What breaks the flow of reading? A study on characteristics of attentional disruption during digital reading

Reading is increasingly taking place on digital media, which are vectors of attentional disruption. This manuscript aims to characterize attentional disruption during reading on a computer screen in an ecological environment. To this end, we collected information relating to reader interruptions (number, type, duration, position, mental effort, and valence) and self-caught mind wandering (occurrence, position) throughout the reading session for high and low media multitaskers in their own specific ecological environment, at home. Comprehension of the narrative text was assessed both with surface and inferential questions. In total, 74 participants (M = 22.16, SD = 2.35) took part in the experiment. They reported attentional disruptions on average every 4 mins during reading. Moreover, there were more attentional disruptions during the first half of the text. Most interruptions were short and little mental effort was required to process them. We made a distinction between media-related and media-unrelated related interruptions. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that media-unrelated interruptions were actually related to better performance for both inferential and surface level questions. Furthermore, media-related interruptions were more frequent for high than low media multitaskers. Pleasure experienced when reading the text was also a significant predictor of comprehension. The results are discussed with regard to Long-Term Working Memory and strategies that the readers could have implemented to recover the thread of their reading

Spadin, a Sortilin-Derived Peptide, Targeting Rodent TREK-1 Channels: A New Concept in the Antidepressant Drug Design

We found that spadin, a natural peptide derived from sortilin, blocks the mouse TREK-1 channel and might be an efficient and fast-acting antidepressant

Serpentinization of mantle xenoliths in Kerguelen archipelago: A first petrographic and geochemical study

International audienceThe spinel harzburgites xenoliths from the Lac Michèle outcrop, Kerguelen archipelago (South Indian Ocean), have the particularity to show unique and unusual evidences of fluids circulation and especially of serpentinization. In this paper, in situ and whole-rock petrographic and geochemical data on a selection of variously serpentinized samples are presented and attest that several episodes of fluid-rock interaction occurred. Serpentinization processes affected notably and with variable degrees the spinel harzburgites leading to changes in their mineralogy and chemical compositions. Degree of serpentinization ranges from very slight (LOI 3+/Fetot 3+/Fetot < 0.33). Most serpentinized samples show a preferential petrographic direction of serpentinization, forming a subparallel serpentine network, which is sometimes intersected by serpentine veins. As a result, at least two serpentinization episodes were identified within the Lac Michèle samples, without any chemical differences between the two generations except for Cl content. This suggests very few chemical evolution of the system during serpentinization. Due to the significant amount of Cl measured in serpentine minerals (601 ppm on average), the nature of the fluids that interacted with the spinel harzburgites xenoliths during the serpentinization events can be hypothesized to be seawater-like or seawater-derived fluids

Effects of interruption on eye movements and comprehension during reading on digital devices

International audienceThe growing use of digital devices brings about interruptions during reading. The aim of the present study is to observe the consequences of an interruption on reading behavior and text comprehension when the information that is evaluated is the information that is being read at the time the interruption occurs. Eye movements (mean number of fixations, regressive fixations and mean fixation duration) were recorded while reading four long texts. Reading was interrupted by an arithmetic verification task either in the middle of a paragraph (intraparagraph condition) or between two successive paragraphs (inter-paragraph condition). The analysis of the eye movements showed more rereading behaviors when an interruption occurred. The participants who understood the text best were also those who reread the most. The comprehension performances were not affected by the interruption, irrespective of its position (inter-or intra-paragraph). This preservation of performance is discussed in relation to LTWM theory

The Anterior GRadient (AGR) family proteins in epithelial ovarian cancer

International audienceEpithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common gynecologic disorder. Even with the recent progresses made towards the use of new therapeutics, it still represents the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in women from developed countries.The discovery of the anterior gradient proteins AGR2 and AGR3, which are highly related members belonging to the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, attracted researchers’ attention due to their putative involvement in adenocarcinoma development. This review compiles the current knowledge on the role of the AGR family and the expression of its members in EOC and discusses the potential clinical relevance of AGR2 and AGR3 for EOC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics.A better understanding of the role of the AGR family may thus provide new handling avenues for EOC patients

Caractérisation des conditions de serpentinisation du manteau de Kerguelen et implications sur l'histoire géodynamique du plateau

International audienc

Caractérisation des conditions de serpentinisation du manteau de Kerguelen et implications sur l'histoire géodynamique du plateau

International audienc

Caractérisation des conditions de serpentinisation du manteau de Kerguelen et implications sur l'histoire géodynamique du plateau

International audienc