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At least 1,207 records · Page 67Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Stimulus-response compatible orienting and the effect of an action not taken: perception delayed is automaticity denied.

Orienting to a signal source is widely viewed as automatic in the sense that it is triggered by the stimulus. However, this behavior is typically assessed in a context in which the subject knows beforehand what he or she has to do. In the present experiments, the role of task set was investigated by having the response vary randomly from trial to trial. On some trials, a cue signaled the subject to respond, and on the remaining trials, another cue signaled the subject to withhold a response. Stimulus contrast and temporal overlap between task cue and target were manipulated. The effect of a reduction in stimulus contrast was sometimes absorbed into the time taken to decode the cue, but critically, other times not. These results highlight the theoretical importance of considering task set as an essential element in processing, and they undermine the theoretical claim that putatively automatic processes are not subject to interference from other mental activities.

Automatism↗
PubMed1999

What variety of attention is automatically captured by peripheral cues?

Previous studies have shown that the voluntary allocation of attention to a location in space can influence accuracy in two ways. First, additional processing resources can be allocated to the attended location, leading to an improvement in perceptual quality for objects presented at that location. Second, decision processes can be restricted to information arising from the attended location, which improves accuracy without influencing the perceptual representation. The present study examined the operation of these two attentional mechanisms when nonpredictive peripheral cues were used to capture attention automatically. Experiment 1 showed that, like predictive cues, nonpredictive cues influence accuracy by summoning perceptual resources and also by influencing decision processes. However, both the cues and the targets in this experiment were defined by luminance increments, making it possible that the cuing effects were mediated by a task-controlled attentional set rather than being fully automatic. Experiments 2 and 3 examined this possibility by using luminance-defined cues and color-defined targets; evidence was again obtained for both perceptual-level and decision-level attention effects. The capture of attention by a nonpredictive peripheral cue thus appears to influence both perceptual resource allocation and postperceptual decision processes.

Attention↗
PubMed2004

Retrieving text inferences: controlled and automatic influences.

Bridging inferences contribute to text coherence by identifying the connections among ideas, whereas elaborative inferences simply specify sensible extrapolations from text. Bridging inferences have been indistinguishable from explicit text ideas on numerous measures, suggesting similar longterm memory (LTM) representations for the two, whereas elaborative inferences are inferior. To evaluate the LTM representations of text ideas, we used the extended process-dissociation procedure (Buchner, Erdfelder, & Vaterrodt-Plunnecke, 1995; Jacoby, 1991) to partition the controlled, recollective contributions to text retrieval from the automatic, familiarity-based contributions. The automatic contribution to the recognition of implied concepts was consistently negligible, an outcome consistent with the absence of perceptual processing of those concepts during the original reading. In addition, the controlled basis of recognition was consistently higher for explicit than for implicit concepts, which suggests a more robust conceptual representation for explicit text ideas (Yonelinas, 2002). These results were interpreted to reflect the asymmetric representation of explicit ideas and inferences (elaborative and even bridging inferences) in the surface, propositional textbase, and situational levels of text representation.

Automatism↗
PubMed2005

A role for set when naming Arabic numerals: how intentionality limits (putatively automatic) performance.

Processing in various skilled domains is often described as automatic, in the sense that functional stimulus processing is triggered by stimulus onset and cannot be interrupted. One problem is that subjects typically know what task they have to perform prior to stimulus presentation. Various effects attributed to automatic processing may, therefore, arise instead from the mental set that is already in place. In the present study, we investigated skilled subjects' ability to engage in processing prior to knowing what the task is. A numeral was presented, and subjects either named it or added 1 and named the result. Which task was to be performed on a trial was signaled by a tone that appeared before or at the same time as the target. If functional target processing is triggered by its presentation, the effect of low contrast should be absorbed into the time taken to decode the task cue, regardless of the task (the effect of contrast should be absent at the 0-msec stimulus onset asynchrony [SOA] and present when task information is given in advance of the target). An underadditive interaction between contrast and SOA was seen for one task, but these factors had additive effects in the other task. This pattern can be understood in terms of the hypothesis that although encoding can be thought of as a stage common to both tasks, it is not, in the present context, functionally independent of a subsequent stage unique to a task.

Automatism↗
PubMed1998

Adaptation is automatic.

Two experiments were used to test whether selective adaptation for speech occurs automatically or instead requires attentional resources. A control condition demonstrated the usual large identification shifts caused by repeatedly presenting an adapting sound (/wa/, with listeners identifying members of a /ba/-/wa/ test series). Two types of distractor tasks were used: (1) Subjects did a rapid series of arithmetic problems during the adaptation periods (Experiments 1 and 2), or (2) they made a series of rhyming judgments, requiring phonetic coding (Experiment 2). A control experiment (Experiment 3) demonstrated that these tasks normally impose a heavy attentional cost on phonetic processing. Despite this, for both experimental conditions, the observed adaptation effect was just as large as in the control condition. This result indicates that adaptation is automatic, operating at an early, preattentive level. The implications of these results for current models of speech perception are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Automatic and voluntary focusing of attention.

In this study, we investigate whether attentional focusing, like attentional orienting, comprises two independent mechanisms. We provide direct empirical evidence in favor of the existence of two mechanisms--one exogenous, or automatic, and one endogenous, or voluntary--that play a role in adjusting the size of the focus of attention. When a new object suddenly occurs in the visual field, the focus is first automatically fitted to it, and then an endogenous effort has to be exerted to maintain attention in the focused mode. Also, we provide evidence that voluntary focusing needs a perceptual object in order to operate.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Automatic processing in spider phobia: implicit fear associations over the course of treatment.

This study evaluates the cognitive model of anxiety by investigating treatment-related changes in automatic associations to evaluate schematic processing. Spider-phobic participants (n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 30) completed fear-based Implicit Association Tests (IATs), which are reaction-time measures that tap implicit associations without requiring conscious introspection. The specific tasks involved classifying pictures of snakes and spiders along with semantic categorizations (good vs.bad, afraid vs. unafraid, danger vs. safety, and disgusting vs. appealing). Phobic individuals were assessed before and after group-based exposure treatment and 2 months later, controls were assessed at matched time points. Results supported clinical applications for implicit fear associations, including prediction of phobic avoidance, and treatment sensitivity of the fear- and disgust-specific automatic associations.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The problems of evaluating the automatized and exploratory intellectual actions of man].

On the basis of psychological testing two groups of subjects have been formed: "automatizators" and "searchers". The incompatibility in the individual structure of the ability to automatized and searching actions, according to the data, are connected with the presence of the complex of alternative signs of cognitive styles. The neurophysiological organization of searching and automatized intellectual actions was studied by a method of computer toposcopy of the synchronous electrical processes. It has been shown that there are spatial-frequency interactions of electrical processes of the cerebral cortex, characteristic for each of the two above mentioned individuals groups, which are probably based on the functioning of neuronal networks with different lability levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Two cases of ictal automatisms of frontal lobe origin].

Two cases of ictal automatisms of frontal lobe origin are reported. Both two cases had automatisms characterized by abrupt onset and ending, short duration, preservation of consciousness and frequent attacks in cluster. The ictal manifestations included rocking of body and violent thrashing of limbs in prone position with loud screaming. No initial staring or postictal confusion was noted. Interictal EEGs showed spikes in the frontal area. Ictal EEGs began with attenuation of background activity and/or fast rhythmic waves dominant in the frontal area. Just after clinical seizures, high voltage slow waves in bilateral frontal areas and rhythmic alpha waves in the occipital areas were recorded. The EEG findings suggested that the paroxysmal activities were localized in bilateral frontal lobes, not spreading to the temporal lobe.

Automatism↗
PubMed1986

A hypergraphic syndrome of automatic writing, affective disorder, and temporal lobe epilepsy in two patients.

Two patients are described who wrote complex textual material suddenly, automatically, and without volitional control. Each met DSM-III criteria for a major affective disorder, had clinical and electrophysiologic temporal lobe epilepsy, absence spells, episodic expressive aphasia, and a history of traumatic loss of consciousness. The episodes of automatic writing met the criteria for ictal events. These patients may have experienced an ictal analogue of interictal hypergraphia. The behavioral neurologic features of this syndrome are discussed in relation to its clinical presentation and known disorders of writing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Action of ethacizin on normal and anomalous forms of Purkinje fiber automaticity in the dog].

The effect of a new anti-arrhythmic drug etacysin was studied in various forms of dog Purkinje's fibres automativity: normal and abnormal arising at a late stage of experimental myocardial infarction (24 hrs after coronary artery ligation) and induced by ions Ba2+. An average 57% decrease in the frequency of automaticity of normal Purkinje's fibres due to steepening the slope of slow diastolic depolarization and almost complete depression of an abnormal one was observed for the drug concentrations 5 X 10(-7) and 10(-6) g/ml. Reduced automaticity was also related to decreased slow diastolic depolarization. Maximal values of diastolic potential were found unchanged.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Narcolepsy and automatic behavior: a case report.

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, which may be accompanied by hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Automatic behavior is a relatively newly recognized symptom of the narcolepsy syndrome. This case report describes a particularly troublesome sort of automatic behavior--shoplifting--in a narcoleptic patient. It illustrates how a sleep-laboratory evaluation was used to confirm the diagnosis of narcolepsy and considers aspects of the treatment of the problem.

Automatism↗
PubMed1995

The evolution and definition of the concept of 'automatism' in Canadian case law.

Legal and psychological perspectives are blended in a review of the evolution and definition of the legal concept of 'automatism'. Despite the oft-cited, succinct definitions such as those provided by Bowlby JA in R v Kasperek [1951] 101 CCC 375, and by Mr Justice Lacourciere (as he then was) in R v K [1971] 3 CCC (2d) 84 which emphasize a lack of consciousness, case law has shown a tendency to emphasize a lack of volitional control. It has also insisted that such a deficit be primarily brought about by an external factor over which the accused either had no control or, if they had control, of which effects they lacked knowledge. Two noticeable omissions are identified. One is a lack of a logical evaluation of expert testimony in terms of the complexity of the criminal acts that have been claimed to accompany an impoverished mental state. The other is the failure to recognize the mental chemistry of the presence of multiple conditions in the same person at the same time. An overriding concern has been protection of the public, and decisions in a number of cases can be regarded as attempts to ensure that this is achieved before permitting the unqualified acquittal that automatism would bring.

Automatism↗
PubMed1997

[Automatic movements of extremities induced in primary massive brain lesion with apneic coma].

In three cases of primary massive brain lesion with apneic coma, various automatic movements of the extremities were elicited by physical or sensory stimulation. In each case, these movements appeared after a period of cessation of spontaneous respiration followed by flaccid tetraplegia. Brainstem reflexes were absent throughout in all cases. The movements were induced mainly by ventroflexion of the neck, and each case showed movements as described below: in the first case, the patient flexed her elbows and raised both arms slowly, a typical Lazarus sign; in the second case, the patient raised both arms and showed myoclonic movements; and the third case showed abduction of both legs and extension in the upper extremities. Pathology in the first case showed ischemic changes in the entire brain and brainstem. Although ischemic change was also found in the anterior horn cells and white matter of the spinal cord of C1-C4 and of T4 and below, the spinal cord of C5-T3 was relatively well-preserved. These movements appear to have essentially originated in spinal neurons; however, it is assumed that they must have recovered from spinal shock which occurred due to upper level transection. These movements were induced by ventroflexion of the neck, so mechanical extension of the spinal roots, mechanical compression of the spinal cord, and various modalities of the sensation afferent might have some relation to these movements. As tonic neck reflex might also be a cause of these, movements, association with the lower medulla could not be ruled out completely. These movements appeared nearing or after brain death. Although in each case of brain death the spinal cord may have been affected by specific conditions, such as impaired circulation of whole central nervous sysytem, it might have been transversed at upper level, which then causes spinal automatism. These movements might appear even in the state of brainstem death. In each case, the distribution and severity of hypoxic changes in the spinal cord may have resulted in variations in the type and characteristics of these movements.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

An automatic objective optometer. Description and clinical evaluation.

Automatic objective optometers provide a possible alternative to conventional clinical methods of refracting the human eye. Quantitative evaluation of one of these instruments (Dioptron), including a comparison between optometer and subjective refractions, was undertaken to determine how automatic optometers may be utilized most effectively in clinical situations. The results show a high degree of instrument validity and reliability. The conclusion is that the Dioptron has substantial promise as a means of estimating ametropia-as a replacement for retinoscopy and for screening or monitoring ametropia. However, the use of this instrument as a substitute for subjective refraction procedures does not seem warranted at this time.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Lateral thoracotomy for the automatic implantable defibrillator.

In 51 patients who required automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation without additional cardiac procedures, the lead system was implanted using a lateral thoracotomy approach, with complete muscle sparing in the last 24 patients. Exposure was excellent and allowed repositioning of leads for optimal defibrillation thresholds in 18 patients. Five of 19 patients who had previously undergone intrapericardial procedures required intrapericardial dissection for lead placement to provide satisfactory defibrillation thresholds. There were no intraoperative deaths or infarctions. The 30-day mortality rate of 3.9% was comparable with those in other series, and the use of muscle-sparing techniques and supplemental epidural anesthesia prevented pulmonary complications or the need for prolonged ventilatory support. We favor a muscle-sparing lateral thoracotomy incision for automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion, particularly in patients with a history of previous intrapericardial procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

External marker-based automatic congruencing: a new method of 3D reconstruction from serial sections.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based three-dimensional (3D) visualizations reconstructed from sectional images represent a valuable tool in biomedical research and medical diagnosis. Particularly with those imaging techniques that provide virtual sections, such as CT, MRI, and CLSM, 3D reconstructions have become routine. Reconstructions from physical sections, such as those used in histological preparations, have not experienced an equivalent breakthrough, due to inherent shortcomings in sectional preparation that impede automated image-processing and reconstruction. The increased use of molecular techniques in morphological research, however, generates an overwhelming amount of 3D molecular information, stored within series of physical sections. This valuable information can be fully appreciated and interpreted only through an adequate method of 3D visualization. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this paper we present a new method for a reliable and largely automated 3D reconstruction from physically sectioned material. The 'EMAC' concept (External Marker-based Automatic Congruencing) successfully approaches the three major obstacles to automated 3D reconstruction from serial physical sections: misalignment, distortion, and staining variation. It utilizes the objectivity of external markers for realignment of the sectional images and for geometric correction of distortion. A self-adapting dynamic thresholding technique compensates for artifactual staining variation and automatically selects the desired object contours. CONCLUSIONS: Implemented on a low-cost hardware platform, EMAC provides a fast and efficient tool that largely facilitates the use of computer-based 3D visualization for the analysis of complex structural, molecular, and genetic information in morphological research. Due to its conceptual versatility, EMAC can be easily adapted for a broad range of tasks, including all modern molecular-staining techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Rapid automatic detection and alignment of repeats in protein sequences.

Many large proteins have evolved by internal duplication and many internal sequence repeats correspond to functional and structural units. We have developed an automatic algorithm, RADAR, for segmenting a query sequence into repeats. The segmentation procedure has three steps: (i) repeat length is determined by the spacing between suboptimal self-alignment traces; (ii) repeat borders are optimized to yield a maximal integer number of repeats, and (iii) distant repeats are validated by iterative profile alignment. The method identifies short composition biased as well as gapped approximate repeats and complex repeat architectures involving many different types of repeats in the query sequence. No manual intervention and no prior assumptions on the number and length of repeats are required. Comparison to the Pfam-A database indicates good coverage, accurate alignments, and reasonable repeat borders. Screening the Swissprot database revealed 3,000 repeats not annotated in existing domain databases. A number of these repeats had been described in the literature but most were novel. This illustrates how in times when curated databases grapple with ever increasing backlogs, automatic (re)analysis of sequences provides an efficient way to capture this important information.

Algorithms↗