Hallucinations on demand: the utility of experimentally induced phenomena in hallucination research

Despite the desire to delve deeper into hallucinations of all types, methodological obstacles have frustrated development of more rigorous quantitative experimental techniques, thereby hampering research progress. Here, we discuss these obstacles and, with reference to visual phenomena, argue that experimentally induced phenomena (e.g. hallucinations induced by flickering light and classical conditioning) can bring hallucinations within reach of more objective behavioural and neural measurement. Expanding the scope of hallucination research raises questions about which phenomena qualify as hallucinations, and how to identify phenomena suitable for use as laboratory models of hallucination. Due to the ambiguity inherent in current hallucination definitions, we suggest that the utility of phenomena for use as laboratory hallucination models should be represented on a continuous spectrum, where suitability varies with the degree to which external sensory information constrains conscious experience. We suggest that existing strategies that group pathological hallucinations into meaningful subtypes based on hallucination characteristics (including phenomenology, disorder and neural activity) can guide extrapolation from hallucination models to other hallucinatory phenomena. Using a spectrum of phenomena to guide scientific hallucination research should help unite the historically separate fields of psychophysics, cognitive neuroscience and clinical research to better understand and treat hallucinations, and inform models of consciousness.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Offline perception: voluntary and spontaneous perceptual experiences without matching external stimulation’.     

Calls out of chaos: the adaptive significance of nonlinear phenomena in mammalian vocal production

Recent work on human vocal production demonstrates that certain irregular phenomena seen in human pathological voices and baby crying result from nonlinearities in the vocal production system. Equivalent phenomena are quite common in nonhuman mammal vocal repertoires. In particular, bifurcations and chaos are ubiquitous aspects of the normal adult repertoire in many primate species. Here we argue that these phenomena result from properties inherent in the peripheral production mechanism, which allows individuals to generate highly complex and unpredictable vocalizations without requiring equivalently complex neural control mechanisms. We provide examples from the vocal repertoire of rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta, and other species illustrating the different classes of nonlinear phenomena, and review the concepts from nonlinear dynamics that explicate these calls. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary significance of nonlinear vocal phenomena. We suggest that nonlinear phenomena may subserve individual recognition and the estimation of size or fluctuating asymmetry from vocalizations. Furthermore, neurally ‘cheap’ unpredictability may serve the valuable adaptive function of making chaotic calls difficult to predict and ignore. While noting that nonlinear phenomena are in some cases probably nonadaptive by-products of the physics of the sound-generating mechanism, we suggest that these functional hypotheses provide at least a partial explanation for the ubiquity of nonlinear calls in nonhuman vocal repertoires.     

大足鼠耳蝠交流声波非线性现象

非线性发声现象在动物的发声中普遍存在,因其具有进化上的意义而广受关注。非线性现象一般在动物激进状态下发出,可能具有一定的功能,然而国内外对蝙蝠非线性现象的研究集中于描述性的报道,缺乏进化功能上的探究。大足鼠耳蝠(Myotis pilosus)激进叫声包含2种音节类型,拱形调频音节(AFM)和噪音-短下调调频音节(NB-s DFM),能够组成3种叫声组合,只包含AFM的叫声组合(A)、只包含NB-s DFM的叫声组合(B)、既包含AFM又包含NB-s DFM的叫声组合(C),分别对应着没有非线性现象、具有非线性现象及一种过渡类型。通过回放3种叫声组合,记录7种具有代表性的行为反应(抬头、前臂移动、耳动、发出回声定位脉冲、震颤、张嘴、爬行)次数,其中,前臂移动和发出回声定位脉冲两种行为反应的结果显示,大足鼠耳蝠对上述3种叫声组合的反应程度有显著差异,即具有非线性现象的叫声组合(B)能够提高同种蝙蝠的反应程度。实验结果表明,蝙蝠发声中的非线性现象能够增强叫声的不可预测性,说明非线性现象在蝙蝠发声中可能具有功能上的适应性。     

Rodent trypanosomes: their conflict with the immune system of the host

Rodent trypanosome infections provide the opportunity to study major phenomena that are displayed in many parasite-host combinations and, therefore, the chance to contribute to the elucidation of those phenomena. Here, Julia and Joseph Albright focus on the immune responses to rodent trypanosomes and on the tricks the parasites play to minimize the effects of those responses.     

On the biophysics of vision

A photochemical system is considered which is similar to that of S. Hecht but which includes an intermediate substance between visual purple and visual white. This intermediate is assumed to change the embrane voltage of the photoreceptors. A simple model is presented from which one may calculate the frequency of the impulses resulting from the application of light. It is found that this physicochemicai model enables one to account for a considerable number of physiological phenomena of vision. Among these are the light and dark adaptation phenomena. By introducing a simple assumption regarding spatial interaction one can account for some psychological phenomena such as the effect of intensity, light-dark ratio, shape, and area on the critical flicker frequency. A number of other phenomena are discussed in terms of the model. This research was supported by the United States Air Force through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research of the Air Research and Development Command under Contract No. AF 18(600)-1454. Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of the United States Government.     

Perfect timing: epigenetic regulation of the circadian clock

In mammals, higher order chromatin structures are critical for downsizing the genome (packaging) so that the nucleus can be small. The adjustable density of chromatin also regulates gene expression, thus this post-genetic molecular mechanism is one of the routes by which phenotype is shaped. Phenotypes that arise without a concomitant mutation of the underlying genome are termed epigenetic phenomena. Here we discuss epigenetic phenomena from histone and DNA modification as it pertains to the dynamic regulatory processes of the circadian clock. Epigenetic phenomena certainly explain some regulatory aspects of the mammalian circadian oscillator.     

The Brain and the Mechanism of Psychosocial Phenomena

According to classic traditions, general psychology has always linked an intraindividual extrapsychic mechanism, the brain, with the intraindividual mental phenomena it examined. Social psychology, on the other hand, is handicapped by the fact that its world is that of interindividual mental phenomena, a disadvantage revealed by a compelling dilemma: this distinctive branch of psychology either fits into the classic tradition and presents the mechanism of interindividual phenomena in the brains of individuals (separately, if need be) or resigns itself to being unable to accommodate the mechanism level of its investigations to their phenomena level. All this is in spite of the fact that investigations focusing on the connection between the mind and the brain—whether they do so from the point of view of the specialized science or of philosophy—cannot begin to deal with the interindividual variety of spiritual phenomena.     

The duality of the qualitative determinacy of the epidemic process in anthroponoses as the main trait distinguishing them from the epidemic manifestations of zoonotic diseases in man

The present article substantiates the necessity of defining more accurately the notion "epidemic process" and using this term only in reference to anthroponotic diseases. Proceeding from the philosophical concept of the qualitative definiteness of material objects and phenomena, the author proposes to distinguish the epidemic process in anthroponoses from mass spread of zoonotic diseases among humans on the basis of using the systemic qualities of the epidemic process, and in particular the principle of the dual character of the qualitative definiteness of objects and phenomena as the distinctive feature of the epidemic process of anthroponoses. Distinction, based on this principle, between anthroponotic diseases and zoonotic diseases in groups of humans must be reflected in the definitions of these phenomena. The application of the term "epidemic process" only in reference to anthroponotic diseases is proposed, while zoonotic diseases in groups of humans should be considered as epidemic manifestations of zoonotic infections.     

Comparative study of the effects of carbachol, eserine and dibutyryl cyclic guanosine monophosphate on the behaviour of the cat

Carbachol and eserine injected into cerebral ventricles of conscious cats evoked aggressive behaviour accompanied with autonomic and motor phenomena. However, db-cGMP also injected into cerebral ventricles of conscious cats elicited autonomic effects with miaowing, restlessness, ear twitching and scratching. When butyrate sodium and butyryc acide were injected intraventricularly no visible gross behavioural phenomena in conscious cats were observed. The gross behavioural effects of db-cGMP were substantially the same when the cats were pretreated by intraventricular injections of aminophylline.     

Genotoxicity in the eyes of bystander cells

The controversial use of a linear, no threshold extrapolation model for low dose risk assessment has become even more so in light of the recent reports on the bystander phenomenon. The answer to the question as to which of the two phenomena, bystander versus adaptive response, is more important has practical implication in terms of low dose radiation risk assessment. In this review, genotoxicity is used as an endpoint to introduce the two phenomena, provide some insight into the mechanisms of bystander effect and to bridge the two low dose phenomena which operate in opposite directions: the bystander effect tends to exaggerate the effect at low doses, by communicating damage from hit to non-hit cells whereas the adaptive response confers resistance to a subsequent challenging dose by an initial low priming dose.     

The circle of the soul: the role of spirituality in health care

This paper examines the critical attitude of behavioral professionals toward spiritual phenomena, and the current growing openness toward a scientific study of spirituality and its effects on health. Health care professionals work amidst sickness and suffering, and become immersed in the struggles of suffering persons for meaning and spiritual direction. Biofeedback and neurofeedback training can facilitate relaxation, mental stillness, and the emergence of spiritual experiences. A growing body of empirical studies documents largely positive effects of religious involvement on health. The effects of religion and spirituality on health are diverse, ranging from such tangible and easily understood phenomena as a reduction of health-risk behaviors in church-goers, to more elusive phenomena such as the distant effects of prayer on health and physiology. Psychophysiological methods may prove useful in identifying specific physiological mechanisms mediating such effects. Spirituality is also a dimension in much of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and the CAM arena may offer a window of opportunity for biofeedback practice.     

The cardiosynchronous phenomena of the work of the brain: the psychophysiological aspects]

The review is devoted to the heartbeat-related components of EEG and to the heartbeat-related oscillation of performance measures and the cortical evoked potentials. The studies of these phenomena are carried out within the Laceys' hypothesis elaboration as well as in the field of the exploration of visceral self-perception. The data obtained in these studies indicate that there are elements of the time-locking with heart rate, probably unrelated to cardiovascular regulation, in functioning of the highest brain structures. The problems in the interpretation of some of heartbeat-related phenomena of brain functioning and their possible participation in the mechanisms of the psychophysiological interaction are discussed.     

Ecosystem engineering in the Quaternary of the West Coast of South Africa

Despite advances in our understanding of the geographic and temporal scope of the Paleolithic record, we know remarkably little about the evolutionary and ecological consequences of changes in human behavior. Recent inquiries suggest that human evolution reflects a long history of interconnections between the behavior of humans and their surrounding ecosystems (e.g., niche construction). Developing expectations to identify such phenomena is remarkably difficult because it requires understanding the multi‐generational impacts of changes in behavior. These long‐term dynamics require insights into the emergent phenomena that alter selective pressures over longer time periods which are not possible to observe, and are also not intuitive based on observations derived from ethnographic time scales. Generative models show promise for probing these potentially unexpected consequences of human‐environment interaction. Changes in the uses of landscapes may have long term implications for the environments that hominins occupied. We explore other potential proxies of behavior and examine how modeling may provide expectations for a variety of phenomena.     

Spectrum analysis of transient phenomena of the left ventricular pressure.

The application of "real time" spectrum analysis to left ventricular pressure during transient phenomena is described. Transient phenomena generated by the injection of drugs (norepinephrine-isoproterenol), anoxia and occlusion of aorta and carotids show sudden changes in the frequency of heart contraction. Propranolol stabilizes the heart rate in similar circumstances.     

A visco-hyperelastic-damage constitutive model for the analysis of the biomechanical response of the periodontal ligament

The periodontal ligament (PDL), as other soft biological tissues, shows a strongly non-linear and time-dependent mechanical response and can undergo large strains under physiological loads. Therefore, the characterization of the mechanical behavior of soft tissues entails the definition of constitutive models capable of accounting for geometric and material non-linearity. The microstructural arrangement determines specific anisotropic properties. A hyperelastic anisotropic formulation is adopted as the basis for the development of constitutive models for the PDL and properly arranged for investigating the viscous and damage phenomena as well to interpret significant aspects pertaining to ordinary and degenerative conditions. Visco-hyperelastic models are used to analyze the time-dependent mechanical response, while elasto-damage models account for the stiffness and strength decrease that can develop under significant loading or degenerative conditions. Experimental testing points out that damage response is affected by the strain rate associated with loading, showing a decrease in the damage limits as the strain rate increases. These phenomena can be investigated by means of a model capable of accounting for damage phenomena in relation to viscous effects. The visco-hyperelastic-damage model developed is defined on the basis of a Helmholtz free energy function depending on the strain-damage history. In particular, a specific damage criterion is formulated in order to evaluate the influence of the strain rate on damage. The model can be implemented in a general purpose finite element code. The accuracy of the formulation is evaluated by using results of experimental tests performed on animal model, accounting for different strain rates and for strain states capable of inducing damage phenomena. The comparison shows a good agreement between numerical results and experimental data.     

Global changes explain the long-term demographic trend of the Eurasian common lizard (Squamata: Lacertidae)

The demographic trend of a species depends on the dynamics of its local populations, which can be compromised by local or by global phenomena. However, the relevance of local and global phenomena has rarely been investigated simultaneously. Here, we tested whether local phenomena compromised a species’ demographic trend using the Eurasian common lizard Zootoca vivipara, the terrestrial reptile exhibiting the widest geographic distribution, as a model species. We analyzed the species’ ancient demographic trend using genetic data from its 6 allopatric genetic clades and tested whether its demographic trend mainly depended on single clades or on global phenomena. Zootoca vivipara’s effective population size increased since 2.3 million years ago and started to increase steeply and continuously from 0.531 million years ago. Population growth rate exhibited 2 maxima, both occurring during global climatic changes and important vegetation changes on the northern hemisphere. Effective population size and growth rate were negatively correlated with global surface temperatures, in line with global parameters driving long-term demographic trends. Zootoca vivipara’s ancient demography was neither driven by a single clade, nor by the 2 clades that colonized huge geographic areas after the last glaciation. The low importance of local phenomena, suggests that the experimentally demonstrated high sensitivity of this species to short-term ecological changes is a response in order to cope with short-term and local changes. This suggests that what affected its long-term demographic trend the most, were not these local changes/responses, but rather the important and prolonged global climatic changes and important vegetation changes on the northern hemisphere, including the opening up of the forest by humans.     

Sporadic sustained nonperiodic oscillations in the activities of organismic sets

In combining the author's theories of organismic sets (Rashevsky,Bull. Math. Biophysics,31, 159–198, 1969a) and Robert Rosen's theory of (M, R)-systems (Bull. Math. Biophysics,20, 245–265, 1958), a conclusion is reached that the number of either normal or pathological phenomena in organismic sets may occur. Those phenomena are characterized by occurring spontaneously once in a while but are not exactly periodic. Some epilepsies are an example of such pathological phenomena in the brain.     

Modelling spatio-temporal interactions within the cell

Biological phenomena at the cellular level can be represented by various types of mathematical formulations. Such representations allow us to carry out numerical simulations that provide mechanistic insights into complex behaviours of biological systems and also generate hypotheses that can be experimentally tested. Currently, we are particularly interested in spatio-temporal representations of dynamic cellular phenomena and how such models can be used to understand biological specificity in functional responses. This review describes the capability and limitations of the approaches used to study spatio-temporal dynamics of cell signalling components.     

Off on a tangent: thalamocortical axons traverse a permissive corridor across the basal telencephalon

The forebrain is one of most complex cellular structures known. Two phenomena that enable this complexity are tangential migrations that mix neurons from distinct progenitor fields, and axon guidance across intervening, noninnervated fields. A new paper in Cell by López-Bendito et al. has discovered the convergence of these phenomena in the critical thalamocortical system.