Predictive context biases perceptual selection during binocular rivalry

Prediction may be a fundamental principle of sensory processing, such that the brain continuously generates predictions about forthcoming sensory information. However, little is known about how prediction contributes to the selection of a conscious percept from among competing alternatives. Here, we used binocular rivalry to investigate the effects of prediction on perceptual selection. In binocular rivalry, incompatible images presented to the two eyes result in a perceptual alternation between the images, even though the visual stimuli remain constant. If predictive signals influence the competition between neural representations of rivalrous images, this influence should generate a bias in perceptual selection that depends on predictive context. To manipulate predictive context, we developed a novel binocular rivalry paradigm in which orthogonal rivalrous test gratings were immediately preceded by rotating gratings presented identically to the two eyes. One of the rivalrous gratings had an orientation that was consistent with the preceding rotation direction (it was the expected next image in the series), and the other had an inconsistent orientation. We found that human observers were more likely to perceive the consistent grating, suggesting that predictive context biased selection in favor of the predicted percept. This prediction effect depended on only recent stimulus history, and it could be dissociated from another stimulus history effect related to orientation-specific adaptation. Since binocular rivalry between orthogonal gratings is thought to be resolved at an early stage of visual processing, these results suggest that predictive signals may exist at low levels of the visual processing hierarchy and that these signals can bias conscious perception. In the future, this paradigm could be used to test whether visual percepts are generated from the combination of prior information and incoming sensory information according to Bayesian principles

Which Generation Is Having Safe Sex? Millennial Or Gen-Z

ABSTRACT This research study aims to examine the sex practices of Millennials vs. Gen Z\u27s. There are many concerns and questions about the long-term effects of hook-up culture for modern youth. In the last few years, there has been a rise in STDs and a decrease in teenage pregnancy. This quantitative research intends to find out where are education gaps are and the most significant motivators for young people to use protection and contraceptives through a list of questions in a survey. The goal is to understand better the similarities and differences between Millenials and Gen-Z\u27s safe sex education and safe sex habits. The survey consisted of twenty questions about the participants\u27 safe sex education and safe sex practices; the questions were yes and no and multiple choice. The study participants were sixty percent Millennials and thirty percent Gen Z., Almost thirty percent of the participants described their gender as male. Sixty percent described their gender as female. There were significant findings that Gen Z was more likely to use two forms of contraception and protection against STDs during sex than Millennials. Millennials reported a higher percentage of unplanned pregnancies than Gen Z. Millennials registered a higher percentage of STDs history in their past. An interesting finding is that white participants were more likely than black participants to use condoms and other forms of protection. The current research shows higher incidents of new STDs among AA/ Black young adults, and there is a need for outreach and education targeting these populations

A Miscarriage of Justice: How Femtech Apps and Fog Data Evade Fourth Amendment Privacy Protections

After the fall of Roe v. Wade, states across the country have enacted extreme abortion bans. Anti-abortion states, emboldened by their new, unrestricted power to regulate women’s bodies, are only broadening the scope of abortion prosecutions. And modern technology provides law enforcement with unprecedented access to women’s most intimate information, including, for example, their menstrual cycle, weight, body temperature, sexual activity, mood, medications, and pregnancy details. Fourth Amendment law fails to protect this sensitive information stored on femtech apps from government searches. In a largely unregulated private market, femtech apps sell health and location data to third parties like Fog Data, who in turn sell this information to police departments. According to traditional interpretations of the third-party doctrine, all reasonable expectations of privacy are eliminated when app users click “accept” to obscure privacy policies. Instead, the Supreme Court should follow the trajectory of their recent decisions and treat modern surveillance techniques differently from traditional government searches. The Court must extend Carpenter’s reasoning to Fog Data because these services allow police to search billions of location data points and instantly discover personally identifying information. Congress can also strengthen privacy protections by adopting comprehensive bills that expand health privacy coverage and prevent the government from purchasing location data from private companies

COVID Pandemic changed my world but opened my heart

Student generated description: “My life during 2020 navigating online dating during a pandemic

"If We Don't Produce, Bring Another:" Work Organization and Tomato Worker Health.

Objectives: Specific work processes and management structures that contribute to high rates of occupational illness and injury in agricultural industries are not well described in academic literature. This qualitative study of work organization in the U.S. fresh tomato industry investigates how work processes and management structures impact tomato workers' occupational health. Methods: After conducting literature review and key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 36 individuals with experience working in the U.S. fresh tomato industry. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results: These data indicate that participants endured income insecurity and hazardous supervisory practices, including wage theft, retaliation, intimidation, and humiliation, that put them at risk of preventable illness and injury. Support from workers' organizations and health-conscious supervisory practices helped mitigate some of these occupational hazards. Conclusion: Participants' adverse work experiences may be considered sequelae of workers' lack of job control and positions of socioeconomic structural vulnerability. Other aspects of tomato work organization, including health-conscious supervisory practices and the involvement of workers' organizations, indicate that modifying work organization to better safeguard health is possible. Such modifications present compelling opportunities for employers, employees, organizations, community and government leaders, and health care professionals to help create healthier occupational environments for tomato workers

Predictive Context Influences Perceptual Selection during Binocular Rivalry

Prediction may be a fundamental principle of sensory processing: it has been proposed that the brain continuously generates predictions about forthcoming sensory information. However, little is known about how prediction contributes to the selection of a conscious percept from among competing alternatives. Here, we used binocular rivalry to investigate the effects of prediction on perceptual selection. In binocular rivalry, incompatible images presented to the two eyes result in a perceptual alternation between the images, even though the visual stimuli remain constant. If predictive signals influence the competition between neural representations of rivalrous images, this influence should generate a bias in perceptual selection that depends on predictive context. To manipulate predictive context, we developed a novel binocular rivalry paradigm in which rivalrous test images were immediately preceded by a sequence of context images presented identically to the two eyes. One of the test images was consistent with the preceding image sequence (it was the expected next image in the series), and the other was inconsistent (non-predicted). We found that human observers were more likely to perceive the consistent image at the onset of rivalry, suggesting that predictive context biased selection in favor of the predicted percept. This prediction effect was distinct from the effects of adaptation to stimuli presented before the binocular rivalry test. In addition, perceptual reports were speeded for predicted percepts relative to non-predicted percepts. These results suggest that predictive signals related to visual stimulus history exist at neural sites that can bias conscious perception during binocular rivalry. Our paradigm provides a new way to study how prior information and incoming sensory information combine to generate visual percepts

The Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Health Anxiety

The majority of Americans do not meet the current physical activity guidelines that were outlined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2008. Previous research on panic disorder and psychological constructs such as anxiety sensitivity and body vigilance indicate that individuals who experience health anxiety may be one group of people less likely to participate in physical activity, putting them at risk for a number of health issues. However, no research to date has specifically analyzed the relationship between health anxiety and physical activity levels. The present study investigated the relationship between health anxiety, psychological constructs involved in health anxiety, and physical activity. 438 undergraduate students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill completed an online survey through Qualtrics software in exchange for course credit. Anxiety sensitivity (ASI-3) and depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21) were both negatively correlated with all levels of physical activity (aerobic physical activity, resistance training, and gym use). Additionally, experiential avoidance (AAQ-II) was negatively correlated with gym use. Body vigilance (BVS) was not correlated with any measure of physical activity. Health anxiety (SHAI) and anxiety sensitivity (cognitive concerns subscale of ASI-3) emerged as unique predictors of decreased levels of aerobic physical activity. General distress (depression subscale of DASS-21) was a unique predictor of decreased levels of resistance training. Anxiety sensitivity (physical concerns subscale of ASI-3) was a unique predictor of decreased gym use. This research adds clarity to the relationship between psychological disorders/constructs and physical activity.Bachelor of Scienc

Evaluation of Several Genes as Targets for RNAi in German Cockroach

Citation: Wilkins, R. (2017). Evaluation of Several Genes as Targets for RNAi in German Cockroach . 1st Annual Undergraduate Research Experience in Entomology Symposium, November 16, 2016. Manhattam, KS.RNA interference (RNAi) was first discovered in nematodes when exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) complementary to a specific gene suppressed expression of that gene [1]. Subsequently, much effort has been devoted to developing RNAi as a highly specific tool for therapeutic interventions and control of insect pests [2]. However, there are still many challenges associated with using RNAi to control insects, including efficient delivery and selection of appropriate targets. In this study, we evaluated three genes as potential targets for causing mortality via RNAi in German cockroach, Blatella germanica. German cockroaches are ubiquitous structural pests that can serve as reservoirs for species of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or fungi in humans [3,4] and is an excellent organism for exploring insect control using RNAi. Injection of dsRNA complementary to either tubulin (Tub, a cytoskeletal structural protein), VATPase subunit 1 (Vha, an integral membrane protein), or Snf7 (an ESCRT III protein) caused decreased survival with Snf7 causing the greatest and fastest mortality (LT50 = 8.2 days). Our results demonstrate that when suppressed with RNAi, these genes could be effective targets for cockroach control. Furthermore, knowing these genes can be effectively used for RNAi, we can now attempt to understand why methods other than injection for RNAi delivery are less efficient in an effort to improve the utility of RNAi in insect control

Teaching the Tough Stuff: The Opportunities and Challenges in Teaching Implicit Bias, Diversity and Inclusion to Supervising Attorneys

We entrust supervising attorneys with the critical responsibility of providing law students with a meaningful experiential learning experience. Supervising attorneys ultimately control the nature of work students receive, the delivery of feedback, and the work environment that the student inhabits. Thus, it is vital that we equip our supervising attorneys with the basic skills necessary to navigate student supervision effectively. Among those basic skills is the ability to traverse the cross-cultural complexities inherent in working with students whose cultural identities may differ from the supervising attorney. Equally important are the cross-cultural issues that may arise among students and the clients and other persons with whom they interact during their externship. This session will discuss the significance in providing supervising training that focuses on diversity and implicit bias as it relates to students, supervision and the externship context. As externship faculty and staff, we have an integral role in ensuring that our supervising attorneys create a working environment for our students that is devoid of discrimination and bias. The standard “supervising attorney training” provides the ideal forum to introduce cultural diversity and implicit bias concepts to supervising attorneys. In such a setting, externship faculty and staff can train supervising attorneys in cross-cultural pedagogy, and expose practitioners to best practices regarding cultural complexities that may arise in student supervision. However, the forum is not without its challenges. Supervising attorney training sessions only allow a limited time to present such an essential, multifaceted issue. Additionally, supervisor training typically consists of a diverse group of attendees, with varying degrees of understanding of diversity and inclusion issues, and who may be uncomfortable delving into seemingly controversial cultural conversations with strangers. The co-presenters will share their experiences in planning and delivering such training, exploring the effectiveness of various methodologies