Chewing-gum flavor affects measures of global complexity of multichannel EEG

Neuropsychobiology 1997;35:46–50
(DOI: 10.1159/000119329)

Yagyu T., Wackermann J., Kinoshita T., Hirota T., Kochi K., Kondakor I., Koenig T., Lehmann D.

The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland

Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Osaka, Japan

Neuroscience Technology Research, Inc.. Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

Global complexity of spontaneous brain electric activity was studied before and after chewing gum without flavor and with 2 different flavors. One-minute, 19-channel, eyes-closed electroencephalograms (EEG) were recorded from 20 healthy males before and after using 3 types of chewing gum: regular gum containing sugar and aromatic additives, gum containing 200 mg theanine (a constituent of Japanese green tea), and gum base (no sugar, no aromatic additives); each was chewed for 5 min in randomized sequence. Brain electric activity was assessed through Global Omega (Ω)-Complexity and Global Dimensional Complexity (GDC), quantitative measures of complexity of the trajectory of EEG map series in state space; their differences from pre-chewing data were compared across gum-chewing conditions. Friedman Anova (p < 0.043) showed that effects on Ω-Complexity differed significantly between conditions and differences were maximal between gum base and theanine gum. No differences were found using GDC. Global Omega-Complexity appears to be a sensitive measure for subtle, central effects of chewing gum with and without flavor.

http://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/119329

Farting as a defence against unspeakable dread

Journal of Analytical Psychology
Volume 41, Issue 2, pages 165–178, April 1996
DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-5922.1996.00165.x

Mara Sidoli

Washington

This paper describes some features of the behaviour of a severely disturbed adopted latency boy. Peter was born premature, suffered several early hospitalizations and surgical operations, and at 2 months of age was removed from his mother's care by Social Services for neglect and abandonment.

Although his subsequent development has been clouded by a series of losses and sudden changes of caregivers, Peter has maintained an unexpected desire to relate, showing considerable innate resilience. When feeling endangered, Peter had developed a defensive olfactive container using his bodily smell and farts to envelop himself in a protective cloud of familiarity against the dread of falling apart, and to hold his personality together.

In the paper Fordham's views of development and Anzieu's concept of psychic envelopes constitute the theoretical underpinning. Bion's concepts of beta- and alpha-elements are discussed in relation to Jung's views on symbolic development and psychological containment.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1465-5922.1996.00165.x/abstract

The collapse of toilets in Glasgow

Scottish Medical Journal [1993, 38(6):185]

Wyatt JP, McNaughton GW, Tullett WM

Department of Accident and Emergency, Western Infirmary, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

Abstract

Three cases are presented of porcelain lavatory pans collapsing under body weight, producing wounds which required hospital treatment. Excessive age of the toilets was implicated as a causative factor. As many toilets get older episodes of collapse may become more common, resulting in further injuries.

http://scm.sagepub.com/content/38/6/185.abstract

A matter of large body passing through a small hole: the holeproof out the window

Forensic Science International
Volume 56, Issue 2, October 1992, Pages 183–188

Patel F.

Department of Forensic Medicine, UMDS Guy's Hospital, University of London, UK

Abstract

A baffling case of fall-from-height is described focusing on aspects of a human body passing through a small hole, within a holeproof window. It is a classic example of an unsatisfactory outcome when a scene of death is modified adversely due to delay in the commencement of scene management. The operative factors may be entirely outside the control of scene investigators. The primary medical attendant is reminded of the forensic obligations at a scene of unnatural death. Reporting this case might encourage forensic practitioners having experience of a similar case to respond through this journal.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1452109