Discrimination of two neighboring intra- and intermodal empty time intervals marked by three successive stimuli

We investigated the discrimination of two neighboring intra- or inter-modal empty time intervals marked by three successive stimuli. Each of the three markers was a flash (visual—V) or a sound (auditory—A). The first and last markers were of the same modality, while the second one was either A or V, resulting in four conditions: VVV, VAV, AVA and AAA. Participants judged whether the second interval, whose duration was systematically varied, was shorter or longer than the 500-ms first interval. Compared with VVV and AAA, discrimination was impaired with VAV, but not so much with AVA (in Experiment 1). Whereas VAV and AVA consisted of the same set of single intermodal intervals (VA and AV), discrimination was impaired in the VAV compared to the AVA condition. This difference between VAV and AVA could not be attributed to the participants' strategy to perform the discrimination task, e.g., ignoring the standard interval or replacing the visual stimuli with sounds in their mind (in Experiment 2). These results are discussed in terms of sequential grouping according to sensory similarity.     

Sequential aiming with one and two limbs: Effects of target size

It is well reported that movement times to the first target in a two-target sequence are slower than when a single target response is required. This one-target advantage has been shown to emerge when the two-target sequence is performed with the same limb and when the first and second segments within the sequence are performed with different limbs (i.e., when there is a switch between limbs at the first target). The present study examined the functional dependency between response segments in both single and two limb sequential aiming by varying the accuracy demands at the first and second target. Results revealed that, for both one and two limb conditions, the one-target advantage was present with large first targets but not with small first targets. Additionally, when the first target was large and the second target was small, spatial variability at the first target was significantly less (or constrained more) in both one and two limb conditions compared to conditions requiring only a single target response. These findings suggest that similar principles underlie the one-target advantage in both single and two limb sequential movements.     

Intentional Binding is independent of the validity of the action effect's identity

When an action produces an effect, both events are perceived to be shifted in time toward each other. This shift is called Intentional Binding (IB) effect. First evidence shows that this shift does not depend on the statistical predictability of the produced effect's identity (Desantis, Hughes, & Waszak, 2012). We confirm this result by comparing the perceived duration of action–effect intervals before valid and invalid action effects using the method of constant stimuli. The perceived duration of action–effect intervals did not differ for valid and invalid effects. This result was true for different durations of the action–effect interval (Experiments 1–4: 250 ms, Experiments 1 & 2: 400 ms), different effect modalities (Experiments 1 & 3: visual, Experiments 2–4: auditive), and two types of validity variations (Experiments 1 & 2: 80% valid, Experiments 3 & 4: 100% valid vs. random). We validated our results by using a clock paradigm and a numerical duration estimation task (Experiment 4). We conclude that the IB effect is not the result of internal prediction due to action–effect bindings, but might rely on higher-order processes.     

红斑性肢痛症合并周围神经损害1例诊治分析

红斑性肢痛症是一种罕见的临床综合征,以肢端皮肤间歇性皮温升高、发红、肿胀及烧灼样痛为特点,病变主要累及四肢末端,尤以下肢多见,多呈对称分布,较少见于面部和耳部.其症状常因运动和遇热而加重,休息和遇冷而减轻.临床上常分为原发性和继发性两大类,其中原发性红斑性肢痛症,多认为与编码Nav1.7亚单位的SCN9A基因突变有关.目前该病发病机制尚不明确,治疗上缺乏确切有效的治疗方案,临床易误诊误治.本文报道了红斑性肢痛症合并周围神经损害1例,以期提高对该病的认识.     

红斑性肢痛症合并周围神经损害1例诊治分析

红斑性肢痛症是一种罕见的临床综合征,以肢端皮肤间歇性皮温升高、发红、肿胀及烧灼样痛为特点,病变主要累及四肢末端,尤以下肢多见,多呈对称分布,较少见于面部和耳部.其症状常因运动和遇热而加重,休息和遇冷而减轻.临床上常分为原发性和继发性两大类,其中原发性红斑性肢痛症,多认为与编码Nav1.7亚单位的SCN9A基因突变有关.目前该病发病机制尚不明确,治疗上缺乏确切有效的治疗方案,临床易误诊误治.本文报道了红斑性肢痛症合并周围神经损害1例,以期提高对该病的认识.     

Suicide risk in the detachment from reality: failures in the quest for love that saves

Suicide is among the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for almost one million annual deaths globally. The author presents an exploration into the suicidal mind using Freud's cathexis and decathexis theory. This model describes the patient’s withdrawal from reality and the need to gratify libidinal and aggressive drives in the internal world. Theories and beliefs of other authors are used to introduce the importance of early disturbed relationships with parental figures. Working with the particular subtype of suicidal patient described in this essay may be a challenge for clinicians. A psychodynamic approach may help in the understanding of the patient’s complex and private world of psychological pain. If unresolved, the patient’s conflicts may precipitate suicide.     

Sexual willingness with same- and other-sex prospective partners: Experimental evidence from the bar scene

Sex is ubiquitous in the media, but only a fraction depicts sexual interactions between same-sex partners. This field study, conducted outside of bars in the Midwestern United States, examined 83 heterosexuals’ sexual willingness with a same- or other-sex partner. Participants viewed a randomly assigned video vignette of a same- or other-sex partner. Alcohol intake, partner attractiveness, and sexual willingness were measured. Using moderated regression analysis, we found that alcohol intake predicted sexual willingness with the male target for both men and women, but not with the female target. The attractiveness of same-sex partners was related to sexual willingness. Sexual willingness was only influenced by alcohol intake and perceived attractiveness of a same-sex prospective partner. Most notably, alcohol intake was related to increased sexual willingness of men with a same-sex partner, suggesting a potential shift in normative casual sexual behavior among heterosexual men.     

“电子钱包”让人花钱更多？——手机支付的心理账户效应

为探究手机支付使用者消费增加的现象及其心理账户效应,使用计算机程序对114名被试进行了三项模拟购物实验。实验发现：（1）手机支付组被试的商品消费次数和金额都显著高于现金支付组被试,且这种差异体现在功能型商品的消费上。（2）手机支付时被试不会倾向于对大金额的消费进行控制,对大钱和小钱的花费不存在显著差异。（3）手机支付时收到红包的被试消费次数和金额显著高于账户常规收入的被试,且更多用于享乐型消费。总的来看,手机支付减弱了对大额金钱和意外收入的消费控制,非现金支付让消费者花钱更多。