Responding to you benefits me: How being responsive promotes own optimal functioning

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Canevello ◽  
Jennifer Crocker
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Functioning

The Unique Contribution of Positive Orientation to Optimal Functioning

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Alessandri ◽  
Gian Vittorio Caprara ◽  
John Tisak
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Critical Component ◽  
Positive Orientation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Mode ◽  
Optimal Functioning

Literature documents that the judgments people hold about themselves, their life, and their future are important ingredients of their psychological functioning and well-being, and are commonly related to each other. In this paper, results from a large cross-sectional sample (N = 1,331, 48% males) are presented attesting to the hypothesis that evaluations about oneself, one’s life, and one’s future rest on a common mode of viewing experiences named “Positive Orientation.” These results corroborate the utility of the new construct as a critical component of individuals’ well functioning.

Use Of Tai Chi Elements To Increase Respiratory Amplitude

2019 ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Mihai-Alexandru Citea ◽  
Marius Neculaes
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Sports Club ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Physiological Adaptations ◽  
Competitive Activity ◽  
Abdominal Breathing ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Different Levels

High performance sport has a major impact on the physiological adaptations of the respiratory system. The importance of the optimal functioning of this system is essential to achieve top results in high performance sport but also in maintaining a long term health status. Science journals present numerous studies that highlight the benefits of practicing Tai Chi on the general population, with effects ranging from improving cardiac function, to influencing the immune system. The purpose of this study is to identify whether by practicing Tai Chi forms a athlete can change their breathing pattern and develop their respiratory amplitude. The subjects of the study were 22 fencing practitioners, accredited at the Iași Municipal Sports Club (C.S.M. Iași), aged between 14 and 18 years, with over 3 years of competitive activity. Materials and method: The study participants were evaluated initially and at the end of 7 months of practice. The frequency was 3 sessions per week, and the duration of each session was 20-30 minutes. The evaluation consisted in measuring the circumference of the thorax at 3 different levels: subaxillary, medial thorax (T6-T7) and lower rib (diaphragmatic) in maximal inspiration and expiration. Conclusions: A constant evolution is observed in most of the exposed cases. In cases where this evolution is not visible, a change in the breathing mode can be noticed, transforming from an upper rib breathing into a thoracic or abdominal breathing. With the exception of one case, all subjects had an improvement of the value in the lower rib level.

Positive Psychology’s A Priori Problem

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara S. Held
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
A Priori ◽  
A Posteriori ◽  
Negative Numbers ◽  
Psychological States ◽  
Psychological Reality ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Conceptual Muddles ◽  
Negative Phenomena

The positive/negative distinction works well in many fields—for example, in mathematics negative numbers hold their own, and in medical pathology negative results are usually celebrated. But in positive psychology negativity should be replaced with positivity for flourishing/optimal functioning to occur. That the designation of the psychological states and processes deemed positive (good/desirable) and negative (bad/undesirable) is made a priori, independent of circumstantial particularity, both intrapersonal and interpersonal, does not seem to bother positive psychologists. But it should, as it results in conceptual muddles and dead ends that cannot be solved within their conceptual framework of positivity and negativity. Especially problematic is an ambiguity I find in positive psychologists’ a priori and a posteriori understandings of positivity and negativity, an ambiguity about constitutive and causal relations that pervades their science and the conclusions drawn from it. By eliminating their a priori dichotomy of positivity and negativity, positive psychologists might well find themselves in a better position to put back together the psychological reality that they have fractured in their ontologically dubious move of carving up psychological reality a priori into positive and negative phenomena. They then might find themselves better placed to “broaden and build” their own science of flourishing.

scholarly journals Photoprotective Strategies in Mediterranean High-Mountain Grasslands

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Rosina Magaña Ugarte ◽  
María Pilar Gómez-Serranillos ◽  
Adrián Escudero ◽  
Rosario G. Gavilán
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Ultraviolet B ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Central Spain ◽  
Adverse Conditions ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Mountain Grasslands ◽  
Lutein Content ◽  
Mountain Plants

Albeit the remarkably high Ultraviolet B loads, high temperatures, and drought stress substantiate the need for efficient photoprotective strategies in Mediterranean high-mountain plants, these remain understudied. Considering the sensitivity of photosystems to extreme conditions, we evaluated an environmental gradient’s weight on the photoprotection of five high-mountain specialists from Central Spain. Diurnal and seasonal variations in chlorophyll, chlorophyll fluorescence, carotenoids, and xanthophylls in consecutive and climatically contrasting years were taken to evaluate the effect of the impending climate coarsening at the photosystem level. Our results revealed significant differences among species in the xanthophyll cycle functioning, acting either as a continuous photoprotective strategy enhancing photochemistry-steadiness; or prompted only to counteract the cumulative effects of atypically adverse conditions. The lutein cycle’s involvement is inferred from the high lutein content found in all species and elevations, acting as a sustained photoprotective strategy. These findings added to high de-epoxidation state (DEPS) and minor seasonal changes in the chlorophyll a/b ratio, infer the xanthophyll and Lutein cycles are crucial for upkeeping the photosystems’ optimal functioning in these plants heightening their photoprotective capacity during periods of more unfavorable conditions. Nevertheless, an atypically dry growing season’s detrimental effect infers the feasible surpassing of stress-thresholds and the precariousness of the communities’ functional diversity under climate change.

scholarly journals Coenzyme Q10 and Immune Function: An Overview

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
David Mantle ◽  
Robert A. Heaton ◽  
Iain P. Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Coenzyme Q10 ◽  
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain ◽  
Inflammatory Gene Expression ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Coq10 Supplementation ◽  
Lipid Soluble Antioxidant

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has a number of important roles in the cell that are required for optimal functioning of the immune system. These include its essential role as an electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, enabling the process of oxidative phosphorylation to occur with the concomitant production of ATP, together with its role as a potential lipid-soluble antioxidant, protecting the cell against free radical-induced oxidation. Furthermore, CoQ10 has also been reported to have an anti-inflammatory role via its ability to repress inflammatory gene expression. Recently, CoQ10 has also been reported to play an important function within the lysosome, an organelle central to the immune response. In view of the differing roles CoQ10 plays in the immune system, together with the reported ability of CoQ10 supplementation to improve the functioning of this system, the aim of this article is to review the current literature available on both the role of CoQ10 in human immune function and the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on this system.

A digital contract for restoration of the Earth System mediated by a Planetary Boundary Exchange Unit

2021 ◽  
pp. 205301962098727
Author(s):  
Orfeu Bertolami ◽  
Frederico Francisco
Keyword(s):  
Earth System ◽  
New Governance ◽  
Validation Process ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Operating Space ◽  
Exchange Unit ◽  
Safe Operating

In this paper, we propose a new governance paradigm for managing the Earth System based on a digital contract inspired on blockchain technology. This proposal allows for a radical decentralisation of the procedures of controlling, maintaining and restoring ecosystems by a set of networks willing to engage in improving the operational conditions of local ecosystems so to contribute to an optimal functioning of the Earth System. These procedures are aimed to improve local Planetary Boundary parameters so that they approach the optimal Holocene reference values, the so-called Safe Operating Space, via a reciprocal validation process and an exchange unit that internalises the state of the Earth System.

scholarly journals Prediction of Multi-Scalar Standardized Precipitation Index by Using Artificial Intelligence and Regression Models

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Anurag Malik ◽  
Anil Kumar ◽  
Priya Rai ◽  
Alban Kuriqi
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Fuzzy Inference ◽  
Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
Meteorological Drought ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Precipitation Index ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Inference System ◽  
Drought Prediction ◽  
Optimal Functioning

Accurate monitoring and forecasting of drought are crucial. They play a vital role in the optimal functioning of irrigation systems, risk management, drought readiness, and alleviation. In this work, Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, comprising Multi-layer Perceptron Neural Network (MLPNN) and Co-Active Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (CANFIS), and regression, model including Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), were investigated for multi-scalar Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) prediction in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand State, India. The SPI was computed on six different scales, i.e., 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, and 24-month, by deploying monthly rainfall information of available years. The significant lags as inputs for the MLPNN, CANFIS, and MLR models were obtained by utilizing Partial Autocorrelation Function (PACF) with a significant level equal to 5% for SPI-1, SPI-3, SPI-6, SPI-9, SPI-12, and SPI-24. The predicted multi-scalar SPI values utilizing the MLPNN, CANFIS, and MLR models were compared with calculated SPI of multi-time scales through different performance evaluation indicators and visual interpretation. The appraisals of results indicated that CANFIS performance was more reliable for drought prediction at Dehradun (3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month scales), Chamoli and Tehri Garhwal (1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month scales), Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal (1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-month scales), Rudraprayag (1-, 3-, and 6-month scales), and Uttarkashi (3-month scale) stations. The MLPNN model was best at Dehradun (1- and 24- month scales), Tehri Garhwal and Chamoli (24-month scale), Haridwar (12- and 24-month scales), Pauri Garhwal (12-month scale), Rudraprayag (9-, 12-, and 24-month), and Uttarkashi (1- and 6-month scales) stations, while the MLR model was found to be optimal at Pauri Garhwal (24-month scale) and Uttarkashi (9-, 12-, and 24-month scales) stations. Furthermore, the modeling approach can foster a straightforward and trustworthy expert intelligent mechanism for projecting multi-scalar SPI and decision making for remedial arrangements to tackle meteorological drought at the stations under study.

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