Different areas of cognitive science traditionally perceived the mind as an abstract information processing entity, whose interactions with the outside world should be of small or no relevance at all. However, a recen...Different areas of cognitive science traditionally perceived the mind as an abstract information processing entity, whose interactions with the outside world should be of small or no relevance at all. However, a recent embodied cognition perspective, view cognitive processes as deeply embedded into the body＇s interactions with the world. In support of such contention, lots of empirical evidence has been brought and thusly different claims proposed. In this paper, we present the computer based neurocognitive task of sustained attention which is a dual task with many characteristics that obviously mirror some of the above claims. In this regard, we take into consideration both on-line and off-line aspects of the embodied cognition and point out how processing efficiency and attentional functioning are crucial vehicles in bringing perception into effective action （embodied cognition）. Furthermore, there is plenty of evidence about the bidirectional relationship between the attentional/cognitive functioning and emotion regulation as well. This rises new possibilities in looking at the cognitive bias modification approaches and brain-cognitive training procedures for human beings without perceiving them as disembodied minds or complex machines but instead proactive and physically involved in the real world. We argue that such cognitive training approaches even though at first glance seemed as mere technical and machine oriented procedures, should be regarded as humanistic in its nature which perfectly mirror the Merleau-Ponty＇s concept of ＂embodied subjectivity.＂ Finally, we explain how such approaches can be successfully combined with the neurobiological accounts and effectively implemented into clinical practice （self-regulation, self-directed neuroplasticity, effortful control, behavior change）.展开更多
Designing primers for PCR-based diagnostics was achieved by executing sight searches on DNA sequences. Visual searching for specific DNA targets is time consuming, subjective and requires optimisation among numerous c...Designing primers for PCR-based diagnostics was achieved by executing sight searches on DNA sequences. Visual searching for specific DNA targets is time consuming, subjective and requires optimisation among numerous candidate primer sets. Several primer design software have been linked to useful bioinformatic packages to speed the development of PCR assays. Despite the software options available, primer design has remained a challenging aspect of incursion responses, biosecurity emergencies and microbial forensic applications. Two surveys were conducted among 45 plant virologists and 21 other plant pathologists during the 7th Australasian Plant Virology Workshop and the 16th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Conference in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Results show that most primer design learning occurs scientist to scientist rather than during academic teaching. This tendency matches with 16% of scientists users of PCR, who do not engage in primer design and 25% designing primers only by visual means, combining a pool of 41% who if trained, would likely enhance their performance in primer design. Only 13 out of 58 scientists ranked themselves as experts. Implementing primer design in study programs and regional training will benefit plant pathology and entomology, and the responsiveness and performance of biosecurity and microbial forensics in the South Pacific.展开更多
文摘Different areas of cognitive science traditionally perceived the mind as an abstract information processing entity, whose interactions with the outside world should be of small or no relevance at all. However, a recent embodied cognition perspective, view cognitive processes as deeply embedded into the body＇s interactions with the world. In support of such contention, lots of empirical evidence has been brought and thusly different claims proposed. In this paper, we present the computer based neurocognitive task of sustained attention which is a dual task with many characteristics that obviously mirror some of the above claims. In this regard, we take into consideration both on-line and off-line aspects of the embodied cognition and point out how processing efficiency and attentional functioning are crucial vehicles in bringing perception into effective action （embodied cognition）. Furthermore, there is plenty of evidence about the bidirectional relationship between the attentional/cognitive functioning and emotion regulation as well. This rises new possibilities in looking at the cognitive bias modification approaches and brain-cognitive training procedures for human beings without perceiving them as disembodied minds or complex machines but instead proactive and physically involved in the real world. We argue that such cognitive training approaches even though at first glance seemed as mere technical and machine oriented procedures, should be regarded as humanistic in its nature which perfectly mirror the Merleau-Ponty＇s concept of ＂embodied subjectivity.＂ Finally, we explain how such approaches can be successfully combined with the neurobiological accounts and effectively implemented into clinical practice （self-regulation, self-directed neuroplasticity, effortful control, behavior change）.
文摘Designing primers for PCR-based diagnostics was achieved by executing sight searches on DNA sequences. Visual searching for specific DNA targets is time consuming, subjective and requires optimisation among numerous candidate primer sets. Several primer design software have been linked to useful bioinformatic packages to speed the development of PCR assays. Despite the software options available, primer design has remained a challenging aspect of incursion responses, biosecurity emergencies and microbial forensic applications. Two surveys were conducted among 45 plant virologists and 21 other plant pathologists during the 7th Australasian Plant Virology Workshop and the 16th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Conference in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Results show that most primer design learning occurs scientist to scientist rather than during academic teaching. This tendency matches with 16% of scientists users of PCR, who do not engage in primer design and 25% designing primers only by visual means, combining a pool of 41% who if trained, would likely enhance their performance in primer design. Only 13 out of 58 scientists ranked themselves as experts. Implementing primer design in study programs and regional training will benefit plant pathology and entomology, and the responsiveness and performance of biosecurity and microbial forensics in the South Pacific.
