When Sex Doesn't Sell: Using Sexualized Images of Women Reduces Support for Ethical Campaigns

This is the final version. Available on open access from Public Library of Science via the DOI in this recordImages of scantily clad women are used by advertisers to make products more attractive to men. This “sex sells” approach is increasingly employed to promote ethical causes, most prominently by the animal-rights organization PETA. Yet sexualized images can dehumanize women, leaving an unresolved paradox – is it effective to advertise an ethical cause using unethical means? In Study 1, a sample of Australian male undergraduates (N = 82) viewed PETA advertisements containing either sexualized or non-sexualized images of women. Intentions to support the ethical organization were reduced for those exposed to the sexualized advertising, and this was explained by their dehumanization of the sexualized women, and not by increased arousal. Study 2 used a mixed-gender community sample from the United States (N = 280), replicating this finding and extending it by showing that behaviors helpful to the ethical cause diminished after viewing the sexualized advertisements, which was again mediated by the dehumanization of the women depicted. Alternative explanations relating to the reduced credibility of the sexualized women and their objectification were not supported. When promoting ethical causes, organizations may benefit from using advertising strategies that do not dehumanize women.Australian Research Counci

If you're going to be a leader, at least act like it! Prejudice towards women who are tentative in leader roles

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record.Role congruity theory predicts prejudice towards women who meet the agentic requirements of the leader role. In line with recent findings indicating greater acceptance of agentic behaviour from women, we find evidence for a more subtle form of prejudice towards women who fail to display agency in leader roles. Using a classic methodology, the agency of male and female leaders was manipulated using assertive or tentative speech, presented through written (Study 1, N = 167) or verbal (Study 2, N = 66) communications. Consistent with predictions, assertive women were as likeable and influential as assertive men, while being tentative in leadership reduced the likeability and influence of women, but not of men. Although approval of agentic behaviour from women in leadership reflects progress, evidence that women are quickly singled out for disapproval if they fail to show agency is important for understanding how they continue to be at a distinct disadvantage to men in leader roles

Quantifying drug-induced dyskinesias in the arms using digitised spiral-drawing tasks.

In this study, we quantify the severity of drug-induced dyskinesias in the arms of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using digitised spiral-drawing tasks. Two spiral drawings, namely a circular and a square spiral, are designed to, respectively, represent the continuous and discrete arm motions, and the size of the spiral is decided so that both the distal and proximal arm joints are involved. Fifteen PD patients, average disease duration 14.4+/-7.4 years, were assessed 30 min after a levodopa challenge whilst performing circular and square spiral-drawing tasks. The velocity of drawing movements was computed and the amplitude of the involuntary dyskinetic movements was measured as the standard deviation of the drawing velocity (SD-DV). The mean amplitude of dyskinetic movements was compared between arms and tasks and was correlated with clinical measures including the Bain dyskinesia scale and the total unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) score. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the amplitude of dyskinesias either between the arms or between the continuous (circular) and discrete (square) spiral drawings in this group of PD patients, but interestingly the interaction between arm and drawing pattern was significant. Significant correlations were found between the magnitude of dyskinesia measured from the spiral-drawing tasks and both the 'on' or 'off' UPDRS and also the Bain dyskinesia scale. We conclude that the drawing tasks may be used to provide an objective method of quantifying the severity of drug-induced dyskinesias in the arm in PD patients

Tremor and dysmetria in multiple sclerosis: a neurophysiological study

Objective: The mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of tremor and/or dysmetria in multiple sclerosis (MS) are poorly understood. Abnormal oscillations within the olivo-cerebello-thalamo-cortical networks are believed to play an important part in tremor aetiology, but could also contribute to intention dysmetria due to disruptions in motor timing. Conversely, delayed central motor conduction times are a common feature of ataxias, but could also contribute to the expression of dysmetria in MS. This study examined the roles of central conduction delays in the manifestation of tremor and/or dysmetria in MS. Methods: Twenty-three individuals with MS participated: 8 with no movement disorder, 6 with tremor, 4 with pure dysmetria and 5 with both tremor and dysmetria. Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the motor cortex and cervical spine, stretch reflexes were used assess sensory and motor conduction times. Results: Central, but not peripheral, sensory conductions time were significantly delayed in participants with dysmetria, regardless of the presence of tremor. Similarly, the TMS evoked muscles responses and the long-latency component of stretch reflexes were significantly delayed in those with dysmetria, but not pure tremor. Conclusion: Dysmetria in MS is associated with delays in central conduction of sensory or motor pathways, or both, likely leading to disruption of muscle activation timing and terminal oscillations that contribute to dysmetria. Significance: The presence of dysmetria in MS is associated with decreased conduction velocities in central sensory and/or motor pathways likely reflects greater demyelination of these axons compared to those with no movement disorder or pure tremor

Ideologies and their points of view

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016. It is well known that different arguments appeal to different people. We all process information in ways that are adapted to be consistent with our underlying ideologies. These ideologies can sometimes be framed in terms of particular axes or dimensions, which makes it possible to represent some aspects of an ideology as a region in the kind of vector space that is typical of many generalised quantum models. Such models can then be used to explain and predict, in broad strokes, whether a particular argument or proposal is likely to appeal to an individual with a particular ideology. The choice of suitable arguments to bring about desired actions is traditionally part of the art or science of rhetoric, and today’s highly polarised society means that this skill is becoming more important than ever. This paper presents a basic model for understanding how different goals will appeal to people with different ideologies, and thus how different rhetorical positions can be adopted to promote the same desired outcome. As an example, we consider different narratives and hence actions with respect to the environment and climate change, an important but currently highly controversial topic

The conundrum of dystonia in essential tremor patients: how does one classify these cases?

Abstract Background: The relationship between essential tremor (ET) and dystonia has been long debated and the boundaries between these disorders remain unclear. Here, we highlight the diagnostic uncertainty that can arise when observing dystonic postures in patients who have received ET diagnoses. Methods: An international panel of seven movement disorders neurologists from five countries reviewed the clinical history and videotaped neurological examinations of five individuals diagnosed with ET who also had various features of dystonia on neurological examination. Experts were instructed to assign diagnoses and provide their rationale for diagnostic assignments. Results: The five cases each exhibited a variety of abnormal postures. These were observed by all experts, and interpreted as dystonic postures by six experts. According to six of seven experts, all five cases had ET. One expert classified all cases as dystonic tremor rather than ET. One case had cervical dystonia, and five of seven experts assigned dual diagnoses of ET and dystonia in that case. The assignment of dystonia diagnoses was variable among the other four cases, with two to three experts assigning this diagnosis in each case, underscoring differences in diagnostic interpretation of dystonic postures on examination. Conclusions: This study draws attention to some of the differences between experts in assigning diagnoses of ET or dystonia to individuals with ET and abnormal postures. The goal here was not necessarily to build consensus, but to raise issues, highlight areas of uncertainty, and identify areas of common vs. differentiated thought. Several questions for additional research were also raised

Mucosal Macrophages in Intestinal Homeostasis and Inflammation

Intestinal macrophages are essential for local homeostasis and in keeping a balance between commensal microbiota and the host. However, they also play essential roles in inflammation and protective immunity, when they change from peaceful regulators to powerful aggressors. As a result, activated macrophages are important targets for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease. Until recently, the complexity and heterogeneity of intestinal macrophages have been underestimated and here we review current evidence that there are distinct populations of resident and inflammatory macrophages in the intestine. We describe the mechanisms that ensure macrophages remain partially inert in the healthy gut and cannot promote inflammation despite constant exposure to bacteria and other stimuli. This may be because the local environment ‘conditions’ macrophage precursors to become unresponsive after they arrive in the gut. Nevertheless, this permits some active, physiological functions to persist. A new population of pro-inflammatory macrophages appears in inflammation and we review the evidence that this involves recruitment of a distinct population of fully responsive monocytes, rather than alterations in the existing cells. A constant balance between these resident and inflammatory macrophages is critical for maintaining the status quo in healthy gut and ensuring protective immunity when required