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Reenactment: An embodied cognition approach to meaning and linguistic content
No full textA central finding in experimental research identified with Embodied Cognition (EC) is that understanding actions involves their embodied simulation, i.e. executing some processes involved in performing these actions. Extending these findings, I argue that reenactment – the overt embodied simulation of actions and practices, including especially communicative actions and practices, within utterances – makes it possible to forge an integrated EC-based account of linguistic meaning. In particular, I argue: (a) that remote entities can be referred to by reenacting actions performed with them; (b) that the use of grammatical constructions can be conceived of as the reenactment of linguistic action routines; (c) that complex enunciational structures (reported speech, irony, etc.) involve a separate level of reenactment, on which characters are presented as interacting with one another within the utterance; (d) that the segmentation of long utterances into shorter units involves the reenactment of brief audience interventions between units; and (e) that the overall meaning of an utterance can be stated in reenactment terms. The notion of reenactment provides a conceptual framework for accounting for aspects of language that are usually thought to be outside the reach of EC in an EC framework, thus supporting a view of meaning and linguistic content as thoroughly grounded in action and interaction
Crawling Facebook for Social Network Analysis Purposes
No full textWe describe our work in the collection and analysis of massive data describing the connections between participants to online social networks. Alternative approaches to social network data collection are defined and evaluated in practice, against the popular Facebook Web site. Thanks to our ad-hoc, privacy-compliant crawlers, two large samples, comprising millions of connections, have been collected; the data is anonymous and organized as an undirected graph. We describe a set of tools that we developed to analyze specific properties of such social-network graphs, i.e., among others, degree distribution, centrality measures, scaling laws and distribution of friendship.\u
Nonlinear Models of Neural and Genetic Network Dynamics:\ud \ud Natural Transformations of Łukasiewicz Logic LM-Algebras in a Łukasiewicz-Topos as Representations of Neural Network Development and Neoplastic Transformations \ud
No full textA categorical and Łukasiewicz-Topos framework for Algebraic Logic models of nonlinear dynamics in complex functional systems such as Neural Networks, Cell Genome and Interactome Networks is introduced. Łukasiewicz Algebraic Logic models of both neural and genetic networks and signaling pathways in cells are formulated in terms of nonlinear dynamic systems with n-state components that allow for the generalization of previous logical models of both genetic activities and neural networks. An algebraic formulation of variable next-state/transfer functions is extended to a Łukasiewicz Topos with an N-valued Łukasiewicz Algebraic Logic subobject classifier description that represents non-random and nonlinear network activities as well as their transformations in developmental processes and carcinogenesis.\u
Neuroeconomics of suicide.
No full textSuicidal behavior is a leading cause of injury and death worldwide. Suicide has been associated with psychiatric illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia, as well as economic uncertainty, and social/cultural factors. This study proposes a neuroeconomic framework of suicide. Neuroeconomic parameters (e.g., risk-attitude, probability weighting, time discounting in intertemporal choice, and loss aversion) are predicted to be related to suicidal behavior. Neurobiological and neuroendocrinological substrates such as serotonin, dopamine, cortisol (HPA axis), nitric oxide, serum cholesterol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, gonadal hormones (e.g., estradiol and progesterone), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in brain regions such as the orbitofrontal/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and limbic regions (e.g., the amygdala) may supposedly be related to the neuroeconomic parameters modulating the risk of suicide. The present framework puts foundations for ―molecular neuroeconomics‖ of decision-making processes underlying suicidal behavior
A neuroeconomic theory of rational addiction and\ud nonlinear time-perception.
No full textNeuroeconomic conditions for “rational addiction” (Becker and Murphy, 1988) have\ud
been unknown. This paper derived the conditions for “rational addiction” by utilizing a\ud
nonlinear time-perception theory of “hyperbolic” discounting, which is mathematically\ud
equivalent to the q-exponential intertemporal choice model based on Tsallis' statistics. It\ud
is shown that (i) Arrow-Pratt measure for temporal cognition corresponds to the degree\ud
of irrationality (i.e., Prelec’s “decreasing impatience” parameter of temporal\ud
discounting) and (ii) rationality in addicts is controlled by a nondimensionalization\ud
parameter of the logarithmic time-perception function. Furthermore, the present theory\ud
illustrates the possibility that addictive drugs increase impulsivity via dopaminergic\ud
neuroadaptation without increasing irrationality. Future directions in the application of\ud
the model to studies in neuroeconomics are discussed
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Reduction in Medical Education: Humor as an Intervention
No full textBackground: In recent years there has been a growing appreciation of the issues of quality of life and stresses involved in medical training as this may affect their learning and academic performance. Objective of the study was to explore the effectiveness of humor when used as intervention in large group teaching over negative emotions amongst students. Method: The present Interventional, Randomized control trial study was carried out on medical students of 4th Semester of RMCH, Bareilly, which has total 90 students. Using simple random sampling lottery method the whole class was divided in two groups-A and B consisting of 45 students each. Group A as control group and Group B experimental group. In first and last lecture of both groups Dass-21 was used as measuring scale, for depression, anxiety and stress and results were compared to see the effect of humor on these three negative emotions. Result: Comparison of Severe and Extremely severe Stress: In Group A 40.54% in class -1 increased to 47.54% in class- 4, while in group B initial 13.15 % was reduced to 0 % (highly significant). Anxiety: In group A, after Class 1 -57.45% increased to 61.11% after class 4, while in group B, after class 1- 23.68% reduced to 2.27% only (highly significant). Depression: In group A, after Class 1 - 40.53% & 41.66 % after class 4 (not significant), while in group B, after class 1- 18.41% reduced to 0% (highly significant). Conclusion: In present study humor was found to be very effective intervention in relieving students on their negative emotions of depression, anxiety and stress to a larger extent. Further research would justify the use of humor as an effective teaching aid in medical education
Study on Gait Efficiency and Energy Cost of Below Knee Amputees After Therapeutic Practices
No full textAn earlier research advocated that a below knee amputee (BK) with conventional trans-tibial prosthesis attains higher gait efficiency at lower energy cost with therapeutic practices of proper time and co-ordination in compare to normal subjects of similar physical parameters and quality of life. The present study focused on comparative analysis of energy cost and gait efficiency between a group of below knee amputees and a control group (normal subjects without amputation) to indicate the consistency of the earlier findings. The subjects were selected with similar physical parameters and quality of life. Oxygen Uptake (VO2) and Heart Rate (HR) were measured by Cosmed® k4 b2 analyzer system. Gait efficiency (p < 0.0001) was found higher with lower energy cost for BK amputees after therapeutic practices than control group. The therapeutic activities contributed to efficient gait pattern for amputees ensuring proper time and co-ordination with balance in consistence to the earlier research
Tubular Krukenberg Tumor with an Occult Primary
No full textTubular Krukenberg tumor with an occult primary can cause problems in histopathologic diagnosis, by mimicking primary ovarian tumors. We present one such occurrence in a 32year old female who underwent surgery for bilateral malignant ovarian tumor. Gross examination of both ovarian tumors revealed bosselated, smooth outer surface with a few cysts on the surface. Cut surface was grey-white to yellowish in colour with cysts filled with serous fluid at the periphery. Microscopic examination revealed mucin laden signet ring cells, predominantly showing tubular architecture within a cellular ovarian stroma. The cytoplasm of these cells varied from granular eosinophilic to pale vacuolated appearance and showed PAS and mucicarmine positive mucin. Differential diagnosis with other primary ovarian tumors is discussed
Axillary Schwannoma: Diagnosed on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
No full textSchwannomas affect mainly head, neck and flexor aspect of the limbs. Axillary Schwannoma is extremely uncommon, that is neurogenic tumors arising from brachial plexus are rare. We report one such rare case of a solitary axillary Schwannoma which was diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and subsequently confirmed by histopathological examination. Clinically it was diagnosed as axillary lymphadenopathy and FNAC was advised to rule out granulomatous lymphadenitis
Potential of Mobile Phones to Serve as a Reservoir in Spread of Nosocomial Pathogens
No full textObjective: The use of cellular telephones by medical personnel and the associated nosocomial transmission of pathogens have not been thoroughly examined. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of bacterial colonisation on mobile phones of Healthcare workers (HCWs) and its accompanying resistance to commonly used antimicrobials in a medical and dental hospital in India. Method: A total of 204 mobile phones of HCWs from medical and dental departments were screened. A sterile swab moistened with sterile saline was rotated over the external surface of the phone. Swabs were cultured on 5% sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar plates. Plates were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. All isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. A questionnaire was used for data collection on mobile phone use in hospital. Result: 99% of the phones demonstrated evidence of bacterial contamination. 64.8% of medical samples showed growth of pathogenic micro-organisms and 37.9% showed growth of Multi drug resistant bacteria. 59.37% of dental samples showed growth of pathogenic micro-organisms and 43.75% showed growth of Multi drug resistant bacteria. Pathogens isolated included Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to the questionnaire 40% admitted to using their phones between examination of patients. Only 6% used disinfectants to wipe their phones. Conclusion: This study reveals that mobile phones are commonly used by HCWs, even during patient contact and may serve as a potential vehicle for the spread of nosocomial pathogens