Time–Frequency Cross Mutual Information Analysis of the Brain Functional Networks Underlying Multiclass Motor Imagery

To study the physiologic mechanism of the brain during different motor imagery (MI) tasks, the authors employed a method of brain-network modeling based on time–frequency cross mutual information obtained from 4-class (left hand, right hand, feet, and tongue) MI tasks recorded as brain–computer interface (BCI) electroencephalography data. The authors explored the brain network revealed by these MI tasks using statistical analysis and the analysis of topologic characteristics, and observed significant differences in the reaction level, reaction time, and activated target during 4-class MI tasks. There was a great difference in the reaction level between the execution and resting states during different tasks: the reaction level of the left-hand MI task was the greatest, followed by that of the right-hand, feet, and tongue MI tasks. The reaction time required to perform the tasks also differed: during the left-hand and right-hand MI tasks, the brain networks of subjects reacted promptly and strongly, but there was a delay during the feet and tongue MI task. Statistical analysis and the analysis of network topology revealed the target regions of the brain network during different MI processes. In conclusion, our findings suggest a new way to explain the neural mechanism behind MI.     

情感预测的影响偏差——聚焦错觉还是适应忽视?

为了考察情感预测影响偏差中聚焦错觉和适应忽视的作用,本研究通过两个实验,先让大学生被试对考研(实验1a)、骨折手术(实验1b)、搬到新校区(实验2)进行情感预测,然后将其与情感体验进行比较,并比较了去焦点化训练、适应训练和控制组对影响偏差的干预效果。结果发现:去焦点化训练显著地降低了情感预测的影响偏差,而适应训练和控制组则没有显著降低影响偏差。因此,本研究认为,当情境线索清楚的时候,聚焦错觉是导致情感预测影响偏差的主要原因。     

Attention network test: Assessment of cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome

Information processing difficulties are common in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It has been shown that the time it takes to process a complex cognitive task, rather than error rate, may be the critical variable underlying CFS patients' cognitive complaints. The Attention Network Task (ANT) developed by Fan and colleagues may be of clinical utility to assess cognitive function in CFS, because it allows for simultaneous assessment of mental response speed, also called information processing speed, and error rate under three conditions challenging the attention system. Comparison of data from two groups of CFS patients (those with and without comorbid major depressive disorder; n = 19 and 22, respectively) to controls (n = 29) consistently showed that error rates did not differ among groups across conditions, but speed of information processing did. Processing time was prolonged in both CFS groups and most significantly affected in response to the most complex task conditions. For simpler tasks, processing time was only prolonged in CFS participants with depression. The data suggest that the ANT may be a task that could be used clinically to assess information processing deficits in individuals with CFS.     

Do Bettors Correctly Perceive Odds? Three Studies of How Bettors Interpret Betting Odds as Probabilistic Information

This paper reports on three studies investigating how accurately bettors (=people who regularly bet on sports events) interpret the probabilistic information implied by betting odds. All studies were based on data collected by web surveys prompting a total of 186 experienced bettors to convert sets of representative odds into frequency judgments. Bayesian statistical methods were used to analyze the data. From the results, the following conclusions were made: (i) On the whole, the bettors produced well‐calibrated judgments, indicating that they have realistic perceptions of odds. (ii) Bettors were unable to consciously adjust judgments for different margins. (iii) Although their interval judgments often covered the estimates implied by the odds, the bettors tended to overestimate the variation of expected profitable bets between months. The results are consistent with prior research showing that people tend to make accurate probability judgments when faced with tasks characterized by constant and clear feedback. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Empirical Priors in Polytomous Computerized Adaptive Tests: Risks and Rewards in Clinical Settings

The use of empirical prior information about participants has been shown to substantially improve the efficiency of computerized adaptive tests (CATs) in educational settings. However, it is unclear how these results translate to clinical settings, where small item banks with highly informative polytomous items often lead to very short CATs. We explored the risks and rewards of using prior information in CAT in two simulation studies, rooted in applied clinical examples. In the first simulation, prior precision and bias in the prior location were manipulated independently. Our results show that a precise personalized prior can meaningfully increase CAT efficiency. However, this reward comes with the potential risk of overconfidence in wrong empirical information (i.e., using a precise severely biased prior), which can lead to unnecessarily long tests, or severely biased estimates. The latter risk can be mitigated by setting a minimum number of items that are to be administered during the CAT, or by setting a less precise prior; be it at the expense of canceling out any efficiency gains. The second simulation, with more realistic bias and precision combinations in the empirical prior, places the prevalence of the potential risks in context. With similar estimation bias, an empirical prior reduced CAT test length, compared to a standard normal prior, in 68% of cases, by a median of 20%; while test length increased in only 3% of cases. The use of prior information in CAT seems to be a feasible and simple method to reduce test burden for patients and clinical practitioners alike.     

艾滋病防控中获取患者信息的伦理问题刍议

当前艾滋病获取患者信息中,存在公私观念上的摩擦、相关规定与环节存在疏漏、对信息弱势群体关照不足的伦理难题。问题背后包含着患者为了公共健康的伦理目的却又失去伦理关系的风险,“失德”名声带来的耻感与歧视,遵守政策规范却缺少应有的尊重与保护等矛盾。问题的解决需要在文化背景和利益关系下思量个人身心秩序与社会整体秩序间如何权衡,结合历史、理论与现实维度提出路径。“信”的建立是关键所在,包括公共卫生部门公信力的树立和相应制度措施建设,同时在信息活动中需要给“私”以合理地位,并注重艾滋病治疗相关医学信息的宣传。     

数据权属与规制探讨

数据可分为原生数据与衍生数据。原生数据视来源不同分属国家、集体或个人。数据处理而形成的衍生数据往往涉及多方利益,形成“利益光谱”,对应多方权利主体。基于价值优先次序、权利位阶规则等,数据利益的“两头强化,多方平衡”,是我国法律数据确权和规制的指导思想。“两头强化”是指法律强化对位于“利益光谱”两端的国家利益与个人权益的保护,“多方平衡”指的是多方主体数据权益的平衡。数据规制的“硬法”进路为：明确法律概念,分析“利益光谱”,确定利益归属,权衡优先次序,平衡多方利益,搭建规制框架,制定具体规则。

     

甲骨文所见医疾资料研究综论

甲骨文中保存了目前所见最早的医疾资料,引起了古文字学家、历史学家、中医学者的共同关注,产生了非常丰富的研究成果。目前,关于甲骨文医疾资料的研究,主要集中在甲骨文医疾资料数量、病症名称、致病原因、诊疗方法等几个方面;以往研究中存在释字不确、观点更新滞后、对卜辞语句理解欠准确、过度解读等问题,应引起学界的重视。甲骨文医疾资料的研究当以准确识文断字为前提,其研究具有跨学科性,古文字学、中医学等相关学科的交叉合作有助于推进甲骨文医疾资料的纵深研究。