scholarly journals Effects of reward history on decision-making and movement vigor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruthi Sukumar ◽  
Reza Shadmehr ◽  
Alaa A Ahmed

During foraging, animals decide how long to stay and harvest reward, and then abandon that site and travel with a certain speed to the next reward opportunity. One aspect of this behavior involves decision-making, while the other involves motor-control. A recent theory posits that control of decision-making and movements may be linked via a desire to maximize a single normative utility: the sum of all rewards acquired, minus all efforts expended, divided by time. If this is the case, then the history of rewards, and not just its immediate availability, should dictate how long one decides to stay and harvest reward, and how slowly one travels to the next opportunity. We tested this theory in a series of experiments in which humans used their hand to harvest tokens at a reward patch, and then used their arm to reach toward a subsequent opportunity. Following a history of poor rewards, people not only foraged for a longer period, but also moved slower to the next reward site. Thus, reward history had a consistent effect on both the decision-making process regarding when to abandon a reward site, and the motor control process regarding how fast to move to the next opportunity.

Author(s):  
Shakhnoza Akramjanovna Azimbayeva ◽  

This article examines the role and place of British think tanks in the design and development of the country’s foreign policy towards the Central Asian region. This issue is studied in combination with an analysis of the history of the formation of British think tanks, the positions of these centers in relation to Central Asia in the early 90s of the twentieth century after the collapse of the USSR and the state of modern think tanks that study Central Asia and their influence on the decision-making process in Great Britain.


Author(s):  
Iryna Debela

One of the main tasks of the decision support theory is the study of methods and tools for solving the problem of minimizing the negative consequences and risks in choosing strategic directions for the development of the studied system - the object of management. The formal algorithm of the optimization in conditions of the decision-making process stochastic uncertainty, and realization of steady states in system is investigated. The purpose of the algorithm model is to provide the predicted dynamics, compensation of structural, parametric uncertainty of the control system. The ambiguity of the choice the alternative solutions and as a consequence - the inadequacy of the mathematical model, due to the significant amount of stochastic and functional relationships, different ways of presenting input data, the impossibility formalizing the studied processes. Solutions in conditions of partial or complete uncertainty can be found by searching for elements of a set the alternatives, each of which with some probability may be the optimal solution. If statistical observations of the studied object or management process are incomplete, insufficiently formalized, or impossible at all, then the uncertainty of the decision to predict the directions of their possible development is clear. The decision-making process in conditions of uncertainty is proposed to be divided into stages: specification and formalization of the decision-making model; choice methods and algorithms for constructing alternatives taking into account the peculiarities of the chosen decision-making model. Parametric uncertainty is described as an interval estimate of possible values of the studied parameter. The interval can be strictly limited by numerical values, or with not clear limits - descriptive qualitative variables. Modeling of the control process in conditions of stochastic uncertainty is based on the definition of the object under study as a complex system. A promising area of research on this topic is a mathematical description of the value distribution function within the interval, which can be formalized on the basis of expert estimates, or as a heuristic probability distribution function of unpredictable events.


2022 ◽  
pp. 194187442110567
Author(s):  
Naomi Niznick ◽  
Ronda Lun ◽  
Daniel A. Lelli ◽  
Tadeu A. Fantaneanu

We present a clinical reasoning case of 42-year-old male with a history of type 1 diabetes who presented to hospital with decreased level of consciousness. We review the approach to coma including initial approach to differential diagnosis and investigations. After refining the diagnostic options based on initial investigations, we review the clinical decision-making process with a focus on narrowing the differential diagnosis, further investigations, and treatment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashila Deshar ◽  
Madan Koirala

In mountainous country Nepal having large populations of culturally unique indigenous peoples poses threats of glaciers retreat and resource bases change. The indigenous people living in mountain plays the major role in carbon management. Further, the role and responsibilities of men and women varies differently in natural resource conservation and management. However, their participation in decision-making and benefit sharing is poor. The majority of women have unequal access to productive resources and decision-making process. Therefore, study on gender based agro-pastoral activities, their contribution on carbon management and decision-making process were carried out in Tamang ethnic group of Gatlang VDC of Rasuwa district, Nepal. For the purpose, 30 households were selected purposively. Similarly, four focus group discussions were carried out among the separate group of women, men and group consisting both men and women. Carbon management types: input carbon and output carbon activities were studied on men and women. In total, 23 different agro-pastorals related activities were found, among them 57% of work were supported by women, 39% by both men and women, and 4% by men only. With respect to fuel-wood, in average, 10 kg per day fuelwood is necessary for one household. The use of biomass for cooking emits chocking smoke and causes indoor air pollution. All these disadvantages lead to carbon emission which might lead to health deterioration of women by increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disorders. The average fuel-wood requirement was found to be 840 kg/capita/year which are found to be higher than the other physiographic regions of Nepal. This is due to use of fuel-wood as only source of energy in the study area. Out of total respondent, it was observed that 30% literate men allow their wife to make joint decision on the major household issues. Similarly, 3% literate women respondents took the major decision by their own or jointly with their husbands. On the other hand, 30% illiterate men and 37% illiterate women either didn’t allow their wife or don’t participate in major decision-making process. Further, it is revealed from the chi square test that literacy plays major role in decision making (x2 = 5.625, df =1, p=0.017). Similarly, educated women actively join together with their husband in decision making. Moreover, women have high contribution in carbon input and output activities. Therefore, the women education should be promoted to make their equal and strong participation in decision making, which ultimately contribute in carbon input and output activities, through their greater roles in livestock husbandry and fuel-wood management relative to men. Further, importance of women’s role in carbon management should be given greater prominence.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (suppl_3) ◽  
pp. A54-A68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin S. Smith ◽  
Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽  
Mark F. Abel ◽  
Christopher P. Ames

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To review the concepts involved in the decision-making process for management of pediatric patients with spinal deformity. METHODS The literature was reviewed in reference to pediatric deformity evaluation and management. RESULTS Pediatric spinal deformity includes a broad range of disorders with differing causes, natural histories, and treatments. Appropriate categorization of pediatric deformities is an important first step in the clinical decision-making process. An understanding of both nonoperative and operative treatment modalities and their indications is requisite to providing treatment for pediatric patients with spinal deformity. The primary nonoperative treatment modalities include bracing and casting, and the primary operative treatments include nonfusion instrumentation and fusion with or without instrumentation. In this article, we provide a review of pediatric spinal deformity classification and an overview of general treatment principles. CONCLUSION The decision-making process in pediatric deformity begins with appropriate diagnosis and classification of the deformity. Treatment decisions, both nonoperative and operative, are often predicated on the basis of the age of the patient and the natural history of the disorder.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 188-188
Author(s):  
S. L. Chang ◽  
J. C. Presti ◽  
J. P. Richie

188 Background: The AUA and American Cancer Society both recommend a shared decision-making process between clinicians and patients for prostate cancer screening with PSA testing. Data are limited data regarding patient preferences for PSA evaluation in the United States. We assessed the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of men who proceeded with or opted out of PSA testing in a nationally representative population-based cohort. Methods: We analyzed male participants from the 2001 to 2008 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) who were 40 years old or older without a history of prostate cancer, recent prostate manipulation, or hormone therapy use (n = 6,032). All men underwent or refused PSA testing after a standardized explanation about prostate cancer screening by a physician. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted after adjusting for survey weights to identify independent sociodemographic and clinical predictors for opting out of PSA testing. Results: Overall, 5% of the study cohort refused PSA testing. The analysis revealed predictors for refusing PSA testing (Table). PSA testing preference was not influenced by a family history of prostate cancer, previous prostate cancer screening, education level, socioeconomic status, insurance status, or tobacco history. There were no significant time trends for PSA testing. Conclusions: Despite equal access to PSA testing in our study, there was unequal utilization. We found that Black men were more likely to refuse PSA testing. Our analysis also suggests that a perception of suboptimal health or uncertain future outlook may discourage men from undergoing PSA evaluation. These patient preferences for PSA evaluation should be factored into the shared decision-making process for prostate cancer screening. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Chauvin ◽  
J. P. Clostermann ◽  
Jean-Michel Hoc

In this study, the authors aim to determine the impact of situation awareness (SA) in the decision-making process of “young” watch officers of a Merchant Marine training facility. The trainees were shown an ambiguous interaction situation in which they could choose among several actions. The results show that Level 1 SA (perception of the elements in the environment) tends to be of secondary importance in decision making. The major variables of the decision-making process are the interpretation of the rules and anticipation of the other vessel's intentions. Moreover, four different trainee “profiles” emerged. The main difference between them lies in the distance at which they decided to change course, the direction of this maneuver (port or starboard), the way in which they interpreted the other vessel's intentions (is it going to change course?), and whether the trainees referred to the rules. Of the trainees, 55% performed a maneuver that was against regulations, and 34% did so in an unsafe manner. This result provides an incentive to rethink the training course to put more stress on recognizing prototypical situations and choosing which actions to take in situations such as the one presented here.


1950 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-87
Author(s):  
Janet Besse ◽  
Harold D. Lasswell

Opinion differs about the role of syndicated columnists in the forming of national opinion and in the decision-making process in the United States. Our columnists have been the subject of pioneering studies, but we have a long way to go before the picture can be called historically complete, scientifically precise, or fully satisfactory for policy-making purposes. What the columnists say is an important chapter in the history of the American public, and history is most useful for critical purposes when written close to the event. The general theory of communication and politics can be refined as the details of the opinion process are more fully known.


Author(s):  
Stoyko O. М.

The evolution of the referendum institutionalization in the constitutions of the EU states is considered. The peculiarities of its initiation, realization and implementation of results in the "old" and "new" members of the Union are highlighted and analyzed. It is concluded that young democracies are pioneering in using this tool of direct democracy both to legitimize government decisions and to involve citizens in the decision-making process. The history of the introduction of plebiscites into the practice of political processes in European countries shows, that they are closely linked to democratic transit: the later the constitution is adopted, the more opportunities for citizens to use referendums not only to control the legislative process in parliament (support or veto certain decisions, draft laws), but also to formulate an agenda - to propose their own initiatives for consideration by public authorities. Accordingly, there are obvious differences between the referendum practices of the "old" and "new" members of the European Union, since the latter are much more active in using them and give citizens real leverage on public policy by holding plebiscites on popular initiatives.


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