Mind Perception: Real but Not Artificial Faces Sustain Neural Activity beyond the N170/VPP

Faces are visual objects that hold special significance as the icons of other minds. Previous researchers using event-related potentials (ERPs) have found that faces are uniquely associated with an increased N170/vertex positive potential (VPP) and a more sustained frontal positivity. Here, we examined the processing of faces as objects vs. faces as cues to minds by contrasting images of faces possessing minds (human faces), faces lacking minds (doll faces), and non-face objects (i.e., clocks). Although both doll and human faces were associated with an increased N170/VPP from 175–200 ms following stimulus onset, only human faces were associated with a sustained positivity beyond 400 ms. Our data suggest that the N170/VPP reflects the object-based processing of faces, whether of dolls or humans; on the other hand, the later positivity appears to uniquely index the processing of human faces—which are more salient and convey information about identity and the presence of other minds

Early Ultraviolet Observations of Type IIn Supernovae Constrain the Asphericity of Their Circumstellar Material

We present a survey of the early evolution of 12 Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) at ultraviolet and visible light wavelengths. We use this survey to constrain the geometry of the circumstellar material (CSM) surrounding SN IIn explosions, which may shed light on their progenitor diversity. In order to distinguish between aspherical and spherical CSM, we estimate the blackbody radius temporal evolution of the SNe IIn of our sample, following the method introduced by Soumagnac et al. We find that higher-luminosity objects tend to show evidence for aspherical CSM. Depending on whether this correlation is due to physical reasons or to some selection bias, we derive a lower limit between 35% and 66% for the fraction of SNe IIn showing evidence for aspherical CSM. This result suggests that asphericity of the CSM surrounding SNe IIn is common—consistent with data from resolved images of stars undergoing considerable mass loss. It should be taken into account for more realistic modeling of these events

Is the interaction between HIF1A P582S and ACTN3 R577X determinant for power/sprint performance?

Favorable genetic endowment together with environmental factors seems to be necessary for attaining the highest level of athletic performance. Although sprint performance is likely a polygenic trait, only a few single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely, ACTN3 R577X [1-4], ACE I/D [5-7], and, more recently, eNOS −786 T/C [8] and IL-6 −174G/C [9], were found to be associated with sprint performance

Do PPARGC1A and PPAR alpha polymorphisms influence sprint or endurance phenotypes?

The aim of this study was to determine their frequency distribution among 155 Israeli athletes (endurance athletes and sprinters) and 240 healthy controls. Results showed that there was a significant difference in PPARGC1A Ser482Gly polymorphism genotype frequencies between endurance athletes and sprinters (P50.005) as well as between endurance athletes and controls (P50.0003). However, the sprinters’ genotype and allele frequencies were similar to that of the control group. A significantly lower proportion of PPARGC1A Ser482 allele (0.25) was noted for the endurance athletes compared with controls (0.43, P50.0001). Endurance athletes showed a trend of a higher yet a not significant proportion of the PPAR alpha GG genotype compared with sprinters (P50.051). As we compared between the subgroups of top-level endurance athletes and top-level sprinters, as well as between those of top-level and national-level endurance athletes, we reached more prominent results. In conclusion, our data indicate that a lower frequency of the Ser482 allele and possibly a higher frequency of the GG genotype are associated with increased endurance performance ability

Effects of Exercise and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) on Aortic Stiffness in the Elderly

Senescence is a complex process involving many variables including genetics, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases, the interaction of which significantly influences the manner in which we age (2). In particular, hypertension and genes of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have been associated with functional and structural changes of the large arteries, which are thought to contribute to age-related increases in the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Despite mounting evidence implicating sedentary behavior as a significant risk factor in chronic-disease morbidity and mortality among the elderly, there is a limited amount of information on the role of exercise in promoting optimal health and function in older people (27). The purpose of the present review is to discuss the effects of exercise training and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) on aortic stiffness in the elderly

Effects of Exercise and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) on Aortic Stiffness in the Elderly

Senescence is a complex process involving many variables including genetics, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases, the interaction of which significantly influences the manner in which we age (2). In particular, hypertension and genes of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have been associated with functional and structural changes of the large arteries, which are thought to contribute to age-related increases in the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Despite mounting evidence implicating sedentary behavior as a significant risk factor in chronic-disease morbidity and mortality among the elderly, there is a limited amount of information on the role of exercise in promoting optimal health and function in older people (27). The purpose of the present review is to discuss the effects of exercise training and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) on aortic stiffness in the elderly

IGF-I AND FGF-2 RESPONSES TO WINGATE ANAEROBIC TEST IN OLDER MEN

Reduced activity of the potent anabolic effectors: insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), play a role in aging associated muscle loss. The effect of fitness level on IGF-I and FGF-2 responses to all-out anaerobic exercise in older men was studied. Twenty four healthy older males: 12 higher fit (58 ± 1y) and 12 lower fit (59 ± 1y) underwent the Wingate anaerobic test. Serum levels of IGF-I and FGF-2 were measured before, immediately after exercise, and 50 min into recovery. Immediately post exercise, the average peak power output and serum lactate were higher (p < 0.05) in the higher fit (446.0 ± 14. 9 kgm·min-1 for mean (± SD) peak power and 12.6 ± 1.1 mml·l-1 for lactate) compared with the lower fit individuals (284.0 ± 6.5 kgm·min-1 and 8.5 ± 0.7 mml·l-1, respectively). Pre-exercise IGF-I was lower and FGF-2 was higher in the higher fit (335.0 ± 54.0 ng·ml-1 and 1.6 ± 0.1 ng·ml-1, respectively) compared with lower fit individuals (402.0 ± 50.0 ng·ml-1 and 1.4 ± 0.2 ng·ml-1, respectively). Following the anaerobic exercise, in both groups, FGF-2 decreased dramatically (p < 0.05); in the higher fit individuals FGF-2 level was 0.4 ± 0.1 pg·ml-1 compared to 0.1 ± 0.02 pg·ml-1 in the lower fit individuals. In contrast to FGF-2, IGF-I increased transiently to levels of 405.0 ± 62.0 ng·ml-1 in the higher fit individuals and to levels of 436 ± 57.0 ng·ml-1 in the lower fit individuals. However, the IGF-I elevation was significant (p < 0. 05) only in the higher fit individuals. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that during aging, fitness level can alter circulating levels of IGF-I and FGF-2. Furthermore, fitness level can affect the response of both mediators to all-out anaerobic exercise