Graphical Models in Reconstructability Analysis and Bayesian Networks

Reconstructability Analysis (RA) and Bayesian Networks (BN) are both probabilistic graphical modeling methodologies used in machine learning and artificial intelligence. There are RA models that are statistically equivalent to BN models and there are also models unique to RA and models unique to BN. The primary goal of this paper is to unify these two methodologies via a lattice of structures that offers an expanded set of models to represent complex systems more accurately or more simply. The conceptualization of this lattice also offers a framework for additional innovations beyond what is presented here. Specifically, this paper integrates RA and BN by developing and visualizing: (1) a BN neutral system lattice of general and specific graphs, (2) a joint RA-BN neutral system lattice of general and specific graphs, (3) an augmented RA directed system lattice of prediction graphs, and (4) a BN directed system lattice of prediction graphs. Additionally, it (5) extends RA notation to encompass BN graphs and (6) offers an algorithm to search the joint RA-BN neutral system lattice to find the best representation of system structure from underlying system variables. All lattices shown in this paper are for four variables, but the theory and methodology presented in this paper are general and apply to any number of variables. These methodological innovations are contributions to machine learning and artificial intelligence and more generally to complex systems analysis. The paper also reviews some relevant prior work of others so that the innovations offered here can be understood in a self-contained way within the context of this paper.

Stress diminishes outcome but enhances response representations during instrumental learning

Stress may shift behavioural control from a goal-directed system that encodes action-outcome relationships to a habit system that learns stimulus-response associations. Although this shift to habits is highly relevant for stress-related psychopathologies, limitations of existing behavioural paradigms hindered previous research to answer the fundamental question of whether the stress-induced bias to habits is due to impaired goal-directed or enhanced habitual processing (or both). Here, we leveraged EEG-based multivariate pattern analysis to decode neural outcome representations, crucial for goal-directed control, and response representations, essential for habitual responding, during instrumental learning. We show that stress reduces outcome representations but enhances response representations, both of which were directly associated with a behavioural index of habitual responding. Further, changes in outcome and response representations were uncorrelated, suggesting that these may reflect distinct processes. Our findings indicate that habit behaviour under stress is the result of both enhanced habitual and diminished goal-directed processing.

Maladaptive cue-controlled cocaine-seeking habits promote increased relapse severity in rats

The inflexible pursuit of drug-seeking and great tendency to relapse that characterize addiction has been associated with the recruitment of the dorsolateral striatum-dependent habit system. However, the mechanisms by which maladaptive drug-seeking habits influence subsequent relapse are obscure. Here, we show that rats with a long history of cocaine-seeking, controlled by drug-paired cues and mediated by the habit system, show highly exacerbated drug-seeking at relapse that is not mediated by cocaine withdrawal. This heightened tendency to relapse is underpinned by transient engagement of the dorsomedial striatum goal-directed system and reflects emergent negative urgency resulting from the prevention of enacting the seeking habit during abstinence. These results reveal a novel mechanism underlying the pressure to relapse and indicate a target for preventing it.One Sentence SummaryInstrumental deprivation triggers flexibility in the well-established cue-controlled cocaine-seeking behaviour.

Features of allocation and harmonization of stakeholder interests within the framework of regional potential development

Introduction. In modern conditions, the development of territories depends not only on the interaction of the leadership of the region with relevant ministries and other institutions. It is advisable to involve all existing entities and territories of the region that are interested in its effective development in this process. It is necessary to take into account both aspects of regional development and the prioritization of stakeholder interests, strategic alternatives to their interaction. Such an approach to cooperation should involve all stakeholders and create a directed system of interaction between regional development and effective stakeholder activities. Thus, balancing the interests of stakeholders in the use of the potential of the region will form a new approach to ensuring its development, which led to the relevance of the research topic. The purpose of the paper is to analyze and determine the features of the allocation and coordination of the interests of stakeholders in the development of the region's potential. Results. The paper analyzes the interaction of entities that exist in a particular region, which are interested in its effective development. Aspects of regional development, prioritization of stakeholders' interests and strategic alternatives to their interaction are identified. It is proved that such an approach to cooperation should involve all stakeholders and create a directed system of interaction between regional development and effective stakeholder activities. It is also determined if to identify the main points of the theory of stakeholders in the development of regional potential, it is necessary to carry out a group of stakeholders, to identify the main stakeholders and their characteristics in each group; highlight the main interests of stakeholders in the context of regional capacity development; to reveal ways of coordination of interests of stakeholders within the limits of territorial and branch approaches. Conclusion. Based on existing research on the formation of groups of stakeholders, it is proposed to combine all stakeholders into groups on certain grounds. The main interests of stakeholders are studied and highlighted through the prism of a key goal: the development of the region's potential and a clear answer to the question: what does a certain group of stakeholders receive if they promote (ensure) the region's potential and outline the main problems interests with the definition of solutions that will contribute to the correct formation of goals in the process of ensuring the development of the region.

Dopamine role in learning and action inference

This paper describes a framework for modelling dopamine function in the mammalian brain. It proposes that both learning and action planning involve processes minimizing prediction errors encoded by dopaminergic neurons. In this framework, dopaminergic neurons projecting to different parts of the striatum encode errors in predictions made by the corresponding systems within the basal ganglia. The dopaminergic neurons encode differences between rewards and expectations in the goal-directed system, and differences between the chosen and habitual actions in the habit system. These prediction errors trigger learning about rewards and habit formation, respectively. Additionally, dopaminergic neurons in the goal-directed system play a key role in action planning: They compute the difference between a desired reward and the reward expected from the current motor plan, and they facilitate action planning until this difference diminishes. Presented models account for dopaminergic responses during movements, effects of dopamine depletion on behaviour, and make several experimental predictions.

From public domain to public interest

This brief essay is an exploration of how the public domain came to achieve its place as a focus of attention, how it shaped a generation of scholars, and why public interest might be a more salient construct for thinking about how to foster a public-directed system of global knowledge governance. In short, this is the story of the rise, fall, and reincarnation – as public interest – of the public domain.

Linking collision, slab break-off and subduction polarity reversal in the evolution of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone

The Central Indian Tectonic Zone demarcates the zone of amalgamation between the North Indian Craton and the South Indian Craton. Presently, the major controversies in the existing tectonic models of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone revolve around the direction of subduction and the precise timing of accretion between the North Indian Craton and the South Indian Craton. A new model for the tectonic evolution of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone is postulated in this contribution, based on recent geological and geophysical evidence, combined with previously documented tectonic configurations. The present study employs the slab break-off hypothesis and subsequent polarity reversal to explain the tectonic processes involved in the evolution of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone. We propose that the subduction initiated (c. 2.5 Ga) in a S-directed system producing island-arc sequences on the South Indian Craton. The southward subduction regime culminated with slab break-off underneath the South Indian Craton between c. 1.65 Ga and 1.55 Ga, which subsequently induced subduction polarity reversal and set the course for N-directed subduction (<1.55 Ga). The final closure along the Central Indian Tectonic Zone is governed by the collisional regime during the Sausar Orogeny (1.0–0.9 Ga).