A Study of Visual Recognition of Facial Emotional Expressions in a Normal Aging Population in the Absence of Cognitive Disorders

Objective: To examine and measure the decision-making processes involved in Visual Recognition of Facial Emotional Expressions (VRFEE) and to study the effects of demographic factors on this process. Method: We evaluated a newly designed software application (M.A.R.I.E.) that permits computerized metric measurement of VRFEE. We administered it to 204 cognitively normal participants ranging in age from 20 to 70 years. Results: We established normative values for the recognition of anger, disgust, joy, fear, surprise and sadness expressed on the faces of three individuals. There was a significant difference in the: 1) measurement (F (8.189) = 3896, p = 0.0001);2) education level (x2(12) = 28.4, p = 0.005);3) face (F(2.195) = 10, p = 0.0001);4)series (F (8.189)=28, p = 0.0001);5) interaction between the identity and recognition of emotions (F (16, 181 =11, p = 0.0001). However, performance did not differ according to: 1) age (F (6.19669) = 1.35, p = 0.2) or 2) level of education (F (1, 1587) = 0.6, p = 0.4). Conclusions: In healthy participants, the VRFEE remains stable throughout the lifespan when cognitive functions remain optimal. Disgust, sadness, fear, and joy seem to be the four most easily recognized facial emotions, while anger and surprise are not easily recognized. Visual recognition of disgust and fear is independent of aging. The characteristics of a face have a significant influence on the ease with which people recognize expressed emotions (idiosyncrasy). Perception and recognition of emotions is categorical, even when the facial images are integrated in a spectrum of morphs reflecting two different emotions on either side.

Neuroscience and architecture:What does the brain tell to an emotional experience of architecture via a functional MR study?

Environment psychologically affects individuals.According to the base of cognitive psychology,there is a direct relationship between human behavior,environment,and emotional process.Assuming that pleasantness and unpleasantness are associated with peripheral nervous system activation,the current study aims to explore if the pleasant or unpleasant architectural places can stimulate the brain regions engaged in emotions or not.As the main contribution,we used functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)measuring blood oxygenation level-dependent(BOLD)changes to effectively detect the brain’s region that mainly responds to the emotional-perceptual processes.Based on the results of examining the emotional assessment model of “Pleasure-Arousal”applied to 140 students,30 most-rated images representing 15 pleasant and 15 unpleasant places were shown to 32 participants in a 1.5-T MRI scanner.After applying standard preprocessing steps(re-alignment,slice-timing,coregistration,segmentation,normalization,and smoothing)to functional MR images,first-level analysis was applied to each subject.The results were evaluated using statistical corrections at different levels for female and male participants with the second-level analysis.In conclusion,it has been shown that there is a significant linkage between environmental experience and brain activation so that the architectural qualities can change blood flow in specific brain regions.

谈兴趣教学在初中英语教学中的实施

本文从兴趣教学影响初中英语教学效果的几方面出发,阐明兴趣教学手段对提高英语学习效率的重要性,分析成功兴趣教学的手段。

Effects of subconvulsive electrical stimulation to the hippocampus on emotionality and spatial learning and memory in rats

Objective To observe the effects of repeated subconvulsive electrical stimuli to the hippocampus on the emotional behavior and spatial learning and memory ability in rats.Methods One hundred and eight male Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups. Animals in group SE (n = 42) were given subconvulsive electrical stimulation to the hippocampus through a constant pulsating current of 100 μA with an intratrain frequency of 25 Hz, pulse duration of 1 millisecond, train duration of 10 seconds and interstimulus interval of 7 minutes, 8 times a day, for 5 days. In the electrode control group or CE group (n = 33), animals were implanted with an electrode in the hippocampus, but were not stimulated. Group NC (n =33) animals received no electrode or any stimulation. The emotional behavior of experimental rats was examined by activity in an unfamiliar open field and resistance to capture from the open field, while the spatial learning and memory ability was measured during training in a Morris water maze.Results The stimulated rats tested 1 month after the last round of stimulation displayed substantial decreases in open field activity (scale: 10. 4±2. 3, P<0. 05) and increases in resistance to capture (scale: 2. 85±0. 56, P < 0. 01 ). The amount of time for rats in group SE to find the platform (latency) as a measurement for spatial bias was prolonged (29±7) seconds after 15 trials in the water maze, P<0. 05). The experimental rats swam aimlessly in all four pool quadrants during the probe trial in the Morris water maze.Conclusions Following repeated subconvulsive electrical stimuli to the hippocampus, rats displayed long-lasting significant abnormalities in emotional behavior, increased anxiety and defensiveness, enhanced ease to and delayed habituation to startlement, transitory spatial learning and memory disorder, which parallels many of the symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder patients.

从气血理论探讨网络成瘾的发病机制

针对网络成瘾(网瘾)现象日趋严重而中医理论对此病发病机制论述匮乏的现状,提出网瘾所形成的持久情志刺激,最易使气血运行失常,扰乱气机,影响五脏功能,致瘀血、痰浊形成,最终精亏血损,引发神志异常。在这个病机变化过程中,肝失疏泄起关键作用,随着病情的进展,可造成对脾、心、肾的调气主血藏精功能的进一步损伤。