LISTEN TO RESONATE: TESTING LISTENING’S RECIPROCAL LINKS TO SENSORY CONNECTION, PERCEIVED SAFETY AND INTERPERSONAL POSITIVITY RESONANCE

Emotions, while typically experienced on an individual level, often occur collectively within social interactions. One form of collective emotion, known as positivity resonance, involves the shared experience of positive feelings alongside synchronized non-verbal cues and biological responses among individuals. Growing evidence highlights the positive impacts of positivity resonance on individual, relational, and community well-being. Real-time sensory connection and perceived safety are considered key conditions that promote the emergence of positivity resonance. In this study, I investigate listening as an interpersonal process that is reciprocally linked to positivity resonance and its associated conducive conditions—real-time sensory connection (such as direct gaze) and perceived safety—within the context of romantic relationships. Using an archival dataset of 80 romantic couples, I explored three sets of reciprocal associations: between positivity resonance and mutual listening across couples (Phase A); between enacted listening and direct gaze (Phase B); and between perceived listening and safety (Phase C), both at the individual level. Lastly, by comparing the individual reciprocal dynamics identified in Phases B and C, I examined whether congruence in these dynamics within a couple could predict positivity resonance (Phase D). Significant patterns emerged from Phases A and B. In Phase A, higher levels of individual enacted listening during disclosure conversations by both members of the dyad predicted greater positivity resonance in subsequent conversations. Likewise, positivity resonance in an earlier conversation predicted increased mutual enacted listening in subsequent disclosure conversations. Additionally, a unidirectional association was observed between direct gaze and enacted listening, where the presence of direct gaze in the previous interaction period predicted more frequent verbal indicators of enacted listening in the subsequent period during disclosure conversations. Overall, these findings suggest a potential upward spiral: direct gaze can facilitate improved listening, and high-quality listening can enhance the affective quality of interactions between romantic partners, thereby fostering continued high-quality listening behaviors over time.Doctor of Philosoph

Phototunable biomemory based on light-mediated charge trap

Phototunable biomaterial‐based resistive memory devices and understanding of their underlying switching mechanisms may pave a way toward new paradigm of smart and green electronics. Here, resistive switching behavior of photonic biomemory based on a novel structure of metal anode/carbon dots (CDs)‐silk protein/indium tin oxide is systematically investigated, with Al, Au, and Ag anodes as case studies. The charge trapping/detrapping and metal filaments formation/rupture are observed by in situ Kelvin probe force microscopy investigations and scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis, which demonstrates that the resistive switching behavior of Al, Au anode‐based device are related to the space‐charge‐limited‐conduction, while electrochemical metallization is the main mechanism for resistive transitions of Ag anode‐based devices. Incorporation of CDs with light‐adjustable charge trapping capacity is found to be responsible for phototunable resistive switching properties of CDs‐based resistive random access memory by performing the ultraviolet light illumination studies on as‐fabricated devices. The synergistic effect of photovoltaics and photogating can effectively enhance the internal electrical field to reduce the switching voltage. This demonstration provides a practical route for next‐generation biocompatible electronics

Identification of key genes responsible for green and white colored spathes in Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.)

Modern anthuriums, Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.) are among the most popular flowering plants and widely used for interior decoration. Their popularity is largely attributed to the exotic spathes with different colors. Previous studies have reported color development in red spathe cultivars, but limited information is available on key genes regulating white and green colored spathes. This study analyzed anthocyanin, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents as well as transcript differences in spathes of eight cultivars that differed in spathe colors ranging from red to white and green. Results showed that increased expression of a transcription factor AaMYB2 was associated with elevated levels of anthocyanin in spathes, but decreased expression of AaMYB2 and increased expression of AaLAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase) and AaANR (anthocyanidin reductase) were accompanied with the accumulation of colorless proanthocyanidin, thus the white spathe. As to the green colored spathe, chlorophyll content in the green spathe cultivar was substantially higher than the other cultivars. Correspondingly, transcripts of chlorophyll biosynthesis-related genes AaHemB (porphobilinogen synthase) and AaPor (protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase) were highly upregulated but almost undetectable in white and red spathes. The increased expression of AaHemB and AaPor was correlated with the expression of transcription factor AaMYB124. Subsequently, qRT-PCR analysis confirmed their expression levels in nine additional cultivars with red, white, and green spathes. A working model for the formation of white and green spathes was proposed. White colored spathes are likely due to the decreased expression of AaMYB2 which results in increased expression of AaLAR and AaANR, and the green spathes are attributed to AaMYB124 enhanced expression of AaHemB and AaPor. Further research is warranted to test this working model

Vantage Sensitivity to Perceived Partner Responsiveness: Examine the Moderating Role of Heart Rate Variability

Perceived partner responsiveness (PPR) is defined as being accurately understood, appreciated and cared for. Previous research has demonstrated that perceived partner responsiveness is an essential component of close relationships that predicts emotional and physical well-being. However, not all the people benefit from having a responsive partner to the same degree. Motivated by vantage sensitivity hypothesis, the current study examined heart rate variability (HRV) as a potential vantage resource that moderates the link between perceived partner responsiveness and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being ten years later using the second and third waves of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) dataset. Longitudinal analyses revealed that there was no significant interaction between heart rate variability and perceived partner responsiveness in predicting either hedonic or eudaimonic well-being. These findings are first to test vantage sensitivity hypothesis in the context of romantic relationships

How Positive Emotions Build Physical Health: Perceived Positive Social Connections Account for the Upward Spiral Between Positive Emotions and Vagal Tone

Kok, B. E., Coffey, K. A., Cohn, M. A., Catalino, L. I., Vacharkulksemsuk, T., Algoe, S. B., Brantley, M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). How Positive Emotions Building Physical Health: Perceived Positive Social Connections Account for the Upward Spiral Between Positive Emotions and Vagal Tone. Psychological Science, 24, 1123-1132