Neuronal representation of conditioned taste in the basolateral amygdala of rats

Animals develop robust learning and long lasting taste aversion memory once they experience a new taste that is followed by visceral discomfort. A large body of literature has supported the hypothesis that basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays a critical role in the acquisition and extinction of such conditioned taste aversions (CTA). Despite the evidence that BLA is crucially engaged during CTA training, it is unclear how BLA neural activity represents the conditioned tastes. Here, we incorporated a modified behavioral paradigm suitable for single unit study, one which utilizes a sequence of pulsed saccharin and water infusion via intraoral cannulae. After conditioning, we investigated BLA unit activity while animals experience the conditioned taste (saccharin). Behavioral tests of taste reactivity confirmed that the utilized training procedure produced reliable acquisition and expression of the aversion throughout test sessions. When neural activity was compared between saccharin and water trials, half of the recorded BLA units (77/149) showed differential activity according to the types of solution. 76% of those cells (29/38) in the conditioned group showed suppressed activity, while only 44% of taste reactive cells (17/39) in controls showed suppressed activity during saccharin trials (relative to water trials). In addition, the overall excitability of BLA units was increased as shown by altered characteristics of burst activity after conditioning. The changes in BLA activity as a consequence of CTA were maintained throughout test sessions, consistent with the behavioral study. The current study suggests that the neuronal activity evoked by a sweet taste is altered as a consequence of CTA learning, and that the overall change might be related to the learning induced negative affect.     

A reliability generalization study of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (F-MPS)

Perfectionism has been identified as a common concern among clients who seek counseling services. For more than 20 years, the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (F-MPS) has been used extensively to measure the construct of individuals' perfectionism. The current study used reliability generalization to identify the average score reliability as well as variables explaining the variability of score reliability. Typical reliability across subscale scores ranged from .71 to.86 with the Doubt about Action subscale showing the least variability and the Organization subscale showing the most. In addition, sex, language, and standard deviation of the scale had statistically significant relations to reliability estimates.     

The Diversity Paradox: Opportunities and Challenges of “Contact in Context” Across Development

As the United States diversifies, we review research on both the benefits and challenges of diversity in developmental science. Taking a “contact in context” approach, we focus on how structural and interpersonal diversity influence ethnic/racial developmental processes and outcomes from early childhood to adolescence. We also consider how a child’s own ethnicity/race may shape diversity experiences. We offer this review with the ultimate goal of optimizing benefits and minimizing challenges. We offer a “contact in context” conceptual model that integrates diversity at multiple levels, child ethnicity/race, and developmental changes over time. We conclude with recommendations for future research.     

关于艰苦奋斗精神内涵的文化释读

艰苦奋斗精神已是日常话语的热点高频词汇,但多是以事例和名言的方式阐释其重要性,缺乏内涵层面的本质剖析。本文指证艰苦奋斗精神乃中外先进文化共有的精髓,并将之内涵解构为“合理而现实的目标驱动、资源效用最大化追求、竭心尽力的奋斗毅力”三个核心构成要件;批判了日常语境下的“吃苦光荣论”、“国情需要论”、“节俭悖论”等认知误区;阐释了艰苦奋斗精神与节约型社会建设、与生态消费观的现代关系,将对深入理解社会主义荣辱观和先进文化建设具有理论促进作用。     

Józef Tischner’s epistemology of “political reason” and the “ethics of truth”

Studies in East European Thought - That which connects ethics and epistemology is the concept of truth. The threads concerned with the ethical and epistemological understanding of truth are...