Reflex Research Articles

Влияние исходной величины подкрепления на физиологические показатели условного дыхательного рефлекса

BACKGROUND: Most of the studies of the role of reinforcement in the formation of adaptive behavior were performed on animals. At the same time, such an experimental model as a conditioned respiratory reflex to resistive load, has not been sufficiently studied, although an unconditioned reflex to additional resistance to breathing, on the basis of which a conditioned one is formed, is a stable reaction that has clear quantitative evaluation criteria, and the conditioned reflex itself is relatively strong, easily normalized, reluctantly extinguished and does not require observance of a number of methodological conditions. AIM: To study the influence of the initial value of reinforcement on the physiological parameters of the conditioned respiratory reflex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The work was carried out on people of both genders, 16 people, aged 18 to 44, practically healthy. The unconditioned stimulus was applied in four gradations of external respiratory resistance: 11; 28; 54; 76 cm water • l/sec. The conditioned reflex was formed by the classic type, the duration of application of the conditioned stimulus was not fixed and its end coincided with the end of the action of the unconditioned stimulus, the period of the isolated action of the conditioned signal was 10 sec. As physiological parameters, we studied the ventilatory and motor parameters of respiration, the temporal parameters of the conditioned reaction. RESULTS: The influence of the unconditioned stimulus on the value of the tidal volume after the combination in all subjects depended on the absolute reinforcement values used in this combination, and was weakly connected with the initial reinforcement value. The influence of the external resistance on breathing used in this combination was significantly higher on such parameters as intraoral pressure of inspiration and expiration; the role of the initial reinforcement value in the dynamics of the given parameters was not confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Most “sensitive” to the action of the initial value of the resistive load were the temporal parameters of the conditioned respiratory reflex — the latent period and the time of the conditioned reaction; the parameters of the “ventilatory” and “motor” outputs of the external respiration system changed noticeably, the spirometric parameters showed very little dynamics, and the capnographic parameters practically did not change. The dynamics of the parameters of the conditioned respiratory reflex to increased external respiratory resistance permits to single out groups of signs that have the greatest semantic significance for evaluation of the system-forming and discriminating role of the initial gradation of the reinforcement factor.

Baroreflex Curve Fitting Using a WYSIWYG Boltzmann Sigmoidal Equation.

Arterial baroreflex assessment using vasoactive substances enables investigators to collect data pairs over a wide range of blood pressures and reflex reactions. These data pairs relate intervals between heartbeats or sympathetic neural activity to blood pressure values. In an X-Y plot the data points scatter around a sigmoidal curve. After fitting the parameters of a sigmoidal function to the data, the graph’s characteristics represent a rather comprehensive quantitative reflex description. Variants of the 4-parameter Boltzmann sigmoidal equation are widely used for curve fitting. Unfortunately, their ‘slope parameters’ do not correspond to the graph’s actual slope which complicates the analysis and bears the risk of misreporting. We propose a modified Boltzmann sigmoidal function with preserved goodness of fit whose parameters are one-to-one equivalent to the sigmoidal curve’s characteristics.

Відхаркувальна терапія при гострих респіраторних інфекціях у дітей

В огляді літератури подані сучасні відомості про застосування відхаркувальної терапії при гострих респіраторних інфекціях у дітей. Для написання статті здійснювався пошук інформації з використанням баз даних Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, PubMed, Google Scholar, CyberLeninka, «Російський індекс наукового цитування». Акцентовано увагу на важливості вибору препарату для патогенетичної терапії кашлю в дитини з урахуванням ефективності й безпечності лікарського засобу. На підставі проведеного інформаційного пошуку систематизовані дані щодо фармакологічних властивостей і доказової бази клінічної ефективності, переносимості й безпеки застосування при лікуванні гострих респіраторних інфекцій у дітей одного з ефективних відхаркувальних засобів рефлекторної дії рослинного походження — препарату сухого екстракту листя плюща звичайного Пектолван Плющ (Pectolvan hedera helix).

Reflective practice in action: an account of psychotherapists’ experiences in group-work training

ABSTRACT The importance of reflective practice in psychotherapy has long been acknowledged. However, there is a paucity of work that elucidates the process of reflection in the context of therapist development. The current study employs reflexive action research for a supervised group-work in a tertiary mental health hospital carried out by two trainee therapists. Group-work intervention was chosen because it was viewed as a cost-effective method given the client-clinician ratio. It also provided a richer context to boost reflective practices in various interactions- with the participants, the supervisor and the co-facilitator. Reflective notes and discussions among trainees, supervisor, as well as verbatim feedback from clients were the sources of information. The paper describes this process of reflection as well as the critical events in the process that posed a challenge for the therapists and opportunities for reflection in these interactions during the course of therapy. The paper, with its reflective stance, has implications for promoting and documenting reflective practice in psychotherapy training using different methods and modalities.

Riflessività e ricerca sociale: la produzione dialogica della realtà

During the interview, we aim to problematize issues pertinent to social research with/about childhood and youths, highlighting the reflexive processes that constitute contemporary social actions. Thus, we invite Enzo Colombo for a conversation about the different theoretical-methodological perspectives that bring up the theme of “reflexivity”, considering it a category of interpretation in view of the current processes of socialization and individuation. The contributions raised by Enzo Colombo answers emerge from epistemological criticisms and didactically outline interpretative perspectives of the reflexive action, namely: a) the reflection of the social actor on him/herself and the context, interacting with codes and activities; b) the recursive process of incorporating results from action and knowledge; and c) the relational practice of producing senses and action in the interaction. Therefore, he continues his arguments to discuss the socio-political conditions to produce a ‘construcionist reflexivity’, held to the contexts and dialogues between the subjects, aware to the research participation in the construction of social reality.

Influence of Ice Angler Culling Practices on Bluegill Physiological Stress Responses and Mortality

AbstractDecreasing bag limits is a management mechanism for enhancing size structure of Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus. However, restrictive bag limits can promote culling, where an angler returns a live fish to the water in exchange for another. Little is known about the effect of culling on ice‐angled fishes. Our objective was to compare the effects of Bluegill confinement methods (reference, ice well, and bucket) and holding durations (0, 1, 2, or 5 h) on changes in water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, carbon dioxide, and water temperature) and Bluegill stress physiology (blood glucose and plasma cortisol), reflex responses (reflex action mortality predictor [RAMP] scores), and mortality while ice angling. In February 2018, 182 Bluegills were angled through the ice and randomly assigned a confinement method and holding duration. Bluegill blood glucose levels were higher in both confinement methods than reference fish at 2‐h and 5‐h holding durations. Bluegills had higher blood glucose levels in buckets than ice wells at 1 and 2 h, but they had higher blood glucose levels in ice wells at 5 h. Water temperature was warmer in buckets than ice wells at all holding durations, while ice wells were cooler than ambient lake temperature. Bucket pH was higher than the lake at 2 h, and ice well pH was higher than the lake at 1 and 2 h. Bluegill RAMP scores were similar across all holding durations and confinement methods, but they were elevated in individuals held for the 24‐h mortality assessment. Two Bluegill mortalities occurred for fish held in ice wells. Our results suggest that confinement method and holding duration while ice angling can result in altered Bluegill blood glucose concentrations, water temperatures, and pH concentrations but that culling while ice angling might not result in mortality. Consequently, culling practices may be compatible with and not negate the intended benefits of reduced Bluegill bag limits.

Social cartography as a participatory process for mapping experiences of Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship: an account of the design

ABSTRACT This article describes the design process for a cartographic room as an effective tool for mapping Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC) initiatives. This process formed part of a participatory action research project (PAR), aimed at identifying and recognizing ESDGC experiences in schools, as well as creating collaboration networks. The construction of the cartographic room complied with all PAR phases and requirements, as well as those involved in a collaborative social mapping process, highlighting the evident connection between both methodologies and with the ESDGC philosophy regarding the consciousness and critical understanding and transformation of social reality. In this sense, the cartographic room design and implementation was a reflexive and collaborative action, including processes of problematization and negotiation of meanings in order to create a shared narration. The article shows how the resulting room, its content, format and applications, allow for mapping ESDGC initiatives and also favour reflection processes. The data collected by mapping defines ESDCG initiatives in schools, their goals, topics and competences, methodologies and assessment; making these projects more visible as well as inspiring for other teachers. Thus, the final product in the form of a map can contribute to advancing and strengthening the field of ESDCG.

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise: Engaging Indigenous ways of knowing to foster critical consciousness in medical education

Purpose Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island (North America) experience ongoing health disparities tied to the effects of colonization and persistent racism toward Indigenous Peoples. Educating future clinicians to develop a critical consciousness is an important way to work toward cultural safety and improve the health care experiences of Indigenous patients. The present study evaluated the ability of the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) to foster critical consciousness. Methods Two hundred thirteen medical students at the University of Toronto participated in the KBE. Subsequently, 174 students completed a paper evaluation, designed to capture concepts of cultural safety and critical consciousness. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods to identify shifts in perspectives. Results The majority of students reported the exercise altered the way they viewed those from backgrounds different from their own, and comments regarding bias, power and privilege were highlighted throughout the responses. Engaging in critical reflection through dialogue and revealing the complex sociopolitical context of Indigenous Peoples’ history were emphasized as central to this transformation. Conclusions Following participation in the KBE, medical students demonstrated a shift in their perspectives. This suggests that creating curricular space for critical pedagogy may be effective in fostering critical consciousness, ultimately encouraging reflexive practice and social action.

Clustering and Differentiation of glr-3 Gene Function and Its Homologous Proteins

In order to adapt to the low temperature environment, organisms transmitexcitement to the central system through the thermal sensing system, whichis a classic reflex reaction. The cold receptor GLR-3 perceives cold and produces cold avoidance behavior through peripheral sensory neurons ASER.In order to further understand the gene encoding of the cold sensing glr-3gene and the evolution of its homologous gene group function and proteinfunction, the nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence of the glr-3gene and its homologous gene in 24 species were obtained and compared.By clustering with the GRIK2 gene sequence of Rana chensinensis, the bioinformatics method was used to predict and sequence analyze the change ofgene, evolution rate, physical and chemical properties of protein, glycosylation sites, phosphorylation sites, secondary structure and tertiary structureof protein. The analysis results show that the glr-3 gene and its homologousgene have obvious positive selection effect. The protein prediction analysisshowed that the glr-3 gene and its homologous genes encoded proteinsin these 25 species were hydrophilic proteins, and the proportion of sidechains of aliphatic amino acids was high. The transmembrane helix waswidespread and there were more N-glycosylation sites and O-glycosylationsites. The protein phosphorylation sites encoded were serine, threonine andtyrosine phosphorylation sites. Secondary structure prediction showed thatthe secondary structure units of the encoded protein were α-helix, β-turn,random coil and extended chain, and the proportion of α-helix was the largest. This study provides useful information on the evolution and function ofthe cold sensing gene glr-3 and its homologous genes.

An outline of a pragmatist theory on reflexivity: exploring the pathways of the concept through social theory

Abstract In this article, we propose an understanding of reflexivity based on the effects of degrees of indeterminacy in the most diverse situations and contexts. We conducted an analysis based on a pragmatist sensibility to outline a model of reflexivity, examining how the concept has been thought in social theory. We explore the epistemological reflexivity (Pierre Bourdieu); the tradition that associates reflexivity and personal forms of internal deliberation (Margaret Archer); approaches connecting reflexivity with devices allowing an objective apprehension of the world (Bernard Lahire); and perspectives in which reflexive action is linked to indeterminacy (John Dewey; Luc Boltanski and Laurent Thévenot). We combine routine, experiences of destabilization, catastrophe, and different high levels of reflexivity, seeking to open social theory to new research agendas on reflexive action.

The endogenous inflammatory reflex inhibits the inflammatory response to different immune challenges in mice

The splanchnic anti-inflammatory pathway, the efferent arm of the endogenous inflammatory reflex, has been shown to suppress the acute inflammatory response of rats to systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here we show for the first time that this applies also to mice, and that the reflex may be engaged by a range of inflammatory stimuli. Experiments were performed on mice under deep anaesthesia. Half the animals were subjected to bilateral section of the splanchnic sympathetic nerves, to disconnect the splanchnic anti-inflammatory pathway, while the remainder underwent a sham operation. Mice were then challenged intravenously with one of three inflammatory stimuli: the toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 agonist, LPS (60 µg/kg), the TLR-3 agonist Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C, 1 mg/kg) or the TLR-2 and -6 agonist dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl cysteine (Pam2cys, 34 µg/kg). Ninety minutes later, blood was sampled by cardiac puncture for serum cytokine analysis. The splanchnic anti-inflammatory reflex action was assessed by comparing cytokine levels between animals with cut versus those with intact splanchnic nerves. A consistent pattern emerged: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels in response to all three challenges were raised by prior splanchnic nerve section, while levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) were reduced. The raised TNF:IL-10 ratio after splanchnic nerve section indicates an enhanced inflammatory state when the reflex is disabled. These findings show for the first time that the inflammatory reflex drives a coordinated anti-inflammatory action also in mice, and demonstrate that its anti-inflammatory action is engaged, in similar fashion, by inflammatory stimuli mimicking a range of bacterial and viral infections.

An Assistive Coughing Device for Post-Laryngectomy Patients

People who have undergone total laryngectomy typically have difficulties speaking and coughing. Coughing, the protective reflex action where air is rapidly expelled from the lungs to clear the airway, is crucial in everyday life. Insufficiency in coughing can lead to serious chest infections. In this research we present a bionic assistive coughing device (RoboCough) to improve coughing efficacy among laryngectomy patients by increasing pressure and flow rate. RoboCough was designed to mimic the function of the glottis and trachea in the upper respiratory system. Experimental results show a significant increase (t(64) = 4.9, p < 0.0001) in peak cough flow rate and peak cough pressure (t(64) = 12.6, p < 0.0001) among 33 control participants using RoboCough. A pilot study with a smaller cohort of laryngectomy patients shows improvement in peak cough pressure (p = 0.0159) using RoboCough. Preliminary results also show that post-laryngectomy coughs achieved similar peak cough flow (Z = -0.9933, p = 0.32) to the control group’s natural cough. Coughing capabilities could be improved through using RoboCough. Applications of RoboCough include simulation of vocal folds and respiratory conditions, rehabilitation of ineffective coughs from laryngeal and respiratory diseases and as a test-bed for the development of medical devices for respiratory support.

School Counselors’ Perceptions and Understandings of Lockdown Drills: Navigating the Paradox of Safety and Fear

This research sought to develop an initial understanding of how mandated policies related to lockdown safety drills are enacted in response to active shooter scenarios within PK-Grade 12 public schools. In light of a scant research base exploring the effectiveness and impacts of such policies and procedures, we explored the question, What are school counselors’ lived experiences with lockdown drills?. Using a phenomenological design, we interviewed 26 school counselors from five school districts from the Southeastern United States during the 2019 academic year. Findings center around four key themes: Awareness of School Violence, Necessity and Variability in Preparation, Paradox of Safety, and Communication as Support and Challenge. We will discuss the tensions, or push and pulls/contradictions, that are a part of both drills and actual incidents across these themes. To conclude, we present recommendations for further research and policy to support informed, reflexive action.

Emotion model of associative memory possessing variable learning rates with time delay

Lots of researchers have used memristors to realize the emotion model of associative memory. In previous works, researchers analyzed this associative memory from two perspectives—forgetting and variable learning rate. In the previous emotion model, neutral stimulus(message notification) and unconditioned reflex(good or bad message) were applied simultaneously. But the variable learning rate with time delay is not considered in the emotion model. When the unconditioned reflex lags behind the neutral stimulus, the associative memory can also be formed. This article proposes an emotion model of variable learning rate with time delay. We also consider three kinds of forgetting: only a stimulus of unconditioned reflex applied, only a neutral stimulus applied and neither stimulus of unconditioned reflex nor neutral stimulus applied. In the end, the software PSPICE is used to simulate the whole circuit. This paper provides an option to realize emotional learning based on memristor.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most severely handicapping conditions affecting irregular gait childhood. This condition manifests itself as a number of neuromuscular dysfunctions and involves muscle weakness, stiffness, paralysis, poor balance irregular gait, and uncoordinated or involuntary movement. These children may have higher risk of caries due to their inability to maintain good oral hygiene, intake of soft and cariogenic food, increased prevalence of enamel hypoplasic defects on the teeth. Periodontal diseases occur with great frequency, as they are unable to brush and floss adequately, they may also be on phenytoin to control seizure activity which is a cause of some degree of gingival hyperplasia. Malocclusion occurs twice, bruxism is commonly seen in athetoid type, and due to the nature of disorder, these children are more susceptible to trauma, especially of the maxillary anteriors. They have excessive drooling and difficulty in swallowing. Spastic children present with spastic tongue thrust, Class II DIV 2 malocclusion with unilateral crossbite. Athetoid patients presents with mouth breathing and anterior open bite. Many patients prefer to be treated in the wheel chair, which may be tipped back into the dentist's lap, head should be stabilized throughout the procedure, use physical restraints for control of failing extremities, mouth props, and finger splints can be used for control of involuntary jaw movements, avoid abrupt movements, lights and noises to minimize startle reflex reactions. Local anesthetic can be used with care, rubber dam can be used to protect the working area from hyper active tongue movements, and gauge shield should be used during extraction to avoid aspiration. Premedication can be used to reduce hypertonicity, involuntary movement, and anxiety; general anesthesia can be used as a last resort. This article discusses about etiology, clinical features along with management of children with cerebral palsy.

左頭頂葉病変により把握反射, 本能性把握反応を伴わず「つかんだものが放せない」症状を呈した 1 例

左頭頂葉病変により把握反射, 本能性把握反応を伴わず「つかんだものが放せない」症状を呈した 1 例

Lessons from the Pandemic

Lessons from the Pandemic

Morphometry of cervical spinal cord in cat using design-based stereology.

The spinal cord harbours nerve fibres that facilitate reflex actions and that transmit impulses to and from the brain. The cervical spinal cord is an area of particular interest in medicine and veterinary due to frequent pathologic alterations in this region. This study describes the morphometric features of the cervical spinal cord in cat using design-unbiased stereological methods. The cervical spinal cords of four male cats were dissected and samples were taken according to systematic uniform random sampling. Each sample was embedded in agar and cut into 60-µm thick sections and stained with cresyl violet 0.1% for stereological estimations. The total cervical spinal cord volume obtained by the Cavalieri estimator was 2,321.21±285.5mm3 . The relative volume of grey matter and white matter was 23.8±1.3% and 76.1±1.3%. The dorsal horn and ventral horn volume were 12.3±1.2% and 11.4±0.7% of the whole cervical spinal cord. The volume of central canal was estimated to 3.8±1mm3 . The total number of neurons was accounted 3,405,366.2±267,469.4 using the optical disector/fractionator method. The number of motoneurons and interneurons was estimated to be 1,120,433.2±174,796.7 and 2,284,932.9±127,261.5, respectively. The average volume of the motoneurons and interneurons was estimated to 1980µm3 and 680µm3 , respectively, using the spatial rotator method. This knowledge of cat spinal cord findings may serve as a foundation as a translational model in spinal cord experimental research and provide basic findings for diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord disorders.

DMD-10 is dispensable for the initial development of amphid sensory neurons and their survival in mature C. elegans.

Mechanosensory or chemosensory activation of glutamatergicASH amphid sensory neurons promotes avoidancebehaviors in C. elegans. Wormswith mutations in the transcription factor DMD-10 have impaired ASH-mediated sensorimotor reflexes. We hypothesized that the behavioral dysfunction in dmd-10 mutants could arise from impaired ASH development or survival leading to disrupted glutamatergic signaling.To test this, we performed in vivo fluorescence microscopy of young adult C. elegans amphid neurons after labeling with the lipophilic dye DiI. We quantified the number of ASH neurons as well as five other amphid sensory neuron pairs. We found that the number of amphid neurons in dmd-10 mutants was the same as in wild-type worms. Our results suggest that dmd-10 is not required for amphid neuron development or survival in mature C. elegans.

MPC-Based Haptic Shared Steering System: A Driver Modeling Approach for Symbiotic Driving

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) aim to increase safety and reduce mental workload. However, the gap in the understanding of the closed-loop driver–vehicle interaction often leads to reduced user acceptance. In this article, an optimal torque control law is calculated online in the model predictive control (MPC) framework to guarantee continuous guidance during the steering task. The research contribution is in the integration of an extensive prediction model covering cognitive behavior, neuromuscular dynamics, and the vehicle-steering dynamics, within the MPC-based haptic controller to enhance collaboration. The driver model is composed of a preview cognitive strategy based on a linear-quadratic-gaussian, sensory organs, and neuromuscular dynamics, including muscle coactivation and reflex action. Moreover, an adaptive cost-function algorithm enables dynamic allocation of the control authority. Experiments were performed in a fixed-base driving simulator at Toyota Motor Europe involving 19 participants to evaluate the proposed controller with two different cost functions against a commercial lane keeping assist system as an industry benchmark. The results demonstrate the proposed controller fosters symbiotic driving and reduces driver–vehicle conflicts with respect to a state-of-the-art commercial system, both subjectively and objectively, while still improving the path-tracking performance. Summarising, this article tackles the need to blend human and ADAS control, demonstrating the validity of the proposed strategy.