Presence Of Me Research Articles

Must All Affect Be Mediated by Cognition?

Some of the arguments offered by Tsal (1985) to challenge the possible independence of affective processes have been made previously (e.g., Lazarus 1982; Watts 1983), and they have been extensively addressed (Ellis 1985; Kleinginna and Kleinginna 1985; Plutchik 1985; Rachman 1981; Zajonc 1984). We will, therefore, respond to them only briefly. Tsal implies that affective reactions are always mediated by some form of representation, whereas we propose that there exist instances where affect is independent of influences (Zajonc 1978; Zajonc and Markus 1982). Tsal's argument against the independence of affect rests on the assumption that in those affective experiences where an antecedent process cannot be directly demonstrated, an unconscious process must have taken place. An unconscious process must have taken place because, by definition, affect is always mediated by some form of representation. But unless Tsal can show just how-and in what form-an unconscious antecedent was involved in a given affective reaction, his proposition is unfalsifiable. Otherwise, if just one case is found where affect is independent of cognition, and Tsal cannot supply even indirect evidence proving the participation of unconscious processes, then his contention loses ground. Several instances that have been cited previously (Zajonc 1978, 1984) satisfy these criteria. These instances do not seem to implicate conscious cognition, and if they do implicate unconscious cognition, it is totally uncertain how such mediation might take place. Tsal himself speaks of innate aversions in the second paragraph of his article. What are the cognitive of innate aversions and what is their form? According to Tsal, innate aversions imply innate cognitions, since by his definition all aversions are mediated by some form of representation. What are these innate cognitions and how can we prove their existence? How can we explain taste aversion in bait shyness established when any possible association be. tween food and the delayed nauseous reaction is oblit. erated by anesthesia (Garcia and Rusiniak 1980)? Ho, can we explain the fact that facial musculature, unac. companied by subjective elements, produces distinctivc autonomic responses that correspond to distinctivc emotional reactions (Ekman, Levenson, and Frieser 1983), and facial muscles may produce subjective effects as well (Zajonc 1985)? These cases might eventually be shown to involvc unconscious cognitions, but thus far no shred of evidence exists that they do. It does not suffice to asserl that these instances necessarily involve cognition. One must show in what way unconscious cognition might be implicated and bring at least some evidence that it is. Similarly, it would not suffice to simply assert thai affect is independent of cognition. We have gone, therefore, well beyond mere assertions. The independence of affect has been substantiated in a number of ways. For example, the existence of neuroanatomical structures that allow for the independent arousal of affect (Zajonc 1984) was among several specific facts supporting the affective independence hypothesis. Thus, the retino-hypothalamic tract is a direct pathway from the retina to the hypothalamus. It allows for an emotional arousal triggered directly by sensory stimulation that requires no higher-order mediation (Nauta and Haymaker 1969). The fact that aggression and rage can be elicited by a direct stimulation of the hypothalamus (Flynn, Edwards, and Bandler 1971) also suggests the possibility of affective reactions without the participation of cognition. And the same holds for the existence of separate centers that control affective and lexical aspects of speech (Ross and Mesulam 1979). Typical of Tsal's argument is his analysis of the WellsPetty (1980) data. He treats these results by the flat assertion that Evidently, (sic) the head movements could have influenced subjects' only (sic) by their association to agreement and disagreement. Thus, these representations must have been (unconsciously) activated by the head movements thereby affecting the subjects' attitudes (p. 359; italics ours). Evidently? The problem with this sort of reasoning is obvious. First, it is asserted that affect must entail cognition, providing no logical or empirical grounds. Then, if an instance appears where the presence of me*R. B. Zajonc is Charles Horton Cooley Distinguished Professor of Social Sciences and Director, and Hazel Markus is Associate Professor of Psychology and Senior Research Scientist, both at the Research Center for Group Dynamics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. This work was supported by National Science Foundation Grant BS-81 17977.

Synthesis of crystalline metal silicates having zeolite structure and study of their catalytic properties

The possibility of isomorphous heterocharged substitution (IHS) of Si 4+ by Me n+ cations of elements of Groups I – VIII (where n ≠ 4) in crystalline non-aluminium silicates with the ZSM structure has been examined. The silicates were synthesized in hydrothermal conditions in the presence of Me n+ and tetrabutylammonium bromide. The catalytic activity of the silicates in methanol conversion into hydrocarbons has been determined. The state of Me n+ in crystallization products was studied by EPR and NMR methods. As shown, the probability of Me n+ fixation in tetrahedral oxygen surroundings in the silicate framework can be predicted on the basis of the Pauling criterion. Acid-base catalytic activity was found only for silicates with Me n+ cations in IHS positions. Both the rate and selectivity of methanol conversion to hydrocarbons depend on the e/ r of cations, because the number of Me n+ which can be occluded in the IHS positions in the silicate framework depends on this parameter.

Alpha-Adrenoceptor stimulated lymphocytes trigger the mechanical response of vas deferens: participation of arachidonic acid metabolites.

Normal human lymphocytes (L) (8 X 10(5) ml-1) incubated with methoxamine (Me) (1 X 10(-7) M) (Me-L) triggered the mechanical response of the isolated vas deferens of the rat. L or Me alone did not modify this contractile activity at the concentrations cited above. Me alone (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) increased the tension of the vas. In the presence of L (8 X 10(5) ml-1) the dose-response curve to Me shifted to the left and the efficacy of Me was enhanced. Inhibitors of alpha 1-adrenoceptors completely blocked the reaction between Me and L while drugs that block alpha 1 and alpha 2-adrenoceptors reduced the reaction between Me-L and the vas deferens. Direct contact of Me-L with the assay organ was not necessary. Cell-free supernatants of L exposed to Me (Me-L supernatants) elicited the reaction in the same way as Me-L. This effect required the continuous presence of Me since dialyzed Me-L supernatants were inactive. Inhibitors of lipoxygenase(s) completely blocked the positive inotropic effect of Me-L or of Me-L supernatants. Inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase potentiated this effect. These results suggest that Me reacts with alpha 1-adrenoceptors of L. From this reaction, soluble factors are released that potentiate the alpha-adrenoceptor stimulatory effect of Me on the vas deferens as a consequence of the release of oxidative products of the lipoxygenase/s pathway of arachidonic acid.

Influence of the mercury blocking reagent 2-mercaptoethanol on the spectroscopic properties of complexes formed between lysyltryptophyllysine and mercurated poly(uridylic acid).

Optical detection of magnetic resonance (ODMR) studies are reported for complexes formed between the tripeptide Lys-Trp-Lys and poly(5-HgU), both in the absence and in the presence of the blocking reagent 2-mercaptoethanol (ME). Complexes formed both with and without ME show characteristics of a heavy atom effect: quenching of Trp fluorescence, enhancement of the Trp phosphorescence quantum yield, a drastic reduction of the Trp phosphorescence lifetime, and the appearance of a Trp magnitude of D + magnitude of E ODMR signal at ca. 4.2 GHz. Significant differences are found, however, in the photophysical properties of the complexes formed with and without ME. In the absence of ME, the Trp phosphorescence bands are broad, the 0,0 band is shifted to 415.3 nm, and the magnitude of D - magnitude of E and 2 magnitude of E ODMR transitions are broad and poorly resolved. These features are characteristic of an inhomogeneous Trp environment. In the presence of ME, the phosphorescence peaks are narrower, with the 0,0 band shifted to 411.6 nm. The magnitude of D - magnitude of E and 2 magnitude of E ODMR transitions are well resolved and shifted in frequency relative to the unblocked complex. These features point to a more homogeneous Trp environment in the presence of ME. UV difference spectra show hypochromicity in the poly(5-HgU) absorption band (indicating induced stacking) which occurs on binding of Lys-Trp-Lys with ME present, while in the absence of ME, hypochromicity occurs primarily in the Trp absorption bands. Reversal of these effects with added NaClO4 occurs in both cases, but higher ionic strength is required with ME present. These results are consistent with the formation of stacked complexes in the presence of ME, but with additional types of complexes in its absence. The additional complexes formed in the absence of ME do not contribute to stacking of poly-(5-HgU) and may involve direct binding of mercury to amines of Lys-Trp-Lys; binding occurs between Lys-Trp-Lys and the monomer 5-HgUTP in the absence of ME, but not when the Hg is blocked with ME.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of myelin proteins: A caution

Some variables involved in the preparation of rat brain myelin proteins for polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in buffers containing sodium dodecyl sulfate were studied. Under mild conditions of solubilization the resultant gel patterns were relatively insensitive to the β-mercaptoethanol (ME) concentration in the protein solvent used for solubilization of myelin proteins. However, if the samples were boiled in the presence of ME (a standard procedure for disruption of metastable aggregates of membrane proteins), a major myelin protein, proteolipid protein, as well as some minor proteins were preferentially excluded from the gel. This effect was proportional to the ME concentration.

Chemical shifts of bromomethine protons of constrained α-bromocyclohexanones An index of configuration and conformation

The chemical shifts due to the bromomethine proton have been listed for 36 α-mono- and α,α-dibromocyclohexanones which are conformationally constrained. The values observed are a remarkably reliable index of the axial or equatorial nature of the protons in question. The presence of Me or methylene substituents, a second Br atom, a heterocyclic O atom or a carbon bridge seems to have little direct effect on the shift position which is principally influenced by the geometry of the methylenemethine ketone grouping in the time-averaged species. Consequently the shift position can be used to assign configuration and to assess conformational preferences.

Chemical shifts of bromomethine protons of constrained α-bromocyclohexanones: An index of configuration and conformation

The chemical shifts due to the bromomethine proton have been listed for 36 α-mono- and α,α-dibromocyclohexanones which are conformationally constrained. The values observed are a remarkably reliable index of the axial or equatorial nature of the protons in question. The presence of Me or methylene substituents, a second Br atom, a heterocyclic O atom or a carbon bridge seems to have little direct effect on the shift position which is principally influenced by the geometry of the methylenemethine ketone grouping in the time-averaged species. Consequently the shift position can be used to assign configuration and to assess conformational preferences.