Senses of waiting among Tibetan nomads

Ethnographic vignettes on how Tibetan nomads move describe a modality of waiting that is attuned to the rhythms and syncopations of movement through pastures and the life-cycle. Such waiting complements moving and is in time. How waiting is experienced reveals an important facet of one's synchronicity with time and place.

Correlates of aggressive behavior in dementia

Background and Objective: A review of current literature was undertaken in order to summarize some of the possible biopsychosocial contributions to the development of aggressive behavior in elderly people with dementia. It was intended that such a summary would provide a useful clinical aid when assessing patients with behavioral symptoms and a starting point for undertaking research in this area. Method: Information was gathered from literature searches conducted on several occasions between 1995 and 2001 using 3 databases (Medline, CINHAL and PsycINFO), as well as journals and books available from the libraries of the authors and from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Results: Associations between various conditions and the development of aggressive behavior were found, including the contributions of degrees of cognitive impairment, personality, sensory change, physical illness, language impairment, brain pathology, affective and psychotic disorders. The role of gender, sexuality and disruption of circadian rhythms is also discussed, as is the importance of environmental factors. Conclusion: Identification of correlates of aggressive behavior may assist clinicians to understand and manage aggressive behavior more effectively.

Reduced preprandial dipping accounts for rapid elevation of blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity in rabbits fed a high-fat diet

Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) by rabbits results in increased blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) within 1 wk. Here, we determined how early this activation occurred and whether it was related to changes in cardiovascular and neural 24-h rhythms. Rabbits were meal-fed a HFD for 3 wks, then a normal-fat diet (NFD) for 1 wk. BP, HR, and RSNA were measured daily in the home cage via implanted telemeters. Baseline BP, HR, and RSNA over 24 h were 71 ± 1 mm Hg, 205 ± 4 beats/min and 7 ± 1 normalized units (nu). The 24-h pattern was entrained to the feeding cycle and values increased from preprandial minimum to postprandial maximum by 4 ± 1 mm Hg, 51 ± 6 beats/min, and 1.6 ± .6 nu each day. Feeding of a HFD markedly diminished the preprandial dip after 2 d (79–125% of control; p < 0.05) and this reduction lasted for 3 wks of HFD. Twenty-four-hour BP, HR, and RSNA concurrently increased by 2%, 18%, and 22%, respectively. Loss of preprandial dipping accounted for all of the BP increase and 50% of the RSNA increase over 3 wks and the 24-h rhythm became entrained to the light-dark cycle. Resumption of a NFD did not alter the BP preprandial dip. Thus, elevated BP induced by a HFD and mediated by increased sympathetic nerve activity results from a reduction in preprandial dipping, from the first day. Increased calories, glucose, insulin, and leptin may account for early changes, whereas long-term loss of dipping may be related to increased sensitivity of sympathetic pathways.

Impossible triangles: flat actors in telematic theatre

In fact, in this scene, both A and B are online. A is in a classroom at the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands, and B is in a television studio at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. The two locations are connected through video conference and, in each space, a local audience watches the local performer in the room, and the remote performer projected on a screen. The performers are captured in profile, and appear to be looking at computer screens in front of them but cannot actually see one another. The text is consciously banal, composed to replicate the broken rhythms and sequences, flattened tone and repetitions of scrolling words in a text box on a screen. Information about presence and absence (A or B is offline or online) is spoken as text. Although the two performers speak in accents that declare their different language/ cultures, the vernacular is generic 'internetslang'. The relatively monotonous and unpunctuated delivery of the textual rhythms is interrupted and counterpointed by a sound lag of nearly a second, and by a faint audio echo as one voice 'lands' in the second location. Its orchestration allows the sound fracture and dispersal in some moments. In other moments, the actors anticipate or absorb the gaps in transmission, driving the speech rhythms through so that the utterance 'arrives' precisely at the end of the prompt line.

Influence of light exposure during early life on the age of onset of bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND: Environmental conditions early in life may imprint the circadian system and influence response to environmental signals later in life. We previously determined that a large springtime increase in solar insolation at the onset location was associated with a younger age of onset of bipolar disorder, especially with a family history of mood disorders. This study investigated whether the hours of daylight at the birth location affected this association. METHODS: Data collected previously at 36 collection sites from 23 countries were available for 3896 patients with bipolar I disorder, born between latitudes of 1.4 N and 70.7 N, and 1.2 S and 41.3 S. Hours of daylight variables for the birth location were added to a base model to assess the relation between the age of onset and solar insolation. RESULTS: More hours of daylight at the birth location during early life was associated with an older age of onset, suggesting reduced vulnerability to the future circadian challenge of the springtime increase in solar insolation at the onset location. Addition of the minimum of the average monthly hours of daylight during the first 3 months of life improved the base model, with a significant positive relationship to age of onset. Coefficients for all other variables remained stable, significant and consistent with the base model. CONCLUSIONS: Light exposure during early life may have important consequences for those who are susceptible to bipolar disorder, especially at latitudes with little natural light in winter. This study indirectly supports the concept that early life exposure to light may affect the long term adaptability to respond to a circadian challenge later in life.

Eye tracking the sublime in spectacular moments of science fiction film

In this chapter I will explore science fiction film spectacle as a particular type of endangering sensorial experience. Employing eye-tracking technology to assess where a small group of viewers look, I will contend that through its spectacular set pieces, science fiction film creates two distinct gazing regimes. First, such spectacular scenes create an experience of sublime contemplation where the viewer is (haptically) lost in the wondrous images liquefying before them. These moments of sublime contemplation create the condition where the viewer feels as if they have had an outer-body experience; one that has been cut free from the borders of the linguistic-led self of everyday life. Second, I will argue that certain scenes of science fiction spectacle work to commodify the viewing experience, creating a gazing pattern that is ‘driven’ by the mechanics of the event moment, by the theme park ride aesthetic and the logic of late capitalism. Set in this sensible, empirical context, the sublime dangers of science fiction film can be considered in two distinct ways. On the one hand, when the viewer is caught gazing in a moment of sublime contemplation there is embodied transgression and transcendence: here I will postulate that the viewer exists purely as a carnal being, or are newly if momentarily constituted as post-human, in the impossible present or possible future world that has been spectacularly imagined for them. On the other hand, when the viewer is presented with a spectacle that demands attention to the mechanics and drivers of the scene as it unfolds, a viewing position is created where the very rhythms of the theme park ride is created, where capitalist life is simply being re-engineered. Sublime and spectacular science fiction endangerment, then, liberates and destroys, and it is the encounter between these two vexing poles that is of central concern in this chapter. My focus will predominately be on the eyes, on vision. Undertaking a small-scale empirical study that uniquely utilizes eye tracking technology, this chapter will concentrate on what viewers attend to, gaze at and ‘contemplate’ when viewing two differently constituted ‘spectacle’ sequences: the sun explodes scene from Sunshine (Boyle, 2007) and the Godzilla enters Manhattan scene from Godzilla (Emmerich, 1998).

The double sensor-a non-invasive device to continuously monitor core temperature in humans on earth and in space

The objective of our study was to establish whether rectal temperature recordings in humans could be replaced by a non-invasive skin temperature sensor combined with a heat flux sensor (Double Sensor) located at the forehead to monitor core body temperature changes due to circadian rhythms. Rectal and Double Sensor data were collected continuously for 24h in seven men undertaking strict head-down tilt bed-rest. Individual differences between the two techniques varied between -0.72 and +0.55 degrees C. Nonetheless, when temperature data were approximated by cosinor analysis in order to compare circadian rhythm profiles between methods, it was observed that there were no significant differences between mesor, amplitude, and acrophase (P>0.310). It was therefore concluded that the Double Sensor technology is presently not accurate enough for performing single individual core body temperature measurements under resting conditions at normal ambient room temperature. Yet, it seems to be a valid, non-invasive alternative for monitoring circadian rhythm profiles.

Turno de trabalho, cronotipo e desempenho de memória e atenção de profissionais da área da saúde de dois serviços de emergência da cidade de Porto Alegre/RS/BRASIL

Trabalhadores forçados a alterar o ciclo sono/repouso em função do turno de trabalho tendem a dessincronizar seus ritmos fisiológicos (endógenos) em relação aos do meio ambiente (exógenos) acarretando transtornos na organização dos sistemas fisiológicos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a relação do turno de trabalho (manhã, noite e rotativo) e perfil cronobiológico e seus efeitos sobre desempenho em testes de atenção e memória de profissionais (médicos, enfermeiros e técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem) dos serviços de emergência de dois hospitais de Porto Alegre (RS/Brasil). Uma amostra aleatória de 140 profissionais, de ambos os sexos e idade entre 25 e 60 anos, foi avaliada num estudo transversal. Os sujeitos que relataram presença de doença (clínica, neurológica ou psiquiátrica), transtornos do sono prévios ao emprego atual, e uso de benzodiazepínicos nas 6 horas anteriores à testagem foram excluídos. Padrão cronobiológico (matutinidade/vespertinidade) foi definido pelo questionário de Hidalgo-Chaves (2002). Os testes de atenção e memória foram span de dígitos, span palavras, stroop, memória lógica, e Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (versão computadorizada). Déficit de atenção foi definido pela combinação de testes positivos (50%+1). Não se observou associação significativa entre cronotipo e turnos de trabalho. A freqüência de desempenho abaixo do ponto de corte em diversos testes foi maior no turno da noite. Déficit de atenção/memória foi observado em 51% dos profissionais do turno da noite, 21% do turno da manhã, e 22% do rotativo. O desempenho nos testes de atenção/memória entre os sujeitos distribuídos por cronotipo (tanto no total, como entre coincidentes com o turno de trabalho) não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa. Em conclusão, a discordância entre turno de trabalho e cronotipo pode ser explicada por diferentes motivos como a falta de opção para escolher o turno, questões financeiras, e desconhecimento quanto às características relacionadas ao perfil cronobiológico. Os déficits observados podem expressar efeitos de longo prazo do trabalho em turnos e especialmente no noturno.

Global slowing of network oscillations in mouse neocortex by diazepam

SCHEFFZUK, C. , KUKUSHKA, V. , VYSSOTSKI, A. L. , DRAGUHN, A. , TORT, A. B. L. , BRANKACK, J. . Global slowing of network oscillations in mouse neocortex by diazepam. Neuropharmacology , v. 65, p. 123-133, 2013.

Theta-associated high-frequency oscillations (110–160 Hz) in the hippocampus and neocortex

TORT, A. B. L. ; SCHEFFER-TEIXEIRA, R ; Souza, B.C. ; DRAGUHN, A. ; BRANKACK, J. . Theta-associated high-frequency oscillations (110-160 Hz) in the hippocampus and neocortex. Progress in Neurobiology , v. 100, p. 1-14, 2013.

Selective Coupling between Theta Phase and Neocortical Fast Gamma Oscillations during REM-Sleep in Mice

TORT, A. B. L. ; SCHEFFER-TEIXEIRA, R ; Souza, B.C. ; DRAGUHN, A. ; BRANKACK, J. . Theta-associated high-frequency oscillations (110-160 Hz) in the hippocampus and neocortex. Progress in Neurobiology , v. 100, p. 1-14, 2013.

A rotina de crianças de zero a dois anos na educação infantil e as especificidades infantis

In current upbringing production, children are often conceived as rightful subjects, and concrete and singular people, marked by specificities that schools must respect, mainly their personal wholeness, their care and attention needs, as well as their abilities to learn and produce culture. In the educational practices frame, routine is considered to have a definitive roll in time, space and activities structuring, as with actions and relations of subjects involved. In that perspective, this research aims to analyze routines of zero to two years old children in the upbringing context, relating to their childish specificities. Anchored in the qualitative approach, a Case Study was developed, according the procedures of daily routine observation and semi-structured interviews with six nursery teachers of CMEI Centro Municipal de Educação Infantil, Natal-RN, the research field. The data analysis was based in Speech Analysis principles. The teachers utterances regarding routine and it s roll in the frame revealed significances related to control/regulation of actions theirs and students aiming to streamline tasks; learning relative to routine itself, time and school practices. Thus, prospects of discipline and exercise of power of teachers over students surges, reducing their possibilities to participate. These conceptions reflect the daily routine of the kids and their teachers. By analyzing the methods of routine operation in the time/space/activities frame of CMEI, it was possible to perceive its homogenization of actions and rhythms, not only of the group s children, but the whole institution, which creates, many times, a controlling character that contains/prevents children s initiative. However, it was also possible to observe that in routine recesses, when it s relaxed, and other spaces, times and actions are provided, kids have the opportunity to experience and create different ways of action and relation with time, materials, other kids and teachers, being, as such, respected their specificities. We highlight the importance of reflections regarding routine in upbringing context, as to comprehend it s functions and the need for it s construction to take a multiple character that respects the plurality of situations and singularities of children as persons

Versão breve da social rhythm metric: um instrumento para avaliar ritmo social de pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral

Stroke is a neurological disorder caused by restriction of blood flow to the brain, which generates directly a deficit of functionality that affects the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to establish a short version of the Social Rhythm Scale (SRM), to assess the social rhythm of stroke patients. The sample consisted of 84 patients, of both sexes, with injury time exceeding 6 months. For seven days, patients recorded the time held 17 activities of SRM. Data analysis was performed using a principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation of the full version of SRM in order to determine which activities could compose brief versions of SRM. We then carried out a comparison of hits, the ALI (Level Activity Index) and SRM, between versions, by Kruskal-Walls and the Mann-Whitney test. The Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between the score of the full version of SRM with short versions. It was found that the activities of SRM were distributed in three versions: the first and second with 6 activities and third with 3 activities. Regarding hits, it was found that they ranged from 4.9 to 5.8 on the first version; 2.3 to 3.8 in version 2 and 2.8 to 6.2 in version 3, the first the only version that did not show low values. The analysis of ALI, in version 1, the median was 29, in version 2 was 14 and in version 3 was 18. Significant difference in the values of ALI between versions 1 and 2, between 2 and 3 and between versions 1 and 3. The highest median was found in the first version, formed by activities: out of bed, first contact, drink coffee, watch TV in the evening and go to bed. The lowest median was observed in the second version and this was not what had fewer activities, but which had social activities. The medians of the SRM version 1 was 6, version 2 was 4 and version 3 was 6. Significant difference in the values of SRM between versions 1 and 2 and between 2 and 3, but no significant difference between versions 1 and 3. Through analysis, we found a significant correlation only between the full version and the version 1 (R2 = 0.61) (p <0.05), no correlation was found with version 2 (R2 = 0.007) nor with version 3 (R2 = 0.002), this was finally a factor to consider version 1 as the short brazilian version of the Social Rhythm Metric for stroke patients

Caracterização dos acoplamentos fase-amplitude na região CA1 do hopocampo

Brain oscillation are not completely independent, but able to interact with each other through cross-frequency coupling (CFC) in at least four different ways: power-to-power, phase-to-phase, phase-to-frequency and phase-to-power. Recent evidence suggests that not only the rhythms per se, but also their interactions are involved in the execution of cognitive tasks, mainly those requiring selective attention, information flow and memory consolidation. It was recently proposed that fast gamma oscillations (60 150 Hz) convey spatial information from the medial entorhinal cortex to the CA1 region of the hippocampus by means of theta (4-12 Hz) phase coupling. Despite these findings, however, little is known about general characteristics of CFCs in several brain regions. In this work we recorded local field potentials using multielectrode arrays aimed at the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus for chronic recording. Cross-frequency coupling was evaluated by using comodulogram analysis, a CFC tool recently developted (Tort et al. 2008, Tort et al. 2010). All data analyses were performed using MATLAB (MathWorks Inc). Here we describe two functionally distinct oscillations within the fast gamma frequency range, both coupled to the theta rhythm during active exploration and REM sleep: an oscillation with peak activity at ~80 Hz, and a faster oscillation centered at ~140 Hz. The two oscillations are differentially modulated by the phase of theta depending on the CA1 layer; theta-80 Hz coupling is strongest at stratum lacunosum-moleculare, while theta-140 Hz coupling is strongest at stratum oriens-alveus. This laminar profile suggests that the ~80 Hz oscillation originates from entorhinal cortex inputs to deeper CA1 layers, while the ~140 Hz oscillation reflects CA1 activity in superficial layers. We further show that the ~140 Hz oscillation differs from sharp-wave associated ripple oscillations in several key characteristics. Our results demonstrate the existence of novel theta-associated high-frequency oscillations, and suggest a redefinition of fast gamma oscillations