Parts‐based representations of perceived face movements in the superior temporal sulcus

Facial motion is a primary source of social information about other humans. Prior fMRI studies have identified regions of the superior temporal sulcus (STS) that respond specifically to perceived face movements (termed fSTS), but little is known about the nature of motion representations in these regions. Here we use fMRI and multivoxel pattern analysis to characterize the representational content of the fSTS. Participants viewed a set of specific eye and mouth movements, as well as combined eye and mouth movements. Our results demonstrate that fSTS response patterns contain information about face movements, including subtle distinctions between types of eye and mouth movements. These representations generalize across the actor performing the movement, and across small differences in visual position. Critically, patterns of response to combined movements could be well predicted by linear combinations of responses to individual eye and mouth movements, pointing to a parts‐based representation of complex face movements. These results indicate that the fSTS plays an intermediate role in the process of inferring social content from visually perceived face movements, containing a representation that is sufficiently abstract to generalize across low‐level visual details, but still tied to the kinematics of face part movements.     

Social factors relating to depression among older people in Japan: analysis of longitudinal panel data from the AGES project

Abstract

Objectives: Preventing the onset of depression among older people in Japan requires clarifying the social determinants of depression by using longitudinal data, while also taking biological and psychological factors into account. Identification of such determinants may enable more active intervention through social policy. We aimed to reveal the social factors related to depression in Japan’s older people and consider associated policy implications.

Method: Panel data obtained from a longitudinal survey (Wave 1 to Wave 2) of 3464 elderly subjects, aged 65 years or more, as part of the Aichi Gerontological Evaluation Study (AGES) project was employed. The outcome variable was depression, as evaluated by the Geriatric Depression Scale. Frequency of meeting with friends, social support, hobbies, participation in organizations, life events, illness, self-rated health, instrumental activities of daily living, and sense of coherence were entered as explanatory variables within a logit model for each gender.

Results: Of the subjects without mental illness or depression at Wave 1, 14% had become depressed by Wave 2. In both men and women, life events predicted increased odds of depression, while sense of coherence predicted reduced odds. The frequency of meeting with friends, hobbies, and self-rated health predicted reduced odds of depression in men, while age predicted increased odds in women.

Conclusion: Overall, social interaction is important for preventing depression in Japan, and that the establishment of a system capable of promoting social interaction and providing care to the elderly during life events may be a useful social policy approach to preventing depression.     

Accuracy in precordial ECG lead placement: Improving performance through a peer-led educational intervention

Background and objectives

Inaccurate electrocardiography (ECG) lead placement may lead to erroneous diagnoses, such as poor R wave progression. We sought to assess the accuracy of precordial ECG lead placement amongst hospital staff members, and to re-evaluate performance after an educational intervention.

沟通技巧在门诊挂号中的应用效果研究

目的：探讨门诊挂号分诊护士沟通技巧的应用效果。方法选取本院实施沟通技巧的门诊挂号分诊护士21名为观察组,选取本院未实施沟通技巧的门诊挂号分诊护士21名为对照组。分析门诊挂号分诊护士沟通技巧的应用效果和患者满意度情况。结果观察组接待患者依从性、满意度均显著高于对照组（P＜0．05）;观察组护患纠纷发生率、投诉事件发生率均显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。结论门诊挂号分诊护士的沟通技巧可显著提高患者的依从性和满意度,可大幅降低护患纠纷与投诉事件的发生率,有助于提高医疗服务质量,值得临床推广使用。