Alternative Sources Of Information Research Articles

Health Advice from Instagram Influencers on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Their Strategies to Establish and Manipulate Credibility

ABSTRACTIndividuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) turn to Instagram influencers as an alternative or complementary PCOS information source to their physicians. However, the ambiguous qualifications of influencers, and contradicting claims regarding how to manage PCOS, make it difficult to identify credible sources. Using a directed qualitative content analysis, we examined the range of strategies that 10 Instagram PCOS influencers used to signal credibility. We found that influencers utilized a range of pseudo‐credibility strategies. Another key contribution of the study is a description of how PCOS influencers reference sources to signal credibility. We also found that Instagram PCOS influencers discuss what it means to be healthy with PCOS, and we describe how they contribute to a wider cultural participation in healthism. The findings build upon the source credibility literature to identify novel credibility cues used by influencers as social media platforms evolve, and further, reveal the underlying healthism‐centric discourse of PCOS influencers.

Browsing and believing: divergent effects of internet use on government trust in Central Asia

ABSTRACT How does the use of the internet by citizens affect their trust in government and political participation? Previous research has yielded conflicting results. We hypothesize that in authoritarian contexts the passive use of the internet will be associated with lower trust in the government and lower political participation while the active use of the internet will be associated with higher trust in the government and higher political participation. Individuals, who receive the news through the internet, will tend to be sceptical about their governments because they will be exposed to alternative sources of information not controlled by the authoritarian government. The more extensively individuals use the internet for creating content, the more positively they will view the government owing to the effects of the self-selection process of acting under government censorship. Using 11 waves of survey data from four Central Asian countries we test our theoretical conjectures and find support for them.

The Impact of Air Pollution Information on Individuals' Exercise Behavior: Empirical Study Using Wearable and Mobile Devices Data.

Physical exercise and exposure to air pollution have counteracting effects on individuals' health outcomes. Knowledge on individuals' real-time exercise behavior response to different pollution information sources remains inadequate. This study aims to examine the extent to which individuals avoid polluted air during exercise activities in response to different air pollution information sources. We used data on individuals' exercise behaviors captured by wearable and mobile devices in 83 Chinese cities over a 2-year time span. In our data set, 35.99% (5896/16,379) of individuals were female and 64% (10,483/16,379) were male, and their ages predominantly ranged from 18 to 50 years. We further augmented the exercise behavior data with air pollution information that included city-hourly level measures of the Air Quality Index and particulate matter 2.5 concentration (in µg/m3), and weather data that include city-hourly level measures of air temperature (ºC), dew point (ºC), wind speed (m/s), and wind direction (degrees). We used a linear panel fixed effect model to estimate individuals' exercise-aversion behaviors (ie, running exercise distance at individual-hour, city-hour, or city-day levels) and conducted robustness checks using the endogenous treatment effect model and regression discontinuity method. We examined if alternative air pollution information sources could moderate (ie, substitute or complement) the role of mainstream air pollution indicators. Our results show that individuals exhibit a reduction of running exercise behaviors by about 0.50 km (or 7.5%; P<.001) during instances of moderate to severe air pollution, and there is no evidence of reduced distances in instances of light air pollution. Furthermore, individuals' exercise-aversion behaviors in response to mainstream air pollution information are heightened by different alternative information sources, such as social connections and social media user-generated content about air pollution. Our results highlight the complementary role of different alternative information sources of air pollution in inducing individuals' aversion behaviors and the importance of using different information channels to increase public awareness beyond official air pollution alerts.

Does Information Improve the Experience of Pursuing Labor Migration? Evidence from a Field Experiment in Pakistan

A large literature on international labor migration explores how to improve low-skilled migrants’ experience of pursuing and obtaining overseas employment. Much of this scholarship focuses on describing and mitigating difficult, and sometimes exploitative, conditions in the host country. Scholars have paid less attention to factors in home countries that may affect aspiring migrants’ experience of looking for overseas work. We help address this gap by conducting a field experiment in the high out-migration country of Pakistan to examine whether receiving new information about employment brokers and overseas opportunities improves aspiring migrants’ subjective and objective experience of the job-seeking process. After analyzing the effects of information on those who lack alternative sources of information, we report mixed findings. These highlight the need to think carefully about ways to improve aspiring migrants’ job-seeking experiences, especially with regard to the common assumption that if low-skilled migrants simply “knew more” — that is, had more relevant and accurate information — they would not allow themselves to have negative migration experiences; our findings suggest this is not necessarily always the case.

Profilometry: a non-intrusive active stereo-vision technique for wave-profile measurements in large hydrodynamic laboratories

Profilometry is proposed as a novel non-intrusive image-based technique to capture the profile of the air–water interface as a dense point cloud. It can be classified as an active stereo-vision method applied to the study of gravity-driven water waves and specifically developed to be used in large hydrodynamic laboratories. As an active vision technique, it relies on the use of light sources, and as a stereo technique, it requires one or more high-speed camera pairs for imaging the same scene synchronously. To enhance the visibility of the laser lights on the wave profile, the water surface is sprayed with water droplets. Profilometry, compared to standard wave probes, can be considered as an alternative source of information that can augment spatial resolution to the identification of the air–water interface to capture nonlinear wave-evolution mechanisms and violent wave–body interactions. Its feasibility and accuracy are examined preliminarily in a small-scale flume and then in a large-scale towing tank using long-crested wave scenarios, including regular, irregular, and focused gravity-driven waves, without the presence of a structure. The values of the wave steepness examined were various and included also quite steep cases with nearly vertical wave fronts. Role played by parameters of the technique, as well as of its setup in capturing the wave features are also analysed, with the aim to provide a useful guidance for other researchers that intent to use and develop further this approach.

Agreement between patient- and proxy-reported outcome measures in adult musculoskeletal trauma and injury: a scoping review.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely used in medicine. As older adults, who may rely on a proxy caregiver for answers due to cognitive impairment, are representing an increasing share of the traumatically injured patient population, proxy-reported outcome measures (proxROMs) offer a valuable alternative source of patient-centered information although its association with PROMs is unclear. The objective of this scoping review is to discuss all available literature comparing PROM and proxROMs in adult patients with musculoskeletal trauma to guide future research in this field. The PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews was used to guide this review. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched without date limit for articles comparing PROM and proxROMs in setting of musculoskeletal trauma. Abstract and full-text screening were performed by two independent reviewers. Variables included study details, patient and proxy characteristics, and reported findings on agreement between PROMs and proxROMs. Of 574 unique records screened, 13 were included. Patient and proxy characteristics varied greatly, while patients' cognitive status and type of proxy perspective were poorly addressed. 18 different PROMs were evaluated, mostly reporting on physical functioning and disability (nine, 50%) or quality of life (six, 33%). Injury- and proxy-specific tools were rare, and psychometric properties of PROMs were often not described. Studies reported moderate to good agreement between PROMs and proxROMs. There is less agreement on subjective outcome measures (e.g., depression score) compared to observable items, and proxy bias results in in worse outcomes compared to patient self-reports. Current literature, though limited, demonstrates moderate to good agreement between injured patients' self- and proxy-reports. Future studies should be mindful of current guidelines on proxy reporting when developing their studies and consider including neglected populations such as cognitively impaired patients to improve clinical validity.

Financial statements not required

Using a dataset covering 3 million commercial borrower financial statements, we document a substantial, nearly monotonic decline in banks’ use of attested financial statements (AFS) in lending over the past two decades. Two market forces help explain this trend. First, technological advances provide lenders with access to a growing array of borrower information sources that can substitute for AFS. Second, banks are increasingly competing with nonbank lenders that rely less on AFS in screening and monitoring. Our results illustrate how technology adoption and changes in credit market structure can render AFS less efficient than alternative information sources for screening and monitoring.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF STUDENTS’ GROUP WORK IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES AT UNIVERSITY

The aim of the article is analysing the advantages and disadvantages of group work for students while teaching foreign languages at university, showing the feasibility of using group work in higher edu- cation. Methods of analysis and systematization of primary sources, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups were used during the consideration of the problem. The process of teaching English in higher education has certain features that are associated with dif- ferent initial levels of language training of freshmen; the number of hours to study the subject; the number of groups; and sometimes absent enthusiasm for learning a foreign language. We emphasize that group work plays an important role in the educational process, and its introduction into the educational process should be one of the main tasks for students of philological specialties. Practice has proved that high-quality training in foreign languages for philological specialties can be carried out through the introduction of mod- ern educational technologies, such as: vocational training, project methodology, technology, such as: voca- tional training, project methodology, technology of fixing and distance learning, information and commu- nication technologies, and educational and control work. The study found that the use of interactive learn- ing technology involves seeking help in communication, including cognitive communication and constructiv- ist methods of teaching a foreign language. The facts proved that the use of innovative methods of teach- ing English and multimedia teaching methods can enhance the motivation of students to study foreign lan- guages, provide access to new alternative sources of information, develop independent psychological activ- ity, and develop communication skills, intercultural and professional abilities. Interactive technologies and online resources play an important role in group work while learning for- eign languages, providing an effective and engaging learning process. They promote active interaction be- tween students, stimulate involvement in language learning and improve language skills. To determine the advantages and disadvantages of group work, we conducted interviews with teach- ers and students to collect their impressions and thoughts about group work in the context of teaching for- eign languages. Subsequently, the reviews of teachers and students about their experience in groups dur- ing the study of foreign languages were analysed. Questionnaires were compiled, which included questions about impressions and thoughts about group work in the context of studying foreign languages. The questions concerned the advantages and dis- advantages of this training method, the efficiency from group work, the influence on motivation, etc. Fo- cus groups were held with students and separately with teachers to discuss their impressions and thoughts about group work. This allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of different points of view and identi- fy general trends. In group work during the study of foreign languages, the teacher and students play different roles, each of which has its own importance for successful learning. We will discuss the role of the teacher-facili- tator. The teacher acts as an organizer and leader of group work, promoting structured learning and prob- lem solving. Students actively interact with each other and with the teacher, exchanging ideas and opin- ions, completing tasks and solving problems. Scientists have demonstrated that the active participation of students in group work contributes to the improvement of critical thinking and the development of com- munication skills. The use of group work while teaching foreign languages at university has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it promotes the development of communication skills, and stimulates cooperation and motivation of students. On the other hand, there may be a risk of social blind steering, problems with the distribution of responsibilities and conflicts between group members. It has been concluded that it is important to properly organize and control the process of group work to achieve maximum efficiency in teaching foreign languages.

Mediapolitical Discourse: Concepts and Framework

Introduction. The article presents the results of the review of scientific works on discourse theory, reflecting the stages of evolution of media-political discourse in Russian linguistics. The aim of the article is to summarize, systematize and analyze approaches to the study of media-political discourse and concepts of its comprehension. Such concepts as media discourse, media text, media linguistics, and political discourse are considered.Methodology and sources. The article is prepared in the context of the cognitive-discursive paradigm, functional approach to discourse analysis, and media linguistics. In accordance with the postulates of critical discourse analysis, media-political discourse is considered as a constitutive of social practice. The main research method is an analytical scientific review of works on discourse theory.Results and discussion. In the course of the review of works on media and political discourse the main approaches to the understanding and research of media-political discourse are highlighted. The boundaries of this type of discourse as one of the areas of modern discourse theory are outlined. The concepts of scientific cognition that conditioned the formation of media-political discourse are identified. A review of works on related types of discourse at the previous stages of scientific thought is given. Internet discourse is viewed as an alternative source of political information. The article emphasizes the elements of language of enmity and the binary opposition “us/them” in the media-political discourse.Conclusion. The paper reveals a tendency to merge media discourse and political discourse within the framework of media-political discourse in modern linguistics. Among the key approaches to the study of media-political discourse the following approaches are identified: cratological, structural-communicative and media-technological ones; when analyzing the blogosphere it is advisable to refer to critical discourse analysis, structuralfunctional and comparative approaches. The most promising areas of the research include the identification of the essential characteristics of media-political discourse, and the development of genre stratification of this type of discourse.

Assessing the accuracy of MUR high resolution satellite sea surface temperature data

Marine bivalve mollusks are valuable proxies for El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in paleoclimate research, reflecting changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and other ambient marine conditions in their shell chemistry. However, the use of several Peruvian species of bivalves as paleoENSO proxies needs to be established by comparing their shells’ δ18O-derived SST records with instrumental SST measurements. Along the Peruvian coast, the limited spatial coverage of in-situ coastal monitoring stations hinders such comparisons. This study aims to assess the accuracy of the Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution (MUR) satellite-derived SST dataset as an alternative source of SST information for paleoENSO studies in Peru, which could advance research on Peruvian bivalve species. This study compares MUR satellite data with in-situ measured SST from ten coastal monitoring stations operated by the Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE). The correlation between the datasets is evaluated, and systematic and non-systematic variations are examined. Environmental factors that may impact the accuracy of satellite SST measurements, such as clouds and aerosols, are also investigated. Results show that MUR data generally correlate with overall trends in SST variability captured by in-situ measurements. However, there are regional variations in the accuracy of MUR data, with some areas showing consistent temperature offsets. Differences in measurement methodologies and environmental variables are explored as potential causes of variations between the datasets. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of using high-resolution satellite SST data for assessing δ18O SST records from bivalves in locations without local SST records. It provides insights into the accuracy and limitations of using MUR data as an alternative source of SST information for paleoENSO studies in coastal Peru.

On the co-optation of according to as an evidential in English

Abstract The use of according to + NP has rarely been the topic of any specialized research in relation to English evidentiality, although it would probably figure among the most frequent types of reportative evidentials found in written texts. One of the problems often associated with reportatives has related to the existence of the Reportative Exception (see, e.g. AnderBois 2014), referring to the fact that the speaker may not always subjectively endorse the proposition conveyed with the support of the evidential phrase. The present study reviews the history of according to + NP from Middle English onwards, after which it began to develop evidential functions, and shows how the tendency to reject the truth of the content of the proposition marked by according to + NP arose in specific contexts containing alternative information sources, comparison, or adversative clauses. It was shortly after the diachronic appearance of according to + NP in such contexts that the more periphrastic form, in accordance with + NP, began to renovate/renew the earlier, non-evidential meanings of according to + NP. The present study also attributes the development of according to + NP to a process of co-optation (e.g. Heine 2013) rather than grammaticalization.

Exploring Reproductive Experiences With Women Enrolled in the International Vasculitis Pregnancy Registry.

This study explored the reproductive journeys of women with vasculitis, including their conversations with healthcare providers, disease activity, medication changes, and delivery experiences. Interviews were conducted with women registered in the Vasculitis Pregnancy Registry (VPREG), an online patient-reported registry of pregnant women with vasculitis. A team of physicians, patients, and qualitative researchers developed a qualitative interview guide. Participant responses were evaluated using thematic analysis. Eighteen patients with vasculitis who had experienced pregnancy were interviewed (10 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, 4 Takayasu arteritis, 2 Behçet disease, 1 IgA vasculitis, 1 relapsing polychondritis). Thematic analysis revealed common experiences in the decision-making process during pregnancy planning, including accessing information from multiple sources, communicating with medical professionals, and changing treatment for vasculitis. Women sought information about vasculitis and pregnancy from various sources, including social media; however, opinions from their physicians and family members were most influential. Patients were more likely than providers to initiate conversations regarding family planning. Balancing differing opinions from subspecialists was challenging as many patients recalled acting as a liaison between multiple physicians during pregnancy. The need for self-advocacy was a common experience among patients. Most women had pregnancies that resulted in live births with delivery at term. When making decisions about pregnancy, women of reproductive age with vasculitis used multiple resources. Patients consistently valued their medical provider's opinion over alternative sources of information. To ensure comprehensive medical care, half of women relied on self-advocacy to coordinate communication among subspecialists. Most women had pregnancies that resulted in live births with delivery at term.

Young Kosovars, Their Preferred Television and Use of Viewing Devices

Objective: To ascertain the interest of youth in this information medium at a time when television is no longer the primary media, as each individual carries a cellphone and when young people utilize alternative information sources through social networks Theoric Framework: Other studies concerning media preference have argued that preference in media is a complex concept that needs to be studied on different levels. Methods: During the research, an empirical study was conducted, specifically a survey with a focus group of young people aged 18-30, to explore their access to information, using television as the primary source, as well as other practical sources that replace it. Results and Coclusions: This study made a distinction between television program viewership, creativity, reliability, and the way information is accessed because ultimately every preference and viewership is related to believing in facts or alternative truths. In this context, it can be observed that low television screen usage is associated with the possibility for young people to use alternative devices such as cell phones and laptops. Implications of research: The research is focused on watching television channels by young people from Kosova, as their preferences, namely the young people's perception of the most reliable programs. Originality/value: This study made a distinction in television program viewership, creativity, objectivity, and the way information is accessed among specific age groups of young people.

The impact of social distancing on trading activity during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractI explore the impact of social distancing on trading activity during the COVID‐19 pandemic using real‐time location tracking data from Facebook users. I find that stocks categorized as “harder‐to‐value,” which are typically smaller, less transparent, less visible, and less profitable, experience decreased abnormal trading with more social distancing in their headquarters counties. In contrast, “easier‐to‐value” stocks show an increase in abnormal trading due to high social distancing in their headquarters counties. These findings indicate that greater firm‐specific information asymmetry arises from increased social distancing within the firm headquarters counties. Although “easier‐to‐value” stocks can use alternative information sources to mitigate the information asymmetry, “harder‐to‐value” stocks fail to do so and face negative impact on trading. Additional analyses using alternative information channels, market sidedness, and liquidity confirm this hypothesis.

Toward Improved Radiologic Diagnostics: Investigating the Utility and Limitations of GPT-3.5 Turbo and GPT-4 with Quiz Cases.

The rise of large language models such as generative pretrained transformers (GPTs) has sparked considerable interest in radiology, especially in interpreting radiologic reports and image findings. While existing research has focused on GPTs estimating diagnoses from radiologic descriptions, exploring alternative diagnostic information sources is also crucial. This study introduces the use of GPTs (GPT-3.5 Turbo and GPT-4) for information retrieval and summarization, searching relevant case reports via PubMed, and investigates their potential to aid diagnosis. From October 2021 to December 2023, we selected 115 cases from the "Case of the Week" series on the American Journal of Neuroradiology website. Their Description and Legend sections were presented to the GPTs for the 2 tasks. For the Direct Diagnosis task, the models provided 3 differential diagnoses that were considered correct if they matched the diagnosis in the diagnosis section. For the Case Report Search task, the models generated 2 keywords per case, creating PubMed search queries to extract up to 3 relevant reports. A response was considered correct if reports containing the disease name stated in the diagnosis section were extracted. The McNemar test was used to evaluate whether adding a Case Report Search to Direct Diagnosis improved overall accuracy. In the Direct Diagnosis task, GPT-3.5 Turbo achieved a correct response rate of 26% (30/115 cases), whereas GPT-4 achieved 41% (47/115). For the Case Report Search task, GPT-3.5 Turbo scored 10% (11/115), and GPT-4 scored 7% (8/115). Correct responses totaled 32% (37/115) with 3 overlapping cases for GPT-3.5 Turbo, whereas GPT-4 had 43% (50/115) of correct responses with 5 overlapping cases. Adding Case Report Search improved GPT-3.5 Turbo's performance (P = .023) but not that of GPT-4 (P = .248). The effectiveness of adding Case Report Search to GPT-3.5 Turbo was particularly pronounced, suggesting its potential as an alternative diagnostic approach to GPTs, particularly in scenarios where direct diagnoses from GPTs are not obtainable. Nevertheless, the overall performance of GPT models in both direct diagnosis and case report retrieval tasks remains not optimal, and users should be aware of their limitations.

Access to a tailored mobile application enhances medication adherence among young users of antidepressants.

Patients' adherence to antidepressants is generally reported to be poor. This study examined whether users of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) enhance medication adherence following access to a mobile application (app) tailored for this patient group. The study addresses the implementation phase of medication adherence. The study was a single group pre-post intervention design. Data were collected using the validated OsloMet Adherence-to-medication Survey tool (OMAS-37) before and after app access. Pre-app access survey (Survey 1) was conducted via social media and online newspapers, encompassing 445 SSRI/SNRI users aged 18 years and above. Post-app access survey (Survey 2) was sent to 103 SSRI/SNRI users from Survey 1. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test compared pre- and post-intervention adherence measurements. Pearson's chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests compared study population categories. Forty-two SSRI/SNRI users, median age 26 (IQR 17), 93% identifying as female, used the app while using the same antidepressant during the 2-month period between gaining access to the app and Survey 2. There was a statistically significant reduction in non-adherence score post-app access (z = 3.57, n = 42, p < 0.001) with medium effect size (r = 0.39), indicating enhanced adherence. Total non-adherence score decreased by 39% from pre-to post-access, and there was a 12% decrease in users scoring equivalent with poor adherence (score <2) post-access. Twenty-nine of 37 non-adherence causes improved, with three showing statistical significance. Of 42 responders, 50% (n = 21) indicated using the app one to two times, while 50% (n = 21) more than three times. Approximately 69% (n = 28) found it useful, and 43% (n = 18) felt safer in their use of antidepressants after access to the app. No significant preference was observed for the app over alternative sources of information. Enhanced medication adherence was observed among antidepressant users following access to the tailored app. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the app applicability to a broader range of antidepressants users or other patient groups, encompassing those in the initiation phase of medication adherence. The app is intended as an easily accessible supplement to the information and advice provided by prescribing physicians and dispensing pharmacists.

Evaluation of ChatGPT’s Response to Common Patient Questions for Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Introduction/Purpose: Many patients use the internet as a source for medical information regarding their medical condition. However, the accuracy and reliability of the information is variable. The recent release of general population facing artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot programs has created a potential alternative medical information source for patients. Our study examined the accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), as determined by four fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons. Methods: GPT-4, the latest ChatGPT model, was asked the 12 of the most common questions patients have regarding TAA. Its responses were recorded and evaluated by four fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons on a scale of 1 – 4, with 1 representing an excellent response not requiring clarification and 4 representing an unsatisfactory response requiring significant clarification. Averages of scores for each question were recorded and an average of every score was used to develop an overall accuracy score. Results: The overall accuracy score of GPT-4 was 1.35. The responses by GPT-4 received a score of 1 for 32 of 48 (66.7%) responses. There was found to be no significant difference in scores for any of GPT-4’s responses. Conclusion: Our study found that GPT-4 performed well in providing accurate and near complete information to commonly questions asked to physicians by patients regarding TAA. Our results suggest that AI models, like GPT-4, may be an effective alternative source of medical information for patients. Further study with subsequent AI models and direct patient interaction may shed further light on the utility of this potential patient education modality. ChatGPT Response Accuracy Score Accuracy scores for ChatGPT, as determined by four foot and ankle fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons

Can communities be mobilised to build capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative process evaluation

ObjectivesGovernment guidance to manage COVID-19 was challenged by low levels of health and digital literacy and lack of information in different languages. ‘Covid Confidence’ sessions (CC-sessions) were evaluated to assess...

Rational inattention: A new theory of neurodivergent information seeking.

This paper presents rational inattention as a new, transdiagnostic theory of information seeking in neurodevelopmental conditions that have uneven cognitive and socio-emotional profiles, including developmental language disorder (DLD), dyslexia, dyscalculia and autism. Rational inattention holds that the optimal solution to minimizing epistemic uncertainty is to avoid imprecise information sources. The key theoretical contribution of this report is to endogenize imprecision, making it a function of the primary neurocognitive difficulties that have been invoked to explain neurodivergent phenotypes, including deficits in auditory perception, working memory, procedural learning and the social brain network. We argue that disengagement with information sources with low endogenous precision (e.g. speech in DLD, orthography-phonology mappings in dyslexia, numeric stimuli in dyscalculia and social signals in autism) constitutes resource-rational behaviour. We demonstrate the strength of this account in a series of computational simulations. In experiment 1, we simulate information seeking in artificial agents mimicking an array of neurodivergent phenotypes, which optimally explore a complex learning environment containing speech, text, numeric stimuli and social cues. In experiment 2, we simulate optimal information seeking in a cross-modal dual-task paradigm and qualitatively replicate empirical data from children with and without DLD. Across experiments, simulated agents' only aim was to maximally reduce epistemic uncertainty, with no difference in reward across information sources. We show that rational inattention emerges naturally in specific neurodivergent phenotypes as a function of low endogenous precision. For instance, an agent mimicking the DLD phenotype disengages with speech (and preferentially engages with alternative precise information sources) because endogenous imprecision renders speech not conducive to information gain. Because engagement is necessary for learning, simulation demonstrates how optimal information seeking may paradoxically contribute negatively to an already delayed learning trajectory in neurodivergent children. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We present the first comprehensive theory of information seeking in neurodivergent children to date, centred on the notion of rational inattention. We demonstrate the strength of this account in a series of computational simulations involving artificial agents mimicking specific neurodivergent phenotypes that optimally explore a complex learning environment containing speech, text, numeric stimuli, and social cues. We show how optimal information seeking may, paradoxically, contribute negatively to an already delayed learning trajectory in neurodivergent children. This report advances our understanding of the factors shaping short-term decision making and long-term learning in neurodivergent children.

Криминологическая обоснованность внесения изменений в уголовный закон: использование статистики и роль средств массовой информации

Introduction. The foundation of the state’s strategic activity in the fight against crime (criminal policy) is a set of initial data of a criminological and social nature, the objectivity (compliance with the truth) of which is often rightly questioned, and therefore the issues of searching and selecting sources for the formation of criminal policy in order to achieving the requirement of criminological validity. Methods. In work based on the dialectical-materialistic method of scientific knowledge, the legal-dogmatic method, formal-logical and systemic methods are used. Results. Despite the fact that the scale of criminologically significant information is quite large, an obstacle to the formation of a criminologically based criminal policy is the lack of the required volume of objective data on crime. Recognizing that certain indicators themselves must be correctly interpreted (including in their interrelation and interdependence), it can be argued that correct criminological forecasting requires an appropriate methodological basis that clearly indicates how it is necessary to process what is significant for the fight against crime information. Recognizing the problem of crime latency, it is worth emphasizing the need to find tools for objectifying crime data. In particular, it is worth paying attention to the promise of an integrated approach to the analysis of criminal phenomena, including, at a minimum, “cross-reconciliation” of data from various government bodies and non-state structures (subject to confidence in the objectivity of the information they provide). When making changes to the criminal law, the use of official statistics as a basic source of information is recognized as justified. Of particular importance is the issue of searching for alternative sources of information, which are now increasingly referred to as social expectations.