Does memory priming during anesthesia matter?

This editorial argues that there is evidence for memory priming during adequate anaesthesia, and that research in the field of social cognition suggests that such priming may have important behavioural consequences. Comments made in the operating room about a patient's prognosis, appearance or state of consciousness could exacerbate their existing anxieties about the operation, themselves or the anaesthetic and may contribute to postoperative anxiety, depression and insomnia

Ising model on the Apollonian network with node dependent interactions

This work considers an Ising model on the Apollonian network, where the exchange constant $J_{i,j}\sim1/(k_ik_j)^\mu$ between two neighboring spins $(i,j)$ is a function of the degree $k$ of both spins. Using the exact geometrical construction rule for the network, the thermodynamical and magnetic properties are evaluated by iterating a system of discrete maps that allows for very precise results in the thermodynamic limit. The results can be compared to the predictions of a general framework for spins models on scale-free networks, where the node distribution $P(k)\sim k^{-\gamma}$, with node dependent interacting constants. We observe that, by increasing $\mu$, the critical behavior of the model changes, from a phase transition at $T=\infty$ for a uniform system $(\mu=0)$, to a T=0 phase transition when $\mu=1$: in the thermodynamic limit, the system shows no exactly critical behavior at a finite temperature. The magnetization and magnetic susceptibility are found to present non-critical scaling properties.Comment: 6 figures, 12 figure file

Negative intrusive thoughts and dissociation as risk factors for self-harm.

Relationships between self-harm and vulnerability factors were studied in a general population of 432 participants, of whom 30% reported some experience of self-harm. This group scored higher on dissociation and childhood trauma, had lower self-worth, and reported more negative intrusive thoughts. Among the non-harming group, 10% scored similarly to the self-harmers on the dissociation and self-worth scales, and engaged in potentially maladaptive behaviors that are not defined as indicating clinical self-harm, but experienced fewer negative intrusive thoughts. This group may be at risk of future self-harm if they begin to experience negative intrusive thoughts. If negative intrusive thoughts are playing a causal role, then therapeutic approaches tackling them may help those who are currently self-harming

Conjectures for the integral moments and ratios of L-functions over function fields

We extend to the function field setting the heuristic previously developed, by Conrey, Farmer, Keating, Rubinstein and Snaith, for the integral moments and ratios of $L$-functions defined over number fields. Specifically, we give a heuristic for the moments and ratios of a family of $L$-functions associated with hyperelliptic curves of genus $g$ over a fixed finite field $\mathbb{F}_{q}$ in the limit as $g\rightarrow\infty$. Like in the number field case, there is a striking resemblance to the corresponding formulae for the characteristic polynomials of random matrices. As an application, we calculate the one-level density for the zeros of these $L$-functions.Comment: 40 page

A Study of the Di-Hadron Angular Correlation Function in Event by Event Ideal Hydrodynamics

The di-hadron angular correlation function is computed within boost invariant, ideal hydrodynamics for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s}_{NN}=200$ GeV using Monte Carlo Glauber fluctuating initial conditions. When $0<p_T< 3$ GeV, the intensity of the flow components and their phases, $\left\{v_n, \Psi_n \right \}$ ($n=2,3$), are found to be correlated on an event by event basis to the initial condition geometrical parameters $\left\{\varepsilon_{2,n}, \Phi_{2,n} \right \}$, respectively. Moreover, the fluctuation of the relative phase between trigger and associated particles, $\Delta_n =\Psi_n^t - \Psi_n^a$, is found to affect the di-hadron angular correlation function when different intervals of transverse momentum are used to define the trigger and the associated hadrons.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures; typos fixed, added reference

Brief guided imagery and body scanning interventions reduce food cravings

mindfulness cognition food intrusive thoughts acceptance eatingElaborated Intrusion (EI) Theory proposes that cravings occur when involuntary thoughts about food are elaborated; a key part of elaboration is affectively-charged imagery. Craving can be weakened by working memory tasks that block imagery. EI Theory predicts that cravings should also be reduced by preventing involuntary thoughts being elaborated in the first place. Research has found that imagery techniques such as body scanning and guided imagery can reduce the occurrence of food thoughts. This study tested the prediction that these techniques also reduce craving. We asked participants to abstain from food overnight, and then to carry out 10 minutes of body scanning, guided imagery, or a control mind wandering task. They rated their craving at ten points during the task on a single item measure, and before and after the task using the Craving Experience Questionnaire. While craving rose during the task for the mind wandering group, neither the guided imagery nor body scanning group showed an increase. These effects were not detected by the CEQ, suggesting that they are only present during the competing task. As they require no devices or materials and are unobtrusive, brief guided imagery strategies might form useful components of weight loss programmes that attempt to address cravings