Metacognition and reasoning

This article considers the cognitive architecture of human meta-reasoning: that is, metacognition concerning one's own reasoning and decision-making. The view we defend is that meta-reasoning is a cobbled-together skill comprising diverse self-management strategies acquired through individual and cultural learning. These approximate the monitoring-and-control functions of a postulated adaptive system for metacognition by recruiting mechanisms that were designed for quite other purposes.     

Principal component analysis in combination with case-based reasoning for detecting therapeutically correct and incorrect measurements in continuous glucose monitoring systems

This paper introduces a data-driven methodology for detecting therapeutically correct and incorrect measurements in continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMSs) in an intensive care unit (ICU). The data collected from 22 patients in an ICU with insulin therapy were obtained following the protocol established in the ICU. Measurements were classified using principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with case-based reasoning (CBR), where a PCA model was built to extract features that were used as inputs of the CBR system. CBR was trained to recognize patterns and classify these data. Experimental results showed that this methodology is a potential tool to distinguish between therapeutically correct and incorrect measurements from a CGMS, using the information provided by the monitor itself, and incorporating variables about the patient's clinical condition.     

The influences of task difficulty and response correctness on neural systems supporting fluid reasoning

This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study examined neural contributions to managing task difficulty and response correctness during fluid reasoning. Previous studies investigate reasoning by independently varying visual complexity or task difficulty, or the specific domain. Under natural conditions these factors interact in a complex manner to support dynamic combinations of perceptual and conceptual processes. This study investigated fluid reasoning under circumstances that would represent the cognitive flexibility of real life decision-making. Results from a mixed effects analysis corrected for multiple comparisons indicate involvement of cortical and subcortical areas during fluid reasoning. A 2 × 2 ANOVA illustrates activity related to variances in task difficulty correlated with increased blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-signal in the left middle frontal gyrus (BA6). Activity related to response correctness correlated with increased BOLD-signal in a larger, distributed system including right middle frontal gyrus (BA6), right superior parietal lobule (BA7), left inferior parietal lobule (BA40), left lingual gyrus (BA19), and left cerebellum (Lobule VI). The dissociation of function in left BA 6 for task difficulty and right BA6 for response correctness and the involvement of a more diffuse network involving the left cerebellum in response correctness extends knowledge about contributions of classic motor and premotor areas supporting higher level cognition.     

The design of a novel context-aware policy model to support machine-based learning and reasoning

The purpose of autonomic networking is to manage the business and technical complexity of networked components and systems. However, the lack of a common lingua franca makes it impossible to use vendor-specific network management data to ascertain the state of the network at any given time. Furthermore, the tools used to analyze management data are all different, and hence require different data in different formats. This complicates the construction of context from diverse information sources. This paper describes a new version of the DEN-ng context-aware policy model, which is part of the FOCALE autonomic network architecture. This model has been built using three guiding principles: (1) both the context model and the policy model are rooted in information models, so that they can govern managed entities, (2) each model is expressly constructed to facilitate the generation of ontologies, so that reasoning about policies constructed from the model may be done, and (3) the model is expressly constructed so that a policy language that supports machine-based reasoning and learning can be developed from it.

Grey parrots use inferential reasoning based on acoustic cues alone

Our ability to make logical inferences is considered as one of the cornerstones of human intelligence, fuelling investigations of reasoning abilities in non-human animals. Yet, the evidence to date is equivocal, with apes as the prime candidates to possess these skills. For instance, in a two-choice task, apes can identify the location of hidden food if it is indicated by a rattling noise caused by the shaking of a baited container. More importantly, they also use the absence of noise during the shaking of the empty container to infer that this container is not baited. However, since the inaugural report of apes solving this task, to the best of our knowledge, no comparable evidence could be found in any other tested species such as monkeys and dogs. Here, we report the first successful and instantaneous solution of the shaking task through logical inference by a non-ape species, the African grey parrot. Surprisingly, the performance of the birds was sensitive to the shaking movement: they were successful with containers shaken horizontally, but not with vertical shaking resembling parrot head-bobbing. Thus, grey parrots seem to possess ape-like cross-modal reasoning skills, but their reliance on these abilities is influenced by low-level interferences.     

Cross-cultural variation in the development of folk ecological reasoning

Two studies examined children's reasoning about biological kinds in populations that vary in formal education and direct experience with the natural world, a Western (urban U.S.) and a Non-Western population (Tanna, Vanuatu). Study 1 examined children's concepts of ecological relatedness between species (N = 97, 5–13-year-olds). U.S. children provided more taxonomic explanations than Ni-Vanuatu children, who provided more ecological, physiological, and utility explanations than U.S. children. Ecological explanations were most common overall and more common among older than younger children across cultures. In Study 2, children (N = 106, 6–11-year-olds) sorted pictures of natural kinds into groups. U.S. children were more likely than Ni-Vanuatu children to categorize a human as an animal and the tendency to group a human with other animals increased with age in the U.S. Despite substantial differences in cultural, educational, and ecological input, children in both populations privileged ecological reasoning. In contrast, taxonomic reasoning was more variable between populations, which may reflect differences in experience with formal education.     

Rethinking relevance: Repetition priming reveals the psychological reality of adaptive specializations for reasoning

Theories advanced to explain conditional reasoning range from those that invoke inference systems that evolved for specific domains (such as social exchange, precautions, or deontic regulations) to relevance theory, a relatively domain-general account that invokes conversational pragmatics. The present research utilized a novel extension of repetition priming, in conjunction with the Wason selection task (a widely known and used task to test people's conditional reasoning), to evaluate alternative theories of human reasoning. Across five experiments, testing over 600 participants, consistent priming across selection tasks was demonstrated. The pattern of priming effects supports models of human reasoning based on specific evolved reasoning abilities, and was inconsistent with general conditional reasoning models such as relevance theory. These results also converge with neurological and clinical evidence of divided psychological processes for reasoning about relatively specific domains, based on functionally distinct inference systems.     

Conceptual graph operations for formal visual reasoning in the medical domain

ObjectiveConceptual graphs (CGs) are used to represent clinical guidelines because they support visual reasoning with a logical background, making them a potentially valuable representation for guidelines.Materials and methodsConceptual graph formalism has an essential and basic component: a formal vocabulary that drives all of the other mechanisms, notably specialization and projection. The graph's theoretical operations, such as projection, rules, derivation, constraints, probabilities and uncertainty, support diagrammatic reasoning.ResultsA conceptual graph's graphical user interface includes a multilingual vocabulary management, some query and decision-making facilities and visual graph representations that are simple and interesting for user interactions. The described proposition using the Conceptual Graph user interface (CoGui) improves the performance of the actors in the diagnostic context of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.DiscussionCGs capture the essential features of the medical processes underlying clinical reasoning. CGs are indeed useful as a way for the physician to represent guidelines, and well-defined semantic representations allow users to have a maximal understanding of the knowledge reasoning process.ConclusionCG operations of visual representations that uncover some of the actual complexities of clinicians’ reasoning have been tested in clinical guideline comprehension and used to translate text and diagrammatic guidelines into computer interpretable representations.     

The diversity effect of inductive reasoning under segment manipulation of complex cognition

The present study proposed the idea of segment manipulation of complex cognition (SMCC), and technically made it possible the quantitative treatment and systematical manipulation on the premise diversity. The segment manipulation of complex cognition divides the previous inductive strengths judgment task into three distinct steps, attempting to particularly distinguish the psychological processes and their rules. The results in Experiment 1 showed that compared with the traditional method, the quantitative treatment and systematical manipulation of SMCC on the diversity did not change the task’s nature, and remain rational and a good measurement of inductive strength judgment. The results in Experiment 2 showed that the participants’ response rules in the triple-step task were expected from our proposal, and that in Step 2 the “feeling of surprise” (FOS), which seems implausible but predicted from the diversity premises, was measured, and its component might be the critical part that produced the diversity effect. The “feeling of surprise” may reflect the impact of emotion on cognition, representing a strong revision to premise probability principle of pure rational hypothesis proposed by Lo et al., and its roles in the diversity effect are worthy of further research. In this regards were discussed the mistakes that the premise probability principle makes when it takes posterity probability as prior probability.     

Use of comparative reasoning tools for evaluation of the effect of sterilization conditions on fermentations to produce acidic fibroblast growth factor

The effects of various medium sterilization conditions on fermentations of a recombinant, acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) producing Escherichia coli have been studied. Changes in the medium resulting from sterilization were monitored by pH and absorption spectra. This simple experiment provided excellent data for the demonstration of the usefulness of comparative reasoning tools in order to evaluate the effect of sterilization on fermentation performance. The time profiles of the main parameters (e.g., carbon dioxide evolution rate, dissolved oxygen, pH, and aFGF productivity) were simplified into piecewise contiguous linear segments, each of which was sequentially numbered. The length, position, and slope of each tine were then characterized. Application of the comparative reasoning tools confirmed that separate sterilization of the glucose was necessary for the success of the process, despite adding to the cost and complexity. The comparative data analysis also showed that scaleup with longer sterilization holding and cooling times would not be detrimental to aFGF production. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Chimpanzees and bonobos distinguish between risk and ambiguity

Although recent research has investigated animal decision-making under risk, little is known about how animals choose under conditions of ambiguity when they lack information about the available alternatives. Many models of choice behaviour assume that ambiguity does not impact decision-makers, but studies of humans suggest that people tend to be more averse to choosing ambiguous options than risky options with known probabilities. To illuminate the evolutionary roots of human economic behaviour, we examined whether our closest living relatives, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus), share this bias against ambiguity. Apes chose between a certain option that reliably provided an intermediately preferred food type, and a variable option that could vary in the probability that it provided a highly preferred food type. To examine the impact of ambiguity on ape decision-making, we interspersed trials in which chimpanzees and bonobos had no knowledge about the probabilities. Both species avoided the ambiguous option compared with their choices for a risky option, indicating that ambiguity aversion is shared by humans, bonobos and chimpanzees.     

Epidemiological reasoning and biological rationale

Abstract

Studies in which the use of biomarkers resub in faulty epidemiological reasoning are reviewed. The criteria for causal associations in science are discussed.     

动态血糖监测在老年2 型糖尿病患者降糖治疗中的应用价值

目的：通过对老年2 型糖尿病患者进行动态血糖监测了解降糖治疗的疗效,评价动态血糖监测系统的应用价值,确定其在治疗老年2 型糖尿病患者中的地位。方法：选取2008 年8 月至2013 年8 月住院的老年2 型糖尿病患者95 例,随机分为对照组48 例和观察组47 例,对照组行予常规的指尖血糖监测,观察组行动态血糖监测,比较两组患者血糖的控制情况。结果：观察组患者治疗后平均血糖、高血糖持续时间、低血糖持续时间、血糖最大波波动幅度、平均血糖波动幅度、血清糖化白蛋白及餐后2h 血糖等与治疗前相比较比较,差异均有统计学意义,P＜0.05。对照组患者治疗后平均血糖、高血糖持续时间、低血糖持续时间、血糖最大波波动幅度、平均血糖波动幅度、血清糖化白蛋白及餐后2h血糖等与治疗前相比较比较,差异均无统计学意义,P＞0.05。两组患者空腹血糖治疗前、后差异均无统计学意义,P＞0.05。结论：动态血糖监测系统用于监测老年2 型糖尿病患者的降糖治疗疗效优于常规血糖检测。     

动态血糖监测在老年2型糖尿病患者降糖治疗中的应用价值

目的：通过对老年2型糖尿病患者进行动态血糖监测了解降糖治疗的疗效,评价动态血糖监测系统的应用价值,确定其在治疗老年2型糖尿病患者中的地位。方法：选取2008年8月至2013年8月住院的老年2型糖尿病患者95例,随机分为对照组48例和观察组47例,对照组行予常规的指尖血糖监测,观察组行动态血糖监测,比较两组患者血糖的控制情况。结果：观察组患者治疗后平均血糖、高血糖持续时间、低血糖持续时间、血糖最大波波动幅度、平均血糖波动幅度、血清糖化白蛋白及餐后2h血糖等与治疗前相比较比较,差异均有统计学意义,P〈0.05。对照组患者治疗后平均血糖、高血糖持续时间、低血糖持续时间、血糖最大波波动幅度、平均血糖波动幅度、血清糖化白蛋白及餐后2h血糖等与治疗前相比较比较,差异均无统计学意义,P〉0.05。两组患者空腹血糖治疗前、后差异均无统计学意义,P〉0.05。结论：动态血糖监测系统用于监测老年2型糖尿病患者的降糖治疗疗效优于常规血糖检测。     

Application of computer to monitoring and control of fermentation process: Microbial conversion of ML-236B Na to pravastatin

An automatic feeding process for microbial hydroxylation of ML236B sodium salt (ML-236B Na; compactin) by Streptomyces carbophilus SANK 62585 was developed. The hydroxylated product, pravastatin sodium salt (pravastatin; trade name Mevalotin), is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) used as cholesterol-lowering drug. The hydroxylation activity of S. carbophilus was induced by the addition of ML236B Na to culture broth but inhibited by high concentration of ML236B Na. In order to obtain high conversion yield, it was necessary to maintain optimum ML236B Na concentration throughout the fermentation by continuous feeding. For this purpose, we developed an on-line monitoring method, which mainly consisted of a cross-flow filtration module, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyzer, feed pump, and microcomputer for regulation of ML236B Na concentration. An algorithm for control of ML236B Na feed rate based on feedback and feed-forward control where conversion rate after Deltat was estimated by using regression analysis of the five latest values of conversion rate. In a fed-batch culture employing this system, the concentration of ML236B Na was maintained at optimum level during the fermentation and the productivity of pravastatin was increased threefold over that obtained in manual control culture. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

性诱剂在沙棘木蠹蛾监测和控制中的应用

利用性诱剂在全国7个省9个地区对沙棘木蠹蛾Holcocerus hippophaecolus Hua,Chou,Fang etChen进行连续3年的野外监测和控制,结果表明：沙棘木蠹蛾性诱剂具有较好的野外监测和诱集效果,其中,平均诱蛾量最高的达26.6头/诱捕器,日诱蛾量最高的为45.9头/d,诱捕器之间的最佳设置距离为120 m,诱捕效率达50%以上。沙棘木蠹蛾性诱剂已成为沙棘木蠹蛾控制中最重要的措施之一,具有广阔的推广应用前景。     

Limnological research can improve and reduce the cost of monitoring and control of water quality

An evaluation of the programmes for control and monitoring of water quality in Sweden has demonstrated many short-comings. This paper discusses how improvements can be achieved by using new limnological knowledge.High-frequency sampling and analysis of mixed samples gives reliable average values with reduced costs. Strong correlations between, for instance, summer average values and summer maximum values, can be used for predicting the worst possible situation, which would be difficult to analyse by low-frequency sampling. Phosphorus load and lake response relationships are valuable tools for lake management and for establishing water quality criteria in physical planning. Future control may be further improved if limnological research gives better information on relationships between structure and function of aquatic ecosystems in relation to the form and size of the water body, water flushing rate, inputs from watershed and air space, etc.