Length Of Delay Research Articles

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Infectious Keratitis Outcomes: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Tertiary Eye Hospitals of South India.

The purpose of this study was to report the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical outcomes of infectious keratitis in South India. Two hundred fifty-eight patients presented with infectious keratitis at 6 tertiary care centers when strict travel restrictions were in place from March 24 to May 31, 2020. Case records were collected retrospectively and analyzed for demographics, type of initial treatment, length of delay in presentation, microbiological diagnosis, clinical course, and final treatment outcome. The mean age of the patients was 49.2 years, with most of them (61.2%) being male. Forty-one patients (15.9%) did not receive any treatment for at least a week after the onset of symptoms. One hundred eight patients (41.9%) presented with severe ulcer (32 had a frank perforation). Resolution of the infection was achieved only in 103 patients (45.6%). A total of 90 patients (39.8%) with ulcers had a perforation, yet only 29 patients (32.2%) could receive keratoplasty because of the unavailability of donor tissues. At the end of 6-month follow-up, 47 patients had anatomical failure (loss of globe) and 12 additional patients had functional failure (total permanent vision loss). Delay in presentation and acute shortage of donor corneal tissues for emergency keratoplasty because of the COVID-19 pandemic had a grave impact, resulting in irreversible blindness in a significant number of patients.

Testing for Activation in Data from FMRI Experiments

The traditional method for processing functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) data is based on a voxel-wise, general linear model. For experiments conducted using a block design, where periods of activation are interspersed with periods of rest, a haemodynamic response function (HRF) is convolved with the design function and, for each voxel, the convolution is regressed on prewhitened data. An initial analysis of the data often involves computing voxel-wise two-sample t-tests, which avoids a direct specification of the HRF. Assuming only the length of the haemodynamic delay is known, scans acquired in transition periods between activation and rest are omitted, and the two-sample t-test is used to compare mean levels during activation versus mean levels during rest. However, the validity of the two-sample t-test is based on the assumption that the data are Gaussian with equal variances. In this article, we consider the Wilcoxon rank test as well as modified versions of the classical t-test that correct for departures from these assumptions. The relative performance of the tests are assessed by applying them to simulated data and comparing their size and power; one of the modified tests (the CW test) is shown to be superior.

Understanding treatment delay: Perceived barriers preventing treatment-seeking for eating disorders.

Only a small proportion of individuals with an eating disorder will receive targeted treatment for their illness. The aim of this study was to examine the length of delay to treatment-seeking and determine the barriers preventing earlier access and utilisation of eating disorder treatment for each diagnostic group - anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified feeding or eating disorder. Participants were recruited as part of the TrEAT multi-phase consortium study. One hundred and nineteen Australians (13-60 years; 96.9% female) with eating disorders currently accessing outpatient treatment for their illness completed an online survey comprised of self-report measures of eating disorder severity, treatment delay and perceived barriers to treatment-seeking. The treating clinician for each participant also provided additional information (e.g. body mass index and diagnosis). Overall, the average length of delay between onset of eating disorder symptoms and treatment-seeking was 5.28 years. Controlling for age, latency to treatment-seeking was significantly longer for individuals with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder compared to anorexia nervosa. However, when perceived barriers to treatment-seeking were investigated, there were no significant differences between the diagnostic groups in regard to the perceived barriers they experienced. Stigma was rated as the most impactful barrier for each diagnostic group. Findings suggest that individuals with eating disorders face substantial delays in accessing appropriate treatment and that latency to treatment-seeking is often magnified for counter-stereotypical eating disorder presentations. Further research is required to investigate other factors contributing to this delay.

Remembering to remember: prospective memory in children with epilepsy

ABSTRACT Prospective memory, the ability to remember to perform an intended act in the future, is a complex process that involves several stages and cognitive domains. This study sought to investigate prospective memory functioning in children with idiopathic epilepsy using tasks from the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test for Children (RBMT-C) and the Memory for Intentions Screening Test for Youth (MISTY). Performances on prospective memory task characteristics of the MISTY (i.e., cue-type, length of time delay, and response type) were also compared between and across participant groups. Healthy children (N = 26) were found to have higher overall IQ and verbal IQ scores when compared to children with epilepsy (N = 19). Group differences in prospective memory functioning were found in subtests of the RBMT-C but not on the MISTY. Lastly, while there was no significant interaction effect between the groups and MISTY task characteristics, main effects were found across participant groups; all participants performed better on event-based tasks when compared to time-based tasks and on two-minute when compared to 10-minute time delays. Overall, findings suggest potential differences in cognitive functioning, particularly in IQ and prospective memory, in children with idiopathic epilepsy, though due to differences in findings across prospective memory tasks, further research is warranted to more definitively ascertain the extent, if any, of prospective memory deficits in children with epilepsy.

The Impact of COVID-19 – Delayed Elective Sports Surgery on Young Patients

Objectives:The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the US healthcare system in unprecedented ways. As a response to the spread of the virus, elective surgeries throughout the country have been canceled, in an effort to minimize further transmission. To our knowledge, the effects of delayed surgeries on patients have not been investigated. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and psychological consequences of elective surgery delays on young sports medicine patients.Methods:We conducted a cross sectional study of patients, ages 10-25 years old, who had sports medicine surgery delayed between March and May 2020 due to the COVID crisis. All patients were still awaiting surgery at the time of the initial survey. Electronic surveys were sent to patients and included the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which yields a physical component score (SF12-PCS) as well as a mental component score (SF12-MCS), the PROMIS Psychological Stress Experience survey (PROMIS-PSE), and self-designed questions about patient concerns regarding the COVID crisis and delayed surgery. A higher score on SF-12 subscales signifies better health, whereas a higher score on the PSE indicates more psychological stress. Scores that deviate significantly from a mean of 50 indicate a difference from the general population norm.Results:Of the 146 eligible patients with delayed elective sports surgeries, 89 patients (61%) elected to participate (mean age 17.7±2.9 years, 30% male). The median length of surgical delay was 36 days (range 9-54), and 79% of patients were awaiting surgery on the lower extremity. Delayed surgery patients scored significantly lower than population norms on the SF12-PCS (mean 39.4, CI 36.8-42.1, p<0.001). Males scored significantly higher than females on the SF12-MCS (53 vs 45.1, p=0.003), but the overall mean was not significantly different from the general population (47.2, p=0.08). The mean PSE score was significantly higher than population norms (57.9, CI 56.3-59.6, p<0.001), but did not differ by age or sex. Those with a history of mental health conditions reported higher PROMIS-PSE scores compared to those without (61.2 vs 56.9 p=0.02). Patients who reported being extremely concerned about their surgical delay had lower scores on the SF-PCS and SF-MCS, and higher scores on the PROMIS-PSE (p=0.03, p=0.01, and p<0.001 respectively), suggesting more significant physical and emotional symptoms. The majority of patients indicated that their physical and emotional symptoms were attributed mostly to their injury awaiting surgery, with patients reporting a median 50% attribution (IQR, 32-75%), compared to attributions for COVID or other concerns. The biggest concern with COVID-related surgical delays was a concern about not being back in time for a sports season.Conclusions:Young sports medicine patients reported significant physical and emotional symptoms associated with COVID-related surgical delays. Patients were most concerned about delays resulting in missed sport seasons. Those who reported greater levels of concern with surgical delays demonstrated lower physical and mental health scores and higher levels of psychological stress. The physical and psychological impact of surgical delays should be considered when caring for young athletes.

Costly mating delays drive female ornamentation in a capital breeder

Abstract How fecundity might be traded off with mate attraction and other aspects of reproduction in females remains poorly understood. We investigated these allocation trade‐offs using the common glowworm (Lampyris noctiluca), a lampyrid beetle, in which flightless, sedentary females only use resources gathered during the larval stage to attract flying males by glowing. While sexual signaling was not found to have a significant fecundity cost, a delay in successfully attracting a mate greatly increased the risk of reproductive failure, with fecundity losses being more severe in small females. These findings are among the first to show that failure to quickly attract a mate can decrease female fecundity. The results also show how the length of delay before mating can drive the evolution of female sexual ornamentation.

Patient concerns and disruptions in cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

e18716 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has uniquely impacted the lives of people with cancer, but the specifics of these impacts are not fully understood. We examined: 1) the impact of COVID-19 on cancer-related health care, and 2) patients’ most prominent COVID-related concerns. Methods: From Sept-Dec 2020, 502 cancer patients completed an online survey about disruptions in cancer-related health care (types and causes of disruptions and length of health care delays). COVID-related concerns (e.g., accessing basic and medical needs, financial concerns, psychosocial impact) were assessed via 25 items rated not at all to extremely concerning, or not applicable. Group differences were examined with Pearson Chi-Square. Sample: 75% women, 82% White, age range 20-88 years (M = 60, SD = 12.1); 61% in remission, 16% experiencing cancer relapse, 13% experiencing cancer for the first time; current stage: 40% metastatic, 25% localized, 35% no stage/don’t know; time since diagnosis range 0-36 years (M = 8.8, SD = 7.0); primary cancer diagnoses: 29% breast, 27% blood cancers, 6% prostate, 5% lung, 5% colorectal, and 28% other; 47% currently in treatment. 49% were tested for COVID-19, 3% tested positive. Results: 40% (n = 200) reported a disruption in cancer-related health care: of these, 34% reported disruption in imaging services, 30% lab service, 26% routine screening, 25% supportive services, 12% treatment session (including 46% chemotherapy, 13% radiation, 13% hormone therapy, 4% surgery), and 14% other disruption, with 10% reporting delay in cancer diagnosis. Nearly half with care delays reported a delay of 2-3 months (18%) or 3+ months (30%), with 3+ months delays occurring most often for routine screenings (40%) and supportive services (37%). Primary causes for disruptions included clinicians recommending the delay (46%) and patient fear of contracting COVID-19 via in person care (31%). The top 3 areas of COVID-19-related concerns ( somewhat to extremely concerned) were: 1) others not following safety recommendations e.g., wearing masks (85%), 2) getting COVID-19 due to a weakened immune system (76%), and 3) worrying about loved ones’ health (73%). Those in remission less frequently experienced delay in care (35%) than those with first time cancer (50%) or relapse (51%, χ2= 10.5, p &lt; .05), and those in current treatment more frequently experienced delay in care (44%) than those not in treatment (36%, χ2= 3.5, p &lt; .10). Conclusions: Findings highlight the substantial impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, across various forms of care needs and health services. Patients experiencing cancer for the first time, a cancer relapse, or those undergoing treatment reported high levels of delays, with many delays in excess of 3 months. Given the unique impact of COVID-19 to cancer patients, these results highlight opportunities for care service delivery improvements as the health care community navigates competing priorities of patient safety and care quality.

A hybrid stochastic differential reinsurance and investment game with bounded memory

This paper investigates a hybrid stochastic differential reinsurance and investment game between one reinsurer and two insurers, including a stochastic Stackelberg differential subgame and a non-zero-sum stochastic differential subgame. The reinsurer, as the leader of the Stackelberg game, can price reinsurance premium and invest her wealth in a financial market that contains a risk-free asset and a risky asset which is described by the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) model. The two insurers, as the followers of the Stackelberg game, can purchase proportional reinsurance from the reinsurer and invest in the same financial market. The competitive relationship between two insurers is modeled by the non-zero-sum game, and their decision-making will consider the relative performance measured by the difference in their terminal wealth. The bounded memory feature is characterized by the wealth process with delay. The purpose of the reinsurer is to maximize the expected utility of her own terminal wealth with delay. The two insurers aim to maximize the expected utility of the combination of her terminal wealth and the relative performance with delay. By using the idea of backward induction and the dynamic programming approach, we derive the equilibrium strategy and value functions explicitly. Then, we provide the corresponding verification theorem. Finally, some numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are presented to demonstrate the effects of model parameters on the equilibrium strategy. We find the delay factor discourages or stimulates investment depending on the length of delay. Moreover, competitive factors between two insurers make their optimal reinsurance-investment strategy interact, and reduce reinsurance demand and reinsurance premium price.

Environmentally triggered shifts in steelhead migration behavior and consequences for survival in the mid-Columbia River.

The majority of Columbia River summer-run steelhead encounter high river temperatures (near or > 20°C) during their spawning migration. While some steelhead pass through the mid-Columbia River in a matter of days, others use tributary habitats as temperature refuges for periods that can last months. Using PIT tag detection data from adult return years 2004-2016, we fit 3-component mixture models to differentiate between "fast", "slow", and "overwintering" migration behaviors in five aggregated population groups. Fast fish migrated straight through the reach on average in ~7-9 days while slow fish delayed their migration for weeks to months, and overwintering fish generally took ~150-250 days. We then fit covariate models to examine what factors contributed to the probability of migration delay during summer months (slow or overwintering behaviors), and to explore how migration delay related to mortality. Finally, to account for the impact of extended residence times in the reach for fish that delayed, we compared patterns in estimated average daily rates of mortality between migration behaviors and across population groups. Results suggest that migration delay was primarily triggered by high river temperatures but temperature thresholds for delay were lowest just before the seasonal peak in river temperatures. While all populations groups demonstrated these general patterns, we documented substantial variability in temperature thresholds and length of average delays across population groups. Although migration delay was related to higher reach mortality, it was also related to lower average daily mortality rates due to the proportional increase in reach passage duration being larger than the associated increase in mortality. Lower daily mortality rates suggest that migration delay could help mitigate the impacts of harsh migration conditions, presumably through the use of thermal refuges, despite prolonged exposure to local fisheries. Future studies tracking individual populations from their migration through reproduction could help illuminate the full extent of the tradeoffs between different migration behaviors.

Neural representations of the amount and the delay time of reward in intertemporal decision making.

Numerous studies have examined the neural substrates of intertemporal decision‐making, but few have systematically investigated separate neural representations of the two attributes of future rewards (i.e., the amount of the reward and the delay time). More importantly, no study has used the novel analytical method of representational connectivity analysis (RCA) to map the two dimensions' functional brain networks at the level of multivariate neural representations. This study independently manipulated the amount and delay time of rewards during an intertemporal decision task. Both univariate and multivariate pattern analyses showed that brain activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) and lateral frontal pole cortex (LFPC) was modulated by the amount of rewards, whereas brain activity in the DMPFC and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was modulated by the length of delay. Moreover, representational similarity analysis (RSA) revealed that even for the regions of the DMPFC that overlapped between the two dimensions, they manifested distinct neural activity patterns. In terms of individual differences, those with large delay discounting rates (k) showed greater DMPFC and LFPC activity as the amount of rewards increased but showed lower DMPFC and DLPFC activity as the delay time increased. Lastly, RCA suggested that the topological metrics (i.e., global and local efficiency) of the functional connectome subserving the delay time dimension inversely predicted individual discounting rate. These findings provide novel insights into neural representations of the two attributes in intertemporal decisions, and offer a new approach to construct task‐based functional brain networks whose topological properties are related to impulsivity.

Delay feedback stabilisation of stochastic differential equations driven by G-Brownian motion

This paper aims to design the feedback control based on past states to stabilise a class of nonlinear stochastic differential equations driven by G-Brownian motion. By building up the connection between the delay feedback control and the control function of no-delay, sufficient conditions are established in terms of size of the time delay ensuring both the pth moment exponential stability and quasi-surely exponential stability of the delay feedback controlled system. Moreover, methods for determining the upper bound of the length of the time delay and further designing the delay feedback controller are provided. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate our new theory.

The continued influence effect: Examining how age, retraction, and delay impact inferential reasoning

SummaryResearch suggests exposure to misinformation continues to impact belief and reasoning, even if that misinformation has been corrected (referred to as the Continued Influence Effect, CIE). The proposed experiment explores two potentially important factors that may impact the effect: (a) learner age and (b) length of delay between retraction and final test. During initial learning, participants (both young and older adults) will read six scenarios in which a critical piece of misinformation is either retracted or not retracted. Following no delay, a short (10 min) delay, or a long (2 days) delay, participants will then answer inferential reasoning questions about the previously‐studied scenarios to evaluate how (if at all) the prior retraction impacts reliance on misinformation. Outcomes will better help us to understand the ways in which misinformation (even following retraction) impacts reasoning, an issue of exceeding importance as the proliferation of fake news shows no signs of slowing.

An ecologically valid examination of event-based and time-based prospective memory using immersive virtual reality: the effects of delay and task type on everyday prospective memory

ABSTRACT Recent research has focused on assessing either event- or time-based prospective memory (PM) using laboratory tasks. Yet, the findings pertaining to PM performance on laboratory tasks are often inconsistent with the findings on corresponding naturalistic experiments. Ecologically valid neuropsychological tasks resemble the complexity and cognitive demands of everyday tasks, offer an adequate level of experimental control, and allow a generalisation of the findings to everyday performance. The Virtual Reality Everyday Assessment Lab (VR-EAL), an immersive virtual reality neuropsychological battery with enhanced ecological validity, was implemented to comprehensively assess everyday PM (i.e., focal and non-focal event-based, and time-based). The effects of the length of delay between encoding and initiating the PM intention and the type of PM task on everyday PM performance were examined. The results revealed that everyday PM performance was affected by the length of delay rather than the type of PM task. The effect of the length of delay differentially affected performance on the focal, non-focal, and time-based tasks and was proportional to the PM cue focality (i.e., semantic relationship with the intended action). This study also highlighted methodological considerations such as the differentiation between functioning and ability, distinction of cue attributes, and the necessity of ecological validity.

Evaluation of the PETsys TOFPET2 ASIC in multi-channel coincidence experiments

BackgroundAiming to measure the difference in arrival times of two coincident γ-photons with an accuracy in the order of 200ps, time-of-flight positron emission tomography systems commonly employ silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) and high-resolution digitization electronics, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). This work evaluates the performance of the TOFPET2 ASIC, released by PETsys Electronics S.A. in 2017, dependent on its configuration parameters in multi-channel coincidence measurements.MethodsSiPM arrays fabricated by different vendors (KETEK, SensL, Hamamatsu, Broadcom) were tested in combination with the ASIC. Scintillator arrays featuring different reflector designs and different configurations of the TOFPET2 ASIC software parameters were evaluated. The benchtop setup used is provided with the TOFPET2 ASIC evaluation kit by PETsys Electronics S.A.ResultsCompared to existing studies featuring the TOFPET2 ASIC, multi-channel performance results dependent on a larger set of ASIC configuration parameters were obtained that have not been reported to this extend so far. The ASIC shows promising CRTs down to 219.9 ps in combination with two Hamamatsu S14161-3050-HS-08 SiPM arrays (128 channels read out, energy resolution 13.08%) and 216.1 ps in combination with two Broadcom AFBR-S4N44P643S SiPM arrays (32 channels read out, energy resolution 9.46%). The length of the trigger delay of the dark count suppression scheme has an impact on the ASIC performance and can be configured to further improve the coincidence resolution time. The integrator gain configuration has been investigated and allows an absolute improvement of the energy resolution by up to 1% at the cost of the linearity of the energy spectrum.ConclusionMeasuring up to the time-of-flight performance of state-of-the-art positron emission tomography (ToF-PET) systems while providing a uniform and stable readout for multiple channels at the same time, the TOFPET2 ASIC is treated as promising candidate for the integration in future ToF-PET systems.

Factors associated with delay in seeking treatment among women with pelvic organ prolapse at selected general and referral hospitals of Southern Ethiopia, 2020

BackgroundPelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descent of the vaginal wall, cervix, uterus, bladder, and rectum downward into the vaginal canal. Its prevalence is higher among women in developing countries because women are more prone to risk factors. In Ethiopia, women with prolapse seek treatments at advanced stages of prolapse; hence, surgical management has been widely practicing. Therefore, it was found to be very important to conduct research that assesses factors hindering early treatments in Southern Ethiopia. This study aimed to find out factors associated with the delay in seeking treatment of pelvic organ prolapse among patients at selected general and referral hospitals of Southern Ethiopia.MethodsCross-sectional study design was employed in 123 participants of seven randomly selected General and Referral Hospitals of Southern Ethiopia from February 01 to April 30, 2020, by using a structured questionnaire. Pre-trained two midwives in each center were deployed to collect data. Physicians performed diagnosis and physical examination. Data were entered and coded using EPI INFO version 7 and exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. The goodness of fit was assessed by using the Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness test.ResultsIn this study, out of 123 clinically diagnosed POP cases, nearly half of them were stage III, and over one-third were stage IV. Therefore, 84.6% (104 participants) of the respondents were delayed for the treatment of POP. The mean length of delay for POP treatments was 36.41 ± 3.95 months. After adjusting for covariates, lack of supports [AOR (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 5.2 (95% CI 1.4–19.5)], low-income [AOR = 5.8 (95% CI 1.1–19.66)], and fear of social stigma [AOR = 4.7 (95% CI 1.2–18.59)] were significant factors for delayed treatments.ConclusionsMost of the POP patients were delayed for POP treatments. Factors like lack of support, low-income, and fear of losing social value/stigma were associated with treatment delay. Screening for the POP cases, educating (making awareness) the community about this devastating disease to facilitate early treatment and to avoid social stigma, and raising access to treatment by making the nearby hospitals equipped with facilities to treat POP are recommended.

Analysis of an HIV - HCV simultaneous infection model with time delay

A novel mathematical delay model for simultaneous infection of HIV and hepatitis C virus is formulated and dynamically analyzed. Basic properties of the model are established and proved. Basic reproductive threshold is systematically calculated as the maximum of three subthreshold parameters. A disease free equilibrium is determined to be globally asymptotically stable for all values of the delay when the threshold is less than unity. However, when the threshold is greater than one, endemic equilibrium emerged which is shown to be locally asymptotically stable for any length of delay. Although the delay has no effect on stabilities of equilibria points, however, it is found to reduce the infectivity of the viruses as the length of the delay is increased. Epidemiological interpretations of the results and numerical simulations illustrating them are given.

Competition and Firm Service Reliability Decisions: A Study of the Airline Industry

To understand the impact of competition on organizational service reliability decisions, this study investigates whether firms in the airline industry consider competitors’ actions when making their service reliability decisions. Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics on flight cancellation rates and average length of flight delays, the authors use two complementary approaches, a simultaneous equation model and a discrete game framework, to examine competitive influence on firm decisions on the level of service reliability. The authors find that competitive effects are asymmetric and differ by the type of firm and its competitors—full-service versus low-cost airlines—as well by level of market concentration. The authors show that internal initiatives, such as on-time bonuses, can substantially improve service reliability but require the firm to account for competitive reactions. Ignoring competitive effects leads to an overestimation of the impact of these programs on service reliability levels.

Successful Closed Reduction of Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation in Children-A Retrospective Study of 30 Patients.

Study Design:Retrospective cohort study.Objectives:To review our treatment experience and to investigate the process of this disease.Methods:Clinical data of AARF patients, who received closed reduction, was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the length of delay (Group I: 1 month ≤ delayed time < 3 months), Group II (delayed time < 1 months). The correlation between the length of delayed time and clinical recovery (CR), radiological recovery (RR), and total recovery time were measured. The atlantodental interval (ADI), lateral mass-dens interval (LDI) and lateral joint space (LJS) were compared at admission and final follow-up.Results:30 children (12 girls and 18 boys) with AARF had received conservative treatment. The mean age at initial treatment was 8.13-year-old, ranging from 5 to 14. The mean follow-up time was 26.93 months (range, 6-87 months). The average length of delayed time was 28.53 days (range, 2-80 days). When the LDI, LJS, and ADI differences are compared at admission and the final visit, the differences are reduced significantly on LDI and LJS. A positive correlation is observed between the length of the delay and CR time and total recovery time (r = 0.63, p = 0.00 and r = 0.47, p = 0.01) respectively.Conclusions:Pediatric AARF patients who have a delay time < 3 months can be treated with closed reduction successfully. The longer the delayed time, the longer the traction time, but the cervical collar time is almost the same. The LDI and LJS on the anteroposterior of X-rays are convenient to estimate the progress of this condition during the treatment.

Sudden Chest Pain Due to Esophageal Intramural Dissection

Sudden Chest Pain Due to Esophageal Intramural Dissection

A Self‐Control Choice Paradigm Including Loss of Rewards: Effects of Amount of Experience of Larger‐Later Outcomes and Social Comparison Information1

AbstractThis study investigated whether factors that have been shown to affect self‐control choice in prior studies can also influence human self‐control choice in the “smaller‐sooner loss/larger‐later gain–smaller‐sooner gain/larger‐later loss (Sl/Lg–Sg/Ll) paradigm”. Two experiments were conducted among Japanese undergraduate students to examine the effects of the length of delay and amount of experience of larger‐later gains and losses (Experiment 1) and social comparison information (Experiment 2) on self‐control choice. Self‐control choice became more frequent as the amount of experience of larger‐later gains and losses increased and became more frequent with social comparison information. These results suggest that the amount of experience of larger‐later outcomes and availability of social comparison information promote self‐control choice.