Preference Measures Research Articles

At the Risk of Loss: Experimental Evidence on the Discriminant (In-) Validity of Self-Reported Measures of Risk Preferences

At the Risk of Loss: Experimental Evidence on the Discriminant (In-) Validity of Self-Reported Measures of Risk Preferences

Financial literacy, experimental preference measures and field behavior: A randomized educational intervention

Financial literacy, experimental preference measures and field behavior: A randomized educational intervention

Financial Literacy, Experimental Preference Measures and Field Behavior – a Randomized Educational Intervention

Financial Literacy, Experimental Preference Measures and Field Behavior – a Randomized Educational Intervention

A Revealed Preference Measure of Pairwise Stability in Networks

A Revealed Preference Measure of Pairwise Stability in Networks

Financial Literacy, Experimental Preference Measures and Field Behavior – a Randomized Educational Intervention

Financial Literacy, Experimental Preference Measures and Field Behavior – a Randomized Educational Intervention

Dynamic Preference Learning for Complex Cobotic Tasks

In complex tasks requiring robots to collaborate with multiple human users for successful human-robot interaction, it is essential to capture user preferences in the control design. This work considers both the subjective judgements of a users preferences, to formulate a preference measure that can be used in control design. Novel to the work, is the consideration of the temporal impact that current preferences have on previously provided preferences. We formulate a weighted set-wise preference learning problem that considers the historical preferences of an individual, capturing the impact of memory on human user's preferences. We address the challenge of how to choose the best preference features as the individuals set-wise preference comparisons are sequentially presented by designing a weighted sequential preference estimator. We build upon the concept of an individual's preferences to a group of users’ preferences, modelling group preferences as a normal distribution. We further extend the sequential individual preference estimation approach to multiple users’ preference through the derivation of a stochastic gradient descent group preference estimator. An experimental study with 43 participants is conducted to support the proposed approaches.

Adaptive Preference Measurement with Unstructured Data

Adaptive Preference Measurement with Unstructured Data

Microbial glutamate metabolism predicts intravenous cocaine self-administration in diversity outbred mice

The gut microbiome is thought to play a critical role in the onset and development of psychiatric disorders, including depression and substance use disorder (SUD). To test the hypothesis that the microbiome affects addiction predisposing behaviors and cocaine intravenous self-administration (IVSA) and to identify specific microbes involved in the relationship, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing on feces from 228 diversity outbred mice. Twelve open field measures, two light-dark assay measures, one hole board and novelty place preference measure significantly differed between mice that acquired cocaine IVSA (ACQ) and those that failed to acquire IVSA (FACQ). We found that ACQ mice are more active and exploratory and display decreased fear than FACQ mice. The microbial abundances that differentiated ACQ from FACQ mice were an increased abundance of Barnesiella, Ruminococcus, and Robinsoniella and decreased Clostridium IV in ACQ mice. There was a sex-specific correlation between ACQ and microbial abundance, a reduced Lactobacillus abundance in ACQ male mice, and a decreased Blautia abundance in female ACQ mice. The abundance of Robinsoniella was correlated, and Clostridium IV inversely correlated with the number of doses of cocaine self-administered during acquisition. Functional analysis of the microbiome composition of a subset of mice suggested that gut-brain modules encoding glutamate metabolism genes are associated with the propensity to self-administer cocaine. These findings establish associations between the microbiome composition and glutamate metabolic potential and the ability to acquire cocaine IVSA thus indicating the potential translational impact of targeting the gut microbiome or microbial metabolites for treatment of SUD.This article is part of the Special Issue on “Microbiome & the Brain: Mechanisms & Maladies”.

Towards Divine Economics: Some Testable Propositions

Throughout the human history, the religion has remained a fundamental feature of social construct and human behaviour. Religious orientation plays important role in shaping human perceptions about economic and non-economic activities. With few exceptions, religion has remained an un-explored area in economics. For most economists, narrative and metaphor have no place in a rational choice theory, which is a wrong belief. In fact, any approach that considers behavioural laws satisfying the criteria of objectivity, reproducibility, and refutability is scientific and falls in purview of rational choice framework. A few studies, however, do exist on economics of religion under rational choice concerning to households, groups, and entire “religious markets”. [Becker (1976); Iannaccone (1988, 1990, 1992, 1993); Mack and Leigland (1992)]. Rosenberg (1985) presents discussion of the limitations of neoclassical economic theory due to its reliance on exogenous differences in taste and preference. It is argued that these limitations cannot be circumvented by findings and theories in other disciplines (e.g., psychology), because any measurement of preferences must begin with neoclassical assumptions about rationality. The alternative to tasteendogeniety advanced by [Becker (1976)] is found to only circumvent the usual difficulties if “stable preferences” notion is interpreted as needs. Further advancement is not taking place because of the important heterogeneous variables, which have yet received little attention from economists. Such variables may be found in attitudes and values acquired by consumers in variety of social and religious environments.

Consider your origins: Parental social class and preferences for redistribution in the United States from 1977 to 2018

Capitalizing on the newly available and consistent coding of detailed occupations for the General Social Surveys (GSS), this article examines the link between class origins and public support for redistribution in the United States from 1977 through 2018. The findings reveal significant net associations between class origins and preferences for redistribution. Individuals with farming-class or working-class origins are more supportive of government action to reduce inequality than individuals with salariat-class origins. These class-origin differences are associated with individuals’ current socioeconomic characteristics but are not fully accounted for by these factors. In addition, individuals in more privileged class positions have increased their support for redistribution over time. Attitudes toward federal income taxes are also analyzed as an additional measure of redistribution preferences. Overall, the findings suggest a continuing role of class origin in determining support for redistribution.

Seasonal variation in abundance and blood meal sources of primary and secondary malaria vectors within Kilombero Valley, Southern Tanzania

BackgroundExisting control tools have significantly reduced malaria over the past two decades. However, progress has been stalled due to increased resistance in primary vectors and the increasing role of secondary vectors. This study aimed to investigate the impact of seasonal change on primary and secondary vector abundance and host preference. Understanding the impact of seasonal dynamics of primary and secondary vectors on disease transmission will inform effective strategies for vector management and control.MethodsVector abundance was measured through longitudinal collection of mosquitoes, conducted monthly during the wet and dry seasons, in Sagamaganga, a village in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Mosquitoes were collected indoors using CDC light traps and backpack aspirators, and outdoors using resting buckets baited with cattle urine. In addition, a direct measure of host preference was taken monthly using human- and cattle-baited mosquito electrocuting traps. A host census was conducted to provide an indirect measure of host preference together with monthly blood meal source analysis. All collected mosquitoes were assayed for Plasmodium sporozoites.ResultsA total of 2828 anophelines were collected, of which 78.5% and 21.4%, were primary and secondary vectors, respectively. The abundance of the primary vectors, Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus, and of the secondary vectors varied seasonally. Indirect measures of host preference indicated that all vectors varied blood meal choice seasonally, with the direct measure confirming this for An. arabiensis. All anopheline mosquitoes tested negative for sporozoites.ConclusionsAt the study location, the abundance of both primary and secondary vectors changed seasonally. Indirect and direct measures of host preference demonstrated that An. arabiensis varied from being zoophilic to being more opportunistic during the wet and dry seasons. A similar trend was observed for the other vectors.Graphical

Optimisation of CAFE assay for the evaluation of ethanol preference in Drosophila melanogaster

Alcohol is one of the most harmful psychoactive drugs which can cause various medical, physical, social, financial, and work-related problems. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been proposed to be a useful model to explore alcohol-induced behavioural, cellular and molecular mechanisms. The capillary feeder assay (CAFE) has been used to measure the development of preference for alcohol that is observable in Drosophila as well in mammals including humans. The aim of this study was to investigate and optimize the CAFE assay to validate further studies using this technique. The parameters that were investigated were: the ethanol concentration and length of exposure, both during pre-exposure and during the preference assay, and whether the sex of the flies affected the outcome. The results indicate that a minimum of two days of pre-exposure of 15% ethanol is required to induce preference for 15% vs 5% ethanol, while there was no significant difference in extending the preference assay beyond two hours and males and females flies behaved in similar manner. Overall these results further validate and better define the usefulness of the CAFE assay for the measurement of alcohol preference in Drosophila as a method to explore the mechanisms of preference which may apply also to higher organisms.

Preferred outcome measures in treatments for challenging behaviour in individuals with intellectual disabilities: Results of an inclusive Delphi method.

Interventions for challenging behaviours in individuals with intellectual disabilities benefit from outcome monitoring that takes clients' preferences into account. We determined clients' and representatives' preferred outcome domains and measures to secure their involvement in treatment decisions for challenging behaviours. We used an inclusive Delphi method. A focus group of individuals with mild intellectual disabilities and representatives of those with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities prepared the first round by assisting us in collecting possible outcomes. Panels of individuals with intellectual disabilities and representatives were composed to achieve consensus on instruments for preferred outcome domains. Preferred outcome domains were behaviour, side-effects of psychotropic drugs, quality of life, daily functioning, caregiver burden and family quality of life. Corresponding outcome measures included self-report, interview and proxy-scales, including spoken versions. Including the preferred domains on outcomes of interventions for challenging behaviours is recommended. Research on corresponding outcome measures is necessary.

Narcissism in the context of stress: the influence of learned information on attitudes and stress outcomes

Previous research indicates narcissism can aid stress management. Nonetheless, its common perception and dissemination as socially aversive may hamper its acknowledgment and use as an asset in the context of stress. This experimental study investigated the effects of receiving positive or negative information (i.e., prompts) about narcissism in the context of stress on attitudes towards this trait’s association with stress. It also assessed individuals’ experiences of narcissism’s stress-coping properties when one believes themselves to be a high narcissism scorer, via an online survey. Hundred and five adults (Mage\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${M}_{age}$$\\end{document} = 32.0; 22–64 years) completed measures of state-stress, music preferences, and narcissism. They were then randomly assigned to either the positive or negative prompt groups, being shown information highlighting the positive or negative impact of narcissism on stress management, respectively. Participants were then informed they scored above average on narcissism, despite their actual questionnaire scores, and undertook a stress-inducing procedure. Self-reported stress, implicit and explicit attitudes were measured pre- and post-prompt presentation. Results showed that, while prompts did not influence attitudes nor stress outcomes, individuals displayed neutral implicit attitudes towards narcissism’s association with stress across measurement timepoints. These findings suggest that people’s attitudes towards narcissism in the context of stress have not been deteriorated by this trait’s predominant negative depiction outside this context. Therefore, the dissemination and establishment of narcissism as an asset for stress-coping may be received by the general population with less resistance than anticipated.

Preferensi Risiko dan Faktor Yang Memengaruhi Keikutsertaan Asuransi Usahatani Padi (AUTP) di Kabupaten Jember

The low participation of rice farmers in Jember Regency in crop insurance (asuransi usahatani padi – AUTP) does not mean that rice farmers are risk seeking individuals. The objectives of this study are: (1) to analyze the risk preferences of rice farmers in Jember Regency; (2) analyze the factors that influence the participation of rice farmers in Jember Regency in the AUTP program. The measurement of rice farmer preferences used the multiple price list and constant relative risk averse (CRRA) method; and the analysis of the factors that influenced the participation of rice farmers in the AUTP program used logit regression analysis. The result showed that rice farmers in Jember Regency had a risk preference to avoid risk. The risk preferences of participants farmers of AUTP in Jember Regency are very risk averse; while not participants farmers of AUTP are risk neutral. The factors that influence the participation of rice farmers in Jember Regency in the AUTP program are: (1) age, (2) rice farming experience, (3) rice farming area, (4) risk preference, (5) AUTP knowledge, and (6) amount of insurance premium that can be paid. The participation of rice farmers in Jember Regency in the AUTP can be increased by increasing farmers knowledge of the scheme and benefits of agricultural insurance through counseling and mentoring.

What Defines a Host? Oviposition Behavior and Larval Performance of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Five Putative Host Plants

When an invasive species first breaches quarantine and establishes in yet another country, it invariably causes consternation for growers, in part because of incomplete understanding of the plants that are at risk. The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is the most recent example in Australia. The number of plants that this polyphagous noctuid is reported to attack is vast, including many crop species. Consequently, initial reactions from grower industry groups that perceived themselves at risk were to demand emergency use of insecticides. Yet the field evidence suggests that many crops might not be at risk and since S. frugiperda arrived in Australia, maize crops have suffered most damage, followed by sorghum. We question the accuracy of some of the claims of reported host plants of S. frugiperda and report experiments that compared oviposition behavior, neonate silking behavior, and larval performance on five crops: the known hosts maize and sorghum, and the putative hosts cotton, peanut, and pigeon pea. Maize ranked highest in all preference and performance measures, followed by sorghum and peanut, with pigeon pea and cotton ranking lowest. Although S. frugiperda can survive, develop, and pupate on the crop species we examined, cotton and pigeon pea are not preferred by the pest in either the larval or adult stages. We suggest that before a plant is listed as a host for a given insect that the evidence should be fully reported and carefully evaluated. Collecting an immature insect from a plant does not make that plant a host!

Efficacy in Myopia Control: Does Race Matter?

Efficacy in Myopia Control: Does Race Matter?

Integrating information from semi-structured interviews into management strategy evaluation: A case study for Southeast United States marine fisheries

Management strategy evaluation (MSE) has become a more common tool for engaging stakeholders in fisheries management, and stakeholder participation in MSE is increasingly recognized as a vital component of the process. The participation of stakeholders, specifically fishers, in MSE is of particular importance because they often possess intimate knowledge of the socio-ecological management system that MSE seeks to model. When the resources to conduct a “full” MSE with direct fisher involvement are unavailable, MSEs are sometimes conducted by desk-based analysts with no fisher engagement. We propose an intermediate framework in which information collected from semi-structured interviews is used to inform a “desk-based” MSE. We demonstrate that semi-structured interviews with commercial and recreational fishers can elicit some of the same kinds of information that fishers provide during direct participation in MSE. We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with commercial and recreational fishers from the Southeast United States participating in either Atlantic cobia (Rachycentron canadum) or black sea bass (Centropristis striata) fisheries. We collected primarily qualitative and some quantitative information about preferred conceptual objectives and management measures, and how their fishing behavior has changed in response to past management action. Commercial fishers generally preferred conceptual objectives and management measures that align with traditional MSY-based fisheries management, while recreational fishers’ responses were substantially more heterogeneous, indicating a more diverse range of desired objectives and preferred management measures. We synthesized this information to develop a suite of management procedures that employ a range of fishing mortality-based constant-catch harvest control rules and size-based management measures for simulation testing against preferred objectives by sector. We demonstrate that integrating information from semi-structured interviews with MSE in this way offers a cost-effective alternative intermediate approach to fisher participation in MSE when direct participation is not possible.

Peer preferences and educational decisions: heterogeneous associations across student socioeconomic status

Peers may both promote conformity and discourage ambitious choices when students make educational decisions. Low socioeconomic status (SES) students may be more sensitive to outside influence than high SES students when making educational decisions. Considering the case of choosing between an academic track and a vocational track in Danish post-compulsory education, I test whether low SES students are more prone to conform to peer preference or more likely to be deterred from choosing the more ambitious academic track by more ambitious peers. I test these hypotheses using multilevel models with school fixed effects on survey data from 882 Danish 9th-grade students, with information on track choice and survey measures of normative track preference. I find that higher classroom peer preference for the academic track is associated with higher probability of choosing the academic track, especially for low SES students. Thus, ambitious peers may help compensate for inequality in track choice.

Robustness of CSF Aβ42/40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181 to detect AD related outcomes using fully automated immunoassays

AbstractBackgroundAn obstacle to the broad implementation of CSF AD biomarkers is the identification of uniform cutoffs and measurement variability that can result in diagnostic uncertainty at the patient level. We aimed to determine the comparability of cut‐offs for CSF immunoassays for Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181 and to assess the effects of variability in CSF measurements on AD‐related outcomes (Aβ‐PET visual read and progression from MCI to AD dementia).MethodsWe studied 750 participants with/without cognitive impairment (CI) with CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181 and Aβ‐PET from Swedish BioFINDER (n=172; 85 cognitively unimpaired (CU); 87 with CI), ADNI (n=318; 54 CU, 264 CI), and the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (n=260; 55 CU, 205 CI). Aβ‐PET was visually rated as normal/abnormal. Youden’s index (Aβ‐PET visual read as outcome) was used to identify cut‐offs for Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181. Using these, we calculated accuracy (percentage of correctly classified individuals). To identify a grey‐zone around cut‐points where there is a risk of misclassification, we calculated longitudinal variability of Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181 in Aβ‐negative CU individuals and then studied the effects of this variability on biomarker performance when predicting CSF status, Aβ‐PET visual read and MCI‐AD dementia conversion.ResultsSimilar cut‐offs were found for Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181 across cohorts; accuracies of about 90% were achieved for both measures. Longitudinal variability of Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181 in Aβ‐negative CU was 11.18% and 19.35%, respectively. Using these values, we estimated the robustness of Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181 by calculating the percentage of participants with >5% chance of having a different predicted outcome due to measurement variability following two CSF measurements close in time. On average, 8.71% of participants fell within this interval for Aβ42/Aβ40, compared with 4.45% for Aβ42/P‐tau181 using Aβ‐PET status as outcome (Figure 1A). Similar findings were observed using conversion to AD dementia (21.13% vs 13.13%) as outcome (Figure 1B).ConclusionsSimilar cutoffs could be applied to CSF immunoassays for Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/P‐tau181. Compared to Aβ42/Aβ40, Aβ42/P‐tau181 was more robust to the effects of measurement variability in terms of AD‐related outcomes. These findings suggest that Aβ42/P‐tau181 may be the preferred measure in clinical practice and trials.