More than a feeling: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by reliable changes in affect and physiology

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) describes the experience of tingling sensations in the crown of the head, in response to a range of audio-visual triggers such as whispering, tapping, and hand movements. Public interest in ASMR has risen dramatically and ASMR experiencers watch ASMR videos to promote relaxation and sleep. Unlike ostensibly similar emotional experiences such as “aesthetic chills” from music and awe-inspiring scenarios, the psychological basis of ASMR has not yet been established. We present two studies (one large-scale online experiment; one laboratory study) that test the emotional and physiological correlates of the ASMR response. Both studies showed that watching ASMR videos increased pleasant affect only in people who experienced ASMR. Study 2 showed that ASMR was associated with reduced heart rate and increased skin conductance levels. Findings indicate that ASMR is a reliable and physiologically-rooted experience that may have therapeutic benefits for mental and physical health

Correction for Sormaz et al., Default mode network can support the level of detail in experience during active task states

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES Correction for “Default mode network can support the level of detail in experience during active task states,” by Mladen Sormaz, Charlotte Murphy, Hao-ting Wang, Mark Hymers, Theodoros Karapanagiotidis, Giulia Poerio, Daniel S. Margulies, Elizabeth Jefferies, and Jonathan Smallwood, which was first published August 27, 2018; 10.1073/pnas.1721259115 (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 115:9318–9323)

Redox activation of ATM enhances GSNOR translation to sustain mitophagy and tolerance to oxidative stress

The denitrosylase S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) has been suggested to sustain mitochondrial removal by autophagy (mitophagy), functionally linking S-nitrosylation to cell senescence and aging. In this study, we provide evidence that GSNOR is induced at the translational level in response to hydrogen peroxide and mitochondrial ROS. The use of selective pharmacological inhibitors and siRNA demonstrates that GSNOR induction is an event downstream of the redox-mediated activation of ATM, which in turn phosphorylates and activates CHK2 and p53 as intermediate players of this signaling cascade. The modulation of ATM/GSNOR axis, or the expression of a redox-insensitive ATM mutant influences cell sensitivity to nitrosative and oxidative stress, impairs mitophagy and affects cell survival. Remarkably, this interplay modulates T-cell activation, supporting the conclusion that GSNOR is a key molecular effector of the antioxidant function of ATM and providing new clues to comprehend the pleiotropic effects of ATM in the context of immune function

Genetic and environmental aetiologies of associations between dispositional mindfulness and ADHD traits: a population-based twin study

© The Author(s) 2019. To get additional insight into the phenotype of attentional problems, we examined to what extent genetic and environmental factors explain covariation between lack of dispositional mindfulness and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits in youth, and explored the incremental validity of these constructs in predicting life satisfaction. We used data from a UK population-representative sample of adolescent twins (N = 1092 pairs) on lack of dispositional mindfulness [Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)], ADHD traits [Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R): inattentive (INATT) and hyperactivity/impulsivity (HYP/IMP) symptom dimensions] and life satisfaction (Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale). Twin model fitting analyses were conducted. Phenotypic correlations (rp) between MAAS and CPRS-R (INATT: rp = 0.18, HYP/IMP: rp = 0.13) were small, but significant and largely explained by shared genes for INATT (% rp INATT–MAAS due to genes: 93%, genetic correlation rA = 0.37) and HYP/IMP (% rp HYP/IMP–MAAS due to genes: 81%; genetic correlation rA = 0.21) with no significant contribution of environmental factors. MAAS, INATT and HYP/IMP significantly and independently predicted life satisfaction. Lack of dispositional mindfulness, assessed as self-reported perceived lapses of attention (MAAS), taps into an aspect of attentional functioning that is phenotypically and genetically distinct from parent-rated ADHD traits. The clinically relevant incremental validity of both scales implicates that MAAS could be used to explore the underlying mechanisms of an aspect of attentional functioning that uniquely affects life satisfaction and is not captured by DSM-based ADHD scales. Further future research could identify if lack of dispositional mindfulness and high ADHD traits can be targeted by different therapeutic approaches resulting in different effects on life satisfactio

Two Step Concept for Low-Pressure Direct Hydrogen Injection

In this paper, a low-pressure hydrogen direct-injection solution is presented that entails low storage residual pressure (~12 bar). The injection is realised in two steps. First, hydrogen is simply metered by an electro-injector (a conventional one for Compressed Natural Gas - CNG application) that feeds a small intermediate chamber. Next, hydrogen enters the cylinder by means of a mechanically-actuated valve which allows higher flow than any electro-injector. Injection must end early enough to allow good charge homogeneity and, in any case, before incylinder pressure rise constraints hydrogen admission. Backfire is avoided by starting injection at intake valve closing. A prototype has been realised modifying a single-cylinder 650 cc production engine with three intake valves. The central one has been modified and properly timed to in-cylinder inject hydrogen from the intermediate chamber. Hydrogen injection through different-shape poppet valves in a quiescent, constant volume has been simulated in order to investigate the effects of valve and seat-valve geometries in controlling fuel-air mixing in the cylinder. Additional predictions for the actual engine configuration indicate that an acceptable fuel distribution can be obtained in the combustion chamber at the spark timing, with equivalence ratios in the ignition region that are inside the flammability range of the mixture for all the operating conditions (loads and speeds) that have been considered

Citric acid as co-adjuvant: improvement of the antioxidant activity of edible olive oils.

Changes in the oxidative stability of olive oil have been evaluated following several experimental trials for olive fruit processing. Oil samples were produced by a low scale mill under three different conditions: addition of saturated citric acid solution as a co-adjuvant, addition of whole fruits of lemon or bergamot. Citric acid solution added to the samples during malaxation significantly increased oxidative stability of oils. While olive paste milled with bergamots showed significantly higher antioxidant activity than the control sample, the addition of lemon fruits did not exert the same effect

Effect of olive freezing on phenolic content and oxidative stability of virgin olive oil

Several scientific works have highlighted that the phenolic fraction develops an important role in the conservation and, therefore, in the shelf-life of virgin olive oil (VOO). In this paper a temperature decreasing (-18\ub0C) of the raw material was evaluated by determining its effect on the phenolic compounds and on the oxidative stability of the derived VOO. A comparison between oil samples obtained from freezed olives (24 hours at -18\ub0C), crushed with (FS) and without (TOS) thawing out and compared with a control sample (CS) was carried out. The oxidative stability was studied by the peroxide value, a measure of the primary oxidative products, and the OSI (Oxidative Stability Instrument) time value, a measure of the secondary products, extrapolating (in hours) the end of induction period of oxidative process. The phenolic content was determined by both a spectrophotometric assay (Total Phenol, TP) and a high-performance liquid chromatographic method, by UV and mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-DAD-MSD). This latter allowed to quantify several single phenolic compounds, belonging to phenyl ethyl alcohols, lignans and secoiridoids, and the main o-diphenolic components, which are molecules provided with the highest antiradical power. The effect of olives pre-treatment was different for the two thesis considered (FS and TOS). Sample FS showed similar oxidative stability and the same phenolic activity and content with respect to the CS. On the contrary, sample TOS showed lower values of the same parameters

Evaluation of phenolic fraction in edible olive oils obtained by different technological systems

Virgin olive oil is well known for its content of phenolic compounds, that are thought to have health-promoting properties (Murkovic et al., 2004). The major phenolic compounds identified and quantified in olive oil belong to three different classes: simple phenols (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol), secoiridoids (aglycones of oleuropein and ligstroside and their respective dialdehydic derivatives) and lignans [(+)-1- acetoxypinoresinol and (+)-pinoresinol]. Several factors can influence the qualitative and quantitative presence of phenolic compounds in the oil. In fact, both agronomical choices, technological variables and storage factors may cause significant variations in terms of phenolic content (Cerretani et al., 2005). The antioxidant power of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil (VOO) has also been a subject of considerable interest, both for its chemoprotective effect in human health (Briante et al., 2001; Leenen et al., 2002; Caponio et., 2001) and because it is the most important factor in the high oxidative stability (shelf life) of VOO (Caponio et al., 2001., Baldioli et al., 1996). Virgin olive oil is well known for its content of phenolic compounds, that are thought to have health-promoting properties (Murkovic et al., 2004). The major phenolic compounds identified and quantified in olive oil belong to three different classes: simple phenols (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol), secoiridoids (aglycones of oleuropein and ligstroside and their respective dialdehydic derivatives) and lignans [(+)-1- acetoxypinoresinol and (+)-pinoresinol]. Several factors can influence the qualitative and quantitative presence of phenolic compounds in the oil. In fact, both agronomical choices, technological variables and storage factors may cause significant variations in terms of phenolic content (Cerretani et al., 2005). The antioxidant power of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil (VOO) has also been a subject of considerable interest, both for its chemoprotective effect in human health (Briante et al., 2001; Leenen et al., 2002; Caponio et., 2001) and because it is the most important factor in the high oxidative stability (shelf life) of VOO (Caponio et al., 2001., Baldioli et al., 1996). The antioxidant activity of VOO components has been related to the protection against important chronic and degenerative diseases such as coronary hearth diseases, ageing neurodegenerative diseases, and tumors of different localizations (Hodge et al., 2004). Besides mentioned preventive actions, in a recent paper (Beauchamp et al., 2005), it was been reported the anti-inflammatory action of a phenolic compound present in VOO (named oleocanthal). In particular, they have found that oleocanthal is both a potent non-streroidal anti-inflammatory agent (similar to ibuprofene), and a power antioxidant (similar to α-tocopherol). Moreover the phenolic compounds also contribute to organoleptic properties of VOOs and are commonly described as bitter and pungent (Gutierrez-Rosales et al., 1992; Gutierrez- Rosales et al., 2003). In recent studies it was observed a relationship between bitter and pungency sensory properties and ligstroside or aldehydic form of oleuropein aglycone content (Tovar et al., 2001)