Coherence between emotional experience and physiology: Does body awareness training have an impact?

Two fundamental issues in emotion theory and research concern: (a) the role of emotion in promoting response coherence across different emotion systems; and (b) the role of awareness of bodily sensations in the experience of emotion. The present study poses a question bridging the two domains; namely, whether training in Vipassana meditation or dance, both of which promote attention to certain kinds of bodily sensations, is associated with greater coherence between the subjective and physiological aspects of emotion. We used lag correlations to examine second-by-second coherence between subjective emotional experience and heart period within individuals across four different films. Participants were either: (a) experienced Vipassana meditators (attention to visceral sensations), (b) experienced dancers (attention to somatic sensations), and (c) controls with no meditation or dance experience. Results indicated a linear relationship in coherence, with meditators having highest levels, dancers having intermediary levels, and controls having lowest levels. We conclude that the coherence between subjective and cardiac aspects of emotion is greater in those who have specialized training that promotes greater body awareness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Syndecan-3 as a Novel Biomarker in Alzheimer’s Disease

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is of paramount importance in preserving the patient’s mental and physical health in a fairly manageable condition for a longer period. Reliable AD detection requires novel biomarkers indicating central nervous system (CNS) degeneration in the periphery. Members of the syndecan family of transmembrane proteoglycans are emerging new targets in inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Reviewing the growing scientific evidence on the involvement of syndecans in the pathomechanism of AD, we analyzed the expression of the neuronal syndecan, syndecan-3 (SDC3), in experimental models of neurodegeneration. Initial in vitro studies showed that prolonged treatment of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) increases SDC3 expression in model neuronal and brain microvascular endothelial cell lines. In vivo studies revealed elevated concentrations of TNF-α in the blood and brain of APPSWE-Tau transgenic mice, along with increased SDC3 concentration in the brain and the liver. Primary brain endothelial cells and peripheral blood monocytes isolated from APPSWE-Tau mice exhibited increased SDC3 expression than wild-type controls. SDC3 expression of blood-derived monocytes showed a positive correlation with amyloid plaque load in the brain, demonstrating that SDC3 on monocytes is a good indicator of amyloid pathology in the brain. Given the well-established role of blood tests, the SDC3 expression of monocytes could serve as a novel biomarker for early AD detection.     

The Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that routinely appears near the top of public health threat lists worldwide. P. aeruginosa causes infections by secreting a wealth of exceptionally active exoproducts, leading to tissue damage. The synthesis of many of these virulence factors is now known to be under the control of the quorum sensing (QS) system. Over the last 15 years, the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) has been found to play a crucial role in QS by linking the two segments (las and rhl) of the P. aeruginosa N-acylhomoserine lactone-dependent QS signaling pathways. Herein, we present the discovery and elucidation of PQS signaling from a historical perspective, and also outline some of the outstanding research questions that still need to be addressed. Finally, we show how a better understanding of the biochemistry underpinning this pathway is leading to the development of new antimicrobial interventions with clear therapeutic potential.     

Attributions as inferences and explanations: Effects on discounting.

Observers assessing the probability of an interpretation for a behavioral event may (a) assess the probability that certain inferences can be drawn from the event (inference set) or (b) assess the probability that some explanation can cause the event (explanation set). We suggested that inference set subjects would be more likely than explanation set subjects to discount less plausible interpretations in favor of more plausible interpretations. In three studies observers either estimated the probability that some inferences can be drawn from an event or estimated the probability that some explanation can be the cause for the event. As predicted, the inference set produced a higher level of discounting. Studies 1 and 3 also showed that future-oriented observers made attributions similar to those made in the inference set. However, this effect was open to alternative interpretations in Study 1 and failed to reach statistical significance in Study 3. There was also an indication that inference set subjects were more likely to make correspondent attributions. Additional tests of the effects of time orientation and the possible relation between the inference–explanation distinction and actor–observer differences were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Electronic Publishing and the Journals of the American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society is developing a number of initiatives that implement emerging electronic technologies in order to provide a broad range of products and services to members and subscribers. Examples of products currently available, or under development, for access via the World Wide Web include supporting information for journals, electronic ads, color graphics and entire journals. Other activities employ e-mail, CD-ROMs, and softcopy text.     

TheRPI-Xsystem of regulation and British Gas: A case study

The RPI-X system of regulation was subject to a theoretical examination in a previous paper ‘The RPI-X system of price-capping regulation re-examined’.¹ The practical example of British Gas shows that what started out as a simple formula can become a complex hybrid lacking in transparency. The formula has properties which mean that its impact can be harsher or lighter depending on exogenous factors which the regulated company cannot be entirely or reasonably expected to predict or control. In the first five years - 1987 to 1992 - of the formula's application, when X was set at a very undermanding 2%, the surge in the RPI, resulted in a virtual windfall increase in profits. In the second five years 1992 to 1997 - X has been reset at a much more demanding 5%. Also, new terms for gas costs (GPI-Z) and energy efficiency (E) have been introduced which are quite lacking in transparency. Undertakings required by the Office of Fair Trading, intended to increase competition in the gas market, have already undermined any rational basis for the recent changes in the regulatory formula.     

Photonic 2*2 packet switch with input buffers

A self-routing 2*2 photonic packet switch with two fibre-loop input buffers that provide output contention resolution is demonstrated. The switch uses high-speed electronic control that prioritises all switching and buffer operations and guarantees packet integrity while maximising throughput.<>