Choice Of Instruments Research Articles

Aim, Focus, Shoot. The Choice of Appropriate and Effective Macroprudential Instruments

Aim, Focus, Shoot. The Choice of Appropriate and Effective Macroprudential Instruments

Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer in intertemporal choice

Abstract We often forego a larger future reward in order to obtain a smaller reward immediately, known as impatient intertemporal choice. The current study investigated the role of Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) as a mechanism contributing to impatient intertemporal choice, following a theoretical framework proposing that cues associated with immediate gratification trigger a Pavlovian approach response, interfering with goal-directed (instrumental) inhibitory behavior. We developed a paradigm in which participants first learned to make instrumental go/no-go responses in order to win rewards and avoid punishments. Next, they learned the associations between Pavlovian cues and rewards varying in amount and delay. Finally, we tested whether these (task-irrelevant) cues exerted transfer effects by influencing instrumental actions while participants again completed the go/no-go task. Across two experiments, Pavlovian cues associated with larger (versus smaller) and immediate (versus delayed) rewards were evaluated more positively, reflecting the successful acquisition of Pavlovian cue–outcome associations. These findings replicated the previously reported classical transfer effect of reward amount on instrumental behavior, as large (versus smaller) cues increased instrumental approach. In contrast, we found no evidence for the hypothesized transfer effects for reward delay, contrary to the proposed role of PIT in impatient intertemporal choice. These results suggest that although both reward amount and delay were important in the evaluation of cues, only the amount associated with cues influenced instrumental choice. We provide concrete suggestions for future studies, addressing instrumental outcome identity, competition between cue–amount and cue–delay associations, and individual differences in response to Pavlovian cues.

Choice of Musical Instruments: Gender Differences

Current research has focused on gender as a conditioning factor in students’ study choices, highlighting the existence of gender stereotypes associated with these choice. The general objective of this article is to analyse if there are differences based on sex in the choice of musical instruments in music conservatories. The methodology used is quantitative. We have analysed the data on enrolment in the different instrumental specialities of two public music conservatories in Seville (Spain) at the three levels of music education: Basic, Professional and Higher Music Education. This article contrasts if there are instrumental specialities that are mostly chosen by one or the other sex, and to check if this sexual segregation has been produced by chance or can be explained by other causes. This investigation was carried out for a total of 4120 students from two different conservatories. The main conclusions of the study were the existence of feminized and masculinized instrumental families, and the relationship between the variables “students’ sex” and “instrumental families and musical specialities” was significant with a medium effect size. This research confirms that men and women choose the instruments that have traditionally been associated with their male or female roles respectively.

Mind the gap and close it: Regulating greenhouse gas emissions from deep-sea mining in the Area

Deep-sea mining (DSM) will be highly energy-intensive and produce myriad emissions, including greenhouse gases (GHG). By and large, the emissions arising from DSM activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction (‘The Area’) do not yet fall within the remit of any international agreement and are thus unregulated. To close this gap, two incisive steps need to be taken. First, States must decide under which international regime(s) they want to regulate GHG-emissions from DSM operations (forum choice). Second, they must select the means to mitigate emissions (instrument choice). Forum and instrument choice should be decided in tandem as forum choice tends to influence instrument choice and vice versa. We explore the various possibilities and argue that the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is the most suitable forum, as it could implement a harmonized and targeted approach for this unique sector. We recommend that the ISA commission a technical study to assess the amount of GHG emissions expected to arise from DSM activities in the Area and evaluate the costs and benefits of implementing and enforcing various policy instruments. Such an exercise is both urgently needed and timely, particularly as the ISA is currently formulating the rules for mineral exploitation.

Maximizers' Reactance to Algorithm-Recommended Options: The Moderating Role of Autotelic vs. Instrumental Choices.

The previous literature has provided mixed findings regarding whether consumers appreciate or are opposed to algorithms. The primary goal of this paper is to address these inconsistencies by identifying the maximizing tendency as a critical moderating variable. In Study 1, it was found that maximizers, individuals who strive for the best possible outcomes, exhibit greater reactance toward algorithm-recommended choices than satisficers, those who are satisfied with a good-enough option. This increased reactance also resulted in decreased algorithm adoption intention. Study 2 replicated and extended the findings from Study 1 by identifying the moderating role of choice goals. Maximizers are more likely to experience reactance to algorithm-recommended options when the act of choosing itself is intrinsically motivating and meaningful (i.e., autotelic choices) compared to when the decision is merely a means to an end (i.e., instrumental choices). The results of this research contribute to a nuanced understanding of how consumers with different decision-making styles navigate the landscape of choice in the digital age. Furthermore, it offers practical insights for firms that utilize algorithmic recommendations in their businesses.

Development of an adaptive test of musical scene analysis abilities for normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners

Auditory scene analysis (ASA) is the process through which the auditory system makes sense of complex acoustic environments by organising sound mixtures into meaningful events and streams. Although music psychology has acknowledged the fundamental role of ASA in shaping music perception, no efficient test to quantify listeners’ ASA abilities in realistic musical scenarios has yet been published. This study presents a new tool for testing ASA abilities in the context of music, suitable for both normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) individuals: the adaptive Musical Scene Analysis (MSA) test. The test uses a simple ‘yes–no’ task paradigm to determine whether the sound from a single target instrument is heard in a mixture of popular music. During the online calibration phase, 525 NH and 131 HI listeners were recruited. The level ratio between the target instrument and the mixture, choice of target instrument, and number of instruments in the mixture were found to be important factors affecting item difficulty, whereas the influence of the stereo width (induced by inter-aural level differences) only had a minor effect. Based on a Bayesian logistic mixed-effects model, an adaptive version of the MSA test was developed. In a subsequent validation experiment with 74 listeners (20 HI), MSA scores showed acceptable test–retest reliability and moderate correlations with other music-related tests, pure-tone-average audiograms, age, musical sophistication, and working memory capacities. The MSA test is a user-friendly and efficient open-source tool for evaluating musical ASA abilities and is suitable for profiling the effects of hearing impairment on music perception.

Matrix effects demystified: Strategies for resolving challenges in analytical separations of complex samples.

Matrix effects can significantly impede the accuracy, sensitivity, and reliability of separation techniques presenting a formidable challenge to the analytical process. It is crucial to address matrix effects to achieve accurate and precise measurements in complex matrices. The multifaceted nature of matrix effects which can be influenced by factors such as target analyte, sample preparation protocol, composition, and choice of instrument necessitates a pragmatic approach when analyzing complex matrices. This review aims to highlight common challenges associated with matrix effects throughout the entire analytical process with emphasis on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and sample preparation techniques. These techniques are susceptible to matrix effects that could lead to ion suppression/enhancement or impact the analyte signal at various stages of the analytical workflow. The assessment, quantification, and mitigation of matrix effects are necessary in developing any analytical method. Strategies can be implemented to reduce or eliminate the matrix effect by changing the type of ionization, improving extraction and clean-up methods, optimization of chromatography conditions, and corrective calibration methods. While development of an effective strategy to completely mitigate matrix effects remains elusive, an integrated approach that combines sample preparation, analytical extraction, and effective instrumental analysis remains the most promising avenue for identifying and resolving matrix effects.

Pain Assessment in Oral Medicine through Its Different Dimensions: A Comprehensive Review.

Orofacial pain is a complex experience made up of different features and involving various aspects of life. It has demonstrated a connection, especially when chronic, with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, through paths that still have not been completely clarified. A deep understanding of orofacial pain and its impact on an individual's life is critical for planning accurate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the components constituting the pain experience, its implications in an individual's life, the different tools for multidimensional pain assessment, and the specific applications for each tool. A comprehensive review was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Ninety-five studies, including observational studies, clinical trials, case-control studies, and case reports, were included and analyzed in this review. Orofacial pain assessment exploits several methods, ranging from clinical evaluation to rating scales, questionnaires, and daily diaries. The choice of the correct instrument requires an evaluation of the type of pain experienced, of the patient's characteristics and abilities to complete particular tasks, and finally, of the assessment tool features.

How Many Are Too Many? Analyzing Dockless Bike-Sharing Systems with a Parsimonious Model

Using a parsimonious model, this paper analyzes a dockless bike-sharing (DLB) service that competes with walking and a generic motorized mode. The DLB operator chooses a fleet size and a fare schedule that dictate the level of service (LOS) as measured by the access time or the walking time taken to reach the nearest bike location. The market equilibrium is formulated as a solution to a nonlinear equation system over which three counterfactual design problems are defined to maximize (i) profit, (ii) ridership, or (iii) social welfare. The model is calibrated with empirical data collected in Chengdu, China, and all three counterfactual designs are tested against the status quo. We show the LOS of a DLB system is subject to rapidly diminishing returns to the investment on the fleet. Thus, under the monopoly setting considered herein, the current fleet cap set by Chengdu can be cut by up to three quarters even when the DLB operator aims to maximize ridership. This indicates the city’s fleet cap decision might have been misguided by the prevailing conditions of a competitive yet highly inefficient market. For a regulator seeking to influence the DLB operator for social good, the choice of policy instruments depends on the operator’s objective. When the operator focuses on profit, limiting fare is much more effective than limiting fleet size. If, instead, it aims to grow market share, then setting a limit on fleet size becomes a dominant strategy. We also show, both analytically and numerically, that the ability to achieve a stable LOS with a low rebalancing frequency is critical to profitability. A lower rebalancing frequency always rewards users with cheaper fares and better LOS even for a profit-maximizing operator. Funding: This research was partially supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation [Grant CMMI 1922665] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 71971044]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0304 .

Marketing Strategy of Property Sector Crowdfunding Company of PT Esa Dana Unggul

The demand for housing needs in Indonesian society is still quite large and this is positively welcomed by housing developers to compete in providing the best housing for the community. From the data on available housing units above compared to the housing needs (backlog) by the community, there is still a very large gap. For example, the need for houses in West Java in 2021 is 2,638,153 units, while the available housing units in 2021 are only 11,115 units. In fulfilling the provision of residential houses, small and medium scale property developers need capital both for purchasing land and building units. This is where crowdfunding exists to help developers take advantage of opportunities to provide housing by supporting the availability of developer capital. From the investor side, Securities Crowdfunding is also a new alternative as a choice of investment instruments. The increase in the number of people who are aware of investment currently is also accompanied by an increasing number of investment instruments that are growing in society. Through the SCF scheme, investors and parties who need funding will be brought together through a digital-based platform or application. This is where property developers need capital and the desire of investors to look for investment instruments that are safe and with attractive investment profit sharing can be filled with the presence of SCF.Research method using STP and Marketing Mix (NICE and 4 P) strategies.Result This analysis can help the securities crowdfunding companies in property in Indonesia use their marketing strategy.

The emotional characteristics of bass drums, snares, and disengaged snares with different strokes and dynamics

Recent research has explored the emotional characteristics of pitched instruments and the voice. This study investigates the emotional characteristics of the unpitched bass drum, snare drum, and disengaged snare drum. The objective is to explore how the choice of instrument, drum strokes (e.g., single stroke and roll), and dynamics influence the perceived emotional characteristics. Listening tests were carried out with 46 participants, who provided absolute judgments on the sounds in terms of Valence and Arousal on a 5-point Likert scale, alongside the presence of 16 emotional categories: Agitated, Angry, Scary, Terrifying, Joyful, Playful, Slapstick, Exciting, Depressing, Spooky, Mysterious, Nervous, Calm, Gentle, Relaxed, and Peaceful. Data from the listening tests were analyzed using linear regression. Overall, the choice of instrument, drum strokes, and dynamics significantly and similarly influenced Arousal, whereas the choice of instrument had a much stronger effect on Valence than the other two. Specifically, the bass drum was strongly correlated with almost all negative emotions and inversely correlated with high-energy positive emotions. The type of drum strokes was relatively strongly correlated with low-energy positive categories and Agitated. Dynamics had a more secondary effect. These findings offer some detailed insights into how specific emotional characteristics are perceived for drums.

ANALYSIS AND SELECTION OF TOOLS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPLICATION WITH ELEMENTS OF AUGMENTED REALITY IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

The article includes review, analysis and selection of application development instruments with augmented reality elements. The object and subject of the study were identified as well. The assessment of the need in an application with elements of augmented reality in educational field was carried out by conducting a survey among students of higher educational institutions. Such tools as Vuforia, Tango, ARCore, ARKit were observed. Instruments for development of the application in order to choose a suitable one to integrate augmented reality technology, for. ex. Unity 3D, Unreal Engine. Instruments of 3D model design and illustrations were also analyzed. for ex. Blender 3D, 3Ds Max. Advantages and disadvantages of every kind of application are considered, that allows to justify the choice of instruments for development of the application with augmented reality elements in the educational field.

Using different acceptance measures: The interplay of evolution acceptance, evolution understanding, and religious belief among German preservice biology teachers, secondary school students, and creationists

AbstractEvolution understanding is often positively connected with magnitudes of evolution acceptance, whereas religiosity mostly interferes negatively. However, comparisons between studies and countries must be treated cautiously due to the diversity of used instruments and samples. This study aims to generate new evidence concerning the interplay of evolution acceptance, evolution understanding, and religious belief by comparing the results of preservice biology teachers, school students, and self‐identified creationists answering several acceptance instruments (i.e., ATEVO, GAENE, I‐SEA, and MATE) while using the same measurement for understanding and belief. Results of our regression analysis indicate that belief and understanding were significant predictors but often diminished after including the interaction term of belief and understanding. When gender is included in the model, this variable is often significant. The interaction term of belief and understanding was only significant for two instruments in the group of school students. For the creationists, gender appeared as the essential term. While relationship patterns of preservice biology teachers seldom seem to be impacted by the choice of acceptance instruments (at least in correlations and regressions using only belief and understanding), this is not true for our school students and creationists. Our findings indicate that the magnitude of understanding may not mutually be the exclusive factor for (non‐)acceptance. Other factors, such as gender or religiosity, might be more prominent in people's attitudes toward (controversial) topics. Our study creates new insights into the interplay of acceptance, understanding, and belief, and we encourage researchers to carefully consider their choice of instruments.

Divided Government, Strategic Substitution, and Presidential Unilateralism

AbstractPresidents select from a range of instruments when creating new policies through executive action. We study strategic substitution in this context and argue that presidents use less visible means of unilateral instruments when Congress is likely to scrutinize presidential action. Using data on unilateral orders issued between 1946 and 2020, we report two main findings. First, analyzing presidents’ choice of instruments, we show that presidents are more likely to substitute memoranda and other less visible instruments for executive orders and proclamations during periods of divided government. Second, after accounting for the substitution of executive orders with other instruments, we find that presidents issue greater numbers of directives during divided government than during unified government. These findings provide new evidence about the limitations of the separation of powers as a constraint on presidential unilateralism and highlight the importance of accounting for the variety of instruments through which presidents create unilateral policies.

Market-Based Instruments for Environmental Management: A Comparative Analysis

Market-Based Instruments (MBIs) have emerged as effective tools for environmental management, aiming to align economic decisions with environmental goals through the application of market principles and economic incentives. This paper presents a comprehensive review and comparative analysis of different MBIs, including Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS), Environmental Taxes, Subsidies and Grants, Tradable Permits, and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES). The analysis examines the characteristics, effectiveness, and implications of each instrument, drawing insights from case studies and scholarly literature. Findings reveal that ETS and environmental taxes directly target emissions, while subsidies and grants promote environmentally friendly activities. Tradable permits enable efficient resource management, and PES programs compensate for the maintenance of ecosystem services. The choice of instrument depends on the specific context and environmental challenges, with a combination of instruments offering comprehensive environmental management strategies. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners in designing effective environmental policies and contributes to the ongoing dialogue in the field of environmental economics.

Multiparametric Monitoring System of Mt. Melbourne Volcano (Victoria Land, Antarctica).

Volcano monitoring is the key approach in mitigating the risks associated with volcanic phenomena. Although Antarctic volcanoes are characterized by remoteness, the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption and the 2022 Hunga eruption have reminded us that even the farthest and/or least-known volcanoes can pose significant hazards to large and distant communities. Hence, it is important to also develop monitoring systems in the Antarctic volcanoes, which involves installing and maintaining multiparametric instrument networks. These tasks are particularly challenging in polar regions as the instruments have to face the most extreme climate on the Earth, characterized by very low temperatures and strong winds. In this work, we describe the multiparametric monitoring system recently deployed on the Melbourne volcano (Victoria Land, Antarctica), consisting of seismic, geochemical and thermal sensors together with powering, transmission and acquisition systems. Particular strategies have been applied to make the monitoring stations efficient despite the extreme weather conditions. Fumarolic ice caves, located on the summit area of the Melbourne volcano, were chosen as installation sites as they are protected places where no storm can damage the instruments and temperatures are close to 0 °C all year round. In addition, the choice of instruments and their operating mode has also been driven by the necessity to reduce energy consumption. Indeed, one of the most complicated tasks in Antarctica is powering a remote instrument year-round. The technological solutions found to implement the monitoring system of the Melbourne volcano and described in this work can help create volcano monitoring infrastructures in other polar environments.

Choice of bead-beater instrument can result in significant differences in the outcome of host-associated microbiome studies

Background: Accurate assessment of the abundance and composition of microbial assemblages in a complex environmental sample depends on the successful lysis of microbial cells, for which bead-beating is typically used. In this study, we compared two commonly used bead beaters, FastPrep and the Bead Ruptor Elite, for their ability to lyse the eastern-oyster-associated bacterial communities over three different time points. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from homogenized oyster samples using two different lysis equipment: the MSP FastPrep and the Bead Ruptor Elite. The V4-V5 variable regions of microbial small subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes were PCR-amplified and sequenced using Illumina Miseq, obtained sequences were bioinformatically processed using QIIME2 and the MicrobiomeAnalyst pipeline. Results: We found that the oyster samples were mostly populated by Proteobacteria phyla, regardless of lysis method. Additionally, the samples isolated by the FastPrep lysis method also harbored Firmicutes and Bacteroidota, which were not identified in the samples treated with the Bead Ruptor Elite lysis equipment. Differences were more obvious at the genus level, such that Delftia genus dominated at 80-85% when the lysis was performed using the FastPrep method. Conversely, 80-90% of the microbial abundances in the Bead Ruptor Elite-treated samples belonged to Burkholderia spp. Diversity and evenness estimates revealed that the FastPrep-treated samples were 40% more diverse and 70% more evenly distributed relative to the Bead Ruptor Elite method. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) led to a distinct separation of the bacterial communities retrieved from the two lysis methods. Conclusions: Overall, this study shows that two different lysis protocols can yield significantly different microbial taxa from the same sample; thus, researchers need to be cognizant of DNA extraction process being followed for metagenomics studies, especially those that involve host tissues containing high amounts of mucous and other PCR inhibitory materials.

Financing the green transition. The role of macro-economic policies in ensuring a just transition

The transition to a green economy requires significant resources, both from private investors and public policy makers with important implications for employment and living standards. This paper argues that green macro-economic policies are essential in accelerating the transition through three channels: they can strengthen the price signals from externality pricing; they can mobilize additional public and hybrid funding for green transition projects; and they can soften the social and labor market impact of the transition for those workers currently still employed in polluting industries. The paper provides an overview of the main fiscal, monetary and financial market policies that can help provide the necessary fund for a successful transition. It highlights different trade-offs regarding instrument choice and policy outcomes, notably regarding the need to achieve a transition that is both ecological and socially sustainable. We provide an overview of current policy choices and document their economic, social and ecological outcomes. In particular, we demonstrate that the proper use of price regulation and financial instruments—carbon taxes, cap-and-trade schemes, green bonds, nature-based capital—can mobilize additional resources that can be usefully invested to ensure a socially just transition.

Robotic Anterior Resection for Rectosigmoid Colon Cancer using Single Port Access.

Single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) and a robotic surgical system have recently been included in contemporary colorectal surgical practice. 1-4 SPLS may result in better cosmetic outcomes, reduced postoperative incisional pain, fewer incisional hernias, minimal organ damage, and fewer wound complications. 2,5 However, SPLS for left-sided colorectal cancer is a challenging technique, even for experienced laparoscopic colorectal surgeons, owing to the difficulty of constructing instrument triangulation and using endo-staplers in the pelvic cavity from a single umbilical port with adequate distal margins. The Da Vinci Si Single-Site ® system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) was specifically developed to overcome SPLS limitations. Since the robotic instruments are crossed at the port site, but the software "reassigns" them to the surgeon's hand on the robotic console, the platform can easily create instrument triangulation while minimizing external robotic arm collisions. 6-8 Due to the lack of wrist articulation, the limited range of motion of the semi-rigid robotic instruments, and the limited choice of instruments, the Single-Site ® platform has not yet been widely utilized for colorectal diseases. A novel robotic technique, the da Vinci SP ® system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), was designed for single-site surgery. This platform has a robotic arm with a high degree of freedom that is introduced directly into the peritoneal cavity through a single incision. The benefits of the single-port da Vinci robot platform include a holographic display of the instrument location, wristed articulation and flexible elbows, a console-controlled camera, and three-dimensional optics. This robotic system for single-port access can perform lymph node dissection around the inferior mesenteric artery using 4-arm wrist articulation while preserving the autonomic nerves during left-sided colorectal cancer surgery.

Peculiarities of civil law protection of honor, dignity and business reputation on the internet as objects of the right of an individual to information regarding himself

The article defines the concept of information about an individual as an object of civil rights. The author analyzes the state of legislative regulation of the relationship between the concepts of “personal information” and “personal data”. The basic principles of information relations are highlighted. The issues of the right to privacy in the context of technological progress and digitalization are outlined.The author examines and analyzes a whole range of controversial issues which arise for both civil theorists and practicing lawyers and attorneys-at-law (barristers) on the issues of protection of honor, dignity, and business reputation of individuals on the Internet, including the grounds for legal relations around protection of an individual’s honor, dignity, and business reputation. The article provides a general overview of the conceptual framework and theoretical foundations of the legal definition of honor, dignity, and business reputation of an individual. Particular attention is paid to the issue of defining negative and unreliable information, as well as the legal nature of the appearance and dissemination of such information on the Internet. Also, author research the conceptual foundations of the mechanism of protection of individual’s rights to honor, dignity, and business reputation. The author also pays attention to identifying the shortcomings of the legal regulation of the protection of these rights.The article highlights the specifics of practical issues arising for an individual who is trying to protect personal non-property rights to honor, dignity, and business reputation, which are violated because of posting information on the Internet which, in the individual’s opinion, is not unreliable. To this end, author has reviewed and analyzed several different court decisions (cases) of various instances (from local courts up to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights).The author makes a logical and consistent conclusion that such legal categories as honor, dignity and business reputation belong to the objects of the right of an individual to information regarding himself. The author offers general recommendations on the choice of legal instruments and methods for protecting an individual’s honor, dignity, and business reputation on the Internet.