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Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.04.18.537382v1?rss=1 Authors: Marciano, D., Bellier, L., Mayer, I., Ruvalcaba, M., Lee, S., Hsu, M., Knight, R. T. Abstract: Expectations are often dynamic: any sports fan knows that expectations are rapidly updated as games unfold. Yet expectations have traditionally been studied as static. Here, using slot machines as a case study, we provide parallel behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of sub-second moment-to-moment changes in expectations. In Study 1, we show that the dynamics of the EEG signal before the slot machine stopped differed depending on the nature of the outcome, including not only whether the participant won or lost, but also how close they came to winning. In line with our predictions, Near Win Before outcomes (the slot machine stops one item before a match) were similar to Wins, but different than Near Win After (the machine stops one item after a match) and Full Miss (the machine stops two or three items from a match). In Study 2, we designed a novel behavioral paradigm to measure moment-to-moment changes in expectations via dynamic betting. We found that different outcomes also elicited unique expectation trajectories in the deceleration phase. Notably, these behavioral expectation trajectories paralleled Study 1's EEG activity in the last second prior to the machine's stop. In Studies 3 (EEG) and 4 (behavior) we replicated these findings in the loss domain where a match entails a loss. Again, we found a significant correlation between behavioral and EEG results. These four studies provide the first evidence that dynamic sub-second updates in expectations can be behaviorally and electrophysiologically measured. Our findings open up new avenues for studying the ongoing dynamics of reward expectations and their role in healthy and unhealthy cognition. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.03.03.531020v1?rss=1 Authors: Vergallito, A., Varoli, E., Pisoni, A., Mattavelli, G., Del Mauro, L., Feroldi, S., Vallar, G., Romero Lauro, L. J. Abstract: The extensive use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in experimental and clinical settings does not correspond to an in-depth understanding of its underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. In previous studies, we employed an integrated system of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to track the effect of tDCS on cortical excitability. At rest, anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) over the right Posterior Parietal Cortex (rPPC) elicits a widespread increase in cortical excitability. In contrast, cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS) fails to modulate cortical excitability, being indistinguishable from sham stimulation. Here we investigated whether an endogenous task-induced activation during stimulation might change this pattern, improving c-tDCS effectiveness in modulating cortical excitability. In Study 1, we tested whether performance in a Visuospatial Working Memory Task (VWMT) and a modified Posner Cueing Task (mPCT), involving rPPC, could be modulated by c-tDCS. Thirty-eight participants were involved in a two-session experiment receiving either c-tDCS or sham during tasks execution. In Study 2, we recruited sixteen novel participants who performed the same paradigm but underwent TMS-EEG recordings pre- and 10 minutes post-sham and c-tDCS. Behavioral results showed that c-tDCS significantly modulated mPCT performance compared to sham. At a neurophysiological level, c-tDCS significantly reduced cortical excitability in a frontoparietal network involved in task execution. Taken together, our results provide evidence of the state dependence of c-tDCS in modulating cortical excitability effectively. The conceptual and applicative implications are discussed. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.02.28.530310v1?rss=1 Authors: Nguyen, T., Reisner, S., Lueger, A., Wass, S. V., Hoehl, S., Markova, G. Abstract: Infant-directed singing has unique acoustic characteristics that may allow even very young infants to respond to the rhythms carried through the caregiver's voice. The goal of this study was to examine neural and movement responses to live and dynamic maternal singing in 7-month-old infants and their relation to linguistic development. In total, 60 mother-infant dyads were observed during two singing conditions (playsong and lullaby). In Study 1 (n = 30), we measured infant EEG and used an encoding approach utilizing ridge regressions to measure neural tracking. In Study 2 (n = 30), we coded infant rhythmic movements during the mother's singing. In both studies, we assessed children's vocabulary when they were 20 months old. In Study 1, we found above-threshold neural tracking of maternal singing, with superior tracking of lullabies than playsongs, and the acoustic features of infant-directed singing modulated tracking. In Study 2, infants showed more rhythmic movement to playsongs than lullabies. Importantly, neural coordination and rhythmic movement to playsongs were positively related to infants' expressive vocabulary at 20 months. These results highlight the importance of infants' brain and movement coordination to their caregiver's musical presentations, potentially as a function of musical variability. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Helen McCready's story so far is inspiring and with many different angles to it.  Her work life has different facets. She is a Coru registered Phyiscal Therapist. In Study, she has a few different degrees and a lot of experience in the fields of autism and mental health. She's also into athletics in a big way and to date has ran so many different races varying from 5k's right up to marathons; she has completed an amazing  6 of the latter.  Including Berlin in 2021 and last year. I talked to her in her clinic about the work she does, how and why she came to get involved in it and athletics wise, we talk about the level of dedication she puts in to be the admired athlete she is today! Helen has also represented Ireland twice, the first time being 2019 at the British and Irish Masters XC at Aintree Race Course! Support the show

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.02.19.526965v1?rss=1 Authors: Tian, T., Chen, B., Zhao, Y., Gao, H., Chen, M., He, Y., Xu, J., Jiang, M., Xiong, B., Qin, S. Abstract: A positive coping style is recognized as a stable disposition to promote psychological resilience and emotional wellness, enabling an adaptive process of assessing the environment and dealing with future challenges. Such adaptive process is believed to involve a nuanced interplay of the hippocampal system and the primary stress hormone cortisol activity. As a hallmark of diurnal cortisol rhythm, cortisol awakening response (CAR) is sensitive to upcoming stress and subserves preparation of the hippocampal system for rapid behavioral adaption. Yet, little is known how the hippocampal system and CAR contribute to the merit of positive coping on emotional wellness. Methods: In Study 1, we examined the effects of positive coping on children's emotional regulation skill, trait and state anxiety as well as CAR in 89 children. In Study 2, we further investigated the effects of positive coping and CAR on longitudinal changes in hippocampal-neurocortical functional organizatioon involved in emotional processing. Results: Behaviorally, positive coping predicted better emotional regulation ability, but lower anxiety and lower response caution in emotional decision-making. At a neuroendocrinal level, positive coping associated with greater CAR predictd higher hippocampal connectivity with ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) and stimulus-sensitive neurocortex one year later. Moreover, CAR mediated an indirect association between positive coping and longitudinal increases in hippocampal-neocortical connectivity. Positive coping and CAR together accounted for the maturity of vlPFC through longitudinal changes in hippocampal-neocortical connectivity. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a cognitive neuroendocrinal mechanism through which positive coping shapes hippocampal-neocortical maturation via stress hormone response to support emotional wellness. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Giving Multiplier after 14 months, published by Lucius Caviola on January 28, 2022 on The Effective Altruism Forum. Written by Lucius Caviola & Joshua Greene 14 Months ago we launched Giving Multiplier to test a new technique for broadening the appeal of effective giving. This post gives a summary of the key results and insights. In short, we fundraised $1.5 million from about 3,500 donations, with most of the funds going to highly effective charities and coming from donors who are new to EA. Background Giving Multiplier tests and deploys a technique for encouraging ordinary donors to support effective charities. It's part of an academic research project. In our preprint paper we report on our studies in more detail. Previous research has found that it is hard to encourage typical donors to support effective charities. Donors typically prefer to support charities they find personally/emotionally meaningful, even when they know that other charities are more effective. In many studies we (and others) have found that brief interventions based on arguments have little to no impact on most people's attitudes and behavior. Here, our strategy is to work with people's preferences (in a transparent way) instead of trying to displace them. Giving Multiplier uses two techniques. The first is donation bundling: allowing donors to split their donation between their personal favorite charity — any legally recognized charity in the US — and a highly effective charity recommended by experts. In our experiments, we find that about half of participants (US citizens) are willing to split their donation 50/50 between their favorite charity and an unfamiliar highly effective charity. In Study 1 we found that offering a bundling option increases total donations to the effective charity by 76%, compared to only offering donors an all-or-nothing choice between the personal favorite charity and the highly effective charity. Study 2 shows that highly effective charities are especially appealing complements to personal favorite charities when splitting donations. Subsequent studies show that bundling works because it allows donors to satisfy two competing motivations at the same time, to give with both the “heart” and “head”. Donors primarily want to support their favorite charity, but this preference is relatively scope insensitive (Study 3). Giving $100 to your favorite charity doesn't feel twice as good as giving $50. This makes room for satisfying the secondary desire to give effectively. By making a split donation, donors get nearly all the satisfaction of giving everything to their personal favorite charity, plus the additional and distinct satisfaction of doing something highly effective (Study 4). Consistent with this, we find that bundle donors are seen as both highly warm and highly competent (Study 5). The second technique Giving Multiplier uses is a form of donation matching. Donors can get their donations matched at increasing rates for allocating greater proportions to the effective charity. In Study 6 we found that this technique boosts effective donations by an additional 55%. The matching funds are provided by a subset of donors who are willing to support the matching system, a technique we call micro-matching. Study 7 indicated that micro-matching could make the entire donation system financially self-sustaining. Methods We launched the website in November 2020. The project was funded by a $27,000 EA Funds grant (which did not pay for any of Josh's or Lucius' salaries). We primarily advertised the website through unpaid media coverage and podcast appearances. This included articles in the LA Times, Project Syndicate, MarketWatch, and Vox.com along with podcast appearances on Waking Up (Sam Harris), Happiness Lab (Laurie Santos), and Mindscape (Sean Carroll). We also introduce...

Drinking Matcha Tea Can Reduce Anxiety Kumamoto University (Japan), December 24, 2021 Researchers at Kumamoto University in the Kyushu region of Japan studied green tea's beneficial properties, specifically its ability to calm the mind. Published in the Journal of Functional Foods in 2019, the study examined the stress-reducing function of matcha green tea in animal experiments and clinical trials. The study honed in on the effects of L-theanine, a primary amino acid in green tea that has been shown to exhibit stress-reducing effects in mice and humans with high-trait anxiety. The amino acid L-arginine, also present in traditional green tea, has previously been shown to enhance stress-reducing effects of certain amino acids. Matcha tea, also called “fine powder tea,” has higher concentrations of theanine and arginine than traditional green tea preparations. However, the higher caffeine level creates an effect that is antagonistic to theanine, meaning it reduces theanine's calming effects. Previous studies have suggested that differences in the quantities and ratios of these three green tea components (theanine, arginine and caffeine) affect the efficiency of its stress-reducing action.   Researchers noted that the quantities of theanine and arginine must be high, whereas the EGCG and caffeine levels must be low to receive optimum anti-anxiety benefits of matcha tea. Therefore, this research suggests that the quality of matcha tea preparation is highly important when an individual is consuming matcha for its calming properties.   Omega-3 supplementation associated with reduction in markers of senescence       Akershus University Hospital (Norway), December 27 2021.  The November-December 2021 issue of Kidney Medicine reported the finding of a reduction in markers of cellular senescence among kidney transplant recipients who received supplemental omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in comparison with a placebo.  Accelerated cellular senescence has been associated with a decline in kidney transplant function. The current study compared the effects of 2.6 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids to a placebo among 132 kidney transplant patients. Blood samples were collected before and after the 44-week treatment period.  Analysis of plasma obtained at the end of the trial revealed a reduction in the SASP components granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 1α, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13.      Self-Compassion Reduces Negative Mood Over Time New research shows that accepting negative moods can reduce them. University of Toronto, Dec 22, 2021 New research headed by the University of Toronto looked at if the amount that people "accept" their negative emotions is associated with (a) better mental health and (b) reduced negative moods over time. By acceptance, these authors do not mean simply allowing and being okay with negative things happening to you or being mistreated, but rather, experiencing and thinking about your own negative emotions in a non-judgemental way. In one study of over 1,000 people, they found that accepting mental experiences was related to less anxiety and depression and to more life satisfaction. This was even when "controlling" for potentially related variables like cognitive re-appraisal (re-thinking something to make it more positive/less negative) and rumination. This means, basically, that the effect persisted even when those other variables were accounted for. In Study 2, these researchers measured people's general level of acceptance of their negative thoughts and emotions. They then exposed participants in a laboratory to a variety of stressors. Participants with a higher level of general acceptance experienced lower levels of negative mood as a response. In Study 3, they assessed around 200 participants over a six month period. They found that high levels of acceptance were associated with better mental health at Time 1, and  the relationship between acceptance and positive mental health was explained by reduced levels of negative emotions six months later. Taken together, these studies suggest that one way to reduce negative moods is to stop beating yourself up about thinking bad thoughts and having negative feelings. Accepting them—and this might be easier said than done but is still possible—can greatly improve your mental health.     Researchers identify how red meat increases cardiovascular disease risk Cleveland Clinic, December 23, 2021 A Cleveland Clinic-led study has revealed new insights into how a diet rich in red meat increases risk for cardiovascular disease. The findings were published in Nature Microbiology. The latest findings offer a more comprehensive understanding of the two-step process by which gut microbes convert the nutrient carnitine into TMAO, an atherosclerosis- and blood clot-promoting molecule, following the ingestion of a red meat-rich diet. "These new studies identify the gut microbial gene cluster responsible for the second step of the process that links a red meat-rich diet to elevated cardiac disease risks," said Dr. Hazen, who directs the Cleveland Clinic Center for Microbiome & Human Health.  The researchers studied the relationship between fasting plasma γBB levels and disease outcomes using samples and clinical data collected from nearly 3,000 patients. Higher γBB levels were associated with cardiovascular disease and major adverse events including death, non-fatal heart attack or stroke.     Try exercise to improve memory, thinking Mayo Clinic,  December 27, 2021  A new guideline for medical practitioners says they should recommend twice-weekly exercise to people with mild cognitive impairment to improve memory and thinking. "Regular physical exercise has long been shown to have heart health benefits, and now we can say exercise also may help improve memory for people with mild cognitive impairment," says Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., lead author, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Mayo Clinic. Dr. Petersen encourages people to do aerobic exercise: Walk briskly, jog, whatever you like to do, for 150 minutes a week—30 minutes, five times or 50 minutes, three times. The level of exertion should be enough to work up a bit of a sweat but doesn't need to be so rigorous that you can't hold a conversation. "Exercising might slow down the rate at which you would progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia," he says. Another guideline update says clinicians may recommend cognitive training for people with mild cognitive impairment. Cognitive training uses repetitive memory and reasoning exercises that may be computer-assisted or done in person individually or in small groups. There is weak evidence that cognitive training may improve measures of cognitive function, the guideline notes.     New evidence shows the importance of healthy lifestyle programs in pregnancy  Monash University (Australia), December 22, 2021 Healthy lifestyle programs in pregnancy support mums to achieve healthier pregnancies and improve health outcomes Monash University research shows. The systematic review incorporated 34,546 pregnancies and highlighted that supporting mums-to-be with a structured, healthy lifestyle program that provides structured, evidence-based health information, advice and guidance from professionals about healthy eating and physical activity during this priority life stage, helps achieve a healthier pregnancy and significantly improves pregnancy complications. The research also showed that healthy lifestyle programs are effective for all mums regardless of what weight they enter pregnancy and focus on supporting a healthy lifestyle and don't focus on weight and are a powerful tool in supporting mums to be the healthiest they can in pregnancy.   OTHER NEWS Video - Melissa Ciummei – North Ireland investor and economic researcher The pandemic is about the Great Reset. People have this idea that ‘that's my money in the bank', it's not. 10 minutes (video was deleted on youtube) https://videopress.com/v/rwiSFKU2   Video - Anna de Buisseret - Former British army officer and senior UK attorney Experimental Injections. “Biggest Crimes Against Humanity Ever Committed.”  From 44 second mark to 5:55 minute mark (video is embedded on this webpage) https://www.globalresearch.ca/biggest-crimes-against-humanity-ever-committed-anna-de-bouisseret-explains-who-will-held-liable-under-law/5765620

welcome to the nonlinear library, where we use text-to-speech software to convert the best writing from the rationalist and ea communities into audio. this is: The psychology of population ethics, published by Lucius_Caviola on the effective altruism forum. In a new paper, David Althaus, Andreas Mogensen, Geoffrey Goodwin, and I, investigate people's population ethical intuitions. Across nine experiments (N = 5,776), we studied how lay people judge the moral value of hypothetical human populations that differ in their size and in the quality of the individual lives that comprise them. Our investigation aimed to answer three questions: Do people weigh happiness and suffering symmetrically? Do people focus more on the average or total welfare of a given population? Do people account only for currently existing lives, or also lives that could yet exist? Here is a very brief summary of the key findings (more details can be found in the linked paper): 1. People, on average, weigh suffering more than happiness Participants, on average, believed that more happy than unhappy people were needed in order for the whole population to be net positive (Studies 1a-c). Judgments about the acceptable proportion of happy and unhappy people in a population matched judgments about the acceptable proportion of happiness and unhappiness within a single individual's lifetime. The precise trade ratio between happiness and suffering depended on the intensity levels of happiness and suffering, such that a greater proportion of happiness was required as intensity levels increased (Study 1b). Study 1c clarified that, on average, participants continued to believe that more happiness than suffering was required even when the happiness and suffering units were exactly equally intense. This suggests that people generally weigh suffering more than happiness in their moral assessments, above and beyond perceiving suffering to be more intense than happiness. However, our studies also made clear that there are individual differences and that a substantial proportion of participants weighed happiness and suffering equally strongly, in line with classical utilitarianism. In Study 1c, we asked participants what proportion of people in a population (or what proportion of all the moments in an individual life) needed to be happy vs unhappy for the whole population (or life) to be net positive. Horizontal lines represent mean value. 2. People have both an averagist and a totalist preference Participants had a preference both for populations with greater total and greater average welfare (Study 3a-d). In Study 3a, we found that participants preferred populations with better total levels (i.e., higher levels in the case of happiness and lower levels in the case of suffering) when the average levels were held constant. In Study 3b, we found that participants preferred populations with better average levels when the total levels were held constant. In Study 3c, we found that most participants' preferences lay in between the recommendations of these two principles when they conflict, suggesting that participants applied both preferences simultaneously in such cases. Further, their focus on average welfare even led them (remarkably) to judge it preferable to add new suffering people to an already miserable world, as long as this increased average welfare (Study 3d). But, when prompted to reflect, participants' preference for the population with the better total welfare became stronger. In Study 3d, we asked participants which out of two populations they consider better: a population consisting of 1,000 very happy (unhappy) people or a population of 2,000 people consisting of 1,000 very happy (unhappy) people and an additional 1,000 people who are also happy (unhappy) but to a weaker extent than the first 1,000—either on level ±10, ±50, ±90. Depending on the condition, participants were prompted to think reflectively or to rely on their intuition. The responses in the unh...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.11.20.391805v1?rss=1 Authors: Wall, M. B., Freeman, T. P., Hindocha, C., Demetriou, L., Ertl, N., Freeman, A. M., Jones, A. P. M., Lawn, W., Pope, R., Mokrysz, C., Solomons, D., Statton, B., Walker, H. R., Yamamori, Y., Yang, Z., Yim, J. L. L., Nutt, D. J., Howes, O. D., Curran, H. V., Bloomfield, M. Abstract: Cannabidiol (CBD) and {Delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two major constituents of cannabis with contrasting mechanisms of action. THC is the major psychoactive, addiction-promoting, and psychotomimetic compound, while CBD may have somewhat opposite effects. The brain effects of these drugs alone and in combination are poorly understood. In particular the striatum is implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, but it is unclear how THC and CBD influence striato-cortical connectivity. Across two placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, we examine the effects of THC, CBD, and THC+CBD on the functional connectivity of striatal sub-divisions (associative, limbic, and sensorimotor) using resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and seed-based functional connectivity analyses. Study 1 (N=17; inhaled 8mg THC, 8mg THC+10mg CBD, placebo) showed strong disruptive effects of both THC and THC+CBD conditions on connectivity in the associative and sensorimotor networks, but a specific effect of THC in the limbic striatum, which was alleviated in the THC+CBD condition such that it did not differ from placebo. In Study 2 (N=23, oral 600mg CBD, placebo) CBD increased connectivity in the associative network, but relatively minor decreases/disruptions were found in the limbic and sensorimotor. In conclusion, THC strongly disrupts striato-cortical networks, and this effect is selectively mitigated in the limbic striatum when co-administered with CBD. When administered alone, 600mg oral CBD has a more complex effect profile of relative increases and decreases in connectivity. The insula emerges as a key region affected by cannabinoid-induced changes in functional connectivity, with potential implications for understanding cannabis related disorders, and the development of cannabinoid therapeutics. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.31.363283v1?rss=1 Authors: Brattico, E., Brusa, A., Dietz, M. J., Jacobsen, T., Fernandes, H., Gaggero, G., Toiviainen, P., Vuust, P., Proverbio, A. M. Abstract: Evaluative beauty judgments are very common, but in spite of this commonality, are rarely studied in cognitive neuroscience. Here we investigated the neural and musical attributes of musical beauty using a naturalistic free-listening paradigm applied to behavioral and neuroimaging recordings and validated by experts' judgments. In Study 1, 30 Western healthy adult participants rated continuously the perceived beauty of three musical pieces using a motion sensor. This allowed us to identify the passages in the three musical pieces that were inter-subjectively judged as beautiful or ugly. This informed the analysis for Study 2, where additional 36 participants were recorded with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while they listened attentively to the same musical pieces as in Study 1. In Study 3, in order to identify the musicological features characterizing the passages that were consistently rated as beautiful or ugly in Study 1, we collected post-hoc questionnaires from 12 music-composition experts. Results from Study 2 evidenced focal regional activity in the orbitofrontal brain structure when listening to beautiful passages of music, irrespectively of the subjective reactions and individual listening biographies. In turn, the moments in the music that were consistently rated as ugly were associated with bilateral supratemporal activity. Effective connectivity analysis also discovered inhibition of auditory activation and neural communication with orbitofrontal cortex, especially in the right hemisphere, during listening to beautiful musical passages as opposed to intrinsic activation of auditory cortices and decreased coupling to orbitofrontal cortex during listening to ugly musical passages. Experts' questionnaires indicated that the beautiful passages were more melodic, calm, sad, slow, tonal, traditional and simple than the ones negatively valenced. In sum, we identified a neural mechanism for inter-subjective beauty judgments of music in the supratemporal-orbitofrontal circuit, irrespectively of individual taste and listening biography. Furthermore, some invariance in objective musical attributes of beautiful and ugly passages was evidenced. Future studies might address the generalizability of the findings to non-Western listeners. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.17.343442v1?rss=1 Authors: Xiong, B., Chen, C., Tian, Y., Zhang, S., Liu, C., Evans, T., Fernandez, G., Wu, J., Qin, S. Abstract: Upon awakening from nighttime sleep, the stress hormone cortisol exhibits a burst in the morning within 30-minutes in humans. This cortisol awakening response (CAR) is thought to prepare the brain for upcoming challenges. Yet, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the CAR-mediated 'preparation' function remains unknown. Using blood-oxygen-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) with a dedicated prospective design and pharmacological manipulation, we investigated this proactive mechanism in humans across two fMRI studies. In Study 1, we found that a robust CAR was predictive of less hippocampal and prefrontal activity, though enhanced functional coupling between those regions and facilitated working memory performance, during a demanding task later in the afternoon. These results implicate the CAR in proactively promoting brain preparedness based on improved neural efficiency. To address the causality of this proactive effect, we conducted a second study (Study 2) in which we suppressed the CAR with a double blind, placebo controlled, randomized design using Dexamethasone. We found that pharmacological suppression of CAR mirrored the proactive effects from Study 1. Dynamic causal modeling analyses further revealed a reduction of prefrontal top-down modulation over hippocampal activity when performing a cognitively demanding task in the afternoon. These findings establish a causal link between the CAR and its proactive role in optimizing brain functional networks involved in neuroendocrine control and memory. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.19.103572v1?rss=1 Authors: Garrison, J. R., Saviola, F., Morgenroth, E., Barker, H., Luhrs, M., Simons, J., Fernyhough, C. P., Allen, P. Abstract: Reality monitoring describes our ability to distinguish between internally and externally generated experiences. Individuals show significant variation in this ability and impaired reality monitoring has been linked to the experience of hallucinations. We undertook two studies to investigate the association between reality monitoring and morphology of the paracingulate region of medial prefrontal cortex. In Study 1 we compared reality monitoring accuracy and functional connectivity within paracingulate cortex in groups of healthy controls (N=20) and patients with schizophrenia and hallucinations (N=19). Controls showed greater reality monitoring accuracy that was associated with resting-state functional connectivity between paracingulate, precuneus and occipital cortices, while reality monitoring in patients was associated with more lateral functional connectivity. In Study 2 we used real-time fMRI neurofeedback to obtain causal evidence for the role of the paracingulate cortex in reality monitoring. Healthy individuals received Active feedback from paracingulate cortex (N=21) or Sham feedback based on randomised signal (N=18). Active-group participants showed a specific behavioural effect of improved reality monitoring for Imagined items, as well as increases in both activity within the paracingulate region, and its posterior functional connectivity with precuneus and lateral parietal cortices, and occipital cortex. Our findings suggest reality monitoring in healthy individuals is causally supported by a paracingulate mediated flexible network including the precuneus. Network connectivity can be enhanced using neurofeedback and tracks with improved reality monitoring ability. In contrast, patients with schizophrenia may utilise a distinct and more lateral network which may explain observed sub-optimal reality monitoring accuracy, contributing to the experience of hallucinations. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.04.076174v1?rss=1 Authors: Harrison, O. K., Hayen, A., Wager, T. D., Pattinson, K. T. S. Abstract: Quantifying pain currently relies upon subjective self-report. Alongside the inherent variability embedded within these metrics, added complications include the influence of ambiguous or prolonged noxious inputs, or in situations when communication may be compromised. As such, there is continued interest in the development of brain biomarkers of pain, such as in the form of neural 'signatures' of brain activity. However, issues pertaining to pain-related specificity remain, and by understanding the current limits of these signatures we can both progress their development and investigate the potentially generalizable properties of pain to other salient and/or somatomotor tasks. Here, we utilized two independent datasets to test one of the established Neural Pain Signatures (the NPS (Wager et al. 2013)). In Study 1, brain activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 40 healthy subjects during experimentally induced breathlessness, conditioned anticipation of breathlessness and a simple finger opposition task. In Study 2, brain activity was again measured during anticipation and breathlessness in 19 healthy subjects, as well as a modulation with the opioid remifentanil. We were able to identify significant NPS-related brain activity during anticipation and perception of breathlessness, as well as during finger opposition using the global NPS. Furthermore, localised NPS responses were found in early somatomotor regions, bilateral insula and dorsal anterior cingulate for breathlessness and finger opposition. In contrast, no conditions were able to activate the local signature in the dorsal posterior insula - thought to be critical for pain perception. These results provide properties of the present boundaries of the NPS, and offer insight into the overlap between breathlessness and somatomotor conditions with pain. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Science Says is supported by Leksi (https://Leksi.co): the best education and study app to convert your notes and articles to audio so you can listen anywhere, anytime. Two studies investigated associations between habits and identity, in particular what people consider as their “true self.” Habit-identity associations were assessed by within-participant correlations between self-reported habit and associated true self ratings of 80 behaviors. The behaviors were instantiations of 10 basic values. In Study 1, significant correlations were observed between individual differences in the strength of habit-identity associations, measures of cognitive self-integration (prioritizing self-relevant information), self-esteem, and an orientation toward an ideal self. Study 2 further tested the assumption that habits are associated with identity if these relate to important goals or values. An experimental manipulation of value affirmation demonstrated that, compared to a control condition, habit-identity associations were stronger if participants explicitly generated the habit and true self ratings while indicating which values the behaviors would serve. Taken together, the results suggest that habits may serve to define who we are, in particular when these are considered in the context of self-related goals or central values. When habits relate to feelings of identity this comes with stronger cognitive self-integration, higher self-esteem, and a striving toward an ideal self. Linking habits to identity may sustain newly formed behaviors and may thus lead to more effective behavior change interventions. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Verplanken B, Sui J. Habit and Identity: Behavioral, Cognitive, Affective, and Motivational Facets of an Integrated Self. Front Psychol. 2019;10:1504. Published 2019 Jul 10. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01504. Sections of the Abstract, Introduction, Genral Discussion, and Conclusion are presented in the Podcast. Link to full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6635880/

--Blurb #1: Author: Dennis C Stevenson Jr Title: Study the Bible: Six Easy Steps We know we should study God's Word. But it can be difficult get started. Even then, lack of clarity and frustrating experiences often derail our efforts to engage Scripture. How can we confidently pursue spiritual growth when we read the Bible? Discover a straightforward plan that equips you to read, understand and apply the truth you find in Scripture.  In everyday language, Bible teacher Dennis C Stevenson Jr shares and models a simple approach that makes studying God's Word rewarding. Learn tools that build your confidence and allow you to dive deeper into God's Word than you  thought possible. Use the guided study to practice what you've learned in four scripted sessions. Follow the step-by-step plan on your own, then compare your results with the expert study notes to enhance your insight and double your knowledge. In Study the Bible Six Easy Steps you'll learn: - The benefits and value of studying the Bible - How to choose the right type of study for different needs and circumstances - A step-by-step plan to complete your Bible study - How to use helpful resources that will enhance your study - A checklist to start your next Bible study Study the Bible - Six Easy Steps is a clear and concise guide for people who want to grow spiritually by engaging God's Word. If you're looking for a practical plan, simple study tools and a coach who's concerned that you "get it," then you'll love Dennis C Stevenson Jr's approach. Get your copy today and start studying your Bible.   --Blurb #2: Author: Jamie Arpin-Ricci Title: The Introvert Writer: Being Your Creative Best By Being Your Truest Self Are you an introvert with dreams of becoming a successful author? Unlock the power of your true self to take your writing career to the next level. Are you worried that your introversion is holding you back? Do you dread writer groups and conferences? Are you afraid that you don’t have what it takes to put yourself out there and sell more copies? Author Jamie Arpin-Ricci has decades of experience mentoring professionals on personality types, and now he’s here to help you get the most out of your gifts too. The Introvert Writer examines how to overcome the common obstacles of introversion and how to capitalize on your natural strengths. With Arpin-Ricci’s guidance, you’ll learn how to interact with the writing community and sell more copies without draining your energy. Inside this book, you'll find the tools you need to reach your writing potential without sacrificing your true self.   In The Introvert Writer, you’ll discover: Why being an introvert isn’t a weakness; it’s actually a strength for writers How to create boundaries and manage expectations for your writing career How to avoid the common introverted author pitfalls How to turn your dedication and hard work into tangible results A treasure trove of inspirational and educational resources, and much, much more! This must-have resource truly turns the negative stigma of introversion on its head. If you like insights from a leading expert, practical step-by-step guidance, and motivational advice that gives you the courage to take action, then you’ll love Jamie Arpin-Ricci’s inspirational guide. Buy The Introvert Writer to use the real you to boost your career today!   --Abigail's Targeted Tip: Brainstorm readers’ pain points before sitting down to write your description.    --Exercise of the Week: Look at the "Study the Bible" blurb and brainstorm the pain points, then come up with a headline for the blurb.  Quiet by Susan Cain. Ready to learn about time management and mindset for authors? Visit www.thejugglingauthor.com   Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BestPageForwardShow@gmail.com

In Study of Music, the language of music is examined, including musical symbols and notation, the tonalities of different musical instruments, harmonization, arrangement and composition. The history of music is explored through listening, reading assignments, class discussion and written work. An appreciation of music from various cultures is fostered. The historical, cultural and personal circumstances surrounding the creation of famous musical works is also discussed. This episode discusses Study of Music in addition to the various opportunities for musically-inclined students at the Upper School. Interview with: Ms. Sandusky Produced by: Evan Cheng

In psychology (e.g., Schooler, 2011) and other fields (e.g., Jennions & Møller, 2001), there are reported cases of effect sizes declining over time. Later studies of a given phenomenon report smaller effect sizes than earlier studies. This decline suggests a publication bias toward large effects and regression to the mean. In the current study, we examine whether evidence exists for such a decline effect. In Study 1, we analyzed 3,488 effect sizes across 70 meta-analytic tables, which were drawn from 33 Psychological Bulletin articles (1980–2010). A multilevel analysis revealed no evidence of a linear or quadratic decline effect over time (indexed by publication year). In Studies 2 and 3, we examined 50 meta-analyses each from social psychology and clinical psychology. In both studies, the modal meta-analysis showed no correlation between effect size and publication year. The decline effect in psychology appears to be less prevalent than earlier anecdotal reports suggest. For replications, this finding suggests that expectations that replications will have lower effect sizes than the original may be inaccurate and unfounded. (September 8, 2015)

In psychology (e.g., Schooler, 2011) and other fields (e.g., Jennions & Møller, 2001), there are reported cases of effect sizes declining over time. Later studies of a given phenomenon report smaller effect sizes than earlier studies. This decline suggests a publication bias toward large effects and regression to the mean. In the current study, we examine whether evidence exists for such a decline effect. In Study 1, we analyzed 3,488 effect sizes across 70 meta-analytic tables, which were drawn from 33 Psychological Bulletin articles (1980–2010). A multilevel analysis revealed no evidence of a linear or quadratic decline effect over time (indexed by publication year). In Studies 2 and 3, we examined 50 meta-analyses each from social psychology and clinical psychology. In both studies, the modal meta-analysis showed no correlation between effect size and publication year. The decline effect in psychology appears to be less prevalent than earlier anecdotal reports suggest. For replications, this finding suggests that expectations that replications will have lower effect sizes than the original may be inaccurate and unfounded. (September 8, 2015)

This week: Philip von Zweck sits down to talk with artist and educator Kelly Kaczynski. GO CHECK OUT HER SHOW AT THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE-GAHLBERG GALLERY! I heart the Gahlberg Gallery. Kelly Kaczynski: Study for Convergence Performance (ice)Jan.19 to Feb. 25, 2012Study for Convergence Performance (ice) is the second work in a series that seeks to conflate the artist's studio as a performative site of production, the space of display as the reception of image, and landscape as site for epic but apathetic metaphor. It uses the devices of the theatrical stage and the green screen; both of which operate as a "non-space" that allows the conflation of multiple contexts or sites. She uses imagery from landscapes that shift in time, such as bodies of water including glacier fields. The title of the piece refers to Robert Smithson's idea of "the range of convergence between site and non-site" whereas the land from the originating site is placed in the container of the non-site. In Study for Convergence Performance, the site of origin and the sign of site converge as they transpose in a collapse of time. Kelly Kaczynski is an assistant professor and assistant chair in the Department of Art Theory & Practice at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University.  Kelly is a sculptor and installation artist. Her work, while existing in a temporal-spatial platform, is deeply materials based. She received an MFA from Bard College in 2003 and a BA from The Evergreen State College in 1995. She has exhibited with threewalls, Chicago; Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago; University of Buffalo Art Gallery, NY; Rowland Contemporary, Chicago; Triple Candie, NY; the Islip Art Museum, NY; Cristinerose/Josee Bienvenu Gallery, NY; DeCordova Museum, MA; 123 Watts Gallery, NY; and the Boston Center for the Arts, MA. Kaczynski's work was included in the Boston Drawing Project at Bernard Toale Gallery, Boston. Public installations include projects with the Main Line Art Center, Haverford, Pennsylvania; the Interfaith Center of New York; the Institute for Contemporary Art, Boston and the Boston National Historic Parks; and the Boston Public Library. Kaczynski has taught at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of Chicago.