Real-time imaging of the medullary circuitry involved in the generation of spontaneous muscle sympathetic nerve activity in awake human subjects

In order to understand the central neural processes involved in blood pressure regulation we recorded muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) via a tungsten microelectrode in the common peroneal nerve while performing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) of the brainstem at 3T. Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) changes in signal intensity were measured over 4 s every 8 s (200) volumes. Using the MSNA as the input model, we found that increases in sympathetic outflow were associated with robust increases in signal intensity in the region of the rostal ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). Reciprocal decreases in signal intensity occurred in the regions of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM). We show for the first time that this combined approach of recording sympathetic neural activity and fMRI can provide "real-time" imaging of the neural processes responsible for the generation of sympathetic nerve activity in awake human subjects

Understanding ethical concerns in social media privacy studies

There are myriad ethical considerations with conducting social media studies, in particular those investigating privacy concerns in such sites. We are interested in understanding how to address these concerns, and in particular wish to discuss our empirical work at this workshop and how to progress further in this space.Postprin

What is This Noise?: A Comparison of Narrative and Statistical Program Notes\u27 Ability to Affect Enjoyment

Program notes, brief written statements provided to attendees of classical music performances, have in some cases increased audiences’ enjoyment of what they hear, but results from such research are inconsistent. This study sought to explore the effects of program notes on enjoyment, eudaimonic appreciation, and intention to attend a concert, as well as whether narrative or statistical styles of notes would be more effective. Participants in an experiment were randomly assigned to one of three conditions--no program notes, narrative style program notes, and statistical program notes--then asked to listen to a piece of music. Those who received program notes reported liking the music more and finding it more meaningful than those who did not receive notes. Participants who received narrative program notes reported more enjoyment than those in the statistical condition, but the differences were not significant. Participants’ predisposition to like classical music affected evaluations of the music, including significantly interacting with condition on interest in hearing the piece again, finding the piece meaningful, and willingness to attend a concert if offered free tickets. Significant differences were found between the narrative and statistical groups for participants\u27 willingness to seek out information about a concert featuring the music used in the experiment. Implications for professional orchestras and further program notes research are discussed

CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO METAVINCULIN MUTATIONS

Vinculin is a cytoskeletal protein which localizes to adherens junctions that occur between adjoining cells. A muscle-specific splice variant metavinculin is identical in sequence to vinculin with the exception of a 68-residue insert within its C-terminal domain. Two mutations (R975W and L954del) within this insert have been associated with the onset of dilated cardiomyopathy. This study investigated structural differences among the wild-type and mutant metavinculin tail domains, and also examined differences in binding characteristics among known ligands. Structural studies indicated that the mutations do not induce large conformational changes on the metavinculin tail, though they may result in reduced exposed hydrophobic surface, and the R975W mutant was found to show slightly decreased thermal stability. Interactions of wild-type and mutant proteins with the vinculin head, acidic phospholipids, EVH1, and actin were shown to be similar. In addition, viscometric analysis indicated a synergistic effect of vinculin-metavinculin heterodimerization on filamentous actin network formation

CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO METAVINCULIN MUTATIONS

Vinculin is a cytoskeletal protein which localizes to adherens junctions that occur between adjoining cells. A muscle-specific splice variant metavinculin is identical in sequence to vinculin with the exception of a 68-residue insert within its C-terminal domain. Two mutations (R975W and L954del) within this insert have been associated with the onset of dilated cardiomyopathy. This study investigated structural differences among the wild-type and mutant metavinculin tail domains, and also examined differences in binding characteristics among known ligands. Structural studies indicated that the mutations do not induce large conformational changes on the metavinculin tail, though they may result in reduced exposed hydrophobie surface, and the R975W mutant was found to show slightly decreased thermal stability. Interactions of wild-type and mutant proteins with the vinculin head, acidic phospholipids, EVH1, and actin were shown to be similar. In addition, viscometric analysis indicated a synergistic effect of vinculin-metavinculin heterodimerization on filamentous actin network formatio

Integrating the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives to more comprehensively understand wellbeing and pathways to wellbeing

Recently, the disagreement that separates hedonic from eudaimonic philosophers has spread to the science of wellbeing. This has resulted in two opposing perspectives regarding both wellbeing concepts and proposed pathways to wellbeing. Whilst contention continues, most contemporary psychologists now agree that hedonic and eudaimonic approaches each denote important aspects of wellbeing. This has led to integrated wellbeing conceptualisations, in which the combined presence of hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing components is referred to as &lsquo;flourishing&rsquo;. In regard to the attainment of wellbeing, research simultaneously investigating hedonic and eudaimonic pathways suggests that a life rich in both types of pursuits is associated with the highest degree of wellbeing. Despite this assertion, previously underemphasised methodological limitations question the validity of such claims. To further progress this important area of investigation, future research directions to ameliorate said limitations are explored. It is recommended that the past tendency to contrast and compare hedonia and eudaimonia be abandoned, and instead that the inherent value of both be recognised. Time-use research methods are needed to cross-validate past findings obtained from cross-sectional research, which will make it possible to transition from purely descriptive conclusions to applied conclusions.<br /

Integrating the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives to more comprehensively understand wellbeing and pathways to wellbeing

Recently, the disagreement that separates hedonic from eudaimonic philosophers has spread to the science of wellbeing. This has resulted in two opposing perspectives regarding both wellbeing concepts and proposed pathways to wellbeing. Whilst contention continues, most contemporary psychologists now agree that hedonic and eudaimonic approaches each denote important aspects of wellbeing. This has led to integrated wellbeing conceptualisations, in which the combined presence of hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing components is referred to as ‘flourishing’. In regard to the attainment of wellbeing, research simultaneously investigating hedonic and eudaimonic pathways suggests that a life rich in both types of pursuits is associated with the highest degree of wellbeing. Despite this assertion, previously underemphasised methodological limitations question the validity of such claims. To further progress this important area of investigation, future research directions to ameliorate said limitations are explored. It is recommended that the past tendency to contrast and compare hedonia and eudaimonia be abandoned, and instead that the inherent value of both be recognised. Time-use research methods are needed to cross-validate past findings obtained from cross-sectional research, which will make it possible to transition from purely descriptive conclusions to applied conclusions

Investigating Ionic Effects Applied to Water Based Organocatalysed Aldol Reactions

Saturated aqueous solutions of various common salts were examined for their effect on aqueous aldol reactions catalysted by a highly active C2-symmetric diprolinamide organocatalyst developed in our laboratory. With respect to the aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, deionised water was always a superior medium to salt solutions though some correlation to increasing anion size and depression in enantiomeric excess could be observed. Additionally, the complete inhibition of catalyst activity observed when employing tap water could be alleviated by the inclusion of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) into the aqueous media prior to reaction initiation. Extension of these reaction conditions demonstrated that these ionic effects vary on a case-to-case basis depending on the ketone/aldehyde combination

Heaven and moral perfection

Traditionally, the Christian doctrine of heaven has implied that the human agents that exist there will be exceptionally moral. More than this, there appears to be a consensus that heavenly agents are so morally upright as to be considered morally perfect. However, there has been some kickback to this idea of moral perfection, and whether it is a possibility for contingently existing agents. The primary goal of this thesis is to defend the view that moral perfection in heaven is possible if understood from an Aristotelian or neo-Aristotelian virtue account. My secondary goals are to show that the process of perfecting agents requires some form of temporal extension, does not require a traditional form of character development to maintain the agent’s free will, and allows for the possibility of moral growth after the status of perfection has been attained