Subliminal perception is continuous with conscious vision and can be predicted from prestimulus electroencephalographic activity

Individuals are able to discriminate visual stimuli they report not consciously seeing. This phenomenon is known as "subliminal perception." Such capacity is often assumed to be relatively automatic in nature and rely on stimulus-driven activity in low-level cortical areas. Instead, here we asked to what extent neural activity before stimulus presentation influences subliminal perception. We asked participants to discriminate the location of a briefly presented low-contrast visual stimulus and then rate how well they saw the stimulus. Consistent with previous studies, participants correctly discriminated with slightly above chance-level accuracy the location of a stimulus they reported not seeing. Signal detection analyses indicated that while subjects categorized their percepts as "unconscious," their capacity to discriminate these stimuli lay on the same continuum as conscious vision. We show that the accuracy of discriminating the location of a subliminal stimulus could be predicted with relatively high accuracy (AUC = 0.70) based on lateralized electroencephalographic (EEG) activity before the stimulus, the hemifield where the stimulus was presented, and the accuracy of previous trial's discrimination response. Altogether, our results suggest that rather than being a separate unconscious capacity, subliminal perception is based on similar processes as conscious vision.</p

Análise da propensão à lealdade, seus antecedentes e consequências em dois grupos culturais distintos

The present study analyzes the propensity for loyalty, its antecedents and consequences in two distinct cultural groups. For this purpose, a descriptive quantitative research was applied and it was operationalized through an experiment that measured individuals' propensity for loyalty, satisfaction, trust, word of mouth, and resistance to competition efforts in the context of international commercial flights. The countries were chosen based on the classification proposed by Hofstede, Hofstede and Minkov (2010), on the cultural dimension individualism. Thus, it was chosen a country with individualistic characteristics (United States) and a country with collectivist characteristics (Brazil). The analysis of the results was through the SPSS statistical program and descriptive and variance analyzes were performed. There were 185 valid cases distributed between the two countries (99 North Americans and 86 Brazilians). The results showed the greater propensity to loyalty of the Brazilians in comparison to the North Americans. However, Americans showed higher averages for satisfaction, trust, word of mouth, and resistance to competition efforts.O presente estudo analisa a propensão à lealdade, seus antecedentes e consequências em dois grupos culturais distintos. Para tal foi aplicada uma pesquisa quantitativa de caráter descritivo, que foi operacionalizada por meio de um experimento que mediu propensão de lealdade dos indivíduos, satisfação, confiança, marketing boca a boca e resistência aos esforços da concorrência, no contexto de voos comerciais internacionais. A escolha dos países foi baseada na classificação de países proposta por Hofstede, Hofstede e Minkov (2010), sobre a dimensão cultural individualismo. Para tanto, foi escolhido um país com perfil individualista (Estados Unidos) e um país com perfil coletivista (Brasil). Para análise dos resultados utilizou-se o programa estatístico SPSS e foram realizadas análises descritivas e de variância. Foram obtidos 185 casos válidos distribuídos entre os dois países (99 norte-americanos e 86 brasileiros). Os resultados apontaram a maior propensão à lealdade dos brasileiros em comparação aos norte-americanos. No entanto, os norte-americanos apresentaram médias mais altas com relação à satisfação, confiança, marketing boca a boca e resistência aos esforços da concorrência

The role of ankle plantar flexion in the monitoring of diabetic patients at risk of foot ulcer

Limited ankle joint mobility (AJM) is a major risk factor for ulcers and a useful parameter for monitoring the health of patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and usefulness of evaluating AJM for monitoring ulcerative risk. AJM in plantar (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) was evaluated in 99 patients with diabetes, type1/type2: 50/49, (58/41;M/F), and 59 healthy controls (32:27/M:F). Patients and controls were divided into 6 groups by age and neuropathy: 32 young patients (group YD), mean age 12.4±2.0 yr, 29 young controls (group YC), mean age 11.4 ± 3.3 yr, 38 elderly patients without neuropathy (group ED), mean age 58.5 ±10.3 yr, 15 neuropathic patients without history of foot ulcer (group ND), mean age 62.1 ± 7.9 yr, 14 neuropathic patients with history of foot ulcer (group NUD), mean age 64 ± 8.4 yrs, and 30 elderly healthy controls (group EC), mean age 60.3 ± 6.4 yr. AJM was evaluated by an inclinometer with the patient lying supine, the subtalar joint in neutral position and with the ankle in the position freely taken at the beginning. The knee, corresponding to the evaluated ankle, was extended and put over a rigid 5-cm high support. Diabetes duration was respectively: group YD 5.5 ± 3.5 yr, ED 16.5 ± 10.6 yr; ND 18.2 ± 13.1 yr and NUD 13.7 ± 9.6 yr. The NUD group showed a more significant AJM reduction in DF and PF than all other groups (p < 0.005). The reduction was 40.1% compared to the EC group and 46.9% compared to the YC group (78.1 ± 18.4 vs 147.2 ± 19.1, 130.4 ± 15.1). Only the DF was significantly reduced in the NUD group compared to the ED group (p < 0.001). The YD had more reduced AJM in both movements compared to the young controls (YC) (p < 0.001) with PF more reduced than DF (30.9% vs 15.5%). Among patients and controls the elderly groups had significant reduction of only DF (EC vs YC p < 0.001; ED vs YD p < 0.05). As in previous studies, these results confirm that an AJM reduction of about 40% (28-32) in patients with diabetic neuropathy can be considered as a threshold for ulcer risk. The method used permits direct evaluation of AJM in plantar flexion that seems to show an early reduction in diabetic subjects, thereby providing useful information for patient monitoring

The effect of caffeine supplementation on exercise performance evaluated by a novel animal model

Introduction: Caffeinated drinks are used for improve performance. Animal models represent investigational strategy that circumvents most of the drawbacks of research in humans, including motivational factors and the placebo effect. No animal model that could test whether different forms of administering caffeine affect exercise propensity was found in the literature. Methods: An animal model of grouped voluntary exercise was tested. Two-month-old male C57/bl mice were housed in a cage fitted with one running wheel and a monitoring system. Six animals per cage were introduced individually. To assess the sensitivity of the model, the effect of different caffeinated drinks was observed in mice exercising ad libitum. During 2 days, the mice received: 1) pure anhydrous caffeine 0.125 mg/mL (PC), 2) cola drink (CC), and 3) caffeine-taurine-glucuronolactone drink (CTG), intercalating wash-out periods of 2 days, receiving pure water. Results: The distance run during the periods of water ingestion was significantly lower than during the periods of stimulant drinks ingestion: PC (5.6 ± 1.3 km; p = 0.02), of CC ingestion (7.6 ± 0.6 km; p = 0.001), and of CTG ingestion (8.3 ± 1.6 km; p = 0.009). The performances when ingesting the three caffeinated drinks do not follow a dose-response curve. Conclusions: The model described here was able to measure the effect of caffeine intake on voluntary exercise of mice. The sensitivity of the model to the effect of caffeine needs to be further validated. The action of each component of the drinks on exercise performance needs to be clarified in future research. The present model is adequate for such investigation

The effect of caffeine supplementation on exercise performance evaluated by a novel animal model

Introduction: Caffeinated drinks are used for improve performance. Animal models represent investigational strategy that circumvents most of the drawbacks of research in humans, including motivational factors and the placebo effect. No animal model that could test whether different forms of administering caffeine affect exercise propensity was found in the literature. Methods: An animal model of grouped voluntary exercise was tested. Two-month-old male C57/bl mice were housed in a cage fitted with one running wheel and a monitoring system. Six animals per cage were introduced individually. To assess the sensitivity of the model, the effect of different caffeinated drinks was observed in mice exercising ad libitum. During 2 days, the mice received: 1) pure anhydrous caffeine 0.125 mg/mL (PC), 2) cola drink (CC), and 3) caffeine-taurine-glucuronolactone drink (CTG), intercalating wash-out periods of 2 days, receiving pure water. Results: The distance run during the periods of water ingestion was significantly lower than during the periods of stimulant drinks ingestion: PC (5.6±1.3 km; p = 0.02), of CC ingestion (7.6±0.6 km; p = 0.001), and of CTG ingestion (8.3±1.6 km; p = 0.009). The performances when ingesting the three caffeinated drinks do not follow a dose-response curve. Conclusions: The model described here was able to measure the effect of caffeine intake on voluntary exercise of mice. The sensitivity of the model to the effect of caffeine needs to be further validated. The action of each component of the drinks on exercise performance needs to be clarified in future research. The present model is adequate for such investigation. Key words: Exercise; caffeine; energy drinks; runnin

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p &lt; 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p &lt; 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p &lt; 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p &lt; 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p &lt; 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Habitus e agricultores-assentados: um estudo de caso no assentamento Ceres, RS

(Habitus e agricultores-assentados: um estudo de caso no assentamento Ceres-RS). Neste artigo analisam-se as lógicas socioculturais de agricultores-assentados constituídas ao longo de suas trajetórias sociais e exteriorizadas nas e pelas estratégias de reprodução social quando em assentamento. Identificam-se as condições de produção cultural relacionadas com as posições sociais de origem dos agricultores e analisa-se como esses indivíduos interagem frente aos eventos inusitados do acampamento e assentamento. O texto conclui que as condições diferenciadas para alcançar a posição de agricultor parcelar e os diferentes habitus resultantes de suas trajetórias sociais são fatores importantes para desvendar as diferenciações socioeconômicas entre agricultores-assentados

A agroecologia nas trajetórias sociais de agricultoresassentados na Granja menina dos olhos dos sem-terra: o caso do Assentamento Ceres, RS

Este trabalho procura elucidar a incorporação da agroecologia nas estratégias produtivas de agricultores-assentados do Assentamento Ceres/RS a partir da análise de suas trajetórias sociais. As reações às experiências do período de luta pela terra proporcionaram determinados comportamentos que estimularam a participação em cursos de agroecologia durante essa fase de suas vidas. No estabelecimento das estratégias produtivas em Assentamento emergiram situações de tensão com a monocultura da soja, que caracterizava os cultivos na região onde essa área reformada está localizada. Sugere-se que a agroecologia está associada mais como uma possibilidade de arranjos produtivos do que com um modo de vida

AS MÍDIAS E A GESTÃO DE RELACIONAMENTO EM VINÍCOLAS: UM ESTUDO DE MÚLTIPLOS CASOS

A partir da revolução causada com o surgimento da web 2.0 e a mudança de comportamento dos novos consumidores, que passam a ser os protagonistas na disseminação de informações e influenciam na decisão de compra de outros usuários, surge a necessidade das empresas adaptarem-se ao ambiente virtual, com intuito de buscar novos clientes e de melhor atendê-los. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o posicionamento de quatro empresas do setor vinícola brasileiro, chileno e argentino nos sites de redes sociais Facebook, Twitter e Youtube. Além disso, buscar encontrar semelhanças e diferenças entre a atuação destas vinícolas, para entender seus objetivos e a forma como agem. A inserção das empresas Vinícola Alfa, Vinhos Beta, Gama Winery e Bodegas Sigma nos sites de redes sociais foram analisadas através de uma pesquisa qualitativa, a partir de entrevistas com os responsáveis pelas mídias sociais das empresas e a triangulação com dados secundários obtidos nos sites oficiais das empresas e nas redes sociais online das empresas estudadas, aplicando o método de análise de conteúdo. Foi constatado que as empresas, embora estejam presentes nos mesmos ambientes de mídias sociais, utilizam estratégias distintas de atuação online e estão obtendo bons e crescentes resultados.</p

Subliminal perception is continuous with conscious vision and can be predicted from prestimulus electroencephalographic activity

AbstractIndividuals are able to discriminate visual stimuli they report not consciously seeing. This phenomenon is known as "subliminal perception." Such capacity is often assumed to be relatively automatic in nature and rely on stimulus‐driven activity in low‐level cortical areas. Instead, here we asked to what extent neural activity before stimulus presentation influences subliminal perception. We asked participants to discriminate the location of a briefly presented low‐contrast visual stimulus and then rate how well they saw the stimulus. Consistent with previous studies, participants correctly discriminated with slightly above chance‐level accuracy the location of a stimulus they reported not seeing. Signal detection analyses indicated that while subjects categorized their percepts as "unconscious," their capacity to discriminate these stimuli lay on the same continuum as conscious vision. We show that the accuracy of discriminating the location of a subliminal stimulus could be predicted with relatively high accuracy (AUC = 0.70) based on lateralized electroencephalographic (EEG) activity before the stimulus, the hemifield where the stimulus was presented, and the accuracy of previous trial's discrimination response. Altogether, our results suggest that rather than being a separate unconscious capacity, subliminal perception is based on similar processes as conscious vision