Ambivalence in decision making: An eye tracking study.

An intuition of ambivalence in cognition is particularly strong for complex decisions, for which the merits and demerits of different options are roughly equal but hard to compare. We examined information search in an experimental paradigm which tasked participants with an ambivalent question, while monitoring attentional dynamics concerning the information relevant to each option in different Areas of Interest (AOIs). We developed two dynamical models for describing eye tracking curves, for each response separately. The models incorporated a drift mechanism towards the various options, as in standard drift diffusion theory. In addition, they included a mechanism for intrinsic oscillation, which competed with the drift process and undermined eventual stabilization of the dynamics. The two models varied in the range of drift processes postulated. Higher support was observed for the simpler model, which only included drifts from an uncertainty state to either of two certainty states. In addition, model parameters could be weakly related to the eventual decision, complementing our knowledge of the way eye tracking structure relates to decision (notably the gaze cascade effect).

Context effects in similarity judgments.

Tversky's (1977) famous demonstration of a diagnosticity effect indicates that the similarity between the same two stimuli depends on the presence of contextual stimuli. In a forced choice task, the similarity between a target and a choice, appears to depend on the other choices. Specifically, introducing a distractor grouped with one of the options would reduce preference for the grouped option. However, the diagnosticity effect has been difficult to replicate, casting doubt on its robustness and our understanding of contextual effects in similarity generally. We propose that the apparent brittleness of the diagnosticity effect is because it is in competition with an opposite attraction effect. Even though in both the similarity and decision-making literatures there are indications for such a competition, we provide the first direct experimental demonstration of how an attraction effect can give way to a diagnosticity one, as a distractor option is manipulated. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Information overload for (bounded) rational agents.

Bayesian inference offers an optimal means of processing environmental information and so an advantage in natural selection. We consider the apparent, recent trend in increasing dysfunctional disagreement in, for example, political debate. This is puzzling because Bayesian inference benefits from powerful convergence theorems, precluding dysfunctional disagreement. Information overload is a plausible factor limiting the applicability of full Bayesian inference, but what is the link with dysfunctional disagreement? Individuals striving to be Bayesian-rational, but challenged by information overload, might simplify by using Bayesian networks or the separation of questions into knowledge partitions, the latter formalized with quantum probability theory. We demonstrate the massive simplification afforded by either approach, but also show how they contribute to dysfunctional disagreement.

Infección Urinaria en Pacientes con Lesión Medular / Urinary Infection in Patients with Spinal Cord Lesion

La micción es un proceso complejo, que requiere la coordinación entre el sistema nervioso central y periférico. La alteración en ése, aumenta el riesgo para que se produzcan infecciones complicadas y a largo plazo, daño renal. La alteración en el vaciado de la vejiga, obliga a que muchos de esos pacientes, realicen cateterismos intermitentes o sonda vesical permanente, aumentando el riesgo de infecciones polimicrobianas o por gérmenes multiresistentes. Algunos factores implicados en el desarrollo de las infecciones de esos pacientes, son el residuo postmiccional elevado, estasis urinario, litiasis vesical, uso de catéteres, además de las alteraciones en el sistema inmune y las capas de recubrimiento en la mucosa vesical. El diagnóstico de infección se realiza al encontrar: piuria y bacteriuria, según método de vaciado vesical, y un síntoma general que sugiera infección. Conclusión: Las infecciones urinarias en pacientes con lesión medular, deben ser tratadas de acuerdo a sensibilidades de la zona, siempre con la toma previa de un urocultivo y con un diagnóstico adecuado de infección urinaria, teniendo en cuenta las diferentes maniobras de evacuación de la vejiga. No están recomendados los tratamientos cortos ni el tratamiento de las bacteriurias asintomáticas. Una de las formas de prevenir las infecciones, está en evitar situaciones de riesgo como el estasis vesical, las presiones intravesicales elevadas y los vaciamientos incompletos. En la actualidad existen múltiples medicamentos para prevenir las infecciones urinarias, pero faltan estudios con evidencia de más peso y en pacientes con lesión medular, para que puedan ser recomendados.

Urination is a complex process, requiring coordination between the central and peripheral nervous system. The alteration in this, increases the risk for complicated infections and long-term kidney damage. The alteration in the emptying of the bladder, causes many of these patients to perform intermittent catheterization or permanent bladder catheterization, increasing the risk of polymicrobial infections or multiresistant germs. Some factors involved in the development of infections of these patients are high postvoiding, urinary stasis, vesical lithiasis, use of catheters, as well as alterations in the immune system and the layers of lining in the bladder mucosa. The diagnosis of infection is made on finding: pyuria and bacteriuria, according to the method of bladder emptying, and a general symptom that suggests infection. Conclusion: Urinary tract infections in patients with spinal cord injury should be treated according to the sensitivity of the area, always with prior urine collection and an adequate diagnosis of urinary tract infection, taking into account the different maneuvers of bladder evacuation. Short treatments and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria are not recommended. One way to prevent infections is to avoid risky situations such as bladder stasis, elevated intravesical pressures and incomplete emptying. At the moment there are multiple drugs to prevent urinary tract infections, but there are no studies with evidence of heaviest weight and in patients with spinal cord injury, so that they can be recommended.

The triangle inequality constraint in similarity judgments.

Since Tversky's (1977) seminal investigation, the triangle inequality, along with symmetry and minimality, have had a central role in investigations of the fundamental constraints on human similarity judgments. The meaning of minimality and symmetry in similarity judgments has been straightforward, but this is not the case for the triangle inequality. Expressed in terms of dissimilarities, and assuming a simple, linear function between dissimilarities and distances, the triangle inequality constraint implies that human behaviour should be consistent with Dissimilarity (A,B) + Dissimilarity (B,C) ≥ Dissimilarity (A,C), where A, B, and C are any three stimuli. We show how we can translate this constraint into one for similarities, using Shepard's (1987) generalization law, and so derive the multiplicative triangle inequality for similarities, Sim(A,C)≥Sim(A,B)⋅Sim(B,C) where 0≤Sim(x,y)≤1. Can humans violate the multiplicative triangle inequality? An empirical demonstration shows that they can.

An investigation of a quantum probability model for the constructive effect of affective evaluation.

The idea that choices can have a constructive effect has received a great deal of empirical support. The act of choosing appears to influence subsequent preferences for the options available. Recent research has proposed a cognitive model based on quantum probability (QP), which suggests that whether or not a participant provides an affective evaluation for a positively or negatively valenced stimulus can also be constructive and so, for example, influence the affective evaluation of a second oppositely valenced stimulus. However, there are some outstanding methodological questions in relation to this previous research. This paper reports the results of three experiments designed to resolve these questions. Experiment 1, using a binary response format, provides partial support for the interaction predicted by the QP model; and Experiment 2, which controls for the length of time participants have to respond, fully supports the QP model. Finally, Experiment 3 sought to determine whether the key effect can generalize beyond affective judgements about visual stimuli. Using judgements about the trustworthiness of well-known people, the predictions of the QP model were confirmed. Together, these three experiments provide further support for the QP model of the constructive effect of simple evaluations.

Feasibility and safety of an early discharge strategy after low-risk acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention: the EDAMI pilot trial.

OBJECTIVES: This pilot trial evaluated the feasibility and safety of an early discharge strategy (EDS: ≤72 h, followed by outpatient lifestyle interventions), in comparison with a conventional discharge strategy (CDS) for low-risk (Zwolle risk score ≤3) ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary angioplasty. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomized to an EDS (n = 54) or a CDS (n = 46). The primary end point was the feasibility of the EDS: (1) ≥70% of EDS patients discharged ≤72 h, (2) ≥70% visited by a nurse ≤7 days after discharge, (3) ≥70% with ≥3 visits by the nurse and (4) ≥70% visited by a cardiologist ≤3 months. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.2 ± 12.2 years and ejection fraction 54.0 ± 7.1%. Eighty-six percent were male (12% diabetics). Vascular access was radial in 91%. Ischemic time was ≤4 h in 75%. Length of stay was shorter in EDS as compared with CDS (70.1 ± 8.1 vs. 111.8 ± 28.3 h, p < 0.001). EDS feasibility was: (1) 72.2%; (2) 81.5%; (3) 76.9%; (4) 72.2%. There were no adverse events or differences in intervention goals and quality of life between groups. CONCLUSIONS: An EDS in low-risk STEMI patients is feasible and seems to be safe. A shorter hospital stay could benefit patients and health care systems.

A randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of urinary catheters with silver alloy coating in spinal cord injured patients: trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Patients with non-acute spinal cord injury that carry indwelling urinary catheters have an increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTIs). Antiseptic Silver Alloy-Coated Silicone Urinary Catheters seems to be a promising intervention to reduce UTIs; however, actual evidence cannot be extrapolated to spinal cord injured patients. The aim of this trial is to make a comparison between the use of antiseptic silver alloy-coated silicone urinary catheters and the use of standard urinary catheters in spinal cord injured patients to prevent UTIs. METHODS/DESIGN: The study will consist in an open, randomized, multicentre, and parallel clinical trial with blinded assessment. The study will include 742 spinal cord injured patients who require at least seven days of urethral catheterization as a method of bladder voiding. Participants will be online centrally randomized and allocated to one of the two study arms (silver alloy-coated or standard catheters). Catheters will be used for a maximum period of 30 days or removed earlier if the clinician considers it necessary. The main outcome will be the incidence of UTIs by the time of catheter removal or at day 30 after catheterization, the event that occurs first. Intention-to-treat analysis will be performed, as well as a primary analysis of all patients. DISCUSSION: The aim of this study is to assess whether silver alloy-coated silicone urinary catheters improve ITUs in spinal cord injured patients. ESCALE is intended to be the first study to evaluate the efficacy of the silver alloy-coated catheters in spinal cord injured patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01803919.