We investigated the long-lasting effects of early postnatal tactile stimulation （TS） and maternal separation （MS） on the emotional behaviors of adult female rats. A split-litter design was introduced to remove con...We investigated the long-lasting effects of early postnatal tactile stimulation （TS） and maternal separation （MS） on the emotional behaviors of adult female rats. A split-litter design was introduced to remove confusing factors such as maternal disturbance. Pups of the non-tactile stimulation （NTS） group did not receive any handling. Pups subjected to the TS treatment were handled and marked for approximately 30 s daily from postnatal days （PND） 2 - 9 or from PND 10 - 17. Pups subjected to the MS treatment were handled and marked in the same way as the TS pups and then individually placed in a cup with familiar nest bedding for 1 h daily. At the age of 3 months, female rats with different neonatal experiences were employed in the light/dark box test and the one-trial passive avoidance response. Both PND 2 - 9 TS and PND 10 - 17 TS groups exhibited more time spent in the illuminated chamber of the light/dark box, and longer step-through latencies in the passive avoidance response when compared to the NTS group, indicating that early life TS treatment reduced novelty-induced anxious emotion and facilitated the retention of emotional memory in adult female rats. No significant effects were found on any behavioral measures between the MS groups and the TS groups, suggesting that neonatal short-time MS treatment was not intensive enough to alter the emotional behaviors, at least in female rats. Infantile age was not an effective factor for these measures. This result supports the hypothesis that neonatal tactile stimulation and maternal separation lead to different effects on the neural development of postnatal pups.展开更多
A BCI （brain computer interface） established a new direct communication channel using the brain activity between the human brain and machine. The visual stimulus with a certain frequency is present to the BCI users;...A BCI （brain computer interface） established a new direct communication channel using the brain activity between the human brain and machine. The visual stimulus with a certain frequency is present to the BCI users; it exists in a particular condition to observe a continuous brain response respect to frequent of visual stimuli. A significant problem when engaged the SSVEP （steady-state visual evoked potential） based on BCI, it will be exhausted and may suffer for the users when staring at flashing stimuli. This experimental study investigates how the differences in LED＇s-colors influence of SSVEP with respect to （i.e., frequencies and phases）. The result shows that the visualization of phase delays in lower frequencies greater than in higher frequencies.展开更多
In this article I will confront Antonio Damasio＇s theory （exposed in his last book Self Comes to Mind） with the criticism it received from Ned Block. The latter holds that Damasio does not distinguish the concepts ...In this article I will confront Antonio Damasio＇s theory （exposed in his last book Self Comes to Mind） with the criticism it received from Ned Block. The latter holds that Damasio does not distinguish the concepts of phenomenal consciousness and self-consciousness and this has two kinds of consequences. One is that it cannot satisfactorily explain certain mental states （dreams, vegetative states）; the other is that it has harmful consequences for animal ethics. I maintain that to compare the two theories we can only rely on our pre-theoretical intuition of consciousness. Thus, I argue that Dam^tsio＇s theory combines more with our intuitions. One of the reasons is that the cases that Block describes as phenomenal consciousness without access consciousness （and without self-consciousness） are best explained as being cases of mind without consciousness. Dam^sio＇s theory can also explain those referred cases which are theoretically problematic. Moreover, Dam^isio has a threshold model （an expression by Barry Dainton）, which is something that Block seems to ignore. This model fits well with the intuitions and neurological knowledge that we normally have on animal consciousness. Dam^isio＇s core self and his theory of emotions and feelings allow us to understand why we feel compassion for animals. Therefore, we are able to develop an animal ethics, which does not mean that we are required to do so. So even though Damasio does not solve the mystery of consciousness, he should not be the subject of Block＇s criticism.展开更多
文摘We investigated the long-lasting effects of early postnatal tactile stimulation （TS） and maternal separation （MS） on the emotional behaviors of adult female rats. A split-litter design was introduced to remove confusing factors such as maternal disturbance. Pups of the non-tactile stimulation （NTS） group did not receive any handling. Pups subjected to the TS treatment were handled and marked for approximately 30 s daily from postnatal days （PND） 2 - 9 or from PND 10 - 17. Pups subjected to the MS treatment were handled and marked in the same way as the TS pups and then individually placed in a cup with familiar nest bedding for 1 h daily. At the age of 3 months, female rats with different neonatal experiences were employed in the light/dark box test and the one-trial passive avoidance response. Both PND 2 - 9 TS and PND 10 - 17 TS groups exhibited more time spent in the illuminated chamber of the light/dark box, and longer step-through latencies in the passive avoidance response when compared to the NTS group, indicating that early life TS treatment reduced novelty-induced anxious emotion and facilitated the retention of emotional memory in adult female rats. No significant effects were found on any behavioral measures between the MS groups and the TS groups, suggesting that neonatal short-time MS treatment was not intensive enough to alter the emotional behaviors, at least in female rats. Infantile age was not an effective factor for these measures. This result supports the hypothesis that neonatal tactile stimulation and maternal separation lead to different effects on the neural development of postnatal pups.
文摘A BCI （brain computer interface） established a new direct communication channel using the brain activity between the human brain and machine. The visual stimulus with a certain frequency is present to the BCI users; it exists in a particular condition to observe a continuous brain response respect to frequent of visual stimuli. A significant problem when engaged the SSVEP （steady-state visual evoked potential） based on BCI, it will be exhausted and may suffer for the users when staring at flashing stimuli. This experimental study investigates how the differences in LED＇s-colors influence of SSVEP with respect to （i.e., frequencies and phases）. The result shows that the visualization of phase delays in lower frequencies greater than in higher frequencies.
文摘In this article I will confront Antonio Damasio＇s theory （exposed in his last book Self Comes to Mind） with the criticism it received from Ned Block. The latter holds that Damasio does not distinguish the concepts of phenomenal consciousness and self-consciousness and this has two kinds of consequences. One is that it cannot satisfactorily explain certain mental states （dreams, vegetative states）; the other is that it has harmful consequences for animal ethics. I maintain that to compare the two theories we can only rely on our pre-theoretical intuition of consciousness. Thus, I argue that Dam^tsio＇s theory combines more with our intuitions. One of the reasons is that the cases that Block describes as phenomenal consciousness without access consciousness （and without self-consciousness） are best explained as being cases of mind without consciousness. Dam^sio＇s theory can also explain those referred cases which are theoretically problematic. Moreover, Dam^isio has a threshold model （an expression by Barry Dainton）, which is something that Block seems to ignore. This model fits well with the intuitions and neurological knowledge that we normally have on animal consciousness. Dam^isio＇s core self and his theory of emotions and feelings allow us to understand why we feel compassion for animals. Therefore, we are able to develop an animal ethics, which does not mean that we are required to do so. So even though Damasio does not solve the mystery of consciousness, he should not be the subject of Block＇s criticism.
