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1
Turner, Hannah L. "Quantification of product color preference in a utility function." Diss., Rolla, Mo. : Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010. http://scholarsmine.mst.edu/thesis/pdf/Turner_09007dcc8078c48d.pdf.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010.Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed April 21, 2010) Includes bibliographical references (p. 38-39).
2
Bian, Zhenju. "Design of a wizard for preference function modelling software." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape7/PQDD_0021/MQ48257.pdf.
Повний текст джерела
3
Larik, Waseem. "Revealed preference differences among credit rating agencies." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2012. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/revealed-preference-differences-among-credit-rating-agencies(6adae219-dd55-468c-a040-1aaf0b48f579).html.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The thesis studies the factors which underpin the allocation of credit ratings by the two major credit rating agencies (CRAs) namely Moody’s and S&P. CRAs make regular headlines, and their rating’s judgements are closely followed and debated by the financial community. Indeed, criticism of these agencies emerged, both in this community and the popular press, following the 2007-2008 financial crisis. This thesis examines several aspects of the allocation of credit ratings by the major agencies, particularly in relation to (i) their revealed “loss function” preference structure, (ii) the determinants underpinning the allocation of credit ratings and (iii) the reasons determining the circumstances when the two agencies appear to differ in their opinions, and we witness a split credit rating allocation. The first essay empirically estimates the loss function preferences of two agencies by analyzing instances of split credit ratings assigned to corporate issuers. Our dataset utilises a time series of nineteen years (1991-2009) of historical credit ratings data from corporate issuers. The methodology consists of estimating rating judgment differences by deducting the rating implied probability of default from the estimated market implied probability of default. Then, utilising judgment differences, we adapt the GMM estimation following Elliott et al. (2005), to extract the loss function preferences of the two agencies. The estimated preferences show a higher degree of asymmetry in the case of Moody’s, and we find strong evidence of conservatism (relative to the market) in industry sectors other than financials and utilities. S&P exhibits loss function asymmetry in both the utility and financial sectors, whereas in other sectors we find strong evidence of symmetric preferences relative to those of the market. The second essay compares the impact of financial, governance and other variables (in an attempt to capture various subjective elements) in determining issuer credit ratings between the two major CRAs. Utilising a sample of 5192 firm-year observations from S&P400, S&P500 and S&P600 index constituent issuer firms, we employ an ordered probit model on a panel dataset spanning 1995 through 2009. The empirical results suggest that the agencies indeed differ on the level of importance they attach to each variable. We conclude that financial information remains the most significant factor in the attribution of credit ratings for both the agencies. We find no significant improvement in the predictive power of credit rating when we incorporate governance related variables. Our other factors show strong evidence of continuing stringent standards, reputational concerns, and differences in standards during economic crises by the two rating agencies. The third essay investigates the factors determining the allocation of different (split) credit ratings to the same firm by the two agencies. We use financial, governance and other factors in an attempt to capture various subjective elements to explain split credit ratings. The study uses a two-stage bivariate probit estimation method. We use a sample of 5238 firm-year observations from S&P 500, S&P 400, and S&P 600 index constituent firms. Our results indicate that a firm having greater size, favourable coverage and higher profitability are less likely to have a split. However, smaller firms with unfavourable coverage and lower profitability appear to be rated lower by Moody’s in comparison to S&P. Our findings suggest that the stage of the business cycle plays no significant role in deciding splits, but rating shopping and the introduction of regulation FD increase the likelihood of splits arising.
4
Lyubchyk, Leonid, and Galina Grinberg. "Nonlinear expert preference function concordance identification for multiple criteria decision making." Thesis, ТВіМС, 2014. http://repository.kpi.kharkov.ua/handle/KhPI-Press/36757.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The proposal generalization of expert estimates concordance idea for the case of nonlinear preferance function guaranties on optimal concordance of mesuarement and expert data, whereas machine learning approach ensure the possibility of more accurate approximation expert preference function with complex structure.Предложен подход согласования экспертных оценок для случая нелинейных функций предпочтения, который гарантирует оптимальное согласование данных измерений и экспертных данных, который при использовании методов машинного обучения обеспечивает возможность построения более точной аппроксимационной функции предпочтений эксперта.
5
Persson, Niklas. "Analysis of Emoji Usage : Differences in Preference and Function Across Genders." Thesis, Högskolan i Jönköping, Högskolan för lärande och kommunikation, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-43856.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
How do people make use of emojis in their daily computer-mediated communication? In order to obtain data, a sampling methodology was implemented in which data from 15 female and 15 male participants was used to provide reports on the differences in preference and functions of emoji usage across genders. The study found that in variety and in total, males tend to select a greater amount of emojis, in comparison to females. The participants’ reasons for using emojis in instant messages varied across the two gender groups, females focused on illustrating a state of emotion while the males focused on emphasizing a message. This partially corresponded with previous studies. The study also found that the males replace words with emojis because it is easy, fun or quick, and in order to illustrate a state of emotion, while females do not prefer to replace words with emojis. In accordance with previous findings, this study shows that in general, people prefer using emojis to complement rather than to replace words. All of the males in this study tend to make use of emojis in order to complement words, while there was a low amount of females who do not use emojis for the purpose of complementing.
6
Cronin, Anna Elizabeth. "THE INTERACTION BETWEEN FUNCTION AND MACHINE PREFERENCE IN SLOT MACHINE GAMBLERS." OpenSIUC, 2014. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/1538.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Gambling is a popular pastime in the United States, and it is important that we understand the class of behaviors in a behavior analytic context. The relationship between the function and preference of gambling behavior remains yet to be explored. The purpose of these two studies is to examine this relationship. Participants were asked to play a set of four computerized slot machines. Each slot machine was tied to a separated function-based outcome which they could win. In study 1, 80% of participants had a distinct preference for a single outcome. In study 2, the participants were also administered the GFA. Seven participants completed the MSWO. The relationship between the results of the GFA and the results of the free operant preference assessment did not support the hypothesis. Among other results, was data suggesting that those who score 0's on their GFA's may significantly affect the data and that the MSWO and free operant preference assessment have a strong high correlation.
7
Lyubchyk, Leonid, Oleksy Galuza, and Galina Grinberg. "Ranking Model Real-Time Adaptation via Preference Learning Based on Dynamic Clustering." Thesis, ННК "IПСА" НТУУ "КПI iм. Iгоря Сiкорського", 2017. http://repository.kpi.kharkov.ua/handle/KhPI-Press/36819.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The proposed preference learning on clusters method allows to fully realizing the advantages of the kernel-based approach. While the dimension of the model is determined by a pre-selected number of clusters and its complexity do not grow with increasing number of observations. Thus real-time preference function identification algorithm based on training data stream includes successive estimates of cluster parameter as well as average cluster ranks updating and recurrent kernel-based nonparametric estimation of preference model.
8
Mura, Emi. "Studies on the sensory perception and oral function of aversive stimuli in food." Kyoto University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/233849.
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9
Remus, Britten Grace. "An Investigation of the Effects of Practice on Color Memory as a Function of Condition, Dimension and Color." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31033.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Forty-two college aged participants took part in a mixed repeated measures factorial design experiment that assessed color memory as a function of condition (practice with feedback, practice without feedback and no practice), dimension (hue, saturation and lightness) and color (red, yellow, green and blue). Attention was focused on the distinction between memory color and color memory, color experience and preference, mechanisms of color perception and theories of color vision (see below). Only two significant effects were found: a significant main effect for dimension and a significant interaction between dimension and color. Pearson correlations were assessed between color memory and color experience, color preference and observer imagery. None of the correlations were significant. The results of the experiments revealed that practice does not have a significant effect on color memory and the conclusion, therefore, is that the phenomenon of color memory is not improved by practice. A tentative explanation involves the early stages of color processing which are presumed to be computational in nature and to take place independently of cognitive processes such as learning and memory, which do not take place until visual information has reached the extrastriate areas. By that time, color information has been combined with information about context, in area V4 of the human visual cortex (Zeki & Marini, 1998). Although it has been shown through this experiment that practice does not improve memory for color, the possibility remains that practice may improve memory color for specific objects - namely ecologically relevant stimuli - since memory color involves higher order processing, such as learning and memory.Master of Science
10
Cochet, Hélène. "Hand shape, function and hand preference of communicative gestures in young children : insights into the origins of human communication." Thesis, Aix-Marseille 1, 2011. http://www.theses.fr/2011AIX10076/document.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Bien que l’utilisation précoce de gestes communicatifs par de jeunes enfants soit reconnue comme étant étroitement liée au développement du langage (e.g., Colonnesi et al., 2010), la nature des liens gestes–langage doit encore être clarifiée. Cette thèse a pour but d’étudier la production de gestes de pointage au cours du développement afin de déterminer si la relation prédictive et facilitatrice entre les gestes et l’acquisition du langage implique des fonctions spécifiques du pointage, en association avec des caractéristiques spécifiques en terme de forme de mains, regard et vocalisations. De plus, une attention particulière a été apportée à l’étude des préférences manuelles dans le but de mieux comprendre le développement de la spécialisation hémisphérique gauche pour les comportements communicatifs. Nos résultats ont révélé des relations complexes entre le langage, les gestes communicatifs et les activités de manipulation, qui dépendent de la fonction des gestes (i.e., pointage impératif versus déclaratif) et des étapes spécifiques de l’acquisition du langage. Les gestes déclaratifs sont plus étroitement associés au développement de la parole que les gestes impératifs, au-moins avant la période d’explosion lexicale. De plus, la comparaison des patterns de préférence manuelle chez l’enfant et l’adulte a montré une plus grande proximité pour les gestes que pour la manipulation d’objet. L’asymétrie manuelle droite pour les gestes communicatifs est ainsi établie à des stades précoces, ce qui suggère un rôle primordial des gestes dans la spécialisation hémisphérique.Finalement, nos résultats ont mis en évidence l’existence d’un système de communication dans l’hémisphère cérébral gauche contrôlant à la fois la communication gestuelle et verbale, qui pourrait avoir une origine phylogénétique ancienne (e.g., Corballis, 2010). Par conséquent, le présent travail peut améliorer notre compréhension des origines du langage, y compris des mécanismes de la spécialisation cérébrale pour les comportements communicatifsEven though children’s early use of communicative gestures is recognized as being closely related to language development (e.g., Colonnesi et al., 2010), the nature of speech–gestures links still needs to be clarified. This dissertation aims to investigate the production of pointing gestures during development to determine whether the predictive and facilitative relationship between gestures and language acquisition involves specific functions of pointing, in association with specific features in terms of hand shape, gaze and accompanying vocalizations. Moreover, special attention was paid to the study of hand preferences in order to better understand the development of left hemisphere specialization for communicative behaviors. Our results revealed complex relationships between language, communicative gestures and manipulative activities depending on the function of gestures (i.e., imperative versus declarative pointing) as well as on specific stages of language acquisition. Declarative gestures were found to be more closely associated with speech development than imperative gestures, at least before the lexical spurt period. In addition, the comparison of hand-preference patterns in adults and infants showed stronger similarity for gestures than for object manipulation. The right-sided asymmetry for communicative gestures is thus established in early stages, which suggests a primary role of gestures in hemispheric specialization.Finally, our findings have highlighted the existence of a left-lateralized communication system controlling both gestural and vocal communication, which has been suggested to have a deep phylogenetic origin (e.g., Corballis, 2010). Therefore, the present work may improve current understanding of the evolutionary roots of language, including the mechanisms of cerebral specialization for communicative behaviors
11
Hansen, Silva Erwin Guillermo. "Nonlinear conditional risk-neutral density estimation in discrete time with applications to option pricing, risk preference measurement and portfolio choice." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2013. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/nonlinear-conditional-riskneutral-density-estimation-in-discrete-time-with-applications-to-option-pricing-risk-preference-measurement-and-portfolio-choice(0369c1bb-0873-42c8-a0cf-d18356b3643e).html.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In this thesis, we study the estimation of the nonlinear conditionalrisk-neutral density function (RND) in discrete time. Specifically, weevaluate the extent to which the estimated nonlinear conditional RNDvaluable insights to answer relevant economic questions regarding to optionpricing, the measurement of invertors' preferences and portfolio choice.We make use of large dataset of options contracts written on the S&P 500index from 1996 to 2011, to estimate the parameters of the conditional RNDfunctions by minimizing the squared option pricing errors delivered by thenonlinear models studied in the thesis.In the first essay, we show that a semi-nonparametric option pricing modelwith GARCH variance outperforms several benchmarks models in-sample andout-of-sample. In the second essay, we show that a simple two-state regimeswitching model in volatility is not able to fully account for the pricingkernel and the risk aversion puzzle; however, it provides a reasonablecharacterisation of the time-series properties of the estimated riskaversion.In the third essay, we evaluate linear stochastic discount factormodels using an out-of-sample financial metric. We find that multifactormodels outperform the CAPM when this metric is used, and that modelsproducing the best fit in-sample are also those exhibiting the bestperformance out-of-sample.
12
LUZ, CRISTINA PIMENTA DE MELLO SPINETI. "COMMERCIAL OPTIMIZATION OF A WIND FARM IN BRAZIL USING MONTE CARLO SIMULATION WITH EXOGENOUS CLIMATIC VARIABLES AND A NEW PREFERENCE FUNCTION." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2016. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=27858@1.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIROCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
PROGRAMA DE SUPORTE À PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO DE INSTS. DE ENSINO
Nos últimos anos, observa-se crescente penetração da energia eólica na matriz energética mundial e brasileira. Em 2015, ela já representava (seis por cento) da capacidade total de geração de energia do país, colocando-o na (décima) posição entre os países com capacidade eólica instalada. A crescente penetração dessa fonte de energia e suas características de intermitência e forte sazonalidade, passaram a demandar modelos de otimização capazes de auxiliar tanto a gestão dos sistemas elétricos com geração intermitente de energia eólica, quanto a comercialização dessa energia. Avançaram, assim, os estudos de previsões de médias a cada (dez) minutos, horárias e diárias de geração eólica, para atender a sua inserção na programação dos sistemas elétricos e a sua comercialização em mercados diários e horários. Contudo, poucos estudos deram atenção à previsão e simulação de médias mensais de geração eólica, imprescindíveis para gestão e otimização da comercialização dessa energia no Brasil, visto que esta ocorre essencialmente em base mensal. Neste contexto, insere-se esta tese, que busca avaliar a otimização comercial de um parque eólico no mercado livre de energia brasileiro, considerando diferentes modelos de simulação da incerteza de geração eólica e níveis de aversão ao risco do gestor. Para representar diferentes níveis de aversão ao risco do gestor, desenvolveu-se uma nova função de preferência, capaz de modelar a variação do nível de aversão ao risco de um mesmo gestor, para diferentes faixas de preferência, definidas a partir de percentis αs de VaRα. A função de preferência desenvolvida é uma ponderação entre o valor esperado e níveis de CVaR dos resultados. De certo modo, ela altera as probabilidades dos resultados, de acordo as preferências do gestor, similar ao efeito dos pesos de decisão na Teoria do Prospecto. Para simulação da geração eólica são adotados modelos autorregressivos com sazonalidade representada por dummies mensais (ARX-11) e periódicos (PAR). Considera-se, ainda, a inclusão de variáveis climáticas exógenas no modelo ARX-11, com ganho de capacidade preditiva. Observou-se que, para um gestor neutro ao risco, as diferentes simulações de geração eólica não alteraram a decisão ótima. O mesmo não é válido para um gestor avesso ao risco, especialmente ao ser considerado o modelo de simulação com variáveis climáticas exógenas. Portanto, é importante a definição de um único modelo de simulação a ser considerado pelo gestor avesso ao risco ou, a adoção de alguma técnica multicritério para ponderação de diferentes modelos. O perfil de risco também altera as decisões ótimas do gestor, observando-se redução do desvio-padrão e da média da distribuição dos resultados e, aumento dos CVaRs e prêmio de risco, à medida que aumenta a aversão ao risco. Assim, é importante a especificação de uma única função de preferência, que represente adequadamente o perfil de risco do gestor ou da empresa, para otimização da comercialização. A flexibilidade da função de preferência desenvolvida, ao permitir a definição de diferentes níveis de aversão ao risco do gestor, para diferentes faixas de preferência, contribui para essa especificação.
In recent years, we have seen an increased penetration of wind power in the Brazilian energy matrix and also worldwide. In 2015, wind power already accounted for (six percent) of the Brazilian total power capacity and the country was the (tenth) in the world raking of wind power installed capacity. Due to the growing penetration of the source, its intermittency and strong seasonality, optimization models able to deal with the management of wind power, both in electrical systems operation and in trading environment, are necessary. Thus, we see the growth in the number of studies concerned about wind power forecasts for every (10) minutes, hours and days, meeting the electrical systems and international trading schedules. However, few studies have given attention to the forecasting and simulation of wind power monthly averages, which are essential for the management and optimization of energy trading in Brazil, since its occurs essentially on a monthly basis. In this context, we introduce this thesis, which seeks to assess the commercial optimization of a wind farm in the Brazilian energy free market, considering different simulation models for the wind power production uncertainty and different levels of manager s risk aversion. In order to represent the manager s different levels of risk aversion, we developed a new preference function, which is able to model the variation of risk aversion level of the same manager, for different preference groups. These groups are defined by α s percentiles of VaRα. The developed preference function is a weighted average between expected value of results and CVaR levels. In a way, it changes the odds of the results, according to the manager s preference, similar to the effect of the decision weights on Prospect Theory. We adopted autoregressive models to simulate wind power generation, with seasonality represented by monthly dummies (ARX -11) or periodic model (PAR). Furthermore, we consider the inclusion of climate exogenous variables in the ARX-11 model and obtain predictive gain. We observed that for a risk neutral manager, different simulations of wind power production do not change the optimal decision. However, this does not apply for risk averse managers, especially when we consider the simulation model with climate exogenous variables. Therefore, it is important that the risk averse manager establishes a single simulation model to consider or adopts some multi-criteria technique for weighting different models. The risk profile also changes the manager optimal decision. We observed that increasing risk aversion, the standard deviation and mean of the results distribution decrease, while risk premium and CVaRs increase. Therefore, to proceed the optimization, it is important to specify a single preference function, which represents adequately the manager or company risk profile. The flexibility of the developed preference function, allowing the definition of different manager s risk aversion levels for different preference groups, contributes to this specification.
13
D’Orazio, Dario <1978>. "The effective duration of the autocorrelation function of a sound signal: calculation methods, relationship with cognitive models and relevance on the subjective preference theory." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2011. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/3815/.
Повний текст джерела
14
Straatmann, Gisele. "A utilização do paradigma de equivalência de estímulos para modificar a preferência alimentar." Universidade de São Paulo, 2008. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/59/59134/tde-12052009-141159/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a aquisição de função simbólica de expressões emocionais por nomes de alimentos verdadeiros e fictícios em adolescentes, por meio do paradigma de equivalência de estímulos. No Estudo I foram ensinadas relações entre as faces humanas expressando alegria e neutralidade com nomes de alimentos verdadeiros pelo procedimento de matching-to-sample simultâneo, diferindo a quantidade de treino em três grupos experimentais (segundo e terceiro grupo com supertreino). Os retratos faciais (conjunto A) foram relacionados a conjuntos de estímulos abstratos (conjuntos B e C); estímulos do conjunto B foram relacionados a nomes de alimentos (D). Portanto, as relações AB, AC e BD foram treinadas. Ao final foi conduzido o teste de equivalência CD/DC. Para avaliação inicial e final dos alimentos, foi utilizado um questionário com cinqüenta nomes de alimentos anexados a uma escala de avaliação de cinco pontos composta de expressões faciais e um teste de preferência alimentar com dez alimentos selecionados do questionário. Cinqüenta e cinco participantes da quinta série do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas e particulares concluíram o Estudo I. Trinta e cinco participantes mostraram desempenhos consistentes na fase de estabelecimento de equivalência de estímulos (nove do Grupo 1, onze do Grupo 2 e quinze do Grupo 3). Entre esses participantes, o alimento treinado com a face alegre foi avaliado em ambos os instrumentos como mais agradável por sessenta e seis porcento dos participantes do primeiro grupo e quarenta e cinco porcento do terceiro grupo. No segundo grupo, quarenta e cinco porcento avaliaram mais positivamente este alimento no pós teste de preferência alimentar. Em relação à face neutra feminina, os participantes dos Grupos 2 e 3 apresentaram avaliações finais mais positivas nos instrumentos finais . Porém, em relação ao alimento equivalente à face neutra masculina, destaca-se uma redução na avaliação do pós-teste de preferência nos Grupos Experimentais 2 e 3. O Estudo II teve como objetivo verificar se a transferência de função ocorreria se fossem utilizados nomes fictícios de alimentos relacionados com expressões esquemáticas de alegria, neutralidade e tristeza pelo procedimento de matching-to-sample com atraso. Os estímulos que diferiram do Estudo I foram os dos conjuntos A e D, compostos por faces esquemáticas e nomes fictícios de alimentos (capira, fulito e piteba), respectivamente. Um questionário com uma escala de cinco pontos de expressões esquemáticas foi usada como pré e pós teste. Trinta e seis participantes concluíram o Estudo II, dos quais vinte e cinco apresentaram desempenhos consistentes no teste de equivalência. A interação entre os questionários versus alimento teve um efeito significativo (p<0,001) no grupo de participantes que atingiram o critério de equivalência. Os participantes aumentaram as avaliações finais de capira (treinado com a face alegre), mantiveram avaliações finais muito próximas às iniciais no alimento fulito (treinado com a face neutra) e, diminuíram consideravelmente o pós teste do alimento piteba (treinado com a face triste).The aim of the present study was to verify the acquisition of symbolic properties of facial expressions of emotion for real and fictitious food names in adolescents, using a stimulus equivalence paradigm. In Experiment 1, conditional relations between facial expressions (one of happiness and two expressing emotion neutrality) and real food names were trained by simultaneous matching-to-sample procedure. Three experimental groups differed only on the amount of training (Group 2 and 3 with overtraining). Pictures of facial expressions (Set-A) were related to abstract line drawing stimulus (Set-B and Set-C); C stimuli were related to food names (D). So, the AB, AC and BD relations were trained. Finally, they received the equivalence tests CD/DC. The participants were asked to rate the foods names for pleasantness in the beginning and in the end of the experiment by a questionnaire with fifty food names. These were linked to a five point scale of facial expressions and a preference test that had ten food names selected from the questionnaire. Fifty five participants that were in the fifth grade of public and private schools concluded Experiment I. Thirty five participants demonstrated equivalence (nine in Group 1, eleven in Group 2 and 15 in Group 3). The food trained with the happy face was valued in both final instruments of evaluation of the food preference as more pleasant by sixty six percent of the Group 1 participants and forty five percent of the Group 3. In Group 2, forty five percent valued as more pleasant this food only in the final evaluation of the preference test. The food related to the feminine neutral face showed more positive evaluations in Groups 2 and 3. On the other hand, the food equivalent to the masculine neutral face had a reduction in the food preference test in Groups 2 and 3. Experiment II aimed to verify if the transfer of function would happen if fictitious names of foods related to facial expressions of happiness, neutrality and sadness were used via delayed matching-to-sample procedure. Stimuli of Set-A and Set-D were different from Experiment I and had schematic expressions and fictitious food names (capira, fulito and piteba), respectively. A five point scale questionnaire of schematic expressions was used to value the fictitious names of foods in the beginning and in the end of the experiment. Thirty six participants finished Experiment II and twenty five showed stimulus equivalence. There was a significant interaction between the final evaluations and fictitious food names (p<0,001) in the equivalence group. The participants increased the final evaluations of the food trained with the happy face (capira), maintained almost the same evaluations of the food related with the neutral face (fulito) and considerably reduced the judgments of piteba, which was trained with the sad face.
15
Zhang, Yiru. "Modeling and management of imperfect preferences with the theory of belief functions." Thesis, Rennes 1, 2020. http://www.theses.fr/2020REN1S006.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Aujourd'hui, surtout dans le monde numérique, il nous est demandé nos préférences sur toute sorte de choses. La modélisation et gestion de ces préférences ouvrent de nouveaux défis. Ces travaux se concentrent sur les imperfections dans l'information des préférences, telles que l'incertitude, l'imprécision et l'incomplétude. Dans cette thèse, nous passons en revue les méthodes d'état de l'art sur l'agrégation et l'apprentissage des préférences. Fondé sur la théorie des fonctions de croyance, nous proposons une modèle, nommé BFpref, permettant à raisonner les préférences au niveau du coupe à partir d’un degré de croyance. Le modèle BFpref est capable de représenter l'incertitude, l'imprécision ainsi que l'incomplétude par l'ignorance totale dans le cadre des fonctions de croyance. Nous proposons ensuite des stratégies pertinentes pour fusionner de multiple préférences crédibilistes. De plus, une distance sur les préférences imparfaites est introduite afin de tenir compte différemment des quatre types de relations de préférence. Cette distance est nommée Weighted Singleton Distance (WSD). La classification non-supervisée sur les préférences crédibilistes est aussi étudiée en distinguant les préférences complètes et incomplètesToday, especially in the digital world, we are asked about our preferences on many things. Modeling and managing these preferences open up new challenges. This work focuses on imperfections in preference information, such as uncertainty, imprecision and incompleteness. In this thesis, we review state-of-the-art methods on preference aggregation and preference learning. Based on the theory of belief functions, we propose a model of preference information on the pairs of alternatives (or objects) being compared. This model is called Bfpref. BFpref model is capable of expressing uncertainty, imprecision and as incompleteness through total ignorance in the framework of the theory of belief functions. We then propose relevant strategies to fuse multiple belief preferences. In addition, a distance on imperfect preferences is introduced to take into account the four types of preference relationships differently. This distance is called Weighted Singleton Distance (WSD). The unsupervised classification on imperfect preferences with BFpref model is also studied by distinguishing between complete and incomplete preferences
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Bissey, Marie-Edith. "Semi-parametric estimation of preference functions." Thesis, University of York, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.428532.
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Georgescu, Irina. "Fuzzy choice functions a revealed preference approach." Berlin Heidelberg Springer, 2005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68998-0.
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Kvern, Margaret Anne Lysack. "Symptom distress, functional ability, family function and decision making preferences in cancer patients and their families." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/MQ56133.pdf.
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McGeachie, Michael J. "Utility functions for ceteris paribus preferences." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/16842.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-103).
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Ceteris paribus preference statements concisely represent preferences over outcomes or goals in a way natural to human thinking. Many decision making methods require an efficient method for comparing the desirability of two arbitrary goals. We address this need by presenting an algorithm for converting a set of qualitative ceteris paribus preferences into a quantitative utility function. Our algorithm is complete for a finite universe of binary features. Constructing the utility function can, in the worst case, take time exponential in the number of features. Common forms of independence conditions reduce the computational burden. We present heuristics using utility independence and constraint based search to achieve efficient utility functions.
by Michael McGeachie.
S.M.
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Salvin, Pauline. "Les signaux des femelles dans la communication intersexuelle ; études chez le canari domestique, Serinus canaria." Thesis, Paris 10, 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018PA100137/document.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Pendant de nombreuses années, les femelles ont été décrites comme passives dans les interactions mâles-femelles et ont parfois été négligées dans les études sur les comportements reproducteurs et la communication animale. Pourtant, il est de plus en plus évident que les comportements des femelles influencent ceux des mâles et que les mâles peuvent ajuster leurs comportements de parades aux comportements des femelles. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre les signaux que les femelles émettent lors d’interactions avec un mâle dans un contexte de reproduction chez le canari domestique. L’ensemble de mes résultats montre tout d’abord que les femelles utilisent des signaux de parades visuels et acoustiques, c’est-à-dire des postures de sollicitation à l’accouplement et des trilles-spécifiques de femelles, comme une invitation à s’accoupler, mais qu’elles peuvent aussi les utiliser pour inciter le mâle à parader et l’aider à échantillonner la qualité de partenaires potentiels. D’autre part, ces deux signaux n’auraient pas la même efficacité selon le contexte d’émission. Ensuite, il semblerait que les signaux véhiculés par la modalité visuelle pourraient jouer un rôle plus important qu’on ne le pensait jusque-là dans les interactions intersexuelles chez cette espèce. Enfin, cette thèse a aussi pu apporter de nouveaux éléments concernant les préférences des femelles pour les chants de mâles et a montré que les méthodes utilisées en laboratoire pour tester les préférences des femelles étaient fiables et congruentes. Cette thèse permet de contribuer aux recherches grandissantes mettant en évidence le rôle important de la femelle dans les interactions intersexuellesMuch studies on reproduction and animal communication have considered the female as the passive sex; the role of the female during male-female interactions have often been overlooked. However, there is growing evidence that female behaviours can affect those of the males and that males can adjust their courtships to female behaviours. The aim of this thesis is to understand the signals produced by females during interactions with a male in a reproductive context in the domestic canary. Overall, my results show that females not only use their visual and acoustic signals, the copulation solicitation display and the female-specific trills, as an invitation to copulate but also to incite male to sing as an aid to sample potential mates. Then, these two signals could not have the same efficacy in different contexts of transmission. Moreover, the visual components of the communication seem to be more important than previously thought during intersexual interactions in this species. Finally, this thesis provides new elements about the female preferences for male songs and shows that methods used to test female preferences in laboratory are reliable and congruent. This thesis contributes to the growing number of researches showing that females play an active role in intersexual interactions
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Hossain, M. Ayub. "The stochastic preference relations for vector valued attributes /." The Ohio State University, 1987. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487331541711522.
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Letsou, Christina. "Preferences for Randomization in Social Choice:." Thesis, Boston College, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/bc-ir:108719.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Thesis advisor: Uzi SegalThis dissertation consists of three chapters analyzing preferences for randomization in social choice problems. The first two chapters are related and in the fields of distributive justice and social choice. They concern allocation of an indivisible good in social choice problems where efficiency is at odds with equality. The last chapter addresses a social choice problem from an individual's perspective using decision theoretical analysis. In this dissertation I demonstrate why randomization may be an attractive policy in social choice problems and demonstrate how individuals may have preferences over the precise method of randomization. The first chapter is titled "Live and Let Die." This paper discusses how to allocate an indivisible good by social lottery when agents have asymmetric claims. Intuition suggests that there may exist agents who should receive zero probability in the optimal social lottery. In such a case, I say that these agents have weak claims to the good. This paper uses a running example of allocating an indivisible medical treatment to individuals with different survival rates and reactions to the treatment in order to provide conditions for consistency of weak claims. As such, I develop two related assumptions on a social planner's preferences over lotteries. The first -- survival rate scaling -- states that if an individual has a weak claim, then his claim is also weak when survival rates increase proportionally. The second -- independence of weak claims -- states that if an individual has a weak claim, then his removal does not affect others' probabilities of receiving the treatment. These assumptions imply that a compatible social welfare function must exhibit constant elasticity of substitution, which results in potentially-degenerate weighted lotteries. The second chapter is titled "Why is Six Afraid of Seven? Bringing the "Numbers" to Economics." This chapter discusses the numbers problem: the question of if the numbers of people involved should be used to determine whether to help certain people or to help certain other people. I discuss the main solutions that have been proposed: flipping a coin, saving the greater number, and proportionally weighted lotteries. Using the economic tools of social choice, I then show how the model of the previous chapter, "Live and Let Die," can be extended to address numbers problems and compare the implications of prominent social welfare functions for numbers problems. I argue that potentially-degenerate weighted lotteries can assuage the main concerns discussed in the literature and I show that both the Nash product social welfare function as well as constant elasticity of substitution (CES) social welfare functions are compatible with this solution. Finally, I discuss a related problem known as "probability cases," in which individuals differ in survival chances rather than numbers of individuals at risk. When the model is extended to allow for both asymmetries in survival chances and numbers of individuals in groups, CES results in potentially-degenerate weighted lotteries whereas Nash product does not. The third chapter is titled "All Probabilities are Equal, but Some Probabilities are More Equal than Others," which is joint work with Professor Uzi Segal of the Economics Department at Boston College and Professor Shlomo Naeh of the Departments of Talmud and Jewish Thought at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In this chapter we compare preferences for different procedures of selecting people randomly. A common procedure for selecting people is to have them draw balls from an urn in turn. Modern and ancient stories (for example, by Graham Greene and the Talmud) suggest that such a lottery may not be viewed by the individuals as "fair.'' In this paper, we compare this procedure with several alternatives. These procedures give all individuals equal chance of being selected, but have different structures. We analyze these procedures as multi-stage lotteries. In line with previous literature, our analysis is based on the observation that multi-stage lotteries are not considered indifferent to their probabilistic one-stage representations. As such, we use a non-expected utility model to understand the preferences of risk-averse individuals over these procedures and show that they may be not indifferent between them
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020
Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Discipline: Economics
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Santos, Silvana Lopes dos. "Influência de personagens infantis sobre escolhas alimentares em crianças : um estudo com equivalência de estímulos." Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2017. https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/ufscar/9023.
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Questions about the possible influence of marketing on children's food choices have been topics of debate in recent years. The use of characters in advertisements and packaging is one strategy commonly used to develop positive attitudes toward brands or products. Research that used the stimulus equivalence paradigm has shown that such influence can occur through the transfer of functions. The purpose of this thesis was to verify under what conditions an abstract symbol can acquire symbolic functions of characters and influence children's food choices. Therefore, three studies were carried out. In Study 1 of this thesis, the children formed two classes of stimuli: one containing a liked character and the other a dislike character. The other members were geometric figures and abstract symbols. Three choice and preference tests were conducted where the children had to choose from two samples of the same snack, differing only by the label on the package: 1) symbol equivalent to the liked and disliked characters; 2) symbol equivalent to the disliked character and a new symbol; and 3) the symbol equivalent to the liked character and the logo a known brand. Most children chose first, and reported to like more, the snack labeled with the symbol equivalent to the liked character. They also chose, and reported to like more, the snack labeled with a new stimulus over the symbol equivalent to the disliked character. The Test 3 was inconclusive. Study 2 was similar, however, rather than the known brand, this was replaced by another new symbol in the Test 3. The equivalence tests and the food choice and preference tests were repeated after two weeks. The results of Test 1 were replicated, but the tests 2 and 3 were inconclusive. However, it was possible to verify both the maintenance of the equivalence relations and the transfer of function. In Study 3 the children formed three classes of equivalence, one of which contained a neutral figure. The preference tests were similar; however, the “neutral” symbols replaced the new symbols. The function transfer results were even more robust because all children chose and liked more the food with the symbol equivalent to the favorite character on the label. It has also been noted that children tend to choose a food with a symbol equivalent to the character, even if not attractive, when the other option is a label with a "neutral" symbol. The analysis of the profile and consumption habits of private school participants (Studies 1 and 2) and public (Study 3) pointed to some significant differences relative to food consumption, participation in purchases, hours of televisions, etc, which may have influenced in the obtained results. It is considered that the results achieved have empirically demonstrated how children can be persuaded by using attractive figures. They also brought contributions that strengthen the stimulus equivalence paradigm as a behavioral model the semantic relations and an useful methodology for the study of the attitudes and preferences.
Questões referentes à possível influência do marketing nas escolhas alimentares de crianças têm sido temas de debate nos últimos anos. A adoção de personagens em propagandas e embalagens faz parte das estratégias normalmente utilizadas para desenvolver atitudes positivas em relação a marcas ou produtos. Pesquisas que se baseiam no paradigma de equivalência de estímulos têm demonstrado que tal influência pode ocorrer também por meio da transferência de funções. O objetivo desta tese foi verificar em quais condições um símbolo abstrato pode adquirir funções simbólicas de personagens e influenciar escolhas alimentares de crianças. Para tanto, foram realizados três estudos. No Estudo 1 as crianças formaram duas classes de estímulos: uma contendo um personagem de que gostavam e a outra um personagem de que não gostavam. Os demais membros eram figuras geométricas e símbolos abstratos. Foram conduzidos três testes de escolha e preferência com dois alimentos idênticos oferecidos em embalagens transparentes tendo os seguintes rótulos: o símbolo equivalente ao personagem favorito e o outro ao personagem não atrativo; 2) o símbolo equivalente ao personagem não atrativo e um símbolo novo; e 3) o símbolo equivalente ao personagem favorito e o outro uma marca conhecida. Os resultados apontaram que a maioria das crianças escolheu e relatou gostar mais do alimento com um símbolo da mesma classe do personagem de que gostavam. Além disto, o alimento com o símbolo novo no rótulo também foi mais escolhido do que o que continha o símbolo da classe do personagem de que não gostavam. O terceiro teste foi inconclusivo. O Estudo 2 foi semelhante, no entanto, ao invés da marca conhecida no Teste 3, esta foi substituída por um outro símbolo novo. Os testes de equivalência e de escolha e preferência alimentar foram repetidos após duas semanas. Houve replicação dos resultados referentes ao Teste 1, no entanto, os Testes 2 e 3 foram inconclusivos. Foi possível constatar tanto a manutenção das relações de equivalência quanto da transferência de função. No Estudo 3 as crianças formaram três classes de equivalência, sendo que uma delas continha uma figura neutra. Os testes foram semelhantes aos anteriores, no entanto, os símbolos novos foram substituídos pelo símbolo “neutro”. Todas as crianças escolheram e demonstraram preferência pelo alimento com o símbolo equivalente ao personagem favorito no rótulo. Também se pôde constatar que as crianças tendem a escolher um alimento com um símbolo equivalente ao personagem, mesmo que não atrativo, quando a outra opção é um rótulo com um símbolo “neutro”. A análise do perfil e hábitos de consumo dos participantes da escola particular (Estudos 1 e 2) e pública (Estudo 3) apontaram algumas diferenças significativas com relação ao consumo de alimentos, participação em compras, horas de televisão, etc., que podem ter interferido nos resultados obtidos. Considera-se que os resultados alcançados demonstraram empiricamente como as crianças podem ser persuadidas com o uso de figuras atrativas. Também trouxeram contribuições que reforçam a equivalência de estímulos como um modelo de relações semânticas, além de se mostrar uma metodologia útil para o estudo das atitudes e preferências.
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Schäfer, Thomas. "Determinants of Music Preference." Doctoral thesis, Universitätsbibliothek Chemnitz, 2009. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:ch1-200900277.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Musik begleitet uns seit vielen Jahrtausenden und ist ein Teil der menschlichen Entwicklungsgeschichte. Mehr über den Ursprung und die Bedeutung von Musik zu wissen bedeutet mehr über uns selbst zu wissen. Die meisten Menschen mögen Musik und für viele ist es eine der wichtigsten Freizeitbeschäftigungen in ihrem Leben. Doch unterschiedliche Menschen mögen unterschiedliche Musik, und die Bindung an Musik kann stark oder schwach sein. Dieses als Musikpräferenz bezeichnete Phänomen hat in der Vergangenheit zahlreiche Studien innerhalb der Musikpsychologie angeregt, die eine Fülle von Variablen untersucht haben, welche das Zustandekommen unterschiedlicher musikalischer Vorlieben erklären helfen. Diese Forschungsergebnisse sind jedoch bis heute lückenhaft und konnten bisher nicht in ein allgemeines Modell über die Entstehung von Musikpräferenz integriert werden. Die bereits existierenden Vorschläge für solch ein Modell beschränken sich auf konkrete Gefallensurteile für ein gegebenes Musikstück. Sie erklären jedoch nicht, warum sich Menschen überhaupt entschließen Musik zu hören und nach welchen Kriterien sie diese Musik aussuchen. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Untersuchung derjenigen Faktoren, welche die Motivation Musik zu hören und den Auswahlprozess von Musik aus verschiedenen musikalischen Stilen (Genres, Musikrichtungen) erklären können. Als entscheidend werden dabei die Funktionen von Musik erachtet, die in den bisherigen Modellen fast vollständig vernachlässigt wurden. Die Funktionalität – also der Nutzen – von Musik kann darüber Auskunft geben, welche (evolutionären) Vorteile sie für den Menschen hatte und wie sich diese Vorteile bis heute nutzen lassen um bestimmte Bedürfnisse zu befriedigen. Damit kann nicht nur die Frage beantwortet werden, warum jemand Musik hören möchte, sondern auch die Frage, warum jemand einen bestimmten Musikstil bevorzugt – denn Musik verschiedener Stilrichtungen kann für eine Person mit ganz unterschiedlichen Funktionen assoziiert sein. Wie die einzelnen Funktionen von Musik mit Musikpräferenz in Zusammenhang stehen und welche Funktionen eine entscheidende Rolle für die Entwicklung von Musikpräferenz spielen, ist das zentrale Thema dieser. In einem ersten Schritt wurde versucht die Liste der Faktoren, welche Musikpräferenz kausal beeinflussen, zu vervollständigen: Bisher ist bekannt, dass Musikpräferenz mit kognitiven, emotionalen, physiologischen, sozialen, entwicklungsbezogenen und persönlichkeitsbezogenen Variablen zusammenhängt. Von den physiologischen Variablen weiß man jedoch noch nicht, ob sie stets nur ein Effekt des Musikhörens sind oder ob sie auch ursächlich auf Musikpräferenz wirken können. In zwei Studien wurde gezeigt, dass das Hören von Lieblingsmusik mit erhöhter Erregung einhergeht und dass erhöhte Erregung umgekehrt Musikpräferenz verstärken kann. In zwei weiteren Studien über die Funktionen von Lieblingsmusik zeigte sich, dass Musik vor allem zur Stimmungs‐ und Erregungsmodulation eingesetzt werden kann. Es zeigte sich aber auch, dass diese am höchsten bewerteten Funktionen nicht gleichzeitig diejenigen sind, die für eine starke Präferenz für die eigene Lieblingsmusik verantwortlich sind. Stattdessen spielen für eine starke Präferenz eher soziale und kommunikative Funktionen eine große Rolle (z.B. die Möglichkeit mit Musik die eigene Identität auszudrücken). Die beiden abschließenden Studien zeigten, dass für Musikpräferenz generell – also über verschiedene Musikstile hinweg – kognitive Funktionen (wie Kommunikation oder Selbstreflexion) sowie physiologische Erregung die größte Rolle spielen, während emotionale Faktoren und die Bekanntheit der Musik keinen besonders großen Einfluss haben. Am Ende der Arbeit wird für eine Integration der gefundenen Ergebnisse in die bereits bestehenden Modelle über die Entwicklung von Musikpräferenz argumentiert, mit dem Ziel dieses Phänomen umfassend zu verstehen und die Befunde für eine erfolgreiche Anwendung in Bildung oder Therapie nutzen zu könnenMore than 2500 years ago, the Greek philosopher Pythagoras explored the sound of swinging chords and made an intriguing discovery: the simultaneous tones of chords that are divided in their length in integer ratios produced a sound which people perceive as harmonic. Pythagoras was able to describe a subjective phenomenon of the human mind by means of simple mathematical ratios. With this principle he formulated the program of natural science, and it is still the way how scientists try to explain the human mind in terms of mathematical principles and laws. In fact, one of the youngest disciplines in modern sciences – the psychology of music – is tied to the ancient findings of Pythagoras and investigates human perception, cognition, emotion, and behavior related to music. There are three ways how people relate to music. They can create music as a composer, they can perform music by means of their voice or an instrument, and they can listen to music. Although all three aspects are interesting, the work in hand will concentrate on music listening because it is the most ubiquitous activity which concerns every single individual. Music psychology is related to music listening in several respects which will accompany the whole work: Why do we listen to music at all? What kind of music do we listen to and why? How strong is our relation to specific music and why? These fundamental questions guided the present research and root in evolutionary considerations about music listening and end up at the concrete use of music in people’s everyday life. The central issue which is surrounded by these questions is referred to as music preference. ‘Which music do you like?’ has become one of the most often used questions in psychological research, for two reasons: First, since every person (at least in the western world) is in contact with music everyday and most people see music as one of the most important things in their daily life, the study of music listening provides an authentic and fruitful avenue to their experiences and behavior in a variety of situations and contexts. Second, because music has been recognized as a tool for expressing and inducing moods and emotions and also as a means to convey information in social environments, music is by now often used as an essential implement in personality, emotion, and social psychology research. Thus, research on music preference is going on to provide us with deep insights into many psychological questions. The dissertation addresses the investigation of music preference in a series of experimental studies. Chapter 1 provides an introduction in theory and research about music preference and points at open questions which appear in both content and methodology of the current research. Chapters 2 to 4 present three empirical papers which addressed these open questions in a total of six studies. Chapter 5 summarizes the findings of these studies and provides some preliminary suggestions about a comprehensive model of music preference
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Chai, Sin-Chee 1969. "The functions of amygdala and hippocampus in conditioned cue preference learning /." Thesis, McGill University, 2002. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=38470.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The experiments in this thesis examined the roles of stimulus configuration on conditioned cue preference (CCP) learning by asking what information is processed and by which neural substrates. Results from Experiments 1 and 2 showed that lesions of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LNA) but not of fimbria-fornix (FF) impaired CCP learning when the cues paired with food during training were distinct from those not paired with food in either of two different apparatuses. In Experiments 3 and 4 LNA lesions increased the size of the CCP when the cues paired with food and no food were ambiguous in two different apparatuses. Learning the ambiguous cue CCP required at least one session of unreinforced pre-exposure to the cues and was eliminated by FF lesions. In the last series of experiments, a latent learning effect of unreinforced pre-exposure on ambiguous cue CCP learning on the radial maze was found in normal animals that received at least 3 sessions of unreinforced pre-exposure. FF lesions made before, but not after, pre-exposure eliminated the latent learning effect. Hippocampus lesions made either before or after pre-exposure eliminated the CCP learning. Taken together, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that distinct cue CCP learning is based on conditioned approach responses to cues paired with food, mediated by a neural system that includes the LNA. The results also suggest that ambiguous cue CCP learning takes place in two phases. First spatial learning occurs during unreinforced pre-exposure, a process that requires an intact FF. Subsequently, information about the location of the reinforcer is added to the spatial information during the reinforced training trials by a process of "reconsolidation". An intact hippocampus is required for this process. The implications of these results and interpretations for latent learning and latent inhibition are considered.
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Yang, Hui-Ming. "Effects of payoff functions and preference distributions in an adaptive population /." View abstract or full-text, 2007. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?PHYS%202007%20YANG.
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Fatah, Khwazbeen Saida. "Preference modelling approaches based on cumulative functions using simulation with applications." Thesis, University of South Wales, 2009. https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/preference-modelling-approaches-based-on-cumulative-functions-using-simulation-with-applications(60653456-e002-4a64-976a-8ae4e4fd4a7e).html.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In decision making problems under uncertainty, Mean Variance Model (MVM) consistent with Expected Utility Theory (EUT) plays an important role in ranking preferences for various alternative options. Despite its wide use, this model is appropriate only when random variables representing the alternative options are normally distributed and the utility function to be maximized is quadratic; both are undesirable properties to be satisfied with actual applications. In this research, a novel methodology has been adopted in developing generalized models that can reduce the deficiency of the existing models to solve large-scale decision problems, along with applications to real-world disputes. More specifically, for eliciting preferences for pairs of alternative options, two approaches are developed: one is based on Mean Variance Model (MVM), which is consistent with Expected Utility Theory (EUT), and the second is based on Analytic Hierarchy Processes (AHP). The main innovation in the first approach is in reformulating MVM to be based on cumulative functions using simulation. Two models under this approach are introduced: the first deals with ranking preferences for pairs of lotteries/options with non-negative outcomes only while the second, which is for risk modelling, is a risk-preference model that concerns normalized lotteries representing risk factors each is obtained from a multiplication decomposition of a lottery into its mean multiplied by a risk factor. Both approximation models, which are preference-based using the determined values for expected utility, have the potential to accommodate various distribution functions with different utility functions and capable of handling decision problems especially those encountered in financial economics. The study then reformulates the second approach, AHP; a new algorithm, using simulation, introduces an approximation method that restricts the level of inherent uncertainty to a certain limit. The research further focuses on proposing an integrated preference-based AHP model introducing a novel approximation stepwise algorithm that combines the two modified approaches, namely MVM and AHP; it multiplies the determined value for expected utility, which results from implementing the modified MVM, by the one obtained from processing AHP to obtain an aggregated weight indicator. The new integrated weight scale represents an accurate and flexible tool that can be employed efficiently to solve decision making problems for possible scenarios that concern financial economics Finally, to illustrate how the integrated model can be used as a practical methodology to solve real life selection problems, this research explores the first empirical case study on Tender Selection Process (TSP) in Kurdistan Region (KR) of Iraq; it is considered as an inductive and a comprehensive investigation on TSP, which has received minimum consideration in the region, and regarded as a significant contribution to this research. The implementation of the proposed model to this case study shows that, for the evaluation of construction tenders, the integrated approach is an appropriate model, which can be easily modified to assume specific conditions of the proposed project. Using simulation, generated data allows creation of a feedback system that can be utilized for the evaluation of future projects in addition to its capability to make data handling easier and the evaluation process less complex and time consuming.
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Raymond, Kristan Marie Nicole. "Determining habitat preferences of the juvenile gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) using spatially modeled vegetation on a central Florida sandhill." [Tampa, Fla] : University of South Florida, 2007. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0002255.
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Shaffer, Renita Philley. "Stereotypes and Hiring Preferences Among Business Students as a Function of Psychologist's Attire." Thesis, North Texas State University, 1987. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc500566/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
To study what stereotypes exist regarding psychologists by the general public and determine whether and how this affects hiring preferences, 114 undergraduate business and non-business students at a large southwestern university were asked to participate. The Gough Adjective Check List was administered to determine what stereotypes are held by persons regarding psychologists. A study of visual perception/stereotype and hiring preference as a function of attire was also conducted. Three dress styles were used as stimuli. It was hypothesized that the groups would differ in their stereotypes of psychologists both cognitively and visually. There were no significant differences between the groups as a function of college major. However, a main effect for dress style was found. Possible explanations of findings are discussed.
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Todd, Brenda Kathryn. "The origins, functions and development of the left-side cradling preference in human females." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.368491.
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Bihler, Holly L. "Altering slot machine preferences of gamblers via the transformation of stimulus functions /." Available to subscribers only, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1404342571&sid=2&Fmt=2&clientId=1509&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Olga, Panic-Kavgic. "Jezički ispoljena učtivost pri slaganju ineslaganju sa sagovornikom: uporedna analizaengleskih, srpskih i prevedenih filmskih dijaloga." Phd thesis, Univerzitet u Novom Sadu, Filozofski fakultet u Novom Sadu, 2014. http://www.cris.uns.ac.rs/record.jsf?recordId=87866&source=NDLTD&language=en.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Ova disertacija se bavi analizom jezičkiispoljene učtivosti na primerima filmskihdijaloga kojima se ispoljava slaganje ineslaganje sa sagovornikom na engleskom isrpskom jeziku, kao i u titlovanim prevodima nasrpskom. Osnovni ciljevi istraživanja jesu da seklasifikuju, opišu i primerima potkrepestrategije slaganja i neslaganja sa sagovornikom,da se sumiraju i uporede dobijeni rezultati u dvajezika, te da se utvrde promene prilikomtitlovanog prevođenja odabranih dijalogâ saengleskog jezika na srpski. Pretpostavke u vezisa uklapanjem dobijenih rezultatâ uodgovarajuće kulturne matrice i osiromašenjeminterakcijske komponente sadržaja titlovanogprevoda istražene su u svetlu relevantnihteorijskih razmatranja, putem kvalitativneanalize odabranog jezičkog materijala.This thesis deals with verbally expressedpoliteness in film dialogues of agreement anddisagreement with the interlocutor in Englishand Serbian, as well as in subtitled translationsinto Serbian. The most important goals of theresearch are to classify, describe and exemplifythe strategies of agreement and disagreement inselected US and Serbian films, to summarizeand compare the results of the analysis in thetwo languages and to determine the changes inthe interactional component of meaning in thesubtitling mode of translation from English intoSerbian. The hypotheses concerning theanalysed cases of agreeing and disagreeing inthe light of prevalent politeness patterns in USand Serbian culture, as well as the presumedundertranslation of the interactional componentof meaning in the Serbian subtitles are testedconsidering the relevant theoretical frameworks,by means of applying the method of qualitativeanalysis
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Avenant, Carina. "Thinking style preferences in communication pathology." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2001. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03192007-100706.
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Zargarpour, Sepideh. "Individual differences in children's group perceptions and peer preferences as a function of prejudice level." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp05/NQ63986.pdf.
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Silver, David. "Learning Preference Models for Autonomous Mobile Robots in Complex Domains." Research Showcase @ CMU, 2010. http://repository.cmu.edu/dissertations/551.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Achieving robust and reliable autonomous operation even in complex unstructured environments is a central goal of field robotics. As the environments and scenarios to which robots are applied have continued to grow in complexity, so has the challenge of properly defining preferences and tradeoffs between various actions and the terrains they result in traversing. These definitions and parameters encode the desired behavior of the robot; therefore their correctness is of the utmost importance. Current manual approaches to creating and adjusting these preference models and cost functions have proven to be incredibly tedious and time-consuming, while typically not producing optimal results except in the simplest of circumstances.
This thesis presents the development and application of machine learning techniques that automate the construction and tuning of preference models within complex mobile robotic systems. Utilizing the framework of inverse optimal control, expert examples of robot behavior can be used to construct models that generalize demonstrated preferences and reproduce similar behavior. Novel learning from demonstration approaches are developed that offer the possibility of significantly reducing the amount of human interaction necessary to tune a system, while also improving its final performance. Techniques to account for the inevitability of noisy and imperfect demonstration are presented, along with additional methods for improving the efficiency of expert demonstration and feedback.
The effectiveness of these approaches is confirmed through application to several real world domains, such as the interpretation of static and dynamic perceptual data in unstructured environments and the learning of human driving styles and maneuver preferences. Extensive testing and experimentation both in simulation and in the field with multiple mobile robotic systems provides empirical confirmation of superior autonomous performance, with less expert interaction and no hand tuning. These experiments validate the potential applicability of the developed algorithms to a large variety of future mobile robotic systems.
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Chai, Sin-Chee 1969. "Effects of lesions to learning and memory systems on the morphine conditioned cue preference." Thesis, McGill University, 1996. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=27296.
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The present thesis investigates the effects of lesions to several hypothesized learning and memory systems on the morphine conditioned cue preference on the radial maze. Lesions of the structures thought to be centered to learning systems: the lateral nucleus of amygdala, fornix/fimbria, anterior dorsal striatum and posterior dorsal striatum, were made, In Experiment One, each structure was lesioned separately. Only lesions of the lateral nucleus of amygdala blocked morphine CCP learning. In Experiment Two, rats with combined lesions of fornix/fimbria and dorsal striatum, the lateral nucleus of amygdala and fornix/fimbria, as well as the lateral nucleus of amygdala and dorsal striatum were all impaired on morphine CCP. All of the rats with combined lesions were impaired in this CCP learning. These findings suggest that the lateral nucleus of amygdala is necessary for the morphine CCP. Participation of dorsal striatum or fornix/fimbria is also required. Some hypotheses about the interactions among the structures are discussed.
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Mantha, Michèle Jeanne. "Preschoolers' Understanding of Future Preferences and Its Relation to Theory of Mind and Executive Function Abilities." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/34222.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The aim of this dissertation was to explore whether preschoolers understand that preferences differ over time and between people. The first goal was to determine if 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds could appreciate that their future or “grown-up” preferences may differ from their current ones (self-future condition). This understanding was compared to children’s understanding of the preferences of a grown-up (adult-now condition), or the grown-up preferences of a same-aged peer (peer-future condition). Results from 3 experiments (N = 240) suggest that these types of reasoning develop substantially over the preschool years, and that children are generally proficient by 5 years of age. Results also indicate that thinking about one’s own future preferences is more difficult than thinking about the (future) preferences of others. The second goal of this dissertation was to explore the relations between reasoning about preferences and theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF) abilities. Correlational analyses revealed that children’s reasoning about their future preferences and those of others was associated with EF skills, but not with ToM. These findings provide a timely contribution to the expanding research on children’s future-oriented cognition. Implications for theories about perspective-taking abilities, more broadly, and future research are also discussed.
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Herman, Marlena F. "Relationship of college students' visual preference to use of representations : conceptual understanding of functions in Algebra /." The Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1486462067840983.
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Das, Chhandita. "Investigating ways to improve discrete choice methods in assessing individual preference functions with greater reliability and accuracy /." View online ; access limited to URI, 2007. http://0-digitalcommons.uri.edu.helin.uri.edu/dissertations/AAI3284822.
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Chism, Scott B. "FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE OF TEMNOCHILA VIRESCENS, EFFECT OF COMPETITION WITH THANASIMUS DUBIUS ON ADULT IPS GRANDICOLLIS SURVIVAL, AND DETERMINATION OF PHEROMONE PREFERENCE TYPES." OpenSIUC, 2013. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/1284.
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Arthropod predators are able to influence the population dynamics of forest insects such as bark beetles. Two common predators of bark beetles are Temnochila virescens (F.) (Coleoptera: Trogositidae) and Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Studies on T. virescens ecology have been few and not quantitative. Also, in recent years there has been increased focus on multiple-predator effects on the population dynamics of a single prey species, which better describes a natural system. Therefore, a series of three studies was conducted to provide a general overview of T. virescens ecology and its potential use for biological control. The first study examined the functional response of T. virescens toward its Ips prey. The second evaluated the impacts of intraguild competition between T. virescens and T. dubius adults on predation of a mutual prey species, I. grandicollis. The third determined if there were differences in pheromone preference among individual T. virescens adults. To evaluate the functional response, T. virescens and Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff) adults were combined in varying densities. Ips grandicollis survival was assessed by examining the number of prey eaten in relation to predator and prey densities. I found that a type II functional response model incorporating interference provided a good fit for the data. The interference was strong enough that a ratio-dependent model fit the data just as well as the full model. The effect of competition between T. dubius and T. virescens adults on I. grandicollis survival was determined by placing varying numbers of each predator with a set prey number. I found a significant interaction between densities of the two predators, which indicates possible emergent predator effects. The combined effect of the predators was risk reducing for prey, likely because of intraguild predation. The predator T. dubius alone was more efficient at reducing the number of prey adults successfully entering the log. This study indicates the importance of low density releases of these predators for augmentative biological control, to reduce the effects of intraspecific competition. To determine if there were differences in pheromone preference among individual T. virescens adults, a mark-release-recapture experiment was combined in the field to provide a choice test between ipsenol and ipsdienol pheromones. Temnochila virescens adults that were initially captured on ipsenol were more frequently recaptured with this pheromone, while those first captured on ipsdienol were recaptured on both pheromones. This suggests populations of T. virescens are composed of specialists attracted only to ipsenol and generalists attracted to both ipsdienol and ipsenol pheromones.
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Miller, Bryon G. "Behavioral assessment of physical activity preferences of young children." Scholarly Commons, 2014. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/293.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Low levels of physical activity are correlated with negative health outcomes such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. This is concerning given the current rise in obesity and physical inactivity, especially in young children. Developing assessments that can readily identify variables related to unhealthy patterns of activity might be useful in informing interventions that aim to increase physical activity. The current study extended previous research in the functional analysis of physical activity by Hustyi, Normand, and Larson (2012) by evaluating the utility of a choice assessment procedure to identify participant preference to several common outdoor activity contexts, typically available during school recess. Together, the two assessments strategies were able to identify both healthy and less healthy patterns of responding in four preschool-age children. The information obtained from these assessments could be used to inform behavioral interventions that aim to increase physical activity in young children.
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Braun, Emily Catherine. "Assessing and Treating Oral Reading Deficits in Children with Developmental Disabilities." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2018. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1404559/.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
A brief reading assessment and preference assessment were conducted with three participants with developmental and learning disabilities (i.e., two participants were diagnosed with Autism, the third participant was diagnosed with intellectual disability) who did not acquire fluent reading in previous individualized instruction. The results of the brief reading assessment were analyzed in an alternating treatment design and a preference assessment was conducted to determine the participants' preferred reading intervention. Following the results of the two assessments, a reading intervention that matched effectiveness with preference when possible or favored effectiveness when a match was not possible. The selected interventions (and later combined interventions) were implemented for each participant using an A-B-A-C or an A-B-A-C-D design. The results suggest that the four reading strategies are effective options for improving reading fluency. Also, a brief reading assessment can help identify an effective reading strategy. The results are discussed in the context of fluency gains, limitations, and implications for future research.
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Rosito, Amanda, and Ezzat Kassem. "More than just a food! : A qualitative study on functional food from the Swedish Millennials' perspective." Thesis, Högskolan i Jönköping, Internationella Handelshögskolan, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-43921.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Background: In Sweden, consumers have become more aware that certain types of food could improve their health and overall well-being. In addition, consumers, especially Swedish Millennials, are getting healthier day after day. Accordingly, manufacturers responded to this phenomenon by supplying food that offers extra health benefits (Ring & Mitchell, 2010). These types of food are called Functional Food (FF) and are defined as “food enriched with different components (such as vitamins, minerals or probiotic cultures) or modified in a way that the product provides an additional physiological benefit that might prevent disease and promote health” (Morna, 2015:336). Purpose: The study investigates the Swedish Millennials healthy lifestyle and focuses on their attitudes towards the functional food. Thus, the authors will explore the whole lifestyle and habits of the Swedish Millennials reaching to the core of the research, which is the consumption of the functional food. Method: In order to fulfil the purpose of this study an exploratory method, with qualitative and abductive approach, is chosen to understand the Swedish Millennials attitude towards the functional food. The focus group was the tool to collect the data for the study. In total, five focus groups were conducted with twenty-six participants all of them are Swedish Millennials. The reason behind choosing focus groups tool is to comprehend deeply the Swedish Millennials lifestyle and specifically their attitude towards the functional food. Conclusion: The authors concluded that the Swedish Millennials have a systematic lifestyle and they feel comfortable with the routine. The Swedish Millennial’s attitude towards the functional food is considered positive to the majority of the participants in the research. However, the minority of the Swedish Millennial’s participants have a negative attitude towards the functional food. Therefore, it was concluded that the Swedish Millennials attitude to an extent is positive towards the functional food consumption.
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Bechtold, Kai-Brit [Verfasser]. "Consumers' Preferences and Willingness-To-Pay for Functional Dairy Products in Germany / Kai-Brit Bechtold." Kiel : Universitätsbibliothek Kiel, 2013. http://d-nb.info/1038412293/34.
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Gritsenko, Artem. "Learning From Demonstrations in Changing Environments: Learning Cost Functions and Constraints for Motion Planning." Digital WPI, 2015. https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/etd-theses/1246.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
"We address the problem of performing complex tasks for a robot operating in changing environments. We propose two approaches to the following problem: 1) define task-specific cost functions for motion planning that represent path quality by learning from an expert's preferences and 2) using constraint-based representation of the task inside learning from demonstration paradigm. In the first approach, we generate a set of paths for a given task using a motion planner and collect data about their features (path length, distance from obstacles, etc.). We provide these paths to an expert as a set of pairwise comparisons. We then form a ranking of the paths from the expert's comparisons. This ranking is used as training data for learning algorithms, which attempt to produce a cost function that maps path feature values to a cost that is consistent with the expert's ranking. We test our method on two simulated car-maintenance tasks with the PR2 robot: removing a tire and extracting an oil filter. We found that learning methods which produce non-linear combinations of the features are better able to capture expert preferences for the tasks than methods which produce linear combinations. This result suggests that the linear combinations used in previous work on this topic may be too simple to capture the preferences of experts for complex tasks. In the second approach, we propose to introduce a constraint-based description of the task that can be used together with the motion planner to produce the trajectories. The description is automatically created from the demonstration by performing segmentation and extracting constraints from the motion. The constraints are represented with the Task Space Regions (TSR) that are extracted from the demonstration and used to produce a desired motion. To account for the parts of the motion where constraints are different a segmentation of the demonstrated motion is performed using TSRs. The proposed approach allows performing tasks on robot from human demonstration in changing environments, where obstacle distribution or poses of the objects could change between demonstration and execution. The experimental evaluation on two example motions was performed to estimate the ability of our approach to produce the desired motion and recover a demonstrated trajectory."
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Maras, Pamela Mary. "Functional Substrates of Social Odor Processing within the Corticomedial Amygdala: Implications for Reproductive Behavior in Male Syrian Hamsters." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2010. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/neurosci_diss/1.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Adaptive reproductive behavior requires the ability to recognize and approach possible mating partners in the environment. Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) provide a useful animal model by which to study the neural processing of sexual signals, as mate recognition in this species relies almost exclusively on the perception of social odors. In the laboratory, male hamsters prefer to investigate female odors compared to male odors, and this opposite-sex odor preference provides a sensitive measure of the underlying neural processing of sexual stimuli. In addition to chemosensory cues, reproductive behavior in hamsters also requires sufficient levels of circulating gonadal steroid hormones, which reflect the reproductive state of the animal. These chemosensory and hormone signals are processed within an interconnected network of ventral forebrain nuclei, and within this network, the posteromedial cortical amygdala (PMCo) and medial amygdala (MA) are the only nuclei that both receive substantial chemosensory input and are also highly sensitive to steroid hormones. Although a large body of evidence suggests that the MA is critical for generating attraction to sexual odors, the specific role of the PMCo in regulating odor-guided aspects of male reproductive behavior has never been directly tested. Furthermore, detailed analyses of the MA suggest that separate, but interconnected sub-regions within this nucleus process odors differently. Specifically, the anterior MA (MeA) receives the majority of chemosensory input and responds to a variety of social odors, whereas the posterodorsal MA (MePD) receives less chemosensory input but contains the vast majority of steroid receptors. In order to further elucidate how the PMCo and/or MA process sexual odors, this dissertation addressed the following research questions: (1) Is the PMCo required for the expression of either opposite-sex odor preferences or male copulatory behavior? (2) Are functional interactions between MeA and MePD required for the expression of opposite-sex odor preferences? (3) How do MeA and MePD regulate odor responses within the MePD and MeA, respectively? (4) Are odor and/or hormone cues conveyed directly between MeA and MePD? Together, these experiments provide a comprehensive analysis of the functional and neuroanatomical substrates by which the brain processes sexual odors and generates appropriate behavioral responses to these stimuli.
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Been, Laura E. "Dissociated Functional Pathways for Appetitive and Consummatory Reproductive Behaviors in Male Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2011. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/neurosci_diss/4.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In many species, including Syrian hamsters, male reproductive behavior depends on the perception of odor cues from conspecifics in the environment. Volatile odor cues are processed primarily by the main olfactory system, whereas non-volatile cues are processed primarily by the accessory olfactory system. Together, these two chemosensory systems mediate appetitive reproductive behaviors, such as attraction to female odors, and consummatory reproductive behaviors, such as copulation, in male Syrian hamsters. Main and accessory olfactory information are first integrated in the medial amygdala (MA), a limbic nucleus that is critical for the expression of reproductive behaviors. MA is densely interconnected with other ventral forebrain nuclei that receive chemosensory information and are sensitive to steroid hormones. Specifically, several lines of evidence suggest that MA may generate behavioral responses to socio-sexual odors via functional connections with the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and medial preoptic area (MPOA). It is unknown, however, how these three nuclei act as functional circuit to adaptively regulate appetitive and consummatory reproductive behaviors. Therefore, the overarching goal of this dissertation was to determine how BNST and MPOA function, both uniquely and as a circuit with MA, to generate attraction to female odors and copulatory behaviors in male Syrian hamsters. We found that BNST is required for attraction to female odors, but not for copulation, in sexually-naïve males. In contrast, MPOA is required for both attraction to female odors and for copulation in sexually-naïve males. Surprisingly, prior sexual experience mitigated the requirement of BNST and MPOA for these behaviors. Next, we found that MA preferentially transmits female odor information to BNST and to MPOA, whereas BNST relays female and male odor information equivalently to MPOA. Finally, we found that the functional connections between MA and BNST are required for attraction to female odors but not for copulation, whereas the functional connections between MA and MPOA are required for copulation but not for attraction to female odors. Ultimately, these data may uncover a fundamental mechanism by which this ventral forebrain circuit regulates appetitive and consummatory reproductive behaviors across many species and modalities.
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Gibbon, Peter. "The functions and effects of entertainment preferences : an investigation of sensation seeking and extraversion, fantary style, sex role and media selection /." Title page, abstract and contents only, 1988. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ARPS/09arpsg439.pdf.
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Sorensen, Elizabeth A. "Preference for information, perceived control, coping and outcomes following first time open heart surgery in older adults." Connect to this title online, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1093376171.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004.Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 163 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-163).
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Bitzios, Michail. "Using a choice experiment with insights from laddering technique to reveal consumer preferences towards the acceptance of functional foods." Thesis, University of Kent, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.590081.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
This research brings together, into one powerful analytical tool, two methodologies, Laddering Technique (L.T.) and Choice Experiment (C.E.), which complement each other nicely, in an 'attempt to examine consumers buying motives in relation to bread. The incentive to explore consumers' "black box" was given by the fact that changes in relation to nutritional issues have become apparent. The case of bread, particularly, attracts the attention of research as a product widely consumed that, however, has not been given much attention by researchers. L.T. approaches the subject from the psychological point of view and explores how people relate products with their personal values. L.T. was implemented so as to gain richer understanding as to how people translate product's characteristics into indicative connotation with respect to themselves. It has also created the basis for the second part of research by informing the attributes used in the C.E. The data was generated with the use of questionnaire that was completed by a small sample of individuals. The results revealed that bread type and the perceived bread healthiness are among the most important aspects consumers consider when buying bread. C.E. was used to examine how the inclusion of a functional ingredient affects consumer attitudes towards bread. An important feature of the C;E. design was the inclusion of the Dutch Eating Behavioural Ouestionnaire (D.E.B.O.) to collect information on participants underlying eating behaviours. The survey instrument employed a single postal mail shot. The results showed - again - that bread type is a major factor in determining choice and that the inclusion of a functional ingredient returned relatively small measures of value. The estimation of a Latent Class Model (L.C.M.) revealed differences in W.T.P. between segments. Also, segment membership can be partly explained by the D.E.B.O. Finally, an important finding is that respondents hold a stronger preference for a simple health statement compared or in addition to the benefits resulting from consuming a product that includes functional ingredients. ii