival fibroblasts’ adhesion, viability, proliferation, migration performance, and the potential molecular mechanisms. Materials and methods Titanium plates were divided into two groups: (1) no coating (Ti, control), (2) Tantalum-coated titanium (Ta-coated Ti). All samples were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy, surface roughness, and hydrophilicity. Fibroblasts’ performance were analyzed by attached cell number at 1 h, 4 h, and 24 h, morphology at 1 h and 4 h, viability at 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days, recovery after wounding at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. RT-PCR, western blot were applied to detect attachment-related genes’ expression and protein synthesis at 4 h and 24 h. Student’s t test was used for statistical analysis. Results Tantalum-coated titanium demonstrates a layer of homogeneously distributed nano-grains with mean diameter of 25.98 (± 14.75) nm. It was found that after tantalum deposition, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) adhesion, viability, proliferation, and migration were promoted in comparison to the control group. An upregulated level of Integrin β1 and FAK signaling was also detected, which might be the underlying mechanism. Conclusion In the present study, adhesion, viability, proliferation, migration of human gingival fibroblasts are promoted on tantalum-coated titanium, upregulated integrin β1 and FAK might contribute to its superior performance, indicating tantalum coating can be applied in transmucosal part of dental implant. Clinical significance Tantalum deposition on titanium surfaces can promote human gingival fibroblast adhesion, accordingly forming a well-organized soft tissue sealing and may contribute to a successful osseointegration.

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