Priming tool actions: Are real objects more effective primes than pictures?

Humans are faster to grasp an object such as a tool if they have previewed the same object beforehand. This priming effect is strongest when actors gesture the use of the tool rather than simply move it, possibly because the previewed tool activates action-specific routines in dorsal-stream motor networks. Here, we examined whether real tools, which observers could physically act upon, serve as more potent primes than two-dimensional images of tools, which do not afford physical action. Participants were presented with a prime stimulus that could be either a real tool or a visually matched photograph of a tool. After a brief delay, participants interacted with a real tool target, either by 'grasping to move,' or 'grasping to use' it. The identities of the prime and target tools were either the same (congruent trials; e.g., spatula-spatula) or different (incongruent trials; e.g., whisk-spatula). As expected, participants were faster to initiate grasps during trials when they had to move the tool rather than gesture its use. Priming effects were observed for grasp-to-use, but not grasp-to-move, responses. Surprisingly, however, both pictures of tools and real tools primed action responses equally. Our results indicate that tool priming effects are driven by pictorial cues and their implied actions, even in the absence of volumetric cues that reflect the tangibility and affordances of the prime.

An empirical analysis of structural neuroimaging profiles in a staging model of depression.

We examine structural brain characteristics across three diagnostic categories: at risk for serious mental illness; first-presenting episode and recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigate whether the three diagnostic groups display a stepwise pattern of brain changes in the cortico-limbic regions. Integrated clinical and neuroimaging data from three large Canadian studies were pooled (total n = 622 participants, aged 12-66 years). Four clinical profiles were used in the classification of a clinical staging model: healthy comparison individuals with no history of depression (HC, n = 240), individuals at high risk for serious mental illness due to the presence of subclinical symptoms (SC, n = 80), first-episode depression (FD, n = 82), and participants with recurrent MDD in a current major depressive episode (RD, n = 220). Whole-brain volumetric measurements were extracted with FreeSurfer 7.1 and examined using three different types of analyses. Hippocampal volume decrease and cortico-limbic thinning were the most informative features for the RD vs HC comparisons. FD vs HC revealed that FD participants were characterized by a focal decrease in cortical thickness and global enlargement in amygdala volumes. Greater total amygdala volumes were significantly associated with earlier onset of illness in the FD but not the RD group. We did not confirm the construct validity of a tested clinical staging model, as a differential pattern of brain alterations was identified across the three diagnostic groups that did not parallel a stepwise clinical staging approach. The pathological processes during early stages of the illness may fundamentally differ from those that occur at later stages with clinical progression.

1-Alkyl- and (±)-1,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridin-4(1H)-ones by a tandem Michael-SNAr annulation reaction.

A tandem Michael-S(N)Ar annulation reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 1-alkyl and (±)-1,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridin-4(1H)-ones. Treatment of 1-(2-chloropyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (R = H) or (E or Z)-1-(2-chloropyridin-3-yl)but-2-en-1-one (R = CH3) with R'NH2 in DMF at 50 °C for 24 h provides 2,3-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridin-4(1H)-ones in 65-85% yields. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction sequence is initiated by Michael addition to the side chain enone.

Data and alternative models describing the associations among non-infection pandemic stress, event-related rumination, depression, and anxiety.

Here we present cross-sectional data collected from 1507 participants through the Qualtrics online survey platform. Participants were recruited from Reddit, Facebook, and the Queen's University undergraduate participant pool, and were instructed to complete a pandemic stress survey, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) [1], the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) [2], a modified version of Event-Related Rumination Inventory (ERRI) [3], and a demographics questionnaire. For the 1069 participants who were not exposed to COVID-19 infection, we calculated the sum of each scale/subscale and performed a multiple mediation analysis using MPlus. The results indicated that three models (one primary model and two alternative models) had comparable statistical power to explain the variance as we tested different configurations of predictor, mediator, and outcome variables. Given the cross-sectional nature of the present study, we could not conclude which model was most valid. Therefore, we share our original data and tested models here for others to use. They are useful for researchers who wish to replicate our results, conduct new analyses with these data, or design future studies.

Anxious arousal predicts within-person changes in hippocampal volume in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment: A CAN-BIND4 report.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a strong transdiagnostic risk factor for future psychopathology. This risk is theorized to emerge partly because of glucocorticoid-mediated atrophy in the hippocampus, which leaves this area sensitive to further volume loss even through adulthood in the face of future stress and the emergence of psychopathology. This proof-of-principle study examines which specific dimensions of internalizing psychopathology in the context of a CM history are associated with decreases in hippocampal volume over a 6-month period. This study included 80 community-recruited adults (ages 18-66 years, 61.3% women) oversampled for a lifetime history of internalizing psychopathology. At baseline and a naturalistic 6-month follow-up, the symptom dimensions of the tripartite model (anxious arousal, anhedonic depression, and general distress) were assessed by self-report. Hippocampal volume was derived through T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scanning segmented via the volBrain HIPS pipeline. CM severity was determined via a semistructured, contextual interview with independent ratings. We found that higher levels of anxious arousal predicted decreases in hippocampal volume over time in those with greater severity of CM but were associated at a trend with increases in hippocampal volume over time in those with lower severity of maltreatment. Findings were specific to anxious arousal and the CA1 subregion of the hippocampus. These novel results suggest that for individuals with a history of CM, transdiagnostic interventions that target and reduce psychological and physiological arousal may result in the preservation of hippocampal structure and, thus, improvements in cognitive and emotional regulation in the face of stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of non-infection pandemic stress on depression and anxiety severity: Investigating mediation by intrusive and deliberate rumination.

BACKGROUND: Social restrictions to curb COVID-19's spread have had adverse effects on population mental health. Rumination is one mechanism through which pandemic stress (PS) might translate into psychopathology. In particular, intrusive rumination (IR) is believed to be problematic. In this study, we investigated whether IR and deliberate rumination (DR) mediated the associations between PS and both depression and anxiety severity. METHODS: 1090 participants recruited online and from an undergraduate psychology participation pool completed an assessment of COVID-19 PS, as well as the Event-Related Rumination Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Total scores for PS, IR, DR, depression, and anxiety severity were tested in a parallel mediation model. RESULTS: PS positively predicted IR, DR, depression, and anxiety severity. IR positively predicted 1depression and anxiety severity, whereas DR did not. Indirect effects of PS on depression and anxiety severity were significant for IR, but not DR. Direct effects of PS on anxiety and depression severity were significant. Taken together, IR partially mediated the association between PS and both measures of psychopathology, and DR did not. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its cross-sectional design and the lack of assessment of when PS exposure occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding PS that is unrelated to infection by COVID-19, IR is one mechanism through which psychopathology may emerge, whereas DR appears to be benign. Promoting a shift from IR to DR may therefore be one strategy for mitigating the negative effects of PS and other stressors on mental health.

COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Life Habits in the Canadian Population.

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the rate of clinical depression in the adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the changes in anxiety, distress, suicidal ideation, and their relations with several personal and interpersonal/social variables. Methods: This is an epidemiological, non-interventional study. It is part of an international multi-center study, with the main site at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece (COMET-G Study). We are presenting aspects of the research involving the Canadian site, based on 508 Canadian responders to the online survey (QAIRE). Results: Of the 508 responders, 72.2% were females aged 42.57 ± 14.00 years; 27.2% were males aged 42.24 ± 15.49 years; and 0.6% were others aged 46.33 ± 17.79 years. Increased anxiety during the lockdown was reported by 69.3% of those surveyed. The rate of suicidal thoughts increased in 19.5% of participants during the lockdown. Depression was reported by 22% of responders, while distress was present in 18.4%. We found a greater prevalence of depression, but not distress, in individuals with a history of any mental disorder. Based on the multiple regression analysis, we found four CORE factors equally influencing the changes in mental health during the lockdown (gender, quality of sleep, family conflicts, and changes in daily routine). In the Canadian population, two major changes acted as protective factors, significantly expressed when compared with the worldwide tendencies: fewer financial difficulties; and an increase in religious beliefs. Conclusion: The rate of major depression, distress, and suicidal ideation was higher in Canadians than in the worldwide population (per COMET-G), but the relative risk to develop depression in the presence of a history of mental disorders was lower. Almost 90% of Canadians believed in the real story of COVID source of provenience.

Tetanus, pneumonia, and malaria in a tsunami victim in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

On December 26, 2004, a tsunami from the Indian Ocean struck the coastal city of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. This case report describes a 24-year-old woman who presented to the Dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh on January 8, 2005, with a tsunami-related illness. The patient was initially treated for tetanus and aspiration pneumonia with a guarded prognosis. Her recovery was complicated by malaria and recurrent pneumonia. Treatment was hampered by a shortage of medication and equipment, damage to the hospital, and a filthy environment. Morphine, diazepam, and ketamine infusions were used to good effect. This case highlights some of the logistical problems of treating multiple tetanus patients in an austere environment.