252 research outputs found

    Pathophysiology of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

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    Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to paralysis, sensory, and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions. However, the pathophysiology of SCI is complex, and not limited to the nervous system. Indeed, several other organs and tissue are also affected by the injury, directly or not, acutely or chronically, which induces numerous health complications. Although a lot of research has been performed to repair motor and sensory functions, SCI-induced health issues are less studied, although they represent a major concern among patients. There is a gap of knowledge in pre-clinical models studying these SCI-induced health complications that limits translational applications in humans. This reprint describes several aspects of the pathophysiology of spinal cord injuries. This includes, but is not limited to, the impact of SCI on cardiovascular and respiratory functions, bladder and bowel function, autonomic dysreflexia, liver pathology, metabolic syndrome, bones and muscles loss, and cognitive functions

    A critical appraisal of research in arts, health and wellbeing

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    In interviews study participants stated the importance of the arts, its value, and the contribution to improve their ... This review considered wellbeing as reported in the included studies at the individual and community levels

    Age differences in conspiracy beliefs around Covid-19 pandemic and (dis)trust in the government

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    Objective: Times of societal crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, during which people need to make sense of a chaotic world and to protect their health and lives, according to psychological research, represent suitable ground for the development of conspiracy theories about origins, spread, and treatment of the threat (coronavirus). Although numerous studies have been conducted on this issue since the beginning of the pandemic until today, most of the studies were conducted on the adult population with limited insights into development of the conspiracy beliefs in adolescence or over the lifespan. Objective of this study is precisely to explore how conspiracy beliefs regarding COVID-19 pandemic differentiate between multiple age groups (cross-sectional design), what are their sources and contexts, and how do they relate with the tendency to trust the government. Methodology: Data were gathered through eight focus group discussions with four age groups (11-12, 14-15, 18-19, 30+) in Serbia. Results: Based on critical discourse analysis, this paper identifies the differences in content and the sources of conspiracy thinking and how it relates to trust in the government. Study shows that high distrust in Serbian government is associated with conspiracy beliefs both within youth and adults. However, while among adolescents this finding is exclusively related with their beliefs that ruling structures have financial gain from the pandemic, against the interests of citizens, among adults it is related to the belief that the government (un)intentionally submits to the new global order that is managed by one or more powerful actors who are coordinated in secret action to achieve an outcome that is of public interest, but not public knowledge. Conclusion: The results will be discussed within current socio-political climate in Serbia, as well as the basis for understanding psychological factors which may underlie these tendencies in conspiracy theorizing, such as social identification, collective narcissism, authoritarianism, and social dominance orientation

    Nationalism and patriotism: the effects of national identification on implicit and expicit in-group bias

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    The effects of a positive national identification on implicit and explicit out-group evaluations are explored. We draw the distinction between two varieties of national attachment: nationalism and patriotism. Consistent with past research (e.g., Blank & Schmidt, 2003; Mummendey, Klink & Brown, 2001) we contend that the way in which national identification is constructed (i.e., in terms of nationalism or patriotism) affects negative out-group attitudes. We explore this through three separate yet related issues: 1) by examining the relationship between a positive national identity and implicit and explicit in-group bias; 2) by examining the mean level of implicit and explicit out-group evaluations; and 3) by observing the pattern of correspondence between implicit and explicit measures. A series of correlational (Studies la, b, c, d) and experimental (Studies 2b, 3, 4) studies support the argument that the way in which national identification is constructed affects negative out-group evaluations. Specifically, Studies la-d illustrated that nationalism and patriotism were separate yet related varieties of national attachment and that they diverged in their prediction of xenophobia. Nationalism, but not patriotism, was reliably related to xenophobia. Studies 2b-4 generally converged in illustrating that nationalism and patriotism lead to differential links between identification and implicit out-group derogation and differential strength of correspondence between implicit and explicit measures. The link between identification and implicit in-group bias and implicit-explicit correspondence were reliably stronger following the nationalism than the patriotism frames. Additionally, we conducted a meta-analytic integration (Study 5) of the current research on implicit-explicit correspondence to ascertain whether a salient inter-group context (as was accessible under our experimental nationalism frames) could reliably predict variation in implicit-explicit correspondence. Amongst other findings, we found a large positive link between the salience of an inter-group context and implicit-explicit correspondence. The implications for current theoretical debate on national identification and in-group bias in general, and for research on implicit- explicit correspondence in particular, are discussed and possible directions for future research are outlined

    FREEHAND DIGITAL DRAWING: A BOOST TO CREATIVE DESIGN. THE OBSERVER’S EYE AND THE DRAFTSMAN’S BRAIN

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    Representation of an architectural project aims at several intents; one of the most relevant being the visualization of a design. The subject of this dissertation is therefore the relationship between the draftsman, the creativity of his brain, the represented design, and the mind of the observer, while raising the question whether the current habit of an ever increasing digitalisation may be detrimental or advantageous to such relationship. After an analysis of architectural representation in history since Renaissance times, as reported in Part 1, the current techniques are reviewed and discussed. The first question, addressed in Part 2, has been whether the simulation of reality with renders of photographic quality, a product of automated computerisation, would relate to the observer better or worse than a traditionally hand drawn image. A questionnaire has been constructed to probe the communication and representation qualities of the images. The results suggested that these two qualities were best represented in the case of freehand drawing compared to photorealistic renders. The Part 3 was focused on the designer and used the instruments provided by neuroscience, i.e. the EEG and evoked responses, to quantify the brain activity in connection with freehand and CAD drawing. Because the involved technology had never been applied before to a drawing subject, the investigation had to be divided into three separate experiments. The first was dedicated to find a reliable way to perform the recordings in a subject who freely moved arm and hand while drawing for a few minutes; the second and third experiment were aimed at the analysis of cerebral activity occurring before and after the drawing movement. All results demonstrated that a definitely larger cerebral activity preceded and followed each movement in freehand drawing compared to CAD design. This finding may be considered a robust step towards the notion that also creativity is consequently improved. The final conclusion is that the freehand drawn images make a better link between author and observer, and at the same time the very movement and haptic perception of the hand elicit creativity. Nevertheless, the most recent advances in digitalising analogic dimensions through drawing tablets, have provided a new medium for freehand drawing, which can exploit the capacity of data handling of computers, time and effort saving, with the natural movement of using pencil and paper, ending up in an identical product. A wise usage of modern technology can therefore merge together the human factor of hand and brain reciprocal thrust with the fictitious world of the bits

    Social and Affective Neuroscience of Everyday Human Interaction

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    This Open Access book presents the current state of the art knowledge on social and affective neuroscience based on empirical findings. This volume is divided into several sections first guiding the reader through important theoretical topics within affective neuroscience, social neuroscience and moral emotions, and clinical neuroscience. Each chapter addresses everyday social interactions and various aspects of social interactions from a different angle taking the reader on a diverse journey. The last section of the book is of methodological nature. Basic information is presented for the reader to learn about common methodologies used in neuroscience alongside advanced input to deepen the understanding and usability of these methods in social and affective neuroscience for more experienced readers

    Účinky psilocybinu na konsolidaci paměti u potkana

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    Psychedelika jsou v současné době intenzivně zkoumána pro svůj dlouho trvající antidepresivní účinek, pozitivní vliv na úzkosti, náladu a neuroplasticitu. Mechanismus, kterým však tyto účinky způsobují je i nadále málo vysvětlen. V této práci jsme se zaměřili na aspekt jejich působení, který byl doposud téměř neprozkoumán. Je jím potenciální provázanost působení psilocybinu a vlivu spánku na konsolidaci paměti. Tvorba paměti je u zvířat i lidí velmi zásadně ovlivněna kvalitou spánku, což nás vedlo k tomu zhodnotit tyto účinky pomocí prostorových paměťových úloh. Naší hypotézou bylo, že dávka psilocybinu aplikovaná po učení by mohla mít pozitivní vliv na konsolidaci takto vzniklé paměti u potkana. Abychom určili, zda-li existuje nějaká interakce se spánkem, podrobili jsme potkany různým kombinacím aplikace psilocybinu a kontrolního vehiklu se spánkem a spánkovou deprivací. Výsledky behaviourálních úloh nepotvrdily, že by k takové interakci docházelo. Dále jsem se zabývali také vlivem psilocybinu a manipulace se spánkem na neuroplasticitu. Sledovali jsme expresi časného raného genu, Arc proteinu, a markeru nevyspělých neuronů doublecortinu v hippokampu. Exprese doublecortinu nebyla ovlivněna žádným z faktorů, nicméně exprese Arc proteinu měla v případě zvířat, která obdržela psilocybin a mohla v...Psychedelics are currently being researched due to their long-lasting antidepressant, anxiolytic and neuroplasticity inducing actions. The mechanism by which they induce these effects remains poorly understood. Here, we decided to investigate a relatively unexplored possibility. A potential interaction of psilocybin administration and sleep and their combined effects on memory consolidation. Memory formation in animals and humans is greatly influenced by sleep manipulation which led us to assess the possibility with spatial memory tasks. We hypothesized that acute psilocybin administration after learning may have a beneficial influence on memory consolidation in rats. To determine whether an interaction with sleep exists we also subjected the rats to combinations of psilocybin and control vehicle with normal sleep and sleep deprivation. Our data did not suggest such an interaction exists. Secondly, we tried to find out if psilocybin and sleep manipulation leads to changes in neuroplasticity-related events. A process that could very likely be the basis of such a proposed beneficial effect. For this purpose, we analysed the expression of the immediate-early gene Arc and the immature neuron marker doublecortin in the rat hippocampus. Doublecortin's expression was not influenced by any of the factors....Department of PhysiologyKatedra fyziologieFaculty of SciencePřírodovědecká fakult

    Freehand Digital Drawing: a Boost to Creative Design. The Observer's Eye and the Draftsman Brain

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    [ES] La representación de un proyecto arquitectónico tiene diferentes finalidades, una de las más relevantes es su visualización. El tema de esta tesis es la relación entre el diseñador, su actividad cerebral durante la fase creativa, el proyecto representado y la mente del observador. La pregunta, planteada por arquitectos, diseñadores y académicos en los años ochenta y aún abierta a soluciones estimulantes, es una pregunta bien conocida sobre si la creciente digitalización puede ser perjudicial o beneficiosa para esta relación. Después de un análisis de la imagen en la arquitectura a partir del Renacimiento, informado en la Parte 1, se revisan y discuten las técnicas actuales de representación. La primera pregunta, abordada en la Parte 2, fue si la simulación de la realidad con renderizado de calidad fotográfica garantiza una visualización mejor o peor que una imagen tradicionalmente dibujada a mano. Se elaboró un cuestionario para verificar las características de comunicación y representación de las imágenes producidas con las dos técnicas. Los resultados mostraron que estas dos cualidades estaban más presentes en el caso del dibujo a mano alzada que en los renders fotorrealistas. La Parte 3 se centró en el diseñador y utilizó las herramientas proporcionadas por la neurociencia, a saber, el EEG y las 'respuestas evocadas', para cuantificar la actividad cerebral de alguien que hace un dibujo a mano alzada con respecto a CAD. Dado que la tecnología utilizada nunca antes se había aplicado a un sujeto al realizar un diseño, la investigación se dividió en tres experimentos separados. El primero se dedicó a encontrar una forma confiable de realizar registros durante el movimiento del miembro superior en la ejecución del dibujo; los experimentos segundo y tercero tenían como objetivo el análisis específico de la actividad cerebral que precede y sigue a los movimientos individuales de los signos trazados. Los resultados mostraron que la actividad motora relacionada con el dibujo a mano alzada estuvo acompañada por un aumento en la amplitud de las respuestas electroencefalográficas en comparación con el dibujo con CAD. Este dato es probablemente un importante paso adelante a favor de la hipótesis de que la creatividad también puede mejorarse mediante el movimiento en el dibujo a mano alzada. La conclusión es que las imágenes así dibujadas crean una mejor correspondencia entre el autor y el observador, y que el movimiento y la percepción sensorial de la mano pueden fomentar la creatividad. Recientemente, los avances en la técnica de las tabletas de dibujo han proporcionado una nueva técnica para el dibujo a mano alzada, donde se combina la capacidad de gestión de datos del ordenador con los gestos naturales tradicionalmente ligados al uso del papel y el lápiz. de la tecnología moderna puede fusionar el factor humano junto con las nuevas tecnologías digitales.[CA] La representació d'un projecte arquitectònic té diferents finalitats, una de les més rellevants és la seva visualització. El tema d'aquesta tesi és la relació entre el dissenyador, la seva activitat cerebral durant la fase creativa, el projecte representat i la ment de l'observador. La pregunta, plantejada per arquitectes, dissenyadors i estudiosos als anys vuitanta i encara oberta a solucions estimulants, és una qüestió ben coneguda si augmentar la digitalització pot ser perjudicial o beneficiós per a aquesta relació. Després d'una anàlisi de la imatge en arquitectura a partir del període renaixentista, informada a la part 1, es revisen i discuteixen les tècniques de representació actuals. La primera pregunta, abordada a la part 2, va ser si la simulació de la realitat amb renderització de qualitat fotogràfica garanteix una visualització millor o pitjor que una imatge tradicionalment dibuixada a mà. Es va elaborar un qüestionari per comprovar les característiques de comunicació i representació de les imatges produïdes amb les dues tècniques. Els resultats van mostrar que aquestes dues qualitats estaven més presents en el cas del dibuix a mà alçada que en els renders fotorealistes. La part 3 es va centrar en el dissenyador i va utilitzar les eines proporcionades per la neurociència, és a dir, l'EEG i les 'respostes evocades', per quantificar l'activitat cerebral d'algú que realitza un dibuix a mà alçada respecte al CAD. Com que la tecnologia utilitzada mai abans s'havia aplicat a un tema mentre es feia un disseny, la investigació es va dividir en tres experiments separats. El primer es va dedicar a trobar una manera fiable de fer enregistraments durant el moviment de l'extremitat superior en l'execució del dibuix; el segon i el tercer experiment estaven dirigits a l'anàlisi específica de l'activitat cerebral que precedeix i segueix els moviments individuals dels signes traçats. Els resultats van mostrar que l'activitat motora relacionada amb el dibuix a mà alçada va anar acompanyada d'un augment de l'amplitud de les respostes electroencefalogràfiques en comparació amb el dibuix amb CAD. Aquesta dada és probablement un pas endavant significatiu a favor de la hipòtesi que la creativitat també es pot millorar amb el moviment en el dibuix a mà alçada. La conclusió és que les imatges dibuixades d'aquesta manera creen una millor correspondència entre autor i observador, i que el moviment i la percepció sensorial de la mà poden fomentar la creativitat. Recentment, els avenços en la tècnica de dibuix a tauletes han aportat una nova tècnica de dibuix a mà alçada, on la capacitat de gestió de dades de l'ordinador es combina amb els gestos naturals tradicionalment vinculats a l'ús del paper i el llapis. de la tecnologia moderna pot fusionar el factor humà amb les noves tecnologies digitals.[EN] The representation of an architectural project aims at several intents, one of the most relevant being the visualisation of a design. The subject of this dissertation is therefore the relationship between the draftsman, the creativity of his brain, the represented design, and the mind of the observer. Since the Eighties, architects, designers and scholars wondered whether the current habit of an ever increasing digitalisation could be detrimental or advantageous to such relationship. After an analysis of architectural imaging since the Renaissance, as reported in Part 1, the current techniques are reviewed and discussed. The first question, addressed in Part 2, has been whether the simulation of reality with renders of photographic quality, would relate to the observer better or worse than a traditionally hand drawn image. A questionnaire has been constructed to probe the communication and representation qualities of the images. The results suggested that these two qualities were best represented in the case of freehand drawing compared to photorealistic renders. Part 3 was focused on the designer and used the instruments provided by neuroscience, i.e. the EEG and 'evoked responses', to quantify the brain activity in connection with freehand and CAD drawing. Because the involved technology had never been applied before to a drawing subject, the investigation had to be divided into three separate experiments. The first one was dedicated to finding a reliable way to perform the recordings in subjects who freely moved their arm and hand while drawing. The second and third experiments were aimed at analysing the cerebral activity occurring before and after each drawing movement. All results demonstrated that a larger cerebral activity preceded and followed each movement in freehand drawing compared to CAD design. This finding may be considered a robust step towards the notion that also creativity may consequently be improved. The final conclusion is that the freehand drawn images make a better link between author and observer, and at the same time the very movement and haptic perception of the hand elicit creativity. Indeed, the most recent advances in technology of drawing tablets have provided a new medium for freehand drawing, which can exploit the capacity of data handling of computers with the natural movement of using pencil and paper, ending up in a traditional hand made product. A wise usage of modern technology can therefore merge the human factor with the digital world.Leandri, G. (2022). Freehand Digital Drawing: a Boost to Creative Design. The Observer's Eye and the Draftsman Brain [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/188091TESI

    Social and Affective Neuroscience of Embodiment

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    Embodiment has been discussed in the context of social, affective, and cognitive psychology, and also in the investigations of neuroscience in order to understand the relationship between biological mechanisms, body and cognitive, and social and affective processes. New theoretical models have been presented by researchers considering not only the sensory–motor interaction and the environment but also biological mechanisms regulating homeostasis and neural processes (Tsakiris M, Q J Exp Psychol 70(4):597–609, 2017). Historically, the body and the mind were comprehended as separate entities. The body was considered to function as a machine, responsible for providing sensory information to the mind and executing its commands. The mind, however, would process information in an isolated way, similar to a computer (Pecher D, Zwaan RA, Grounding cognition: the role of perception and action in memory, language, and thinking. Cambridge University Press, 2005). This mind and body perspective (Marmeleira J, Duarte Santos G, Percept Motor Skills 126, 2019; Marshall PJ, Child Dev Perspect 10(4):245–250, 2016), for many years, was the basis for studies in social and cognitive areas, in neuroscience, and clinical psychology
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