Alternative Courses Research Articles

Catastrophic risk: indication, quantitative assessment and management of rare extreme events using a non-expected utility framework

The paper develops a conceptual framework for the analysis and management of catastrophic risk. The framework serves to assess rare extreme events in systematic, quantitative and consistent ways. It dispenses with probabilistic extreme value theory, concentrating on descriptive statistics and simple probability distributions. Risk assessment is based on a recently developed axiomatic approach to non-expected utility preferences defined on the set of risky alternative courses of action available to an agent. The utility values of catastrophic risks are given an explicit algebraic representation, which shows them to be highly unstable (“elastic”) in the sense that they respond disproportionately to small perturbations of the decision outcomes and their probabilities. Various elasticity coefficients are defined for the outcome variables and utility preferences attached to them. They indicate whether a variable possibly takes on large negative values. The coefficients can also be defined as sample statistics and, thus, computed from observed data. The approach admits various applications to practical problems of disaster risk management. The applications include estimations of the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of risk management, the specification of limits of acceptance of catastrophic risk for regulatory purposes, and safety and security systems design and dimensioning.

Comparison of the Efficacy Between the Dual Therapy of Tegoprazan and the Quadruple Therapy of Tegoprazan: A Randomized Controlled Multicenter Study.

Tegoprazan (TPZ), a potassium-competitive acid blocker, exerts a strong acid-suppression effect and a rapid onset of action. However, research on TPZ-amoxicillin (TA) dual treatment is limited. Here, we compared the safety and efficacy of TPZ-amoxicillin dual treatment and TPZ, bismuth potassium citrate, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (TBAC) quadruple therapy in patients newly diagnosed with H. pylori infection over a 14-day treatment period. A total of 236 patients newly diagnosed with H. pylori were enrolled in this multicenter, prospective, open-label, and randomized controlled study. Patients randomly received either TA dual or TBAC quadruple therapy. The incidence of adverse reactions and treatment compliance were recorded and then analyzed. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed that H. pylori eradication rates were 83.9% (95% confidence interval 78.2%-91.3%) and 81.4% (95% confidence interval 74.2%-88.5%) for the TA and TBAC groups, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between them ( P = 0.606). The per-protocol analysis revealed that the H. pylori eradication rates were 88.3% and 84.8% for the TA and TBAC groups, respectively ( P = 0.447). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the TA group than in the TBAC group (4.2% vs 15.3%, P = 0.004). Moreover, the TA group demonstrated substantially higher treatment compliance than the TBAC group (94.1% vs 89.0%, P = 0.020). The TA dual therapy successfully eradicated H. pylori with a high eradication rate and a low incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, this treatment is recommended as an alternative course for patients newly diagnosed with H. pylori infection.

Plant natural products: A lead for nephroprotection

An extremely dangerous side effect of type I and type II diabetes is diabetic nephropathy (DN). From the early microproteinuria to end-stage renal failure, it progresses. About one in three diabetics in the US suffer from diabetic nephropathy. Chronic hyperglycemia is the primary cause of diabetic ketoacidosis. Hyperglycemia (HG) has the potential to cause humoral mediators and cytokines to be produced by both resident and non-resident renal cells. These substances may interfere with cell growth, alter renal cell and tissue phenotype and function, interact with proteins, produce advanced glycation end products (AGEs), damage tubules and glomeruli, and ultimately cause kidney disease. Poor blood glucose management is thus a significant risk factor for the onset of DN. An alternate course of treatment for DN may use extracts from herbal remedies. Medicinal plants' bioactive components stop DN from progressing. Attention has to be paid to the role that traditional herbs and medications play in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, particularly in India where several fruits and herbs are believed to provide health benefits. Natural compounds influence the KEAP1/Nrf2/ARE and NFB pathways in addition to having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The efficacy of entire herbs, plants, or seeds, together with their active components, in treating diabetic nephropathy was investigated in preclinical research. Natural compounds are biologically active substances that come from natural sources and are beneficial for treating specific illnesses. Numerous natural substances, such as glycosides, polysaccharides, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, have been shown to enhance DN. The exorbitant expenses associated with contemporary medications suggest that other approaches are necessary for improved DN treatment. Future research on herbal remedies may provide a natural key to open a pharmacy for diabetologists. Keywords: Diabetic nephropathy; nephroprotective plant; herbal compounds, bioactive compound

Philippines Stock Exchange Prediction Using Hybrid Neural Network

The stock market is dynamic and highly chaotic due to its complicated nature. The prediction of future stock prices has gained the interest of investors and researchers. Numerous conventional and hybrid approaches were put forth. The projections performed poorly and strangely did not get any better. This study aimed to predict Philippine Stock Exchange closing prices using a proposed hybrid method. This proposed study aimed to improve the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) performance using the Kepler Optimization Algorithm, a metaheuristic algorithm, in conjunction with the Artificial Neural Network (ANN-KOA). ANN is a widely accepted technique in predicting. Still, the Kepler Optimization Algorithm can provide random initial inputs for the method through effective feature selection. It can identify superior subsets of input variables to integrate into ANN, enabling more accurate prediction. In this study, the ups and downs were grouped, and 12 technical indicators with varying lengths of days 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 were used to decompose the original historical data, which are regular and smoother than the original data. The historical data was normalized into [-1, 1], so the predicted result would be 0 (decrease) or 1 (increase) otherwise. Finally, to obtain the train and test data, it was fused into five groups and tested using the ANN and ANN-KOA. The experiment's outcome of 0 (a declining stock price) indicates two alternative courses of action based on the two scenarios: holding if investors have already purchased it or purchasing if they haven't made a decision. In this proposed study, ANN-KOA resulted in higher accuracy than ANN. However, regarding the number of elapsed times, KOA-ANN provided a slower time than ANN. On the other hand, in terms of variations of lengths of the days, 3-5-10-KOA-ANN outperformed the variations of lengths of days: 3-5-10-ANN, 3-5-10-15-KOA-ANN, 3-5-10-15-20-KOA, and 3-5-10-15-20-KOA-ANN. In conclusion, this study suggested that it be utilized for other problems, such as predicting academic performance, diseases, floods, etc.

Creating a Responsive Society for Effective Implementation of Inclusive Education: The Case for the Adoption of the Socioecological Model

Inclusive education increases human capital such as knowledge, skills, social interactions, and health, which enhance individuals’ chances for higher earnings, social mobility, and sustainable growth within communities and countries. For inclusive education to be successful, a written plan or an individualized education plan has been advocated for. The concept of this plan defines special education programs, accommodations, and services that a school board will provide for students or the practice of helping students meet their educational goals through educational programs that modify certain course requirements to be either above or below age-appropriate, grade-level expectations, and the provision of alternative course or class expectations that help students acquire knowledge and skills that are not part of the curriculum. Therefore, using this plan, the proponents of inclusive education advocate for the inclusion of individuals living with physical and mental impairments, such as sensory or mobility limitations, intellectual disabilities, language disorders, and behavior disorders, to promote education access to marginalized groups in society. On the other hand, the opponents of inclusion education argue that the concept of a written plan, or an individualized education plan, seems ineffective and paradoxical to the general government’s policy on an inclusive classroom. A review of existing literature on inclusive education shows that the inconsistencies in both the concept and implementation of inclusive education are the outcomes of the dichotomy between an unresponsive society, which encourages a stagnant or ill-prepared system, and a rapidly evolving political correctness environment. As a way forward, we recommend the adoption of a social-ecological model for creating a responsive society for the effective development and implementation of inclusive education policies based on the findings of our consolidated literature review. Received: 19 May 2024 / Accepted: 27 June 2024 / Published: 8 July 2024

Improved social equity learning in an introduction to sustainability course

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact on diverse students’ social equity outcome measures that result from incorporating social justice education and inclusive practices into an introductory course on sustainability offered online asynchronously, online synchronously and in-person. Design/methodology/approach From fall 2020 to fall 2021, 706 students took “Introduction to Sustainability” at Michigan State University. A revised curriculum increased inclusive practices and social justice content centered on race and other social identities; institutional, individual and implicit bias; interrupting bias; socialization; and spheres of influence. Students’ self-reported change was examined using a retrospective pre/post survey. Findings Students reported significant growth in social equity understanding and practice across teaching modes with in-person instruction associated with the largest reported growth. Students reported growth regardless of their racial/ethnic identity or gender, with instructor effects varying in expected ways. The gap in social equity understanding between students with low precourse ratings (on outcome measures) and those with high precourse ratings was significantly smaller after the course. Research limitations/implications This study is not without limitations. First, the authors were limited in the student-specific information that they could collect. Second, the authors did not have access to an alternative course that could serve as a control. Third, the authors did not have the resources to also conduct an in-depth, thorough qualitative study. Furthermore, the authors did not conduct their investigation during “normal” campus life because it took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic was a factor that could not be accounted for and might have impacted the outcomes. Originality/value This study is novel in identifying and incorporating specific social justice education material, tools and practices for improved teaching of social equity components of sustainability.

O-222 The impact of psychological counselling on decision-making of sperm donation among the couples with nonobstructive azoospermia after unsuccessful microdissection testicular sperm extraction

Abstract Study question Is nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) couples with psychological counselling likely to choose sperm donation after unsuccessful microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MD-TESE)? Summary answer Couples with psychological counselling were significantly 2.9 times likely to choose sperm donation than couples without psychological counselling by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. What is known already For NOA, although MD-TESE and intracytoplasmic sperm injection offer the only chance to become biological parenthood, 70% of NOA cannot get sperm by MD-TESE, and they have to end treatment and seek another life course. When diagnosing NOA, almost all male patients (88.9%) have severe depressive symptoms (Bak, 2012). Germany, England, Australia, and New Zealand have shown that psychological counselling for ending treatment and decision making in alternative life courses, such as sperm donation, is theoretically recommended in their guidelines (BKiD 2014; BICA 2015; ANZICA 2018). However, no study has yet examined the efficacy of psychological care. Study design, size, duration This was a retrospective cohort study. The sample size calculation estimated a total of 90 couples. The couples who experienced unsuccessful MD-TESE at a university hospital from August 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, were observed to receive psychological counselling and a reference to another hospital for sperm donation treatment for 300 days after MD-TESE. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants: The 88 NOA couples after unsuccessful MD-TESE in a university hospital between August 2020 and September 2021. Methods: After unsuccessful MD-TESE, doctors recommended psychological counseling for all couples; 44 couples (counselling group) received psychological counselling, whereas 44 couples (non-counselling group) did not. Intervention: Semi-structured single-session psychological counselling was conducted for the counselling group. This includes psychological care for grieving unsuccessful treatment, giving up their biological children, and deciding what life course they choose. Main results and the role of chance The reference ratio to the sperm donation hospital was 50% for the counselling group and 18.2% for the non-counselling group (χ2(1)= 9.913, p=.002, φ=.336). The average duration from MD-TESE to the reference was 103.8 days for the counselling group whereas 80.1 days for the non-counselling group, which was not statistically significant. Analyzing the cumulative non-referral rate using the Kaplan-Meier estimation method, the counseling group was more likely to have a decline in the cumulative non-referral rate than the non-counseling group. The log-rank test result was significant (χ2(1) = 8.284, p = .004). The Cox proportional hazard regression with covariates of male chromosomal abnormality, the period of infertility, and females’ age, shows that the counseling group are significantly more likely to make the referral letter earlier than the non-counseling group (adjust hazard ratio, 2.931; 95%Cl, 1.271-6.758). When unsuccessful MD-TESE, NOA couples with semi-structured psychological counselling can recover from loss and grief and can consider and decide on sperm donation treatment urgently compared to non-counselling couples. Limitations, reasons for caution We calculated an appropriate sample size from the results and found that at least 45 persons were needed in each group. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct future studies with sufficient sample sizes. Wider implications of the findings Couples with NOA after unsuccessful MD-TESE may recover from loss and grief, and may consider and decide their future life-course urgently through semi-structured psychological counseling for grieving unsuccessful treatment, giving up their biological children, and deciding what life courses they choose. Trial registration number UMIN000053508

ViRgilites: Multilevel Feedforward for Multimodal Interaction in VR

Navigating the interaction landscape of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) presents significant complexities due to the plethora of available input hardware and interaction modalities, compounded by spatially diverse visual interfaces. Such complexities elevate the likelihood of user errors, necessitating frequent backtracking. To address this, we introduce ViRgilites, a virtual guidance framework that delivers multi-level feedforward information covering the available interaction techniques as well as the future possibilities to interact with virtual objects, anticipating the interaction effects and how they fit with the overall user's goal. ViRgilites is engineered to facilitate task execution, empowering users to make informed decisions about action methodologies and alternative courses of action. This paper presents the architecture and functionality of ViRgilites and demonstrates its efficacy through evaluation with a formative user study.

Strength Evaluation of Concrete using Over burnt Brick Stone as Replacement of Coarse Aggregate

Abstract: This research highlights on the behavior of concrete, prepared by the partial replacement of regular aggregate with over-burnt brick aggregate (jhama brick) with a replacing percentages of 0% , 35, 50% & 60% over M20 Grade of concrete which reduces the cost of aggregate (upto 30%) with higher strength, which also results in overall cost in building too .The effect of compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength were reported . The received compaction factor is 0.92, 0.89, 0.88, and 0.87 with varying percentage of (0%, 35%, 50%, 60%) Jhama class brick respectively. This research was conducted to study the suitability crushed over burnt bricks as alternative course aggregates for concrete production. The compressive strength of this concrete is found to be 27.12 , 30.41, 26.02, 23.31 for 0%, 35%, 50%, 60% respectively. The concrete cube, beams and cylinders of M-20 grade were thrown in this trail, explore work and try to analyze different properties of concrete with crushed over burnt bricks as an alternative material. The result shows that the aggregate in concrete derived from Over Burnt bricks aggregate attained relatively higher strength upto the certain percentage and decreases after that, than the regular concrete. More detailed and elaborated work is recommended with different mix ratio and a different proportion of Over Burnt aggregates for a better conclusion.

THE ESSENCE AND CLASSIFICATION OF MANAGEMENT DECISIONS: THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT

The decision-making process plays a crucial role in the management of any business and is a critical factor in its success and stable development. This process not only requires managers to be familiar with the latest methods and approaches to decision-making, but also requires a thorough analysis of the available information to provide an objective basis for selecting the most optimal solution. Management decisions made on the basis of a detailed study of factual data, the use of proven methods and the consideration of one's own experience in the field significantly increase the company's chances of success. The effectiveness of such decisions has a direct impact on the coherence and productivity of the company, transforming it into a well-established organisational mechanism capable of achieving set goals and adapting to changing external conditions. However, the key to improving management efficiency does not lie solely in the application of technical knowledge or data. It is also important for managers to understand the deeper meaning of the term "management decision". Such an understanding contributes to making decisions that are not only technically justified, but also morally justified, taking into account the broader context of the company's activities. The article examines the concept of "management decision", which is considered to be the most important element of any manager's activity. The authors reveal the essence of a managerial decision as a process and a result, which involves choosing an alternative course of action aimed at achieving the company's strategic goals. The subject of the study is a managerial decision as a process and result of a choice made by managers within their powers. The research methodology includes analysis of scientific literature, synthesis and generalisation of the results obtained, systematisation and classification of managerial decisions according to various criteria, as well as identification and description of the main criteria for making managerial decisions. The purpose of the publication is to reveal the concept of "managerial decision", to study its essence, classification and criteria for making it. The article defines the concept of "managerial decision" as a process and result of a choice between possible alternatives made by managers within the limits of their official powers and competences. This choice is aimed at achieving specific goals of the enterprise and solving emerging problems. It includes analysis of the existing situation, evaluation of possible options, their optimisation and economic justification, and finally, selection of the most effective way to achieve the goal. On the basis of generalisation of various approaches, a classification of managerial decisions by various criteria is proposed, which allows better understanding of their diversity and peculiarities. The article describes a set of criteria that serve as a basis for evaluation, development and adoption of managerial decisions. The paper emphasises the importance of a comprehensive approach to management decision-making, based on a thorough analysis of the situation, a balanced choice between alternatives and a clear definition of implementation mechanisms. The results of the study may be useful for executives at various levels, managers, and researchers studying the theory and practice of managerial decision-making.

Improved Decision Support System for College Sports Training Based on Id3 Algorithm

A Decision Support System (DSS) is a computer-based tool designed to assist individuals and organizations in making informed decisions. It utilizes data analysis, modeling techniques, and interactive interfaces to provide users with relevant information and insights. DSSs help streamline decision-making processes by synthesizing large amounts of data from various sources, generating forecasts, and evaluating alternative courses of action. They are particularly valuable in complex and uncertain situations where decisions have significant implications. DSSs can be used in a wide range of domains, including business, healthcare, finance, and logistics, to support strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making processes. This paper introduces an Integrated Hybrid Feature Subset Decision Support System (HFS-DSS) designed to optimize decision-making processes in student performance evaluation within educational institutions. The HFS-DSS combines feature subset selection techniques with decision support algorithms to identify key attributes and make accurate predictions regarding student performance. Through experimental evaluation, the system demonstrates its effectiveness in accurately assessing student performance based on selected features, with predictions closely aligning with actual observations. The results underscore the system's reliability and effectiveness in supporting informed decision-making processes, offering valuable insights for educators and administrators to enhance academic outcomes. The adaptability and versatility of the HFS-DSS make it well-suited for various educational contexts, providing potential applications in curriculum planning, student support services, and performance monitoring. The present paper highlights the significant contributions of the Integrated HFS-DSS towards enhancing decision-making processes and improving academic outcomes in educational institutions.

EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF RED ASH AND MARBLE CHIPS AS ALTERNATIVES IN BASE COURSE MATERIAL VIA BLENDING WITH CRUSHED STONE AGGREGATE

Despite its abundance, red ash has compaction issues owing to its lightweight, rough circular surface, and high porosity. The usage of conventional base course materials across the country incurs shipping expenses and takes time, slowing down projects because they are only widely available in limited areas across the country. In this study, non-probably sampling approach was used to examine the potential for employing red ash and marble chips as an alternative base course material by mixing them with crushed stone aggregate (CSA). In order to accomplish the goal of this study, an experimental test was conducted via trial and error, focusing on the mechanical stabilization of red ash and marble chips. Their physical characteristics were subsequently assessed through laboratory testing. In the laboratory, nine (9) samples of red ash and marble chips blended with CSA in varying percentages (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 percent) were examined. The laboratory test results showed that 100% red ash and marble chips gave; CBR, SG, AIV, ACV, LAA, FI, EI, water absorption, and soundness: 55.4%, 2.38%, 18.20%, 26.34%, 19.69%, 5.59%, 12.09%, 2.5% and 13.80 and 83.6%, 2.63%, 19.70%, 26.41%, 19.75%, 23.2%, 16.9%, 1.24% and 12.22 respectively. Several of these test results align with the Ethiopian Road Authority (ERA) standard specifications; however, the findings from the CBR, water absorption, and soundness tests do not. Thus, mechanical stabilization was employed to improve the samples' physical characteristics. Experimental results are obtained by mixing 20% red ash, 20% marble chips, and 60% CSA. The values for CBR, SG, AIV, ACV, LAA, FI, EI, water absorption, and soundness are 102.5%, 2.55, 14.23%, 19.84%, 7.92%, 18.61%, 20.77%, 0.83%, and 7.38, respectively. The CBR, water absorption, and soundness characteristics all meet the necessary ERA standard specifications for crushed weathered rock (GB2) and natural coarsely graded granular materials (GB3) at this particular proportion. Hence, it is recommended to incorporate red ash up to 20% and marble chips up to 20% by weight, alongside 60% CSA, for constructing road base courses, particularly when these materials are reasonably accessible from construction sites and are widely available in the area.

The value of pre-hospital trauma life support courses for medical personnel-a questionnaire study.

The aim of the study was to determine the impact that PHTLS® course participation had on self-confidence of emergency personnel, regarding the pre-hospital treatment of patients who had suffered severe trauma. Furthermore, the goal was to determine the impact of specific medical profession, work experience and prior course participation had on the benefits of PHTLS® training. A structured questionnaire study was performed. Healthcare providers from local emergency services involved in pre-hospital care in the metropolitan area of Zurich (Switzerland, Europe) who completed a PHTLS® course were included. Altered self-confidence, communication, and routines in the treatment of severe trauma patients were examined. The impact of prior course participation, work experience and profession on course benefits were evaluated. The response rate was 76%. A total of 6 transport paramedics (TPs), 66 emergency paramedics (EPs) and 15 emergency doctors (EDs) were included. Emergency paramedics had significantly more work experience compared with EDs (respectively 7.1 ± 5.7 yrs. vs. 4.5 ± 2.1 yrs., p = 0.004). 86% of the participants reported increased self-confidence in the pre-hospital management of severe trauma upon PHTLS® training completion. Moreover, according to 84% of respondents, extramural treatment of trauma changed upon course completion. PHTLS® course participants had improved communication in 93% of cases. This was significantly more frequent in EPs than TPs (p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis revealed emergency paramedics benefit the most from PHTLS® course participation. The current study shows that PHTLS® training is associated with improved self-confidence and enhanced communication, with regards to treatment of severe trauma patients in a pre-hospital setting, among medical emergency personnel. Additionally, emergency paramedics who took the PHTLS® course improved in overall self-confidence. These findings imply that all medical personal involved in the pre-hospital care of trauma patients, in a metropolitan area in Europe, do benefit from PHTLS® training. This was independent of the profession, previous working experience or prior alternative course participation.

Performance evaluation of recycled concrete aggregates with geosynthetics as an alternative subbase course material in pavement construction

This study investigates the feasibility of using recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as subbase materials in roads through laboratory experiments. Various physical tests were conducted on the soil subgrade and RCA subbase, followed by cyclic plate load tests to assess the impact of geosynthetic reinforcement on the bearing capacity of RCA materials. The ultimate bearing capacities of different RCA configurations ranged from 186 to 480 kPa, similar to previous studies on natural and recycled aggregates. The geocell-reinforced section exhibited excellent performance, with a measured ultimate bearing capacity of 480 kPa. The Geocell-Geogrid and Geocell-Geotextile sections showed the highest bearing capacity ratios at 2.58 each, indicating superior performance. Reinforced RCA infills demonstrated improved settlement values under repeated loading, with the geocell-geogrid section effectively reducing permanent settlement. The study concludes that RCA can be a substitute for natural aggregates in road subbase materials, mitigating the environmental impact of construction and demolition waste.

Do college students demand lower tuition for online learning? Empirical evidence from choice experiments during COVID-19

ABSTRACT To address student concerns about full tuition rates while taking online courses during COVID-19, we conducted choice experiments at a representative U.S. land-grant university to elicit students’ willingness-to-pay for alternative course delivery modes. Results show that students demanded 30% and 7% tuition discounts for fully online and hybrid learning, respectively. A welfare analysis further reveals that 63% of the total welfare loss during Fall 2020–Spring 2022 was compensated for by the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funding. Based on our findings, we suggest measures to facilitate students’ learning experiences and emphasize the importance of leveraging government appropriations.

Impaired value-based decision-making in Parkinson's disease apathy.

Apathy is a common and disabling complication of Parkinson's disease characterized by reduced goal-directed behaviour. Several studies have reported dysfunction within prefrontal cortical regions and projections from brainstem nuclei whose neuromodulators include dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. Work in animal and human neuroscience have confirmed contributions of these neuromodulators on aspects of motivated decision-making. Specifically, these neuromodulators have overlapping contributions to encoding the value of decisions, and influence whether to explore alternative courses of action or persist in an existing strategy to achieve a rewarding goal. Building upon this work, we hypothesized that apathy in Parkinson's disease should be associated with an impairment in value-based learning. Using a four-armed restless bandit reinforcement learning task, we studied decision-making in 75 volunteers; 53 patients with Parkinson's disease, with and without clinical apathy, and 22 age-matched healthy control subjects. Patients with apathy exhibited impaired ability to choose the highest value bandit. Task performance predicted an individual patient's apathy severity measured using the Lille Apathy Rating Scale (R = -0.46, P < 0.001). Computational modelling of the patient's choices confirmed the apathy group made decisions that were indifferent to the learnt value of the options, consistent with previous reports of reward insensitivity. Further analysis demonstrated a shift away from exploiting the highest value option and a reduction in perseveration, which also correlated with apathy scores (R = -0.5, P < 0.001). We went on to acquire functional MRI in 59 volunteers; a group of 19 patients with and 20 without apathy and 20 age-matched controls performing the Restless Bandit Task. Analysis of the functional MRI signal at the point of reward feedback confirmed diminished signal within ventromedial prefrontal cortex in Parkinson's disease, which was more marked in apathy, but not predictive of their individual apathy severity. Using a model-based categorization of choice type, decisions to explore lower value bandits in the apathy group activated prefrontal cortex to a similar degree to the age-matched controls. In contrast, Parkinson's patients without apathy demonstrated significantly increased activation across a distributed thalamo-cortical network. Enhanced activity in the thalamus predicted individual apathy severity across both patient groups and exhibited functional connectivity with dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula. Given that task performance in patients without apathy was no different to the age-matched control subjects, we interpret the recruitment of this network as a possible compensatory mechanism, which compensates against symptomatic manifestation of apathy in Parkinson's disease.

Appreciative Research from the Appreciative Paradigm: A New Research Model for the Social Sciences

For over ten years, I have taught Appreciative Research as an alternative course to the quantitative and qualitative research methods programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Communication Studies Department at San José State University in California. This essay introduces Appreciative Research as an original model of applied research in the field of social sciences and proposes a theoretical/paradigmatic and methodological framework for teaching Appreciative Research as an alternative research course for undergraduate, master, and doctoral levels at the university.

Technological and Pedagogical Knowledge in Relation to Teaching Proficiency among Criminology Faculty

The transition from traditional face-to-face to online learning as an alternative course during the pandemic shifts different factors toward educators. This study determined the technological and pedagogical knowledge about teaching proficiency among criminology faculty. Quantitative research using a descriptive-correlational design involved 103 respondents from the selected schools offering criminology programs in the province of Misamis Oriental who were selected through purposive sampling. The instruments used in this study were the Technological Survey Questionnaire, the Pedagogical Survey Questionnaire, and the Teaching Proficiency Evaluation adopted from Witting. The findings showed that most of the respondents were young adults, mostly females with master's degree units, served less than five years and had contractual employment. The level of technological knowledge among criminology faculty was average. Somehow, the level of teaching proficiency among criminology faculty was high. The teachers' technical knowledge of word processing was significant to pedagogy, multimedia to course packages, and basic internet to course packages. Integration, communication technology, and assessment were significantly related to mastery of content and pedagogy. Teachers' motivation was significant to the integration and communication technology; instruction was highly significant to mastery of content, pedagogy, and integration and communication technology. The assessment was significant for mastery of content, pedagogy, and ICT integration. It is recommended that further studies be conducted using strong qualitative tools to investigate deep technological and pedagogical knowledge about teaching competence.

Becoming Concrete: Materiality and Water Infrastructure in Colonial South Asia

Since the mid-19th century, engineers in colonial South Asia experimented with concrete in building and infrastructural projects as the production of new infrastructures was leading to the genesis of the modern construction industry. In this paper, we analyse the use of concrete in water infrastructures amidst challenges posed by introducing any structure in and under water. For example, piers on the beds of fast flowing rivers altered the behaviour of both the water flow and water beds, which in turn affected the structure itself. In dealing with these uncertainties, the use of concrete vastly varied, unlike the relatively standardized practice today. Through a granular analysis of the construction of infrastructural projects like breakwaters and bridge foundations, from the late 19th to the turn of the 20th century, we analyse how concrete was locally improvized within the constraints of unfamiliar material, hydrological, topographical, and labour contexts in each site. We argue that the basic attributes of concrete technology, from chemical processes to construction processes and structural behaviour, themselves emerged as constraints and the builders resorted to alternative strategies and courses of action in each circumstance. The constant improvisations complicate the narrative of colonial technological circulation between the colonies and the West. We conclude that the material particularities of concrete made its translation across South Asian building projects improvisational, diverse, and localized.

A new theory of surprise – unraveling the logic of uncertainty and knowledge

ABSTRACT Intelligence is judged by its ability to avoid surprises. Unfolding the dry logic of uncertainty shows how intelligence failures caused by surprises are unavoidable. This is done by the systematic study of the general conditions that trigger the different kinds of surprise, categorized according to their different epistemological nature. Five conceptual categories of surprise are analyzed: lack of expectations; insufficient evidence between two or more alternative courses of action; false justified beliefs; incomplete theory to ground a belief, and an utterly false expectation produced by our (usually reliable) mindset. Intelligence serves as a countermeasure to opponents’ actions at strategic and tactical levels. However, intelligence analysis can only minimize the risk; it cannot eliminate it altogether.