A virtual reality study on postretrieval extinction of smoking memory reconsolidation in smokers

Exposure to smoking-related stimuli may induce the reconsolidation of smoking-related memories in smokers. Research has proposed that extinction applied after the retrieval of a smoking memory may inhibit reconsolidation and prevent craving. The aim of this study was to test the effect of postretrieval extinction (PRE) on the reconsolidation of smoking memory by using a virtual reality (VR) simulation in smokers. On the day 1 session, the study exposed 46 smokers to a neutral and then to a smoking VR scenario under a fixed-block protocol. On day 2, the study randomized participants into three groups (G) and exposed them to a 15-s VR immersion in smoking (G1, G3) or neutral (G2) scenario for memory retrieval. After 15 min, the study exposed G1 and G2 to a VR PRE during the temporal window of memory vulnerability, whereas the study exposed G3 to extinction immediately after retrieval. On day 3, the study exposed all groups to neutral and smoking scenarios similar to day 1. All groups significantly increased craving for cigarettes after exposure to the smoking scenario on day 1 (p 0.01). On day 3, VR PRE after a 15-second VR smoking memory retrieval was able to inhibit reconsolidation in G1, but not in G3 exposed to PRE before the window of vulnerability, or in G2 not exposed to the smoking memory retrieval. These findings show the superiority of VR PRE after smoking memory retrieval compared to a standard extinction procedure

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell: nuova frontiera del fotovoltaico a basso costo

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Trapping and Reliability Investigations in GaN-based HEMTs

GaN-based high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are promising candidates for future microwave equipment, such as new solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs), thanks to their excellent performance. A first demonstration of GaN-MMIC transmitter has been developed and put on board the PROBA-V mission. But this technology still suffers from the trapping phenomena, principally due to lattice defects. Thus, the aim of this research is to investigate the trapping effects and the reliability aspects of the GH50 power transistors for C-band applications. A new trap investigation protocol to obtain a complete overview of trap behavior from DC to radio-frequency operation modes, based on combined pulsed I/V measurements, DC and RF drain current measurements, and low-frequency dispersion measurements, is proposed. Furthermore, a nonlinear electro-thermal AlGaN/GaN model with a new additive thermal-trap model including the dynamic behavior of these trap states and their associated temperature variations is presented, in order to correctly predict the RF performance during real RF operating conditions. Finally, an advanced time-domain methodology is presented in order to investigate the device’s reliability and to determine its safe operating area. This methodology is based on the continual monitoring of the RF waveforms and DC parameters under overdrive conditions in order to assess the degradation of the transistor characteristics in the RF power amplifier

LABOUR AND TECHNOLOGY IN CAPITALISM 4.0. AN INTERVIEW WITH URSULA HUWS

From the rise of telehomwork of the Seventies to the burst of platform labour occurred after Pandemic: in this interview with Ursula Huws we cover a fifty-year path of the impact of technologies on labour and social life. Considered one of the most important Labour Sociologist in Europe (and beyond), since the early Eighties Huws tackled the topic of the “social isolation” intrinsic to telehomework, the atomization of society and the risks of encroachment of work on family and social life due to application of new technologies on labour. In the article we travel from the very beginning through to the rise of “cybertariat”. We conclude by trying to answer the last crucial question: what next