Reflex Responses Research Articles

Reducing the tide of single-use plastic pollution: how the EU’s Single-Use Plastic Directive drives (and fails to drive) private company reflexivity

ABSTRACT Single-use plastics (SUPs) are having catastrophic effects on marine environments. Establishing effective reduction and circularity strategies is complex and necessitates a legal approach that fosters reflexivity and learning by regulated companies, especially those that produce and sell SUPs. Reflexive environmental law (REL) offers a promising starting point to identify drivers and techniques in law that foster reflexivity, yet fails to consider how to define and identify reflexive responses by regulatees. Using reflexive governance and social learning literature, this article identifies four responses: negative, single-loop adaptive, double-loop reflexive and triple-loop reflexive. The article uses an explorative case study of the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), and its transposition by France and Germany, to analyse how the SUPD fosters company reflexivity through techniques building autonomy, accountability and responsiveness and adjustability. Through, among others, interviews with companies that must comply with the SUPD, this article reveals that single-loop and double-loop responses are the most prominent. However, reflexivity is shown to be inhibited by institutional, organisational and market factors. Better understanding of the dynamics between reflexive drivers within law(s) and the institutional, organisational and market characteristics of regulated actors is needed to design more effective regulations to transform to a sustainable circular plastics economy.

Latent bladder hypersensitivity induced by neonatal cystitis in rats unmasked by segmental but not hetero-segmental inflammation.

Rats which experienced neonatal bladder inflammation (NBI) have been demonstrated to exhibit latent bladder hypersensitivity with a nociceptive component that becomes unmasked by a second inflammatory insult as an adult. Manifested as augmented reflex and neuronal responses to urinary bladder distension (UBD), these NBI-induced changes are revealed by using inflammation of nearby structures as an adult pretreatment. The effect of inflammation in distant structures is not known. These studies examined visceromotor reflex responses and lumbosacral spinal dorsal horn neuronal responses to UBD in rats and compared effects of segmental (hindpaw) versus hetero-segmental (forepaw or face) inflammatory pretreatments in 192 female Sprague-Dawley rats raised from birth. On postnatal days 14-16 these rats underwent either NBI or control procedures. As adults, these rats received control injections or 0.1ml Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) injections into one of four sites. Three days later they were studied in reflex or spinal single-cell neuronal experiments where responses were evoked by UBD. Visceromotor responses to UBD were more robust in rats which had injections in the hindpaw (either side) but were not significantly affected by forepaw or facial injections. Similar results were identified in L6/S1 neurons with more robust UBD-evoked responses observed in rats receiving hindpaw CFA injections but not forepaw injections. These results indicate that latent bladder hypersensitivity induced by NBI is made manifest by segmental, but not hetero-segmental inflammatory stimuli. This observation correlates with pain in patients with interstitial cystitis who often have flares in symptoms associated with inflammation of nearby structures.

Eye Movements during Measurements of Visual Vertical in the Poststroke Subacute Phase.

The subjective visual vertical (VV), the visually estimated direction of gravity, is essential for assessing vestibular function and visuospatial cognition. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying altered VV perception in stroke participants with unilateral spatial neglect (USN), specifically by examining their eye movement patterns during VV judgment tasks. Participants with USN demonstrated limited eye movement scanning along a rotating bar, often fixating on prominent ends, such as the top or bottom. This suggests a reflexive response to visually salient areas, potentially interfering with accurate VV perception. In contrast, participants without USN showed broader scanning around the center of the bar. Notably, participants with USN without frontal lobe lesions occasionally exhibited extended scanning that included the bar's center, which was associated with accurate VV judgments. These findings suggest that (1) a tendency to fixate on peripheral, prominent areas and (2) frontal lobe involvement in disengaging and redirecting spatial attention may influence VV perception in USN. Based on these results, targeted rehabilitation strategies that encourage individuals with USN to extend their visual scanning beyond prominent endpoints and include central areas could improve VV accuracy. This study highlights the specific eye movement behaviors contributing to VV misperception, emphasizing the importance of training that broadens scanning to improve VV perception effectively.

The role of the dorsomedial hypothalamus in the cardiogenic sympathetic reflex in the Sprague Dawley rat.

Myocardial ischemia causes the production and release of metabolites such as bradykinin, which stimulates cardiac spinal sensory afferents, causing chest pain and an increase in sympathetic activity referred to as the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex. While the brain stem nuclei, such as the nucleus tractus solitarius and rostral ventrolateral medulla, are essential in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex, the role of other supramedullary nuclei in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex are not clear. The dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) is involved in cardiovascular sympathetic regulation and plays an important role in the sympathetic response to stressful stimuli. In this study, we determined the role of DMH in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex. To do this we measured arterial pressure, heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) responses to epicardial bradykinin (10 μg/mL) in anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats before and after bilateral DMH microinjection (50 nL) of either the GABAA agonist muscimol (0.5 nmol) to inhibit or the antagonist bicuculline (40 pmol) to disinhibit activity. Muscimol inhibition elicited a modest, albeit significant, reduction in basal arterial pressure and heart rate and attenuated the arterial pressure and heart rate reflex response to epicardial bradykinin. However, it did not change the magnitude of the reflex. Bicuculline disinhibition of the DMH increased basal arterial pressure, heart rate, and RSNA but did not augment the response to epicardial bradykinin. These results suggest that sympathetic activity derived from the DMH does not play an important role in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex in Sprague Dawley rats.

Unexpected sounds induce a rapid inhibition of eye-movement responses.

Unexpected sounds have been shown to trigger a global and transient inhibition of motor responses. Recent evidence suggests that eye movements may also be inhibited in a similar way, but it is not clear how quickly unexpected sounds can affect eye-movement responses. Additionally, little is known about whether they affect only voluntary saccades or also reflexive saccades. In this study, participants performed a pro-saccade and an anti-saccade task while the timing of sounds relative to stimulus onset was manipulated. Pro-saccades are generally reflexive and stimulus-driven, whereas anti-saccades require the generation of a voluntary saccade in the opposite direction of a peripheral stimulus. Unexpected novel sounds inhibited the execution of both pro- and anti-saccades compared to standard sounds, but the inhibition was stronger for anti-saccades. Novel sounds affected response latencies as early as 150 ms before the peripheral cue to make a saccade, all the way to 25 ms after the cue to make a saccade. Interestingly, unexpected sounds also reduced anti-saccade task errors, indicating that they aided inhibitory control. Overall, these results suggest that unexpected sounds yield a global and rapid inhibition of eye-movement responses. This inhibition also helps suppress reflexive eye-movement responses in favor of more voluntarily generated ones.

Emanating Change Fragments of Micro-Empowerment Among Women Leaders in Mindanao Philippines

Significant efforts have been undertaken to address the challenges in Mindanao. Given the complexity of issues in the region, a top-down approach must be complemented by grassroots-level initiatives. In this context, micro-empowerment is key to fostering positive community transformation. This article explores the motivations and work of twelve (12) women leaders in Mindanao who have advanced community empowerment through education, micro- entrepreneurship, and peace-building initiatives. These efforts have amplified marginalized voices and enhanced the visibility of women’s participation in addressing issues of peace and social justice, contributing to the broader cause of women’s empowerment in Mindanao. Moreover, their community engagement has fostered personal growth, offering a nuanced understanding of empowerment. Using narrative analysis, the study evaluates the motivations and fundamental practices behind these leaders’ grassroots efforts. Findings reveal that the women’s activism arises from intersecting factors such as contextual influences, ingrained social activities, and experiences of marginalization, which shape their unique perspectives on community concerns. Their activism is not coincidental, but a reflexive response to their lived experiences, inspiring them to drive change. By integrating the concepts of situated knowledges and intersectionality, the study highlights how these women’s consciousness and worldviews have informed their community engagement, transforming personal narratives into political action. By amplifying women’s narratives, the study underscores the importance of inclusive narratives in addressing gender inequalities, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Goals focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Effects of gestational intermittent hypoxia on the respiratory system: A tale of the placenta, fetus, and developing offspring.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that is associated with a wide variety of health conditions, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, metabolic, neoplastic, and neurocognitive manifestations. OSA, as a chronic condition, is mainly characterised by repeated upper airway obstructions during sleep that cause episodes of intermittent hypoxia (IH), resulting in tissue hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles. Decreased arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) and haemoglobin saturation (SatO2) stimulate reflex responses to overcome the obstruction. The prevalence of OSA is significant worldwide, and an underrated problem when focussing on women during pregnancy. The physiological changes associated with pregnancy, especially during its latest stages, are related to a higher prevalence of OSA events in pregnant mothers, and associated with an increased risk of hypertension, pre-eclampsia and diabetes, among other deleterious consequences. Furthermore, OSA during pregnancy can interfere with normal fetal development and is associated with growth retardation, preterm birth, or low birth weight. Carotid body overstimulation and hypoxia-reoxygenation episodes contribute to cardiovascular disease and oxidative stress, which can harm both mother and fetus and have long-lasting effects that can reach into adulthood. Because IH is the hallmark of OSA, this review examines the literature available about the impact of gestational intermittent hypoxia (GIH) on the respiratory system at maternal, fetal, and offspring levels. Offering the latest scientific data about OSA during pregnancy, we may help to tackle this condition with lifestyle changes and therapeutic approaches, that could influence the mothers, but also impact adult health problems, mostly unknown, inherited from these hypoxic episodes in the uterus.

Pupillary Light Reflex and Menace Response in Neonatal Camel Calves (Camelus dromedarius).

Pupillary light reflex (PLR) and menace response are among the tests used in neurological and ophthalmic examinations in animals. The intent of this study was to investigate the development of the PLR and menace response in neonatal camel calves. Thirty healthy camel calves were studied after birth until the menace response and PLR were well established. The menace response was assessed by applying a non-tactile visual threat to each eye. The direct PLR was tested by shining a bright light into each eye and observing constriction of the pupil in the ipsilateral eye. PLR was positive in all camel calves in the first test performed after birth. The first menace response developed at the age of 14 days, with 4 camel calves developing a menace response last, at 18 days of age. The menace response developed in most camel calves at 16 days old. The time to develop the menace response was not statistically different between the two sexes. The PLR is present in camel calves immediately after birth. Menace response in camel calves develops within 18 days after birth.

Short-Latency Trigeminocervical Reflex Obtained Without Muscle Activation: Topographic Distribution and Methodological Approach.

Electrical stimulation of trigeminal nerve branches elicits early and late reflex responses in the cervical muscles, known as the trigeminocervical reflex (TCR). This study aimed to evaluate the neurophysiological aspects, stimulation patterns, and topographic distribution of short-latency TCR components in humans in the absence of voluntary muscle activation. This prospective observational study included 30 participants. Trigeminocervical reflex responses were simultaneously recorded from the bilateral sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and splenius capitis muscles (without voluntary muscle activation), after electrical stimulation of the supraorbital and infraorbital nerves. Two different stimulation protocols were evaluated: a 3 Hz stimulation protocol (using averaging) and a single-pulse stimulation protocol. Using a 3 Hz stimulation protocol, short-latency TCR responses were recorded in the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and splenius capitis muscles, ipsilateral and/or contralateral, but with variable recordability depending on the recording site. The most reliable response was obtained in ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the elicitation of short-latency TCR components in the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the absence of voluntary muscle activation in humans without craniocervical junction disorders or lower brainstem abnormalities. The choice of an appropriate stimulation protocol is particularly relevant for recording short-latency TCR components, considering that the visualization of early or late responses seems to be facilitated by different stimulation methodologies.

A mobile electrical stimulator for therapeutic modulation of the vestibular system - design, safety, and functionality.

Low-intensity noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) is a promising non-invasive treatment for enhancing vestibular perceptual performance and postural control in patients with chronic vestibular hypofunction. However, this approach has so far been studied mainly under laboratory conditions. Evidence indicates that continuous application of nGVS in daily life is necessary for it to be effective. To address this need, we have developed a mobile nGVS stimulator and conducted a series of pilot studies to evaluate its safety, tolerability, functionality, and therapeutic effects. The device is a lightweight, compact, and portable AC stimulator featuring a user-friendly interface for the individualized adjustment of nGVS parameters. It includes an integrated motion sensor that automatically activates stimulation during body movement and deactivates it during inactivity, optimizing its practical use in real-world settings. The stimulator adheres to strict safety standards and, in initial long-term use, has exhibited only mild side effects (e.g., skin irritation and headaches), likely attributable to the current electrode placement, which requires further optimization. As expected, the device consistently elicits known vestibular sensorimotor reflex responses in healthy individuals. Importantly, further pilot studies in healthy participants demonstrate that the device can reliably replicate known facilitating effects on vestibular perception and postural control. Together, these findings suggest that this mobile stimulation device can facilitate the translation of nGVS into therapeutic everyday use.

Facebook recruitment: understanding research relations Prior to data collection

ABSTRACT This article considers the multiple relations that emerge from and between Facebook commenters, as well as between commenters, researchers, and the research project during recruitment. To do so, we draw on our experiences of recruiting individuals who have concerns about or are opposed to a range of recent social and legal changes in ‘post-equality’ contexts. Understanding research as co-created rather than ‘collecting data from’ participants, we consider the researcher, commenters, and Facebook technologies as active agents, and ask how the emergent relationalities between these agents shapes the social media recruitment process. We develop thinking regarding these relationalities through an in-depth exploration of our processes that reveal key methodological considerations relevant to social media recruitment in the social sciences. As the process of recruitment is mutually constructed online through multiple relationalities across researcher/project and commenter, as well as between commenters themselves, we conclude that there is a need for dynamic, iterative, and reflexive responses and engagements rather than pre-defined frameworks.

Learning ballet technique modulates the stretch reflex in students with cerebral palsy: case series

BackgroundCerebral palsy (CP) is considered the most prevalent developmental motor disorder in children. There is a need for training programs that enhance motor abilities and normalize function from an early age. Previous studies report improved motor outcomes in dance interventions for CP. Investigating the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying such improvements is necessary for efficient and safe intervention design. This study reports changes in stretch reflex responses as the primary neurophysiological motor outcome of a targeted ballet class intervention.ResultsA case series of participants with mixed spastic and dyskinetic CP (n = 4, mean age = 12.5 years, SD = 6.9S years, three female, one male) who learned ballet technique in a course of one-hour classes twice per week for six weeks is presented. Changes in stretch reflex responses and in clinical motor tests as secondary outcomes were observed after the course and at one-month follow-up. Quantitative measures of elbow or ankle stretch reflex were obtained using electromyography and electrogoniometry. The joint angle of the stretch reflex onset varied across velocities of stretch, and its variability decreased after the intervention. Within-subject tests of the central tendency of stretch reflex angle coefficients of variation and frequency distribution demonstrated significant changes (p-values < 0.05). Secondary outcomes included the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS), Dyskinesia Impairment Scale (DIS), and Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE). All the participants demonstrated improvements larger than the minimal clinical important difference (MCID) or the smallest detectable difference (SDD), as applicable.ConclusionsEvidence of changes in the stretch reflex responses in these four cases of mixed CP was observed. The observed variability in the stretch reflex responses may be due to the dyskinetic component of the mixed CP presentations. More studies with a larger sample size and longer duration of learning and practice of ballet technique are necessary to establish the extent of possible modulation and adaptation of the stretch reflex response as a neurophysiological basis for observed improvements in clinical measures.Trial registration: This study was registered in the Clinical Trials Protocol Registration and Results System (NCT04237506, January 17, 2020).

Could a robot feel pain?

AbstractQuestions about robots feeling pain are important because the experience of pain implies sentience and the ability to suffer. Pain is not the same as nociception, a reflex response to an aversive stimulus. The experience of pain in others has to be inferred. Danaher’s (Sci Eng Ethics 26(4):2023–2049, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-019-00119-x) ‘ethical behaviourist’ account claims that if a robot behaves in the same way as an animal that is recognised to have moral status, then its moral status should also be assumed. Similarly, under a precautionary approach (Sebo in Harvard Rev Philos 25:51–70, 2018. https://doi.org/10.5840/harvardreview20185913), entities from foetuses to plants and robots are given the benefit of the doubt and assumed to be sentient. However, there is a growing consensus about the scientific criteria used to indicate pain and the ability to suffer in animals (Birch in Anim Sentience, 2017. https://doi.org/10.51291/2377-7478.1200; Sneddon et al. in Anim Behav 97:201–212, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.09.007). These include the presence of a central nervous system, changed behaviour in response to pain, and the effects of analgesic pain relief. Few of these criteria are met by robots, and there are risks to assuming that they are sentient and capable of suffering pain. Since robots lack nervous systems and living bodies there is little reason to believe that future robots capable of feeling pain could (or should) be developed.

Protocol for a double-blind crossover randomised controlled trial to investigate inhalation CHallenge to assess Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (CH-ILO)

Current ILO diagnosis is dependent on an individual being symptomatic. If results prove citric acid inhalation challenge agent provokes ILO it will provide new insights into neuronal mechanisms and support development of a standardised diagnostic test.IntroductionInducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) remains a poorly understood condition in part due to lack of understanding about the underlying neuronal mechanisms. Many suffer delayed confirmed diagnosis as no standardised assessment exists. Based on previous work, we propose citric acid (CA) is the most appropriate inhalation agent for inducing upper airway reflex responses, with a view to developing an inhalation challenge test for ILO.Methods and analysisA single-centre, double-blind crossover study. The primary objective is to identify if CA inhalation challenge provokes laryngeal obstruction in patients with confirmed ILO. We will recruit: 10 participants with ILO, 10 with refractory chronic cough (RCC), 10 healthy controls. Each will undergo two inhalation challenges during laryngoscopy, with ascending concentrations of citric acid or saline control; participants will be randomised sequentially by a computer-generated schedule to determine order of delivery. Follow up is a telephone consultation. Randomisation and preparation of challenge agents will be by an unblinded study team member, not involved in data analysis. Challenge agents will only be unblinded on study completion. Log10concentration of CA evoking ILO will be compared between patient groups using a one-way ANOVA, comparing participants with ILO and participants with RCC to healthy controls.ConclusionThis will be the first randomised controlled trial to investigate the role of inhalation challenge as an assessment tool to evoke laryngeal obstruction in patients with confirmed ILO. If results prove citric acid inhalation challenge agent provokes ILO it will provide new insights into neuronal mechanisms and support development of a standardised diagnostic test.

The influence of food flavors’ odorimetric characteristics on the indicators of human physiological state

Introduction. The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of odours of various nature and strength in experimental conditions on the parameters of the cardiovascular system and the person’s functional state in order to update objective and informative methods for assessing early changes in the body due to the adverse effects of odorous substances. Material and methods. The specified concentrations of food flavors (orange, cognac and coffee) were supplied to the participants of the study using an ECOMA T08 olfactometer. The composition of the aerosols was controlled by chromatography-mass spectrometry. The physiological parameters of the volunteers were assessed by measuring blood pressure, heart rate and calculating the index of functional changes (IFC). Results. In an experiment with an odour characterized as “pleasant”, the study participants found a statistically significant decrease in heart rate and diastolic blood pressure when exposed to the maximum noticeable concentrations of volatile substances of the flavor relative to the initial state: p1-3=0,001 and p1-3=0,003, respectively. At the same time, a significant decrease in IFC was determined already at the threshold concentrations of the flavor (p&lt;0,01), indicating a favorable effect of the odour and increasing the level of adaptive capabilities of the body. According to the results of the odour identified as “unpleasant”, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (p1-2=0,011) was revealed, but only when exposed to a threshold concentration, when the odour has not yet acquired an “intrusive”, “annoying” character. Limitations. The lack of standardized methods of exposure, the influence of individual preferences and past experience on odour-induced effects. Conclusion. Indicators of the functional state of the cardiovascular system can be used as one of the criteria for evaluating the body’s reflex response to environmental pollution in areas where odour-producing enterprises, including food production, are located. The issue of conducting such an assessment is particularly relevant for emissions with a predominantly “pleasant” odour, since their ability to cause annoyance and, consequently, to have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of the population is often questioned.

Combination of Intravenous Ondansetron and Intravenous Glycopyrrolate Versus Intravenous Ondansetron and Intramuscular Glycopyrrolate for Reduction of Post-spinal Hypotension in Cesaraen Section: A Randomized Double-Blinded Study.

In parturients, post-spinal hypotension is common due to loss of sympathetic tone. Compression of the inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus further aggravates it. Various pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic techniques are used to reduce the severity of hypotension. Ondansetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist, nullifies the Bezold Jarisch reflex response to spinal anaesthesia and glycopyrrolate, an anti-cholinergic, has been used to prevent post-spinal hypotension. We estimated the efficacy of intravenous (IV) glycopyrrolate plus IV ondansetronversusintramuscular (IM) glycopyrrolate plus IV ondansetron to reduce post-spinal hypotension in caesarean section. We compared hypotension episodes and the total ephedrine dose required to treat hypotension among the groups. Ninety parturients undergoing elective and emergency caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were randomly assigned into three groups of 30 each. Group A received prophylactic IV glycopyrrolate 0.2mg plus IV ondansetron 4mg, Group B received IM glycopyrrolate 0.2mg plus IV ondansetron 4mg and Control Group C received 10ml of normal saline plus IV ondansetron 4mg. The total ephedrine dose required to treat hypotension (primary objective), incidence of hypotension and maternal heart rate variations were analysed. Group B required significantly less vasopressor as compared to Group C (6.4286mg±1.6036 vs 8.7mg±3.6288, p=0.0420). There is no statistically significant difference between Group A and Group C for vasopressor requirement (7.8750mg±2.8723 vs 8.7mg±3.6288, p=0.5425). Maternal heart rate in Group A was higher at the eighth minute compared to Group B and Group C (100.2±21.3 vs 95.3±14.4 vs 86.2±19.0, p=0.015). Incidence of hypotension was same in all the groups (46.7% vs 46.7% vs 51.1%, p=0.491) and complications among groups were comparable. Prophylactic use of IM glycopyrrolate plus IV ondansetron decreases total vasopressor required to treat hypotension but does not decrease the incidence of hypotension. Prophylactic use of IV glycopyrrolate increases maternal heart rate.

Discriminating fingerprints of chronic neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury using artificial neural networks and mass spectrometry analysis of female mice serum

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to central neuropathic pain, a condition associated with significant morbidity and is challenging in terms of the clinical management. Despite extensive efforts, identifying effective biomarkers for neuropathic pain remains elusive. Here we propose a novel approach combining matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with artificial neural networks (ANNs) to discriminate between mass spectral profiles associated with chronic neuropathic pain induced by SCI in female mice. Functional evaluations revealed persistent chronic neuropathic pain following mild SCI as well as minor locomotor disruptions, confirming the value of collecting serum samples. Mass spectra analysis revealed distinct profiles between chronic SCI and sham controls. On applying ANNs, 100% success was achieved in distinguishing between the two groups through the intensities of m/z peaks. Additionally, the ANNs also successfully discriminated between chronic and acute SCI phases. When reflexive pain response data was integrated with mass spectra, there was no improvement in the classification. These findings offer insights into neuropathic pain pathophysiology and underscore the potential of MALDI-TOF MS coupled with ANNs as a diagnostic tool for chronic neuropathic pain, potentially guiding attempts to discover biomarkers and develop treatments.

A beautiful face is good when we're judged by others, a moral character is better.

Moral beauty, reflected in one's actions, and facial beauty both affect how we're judged. Here, we investigated how moral and facial beauty interactively affect social judgments and emotional responses, employing event-related brain potentials. Participants (all female) associated positive, neutral, or negative verbal information with faces scoring high or low on attractiveness and performed ratings of the faces as manipulation checks. In a separate test phase, the faces were presented again, and participants made valenced social judgments of the persons. Results show a dominance of moral beauty in valenced social judgments as well as ERPs related to reflexive and evaluative emotional responses (early posterior negativity, EPN, late positive potential, LPP), whereas facial attractiveness mattered little. In contrast, facial attractiveness affected visual processing (N170). Similarly, relatively shallow impressions of attractiveness and likability that require no knowledge about the person were influenced by both facial attractiveness and social-emotional information. This pattern of dominant effects of social-emotional information regardless of attractiveness shows that when it comes to our emotional responses and social judgments, moral beauty is what matters most, even in the face of physical beauty.

Acute toxicity of trypsin inhibitor from tamarind seeds in embryo and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) is being investigated for potential applications in the treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCD), such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. This study aimed to assess TTI embryotoxicity and acute toxicity in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). TTI was extracted and isolated from tamarind seeds. Embryonic and adult zebrafish were exposed for 96 hours to three concentrations of TTI (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/L). Zebrafish embryos (n=60 per group) were evaluated for survival, hatching, malformations, and potential developmental marker alterations, in addition to cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity tests. For acute toxicity assessment in adults (n=20 per group), survival and locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed, along with genotoxicity (micronucleus) evaluation. Embryos exposed to TTI showed no significant adverse effects, presented normal heart rates and positive reflex response in the neurotoxicity tests. In adult fish, TTI did not cause mortality or significant behavioral changes, suggesting no neurotoxicity and no genotoxicity. Histopathological analyses of the whole body showed only changes in the liver and spinal cord, similar to those observed in the control group not exposed to TTI. These findings indicate TTI's biosafety and therapeutic potential in complex organisms. Further research is required to evaluate its long-term effects and efficacy in treating non-communicable diseases.

The Cognitive Reflection Test and Investment Decision

The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT), a measure of cognitive reflection, assesses people's capacity and, accordingly, investors' ability to override immediate, reflexive responses in favour of rational answers and decisions. The test is significant in behavioural finance as its questions reveal biases and heuristics, which affect rational investment decisions and choices. The present research employs a sample of Accounting and Finance students, who represent potential future investors and participants in financial markets, to examine the extent to which the respondents engage in rational thinking when answering the test questions. CRT approach aims to evaluate their ability to avoid impulsive actions and rely less on intuitive decision-making (System 1).