Internal Awareness Research Articles

M. A. Fineman and A. Grear (eds.): Vulnerability: Reflections on a New Ethical Foundation for Law and Politics

The concept of vulnerability has attracted as many supporters as sceptics in academia, policy, and civil society. On the one hand, vulnerability can be seen as coextensive to the discourses of risk, increasing people’s passivity in their public life and promoting the infantilization and dependency of adults (Furedi 2008). Others invite caution and encourage awareness about the ways in which vulnerability can be colonised and appropriated by more conservative projects. Instead of justice, the response to vulnerability discourse has been stronger surveillance and control policies to ‘manage’ marginalized groups, such as sex workers and economic migrants (Munro and Scoular 2012). It is clear vulnerability has limitations and any investment with a theoretical framework should include an internal awareness of its strengths and downturns. Ann V. Murphy embraces the ethical appeal of vulnerability, but cautions on its ambivalent nature between caring and violence (Murphy 2012), elicited by metaphor of the wound in the concept. With this in mind, Fineman and Grear’s edited collection shows the versatility and applicability of this concept—both in theory and in practice—without abandoning the exercise of exploring reflectively the limitations of goals. The depth and breadth of the vulnerability thesis proposed by Martha Albertson Fineman, with whom the authors engage in a dialogue, is evident in the variety of problems addressed in this collection. Far from being a purely theoretical exercise, the authors in this collection show how concrete demands for justice can be articulated and applied through the vulnerability thesis. They do so by responding to Fineman’s proposal to move away from the universal rational being as the legitimate bearer of rights and replacing it with an understanding of universal vulnerability. The contributions engage directly with the main core ideas of vulnerability. They approach them practically, critically reviewing housing law, animal rights, human

Effect of combined naltrexone and bupropion therapy on the brain’s reactivity to food cues

Objective:The significant weight loss observed with combination naltrexone-sustained release (SR) 32 mg and bupropion SR 360 mg (NB32) therapy is thought to be due, in part, to bupropion stimulation of hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, and naltrexone blockade of opioid receptor-mediated POMC autoinhibition, but the neurobiological mechanisms are not fully understood. We assessed changes in brain reactivity to food cues before and after NB32 treatment.Methods:Forty women (31.1±8.1 years; body mass index: 32.5±3.9) received 4 weeks of NB32 or placebo, and were instructed to maintain their dietary and exercise habits. Functional magnetic resonance imaging responses (analyzed using SPM2 and clusters (>100 pixels)) to a 5-min food video (preparation of the subject's favorite food) and a 5-min neutral video (manipulation of neutral objects) under conditions of mild food deprivation (∼14 h) were assessed before and after treatment.Results:The food cues video induced positive brain activation in visual and prefrontal cortices, insula and subcortical brain regions. The group-by-treatment interaction on regional brain activation was significant and showed that whereas NB32 attenuated the activation in the hypothalamus in response to food cues (P<0.01), it enhanced activation in regions involved in inhibitory control (anterior cingulate), internal awareness (superior frontal, insula, superior parietal) and memory (hippocampal) regions (whole-brain analysis; P<0.05).Conclusions:Blunting the hypothalamic reactivity to food cues while enhancing the activation of regions involved with self-control and internal awareness by NB32 might underlie its therapeutic benefits in obesity.

Black Women's Spirituality Can Help in Retention

Black Women's Spirituality Can Help in Retention

A comparative study on two yogic relaxation techniques on anxiety in school children

Background: Meditation brings calmness to the mental activities and develops the internal awareness. It can be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety in student community and academicians. Aims: The aim was to measure the outcomes of cyclic meditation (CM), yogic relaxation technique, when compared to supine rest (SR). We examine reduction in anxiety, using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Materials and Methods: A total of 60 high school students (both genders) participated in this study, aged between 13 and 16 years (group average age ± standard deviation, 14.78 ± 1.22 years). They were attending 10 days yoga training course during their summer vacation. Those children's, who had English as the main medium of instructions, were included. They acted as their own controls. They were divided into two groups and tested on the STAI, immediately before and after 22:30 min of practice of CM on 1 day, and immediately before and after an equal period of SR on the other day. For the assessment, the first group performed CM on day 9, and SR on day 10. For the second group, the order was reversed. Results: There was a significant reduction on STAI scores within group (pre and post) of CM (4.27%, P = 0.016) session and no change in SR session. Further, subgroup analysis based on gender revealed that the female group had a significant reduction following both sessions, but male group had nonsignificant reduction in STAI score. The female group found significantly differs from the male group in STAI score on both the sessions. Conclusions: The CM found to be a useful technique to combat the state of anxiety with different magnitude of changes in gender subgroups. The female group was benefitted more by following both CM and SR sessions compared with male group.

Strategy Formulation And Csr Implementation On Company Performance(Study At Industrial Area Makassar)

This study was based on condition of CSR activities reality that identical to generic CSR programs. Company carrying out CSR implementation because of high external pressures, not an company internal awareness to contribute to improve social environment and have no connection with main activities and corporate strategy. Consequently, this does not benefit to company performance and competitive advantage. Focus of this research is to develop a study to examine leadership behavior in formulating corporate strategy that oriented to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Efforts to improve corporate performance be done through implementation of integrated CSR strategy at industrial area of Makassar (PT KIMA). The analysis unit is company. Respondents that become samples are 81 people with leadership and chief general manager level, company-level functional manager. Analysis methods to test hypothesis is Structural Equation Model (SEM) with variance-based program of Partial least Square (PLS). The results of this study show that: antecedent variables, consisting of a transformational leadership style and ethical integrity significantly influence company strategy formulation with CSR orientation. Organizational learning culture did not significantly influence company strategy formulation with CSR orientation. Company strategy formulation with CSR orientation significantly influence implementation of CSR. Finally, CSR implementation significantly affect company performance.

HUMAN RESOURCE INFORMATION SYSTEM AS A STRATEGIC TOOL IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The purpose of this research is to identify specifically, how the use of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) contributes to the effectiveness of strategic human resources management and to examine the strategic importance of using HRIS at the workplace. Relevant review of various HRIS literature were undertaken which culminated into the development of a conceptual model and the formulation of hypotheses to test the proposal that there is relationship between independent variables- HRIS- and the dependent variables- Cost and Time Savings (CTS), Decision Making Contribution (DMC), Quality Information Effects (QIE) and Employment Development Commitment (EDC). The research uses data generated from 34 respondents from insurance companies in Ghana: SSNIT, ELAC, Vanguard, and Donewell. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. It has been found that HRIS adoption and use have a strong and positive effect on CTS and DMC. Essentially, organizations that divert concerted efforts towards HRIS adoption and use have a high likelihood of cutting down cost and saving time, and also ensure better contributions to strategic decision making. Further findings suggest that insurance organizations map up a strategic plan before implementation goes underway. Financial and resource appraisal in relation to the ability to start and sustain HRIS use are critical. HRIS enables HR professionals and supervisors to manage complex information entities and to plan HR efficiently also, organisations that intend using HRIS should thoroughly educate its employees- not only HR staff- so that internal awareness can facilitate the acceptance of the system. Key words: human resource information system, strategic human resource management, strategic decision making.

External awareness and GABA-A multimodal imaging study combining fMRI and [18F]flumazenil-PET

Awareness is an essential feature of the human mind that can be directed internally, that is, toward our self, or externally, that is, toward the environment. The combination of internal and external information is crucial to constitute our sense of self. Although the underlying neuronal networks, the so-called intrinsic and extrinsic systems, have been well-defined, the associated biochemical mechanisms still remain unclear. We used a well-established functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm for internal (heartbeat counting) and external (tone counting) awareness and combined this technique with [(18)F]FMZ-PET imaging in the same healthy subjects. Focusing on cortical midline regions, the results showed that both stimuli types induce negative BOLD responses in the mPFC and the precuneus. Carefully controlling for structured noise in fMRI data, these results were also confirmed in an independent data sample using the same paradigm. Moreover, the degree of the GABAA receptor binding potential within these regions was correlated with the neuronal activity changes associated with external, rather than internal awareness when compared to fixation. These data support evidence that the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA is an influencing factor in the differential processing of internally and externally guided awareness. This in turn has implications for our understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying awareness in general and its potential impact on psychiatric disorders.

The influence of relaxation with electromyography and Islamic prayer programs for female Muslim

Chronic work-related stress can fray nerves, keep you up at night and contribute to significant and independent risk problems such as heart disease and depression. Particularly, chronic job strain can put both your physical and emotional health at risk. Muscle relaxation is a useful evidence based teaching and treatment approach for physical/remedial therapists. It can show unnecessary covert muscles co-contractions and the muscles staying tense after performing a task and not relaxing. The physiological monitoring can identify low level muscle activity which is not recognized by either the client or the therapist. Electromyography (EMG) allows the invisible muscle tension to become visible and is illustrated through a case study of a client who sought treatment because of shoulder pain. Her pain started when she became employed in a vegetable store and continued to increase to the point that she was afraid that she would have to stop working. During the assessment sessions, the trapezius and deltoid EMG were recorded while her role played her job task which is keyboard typewriting practice programs. The EMG showed increased shoulder tension, which did not return to baseline; there baseline was also an absence of regenerative EMG gaps. Salah is the physically demanding practice of formal prayer in Islam that helps adjust the rhythm of the body. After Salah training for clients, substantial upper trapezius muscles activity can be demonstrated. In the present investigation, the muscle activity of the right and left external upper trapezius muscles was examined to assess the level of muscle activity during Islamic prayer. The EMG showed more significant decrease and relaxation compared with non-training tasks of clients. After actually training using Salah with reduced dysponesis, the client reported a significant decrease in headache and less exhaustion after a day’s work. At 1 month follow up, she reported a significant decrease in her shoulder complaints and was able to continue her job without shoulder problems. In summary, the findings are EMG-based. Salah augments the behavioral interventions because it helps develop internal awareness and enhance health status and reduce the risk of shoulder problems. Key words: Islamic prayer, relaxation, electromyography, stress.

Healing the World Through Consciousness Exploration

When it comes to philosophy of mind, there is an alternative to the discourse of human specialness and superiority.

Corporate responsibility, supply chain partnership and performance: An empirical examination

Unlike corporate and business levels, there is little research examining corporate responsibility (CR) at the functional level of the firm including supply chain strategy. The results of a firm-level survey show that CR internal awareness, and monitoring CR performance are positively related to the supply chain partnership approach, however sharing CR best practices is negatively associated. Furthermore, the impact of CR on firm performance is mediated by the functional behaviour of supply chain partnership formation. Our study provides support for including CR awareness building and monitoring in the development of partnerships but cautions against imposing CR best practices on suppliers.

Metabolic activity in external and internal awareness networks in severely brain-damaged patients

An extrinsic cerebral network (encompassing lateral frontoparietal cortices) related to external/sensory awareness and an intrinsic midline network related to internal/self-awareness have been identified recently. This study measured brain metabolism in both networks in patients with severe brain damage. Prospective [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised assessments in a university hospital setting. Healthy volunteers and patients in vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS), minimally conscious state (MCS), emergence from MCS (EMCS), and locked-in syndrome (LIS). A total of 70 patients were included in the study: 24 VS/UWS, 28 MCS, 10 EMCS, 8 LIS and 39 age-matched controls. VS/UWS showed metabolic dysfunction in extrinsic and intrinsic networks and thalami. MCS showed dysfunction mostly in intrinsic network and thalami. EMCS showed impairment in posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortices. LIS showed dysfunction only in infratentorial regions. Coma Recovery Scale-Revised total scores correlated with metabolic activity in both extrinsic and part of the intrinsic network and thalami. Progressive recovery of extrinsic and intrinsic awareness network activity was observed in severely brain-damaged patients, ranging from VS/UWS, MCS, EMCS to LIS. The predominance of intrinsic network impairment in MCS could reflect altered internal/self-awareness in these patients, which is difficult to quantify at the bedside.

Sensitivity of EEG upper alpha activity to cognitive and affective creativity interventions

We investigated whether creative cognition can be improved by means of cognitive and affective stimulation and whether these interventions are associated with changes of EEG alpha activity. Participants were required to generate original uses of conventional objects (Alternative Uses task, AU) while the EEG was recorded. In the cognitive stimulation condition, participants worked on the AU task subsequent to the exposure to other people's ideas. In the affective stimulation condition, they had to think creatively in positive affective states, induced via emotionally contagious sound clips. Creative cognition generally elicited alpha synchronization, most prominent in the prefrontal cortex and in the right hemisphere. The interventions were associated with stronger prefrontal alpha activity in the upper alpha band (10–12 Hz) than the control condition (no intervention), possibly indicating a state of heightened internal awareness, which might have a beneficial impact on creativity.

Immediate Effect of Sukha Pranayama on Cardiovascular Variables in Patients of Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most common health disorders, and yoga has been shown to be an effective adjunct therapy in its management. Earlier studies have reported blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects of slow, deep breathing after 3 weeks and 3 months of training and beneficial immediate effects of slow, deep breathing in reducing premature ventricular complexes and lowering blood pressure. None of these immediate studies used the concept of pranayama, involving conscious internal awareness of the whole breathing process. This study was undertaken to determine the immediate cardiovascular effects of sukha pranayama in hypertensive patients. Twenty-three hypertensive patients attending the Yoga OPD at JIPMER were recruited for the study and instructed to perform sukha pranayama for 5 minutes at the rate of 6 breaths/min. This pranayama involves conscious, slow and deep breathing with equal duration for inhalation and exhalation. Heart rate (HR) and BP were recorded before and immediately after the intervention. Post-intervention statistical analysis revealed a significant (p < .05) reduction in HR and a highly significant (p < .001) reduction in systolic pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, rate-pressure product, and double product with an insignificant fall in diastolic pressure. It is concluded that sukha pranayama at the rate of 6 breaths/minute can reduce HR and BP in hypertensive patients within 5 minutes of practice. This may be due to a normalization of autonomic cardiovascular rhythms as a result of increased vagal modulation and/or decreased sympathetic activity and improved baroreflex sensitivity. Further studies are required to understand possible mechanisms underlying this beneficial immediate effect and to determine how long such a beneficial effect persists.

Two Distinct Neuronal Networks Mediate the Awareness of Environment and of Self

Evidence from functional neuroimaging studies on resting state suggests that there are two distinct anticorrelated cortical systems that mediate conscious awareness: an "extrinsic" system that encompasses lateral fronto-parietal areas and has been linked with processes of external input (external awareness), and an "intrinsic" system which encompasses mainly medial brain areas and has been associated with internal processes (internal awareness). The aim of our study was to explore the neural correlates of resting state by providing behavioral and neuroimaging data from healthy volunteers. With no a priori assumptions, we first determined behaviorally the relationship between external and internal awareness in 31 subjects. We found a significant anticorrelation between external and internal awareness with a mean switching frequency of 0.05 Hz (range: 0.01-0.1 Hz). Interestingly, this frequency is similar to BOLD fMRI slow oscillations. We then evaluated 22 healthy volunteers in an fMRI paradigm looking for brain areas where BOLD activity correlated with "internal" and "external" scores. Activation of precuneus/posterior cingulate, anterior cingulate/mesiofrontal cortices, and parahippocampal areas ("intrinsic system") was linearly linked to intensity of internal awareness, whereas activation of lateral fronto-parietal cortices ("extrinsic system") was linearly associated with intensity of external awareness.

Management's attitudes toward safety in commercial vehicle operations

Management's attitudes toward safety in commercial vehicle operations play an important role in how safety is perceived within the organization and can have a great influence on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) related crashes. A pilot study examining factors and motivations of safety managers' attitudes toward safety was conducted using data collected from a survey of 30 safety managers that oversees the safety of CMV operations. The data was examined to find underlying factors associated with the respondent's perceptions of workplace safety. Factor analytic results reveal four constructs that relates to the managers' attitudes toward safety: financial, internal awareness, demand for safety, and overall safety culture in the industry. This study provides a first step in understanding the values that management may place on safety for commercial vehicle operations.

Environmental Legacies of the International Polar Year

The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–2008 seems poised to make major advances in polar knowledge and understanding, while leaving a legacy of new or enhanced observational systems, facilities, and infrastructure (see “Status and progress of the International Polar Year,” Eos, 89(34), 19 August 2008). In addition, we hope the IPY will stimulate and leave a positive environmental legacy for polar research and for research generally. In this Forum, we consider the prospects for positive IPY legacies in the forms of reduced environmental impacts of research activities, wise decisions about resource management, and greater internal (within the scientific community) and external (among global citizens) awareness of polar and global environmental issues.

Brain Function in Physiologically, Pharmacologically, and Pathologically Altered States of Consciousness

Boveroux, Pierre MD*; Bonhomme, Vincent MD, PhD* †; Boly, Mélanie MD*; Vanhaudenhuyse, Audrey MSc*; Maquet, Pierre MD, PhD*; Laureys, Steven MD, PhD* Author Information

‘Brain death’: should it be reconsidered?

To evaluate whether current clinical criteria and confirmatory tests for the diagnosis of 'brain death' satisfy the requirements for the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain including the brainstem. Medical, philosophical and legal literature on the subject of 'brain death'. We present four arguments to support the view that patients who meet the current operational criteria of 'brain death' do not necessarily have the irreversible loss of all brain (or brainstem) functions. First, many clinically 'brain-dead' patients maintain residual vegetative functions that are mediated or coordinated by the brain or the brainstem. Second, it is impossible to test for any cerebral function by clinical bedside exam, because the tracts of passage to and from the cerebrum through the brainstem are destroyed or nonfunctional. Furthermore, since there are limitations of clinical assessment of internal awareness in patients who otherwise lack the motor function to show their awareness, the diagnosis of 'brain death' is based on an unproved hypothesis. Third, many patients maintain several stereotyped movements (the so-called complex spinal cord responses and automatisms) which may originate in the brainstem. Fourth, not one of the current confirmatory tests has the necessary positive predictive value for the reliable pronouncement of human death. According to the above arguments, the assumption that all functions of the entire brain (or those of the brainstem) in 'brain-dead' patients have ceased, is invalidated. Reconsideration of the current concept of 'brain death' is perhaps inevitable.

Boundaries and the Processing of Self

People construct and use boundaries to sort and manage unordered experience. Boundaries thus become active mechanisms for creating and maintaining experiences of self. Under optimal circumstances, boundaries function as transitional realms that paradoxically join and separate areas of experience. Such paradoxical functioning allows individuals to simultaneously maintain a distinct sense of self yet remain open to new possibilities. By identifying and describing variations in boundary functioning, the author provides a process-oriented mechanism for understanding clinical presentations. Developmental aspects of boundary formation and maintenance are also explored. Over time, habitual preferences for managing awareness comprise persistent boundary patterns-both within internal awareness and between individuals or groups. Las personas construyen y utilizan límites para clasificar y manejar la experiencia no ordenada. De esta manera los límites se convierten en mecanismos activos para crear y mantener las experiencias que uno tiene de sí mismo. En circunstancias óptimas los límites funcionan como áreas transicionales que paradójicamente juntan y separan las áreas de la experiencia. Este funcionamiento paradójico permite a los individuos mantener simultáneamente un claro sentimiento de sí mismos y al mismo tiempo mantenerse abiertos a nuevas posibilidades. Al identificar y describir variaciones en el funcionamiento de los limites, la autora suministra un mecanismo desde la perspectiva procedural para entender las presentaciones clínicas. Se exploran también los aspectos del desarrollo y el mantenimiento de la formación de límites. Con el paso del tiempo, las preferencias habituales en el manejo de la conciencia estan constituidas por patrones de los límites que se hacen persistentes—tanto a nivel de la conciencia interna como entre individuos o grupos. Les personnes construisent et utilisent des frontières pour mettre de l'ordre et réguler l'expérience désordonnée. Les frontières deviennent ainsi des mécanismes actifs pour la création et le maintien des expériences de soi. Dans des circonstances optimales, les frontières ont une fonction de domaines transitionnels lesquels, paradoxalement, joignent et séparent des zones d'expérience. Un tel fonctionnement paradoxal permet aux individus de maintenir un sens de soi distinct tout en restant ouvert à de nouvelles possibilités. En identifiant et en décrivant des variations dans le fonctionnement des frontières, l'auteur offre un mécanisme fondé sur le processus qui permet de comprendre les présentations cliniques. Il explore également les aspects développementaux dans la formation et le maintien des frontières. Avec le temps, les préférences habituelles pour réguler la conscience en viennent à instaurer des patterns persistants de frontière—à la fois à l'intérieur de la conscience interne et entre les individus ou les groupes. Le persone costruiscono e utilizzano i confini per individuare e gestire le esperienze prive di un ordine. I confini, quindi, diventano meccanismi per creare e mantenere l'esperienza di sé. In circostanze ottimali, i confini funzionano come ambiti transizionali che paradossalmente uniscono e separano aree di esperienza. Questo funzionamento paradossale permette agli individui di mantenere simultaneamente un senso distinto di sé e tuttavia rimanere aperti a nuove possibilità. Identificando e descrivendo le variazioni nel funzionamento dei confini, l'autore fornisce un meccanismo orientato al processo per comprendere i casi clinici. Vengono anche esplorati aspetti della formazione e del mantenimento dei confini. Menschen etablieren und nutzen Abgrenzungen, um unstrukturierte Erfahrungen einzuordnen und diese zu bewältigen. Abgrenzungen werden somit zu aktiven Mechanismen, um Selbsterfahrungen zu ermöglichen und um diese aufrechtzuerhalten. Unter optimalen Umständen funktionieren diese Grenzen als Übergangsräume, die paradoxerweise Erfahrungsbereiche sowohl zusammenfügen als auch trennen. Gleichzeitig erlaubt ein solch paradoxes Funktionieren dem Menschen ein deutliches Selbstgefühl aufrechtzuerhalten und dabei dennoch für neue Möglichkeiten offen zu sein. Durch die Herausarbeitung verschiedener Arten des Grenzen-setzenden-Funktionierens liefert der Autor prozessorientierte Wirkungsweisen, um klinische Präsentationen zu verstehen. Entwicklungsorientierte Aspekte der Etablierung von Grenzen und deren Aufrechterhaltung werden ebenfalls untersucht. Über die Zeit hinweg schaden eingefahrene Grenzschemata, die dem Bewusstsein gerecht werden sollen—sowohl intrapsychisch als auch zwischenmenschlich.

The Role of Self-objectification in Women’s Depression: A Test of Objectification Theory

Objectification Theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21:173–206, 1997) postulates that sexual objectification of women and girls in US culture contributes to women’s mental health problems indirectly through women’s internalization of objectifying experiences or self-objectification. The purpose of this study was to test the model proposed in Objectification Theory as it applies to depression in women. A path analysis revealed that self-objectification decreased with age and led to habitual body monitoring, which led to a reduced sense of flow, greater body shame, and greater appearance anxiety. Less flow, greater body shame, and greater appearance anxiety led to depression. No significant pathways were found for the theorized relationships between the self-objectification measures and internal awareness or between internal awareness and depression. In addition, we provide psychometric support for a newly created multiple-item Flow Scale to assess Csikszentmihalyi’s (Flow: The psychology of optimal experience, Harper, New York, 1990) description of the common characteristics of peak motivational states and optimal experience.