Analysis of hand kinematics reveals inter-individual differences in intertemporal decision dynamics

During intertemporal decisions, the preference for smaller, sooner reward over larger-delayed rewards (temporal discounting, TD) exhibits substantial inter-subject variability; however, it is currently unclear what are the mechanisms underlying this apparently idiosyncratic behavior. To answer this question, here we recorded and analyzed mouse movement kinematics during intertemporal choices in a large sample of participants (N = 86). Results revealed a specific pattern of decision dynamics associated with the selection of “immediate” versus “delayed” response alternatives, which well discriminated between a “discounter” versus a “farsighted” behavior—thus representing a reliable behavioral marker of TD preferences. By fitting the Drift Diffusion Model to the data, we showed that differences between discounter and farsighted subjects could be explained in terms of different model parameterizations, corresponding to the use of different choice mechanisms in the two groups. While farsighted subjects were biased toward the “delayed” option, discounter subjects were not correspondingly biased toward the “immediate” option. Rather, as shown by the dynamics of evidence accumulation over time, their behavior was characterized by high choice uncertainty.

An die ungarische Nation: Indem ich ein Land mit bewaffneter Hand betrete, für das ich, gleich meinen tapfern Waffenbrüdern die wärmste mit dem Verbande von Jahrhunderten ererbte Sympathie fühle ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Abdruck zweier Manifeste des österreichischen Feldzeugmeisters und Ban (Statthalter) des vereinigten Königreiches Kroatien, Slawonien und Dalmatien Jellačić, den militärischen Einmarsch eines Freiwilligenheers ins revolutionäre Ungarn betreffend (11. September 1848). Betonung der Kaisertreue sowie der Integrität der österreichischen Gesamtmonarchie

Medical, psychological and socio-economic implications of chronic hand eczema: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease with major medical psychological and socio-economic implications. Onset and prognosis of HE are determined by individual as well as environmental factors. So far, most epidemiological data on HE have been reported from Scandinavian and recently German studies. OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics and medical care of patients with chronic HE (CHE) in Switzerland, and identify risk factors. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, data from patients with chronic HE were obtained by means of medical history, dermatological examination and patient questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors for high severity and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). RESULTS In seven dermatology departments, 199 patients (mean age 40.4 years, 50.8% female) with CHE (mean duration 6.6 years) were enrolled. Moderate to severe HE was reported by 70.9% of patients, and was associated with age <30 or >50 years, localization of lesions and pruritus. Because of the CHE, 37.3% of patients were on sick leave over the past 12 months, 14.8% had changed or lost their job. Practically all patients applied topical therapy, 21% were treated with alitretinoin, and 21% with psoralen plus UVA light (PUVA). The effects on the health-related quality of life was moderate to large in 33.7% and 39.4% of CHE patients, respectively. Factors associated with a high impact on DLQI (mean 9.7 ± 5.8) were female sex, lesions on back of the hands and pruritus as well as mechanical skin irritation and wearing gloves. CONCLUSION In agreement with recent studies, the Swiss data demonstrate the high impact of CHE on medical well-being, patient quality of life and work ability. As it is associated with an intense use of health care services, high rate of sick leave, job loss and change, CHE may cause a high socio-economic burden.

So weit die Preßfreiheit! Preßpranger: Ein nach Laßo's Sy͏̈stem abzustrafender Redacteur: Da droben steht a Mo! - an Schlegel in der Hand ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Kritische Kommentierung des Verhaltens der Herren Lasaulx und Sepp, Abgeordnete der Frankfurter Nationalversammlung sowie der Bayerischen Landtagskammer, in einer Presseaffäre. Karikatur samt Begleittext (in Gedichtform)

Visual Perception and Acuity of Hand Surgeons Using Loupes.

PURPOSE To assess the visual performance of Swiss hand surgeons in an environment similar to their workplace. The influence of Galilean (lenses only) and Keplerian loupes (lenses and prisms), the surgeon's age, and the credibility of a self-assessment of his or her own optical performance were evaluated. METHODS Sixty-three hand surgeons between 29 and 68 years of age with 70 loupes were included in the study (Galilean n = 35, Keplerian n = 35). The visual performance as surgeons was self-assessed on a modified visual analog scale and objectively measured with miniaturized visual tests in a simulated clinical setting. We evaluated the influence of the optical device by comparing Galilean and Keplerian loupes and the influence of the surgeon's age by comparing 2 subgroups: < 40 years and ≥ 40 years. RESULTS The correlation between self-assessment and objective visual performance was weak, with a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of 0.25. The near visual acuity with habitual optical aids showed considerable variability, with a range of 300% in the dimension of the smallest detected structure. The near visual acuity was significantly lower in the older group ≥ 40 years than in the younger group < 40 years with both Galilean and Keplerian loupes. Keplerian loupes allowed a significantly higher visual performance than Galilean loupes. Surgeons 40 years or older using Keplerian loupes had a similar visual acuity to surgeons younger than 40 years with Galilean loupes. CONCLUSIONS The magnified near vision of hand surgeons showed an important individual variability. Self-assessment was not a valuable instrument for surgeons to estimate their own near vision. Hand surgeons older than 40 years should use higher magnification loupes. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic III.

Handrub Consumption Mirrors Hand Hygiene Compliance

We assessed handrub consumption as a surrogate marker for hand hygiene compliance from 2007 to 2014. Handrub consumption varied substantially between departments but correlated in a mixed effects regression model with the number of patient-days and the observed hand hygiene compliance. Handrub consumption may supplement traditional hand hygiene observations. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;1-4.

CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISON OF SUBHUMAN PRIMATE AND HUMAN TYPE C RETROVIRAL GENE PRODUCTS

The viral specific precursor polyproteins of simian sarcoma/simian associated virus (SiSV/SiAV), baboon endogenous viruses (BaEV), and three human isolate retroviruses, have been analyzed by radioimmunoprecipitation and tryptic peptide mapping. Cells infected with the BaEV isolates are characterized by identical precursor polyproteins: gPr80-85('env), Pr70-71('gag), and Pr65-67('gag). By tryptic digest mapping, m7-BaEV and 455K-BaEV were shown to be highly related. By comparison, mapping studies showed that BILN-BaEV was less highly related to m7-BaEV than was 455K-BaEV. Chase-incubated cells infected with BaEV also contained a stable, p28-related polyprotein termed P72('gag). This polyprotein appeared to arise by posttranslational modification of Pr70-71('gag). Tryptic digest mapping of BaEV and HL23V precursor polyproteins suggested that the BaEV-like component of HL23V was more closely related to m7-BaEV than to 455K-BaEV or BILN-BaEV.^ The intracellular precursor polyproteins of SiSV(SiAV) and gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) were compared to the intracellular proteins of the human retrovirus isolates, HL23V, HEL12V, and A1476V. Cells infected with SiSV(SiAV) were characterized by polyproteins Pr200('gag-pol), gPr80('env), Pr80('gag), pr60('gag), and Pr40('gag). We have found that the human isolates are identical to true SiAV with regard to the size and structure of their precursor polyproteins. Both gPr80('env) and Pr60('gag) of SiAV were identical by tryptic peptide mapping to the respective proteins from the three human retroviral isolates examined. We have also shown that these viruses differ significantly from each of the GaLV isolates studied. Since SiAV differs substantially from any known GaLV isolate, we feel that it is unlikely that SiAV is a subtype of GaLV which exists today in the gibbon gene pool. The experimental evidence suggests that SiAV may be an exogenous human retrovirus that was transmitted originally into the human gene pool in the distant past by cross-species infection with GaLV(,SF) or with the GaLV(,SF) progenitor virus. It is, therefore, quite possible that SiAV expression in the pet woolly monkey arose from a recent infection of that monkey with SiAV from humans.^

Oceans and Human Heath: Hand in Hand

Healthy oceans and healthy humans are inseparable. This article discusses new pharmaceuticals that are coming from the sea, and also ocean problems like harmful algal blooms that impact humans.

Function of histaminergic retinopetal axons in rat and primate retinas

Mammalian retinas receive input from histaminergic neurons in the posterior hypothalamus. These neurons are most active during the waking state of the animal, but their role in retinal information processing is not known. To determine the function of these retinopetal axons, their targets in the rat and monkey retina were identified. Using antibodies to three histamine receptors, HR1, HR2, and HR3, the immunolabeling was analyzed by confocal and electron microscopy. These experiments showed that mammalian retinas possess histamine receptors. In macaques and baboons, diurnal species, HR3 receptors were found at the apex of ON-bipolar cell dendrites in cone pedicles and rod spherules, sclerad to the other neurotransmitter receptors that have been localized there. In addition, HR1 histamine receptors were localized to large puncta in the inner plexiform layer, a subset of ganglion cells and retinal blood vessels. In rats, a nocturnal species, the localization of histamine receptors in the retina was markedly different. Most HR1 receptors were localized to dopaminergic amacrine cells and on elements in the rod spherule. To determine how histaminergic retinopetal axons contribute to retinal information processing, responses of retinal ganglion cells to histamine were analyzed. The effects of histamine on the maintained and light-evoked activity of retinal ganglion cells were analyzed. In monkeys, histamine and the HR3 agonist, methylhistamine, increased or decreased the maintained activity of most ganglion cells, but a few did not respond. The responses of a subset of ganglion cells to light stimuli were decreased by histamine, a finding suggesting that histaminergic retinopetal axons contribute to light adaptation during the day. In rats, histamine nearly always increased the maintained activity and produced both increases and decreases in the light responses. The effects of histamine on maintained activity of ganglion cells in the rat can be partially attributed to HR1-mediated changes in the activity of dopaminergic amacrine cells, at night. Together, these experiments provide the first indication of the function of retinopetal axons in mammalian retinas. ^

The contributions of the amygdala, orbital frontal cortex and hippocampal formation to primate social cognition

Deficits in social cognition are prominent symptoms of many human psychiatric disorders, but the origin of such deficits remains largely unknown. To further current knowledge regarding the neural network mediating social cognition, the present research program investigated the individual contributions of two temporal lobe structures, the amygdala and hippocampal formation, and one frontal lobe region, the orbital frontal cortex (Areas 11 and 13), to primate social cognition. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that the amygdala, hippocampal formation and orbital frontal cortex contribute significantly to the formation of new social relationships, but less to the maintenance of familiar ones. ^ Thirty-six male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) served as subjects, and were divided into four experimental groups: Neurotoxic amygdala lesion (A-ibo, n = 9), neurotoxic or aspiration orbital frontal cortex lesion (O, n = 9), neurotoxic hippocampal formation lesion (H-ibo, n = 9) or sham-operated control (C, n = 9). Six social groups (tetrads) were created, each containing one member from each experimental group. The effect of lesion on established social relationships was assessed during pre- and post-surgical unrestrained social interactions, whereas the effect of lesion on the formation of new relationships was assessed during an additional phase of post-surgical testing with shuffled tetrad membership. Results indicated that these three neural structures each contribute significantly to both the formation and maintenance of social relationships. Furthermore, the amygdala appears to primarily mediate normal responses to threatening social signals, whereas the orbital frontal cortex plays a more global role in social cognition by mediating responses to both threatening and affiliative social signals. By contrast, the hippocampal formation seems to contribute to social cognition indirectly by providing access to previous experience during social judgments. ^ These conclusions were further investigated with three experiments that measured behavioral and physiological (stress hormone) reactivity to threatening stimuli, and three additional experiments that measured subjects' ability to flexibly alter behavioral responses depending on the incentive value of a food reinforcer. Data from these six experiments further confirmed and strengthened the three conclusions originating from the social behavior experiments and, when combined with the current literature, helped to formulate a simple, but testable, theoretical model of primate social cognition. ^

Eine Hand wäscht die andere : Betrachtungen eines deutschbürtigen Juden

Heinrich Loewe