Changes In Preferences Research Articles

A DQN-based traffic classification method for mobile application recommendation with continual learning

With the popularity and development of smartphones, many mobile applications of various types have emerged. How to recommend mobile applications that match the user’s preferences and usage habits among the massive applications is a problem that needs to be solved. Traditional mobile application recommendation methods cannot dynamically track user behavior and preference changes in time and cannot timely correct the recommendation model, resulting in poor recommendation effects. The continual update of mobile applications will also invalidate the recommendation model based on traffic classification. To solve these problems, this paper proposes A Deep Q-Network (DQN) based traffic classification method for mobile application recommendation with continual learning, which embeds a DQN-based traffic classification model in the mobile terminal and sets up a reward and punishment mechanism to achieve self-supervised learning. By continuously adjusting and optimizing the model, the effectiveness of the traffic classification model is ensured, and the recommendation model is provided with accurate and reliable user behavior data support. Experiments on the ISCX and private datasets show that the proposed method performs better and can effectively guarantee the accuracy of the classification model.

Does electoral behavior change after a protest cycle? Evidence from Chile and Bolivia

Can protests produce changes in electoral behavior? In this paper, we examine variations in voter turnout and electoral preferences at the local level after a protest cycle. Using data on protest occurrence during the 2019 social mobilizations in Chile and Bolivia and a difference-in-differences design, we assess the impact that street demonstrations had on voting behavior in the elections that took place the following year. We found that turnout was higher in municipalities that had protests, while the incumbent vote was lower. We argue that the effect on turnout is explained by the surge in political efficacy that emerged from the protests. Furthermore, we suggest that the protests enabled more effective blame attribution and heightened the salience of political issues, leading to changes in voter preferences. These results demonstrate the effect of protests on electoral dynamics, highlighting their role not only in mobilizing voters but also in shaping electoral preferences.

Impact of shared decision-making on women's childbirth preferences: A cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundMidwives provide counselling for birth plans (BPs) to women during prenatal care; however, the impact of individualised BP counselling interventions based on shared decision-making (SDM) regarding women's preferences is unknown. MethodsThis randomised cluster trial included four primary healthcare units. Midwives provided BP counselling based on SDM to women in the intervention group (IG) during prenatal care along with a handout about evidence-based recommendations. Women in the control group (CG) received standard BP counselling from midwives. The main outcome was preference changes concerning BPs. ResultsA total of 461 (95.5 %) pregnant women received BP counselling (IG, n = 247; CG, n = 214). Women in the IG changed their BP preferences for 13 items compared with those in the CG. These items were: using an unique space during birth (81.1 % vs 51.6 %; p < 0.001), option for light graduation (63 % vs 44.7 %; p < 0.001), listening to music (57.3 % vs 43.6 %; p = 0.006), drinking fluids during labour (84.6 % vs 93.6 %; p = 0.005), continuous monitoring (59 % vs 37.8 %; p < 0.001); desire for natural childbirth (36.6 % vs 25 %; p = 0.014), epidural analgesia (55.1 % vs 43.6 %; p = 0.023); breathing techniques (65.2 % vs 50.5 %; p = 0.003), massage (74.9 % vs 55.3 %; p < 0.001); birthing ball use (81.9 % vs 56.9 %; p < 0.001), spontaneous pushing (49.3 % vs 28.7 %; p < 0.001), choosing birth position (69.6 % vs 41.5 %) and delayed umbilical cord clamping (67.8 % vs 44.1 %; p = 0.001). ConclusionSDM counselling, together with a handout about evidence-based recommendations on childbirth and newborn care, produced more changes in women's preferences expressed in the BP than standard counselling.

Perturbation of Residential Preferences by COVID-19 Shocks in the Greater Toronto Area

This research investigates the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on residential preferences in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada, using a stated preference (SP) survey dataset. The study examines changes in relocation preferences and trends in the GTA after the Ontario government lifted the initial lockdown. The obtained choice data is then modeled using a mixed cross-nested logit model to find substitution patterns across regions and dwelling types, as well as explore residents’ preferences for different dwelling characteristics and the accessibility of their residence, including factors such as telecommuting options. The results reveal that the pandemic caused short-term residential dissonance, with residents tending to want to move to lower-density areas to relocate to their preferred dwelling type, emphasizing telecommuting as a key factor influencing residential relocation preferences. Housing qualities were prioritized over accessibility. The study also found heterogeneous behavior among GTA residents with regard to telecommuting as a factor in residential relocation. The study’s findings are relevant for planners and policymakers in anticipating the potential long-term pandemic-induced home relocation decisions and their impact on future household travel behavior, particularly with regard to telecommuting and accessibility.

Mice Regulate Dietary Amino Acid Balance and Energy Intake by Selecting between Complementary Protein Sources

BackgroundA balanced intake of protein and constituent amino acids (AAs) requires adjustments to total food intake (protein leverage [PL]) and food selection to balance deficits and excesses (complementary feeding). We provided mice with choices of casein and whey, 2 protein sources that are complementary in AA balance, across a range of protein concentrations (P%) of digestible energy (DE). ObjectivesWe aimed to determine if: 1) PL operates similarly for casein and whey; 2) one protein source is preferred at control P%; 3) the preference changes as P% falls; and 4) AA intakes under control and low P% levels identify AAs that drive changes in protein selection. MethodsFood intake and plasma fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) concentrations were measured in mice at various P% (P7.5%–P33%). For direct comparisons, defined diets were used in which the protein source was either casein or whey. In food choice studies, mice had access to foods in which both casein and whey were provided at the same P% level at the same time. ResultsPL operated at different P% thresholds in casein (13%)- and whey (10%)-based diets, and the magnitude of PL was greater for casein. Although mice preferred casein under control conditions (P23%), a pronounced preference shift to whey occurred as P% fell to P13% and P10%. At low P%, increases in food intake were accompanied by increases in plasma FGF21, a protein hunger signal. Among AAs deficient in casein and enriched in whey, the intake of Cys was the most invariant as P% changed between P23% and P10%, appearing to drive the switch in protein preference. ConclusionsMice selected between complementary protein sources, casein and whey, achieving stable total energy intake and regulated intake of AAs as P% varied. Supplementation of low P% casein diets with one whey-enriched AA, Cys, suppressed plasma FGF21 and total food intake.

Market Risk Analysis - Microeconomic Aspect of Vegetable Farms in Guri i Zi Administrative Unit, Shkodër in Albania

The risk of entrepreneurship in agriculture is complex. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the primary market risks that farmers face, which will help them better understand these risks and make informed decisions to mitigate them. The research uses a mixed methodology involving descriptive statistical analysis and multifactorial regression analysis to examine four critical risk factors: changes in consumer preferences, price fluctuations, high competition, and shifts in consumer incomes. The findings show that only high market competition is statistically significant and has a substantial impact of 79%. Farmers can use this information to adjust their production focus towards areas of comparative advantage in a single crop to improve their financial stability. In summary, market risk analysis is an essential tool that empowers farmers to understand and manage risks effectively to safeguard their income streams.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ КОЛОРИСТИКИ ГОРОДСКОЙ СРЕДЫ ПОД ВЛИЯНИЕМ ЦВЕТОВОЙ КУЛЬТУРЫ И ЦВЕТОВЫХ ПРЕДПОЧТЕНИЙ СУБЪЕКТА

Colour plays an important role in creating a safe and informative urban environment. However, there is still a tendency towards colour monotony or, on the contrary, chaotic flashy colours in the colourism of urban space. The globalisation process in urban planning also has a negative impact and leads to the loss of individual image and recognition of modern fast-growing cities, including Tyumen. The article studies the colouristics of the city, its formation under the influence of colour culture and colour preferences of citizens. The author compares the existing methods of formation of urban environment colouristics based on a set of different factors. A special place in the study is given to regional colour culture. Its basis lies in the colour preferences of a person, certain social groups or a nation. The study of the history of colour culture in Tyumen relies on historical and qualitative methods, analysis of archival materials, various written and visual documents. The study gives examples of the influence of colour culture on the formation of urban environment colourism. Field surveys of real architectural objects in the central part of Tyumen and the analysis of changes in colour preferences caused by the change of colour carriers made it possible to identify the colouristics peculiarities in the city in certain periods of its construction. Scientific novelty consists in an in-depth consideration of the formation of urban environment colouristics in the context of regional colour culture.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder: changes in preferred medications for mania over 20 years

Introduction Majority of international guidelines for bipolar disorders are based on evidences from clinical trials. In contrast, the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder (KMAP-BP) was developed to adopt an expert-consensus paradigm which was more practical and specific to the atmosphere in Korea.ObjectivesIn this study, preferred medication strategies for acute mania over six consecutively published KMAP-BP (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022) were investigated.MethodsA written survey using a nine-point scale was asked to Korean experts about the appropriateness of various treatment strategies and treatment agents. A written survey asked about the appropriateness of various treatment strategies and treatment agents commonly used by clinicians as the first-line.ResultsThe most preferred option for the initial treatment of mania was a combination of a mood stabilizer (MS) and an atypical antipsychotic (AAP) in every edition. Preference for combined treatment for euphoric mania increased, peaked in KMAP-BP 2010, and declined slightly. Either MS or AAP monotherapy was also considered a first-line strategy for mania, but not for all types of episodes, including mixed/psychotic mania. Among MSs, lithium and valproate are almost equally preferred except in the mixed subtype where valproate is the most recommended MS. The preference of valproate showed reverse U-shaped curve. This preference change of valproate may indicate the concern about teratotoxicity in women. Quetiapine, aripiprazole, and olanzapine were the preferred AAP for acute mania since 2014. This change might depend on the recent evidences and safety profile. In cases of unsatisfactory response to initial medications, switching or adding another first-line agent was recommended. The most notable changes over time included the increasing preference for AAPs.ConclusionsThe Korean experts have been increasingly convinced of the effectiveness of a combination therapy for acute mania. There have been evident preference changes: increased for AAP and decreased for carbamazepine.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Onboard autonomous mission generation method based on user preference

This paper presents a method for autonomous onboard mission generation of Earth observation imaging satellites based on user preferences. The paper develops a planning database to store the previous user mission requirements, and proposes a database updating algorithm to track the changes in user preferences. The paper also proposes a mission generation method based on the planning database, which predicts target priorities and imaging methods. Finally, a mission allocation strategy is used to assign newly generated missions to the appropriate satellites. Simulations results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the utilization of satellite resources and thereby obtain higher mission return.

Dynamic occupancy analyses of native birds in an urban ecological reserve reveal seasonal changes in site occupancy and preference for adjacent urbanized areas

Urban ecological reserves are large green areas immersed within cities where native and exotic species of plants and animals coexist. Here, we examined the environmental features that facilitate the occurrence of nine species of native birds in an urban ecological reserve located within one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City. We also searched for changes in occupancy rates among the three distinct climatic seasons that occur in central Mexico: warm-dry, rainy, and cold-dry. Using data collected during four years and multi-season occupancy models, we found that most of our study species prefer the urbanized sites that surround the reserve over the core conservation areas. This urban affinity can be explained by the diverse vegetation that prevails in such urban sites, which offers a high habitat heterogeneity that facilitates the presence of bird species with distinct ecological needs. In contrast, the reserve consists of a relatively homogeneous xerophytic scrubland where a few species of shrubs and small trees are dominant. We also detected seasonal changes in five species, with highest occupancy during the warm-dry season of each year, which coincides with both their breeding season and the driest period of the year. This finding indicates that these birds find in the reserve and surrounding urban areas enough food and water during this limiting season as well as safe nesting sites. Our study provides evidence that some native birds can become urban exploiters and that the benefits that they obtain from urban settings are greatest during their breeding season.

Understanding Customer Opinion Change on Fresh Food E-Commerce Products and Services—Comparative Analysis before and during COVID-19 Pandemic

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, non-face-to-face e-commerce has become a significant consumer channel for customers to buy fresh food. However, little is known about customer opinion changes in fresh food e-commerce (FFEC) products and services during COVID-19. This study investigated the changes in expectations and preferences of FFEC customers on products and services before and during the pandemic from online reviews through a text mining approach. We divided the pandemic into two phases, acute and recovery, and found that eight attributes affect customers’ opinions. Some logistic service-related attributes gained customer attention during the acute phase, but product-related attributes gained more attention in the recovery phase. Customers showed a great level of forgiveness on many attributes during the acute phase, but customers’ dissatisfaction was expressed during the recovery phase. Finally, the results of the comparative importance–performance analysis provide improvement strategies for FFEC and help optimize their resource allocation of FFEC and enhance sustainable operation capacity in the case of a crisis.

Measuring patients’ medical treatment preferences in advance care planning: development and validation of the Treat-Me-ACP instrument – a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAdvance Care Planning interventions should be evaluated as broadly as possible to gain a holistic understanding of the Advance Care Planning process. However, validated early stage outcome instruments are lacking. Therefore, the Treatment-Preference-Measure-Advance Care Planning (Treat-Me-ACP) instrument was developed and validated as part of the cluster-randomized controlled trial STADPLAN (Study on Advance Care Planning in care-dependent community-dwelling older persons) to assess the effects of Advance Care Planning interventions on patients’ medical treatment preferences.MethodsThe design of Treat-Me-ACP is based on the Emanuel Medical Directive and the Life Support Preferences Questionnaires. Using a multi-stage team approach a preliminary version of the Treat-Me-ACP was developed and pre-tested. The pre-tested instrument consists of one global medical care goal-item, five hypothetical scenarios with five hypothetical treatments, and one how would you feel-item within each scenario. A total of five scenario preference scores and five treatment preference scores can be formed. This version was subsequently applied to a subsample of the STADPLAN project (n = 80) to assess patient’s preferences at baseline (T0) and at 12-month follow-up (T2). The further validation steps were based on this subsample and included: (1) acceptance by using completion rate and frequencies of missing data, (2) internal consistency by using Cronbach’s α to test whether it was possible to create preference scores by scenario and treatment, (3) concurrent validation examining the association between the global medical care goal-item and the preference scores and the association between the how would you feel-items and the scenario preference scores, and (4) responsiveness of the instrument to changes in preferences for life-sustaining treatments by comparing preference scores from T0 to T2 between study groups.ResultsAcceptance of the instrument was high. Results of concurrent validation indicate that the five scenarios represent the global medical care goal well. The preference scores showed an average tendency for decreasing preferences for life-sustaining treatments across all scales for the intervention group during study follow-up.ConclusionsThe Treat-Me-ACP can be used to evaluate the dynamics of patients’ medical treatment preferences in Advance Care Planning. It has been validated for care-dependent community-dwelling older persons and can be used as an additional outcome measure in evaluating the effectiveness of ACP interventions.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00016886 on 04/06/2019.

Food preference-based screening method for identification of effectors of substance use disorders using Caenorhabditis elegans

Substance use disorder (SUD) affects over 48 million Americans aged 12 and over. Thus, identifying novel chemicals contributing to SUD will be critical for developing efficient prevention and mitigation strategies. Considering the complexity of the actions and effects of these substances on human behavior, a high-throughput platform using a living organism is ideal. We developed a quick and easy screening assay using Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans prefers high-quality food (Escherichia coli HB101) over low-quality food (Bacillus megaterium), with a food preference index of approximately 0.2, defined as the difference in the number of worms at E. coli HB101 and B. megaterium over the total worm number. The food preference index was significantly increased by loperamide, a μ-opioid receptor (MOPR) agonist, and decreased by naloxone, a MOPR antagonist. These changes depended on npr-17, a C. elegans homolog of opioid receptors. In addition, the food preference index was significantly increased by arachidonyl-2′-chloroethylamide, a cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) agonist, and decreased by rimonabant, a CB1R inverse agonist. These changes depended on npr-19, a homolog of CB1R. These results suggest that the conserved opioid and endocannabinoid systems modulate the food preference behaviors of C. elegans. Finally, the humanoid C. elegans strains where npr-17 was replaced with human MOPR and where npr-19 was replaced with human CB1R phenocopied the changes in food preference by the drug treatment. Together, the current results show that this method can be used to rapidly screen the potential effectors of MOPR and CB1R to yield results highly translatable to humans.

Packaging Sebagai Media Komunikasi Visual Branding Kerajinan Purun Pedamaran Kepada Generasi Z Di Kota Palembang

Purun crafts have a number of unique qualities as cultural heritage with the main ingredient being purun. The purun raw material processing system is able to give a natural and ecological impression to each craft. Traditional designs with distinctive woven patterns reflect cultural identity and local values as well as natural colors without additional coloring highlighting the natural beauty of the purun plant itself, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes without negative impacts on the environment and innovation in design presenting products that remain relevant to the world. modern market. As consumer trends and preferences change, purun products may experience a lack of innovation in design or function. This branding aims to reintroduce and maintain the cultural value of Purun crafts in Palembang City, especially for those aged 17 - 26 years, so that they can restore the functional value of Purun crafts from economic, fashion and cultural aspects, as well as involving them actively through social media, and Integrating modern technology can be effective steps to introduce and popularize purun crafts among the younger generation. Keywords : Branding, Purun Crafts, Generation Z, Palembang

Shifting Horizons: The Impact of Global Events on the Intention to Migrate of the Next Generation Romanian Nurses.

This article investigates the determinants of the intention to migrate of nursing students at a major medical university in Romania and relates them to major international developments, specifically the Brexit referendum and the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey about the intention to migrate was made available to nursing students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hațieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in 2016 (before Brexit) and again in 2016 (after Brexit), 2017, 2018, and 2021 and 2022 (during the pandemic). A total of 549 students responded (response rate: 84.6%). Before the Brexit referendum, 62.6% of the respondents had a plan to seek employment abroad, whereas after the Brexit referendum, only 34.7% indicated that they had such a plan after graduation. Before the pandemic, 43.6% of the students expressed an intention to work abroad, while during the pandemic, only 19.8% had such plans. This study documented the effect of significant international developments-such as the Brexit referendum and the COVID-19 pandemic-on decreasing the intention to migrate. As expected, the change in preference for the UK as a destination country changed dramatically. Additionally, the study provides both theoretical and empirical insights into the types of and the consistency of preparation for migration of nursing students.

Analysing Shrinkflation in FMCG Industry with Special Reference to Food Packaging Industry

The behavior of customers and their purchasing decisions are greatly influenced by the food packaging sector. In recent years, the food sector has seen a phenomena known as "shrinkflation," wherein food manufacturers reduce the quantity or volume of products while keeping the same prices. worries regarding this practice's impact on the environment, especially in light of sustainability. This comprehensive investigation looks at the relationship between shrinkflation and sustainability in the food packaging industry. The study begins by examining the underlying factors that contribute to shrinkflation, including cost-cutting measures, changes in consumer preferences, and financial concerns. The study assesses how shrinkflation will affect a brand's reputation over time. The investigation delves into industry norms concerning packaging, sustainability, and regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages that food makers face as a result. The study examines the prevalence of shrinkflation in several food categories and the reasons behind this practice by using a thorough investigation of the body of literature currently in publication, industry reports, and market data. It also examines how shrinkflation affects sustainability, with a particular emphasis on how to lower resource consumption, waste production, and carbon emissions in the food packaging supply chain. The intricate relationships between shrinkflation and sustainability in the food packaging industry are made clearer by this in-depth analysis. The ultimate goal of the paper is to encourage informed decision-making among stakeholders and increase understanding of the ramifications of shrinkflation in order to promote a more ethically and sustainably conscious food business.

Catching Fire: How National Humiliation Spreads Hostile Foreign Policy Preferences on Chinese Social Media

Abstract Research shows that emotions alter preferences, which are central to many models of political choice. However, how can theories that explain individual-level preference change explain policy outcomes, which usually take place at higher levels of analysis? I outline three competing approaches to this question, ultimately building on the third approach, which argues that emotions can spread through emotional contagion within identity groups. This implies emotions can broadly shift preferences towards or away from conflict during crises. It also explains how identities, which are relatively constant over the medium term, can suddenly become fault lines in a conflict. I find supporting evidence using a large (more than 1.6 billion posts) nationally representative data set of Chinese social media posts. Users’ national humiliation posts lead their followers to become more likely to make posts about national humiliation, suggesting contagion, and about using military force and maintaining territorial disputes, suggesting preference change.

The appeal of cities may not wane due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remote working

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, speculations on the decline of major cities have surged, with studies noting temporary population decreases across various cities worldwide. However, research scarcely addresses the pandemic’s enduring influence on perceptions of city living. Rather than exploring mid- to long-term impacts, current literature focuses mainly on comparing changes in residential preferences during and before the pandemic. To fill this gap, we conducted a randomized conjoint experiment to scrutinize altered residential preferences and attitudes toward residing in the Tokyo Metropolis due to the pandemic. Scenarios encompassed reminders of potential pandemic re-occurrence and teleworking options. Despite variations depending on the scenarios and socio-demographic characteristics of the survey participants, overall, results show that the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in remote working did not diminish the allure of Tokyo, implying a low probability of an urban decline. These outcomes advocate for compact urban development to bolster resilience against forthcoming stressors like climate change.

Using big data for optimizing advertising campaigns in social networks

In the digital era, advertising on social networks has become a crucial element of marketing strategies. With the increasing number of users on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others, companies have unprecedented opportunities to target and engage consumers. This paper aims to examine the role and importance of Big Data usage in optimizing marketing campaigns on social networks. In an era where data is limitless, Big Data has become a valuable resource for businesses looking to understand consumer behavior and improve the efficiency of advertising campaigns. In this paper, we will shed light on the history and development of Big Data, including their volumes and sources. We will explore the potential of Big Data and categorize their sources to better understand how they can be leveraged for social media marketing. Furthermore, we will analyze the benefits and challenges of using Big Data in marketing. Additionally, we will examine cases where the use of Big Data has failed to optimize advertising campaigns on social networks and focus on the influence of Big Data in digital marketing, including personalization and sales promotion. We will also explore the technologies and methodologies used for making marketing decisions using Big Data. This study concludes that Big Data offers exceptional potential for innovation in the field of advertising on social networks, helping companies cope with rapid changes in consumer preferences and market dynamics. The results indicate that the strategic use of Big Data can lead to a deeper understanding of consumer behavior and offer a competitive advantage in a crowded and fast-paced market.

Inhibition of SIRT1 in the nucleus accumbens attenuates heroin addiction-related behavior by decreasing D1 neuronal autophagy.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of SIRT1 modulation on heroin addiction-like behavior and its possible biological mechanisms. Wild-type C57BL/6J and Sirt1loxp/loxp D1-Cre mice were used in this experiment, and Sirt1 loxp/loxp D1-Cre(-) mice were used as a control for conditional knockout mice. Mice were divided into saline control and heroin-dependent groups. Behavioral methods were used to record the withdrawal response, conditioned place preference (CPP) changes, and open field test results. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the structure of autophagosomes in nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons. The expression of SIRT1 and autophagy-related proteins and genes, such as LC3Ⅱ, ATG5 , and ATG7 , was detected in the NAc of each mouse group via western blot, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyzes, and immunofluorescence. The results of this experiment showed that compared with the saline group, mice in the wild-type heroin-dependent group showed marked withdrawal symptoms, with more autophagosomes observed in NAc via TEM. Compared with wild-type and Sirt1loxp/loxp D1-Cre(-) heroin-dependent groups, CPP formation was found to be reduced in the conditional knockout mouse group, with a significant decrease in spontaneous activity. Western blot, qPCR, and immunofluorescence results indicated that the expression of LC3Ⅱ, ATG-5, and ATG-7 was significantly reduced in the NAc of the Sirt1loxp/loxp D1-Cre(+) group. It was still, however, higher than that in the saline control group. These results suggest that inhibition of Sirt1 expression may prevent heroin-induced addiction-related behaviors via reducing D1 neuronal autophagy.