Optimal Experience in Argentinean Children and Adolescents

Csikszentmihalyi describes optimal experience as a feeling that ones own abilities are sufficient to face lifes challenges. Such experience consists of directed, goal-oriented activity, regulated by norms that provide feedback sufficient to know if things are being done well. This chapter describes different studies done in the Latin American country of Argentina about flow. The first study focused on 1) whether it was possible for children and adolescents to identify optimal experiences; and 2) to identify the types of activity associated with flow. The results demonstrate that approximately 85% of Argentinean adolescents identified flow experiences in their daily activities. Sports, study, artistic activities, computer use, meetings and social activities, TV and games, are the activities that most often allow Argentinean children and adolescents to experience flow. The second study, focused on examining flow experience of children while playing soccer. The results showed that high levels of ability and concentration were associated with higher levels of flow during the soccer. Children who experienced high anxiety and boredom levels tended to have low levels of flow experience. The third study intended to investigate whether it is possible for young people to identify flow while doing prosocial activities. The results showed that young people can experience flow while doing prosocial activities in different contexts: in family, community, educational and social relations. Finally, the last study relayed in this chapter presents research examining the internal (parental relationships and personality traits) and external (type of activity and way of doing the activity) conditions of flow. This is particularly important for determining which aspects help generate the optimal mental states that contribute to happiness and wellbeing.Fil: Mesurado, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi; ArgentinaFil: Richaud, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi; Argentin

Artificial Sweeteners in Animal Models of Binge Eating

Rising rates of obesity in most industrialized countries are a major cause of serious medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders. Binge eating, characterized by excessive consumption of highly palatable food within a short period of time, contributes significantly to these problems, even in individuals who are not diagnosed with binge eating disorder (BED). Over the last half century, the use of non-nutritive substitutes has been promoted as a means to reduce fat and sugar consumption, potentially minimizing obesity-related illnesses. Paradoxically, increased intake of artificial sweeteners is associated with weight gain, which may be linked to alterations in metabolic processes. Artificial sweeteners also increase food intake in both humans and rodents, raising intriguing possibilities that these substances are altering biological processes that underlie the homeostatic control of feeding. We explore this idea by summarizing the clinical and preclinical literature on behavioral and biological mechanisms of artificial sweeteners. As a starting point, we review evidence that non-nutritive sweeteners are rewarding in rodent models, then provide a comparison of neural systems mediating the rewarding properties of natural and artificial sweeteners. We then summarize data pointing to sexual dimorphism in behavioral and biological responses to sucrose, with preliminary evidence suggesting that responses to artificial sweeteners may follow a similar pattern. Finally, we provide an overview of the relationship between binge eating and substance use disorders, noting findings from animal studies that artificial sweeteners could contribute to this comorbidity

Ammonoid Intraspecific Variability

Because ammonoids have never been observed swimming, there is no alternative to seeking indirect indications of the locomotory abilities of ammonoids. This approach is based on actualistic comparisons with the closest relatives of ammonoids, the Coleoidea and the Nautilida, and on the geometrical and physical properties of the shell. Anatomical comparison yields information on the locomotor muscular systems and organs as well as possible modes of propulsion while the shape and physics of ammonoid shells provide information on buoyancy, shell orientation, drag, added mass, cost of transportation and thus on limits of acceleration and swimming speed. On these grounds, we conclude that ammonoid swimming is comparable to that of Recent nautilids and sepiids in terms of speed and energy consumption, although some ammonoids might have been slower swimmers than nautilids