The Electric Consciousness Hypothesis and The Prediction of Consciousness Neuron

What makes us assume that our brain generates consciousness? Has there been an experiment to prove it? This article suggests another way to explore consciousness. It is that consciousness may be fundamental instead of being generated. This article proposes a testable hypothesis to explain how consciousness, as a fundamental force, cooperates with the neurons in our brain. And explain how this hypothesis can solve the problems, including how free will works in a biological machine, how emotion and memory work, even what will happen after you die, etc. Of course, we should be able to answer the death question after understanding the mechanism of consciousness.

RalA, PLD and mTORC1 Are Required for Kinase-Independent Pathways in DGKβ-Induced Neurite Outgrowth

Diacylglycerol kinase β (DGKβ) is an enzyme that converts diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid and is mainly expressed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum. We previously reported that DGKβ induces neurite outgrowth and spinogenesis, contributing to higher brain functions, including emotion and memory. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in neuronal development by DGKβ, we investigated the importance of DGKβ activity in the induction of neurite outgrowth using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Interestingly, both wild-type DGKβ and the kinase-negative (KN) mutant partially induced neurite outgrowth, and these functions shared a common pathway via the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). In addition, we found that DGKβ interacted with the small GTPase RalA and that siRNA against RalA and phospholipase D (PLD) inhibitor treatments abolished DGKβKN-induced neurite outgrowth. These results indicate that binding of RalA and activation of PLD and mTORC1 are involved in DGKβKN-induced neurite outgrowth. Taken together with our previous reports, mTORC1 is a key molecule in both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent pathways of DGKβ-mediated neurite outgrowth, which is important for higher brain functions.

Psychiatry vs. Antipsychiatry: Facts set against Protests

Psychiatry is, indeed, basically similar to the rest of medicine. It is based upon making reliable diagnoses and applying evidence - based treatments that have success rates comparable with those used in other specialties. Psychiatric syndromes may be defined as disorders that are conventionally treated with treatments used by psychiatrists. The illnesses in which psychiatrists have developed proficiency have tended to be those that either manifest with disordered psychological functioning (thinking, perception, emotion, and memory) or those which have no obviously established organic basis. However, scientific developments are showing us that these so - called psychological ailments are linked with abnormalities of the brain, just as so - called medical illnesses are deeply affected by psychological factors. Modern psychiatry is an evolving field that is becoming less hospital based, more evidence based, and more neuroscience based. Nonetheless, during the last decades, random antipsychiatry attitudes have amalgamated and turned into a conjectural effort, which has a humanistic appearance, too. On the other hand, publicized criticisms by some associates, including known psychiatrists or psychotherapists, have, radically, stirred and reinforced the movement. Anyway, though various criticisms or worries about psychiatry, either as a subdivision in science or as a clinical practice in medicine are understandable due to existing scientific or diagnostic deficits, anti-psychiatry stance, which comprises many historical exaggerations based on happenings and primitive conditions from a century ago, may help to keep us rigorous and honest about what we do and inspiring us to insistently seek better diagnostic prototypes and management standards. In the present article, the said antagonism, in addition to the existing facts and expected responsibilities of psychiatry has been discussed concisely.

Analysis of Emotion and Recall in COVID-19 Advertisements: A Neuroscientific Study

In this research, neuroscience techniques are applied to the field of marketing in the analysis of advertisements that include the COVID-19 pandemic in their stories. A study of emotion and memory in these audiovisual productions is carried out as two fundamental factors for the knowledge of consumer habits and decision making. By means of facial recognition biosensor systems (AFFDEX) and various tests, six informative and narrative, emotional and rational advertisements are presented to the subjects of the experiment to detect which emotions predominate; how they affect variables such as neuroticism, psychoticism or extroversion, among others; or what is remembered about the different works, brands and advertisers. Outstanding results are obtained in both emotional and cognitive analysis. Thus, in the field of public health, it is found that messages referring to COVID-19 included in advertisements are remembered more than other narratives or even the brands, products or services themselves. Likewise, joy is the predominant emotion, and its significance in such varied advertising stories stands out. Finally, it is clear that neuroscience research applied to marketing requires new methods and integrated applications to obtain satisfactory results in the advertising field.

Fashion autobiographies: a case study with fourteen subjects

“Fashion Autobiographies: A Case Study with Fourteen Subjects” creates a narrative at the intersection of fashion, affect, and autobiography. Underlying this study is the theoretical assumption that, more than a protective skin for hiding or showcasing the body, clothing is a repository for emotion and memory. It is also a powerful medium for communicating and writing a life. To illustrate fashion’s potential as a medium for life writing, specifically as fashion autobiography, this Major Research Paper (MRP) pursues two distinct goals. First, it theorizes the novel concept of the fashion autobiography using theories of fashion, life writing and gender. Second, it includes an arts-based project, “Fashion Autobiographies: A Case Study with Fourteen Subjects,” involving fourteen women and the creation of fourteen fashion autobiographies written on canvas dresses and exhibited at the Design Exchange in Toronto in February 2015. The author designed three template dresses using three iconic silhouettes from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, which the women were encouraged to manipulate and deconstruct as they wished. Thus, each woman used one of these template dresses to articulate a pivotal experience, illustrating a moment that defined her life. Together, this MRP argues, these fourteen dresses stand as a collection of moments told through fashion life writing, exhibiting deeply personal memories and emotions. They represent the objects of study for this MRP, presented through detailed description and object analysis. This MRP conjoins theory and art to advance our understanding of the form, function, and significance of the fashion autobiography.