Visual distortion of body size modulates pain perception

Pain is a complex subjective experience, that can be shaped by several cognitive, psychological and even contextual variables. For example, simply viewing the body reduces the reported intensity of acute physical pain. We investigated whether this visually induced analgesia can be modulated by the visually depicted size of the stimulated body part. We measured contact heat-pain thresholds, while participants viewed either their own hand or a neutral object, at real size, enlarged, or reduced. Vision of the body was analgesic, increasing heat-pain thresholds by ~ 4°C. Importantly, enlargement of the viewed hand enhanced this analgesia, while looking at a reduced hand decreased it. These results demonstrate that visual distortions of body size modulate sensory components of pain, and reveal a clear functional relation between the perception of pain and the representation of the body

Specificity and coherence of body representations

Bodily illusions differently affect body representations underlying perception and action. We investigated whether this task dependence reflects two distinct dimensions of embodiment: the sense of agency and the sense of the body as a coherent whole. In experiment 1 the sense of agency was manipulated by comparing active versus passive movements during the induction phase in a video rubber hand illusion (vRHI) setup. After induction, proprioceptive biases were measured both by perceptual judgments of hand position, as well as by measuring end-point accuracy of subjects' active pointing movements to an external object with the affected hand. The results showed, first, that the vRHI is largely perceptual: passive perceptual localisation judgments were altered, but end-point accuracy of active pointing responses with the affected hand to an external object was unaffected. Second, within the perceptual judgments, there was a novel congruence effect, such that perceptual biases were larger following passive induction of vRHI than following active induction. There was a trend for the converse effect for pointing responses, with larger pointing bias following active induction. In experiment 2, we used the traditional RHI to investigate the coherence of body representation by synchronous stimulation of either matching or mismatching fingers on the rubber hand and the participant's own hand. Stimulation of matching fingers induced a local proprioceptive bias for only the stimulated finger, but did not affect the perceived shape of the hand as a whole. In contrast, stimulation of spatially mismatching fingers eliminated the RHI entirely. The present results show that (i) the sense of agency during illusion induction has specific effects, depending on whether we represent our body for perception or to guide action, and (ii) representations of specific body parts can be altered without affecting perception of the spatial configuration of the body as a whole

Small-scale patterning methods for digital image correlation under scanning electron microscopy

Digital image correlation (DIC) is a powerful, length-scale-independent methodology for examining full-field surface deformations. Recently, it has become possible to combine DIC with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enabling the investigation of small-scale deformation mechanisms such as the strains accommodated within grains in polycrystalline metals, or around micro-scale constituents in composite materials. However, there exist significant challenges that need to be surmounted before the combination of DIC and SEM (here termed SEM-DIC) can be fully exploited. One of the primary challenges is the ability to pattern specimens at microstructural length scales with a random, isotropic and high contrast pattern needed for DIC. This paper provides a thorough survey of small-scale patterning methods for SEM-DIC and discusses their advantages and disadvantages for different applications.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90784/1/0957-0233_22_12_125501.pd

One-step deposition of nano-to-micron-scalable, high-quality digital image correlation patterns for high-strain in-situ multi-microscopy testing

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is of vital importance in the field of experimental mechanics, yet, producing suitable DIC patterns for demanding in-situ mechanical tests remains challenging, especially for ultra-fine patterns, despite the large number of patterning techniques in the literature. Therefore, we propose a simple, flexible, one-step technique (only requiring a conventional deposition machine) to obtain scalable, high-quality, robust DIC patterns, suitable for a range of microscopic techniques, by deposition of a low melting temperature solder alloy in so-called 'island growth' mode, without elevating the substrate temperature. Proof of principle is shown by (near-)room-temperature deposition of InSn patterns, yielding highly dense, homogeneous DIC patterns over large areas with a feature size that can be tuned from as small as 10nm to 2um and with control over the feature shape and density by changing the deposition parameters. Pattern optimization, in terms of feature size, density, and contrast, is demonstrated for imaging with atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy and profilometry. Moreover, the performance of the InSn DIC patterns and their robustness to large deformations is validated in two challenging case studies of in-situ micro-mechanical testing: (i) self-adaptive isogeometric digital height correlation of optical surface height profiles of a coarse, bimodal InSn pattern providing microscopic 3D deformation fields (illustrated for delamination of aluminum interconnects on a polyimide substrate) and (ii) DIC on SEM images of a much finer InSn pattern allowing quantification of high strains near fracture locations (illustrated for rupture of a Fe foil). As such, the high controllability, performance and scalability of the DIC patterns offers a promising step towards more routine DIC-based in-situ micro-mechanical testing.Comment: Accepted for publication in Strai

Cooling the Thermal Grill Illusion through Self-Touch

Acute peripheral pain is reduced by multisensory interactions at the spinal level. Central pain is reduced by reorganization of cortical body representations. We show here that acute pain can also be reduced by multisensory integration through self-touch, which provides proprioceptive, thermal, and tactile input forming a coherent body representation. We combined self-touch with the thermal grill illusion (TGI). In the traditional TGI, participants press their fingers on two warm objects surrounding one cool object. The warm surround unmasks pain pathways, which paradoxically causes the cool object to feel painfully hot. Here, we warmed the index and ring fingers of each hand while cooling the middle fingers. Immediately after, these three fingers of the right hand were touched against the same three fingers on the left hand. This self-touch caused a dramatic 64% reduction in perceived heat. We show that this paradoxical release from paradoxical heat cannot be explained by low-level touch-temperature interactions alone. To reduce pain, we often clutch a painful hand with the other hand. We show here that self-touch not only gates pain signals reaching the brain but also, via multisensory integration, increases coherence of cognitive body representations to which pain afferents project

Титульні сторінки та зміст

It has recently been shown that contact between one’s own limbs (self-touch) reduces the perceived intensity of pain, over and above the well-known modulation of pain by simultaneous colocalized tactile input Kammers et al. (Curr Biol 20:1819–1822, 2010). Here, we investigate how self-touch modulates somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) evoked by afferent somatosensory input. We show that the P100 SEP component, which has previously been implicated in the conscious perception of a tactile stimulus, is enhanced during self-touch, as compared to when one is touching nothing, an inanimate object, or another person. A follow-up experiment showed that there was no effect of self-touch on SEPs when the body parts in contact were not symmetric. Altogether, our findings suggest the interpretation that the secondary somatosensory cortex might underlie the specific analgesic effect of self-touch

Пам’яті Ірини Миколаївни Алексєєвої

На 77-му ропі життя, 9 лютого 2011 р. відійшла від нас знана і шанована людина, доктор біологічних наук, завідувач відділу імунології і цитотоксичних сироваток Інституту фізіології ім. О.О. Богомольця НАН України, Ірина Миколаївна Алексєєва

Efetividade das condicionantes ambientais associadas à conservação da fauna terrestre na àrea de Preservação Permanente do reservatório: estudo de caso: Usina Hidrelétrica de Foz do Chapecó-RS/SC

Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Perícias Criminais Ambientais, Florianópolis, 2016.Esta dissertação efetuou a verificação de efetividade para 26 das 138 condicionantes ambientais específicas estabelecidas nas licenças ambientais concedidas para a Usina Hidrelétrica de Foz do Chapecó tendo como foco a conservação da fauna na Área de Preservação Permanente do reservatório. A baixa efetividade foi dominante (76%), assim como a condição de ausência de um produto final esperado pelo cumprimento destas em relação ao atendimento da demanda de origem (44%). Foram identificados 15 componentes de contribuição negativa que se distribuem ao longo do processo de licenciamento, partindo de uma situação inicial estabelecida no período anterior à Licença Prévia decorrente da baixa qualidade do Estudo de Impacto Ambiental, desencadeando um procedimento continuado de rolamento de pendências não atendidas que foram sendo transferidas para as fases de licenciamento. O atraso na entrada de informações fundamentais de diagnose e avaliação de impactos deflagrou uma reação em cadeia que prejudicou a elaboração do Projeto Básico Ambiental e sua execução. Concorreu para o estabelecimento da problemática o encaminhamento administrativo dado para questão da definição da Área de Preservação Permanente ao longo do processo, associando-a ao Plano Ambiental de Conservação e Uso do Entorno do Reservatório diante da condição estabelecida de que a aprovação deste documento de planejamento não é pré-requisito para a concessão da Licença de Operação. O Plano Ambiental de Conservação e Uso do Entorno do Reservatório incorporou uma proposta de Área de Preservação Permanente para o reservatório que ainda não tinha sido formalmente aprovada, não comportando a identificação e alocação de corredores para a fauna e a incorporação de remanescentes florestais de maior biodiversidade conforme estabelecido em condicionantes da Licença de Instalação. Os resultados indicam que 8 dos 15 componentes de contribuição negativa podem ser minimizados ou revertidos através da retomada de medidas consideradas atendidas, melhoria das medidas já existentes e adoção de nova medida. Os demais constituem perdas durante o avanço do processo de licenciamento. São apresentadas 13 sugestões que contribuem na minimização dos impactos negativos a fauna terrestre para o licenciamento de empreendimentos hidrelétricos.Abstract : This work made the effectiveness of verification for 26 days 138 specific environmental conditions established in the environmental permits granted for the hydroelectric power plant Foz do Chapecó focusing on the conservation of wildlife in Permanent Preservation Area of the reservoir. The low efficiency was dominant (76%), as well as the condition of absence of a final product expected by the fulfillment of these in relation to meet the demand source (44%). They identified 15 negative contribution of components that are distributed throughout the licensing process, starting from a baseline established in the period prior to the Preliminary License due to the low quality of the Environmental Impact Study, triggering an ongoing procedure backlog bearing missed that They were being transferred to the stages of licensing. The delay in the entry of basic diagnostic information and impact assessment triggered a chain reaction that damaged the drafting of the Basic Environmental Project and its execution. Contributed to the establishment of problematic administrative direction given to question the definition of permanent preservation area in the process, linking it to the Environmental Plan of Conservation and Use of Reservoir Surrounding on condition established that the approval of this planning document It is not a prerequisite for granting the Operation License. The Environmental Plan of Conservation and Use of Reservoir Surrounding incorporated a proposal for permanent preservation area for the reservoir that had not yet been formally approved, not behaving the identification and allocation of corridors for wildlife and the incorporation of forest remnants of the richest biodiversity as set out in conditions of the Installation License. The results indicate that 8 of the 15 negative contribution of components can be minimized or reversed through the resumption of measures deemed met, improvement of existing measures and adoption of new measure. The rest are losses during the advance of the licensing process. They are presented 13 suggestions that contribute to minimize the negative impacts to terrestrial fauna for the licensing of hydroelectric projects

A new near-IR window of low extinction in the Galactic plane

Reproduced with permission from Astronomy & Astrophysics. © 2018 ESO. Comments: 6 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & AstrophysicsAims. The windows of low extinction in the Milky Way (MW) plane are rare but important because they enable us to place structural constraints on the opposite side of the Galaxy, which has hither to been done rarely. Methods. We use the near-infrared (near-IR) images of the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) Survey to build extinction maps and to identify low extinction windows towards the Southern Galactic plane. Here we report the discovery of VVV WIN 1713-3939, a very interesting window with relatively uniform and low extinction conveniently placed very close to the Galactic plane. Results. The new window of roughly 30 arcmin diameter is located at Galactic coordinates (l, b) = (347.4, -0.4) deg. We analyse the VVV near-IR colour-magnitude diagrams in this window. The mean total near-IR extinction and reddening values measured for this window are A Ks = 0.46 and E(J - K s) = 0.95. The red clump giants within the window show a bimodal magnitude distribution in the K s band, with peaks at K s = 14.1 and 14.8 mag, corresponding to mean distances of D = 11.0 ± 2.4 and 14.8 ± 3.6 kpc, respectively. We discuss the origin of these red clump overdensities within the context of the MW disk structure.Peer reviewe

Pinturas que fazem história: arte, transformações urbanas e memórias da Florianópolis na década de 1970 analisadas através de telas de Martinho de Haro

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em HistóriaTendo como ponto de partida o interesse em imagens artísticas que retratam a cidade de Florianópolis esta dissertação se voltou para o estudo e a problematização de algumas telas do artista Martinho de Haro. Esses quadros foram selecionados por apresentarem uma paisagem da cidade "antiga" com a presença de edifícios modernos, sendo que esta característica começou a aparecer nas pinturas do artista a partir da década de 1970. Estes "arranha-céus", surgindo em pinturas conhecidas por sempre retratarem e valorizarem uma paisagem tradicional, vão de encontro com a proposta pictórica de Martinho de Haro de regastar a memória da cidade que passava por importantes transformações urbanas. A metodologia partiu da análise das imagens e da pesquisa em periódicos, quando percebemos o impacto da intensa metamorfose urbana e seus efeitos que foram, entre outros, o início de um processo de patrimonialização que pretendeu preservar aspectos visuais da Florianópolis antiga. A dissertação aborda também temas relacionados à vida de Martinho de Haro, ao mercado de artes da década de 1970, à urbanização da capital de Santa Catarina naquela década, sempre referenciado com a problematização das obras de arte. Finalizando a pesquisa entramos na questão da patrimonialização e da memória do artista em conjunção com uma memória coletiva que envolvia o espaço da cidade.Taking as its starting point the interest in artistic images that depict the city of Florianópolis, this dissertation turned to the study and questioning of some canvas of the artist Martinho de Haro. These paintings were selected because portray an "old" city landscape with the presence of modern buildings, and this feature began to appear in the artist's paintings from the 1970s. These "skyscrapers", appearing in paintings known by always portray and value a traditional landscape, go against Martinho de Haro's pictorial proposition of rescueing the memory of a city that was undergoing major urban transformation. The methodology was based on the analysis of images and journal researches, when we realize the impact of intense urban transformation and its effects that were, among others, the beginning of a patrimonialization process that intended to preserve the visual aspects of an "old" Florianópolis. The dissertation also addresses issues related to the life of Martinho de Haro, the art market of the 1970s, the urbanization Santa Catarina's capital in that decade, always referenced with the problematization of his works of art. Finishing the search, we bring up the question of patrimonialization and the artist's memory in conjunction with a collective memory that involved the city space