36 research outputs found
First Impressions of HIV Risk: It Takes Only Milliseconds to Scan a Stranger
Research indicates that many people do not use condoms consistently but instead rely on intuition to identify sexual partners high at risk for HIV infection. The present studies examined neural correlates for first impressions of HIV risk and determined the association of perceived HIV risk with other trait characteristics. Participants were presented with 120 self-portraits retrieved from a popular online photo-sharing community (www.flickr.com). Factor analysis of various explicit ratings of trait characteristics yielded two orthogonal factors: (1) a ‘valence-approach’ factor encompassing perceived attractiveness, healthiness, valence, and approach tendencies, and (2) a ‘safeness’ factor, entailing judgments of HIV risk, trustworthiness, and responsibility. These findings suggest that HIV risk ratings systematically relate to cardinal features of a high-risk HIV stereotype. Furthermore, event-related brain potential recordings revealed neural correlates of first impressions about HIV risk. Target persons perceived as risky elicited a differential brain response in a time window from 220–340 ms and an increased late positive potential in a time window from 350–700 ms compared to those perceived as safe. These data suggest that impressions about HIV risk can be formed in a split second and despite a lack of information about the actual risk profile. Findings of neural correlates of risk impressions and their relationship to key features of the HIV risk stereotype are discussed in the context of the ‘risk as feelings’ theory
Brief Report: Theatre as Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The pilot investigation evaluated a theatrical intervention program, Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology (SENSE) Theatre, designed to improve socioemotional functioning and reduce stress in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eight children with ASD were paired with typically developing peers that served as expert models. Neuropsychological, biological (cortisol and oxytocin), and behavioral measures were assessed in a pretest–posttest design. The intervention was embedded in a full musical theatrical production. Participants showed some improvement in face identification and theory of mind skills. The intervention shows potential promise in improving the socioemotional functioning in children with ASD through the utilization of peers, video and behavioral modeling, and a community-based theatrical setting
Perinatal outcomes in women over 40 years of age compared to those of other gestations
Intra annual seed production and availability of two morphotypes of Brosimum rubescens taubert in forests of the Colombian Amazon
A80G polymorphism of reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1) and C776G polymorphism of transcobalamin 2 (TC2) genes in Down's syndrome etiology
Comparing oxytocin and cortisol regulation in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, hydrocortisone challenge pilot study in children with autism and typical development
Tiptoeing between restoration and invasion: seed rain into natural gaps within a highly invaded relic forest in the Azores
The last remains of native laurel forest in the
Azores are highly threatened by the spread of invasive
plants. Because landslides are very frequent in these
islands, conservation of native laurel forest requires
knowledge of the patterns of bird-dispersed seed rain into
forest gaps. We monitored 78 seed traps over 1 year to
investigate (1) the role of perches in attracting avian dispersers
into gaps, (2) temporal patterns in the dispersal of
exotic and native seeds, (3) how seed rain affects vegetation
establishment in gaps at different distances from the
native forest and (4) whether the caloric content of fruits
could explain the number of seeds dispersed. Perches were
highly effective in concentrating avian seed dispersal.
While some native fruits are produced all year-round, most
exotic plants set fruits during the main peak of the native
fruit production (August–November). Most seeds recovered
from the traps were native, and native seed rain inside
the native forest was higher than in gaps. However,
deposition of exotic seeds was not affected by distance
from native forest. Seed dispersal frequencies monitored by
seed traps and by faecal analysis were correlated with each
other, but not with fruit caloric content, suggesting that
other factors are more important that the nutritional value
in predicting avian fruit choice. Forest restoration activities
should take into consideration that seed dispersal decreases
sharply beyond 100 m from native forest and the attractive
potential of perches to direct natural seed dispersal into
forest gaps