Context Modulation of Facial Emotion Perception Differed by Individual Difference

Background: Certain facial configurations are believed to be associated with distinct affective meanings (i.e. basic facial expressions), and such associations are common across cultures (i.e. universality of facial expressions). However, recently, many studies suggest that various types of contextual information, rather than facial configuration itself, are important factor for facial emotion perception. Methodology/Principal Findings: To examine systematically how contextual information influences individuals ’ facial emotion perception, the present study estimated direct observers ’ perceptual thresholds for detecting negative facial expressions via a forced-choice psychophysical procedure using faces embedded in various emotional contexts. We additionally measured the individual differences in affective information-processing tendency (BIS/BAS) as a possible factor that may determine the extent to which contextual information on facial emotion perception is used. It was found that contextual information influenced observers ’ perceptual thresholds for facial emotion. Importantly, individuals ’ affectiveinformation tendencies modulated the extent to which they incorporated context information into their facial emotion perceptions. Conclusions/Significance: The findings of this study suggest that facial emotion perception not only depends on facial configuration, but the context in which the face appears as well. This contextual influence appeared differently wit

An implementation strategy to improve the guideline adherence of insurance physicians: an experiment in a controlled setting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a newly developed implementation strategy for the insurance medicine guidelines for depression in the Netherlands. We hypothesized that an educational intervention would increase the insurance physicians' (IPs) guideline adherence in a controlled setting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty IPs were allocated in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to an intervention group (IG) (n = 21) and a control group (CG) (n = 19). The IG received tailored training in applying the guidelines for depression, while the CG received an alternative programme. Baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1) measurements were conducted before and after the intervention within a period of two weeks. The intervention consisted of a workshop in which the evidence-based theory of the guidelines was translated for use in practice, with the help of various tools. The IPs had to write a case-report on the basis of video cases, two before and two after the training. Specially trained and blinded test IPs judged the case reports independently on the basis of six performance indicators. Primary outcome measure in the controlled setting of the trial was guideline adherence measured by six performance indicators on a scale of one to seven. Secondary outcome measure was knowledge of the guidelines for depression. Analyses were performed using Linear Mixed Models, and ANCOVA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found significantly higher scores in the IG than in the CG at T1 for both outcomes. The interaction effect (standard error; p-value) of group crossed with time was 0.97 (0.19; p < 0.0005) for guideline adherence in the controlled setting. The group effect at T1 for the knowledge test was 0.86 (0.40; p = 0.038).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The newly developed implementation strategy for the insurance medicine guidelines for depression improved the guideline adherence of the trained IPs in disability assessments of clients with depression when performed in a controlled setting. Furthermore, the trained IPs showed gains in knowledge of the guidelines for depression.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Netherlands' Trial Register <a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1863">NTR1863</a>.</p

Fructan and its relationship to abiotic stress tolerance in plants

Numerous studies have been published that attempted to correlate fructan concentrations with freezing and drought tolerance. Studies investigating the effect of fructan on liposomes indicated that a direct interaction between membranes and fructan was possible. This new area of research began to move fructan and its association with stress beyond mere correlation by confirming that fructan has the capacity to stabilize membranes during drying by inserting at least part of the polysaccharide into the lipid headgroup region of the membrane. This helps prevent leakage when water is removed from the system either during freezing or drought. When plants were transformed with the ability to synthesize fructan, a concomitant increase in drought and/or freezing tolerance was confirmed. These experiments indicate that besides an indirect effect of supplying tissues with hexose sugars, fructan has a direct protective effect that can be demonstrated by both model systems and genetic transformation

A metal-supported biomimetic micromembrane allowing the recording of single- channel activity and of impedance spectra of membrane proteins

Perceived parental expressed emotions have a substantial effect on adolescents' well-being and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The present study examines the mediating effects of self-criticism and depression in the relationship between perceived parental expressed emotions and NSSI. In total, 358 adolescents between the ages of twelve and twenty were examined. The brief NSSI assessment tool was used to assess NSSI. Depressive symptoms and self-criticism were examined with the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI-NL) and the Self Rating Scale. Finally, the self-report questionnaire of the level of expressed emotions was used to assess perceived parental expressed emotions. The lifetime prevalence of NSSI in the current study was 13.41\ua0%. Results of a mediation analysis show the relationship between self-criticism and NSSI is mediated by depressive symptoms. Furthermore, results of a path model analysis, explaining 20\ua0% of the variance in NSSI frequency, show a direct effect of perceived parental environment (perceived lack of emotional support and perceived parental criticism) on NSSI frequency, as well as indirect paths via adolescent risk factors (depressive symptoms and self-criticism). Perceived lack of parental emotional support had a direct effect on frequency of NSSI, as well as an indirect effect via depressive symptoms. Perceived parental criticism on the other hand, had no direct effect on frequency of NSSI, but showed an indirect effect through self-criticism. This study improves our understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in NSSI by interrelating significant family and adolescent risk factors. Limitations and clinical implications of these findings are discussed