Affective Forecasting and Self-Control: Why Anticipating Pride Wins Over Anticipating Shame in a Self-Regulation Context

We demonstrate that anticipating pride from resisting temptation facilitates self-control due to an enhanced focus on the self while anticipating shame from giving in to temptation results in self-control failure due to a focus on the tempting stimulus. In two studies we demonstrate the effects of anticipating pride (vs. shame) on self-control thoughts and behavior over time (Studies 1 and 2) and illustrate the process mechanism of self vs. stimulus focus underlying the differential influence of these emotions on self-control (Study 2). We present thought protocols, behavioral data (quantity consumed) and observational data (number/size of bites) to support our hypotheses

Predicting our own and others’ future preferences: The role of social distance

People underestimate how much their preferences will change in the future, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as a “presentism bias.” Recently, we found that this presentism bias is attenuated when thinking about the preferences of other people. The aim of this study was to investigate whether predicting future preferences also differs depending on the level of social distance between self and other. A total of 67 participants completed a perspective-taking task in which they were required to think about their own preferences, those of a generic peer, and those of a close other both now and in the future. They were also asked to consider the preferences of an older adult now. Participants predicted less change between their current and future preferences than between the current and future preferences of a generic peer. Predicted change in preferences for a close other were similar, but not identical, to those made for the self. When considering relevant future preferences, participants predicted less change for themselves than for their close others and less change for close others than for generic peers. In other words, as social distance increases, the presentism bias decreases. Interestingly, participants estimated that both they and their peers would not change so much that they become similar to current older adults. Simulating the future perspectives of a generic peer or, even better, the current perspectives of an older adult may thus result in improved long-term decision-making, as it may enable a more realistic estimation of the magnitude of likely changes in the future

Taking a shine to it: How the preference for glossy stems from an innate need for water ☆ , ☆☆

Abstract Human beings are attracted to glossy objects. However, the investigation of whether this preference for glossy is a systematic bias, and the rationale for why, has received little or no attention. Drawing on an evolutionary psychology framework, we propose and test the hypothesis that the preference for glossy stems from an innate preference for fresh water as a valuable resource. In a set of six studies we demonstrate the preference for glossy among both adults and young children (studies 1A, 1B and 2) ruling out a socialization explanation, investigate the hypothesis that the preference for glossy stems from an innate need for water as a resource (studies 3 and 5) and, in addition, rule out the more superficial account of glossy = pretty (study 4). The interplay between the different perspectives, implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed

Ionic liquids and organic ionic plastic crystals utilizing small phosphonium cations

The development of new liquid and solid state electrolytes is paramount for the advancement of electrochemical devices such as lithium batteries and solar cells. Ionic liquids have shown great promise in both these applications. Here we demonstrate the use of phosphonium cations with small alkyl chain substituents, in combination with a range of different anions, to produce a variety of new halide free ionic liquids that are fluid, conductive and with sufficient thermal stability for a range of electrochemical applications. Walden plot analysis of the new phosphonium ionic liquids shows that these can be classed as &quot;good&quot; ionic liquids, with low degrees of ion pairing and/or aggregation, and the lithium deposition and stripping from one of these ionic liquids has been demonstrated. Furthermore, for the first time phosphonium cations have been used to form a range of organic ionic plastic crystals. These materials can show significant ionic conductivity in the solid state and thus are of great interest as potential solid-state electrolyte materials. <br /

Addition of adult-to-adult living donation to liver transplant programs improves survival but at an increased cost

Using outcomes data from the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis exploring the costs and benefits of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A multistage Markov decision analysis model was developed with treatment, including medical management only (strategy 1), waiting list with possible deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT; strategy 2), and waiting list with possible LDLT or DDLT (strategy 3) over 10 years. Decompensated cirrhosis with medical management offered survival of 2.0 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) while costing an average of $65,068, waiting list with possible DDLT offered 4.4-QALY survival and a mean cost of$151,613, and waiting list with possible DDLT or LDLT offered 4.9-QALY survival and a mean cost of $208,149. Strategy 2 had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of$35,976 over strategy 1, whereas strategy 3 produced an ICER of $106,788 over strategy 2. On average, strategy 3 cost$47,693 more per QALY than strategy 1. Both DDLT and LDLT were cost-effective compared to medical management of cirrhosis over our 10-year study period. The addition of LDLT to a standard waiting list DDLT program is effective at improving recipient survival and preventing waiting list deaths but at a greater cost. Liver Transpl 15:148–162, 2009. © 2009 AASLD.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61905/1/21671_ftp.pd

Secondary mtDNA defects do not cause optic nerve dysfunction in a mouse model of dominant optic atrophy

purpose. The majority of patients with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA) harbor pathogenic OPA1 mutations and certain missense mutations, mostly within the GTPase domain, have recently been shown to cause multiple mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions in skeletal muscle. This raises the possibility that the optic neuropathy could be the result of secondary mtDNA defects accumulating within retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). To explore this hypothesis, the authors looked for evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in a mouse model of DOA and documented the visual and neurologic progression in aging mutant mice. methods. Visual function was assessed with a rotating optokinetic (OKN) drum at ages 13 and 18 months and neurologic phenotyping was performed using the primary SHIRPA screen at age 13 months, comparing mutant Opa1+/− mice with wild-type C57Bl/6 mice. The presence of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency and multiple mtDNA deletions was investigated in gastrocnemius muscle and eye specimens harvested from 2- and 11-month-old Opa1+/+ and Opa1+/− mice. results. At age 13 months, Opa1+/− mice had a statistically significant reduction in OKN responses compared to C57Bl/6 controls with both 2° and 8° gratings (P < 0.001). At age 18 months, the difference between the two groups was significant for the 8° grating (P = 0.003) but not for the 2° grating (P = 0.082). Opa1+/− mice did not exhibit any significant neuromuscular deficits and no COX deficient areas or secondary mtDNA deletions were identified in skeletal muscle or the RGC layer. There was also no evidence of significant mtDNA depletion or proliferation in skeletal muscle from Opa1+/− mice. conclusions. COX deficiency and mtDNA abnormalities do not contribute to optic nerve dysfunction in pure DOA

Repositioning Antitubercular 6-Nitro-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazoles for Neglected Tropical Diseases: Structure-Activity Studies on a Preclinical Candidate for Visceral Leishmaniasis.

6-Nitro-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazole derivatives were initially studied for tuberculosis within a backup program for the clinical trial agent pretomanid (PA-824). Phenotypic screening of representative examples against kinetoplastid diseases unexpectedly led to the identification of DNDI-VL-2098 as a potential first-in-class drug candidate for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Additional work was then conducted to delineate its essential structural features, aiming to improve solubility and safety without compromising activity against VL. While the 4-nitroimidazole portion was specifically required, several modifications to the aryloxy side chain were well-tolerated e.g., exchange of the linking oxygen for nitrogen (or piperazine), biaryl extension, and replacement of phenyl rings by pyridine. Several less lipophilic analogues displayed improved aqueous solubility, particularly at low pH, although stability toward liver microsomes was highly variable. Upon evaluation in a mouse model of acute Leishmania donovani infection, one phenylpyridine derivative (37) stood out, providing efficacy surpassing that of the original preclinical lead

Constraints on the architecture of the HD 95086 planetary system with the Gemini Planet Imager

We present astrometric monitoring of the young exoplanet HD 95086 b obtained with the Gemini Planet Imager between 2013 and 2016. A small but significant position angle change is detected at constant separation; the orbital motion is confirmed with literature measurements. Efficient Monte Carlo techniques place preliminary constraints on the orbital parameters of HD 95086 b. With 68% confidence, a semimajor axis of 61.7^{+20.7}_{-8.4} au and an inclination of 153.0^{+9.7}_{-13.5} deg are favored, with eccentricity less than 0.21. Under the assumption of a co-planar planet-disk system, the periastron of HD 95086 b is beyond 51 au with 68% confidence. Therefore HD 95086 b cannot carve the entire gap inferred from the measured infrared excess in the SED of HD 95086. We use our sensitivity to additional planets to discuss specific scenarios presented in the literature to explain the geometry of the debris belts. We suggest that either two planets on moderately eccentric orbits or three to four planets with inhomogeneous masses and orbital properties are possible. The sensitivity to additional planetary companions within the observations presented in this study can be used to help further constrain future dynamical simulations of the planet-disk system.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ

A Study of the Diverse T Dwarf Population Revealed by WISE

We report the discovery of 87 new T dwarfs uncovered with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) and three brown dwarfs with extremely red near-infrared colors that exhibit characteristics of both L and T dwarfs. Two of the new T dwarfs are likely binaries with L7+/-1 primaries and mid-type T secondaries. In addition, our follow-up program has confirmed 10 previously identified T dwarfs and four photometrically-selected L and T dwarf candidates in the literature. This sample, along with the previous WISE discoveries, triples the number of known brown dwarfs with spectral types later than T5. Using the WISE All-Sky Source Catalog we present updated color-color and color-type diagrams for all the WISE-discovered T and Y dwarfs. Near-infrared spectra of the new discoveries are presented, along with spectral classifications. To accommodate later T dwarfs we have modified the integrated flux method of determining spectral indices to instead use the median flux. Furthermore, a newly defined J-narrow index differentiates the early-type Y dwarfs from late-type T dwarfs based on the J-band continuum slope. The K/J indices for this expanded sample show that 32% of late-type T dwarfs have suppressed K-band flux and are blue relative to the spectral standards, while only 11% are redder than the standards. Comparison of the Y/J and K/J index to models suggests diverse atmospheric conditions and supports the possible re-emergence of clouds after the L/T transition. We also discuss peculiar brown dwarfs and candidates that were found not to be substellar, including two Young Stellar Objects and two Active Galactic Nuclei. The coolest WISE-discovered brown dwarfs are the closest of their type and will remain the only sample of their kind for many years to come.Comment: Accepted to ApJS on 15 January 2013; 99 pages in preprint format, 30 figures, 12 table