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Cognitive complexity can provide insight into how people make decisions, ranging from the most minor to the most impactful. Here, we present a novel approach to inferring the complexity of processes associated with preference and decision making. We measured the complexity of participant-generated descriptive features of consumer products and the relationship to preference rankings. In order to measure cognitive complexity over a sparse set of features, we developed a natural language processing approach that compared the descriptive words generated by participants to those generated by a machine learning model; words that were more distinct from those generated by the model were rated more complex. We show preliminary evidence that cognitive complexity is related to preference for products, explaining unique variance in rankings and also capturing a new facet of the process through which preference is revealed through choice. We also show the value of participant-generated features for understanding choice processes.

Recently Milkman et al. (2021) reported that heterogeneity of outcomes is extremely difficult to predict in advance and that behavioral experts, despite their educational background or their extensive applied research experience, might not be better in their predictions than non-experts. Such findings are rather concerning and deserve more attention. In the current project we present three studies aimed at assessing the quality of human predictions in respect to outcome heterogeneity of behavioral interventions. We borrow methods from anthropology and cognitive psychology to asses both consensus and accuracy of such predictions as well as to evaluate the potential role of behavioral expertise. Our results are more optimistic than previous findings and reveal that experts’ predictions are significantly better than a chance level. These findings have implications for applied behavioral research and further advance our theoretical understanding of expertise.

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) play an important role in efforts to reduce carbon emissions but widespread adoption is hindered by people's perceptions of BEVs. Here we examine the role of familiarity in influencing preferences for BEVs. Using a US-based survey, we measured people's familiarity with BEVs, BEV beliefs, belief uncertainty, and perceived barriers and measured how these cognitive factors influence preferences. We first find that familiarity increases BEV preferences independent of its effect through other factors. Second, exploratory mediation analyses find that familiarity also indirectly increases BEV preferences by increasing positive BEV beliefs. Third, although familiarity reduces belief uncertainty, the influence of uncertainty on preferences depends on belief valence. Taken together, these results propose that familiarity plays a unique role in improving people's perceptions and attitudes towards BEVs. We situate our findings within the broader cognitive science literature and highlight a familiarity-targeted intervention aimed at improving more widespread BEV adoption.

Bird-window collisions cause an estimated one billion bird deaths annually in the United States. Building characteristics and surrounding habitat affect collision frequency. Given the importance of collisions as an anthropogenic threat to birds, mitigation is essential. Patterned glass and UV-reflective films have been proven to prevent collisions. At Duke University's West campus in Durham, North Carolina, we set out to identify the buildings and building characteristics associated with the highest frequencies of collisions in order to propose a mitigation strategy. We surveyed six buildings, stratified by size, and measured architectural characteristics and surrounding area variables. During 21 consecutive days in spring and fall 2014, and spring 2015, we conducted carcass surveys to document collisions. In addition, we also collected ad hoc collision data year-round and recorded the data using the app iNaturalist. Consistent with previous studies, we found a positive relationship between glass area and collisions. Fitzpatrick, the building with the most window area, caused the most collisions. Schwartz and the Perk, the two small buildings with small window areas, had the lowest collision frequencies. Penn, the only building with bird deterrent pattern, caused just two collisions, despite being almost completely made out of glass. Unlike many research projects, our data collection led to mitigation action. A resolution supported by the student government, including news stories in the local media, resulted in the application of a bird deterrent film to the building with the most collisions: Fitzpatrick. We present our collision data and mitigation result to inspire other researchers and organizations to prevent bird-window collisions.

Prostaglandin [EP.sub.3] receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) may exert an excitatory effect on urinary bladder function via modulation of bladder afferent pathways. We have studied this action, using two [EP.sub.3] antagonists, (2E)-3-{1-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl]-5-fluoro-3methyl-1 H-indol-7-yl}-N-[(4,5-dichloro-2-thienyl)sulfonyl]-2-propenamide (DG041) and (2E)-N-{[5-bromo-2-(methyloxy)phenyl] sulfonyl}-3-[2-(2-naphthalenylmethyl)phenyl]-2-propenamide (CM9). DG041 and CM9 were proven to be selective [EP.sub.3] antagonists with radioligand binding and functional fluorescent imaging plate reader (FLIPR) assays. Their effects on volume-induced rhythmic bladder contraction and the visceromotor reflex (VMR) response to urinary bladder distension (UBD) were evaluated in female rats after intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration. Both DG041 and CM9 showed a high affinity for [EP.sub.3] receptors at subnanomolar concentrations without significant selectivity for any splice variants. At the human [EP.sub.3c] receptor, both inhibited calcium influx produced by the nonselective agonist [PGE.sub.2]. After intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration both CM9 and DG041 dose-dependently reduced the frequency, but not the amplitude, of the bladder rhythmic contraction. With intrathecal administration DG041 and CM9 produced a long-lasting and robust inhibition on the VMR response to UBD, whereas with intracerebroventricular injection both compounds elicited only a transient reduction of the VMR response to bladder distension. These data support the concept that [EP.sub.3] receptors are involved in bladder micturition at supraspinal and spinal centers and in bladder nociception at the spinal cord. A centrally acting [EP.sub.3] receptor antagonist may be useful in the control of detrusor overactivity and/or pain associated with bladder disorders. rhythmic contraction; nociception; bladder distension

Spontaneous and induced uterine contractions in the rat were found to be inhibited by a novel and selective oxytocin receptor antagonist GSK221149A (3R,6R)-3-Indan-2-yl-1-[(1R)-1-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-2-morpholin-4- yl-2-oxoethyl]-6-[(1S)-1-methylpropyl]-2,5-piperazinedi-one. GSK221149A displayed nanomolar affinity ([K.sub.i] = 0.65 nM) for human recombinant oxytocin receptors with >l,400-fold selectivity over human Via, Vlb, and V2 receptors. GSK221149A had similar affinity ([K.sub.i] = 4.1 nM) and selectivity for native oxytocin receptors from rat and produced a functional, competitive block of oxytocininduced contractions in isolated rat myometrial strips with a [pA.sub.2] value of 8.18. Intravenous administration of GSK221149A produced a dose-dependent decrease in oxytocin-induced uterine contractions in anesthetized rats with an [ID.sub.50] = 0.27 [+ or -] 0.60 mg/kg (corresponding plasma concentrations were 88 ng/ml). Oral administration of GSK221149A (5 mg/kg) was effective in inhibiting oxytocin-induced uterine contractions after single and multiple (4-day) dosing. Spontaneous uterine contractions in late-term pregnant rats (19-21 days gestation) were significantly reduced by intravenous administration of 0.3 mg/kg of GSK221149A. These results provide further evidence that selective oxytocin receptor antagonism may offer an effective treatment for preterm labor. preterm labor; myometrium doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00057.2007