A stochastic pump is a Markov model of a mesoscopic system evolving under the control of externally varied parameters. In the model, the system makes random transitions among a network of states. For such models, a “no-pumping theorem” has been obtained, which identifies minimal conditions for generating directed motion or currents. We provide a derivation of this result using a simple graphica...

We study directed transport in a classical deterministic dissipative system. We consider the generic case of mixed phase space and show that large ratchet currents can be generated thanks to the presence, in the Hamiltonian limit, of transporting stability islands embedded in the chaotic sea. Because of the simultaneous presence of chaos and dissipation the stationary value of the current is in...

The common belief that motivation involves simply “trying harder” is at best simplistic and at worst is inaccurate. In this Chapter we highlight the importance of studying motivation at multiple levels to better understand the conditions that support effort-based learning strategies relative to automatic learning strategies (global motivation, local motivation) and demonstrate how effective the...

competence as determinants of congruence between implicit and explicit motives. In S. Referential processing 2 Referential processing and competence as determinants of congruence between implicit and explicit motives In this chapter, we approach the issue of self-knowledge from an information-processing perspective on the dissociation between implicit and explicit forms of motivation. We will a...

Dopaminergic involvement in activational aspects of motivation Similar to other psychological constructs such as emotion and cognition, motivation is not a simple or unitary phenomenon. Motivation is a complex and multifacted process that includes many diverse components. Some aspects of motivation are related to sensations of internal and external stimuli, while other aspects of motivation are...

OBJECTIVES Findings from the contemporary psychological and movement science literature that appear to have implications for medical training are reviewed. Specifically, the review focuses on four factors that have been shown to enhance the learning of motor skills: observational practice; the learner's focus of attention; feedback, and self-controlled practice. OBSERVATIONAL PRACTICE Observa...

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of the L-type calcium channel blockers verapamil and diltiazem on the currents of voltage-gated potassium channel (fKv1.4ΔN), an N-terminal-deleted mutant of the ferret Kv1.4 potassium channel. Measurements were made using a two electrode voltage clamp technique with channels expressed stably in Xenopus oocytes. The fKv1.4ΔN currents displayed...

The explicit teaching knowledge implemented in the current generation of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) concerns mostly domain-based aspects of instructional processes, overlooking motivational aspects. This paper describes an instructional planner able to make decisions (about the next task to do, whether to provide hints, etc.) in order to achieve two goals: traversing the domain  domai...

Considering the neuroscientific findings on reward, learning, value, decision-making, and cognitive control, motivation can be parsed into three sub processes, a process of generating motivation, a process of maintaining motivation, and a process of regulating motivation. I propose a tentative neuroscientific model of motivational processes which consists of three distinct but continuous sub pr...

introduction: human embryonic stem cells (hescs) are pluripotent cells that can proliferate and differentiate to many cell types. their electrophysiological properties have not yet been chracterzed. in this study, the passive properties (such as resting membrane potential, input resistance and capacitance) and the contribution of delayed rectifier k+ channel currents to the membrane conductance...