Lateralized rewarding brain stimulation affects forepaw preference in rats

Rats trained to reach for food pellets into a narrow tubular feeder consistently prefer to perform this stereotype instrumental movement with either the left or right forepaw. In 16 rats with established handedness electrodes were implanted into both lateral hypothalami. The animals were rewarded by intracranial self stimulation (ICSS, 300 msec, 50 Hz, 20-60 microA) for reaching into a modified feeder for a plastic ball operandum, the movement of which between the bottom and entrance of the feeder was monitored by mechanical contacts. The rats readily continued to reach when ICSS was delivered immediately after the photoelectrically detected reach or after the displacement of the operandum. Most rats learned in a single session to modify the movement when ICSS delivery was made contingent upon holding the operandum between the bottom and entrance of the feeder for 256 or 512 msec. The efficiency of reaching (ratio of successful reaches to all reaches) decreased with increasing holding time; only a few animals were able to master a 1024 msec delay. Reaching was supported by ICSS of either lateral hypothalamus. Whereas in 8 rats the strongly expressed forepaw preference was not changed by lateralized ICSS, in 8 latently ambidextrous animals stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus ipsilateral to the preferred forepaw increased reaching with the normally non-preferred forepaw from 15% to 60%. Stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus contralateral to the preferred forepaw did not change the preference. The preference shift was equally well expressed in simple and difficult versions of the task. It is concluded that lateralization of motivational influences can be reflected in the asymmetry of the neural mechanisms processing the lateralized sensory signals and/or elaborating the lateralized motor output.     

Task-dependent changes in frontal brain asymmetry: effects of incentive cues, outcome expectancies, and motor responses

The current study was designed to clarify the psychological functions most closely associated with frontal brain asymmetry. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from 60 participants while they performed a delayed reaction time (RT) task that included manipulations of incentive, expectancy, and response. Significant alpha asymmetry effects were reflected in topographic differences across anterior EEG sites. Variations in monetary incentives resulted in parametric changes in anterior frontal alpha asymmetry. Manipulations of outcome expectancies were related to mid-frontal EEG changes that differed for men and women. Varied response requirements were related to central asymmetry patterns. Taken together, the findings suggest that regionally specific patterns of frontal asymmetry are functionally related to particular aspects of approach-withdrawal tendencies involved in the temporal guidance and regulation of goal-directed behavior.     

On the ERN and the significance of errors

The error-related negativity (ERN) is an event-related brain potential observed when subjects commit errors. To examine whether the ERN is sensitive to the value of errors, the motivational significance of errors was manipulated in two experiments. In Experiment 1, low and high monetary value errors were compared to evaluate the effect of trial value on the ERN. In Experiment 2, subjects performed a flanker task both while their performance was being evaluated and during a control condition. Consistent with the notion that the error-detection system is sensitive to the significance of errors, the ERN was significantly larger on high-value trials in Experiment 1 and during evaluation in Experiment 2. There were no corresponding effects on the correct response negativity, and no behavioral differences between conditions were evident in either experiment. These results are discussed in terms of the functional role of the ERN in response monitoring.     

Dorsal bundle extinction effect: Motivation or attention?

Male albino Wistar rats were injected bilaterally with 4 micrograms of 6-hydroxydopamine into the dorsal noradrenergic bundle to deplete forebrain noradrenaline to less than 5% of control values. Acquisition learning of a fixed interval schedule or a continuously reinforced schedule was not altered but resistance to extinction was seen after food reinforced training on either schedule but not after water reinforced training. A possible increase in food motivation was tested by the use of preloading with free food prior to a fixed interval session but both control and lesioned rats reacted similarly to this manipulation thus appearing to exclude an increase in food motivation. An attentional explanation is proposed and tested by the demonstration that resistance to extinction does not occur after a partially (variable ratio 4), as opposed to a continuously, reinforced schedule. Further evidence in favour of an attentional mechanism comes from the finding that on both a fixed interval and a continuously reinforced schedule the lesion has to be present during the acquisition phase to result in subsequent resistance to extinction. Intact animals trained on either schedule and subsequently subjected to the lesion failed to show an increased resistance to extinction.     

学习优秀与学习不良大学生的学习动机、自我效能和归因的比较

目的：探讨大学生成绩不良的原因和转化途径。方法：用学习动机量表、自我效能感量表和学习归因量表对学习优秀和学习不良的大学生进行测量和对比。结果：①学习优秀的大学生比学习不良的大学生的内部动机强，但两类大学生在外部动机上无差异；②学习优秀的大学生的能力和行为的自我效能水平都比学习不良的大学生高；③在成功归因和失败归因方面，两类大学生无差异。结论：采取措施提高学习不良学生学习的内部动机和自我效能水平，是转化大学生学习不良状况的必要环节。     

Medical informatics education by medical professors within their discipline

A system for medical informatics education for medical students has been developed in the medical school. This paper describes the concept underlying the development of this system and its progressive outcomes over 8 years. In order to stimulate students to acquire computer-related knowledge and skills, this subject has been integrated into the course works of various medical subjects such as physiology. In addition, acquired knowledge and skills are evaluated within each subject by the production of reports for example, using computers. This provides a concrete example for students of the relevance of the information sciences to the solving of medical problems. A well equipped computer facility for the study of medicine also plays a significant role in inspiring student incentive. A computer room equipped with Macintosh computers was opened adjacent to the main medical library and is used in the same manner as the library, with books replaced by computers. In addition, all new students acquire their own Macintosh PowerBook. These various initiations have facilitated concept that the computer may be applied to medical problem solving at any time or place and may become as commonplace as a pen in daily medical practice.     

Targeting physical health in schizophrenia: Results from the Physical Activity Can Enhance Life (PACE-Life) 24-week open trial

Poor health and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) contribute substantially to the shortened lifespan of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Increasing physical activity has demonstrated value; however, there are limited interventions that are accessible and adequately address motivational challenges. This paper reports on an open trial of Physical Activity Can Enhance Life (PACE-Life), a motivational theory-based manualized multicomponent walking intervention. The primary aim was to examine the feasibility of implementing PACE-Life through meeting the recruitment target (n = 14), attendance and adherence rates, and participant feedback. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of PACE-Life on intermediate targets (autonomous motivation and satisfaction of autonomy, relatedness, and competence needs), proximal outcomes (Fitbit steps/day and minutes spent walking), the primary outcome (CRF), and secondary outcomes (loneliness, symptoms, resting heart rate, blood pressure, weight, body mass index, and hip and waist circumference). Seventeen participants with SSDs enrolled in a 24-week open trial. Assessments occurred at baseline, mid-point, post-test, and one-month follow-up. The recruitment target was exceeded, the group attendance rate was 34%, Fitbit adherence rate was 54%, and participant feedback indicated satisfaction with the intervention as well as a positive group environment. There was a large improvement in the primary outcome of CRF with 77% of participants achieving clinically significant improvement at post-test. Small and medium effect size increases were observed in autonomous motivation and satisfaction of autonomy, relatedness, and competence needs. Fitbit data and secondary outcomes generally remained unchanged or worsened during the intervention. Results from this open trial indicate that PACE-Life leads to meaningful changes in CRF among people with SSDs.     

Identification of promotion and prevention associated surgeon behaviors in the operating room to facilitate resident self-regulated learning

BackgroundThe regulatory focus theory (RFT) posits that people can pursue goals with a promotion or prevention focus. Greater alignment of RFT motivational styles between faculty and residents may enhance resident operative autonomy. This study establishes a set of faculty behaviors residents can identify to infer faculty motivational styles.Methods10 behaviors associated with promotion and prevention motivational styles were identified. General surgery residents rated faculty on how strongly they exhibit these behaviors. Faculty conducted a self-assessment of how strongly they exhibit these behaviors.ResultsThere is a positive correlation between resident and faculty ratings for the promotion-associated behaviors of “works quickly,” “high energy,” and “mostly provides broad oversight,” and for the prevention-associated behaviors of “works slowly and deliberately,” “quiet and calm,” and “preference for vigilant strategies.”ConclusionResidents can observe faculty operative behaviors to infer faculty motivational styles. Residents may use this knowledge to adjust to faculty motivational styles and enhance operative interactions.     

Examining changes in students' perception of science relevancy and their career aspirations: Integrating sustainability-oriented socio-scientific issues into general chemistry curriculum

Making science relevant to students' lives, future careers, or societies by introducing controversial socio-scientific issues in classrooms motivates students to take more active roles in learning science. This study explored the influence of integrating two sustainability-oriented socio-scientific issues (SOS₂Is) - alternative energies and nanotechnology-into the General Chemistry curriculum on 743 students' career aspirations and perceptions of science relevancy. For the presentation of topics, two learning environments on Prezi were prepared. The participants were guided to explore these learning environments that focused on pros and cons of each topic, including environmental and health hazards of technological developments. In addition, students were encouraged to link these discussions to sustainability issues in the context of the UN SDGs. The analysis of Changes in Attitude Towards the Relevancy of Science and Career Aspirations surveys indicated that the interventions improved students' perception of science relevancy and altered their career aspirations in many areas, regardless of their socioeconomic status and ethnic background. This study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of discussions around socio-scientific issues in changing students’ perceptions of science and career aspirations and recommends practical methods to encourage students to become global and scientifically literate citizens.     

The Impact of Psychosis on Sexual Functioning: A Systematic Review

BackgroundSexual dysfunction among psychotic patients is highly prevalent. However, most research has focused on antipsychotic side effects on sexual functioning.AimTo provide evidence by means of a systematic review of the literature about the impact of psychosis on sexual functioning among unmedicated patients.MethodsSystematic search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies that reported sexual functioning among psychotic patients, who were drug-naïve or drug-free for at least 3 weeks before the study. Studies were published in English language between January 1994 and October 2019. We used the approach recommended by PRISMA, and the selection process was carried out by 2 reviewers.OutcomesThe outcome measures were sexual function and sexual dysfunctions.ResultsA total of 734 articles were obtained, 658 were obtained after duplicates were removed, 612 were excluded after reading the title and abstract, and 46 were included for a complete review of the articles. 5 papers were finally included. A total of 770 cases were included in the systematic review. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in psychosis varied from 16.8% to 70% and in ultra-high state was 50%. It is noteworthy that those ultra–high-risk (prodromal) patients who develop psychosis had higher rates of sexual impairment. Therefore, we found higher rates of sexual dysfunction among untreated patients, both psychotic and ultra-high risk patients, than healthy controls.Clinical ImplicationsThe assessment of sexual behavior should be a part of routine psychiatric examination not only in psychotic but also in ultra–high-risk patients.Strengths & LimitationsThis is the first systematic review about the impact of psychosis on sexual functioning among unmedicated patients. However, scarce and heterogeneous studies were identified.ConclusionsImpaired sexual functioning is common in the onset of psychosis (or during ultra–high-risk state) and prior to the beginning of treatment. This suggests that psychotic symptoms and sexual dysfunction may have common etiological pathways at the psychosocial and neurobiological levels.Vargas-Cáceres S, Cera N, Nobre P, et al. The Impact of Psychosis on Sexual Functioning: A Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2021;18:457–466.