Control over sampling boosts numerical evidence processing in human decisions from experience

When acquiring information about choice alternatives, decision makers may have varying levels of control over which and how much information they sample before making a choice. How does control over sampling affect the quality of experience-based decisions? Here, combining variants of a numerical sampling task with neural recordings, we show that control over when to stop sampling can enhance (i) behavioral choice accuracy, (ii) the build-up of parietal decision signals, and (iii) the encoding of numerical sample information in multivariate electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. None of these effects were observed when participants could only control which alternatives to sample, but not when to stop sampling. Furthermore, levels of control had no effect on early sensory signals or on the extent to which sample information leaked from memory. The results indicate that freedom to stop sampling can amplify decisional evidence processing from the outset of information acquisition and lead to more accurate choices.

Investigating awareness, fear and control associated with norovirus and other pathogens and pollutants using best–worst scaling

Pollutants found in the water and air environment represent an ever-growing threat to human health. Contact with some air-, water- and foodborne pathogens (e.g. norovirus) results in gastrointestinal diseases and outbreaks. For future risk mitigation, we aimed to measure people’s awareness of waterborne and foodborne norovirus relative to other environment-associated pollutants (e.g. pesticides, bioaerosols, antibiotic resistant bacteria) and well-known risks (e.g. diabetes, dementia, terrorist attack). We used an online survey, which included a best–worst scaling component to elicit personal levels of control and fear prompted by norovirus relative to 15 other risks. There was a negative correlation between levels of fear vs. control for all 16 measured risks. Perceived infection control levels were higher amongst women compared to men and correlated with age and the level of qualification in both groups. Participants who had sought advice regarding the symptoms caused by norovirus appeared to have more control over the risks. Norovirus is associated with high levels of fear, however, the levels of control over it is low compared to other foodborne illnesses, e.g. Salmonella. Addressing this deficit in the public’s understanding of how to control exposure to the pathogen in an important health need.

Virtual Reality Sickness Mitigation Methods

Using virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) can induce VR sickness. VR sickness can cause strong discomfort, decrease users' presence and enjoyment, especially in games, shorten the duration of the VR experience, and can even pose health risks. Previous research has explored different VR sickness mitigation methods by adding visual effects or elements. Field of View (FOV) reduction, Depth of Field (DOF) blurring, and adding a rest frame into the virtual environment are examples of such methods. Although useful in some cases, they might result in information loss. This research is the first to compare VR sickness, presence, workload to complete a search task, and information loss of these three VR sickness mitigation methods in a racing game with two levels of control. To do this, we conducted a mixed factorial user study (N = 32) with degree of control as the between-subjects factor and the VR sickness mitigation techniques as the within-subjects factor. Participants were required to find targets with three difficulty levels while steering or not steering a car in a virtual environment. Our results show that there are no significant differences in VR sickness, presence and workload among these techniques under two levels of control in our VR racing game. We also found that changing FOV dynamically or using DOF blur effects would result in information loss while adding a target reticule as a rest frame would not.

First Case of Multiple Resistance to EPSPS and PSI in Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Collected in Rice and Herbicide-Resistant Crops in Colombia

Eleusine indica is a highly competitive and difficult-to-control plant in annual and perennial crops. In Colombia, broad-spectrum herbicides, such as paraquat and glyphosate, have begun to present poor levels of control for this weed. The multiple resistance to glyphosate and paraquat, the increase in herbicide performance with adjuvants (Retenol® and Trend® 90), and alternative herbicides were evaluated in a resistant (R) population of E. indica collected in rice fields, which is rotated with herbicide-resistant (HR) crops. Based on plant mortality, the R population was 9.8 and 7.2 times more resistant than susceptible (S) plants to glyphosate and paraquat, respectively. R plants accumulated 4.2 less shikimic acid and had at least 70% less electrolyte leakage than S plants when they were exposed to glyphosate and paraquat, respectively. Both adjuvants increased the foliar retention of herbicides. In addition, adjuvants also increased the performance of glyphosate effectiveness between 22% and 58% and that of paraquat from 61% to 100%. Alternative herbicides (atrazine, clethodim, imazamox, diuron, flazasulfuron, glufosinate, oxyfluorfen, quizalofop, and tembotrione) provided high levels of control in both populations of E. indica. This is the first case of multiple resistant E. indica confirmed in Colombia. Adjuvants improved the leaf retention and efficacy of glyphosate and paraquat. In summary, the alternative herbicides evaluated in this study should be adopted by Colombian farmers and provide additional herbicide modes-of-action to combat future resistance.

DEFECTS OF THE TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS IN IN-PATIENT PROFILE “PSYCHIATRY” CONDITIONS

Significance. Timely identification of defects in the treatment and diagnostic process during internal quality audit of care delivery stimulates evidence-based organizational and management decisions and improves quality of care delivery to mental patients. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of 270 records of internal quality audit of care to mental patients treated at the Mental Hospital # 4 of the Moscow Healthcare Department has been conducted. A total of 156 inpatient records (57.8%) from 2015 to 2018 were compared with 114 inpatient records (42.2%) in 2019. Results and discussion. Heads of the structural units and deputy heads of the health care facility have evaluated quality of care delivery at the two levels of control. Primary medical documentation was assessed on 12 items (from 0 to 1 point). The arithmetic mean of the assessments for each of the items was calculated - the overall quality factor. At both levels of control, defects in the care delivery were described. The quality factor at the 1st level of control equalled to 0.95 (0.92; 0.96), and 0.86 (0.79; 0.91) at the 2nd level. The quality factor at the 2nd level of control in 2015 - 2018 (1.0 (0.90; 1.00)) was statistically significantly higher than in 2019 (0.86 (0.79; 0.91)) (p = 0.011). Data for the complete 2019, despite the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation as of June 7, 2019 No. 381n, were observed and obtained in accordance with the requirements of the Moscow Healthcare Department Order No. 932 as of October 30, 2019 “On procedure for implementing internal quality audit and safety performance of health organizations of the state healthcare system of the city of Moscow”. Conclusion. The ongoing monitoring of quality of inpatient health care delivery to mental patients to identify defects in the treatment and diagnostic process using internal quality audit records helps to improve quality of care delivery to patients.

Modes of governance for market entry by international franchisors: factors affecting the choice

Purpose This study aims to provide an empirical test of an existing theoretical model depicting the governance modes used by international franchisors when entering international markets. Design/methodology/approach Using a unique panel data set of 222 market expansions by US firms over a seven-year period, this paper tests hypotheses regarding the factors affecting the franchisors’ choice of governance modes when entering foreign markets. Findings Franchisors use governance modes with lower levels of control when faced with environmental uncertainties due to corruption, economic downturns and when the geographic distance is large. Moreover, the franchise system assets and its local market assets also affect the choice of governance modes. Practical implications Firms need to balance the costs of environmental uncertainty with the need to safeguard the firm’s capabilities and resources using governance modes with appropriate levels of control. This balance changes as the franchise company gains more experience in the local market and as once-emerging markets continue to develop. Originality/value This research identified additional governance modes used by franchisors compared to previous studies. Using multiple theoretical perspectives, the study supported significant portions of the Jell-Ojobor and Windsperger (2014) model of franchisor governance mode choice.

Modelling the Potential Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Hypothetical European Country

A SEIR simulation model for the COVID-19 pandemic was developed (http://covidsim.eu) and applied to a hypothetical European country of 10 million population. Our results show which interventions potentially push the epidemic peak into the subsequent year (when vaccinations may be available) or which fail. Different levels of control (via contact reduction) resulted in 22% to 63% of the population sick, 0.2% to 0.6% hospitalised, and 0.07% to 0.28% dead (n=6,450 to 28,228).

The Invader’s Dilemma

Military invasions are typically considered illegitimate both by local populations and by the international community. How do invaders mitigate this legitimacy deficit? This chapter argues that invading states enlist local rebel groups not only for the expertise and operational capacity they provide but also to gain some degree of legitimacy vis-à-vis local and international audiences. Gaining legitimacy in this way, however, comes at a cost: to avoid the perception that rebel intermediaries are mere puppets, the invading state must refrain from exercising hard controls over them. The chapter illustrates this legitimacy–control tradeoff by contrasting the Rwandan and Ugandan invasions during the Second Congo War (1998–2003). Drawing on interviews with key protagonists, the chapter shows that the different levels of control exerted by Rwanda and Uganda help account for the vast difference in the popularity of their rebel intermediaries. While Rwanda continuously maintained hard controls, eroding its intermediary’s local legitimacy, Uganda initially limited itself to soft inducements, thereby enabling its intermediary to garner legitimacy. In developing these arguments, this chapter engages with the literatures on rebel governance, intervention in civil war, state-building, and military occupation.