scholarly journals S119. A DIMENSIONAL APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING COST-BENEFIT DECISION-MAKING IN SCHIZOPHRENIA AND DEPRESSION

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S80-S80
Author(s):  
Sarah Saperia ◽  
Daniel Felsky ◽  
Susana Da Silva ◽  
Ishraq Siddiqui ◽  
Zafiris Daskalakis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Reductions in motivation figure prominently in the clinical presentation of schizophrenia (SZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD). One critical nexus in the motivation system that drives real-world behaviour is effort-based decision-making (EBDM), which refers to the cost-benefit calculations involved in computing the amount of effort one is willing to expend in order to obtain a desired reward. Important individual differences are associated with these processes, and impairments in motivation can arise if any relevant cost-benefit information is not properly computed, appraised, or integrated. Thus, in order to better understand the computations guiding choice behaviour, the present study sought to utilize a more person-centric approach to characterize individual differences in the effort-cost computations that underlie cost-benefit decision-making in individuals with SZ and MDD. Methods A sample of 51 individuals with SZ, 43 individuals with MDD, and 51 healthy control (HC) participants underwent a comprehensive clinical and cognitive characterization, and completed the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT) as a measure of EBDM. Random effects modelling was conducted to estimate the subject-specific predictors of reward magnitude, probability, and perceived cost on choice behaviour. Cluster analysis was subsequently applied to these predictors in order to identify subtypes of impairments within the entire sample, irrespective of diagnostic status. Results Data-driven cluster analysis identified unique subgroups of individuals with distinct patterns of utilizing cost-benefit information to guide effort-based decision-making. Analyses of variance revealed significant differences between clusters with respect to their utilization of reward (F (3, 133) = 51.58, p < .001), probability (F (3, 133) = 48.71, p < .001), and cost (F (3, 133) = 45.24, p < .001). The first cluster was characterized by an indifference to all cost-benefit information, the second cluster was more influenced by perceived cost, the third cluster demonstrated a preference for reward-based information, and the fourth cluster mainly utilized probability to guide their decision-making. While the clusters did not differ in their severity of clinical amotivation (p = .11), there was a significant effect for cognition, specifically with impairments in clusters 1 and 2. All diagnostic groups were represented in each cluster, but the distribution of SZ, MDD, and HC participants was significantly different (X2 (6, N = 137) = 16.18, p = .013). Discussion The emergence of four distinct subgroups in our sample suggests that there are individual differences amongst SZ, MDD, and HC participants in their utilization of cost-benefit information to guide choice behaviour. Moreover, with elevated levels of clinical amotivation present in all four clusters, it is possible that these unique cost-benefit decision-making patterns represent different underlying motivational impairments, the nature of which depending on how reward magnitude, probability, and perceived cost are weighed. Thus, by characterizing the specific mechanisms underlying EBDM in SZ and MDD, the results of this work may be able to help guide the identification of more precise targets for the effective treatment of motivation deficits.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 596
Author(s):  
Murugan Ramasamy ◽  
Mohammed Abdul Hannan ◽  
Yaseen Adnan Ahmed ◽  
Arun Kr Dev

Offshore vessels (OVs) often require precise station-keeping and some vessels, for example, vessels involved in geotechnical drilling, generally use Spread Mooring (SM) or Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems. Most of these vessels are equipped with both systems to cover all ranges of water depths. However, determining which system to use for a particular operational scenario depends on many factors and requires significant balancing in terms of cost-benefit. Therefore, this research aims to develop a platform that will determine the cost factors for both the SM and DP station-keeping systems. Operational information and cost data are collected for several field operations, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are trained using those data samples. After that, the trained ANN is used to predict the components of cost for any given environmental situation, fieldwork duration and water depth. Later, the total cost is investigated against water depth for both DP and SM systems to determine the most cost-effective option. The results are validated using two operational scenarios for a specific geotechnical vessel. This decision-making algorithm can be further developed by adding up more operational data for various vessels and can be applied in the development of sustainable decision-making business models for OVs operators.


1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 41-44

The relationship between drug costs and treatment choices was the subject of the first annual Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin symposium held in March 1993.* In a time of severe financial constraints for the NHS it is important that the money available is well spent. In the case of treatment that means the benefits must be worth the cost. There is, however, no agreed way of deciding when a particular health benefit to an individual is worth the cost to the NHS. Drug prices are easier to measure and more consistent than the prices of other treatments, and may be more amenable to cost-benefit analysis. Treatment choices are made primarily by doctors but with critical input from patients, pharmacists, nurses and health service managers. In this article we give an overview of the symposium at which speakers described ways in which drug costs and treatment choices were tackled in general practice (Ann McPherson, John Howie), in hospital (Dorothy Anderson), in clinical research and audit (Iain Chalmers, Alison Frater), by consumers (Anna Bradley), by health economists (Mike Drummond) and by government (Joe Collier). We also take into account points raised in discussion by the participants.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa de Brito Poveda ◽  
Edson Zangiacomi Martinez ◽  
Cristina Maria Galvão

This study analyzed the evidence available in the literature concerning the effectiveness of different active cutaneous warming systems to prevent intraoperative hypothermia. This is a systematic review with primary studies found in the following databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Medline. The sample comprised 23 randomized controlled trials. There is evidence in the literature indicating that the circulating water garment system is the most effective in maintaining patient body temperature. These results can support nurses in the decision-making process concerning the implementation of effective measures to maintain normothermia, though the decision of health services concerning which system to choose should also take into account its cost-benefit status given the cost related to the acquisition of such systems.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Greenhouse-Tucknott ◽  
James Graeme Wrightson ◽  
Sam Berens ◽  
Jeanne Dekerle ◽  
Neil Andrew Harrison

Introduction: Protracted physical exertion leads to the development of fatigue. The development of fatigue has previously been associated with increased effort costs, influencing decisions to engage in further physical activity. However, whether fatigue-associated changes to effort-based decisions are reflective of a global aversion to effort in response to fatiguing physical exertion, affecting the decision to engage in physical action performed in other parts of the body, is unclear. Methods: To investigate this, we tested whether effort-based choice behaviour was altered by fatigue, pre-induced through physical exertion of a different body part. Twenty-two healthy male participants made a series of choices between two rewarded actions, which varied in both the level of effort required (relative duration of a submaximal contraction of the dominant knee extensors) and reward obtained (monetary incentives). Participants made their choice under two conditions: 1) a pre-induced state of fatigue and 2) a rested (control) state. Results: Across conditions, participants’ choice behaviour demonstrated the anticipated aversion to effort that interacted with the level of reward on offer. However, though prior physical exertion increased the perception of fatigue, prolonged choice selection-time and reduced self-reported confidence in ability to perform chosen effort-demanding actions, participants choice behaviour did not significantly differ between the two conditions. Conclusions:. The findings suggest that a subjective state of fatigue does not increase the general cost of exerting effort across the body but does increase uncertainty within decision-making processes which may alter evaluative processes that precede changes in cost/benefit computations.


Mathematics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Fuentes ◽  
Carlos Chávez ◽  
Antonio Quevedo ◽  
Josué Trejo-Alonso ◽  
Sebastián Fuentes

In recent years, groundwater levels have been decreasing due to the demand in agricultural and industrial activities, as well as the population that has grown exponentially in cities. One method of controlling the progressive lowering of the water table is the artificial recharge of water through wells. With this practice, it is possible to control the amount of water that enters the aquifer through field measurements. However, the construction of these wells is costly in some areas, in addition to the fact that most models only simulate the well as if it were a homogeneous profile and the base equations are restricted. In this work, the amount of infiltrated water by a well is modeled using a stratified media of the porous media methodology. The results obtained can help decision-making by evaluating the cost benefit of the construction of wells to a certain location for the recharge of aquifers.


Author(s):  
Murugan Ramasamy ◽  
Mohammed Abdul Hannan ◽  
Yaseen Adnan Ahmed ◽  
Arun Kr Dev

Offshore vessels (OVs) often requires precise station-keeping and some vessels, for example, vessel involves in geotechnical drilling generally use Spread Mooring (SM) or Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems. Most of these vessels are equipped with both systems to cover all ranges of water depths. However, determining which systems to use for a particular operational scenario depends on many factors and requires significant balancing in terms of cost-benefit. Therefore, this research aims to develop a platform that will determine the cost factors for both the SM and DP station keeping systems. Operational information and cost data are collected for several field operations, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is trained using those data samples. After that, the trained ANN is used to predict the components of cost for any given environmental situation, fieldwork duration and water depth. Later, the total cost is investigated against water depth for both DP and SM systems to determine the most cost-effective option. The results are validated using two operational scenarios for a specific geotechnical vessel. This decision-making algorithm can be further developed by adding up more operational data for various vessels and can be applied in the development of sustainable decision-making business models for OVs operators.


Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Yingmiao Qian ◽  
Shuhang Chen ◽  
Jianchang Li ◽  
Qinxin Ren ◽  
Jinfu Zhu ◽  
...  

Due to the increasing number of people traveling by air, the passenger flow at the airport is increasing, and the problem of passenger drop-off and pickup has a huge impact on urban traffic. The difficulty of taking a taxi at the airport is still a hot issue in the society. Aiming at the problem of optimizing the allocation of taxi resource, this paper is based on the cost-benefit analysis method to determine the factors that affect the taxi driver’s decision-making. The mathematical methods such as function equation, BP neural network algorithm, and queuing theory were used to establish a complete decision-making model for taxi drivers and an optimization model of dispatching efficiency at the airport. A conclusion has been drawn that the allocation of airport taxi resource should be arranged closely related to drivers’ revenue and the layout of airport line.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (205) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Bruno Barbosa Rangel

This article aims to address the possibility of generating a decision-making process, especially about the use of corporate restructuring as a strategy to reduce the tax load by a company and to reposition itself in the market, to increase your level of competitiveness among yours competitors. Will be verified the main features of corporate restructuring operations: Transformation, incorporation, merger and split. Also, using a case exemple it will verified the possibility of a company divide yours activities adopting the split strategy, accourding to the taxes planning’s principles, analyzing the cost-benefit ration of corporate reoganization, concluding to what extent should invest in this strategy, observing the previous moment before the separation, considering the used bibliographic reference.


2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Kurzban ◽  
Angela Duckworth ◽  
Joseph W. Kable ◽  
Justus Myers

AbstractThe commentaries on our target article are surprisingly sympathetic to our overall approach to explaining subjective effort, though disagreement with particulars inevitably emerged. Here, in our response, we first review the few disagreements concerning the basic structure of our proposal, highlighting areas in which little or no resistance was voiced. Opposition to the assumptions that underlie our opportunity cost model is noticeably limited. Areas of genuine disagreement, however, include: (1) the inputs to and outputs of the relevant decision-making systems; (2) how to interpret data regarding individual differences in performance; (3) how to explain persistence on tasks that give rise to the sensation of subjective effort; and (4) the details of the relevant neuropsychological systems. Throughout we point to empirical issues raised by the commentaries and suggest research that will be useful in arbitrating points of disagreement.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document