3,266 research outputs found
Visuospatial tasks suppress craving for cigarettes.
The Elaborated Intrusion (EI) theory of desire posits that visual imagery plays a key role in craving. We report a series of experiments testing this hypothesis in a drug addiction context. Experiment 1 showed that a mental visual imagery task with neutral content reduced cigarette craving in abstaining smokers, but that an equivalent auditory task did not. The effect of visual imagery was replicated in Experiment 2, which also showed comparable effects of non-imagery visual working memory interference. Experiment 3 showed that the benefit of visual over auditory interference was not dependent upon imagery being used to induce craving. Experiment 4 compared a visuomotor task, making shapes from modeling clay, with a verbal task (counting back from 100), and again showed a benefit of the visual over the non-visual task. We conclude that visual imagery supports craving for cigarettes. Competing imagery or visual working memory tasks may help tackle craving in smokers trying to quit
Emotional and behavioral reaction to intrusive thoughts.
A self-report measure of the emotional and behavioral reactions to intrusive thoughts was developed. The article presents data that confirm the stability, reliability, and validity of the new seven-item measure. Emotional and behavioral reactions to intrusions emerged as separate factors on the Emotional and Behavioral Reactions to Intrusions Questionnaire (EBRIQ), a finding confirmed by an independent stress study. Test-retest reliability over 30 to 70 days was good. Expected relationships with other constructs were significant. Stronger negative responses to intrusions were associated with lower mindfulness scores and higher ratings of experiential avoidance, thought suppression, and intensity and frequency of craving. The EBRIQ will help explore differences in reactions to intrusive thoughts in clinical and nonclinical populations, and across different emotional and behavioral states. It will also be useful in assessing the effects of therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness
XMM-Newton view of the N 206 superbubble in the Large Magellanic Cloud
We perform an analysis of the X-ray superbubble in the N 206 HII region in
the Large Magellanic Cloud using current generation facilities to gain a better
understanding of the physical processes at work in the superbubble and to
improve our knowledge of superbubble evolution. We used XMM-Newton observations
of the N 206 region to produce images and extract spectra of the superbubble
diffuse emission. Morphological comparisons with Halpha images from the
Magellanic Cloud Emission Line Survey were performed, and spectral analysis of
the diffuse X-ray emission was carried out. We derived the physical properties
of the hot gas in the superbubble based on the results of the spectral
analysis. We also determined the total energy stored in the superbubble and
compared this to the expected energy input from the stellar population to
assess the superbubble growth rate discrepancy for N 206. We find that the
brightest region of diffuse X-ray emission is confined by a Halpha shell,
consistent with the superbubble model. In addition, faint emission extending
beyond the Halpha shell was found, which we attribute to a blowout region. The
spectral analysis of both emission regions points to a hot shocked gas as the
likely origin of the emission. We determine the total energy stored in the
bubble and the expected energy input by the stellar population. However, due to
limited data on the stellar population, the input energy is poorly constrained
and, consequently, no definitive indication of a growth rate discrepancy is
seen. Using the high-sensitivity X-ray data from XMM-Newton and optical data
from the Magellanic Cloud Emission Line Survey has allowed us to better
understand the physical properties of the N 206 superbubble and address some
key questions of superbubble evolution.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in A&
A Unique Multi-Messenger Signal of QCD Axion Dark Matter
We propose a multi-messenger probe of QCD axion Dark Matter based on
observations of black hole-neutron star binary inspirals. It is suggested that
a dense Dark Matter spike may grow around intermediate mass black holes
(). The presence of such a spike produces
two unique effects: a distinct phase shift in the gravitational wave strain
during the inspiral and an enhancement of the radio emission due to the
resonant axion-photon conversion occurring in the neutron star magnetosphere
throughout the inspiral and merger. Remarkably, the observation of the
gravitational wave signal can be used to infer the Dark Matter density and,
consequently, to predict the radio emission. We study the projected reach of
the LISA interferometer and next-generation radio telescopes such as the Square
Kilometre Array. Given a sufficiently nearby system, such observations will
potentially allow for the detection of QCD axion Dark Matter in the mass range
to .Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Appendix added with additional figures. Updated
to published versio
XMM-Newton study of 30 Dor C and a newly identified MCSNR J0536-6913 in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Aims: We present a study of the superbubble (SB) 30 Dor C and the newly
identified MCSNR J0536-6913 in the LMC. Methods: All available XMM-Newton data
(exposure times of 420 ks EPIC-pn, 556 ks EPIC-MOS1, 614 ks EPIC-MOS2) were
used to characterise the thermal X-ray emission in the region. An analysis of
the non-thermal X-rays is also presented and discussed in the context of
emission mechanisms previously suggested in the literature. These data are
supplemented by X-ray data from Chandra, optical data from the MCELS, and radio
data from ATCA and MOST. Results: The brightest thermal emission was found to
be associated with a new supernova remnant, MCSNR J0536-6913. X-ray spectral
analysis of MCSNR J0536-6913 suggested an ejecta-dominated remnant with lines
of O, Ne, Mg, and Si, and a total 0.3-10 keV luminosity of ~8E+34 erg/s. Based
on derived ejecta abundance ratios, we determined the mass of the stellar
progenitor to be either ~18 M_sun or as high as >40 M_sun, though the spectral
fits were subject to assumptions (e.g., uniform temperature and well-mixed
ejecta). The thermal emission from the SB exhibited enrichment by alpha-process
elements, evidence for a recent core-collapse SNR interaction with the SB
shell. We detected non-thermal X-ray emission throughout 30 Dor C, with the
brightest regions being highly correlated with the H-alpha and radio shells. We
created a non-thermal spectral energy distribution for the north-eastern shell
of 30 Dor C which was best-fit with an exponentially cut-off synchrotron model.
Conclusions: Thermal X-ray emission from 30 Dor C is very complex, consisting
of a large scale SB emission at the eastern shell wall with the brightest
emission due to MCSNR J0536-6913. The fact that the non-thermal spectral energy
distribution of the SB shell was observed to roll-off is further evidence that
the non-thermal X-rays from 30 Dor C are synchrotron in origin.Comment: 22 pages, 21 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysic
Study of a colliding laser-produced plasma by analysis of time and space-resolved image spectra
The interaction of two counter-propagating laser-produced plasmas was studied using simultaneous
imaging and spectroscopic techniques. Spectrally-filtered time-gated ICCD imaging was used
to obtain information about the spatial dynamics and temporal evolution of the collision process.
While, time-resolved imaging spectroscopy was used to determine the spatial and temporal distributions
of electron temperature and density within the interaction region. We examine specifically
the interaction of plasmas whose parameters match those typically used in pulsed laser deposition
of thin films. These low temperature plasmas are highly collisional leading to the creation of a
pronounced stagnation layer in the interaction region
Unsung heroes: Constituency election agents in British general elections
Despite their central role in the electoral process, constituency agents have been largely overlooked by political scientists and this article seeks to rectify the omission. It sketches the origins and development of the role of agent from the late 19th century and suggests that a serious rethink of the role took place in the 1990s. Survey-based evidence about the social characteristics of agents is presented confirming that they are largely middle-aged, middle-class, well-educated men. They are also becoming more experienced, offer realistic assessments of the impact of constituency campaigning and, arguably, many take a long-term view of how their party's support can be maximised
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