Preference Hierarchy Research Articles

An analysis of dialogue repair in virtual assistants.

Conversational user interfaces have transformed human-computer interaction by providing nearly real-time responses to queries. However, misunderstandings between the user and system persist. This study explores the significance of interactional language in dialogue repair between virtual assistants and users by analyzing interactions with Google Assistant and Siri in both English and Spanish, focusing on the assistants' utilization and response to the colloquial other-initiated repair strategy "huh?", which is prevalent as a human-human dialogue repair strategy. Findings revealed ten distinct assistant-generated repair strategies, but an inability to replicate human-like strategies such as "huh?". Despite slight variations in user acceptability judgments among the two surveyed languages, results indicated an overall hierarchy of preference towards specific dialogue repair strategies, with a notable disparity between the most preferred strategies and those frequently used by the assistants. These findings highlight discrepancies in how interactional language is utilized in human-computer interaction, underscoring the need for further research on the impact of interactional elements among different languages to advance the development of conversational user interfaces across domains, including within human-robot interaction.

Willingness-to-Pay for Blue Ecosystem Services of Natural Pools in Sri Lanka: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Ecosystem services offered by freshwater ecosystems, in the form of natural pools have not been fully realized by the public, which has led to limited attention on the conservation of these pools. This study therefore was conducted to investigate the user preferences for sustainable enhancement of recreational values of natural pools and their immediate environment. A total of 320 local users of natural pools located in Rangala and Nillambe were surveyed as the sample. A Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) was employed to elicit the preference and user Willingness to Pay (WTP). The Marginal Willingness to Pay (MWTP) for the improvement of recreational values of natural pools was estimated using a conditional logit (CL) model. Outcomes of the WTP disclosed a clear preference hierarchy for various enhancements and contributions. Users were willing to pay Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) 297.6 to reduce the environmental damage by 50% and LKR 84.4 to raise the community income by 20%. The option to have a higher number of recreational activities was highly valued. Respondents were willing to pay a value of LKR 554.8 per year for the multiple benefits provided by the pool ecosystems. Conclusively, the study suggested that efforts to upgrade these natural pools should prioritise income generation, broadening of recreational activities and environmental conservation, in line with respondents’ inclinations.

Preference for social stimuli: A comparison of stimulus modes used in preference assessments

AbstractSocial stimuli are some of the most commonly used reinforcers. Previous research shows that preference for social stimuli can be identified using paired‐stimulus preference assessments (PSPA) employing various stimulus modes (e.g., pictures of the actual social stimuli). To date, no study has evaluated the correspondence in preference for social stimuli identified via PSPAs completed using three differing stimulus modes. Therefore, this study compared the correspondence in preference hierarchy identified via PSPAs completed using video of the social stimuli (VSM), pictures of the actual social stimuli (PSM‐A), and drawings of the social stimuli (PSM‐D) and whether preference hierarchy remained stable over repeated administration of the PSPAs (i.e., 1 month). Moreover, we assessed participants' preference for the three types of stimulus modes. Results demonstrated that during the initial PSPAs, preference hierarchies were most similar across the PSPAs completed using VSM and PSM‐A, that preference was most stable across repeated administration of the PSPAs completed using the VSM, and that participants' preference for differing stimulus modes was idiosyncratic. Moreover, the PSPAs completed using the VSM required the longest amount of time to create materials and administer the assessment.

Preference for ground cover when selecting burrow entrances in plateau pikas.

Burrow-dwelling animals such as the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) often seek sturdy entrances for their burrows, which can reduce the need for frequent maintenance. The toughness of the ground surface is often reinforced by the interweaving of plant roots and often varies with the root characteristics. To better understand ground cover preferences when selecting burrow entrances by plateau pikas, we investigated the ratios of different ground covers at the rear of the entrances, as well as their coverage and underlying soil compaction in an undegraded alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The results indicated a clear preference hierarchy of sedges > forbs > grass > bare soil. This distribution was aligned with the soil compaction hierarchy of the topsoil layer beneath each cover type. The sedge coverage was significantly negatively correlated with burrow density, suggesting that plateau pikas opt for sturdy entrances with a natural inclination toward energy conservation. However, there is consensus that the population density of plateau pikas often reaches its maximum on almost nonvegetated "black soil beaches." We hypothesized that the survival benefits brought about by vegetation degradation would be higher than the maintenance costs of burrow entrances.

Ценностные ориентации у лиц, совершающих преступления экономической направленности и в сфере компьютерной информации

<p style="text-align: justify;">Taking into account the growth of economic crimes in Russia in recent years, and especially in the field of computer information, the article presents the materials of studying the value orientations of those who commit them. The data obtained on the basis of the “Value Orientations” method by M. Rokeach indicate a statistically significant contrast in the value preferences of the surveyed subjects who committed economic crimes (according to Section VIII of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and crimes in the field of computer information (Chapter 28 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), and both in terms of individual priorities for terminal values and for the rank statuses of many diverse instrumental values. It is revealed that there is also the closeness of value profiles in the surveyed contrasting subjects of the crimes, which is primarily due to the characteristics of the defectiveness of their moral and legal consciousness: in particular, when ranking terminal values, “creativity” and “the happiness of others” are in the last places in the hierarchy of value preferences, and among instrumental values, the rank weight of a number of socially significant values — “honesty” , “sensitivity”, “tolerance” — is downgraded. Taking into account the results obtained, as well as data on previously conducted domestic and foreign publications, scientifically significant guidelines for the implementation of prevention and for further research have been substantiated.</p>

Behavioural consequences of intraspecific variability in a mate recognition signal.

Mate recognition is paramount for sexually reproducing animals, and many insects rely on cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) for close-range sexual communication. To ensure reliable mate recognition, intraspecific sex pheromone variability should be low. However, CHCs can be influenced by several factors, with the resulting variability potentially impacting sexual communication. While intraspecific CHC variability is a common phenomenon, the consequences thereof for mate recognition remain largely unknown. We investigated the effect of CHC variability on male responses in a parasitoid wasp showing a clear-cut within-population CHC polymorphism (three distinct female chemotypes, one thereof similar to male profiles). Males clearly discriminated between female and male CHCs, but not between female chemotypes in no-choice assays. When given a choice, a preference hierarchy emerged. Interestingly, the most attractive chemotype was the one most similar to male profiles. Mixtures of female CHCs were as attractive as chemotype-pure ones, while a female-male mixture negatively impacted male responses, indicating assessment of the entire, complex CHC profile composition. Our study reveals that the evaluation of CHC profiles can be strict towards 'undesirable' features, but simultaneously tolerant enough to cover a range of variants. This reconciles reliable mate recognition with naturally occurring variability.

A preference group consensus method with three-way decisions and regret theory under multi-scale information systems

The foundation of intelligent computing and expert systems relies on the data processing conducted within the realm of multi-scale information systems (MSISs). Data processing within MSISs caters to diverse analytical needs, where the preference hierarchy among various factors plays a vital role in the consensus reaching process (CRP). Additionally, the three-way decisions (TWD) theory serves as an efficient tool, while regret theory (RT) quantifies decision-makers' risk inclinations associated with various psychological behaviors. Thus, the paper aims to introduce an innovative approach known as the CRP-TWD-RT-MSIS method. The study draws inspiration from spatial geometry, incorporating concepts like points, lines, surfaces, and bodies to create MSISs. This process generates a matrix of fuzzy preference relations (FPRs) among distinct decision-makers through data preprocessing. In addition, the paper explores feedback mechanisms based on identification and directional rules, as well as those rooted in minimal adjustments or cost considerations. Simultaneously, it takes negotiation and discussion time into account, culminating in the development of a personalized adjustment optimization model that focuses on minimizing time costs. In the end, the method's effectiveness and superiority are validated through a case study and a comparative analysis of real data from the Chinese Weather and Meteorological Bureau's website.

Pseudodiagnosticity and preference hierarchy in a search-only inference paradigm.

Bayes' Theorem provides a rationality-standard for information search when there are two mutually exclusive hypotheses and one or more statistical cues pertaining to the likelihoods of the hypotheses. Prior research shows that when people already have a cue pertaining to a hypothesis and are asked to seek additional information to help decide which hypothesis is correct, they tend to exhibit a specific form of pseudodiagnosticity: Rather than seek information that would assess the same cue relative to an alternative hypothesis, they tend to seek information about how a second cue would pertain to the first hypothesis. For example, if people are told that 70% of genuine paintings are landscapes, they then seek to know the percentage of genuine paintings that are watercolor rather than the percentage of fake paintings that are landscapes. However, this response pattern has sometimes been violated in a way that may depend on the cues' numerical values (e.g., 70% vs. 30%), thus raising a question as to the nature of the bias: Does the selection bias characterize the search process per se, or does it reflect the manner in which people utilize already-obtained percentage information? To address these issues, we employed a novel, search-only judgment paradigm in which people were asked to search for cues and to select them without ever obtaining the cues' percentage values. The results confirmed a tendency toward same-hypothesis pseudodiagnosticity both in primary (i.e., most-preferred) and secondary preference, and supported a model in which pseudodiagnosticity can proceed with or without numerical cue data.

WIN THE COMPETITION BY LISTENING TO CUSTOMER VOICES: AN ANALYSIS OF RIDESHARING BUSINESS IN SURAKARTA

Ridesharing has attracted worldwide attention due to its contribution to the environment, notably in reducing the number of privately owned vehicles, alleviating traffic congestion, and mitigating air pollution arising from private transportation. Currently, Indonesia’s ridesharing platform is a prominent player within the realm of popular e-commerce businesses. The use of technology has increased public interest in adopting ridesharing services. The goal of this study is to assess the competitive landscape among ridesharing companies operating in Surakarta, Indonesia. The participants are customers with experience with three ridesharing platforms: Grab, Go-Jek, and Maxim. This study implemented the Analytic Hierarchy Process to evaluate the competitiveness of ridesharing platforms. The benchmarks for platform selection include service quality, price, and promotional activities. Within the service quality domain, Parasuraman proposed five dimensions to serve as sub-criteria. The price criteria include three sub-criteria: low price, discounts, and affordability. Meanwhile, the promotional criteria encompass advertisement, vouchers, and digital influence as the sub-criteria. This study’s findings reveal a preference hierarchy among ridesharing alternatives from the customer’s perspective as follows: Grab (0.402), Go-Jek (0.365), and Maxim (0.226). Grab ranks highest in eight sub-criteria, whereas Go-Jek ranks highest in three sub-criteria. Conversely, Maxim consistently occupies the lowest rank. Notably, service quality emerges as the foremost priority, closely followed by price and promotion. Within the service quality criteria, assurance takes precedence, affordability leads the price criteria, and vouchers have the highest priority among promotional criteria.

The multiple-stimulus-without-replacement preference assessment tool and its predictive validity.

This study demonstrates the use of two web-based programs, one to identify video preferences and the other to assess their reinforcing effects. We used the Multiple-Stimulus-Without-Replacement Preference Assessment Tool (MSWO PAT) to identify the video preference hierarchies of seven participants, ages 4-11 years old. We then used a customized reinforcer assessment program that arranged a concurrent-chains preparation with programmed conjugate schedules of reinforcement. Button presses emitted by participants modulated the quality (volume and opacity) of selected videos on a moment-to-moment basis, allowing us to identify the reinforcing effects of the videos in little time. The results showed that the preference assessment had predictive value for five of seven participants. We discuss the MSWO PAT, parameters that may affect the identification of preferences and the use of conjugate schedules to identify reinforcers.

A Bother or a Benefit? How Contraceptive Users Balance the Trade-Offs Between Preferred Menstrual Bleeding Patterns and Preferred Contraceptive Methods in India, South Africa, and the United States

The contraceptive needs of women for whom the benefits of menstrual bleeding may outweigh its disadvantages have largely been overlooked, especially outside high-income countries. Some providers and researchers have assumed that users of nonhormonal birth control (non-HBC) are misinformed about the positive and negative effects of HBC and/or the need for menstrual bleeding. This study takes the position that many of those rejecting HBC in favor of methods that do not alter bleeding are, in fact, making informed decisions. Using questionnaire data from 4,255 contraceptive users in three countries, we compared current HBC users explicitly open to hormone use (“H-receptive”) and non-HBC users explicitly rejecting hormones (“H-averse”). To the extent that menstrual bleeding attitudes affect contraceptive choice, these two groups should have the greatest contrasts in those attitudes. This novel study design mitigates ambiguities arising from posing hypothetical scenarios to those ambivalent about using hormones or who are not currently using contraception. In all three countries, of those agreeing with the prompt, “I don’t want to change my natural menstrual cycle,” the fractions of H-averse and H-receptive users are disproportionally high and low, respectively (p ≤ .0026). Responses to other prompts varied across populations, revealing complex juxtapositions of multiple criteria, including bleeding preferences, that likely influence contraceptive choices. These patterns, reflecting personal and culturally salient values, highlight the necessity of not assuming that menstrual bleeding is undesirable or relying on a single criterion to ascertain clients’ contraceptive needs and preferences. Rather, acknowledging a client’s personal hierarchy of preferences regarding contraceptive attributes best serves their goals.

Chinese children show racial and skin‐tone salience but little color evasion

AbstractChildren may notice racial differences (i.e., show racial and/or skin‐tone salience), but deliberately avoid mentioning such differences (i.e., color evasion) with increasing age. This contradiction may be due to prevailing egalitarian social norms about race. Color evasion is understudied among children in China. In a sample of 155 Chinese children (71 girls and 84 boys) aged 7–11 years from urban regions of China, we collected measures of children's racial and/or skin‐tone salience and color evasion as well as their attitudes toward light‐skinned East Asian, tan‐skinned East Asian, and White groups. Analyses revealed that racial differences were salient to Chinese children, and that they showed little color evasion. Skin tone was most salient in children's categorization performance. We found a preference hierarchy where light‐skinned East Asian people were favored most, and White people least. Color evasion was negatively related to Chinese children's positive attitudes toward White people. The findings emphasize the importance of social contexts in shaping children's racial attitudes.

СТОХАСТИЧЕСКОЕ ДОМИНИРОВАНИЕ В АКЦИЯХ ИННОВАЦИОННЫХ КОМПАНИЙ НА РОССИЙСКОМ ФОНДОВОМ РЫНКЕ

During the period of significant economic changes, the role of the state in the economy is strengthening, while the need for efficient resource allocation remains, which is characteristic of the market mechanism. The criterion for determining preferences based on second-order stochastic dominance, considered in the paper, allows the planner to identify the most preferred innovative companies for conducting appropriate policies. The result of the study is a hierarchy of preferences for a set of innovative companies represented on the Russian stock market. The article presents a calculation algorithm for series of different lengths generated by a stochastic process. An overview of the organized capital market for innovative companies is presented.

The Architecture of Metabolic Networks Constrains the Evolution of Microbial Resource Hierarchies.

Microbial strategies for resource use are an essential determinant of their fitness in complex habitats. When facing environments with multiple nutrients, microbes often use them sequentially according to a preference hierarchy, resulting in well-known patterns of diauxic growth. In theory, the evolutionary diversification of metabolic hierarchies could represent a mechanism supporting coexistence and biodiversity by enabling temporal segregation of niches. Despite this ecologically critical role, the extent to which substrate preference hierarchies can evolve and diversify remains largely unexplored. Here, we used genome-scale metabolic modeling to systematically explore the evolution of metabolic hierarchies across a vast space of metabolic network genotypes. We find that only a limited number of metabolic hierarchies can readily evolve, corresponding to the most commonly observed hierarchies in genome-derived models. We further show how the evolution of novel hierarchies is constrained by the architecture of central metabolism, which determines both the propensity to change ranks between pairs of substrates and the effect of specific reactions on hierarchy evolution. Our analysis sheds light on the genetic and mechanistic determinants of microbial metabolic hierarchies, opening new research avenues to understand their evolution, evolvability, and ecology.

A comparison of paired- and multiple-stimulus-without-replacement preference assessments to identify reinforcers for dog behavior.

Dogs may be relinquished to shelters and are unlikely to be adopted if they engage in problem behavior. A successful way to eliminate problem behavior is through training techniques based on behavioral principles. Obedience training with the use of positive reinforcement has been successful in treating problematic behavior by dogs. In order for this method to work, it is essential that the stimuli selected function as reinforcers. Preference assessments can be used to identify these potential reinforcers. A preference assessment is a systematic method used to identify stimuli that may serve as possible reinforcers by yielding preference hierarchies. Although preference and reinforcer assessments have been successfully used with humans, research with nonhuman animals is limited. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and efficiency of paired-stimulus preference assessment with a multiple-stimulus preference assessment. The results suggested that the results of both preference assessments corresponded with reinforcer assessments but that the paired-stimulus method was the most efficient.

Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of microRNA-mRNA Correlations in Tissue Identifies microRNA Targeting Determinants.

MicroRNAs are small RNAs that regulate gene expression through complementary base pairing with their target mRNAs. A substantial understanding of microRNA target recognition and repression mechanisms has been reached using diverse empirical and bioinformatic approaches, primarily in vitro biochemical or cell culture perturbation settings. We sought to determine if rules of microRNA target efficacy could be inferred from extensive gene expression data of human tissues. A transcriptome-wide assessment of all the microRNA-mRNA canonical interactions' efficacy was performed using a normalized Spearman correlation (Z-score) between the abundance of the transcripts in the PRAD-TCGA dataset tissues (RNA-seq mRNAs and small RNA-seq for microRNAs, 546 samples). Using the Z-score of correlation as a surrogate marker of microRNA target efficacy, we confirmed hallmarks of microRNAs, such as repression of their targets, the hierarchy of preference for gene regions (3'UTR > CDS > 5'UTR), and seed length (6 mer < 7 mer < 8 mer), as well as the contribution of the 3'-supplementary pairing at nucleotides 13-16 of the microRNA. Interactions mediated by 6 mer + supplementary showed similar inferred repression as 7 mer sites, suggesting that the 6 mer + supplementary sites may be relevant in vivo. However, aggregated 7 mer-A1 seeds appear more repressive than 7 mer-m8 seeds, while similar when pairing possibilities at the 3'-supplementary sites. We then examined the 3'-supplementary pairing using 39 microRNAs with Z-score-inferred repressive 3'-supplementary interactions. The approach was sensitive to the offset of the bridge between seed and 3'-supplementary pairing sites, and the pattern of offset-associated repression found supports previous findings. The 39 microRNAs with effective repressive 3'supplementary sites show low GC content at positions 13-16. Our study suggests that the transcriptome-wide analysis of microRNA-mRNA correlations may uncover hints of microRNA targeting determinants. Finally, we provide a bioinformatic tool to identify microRNA-mRNA candidate interactions based on the sequence complementarity of the seed and 3'-supplementary regions.

Эгологическое исследование феномена субъективного пространства

Abstract. The article presents a phenomenological analysis of the space of transcendental subjectivity. The relevance of this study is to form an idea of the internal spatial structures of the pure I. The purpose of this study is to identify the complex nature of self-consciousness. To achieve this goal, the egological analysis was based on a mereological approach, which prepares the consideration of the space of pure consciousness from the point of view of the whole, composed of parts. The application of spatial categories to the pure Self is based on the expansion of the proximity space. The results obtained indicate the need to create an egology of space in order to study the nature of spatial vision. The proposed research focuses not on the variety of available spaces, but on the process in which their formation takes place in subjective spatial vision. The influence of the subjective factor on the understanding of space is demonstrated by the example of mathematics. The mathematical notion of “proximity space” is subjected to a phenomenological extension, which reveals the phenomenon of spatiality of the pure I, or the inner space of the subject, which reflects the hierarchy of preferences or evaluations. The primary spatial structure of pure consciousness is revealed, which is the division of pure I into two parts. The splitting of the Self into two constituent parts and its representation in the form of a spatial model with its top and bottom is funded by a deeper phenomenon — subjective spatiality. This structure can serve as a foundation for the subsequent correlative study of objective and subjective factors influencing the formation of various egological structures. Based on the analysis, a conclusion is made about the essential relationship of the pure I and the inner space. The importance of this conclusion is supported by an analysis of Husserl’s works, in which he touches upon the issues of the spatiality of transcendental subjectivity. The scientific novelty of the proposed work is that the distinction between absolute and relative intimacy is introduced into egological research. Only within the framework of relative intimacy is it possible to observe and systematically investigate the pure I. In the absolute position it remains anonymous because of its extreme intimacy.

Modelling of Active and Latent Attributes Based on Traveler Perspectives: Case of Port City of Douala

A growing stream of study stresses the relevance of subjective elements in understanding the hierarchy of preferences that underpin individual travel behavior. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of various factors on mode choice. To achieve this, a multinomial logit model (MNL) was used to analyze the relationships between mode choice and three classes of attributes; Combined Active and Latent, Active only and Latent only attributes. The data used are derived from surveys in the port city of Douala, Cameroon as a case study. Results stipulated that, the combined attributes model performed better than both active only attributes and latent only attributes models. Likewise, latent only attributes model performed better than active only attributes model. The advantage of modelling all three groups is for better selection of the most relevant attributes, and this is very relevant in understanding travel behavior of individuals and mode choice decisions.

Does award and origin labeling influence consumers’ willingness-to-pay beyond sensory cues? An experimental auction on improved Philippine tablea (cocoa liquor)

Origin-based identification and awards are used by craft chocolate makers as cues to signify superior quality and more inclusive practices. However, there is a lack of consumer choice and willingness to pay (WTP) literature that explores the impact of sensory and external cues, particularly award and origin labels, of craft chocolates. Thus, this study aims to combine hedonic and WTP measurements through an experimental auction of three Philippine tablea (cocoa liquor) variants from three origins (i.e., Bohol, Bicol, and Davao) in the Philippines. Information was revealed in a four-round second-price auction: blind condition, award or origin label (randomized order), and informed condition. Results indicated that participants were willing to pay a premium to switch their endowed tablea to the three auctioned tablea. Hedonic and WTP measurements resulted in an overall consistency of the hierarchy of preference between tablea variants. Award and origin significantly improved sensory ratings and WTP premiums for the three variants. Econometric analyses revealed that taste positively influenced the propensity to exchange and WTP premiums for all variants. In conclusion, this study found that taste was the most vital factor in choosing tablea, while award and origin labels may be used to further enhance perceived quality and value.

What Outcomes Are Most Important to Patients Following a Lower Extremity Limb-threatening Injury?

To determine what outcomes are most important to patients after a limb-threatening injury, and if those preferences vary based on the patients' treatment (salvage vs amputation), health, demographics, or time since injury. The preferences that motivate the patients' choice of treatment following a limb-threatening injury are poorly understood. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are a robust survey methodology to quantify preferences. Patients with a history of traumatic limb-threatening injury, January 2010 to December 2020, completed a survey with our DCE and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire. The DCE attributes included recovery time, function, appearance, cost, and time in hospital. We used conditional logit modeling to estimate the relative importance of each attribute on a scale of 0% to 100%, determine willingness to pay for improvements in the included attributes, and assess variation in preferences based on patient characteristics, including PROMIS score. A total of 150 patients completed the survey (104 limb salvage, 46 amputation; mean age, 48±16 years; 79% male). Regaining preinjury function [relative importance=41%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 37%-45%] and minimizing costs (24%; 95% CI, 21%-28%) were of greatest importance. Changes in appearance were least important (7%; 95% CI, 5%-9%). The hierarchy of preferences did not vary between those who had limb salvage or amputation, but patient age, physical and mental health, and income were associated with preference variation. Patients with limb-threatening injuries most valued gains in function and reduced out-of-pocket costs.