Every organism has to evaluate incoming stimuli according to their current and future significance. The immediate value of stimuli is coded by the reward system, but the processing of their long-term relevance implements a valuation system that implicates self-relatedness. The neuronal relationship between reward and self-relatedness remains unclear though. Using event-related functional MRI, w...

This paper introduces an analytical method for approximating the performability of a firm realtime system modeled by a multi-server queue. The service discipline in the queue is earliestdeadline- first (EDF), which is an optimal scheduling algorithm. Real-time jobs with exponentially distributed relative deadlines arrive according to a Poisson process. All jobs have deadlines until the end of s...

Fructose consumption has increased dramatically in the last 40 years, and its role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome has been implicated by many studies. It is most often encountered in the diet as sucrose (glucose and fructose) or high-fructose corn syrup (55% fructose). At high levels, dietary exposure to fructose triggers a series of metabolic changes originating in the liver, le...

The brain's reward circuitry consists of an "in series" circuit of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (Acb), and that portion of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) which links the VTA and Acb. Drugs which enhance brain reward (and have derivative addictive potential) have common actions on this core DA reward system and on animal behaviors relating t...

BACKGROUND Reinforcement of behavioral responses involves a complex cerebral circuit engaging specific neuronal networks that are modulated by cortical oversight systems affiliated with emotion, memory, judgment, and decision making (collectively referred to in this study as the "extended reward and oversight system" or "reward network"). We examined whether reward-network brain volumes are red...

Numerous applications in the area of computer system analysis can be effectively studied with Markov reward models. These models describe the behavior of the system with a continuous-time Markov chain, where a reward rate is associated with each state. In a reliability/availability model, upstates may have reward rate 1 and down states may have reward rate zero associated with them. In a queuei...

The proper functioning of the mesolimbic reward system is largely dependent on the neurotransmitter dopamine. Recent evidence suggests that the hypocretin system has significant projections to this reward system. We examined the distinct effects of reduced dopamine or reduced hypocretin levels on reward activity in patients with Parkinson's disease, dopamine deficient, as well as patients with ...

IMPORTANCE With the changing academic medical environment, nontraditional methods may need to be considered to foster research and scholarly activity during the otolaryngology residency experience. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results of a reward system on resident research activity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective review of publications and approved institutional review board ...

employee performance appraisal is one of the most powerful tools for measuring various figures in human resource management. this will eventually help employees to recognize their, and their weaknesses. this research investigates the validity of performance appraisal system for the iranian customs department using the singer model. the research method is descriptive and is based on survey study...