Choice Behavior Research Articles

Research on healthcare data sharing in the context of digital platforms considering the risks of data breaches

BackgroundWithin China's healthcare landscape, the sharing of medical data has emerged as a pivotal force propelling advancements in the insurance sector and enhancing patient engagement with healthcare services. However, medical institutions often exhibit reluctance toward data sharing due to apprehensions regarding data security and privacy safeguards. To navigate this conundrum, our research introduces and empirically validates a model grounded in evolutionary game theory, offering a robust theoretical framework and actionable strategies for facilitating healthcare data sharing while harmonizing the dual imperatives of data utility and privacy preservation.MethodsIn this paper, we construct an evolutionary game model involving medical institutions, big data innovation platforms, and insurance companies within the context of digital platforms. The model integrates exogenous causes of data breaches, endogenous causes of data breaches, compensation payments, government penalties, subsidies, unreasonable fees, claims efficiency, and insurance fraud.ResultsThe stability analysis of the evolutionary game identifies eight equilibrium points among medical institutions, platforms, and insurance companies. Numerical simulations demonstrate convergence toward strategy E7 = (0, 0, 1), suggesting a trend for medical institutions to adopt a fully anonymous information-sharing strategy, platforms to implement strict regulation, and insurance companies to opt for an auditing approach. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the parameters selected in this study significantly influence the players' behavioral choices and the game's equilibria.ConclusionsWhen breaches occur, medical institutions tend to seek co-sharing between platforms and insurance companies. This promotes enhanced regulation by platforms and incentivizes insurance companies to perform audits. If the responsibility for the breach is attributed to the platform or the insurance company, the liability sharing system will push healthcare organizations to choose a fully anonymous information sharing strategy. Otherwise, medical institutions will choose partially anonymous information sharing for more benefits. In case of widespread data leakage, the amount of compensation shall augment, and the role of compensation shall replace the role of government supervision. Then, the government shall penalize them, which shall reduce the motivation of each subject.

Adaptation in the Anthropocene: How behavioural choice and colour change enables chameleon prawns to camouflage on non-native seaweeds.

Animals combine colour change and behavioural choices to enhance concealment and adapt to changes in habitat in time and space. However, non-native and invasive habitat-forming plants and seaweeds can change the landscape, challenging animals to remain camouflaged, especially when the colour of the new habitat differs from the native backgrounds.The chameleon prawn (Hippolyte varians) exhibits remarkable colour variation and effective camouflage against different native seaweeds in shallow tidepools. Individuals optimize crypsis by choosing colour-matching seaweeds and changing colour over time. In some locations, the prawn's native habitats are now replaced by non-native seaweeds of different coloration and structure, making it important to understand whether substrate choice and colour change facilitates the occupation of these seaweeds and enables prawns to camouflage against new backgrounds.Using image analysis and visual modelling of a fish predator, we assessed the colour variation and camouflage of chameleon prawns occupying the non-native seaweeds brown wireweed (Sargassum muticum) and pink harpoon weed (Asparagopsis armata) in southwest UK. We performed laboratory trials to examine whether prawns maintain their preference for colour-matching native substrates when given a choice between them and non-native seaweeds, and if they can change their coloration to improve camouflage against non-native substrates.Prawns exhibit phenotypic diversity and camouflage that varied with the non-native seaweed species, with low colour variation and effective camouflage on pink harpoon weed, but high colour diversity and reduced concealment against brown wireweed. Prawns choose non-native seaweeds when the alternative native substrate provides mismatching coloration, but they did not exhibit any preference between colour-matching native and non-native seaweeds. Once in non-native habitats, prawns change their appearance over a few days to match the background, sometimes faster than when changing on native seaweeds of contrasting coloration.Although human activities considerably modify the coloration of marine landscapes by increasing the establishment of non-native seaweeds, the impacts of those changes appear less severe for colour-changing species, such as chameleon prawns, and will depend on the similarity between the colour of the new substrates and the original native backgrounds, and how animals use behaviour and physiology to match new habitats.

The Efficacy of Red Flag Warnings in Mitigating Human-Caused Wildfires across the Western United States

Abstract Red flag warnings (RFWs) are issued by the US National Weather Service to alert fire and emergency response agencies of weather conditions that are conducive to extreme wildfire growth. Distinct from most weather warnings that aim to reduce exposure to anticipated hazards, RFWs may also mitigate hazards by reducing the occurrence of new ignitions. We examined the efficacy of RFWs as a means of limiting human-caused wildfire ignitions. From 2006-2020, approximately 8% of wildfires across the western United States, and 19% of large wildfires (≥40 ha), occurred on days with RFWs. Although the occurrence of both lightning- and human-caused wildfires was elevated on RFW days compared to adjacent days without RFWs, we found evidence that modification of short-term behavioral choices on RFW days may reduce the number of certain human-caused ignitions (e.g., debris burning). By contrast, there is limited historical evidence that RFWs reduce the number of ignitions caused by habitual behaviors (e.g., smoking) or infrastructure (e.g., powerlines). Furthermore, the conditional probability of a human-caused wildfire becoming a large wildfire was 33% greater on days with RFWs, underscoring the value of wildfire prevention on these days. While RFWs are helpful in certain cases, our results suggest that their efficacy as a wildfire prevention measure has been somewhat limited in the western United States. As biophysical wildfire potential and the density of people living in wildfire-prone areas increase, so do the benefits of improved wildfire early warning systems that complement other wildfire mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Contraceptive Choice and Sexual Behaviors in Both-Sex Attracted Adolescents: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Study ObjectiveBisexual adolescents have higher rates of unintended pregnancy than their heterosexual peers and increased rates of high-risk sexual behaviors. They may be less likely to use effective contraception, though limited data is available. This study sought to compare contraceptive choice and sexual risk behaviors of both-sex attracted and opposite-sex attracted adolescents and young adults (AYA) presenting to a contraception clinic. MethodsA retrospective chart review of AYA aged 14-24 years who presented for an initial visit to a contraception clinic from 2014 to 2020. The primary outcome was contraceptive choice (long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), non-LARC, or nothing). Secondary outcomes included sexual behaviors. Results were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square and Wilcoxon tests. Results2369 AYA were included in this study. Both-sex attracted and opposite-sex attracted patients were similar in age, race, and ethnicity. There was no difference between groups in percent selecting LARC (71% vs 66.1%, p=0.11). Both-sex attracted patients reported a younger age at first sex (14.6 years vs 15.5 years, p < .001), more lifetime sexual partners (4.1 vs 2.8, p < .001), and a higher prevalence of forced intercourse (21.9% vs 8.8%, p < .001). ConclusionsBoth-sex attracted and opposite-sex attracted AYA patients chose LARCs at similar rates in a setting with standardized contraceptive counseling. Both-sex attracted patients had more sexual risk behaviors. Healthcare providers should be inclusive in their approach to obtaining sexual health histories and providing contraceptive counseling and be cognizant that adolescents with both-sex attraction may be at higher risk of forced intercourse.

Climate vulnerability and capital structure: Moderating effect of financial development, financial constraints, and 2015 Paris Agreement

Previous studies show that climate vulnerability affects capital structure. This research goes beyond by extending to cross-sessional analysis emphasizing the impact of climate vulnerability on capital structure conditional on firm-level financial constraints, country-level financial development, and the Paris Agreement. Using a sample of 15,612 firms across 13 Asian countries over the period from 2010 to 2020, we find that the effect of the vulnerability is more pronounced among firms with higher financial constraints and in countries with higher levels of financial development. We also find that the impact of climate vulnerability on corporate financial leverage is stronger after the Paris Agreement. Our findings are consistent with the argument that climate vulnerability incentivizes firms to lower their reliance on debt, and the heightened climate transition risk after the Paris Agreement intensifies this effect. This study provides insights into firms' capital structure choice behaviour when faced with climate change risks.

Identifying the role of route choice behavior of motorcycle riders in microscopic simulation modeling under mixed traffic conditions

Microscopic simulation models are pivotal in transportation planning for their ability to intricately capture complex traffic patterns. This study specifically explores the role of dynamic route choice behavior within micro-simulation frameworks, emphasizing its application in the context of motorcycle-dominated traffic in Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ, Vietnam. By integrating discrete choice models for route selection with rigorous calibration and validation in AIMSUN, the study developed a comprehensive traffic simulation model for large-scale networks. Findings reveal that motorcycles dynamically adjust routes based on current traffic conditions rather than adhering strictly to shortest path strategies. However, the availability of roadside traffic information systems accessible to motorcycles in developing countries is limited, hindering optimal route choices. To address this gap and encourage the enhancement of route choice behavior, the study evaluates the impact of real-time traffic information provision using Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams within the micro-simulation model. The results demonstrate significant improvements in network efficiency when informed route selection behaviors are facilitated, particularly with comprehensive coverage across all road types. Higher compliance rates notably improved network capacity by up to 84%. Overall, this study contributes methodologically by increasing model precision and practical insights into managing heterogeneous traffic environments, highlighting the transformative potential of traffic information systems and advocating for broader implementation in similar motorcycle-centric regions, which currently still rarely extend beyond toll roads. Future research should extend these methodologies to diverse urban contexts for broader validation and application.

Perception of food quality among Saudi consumers

Consumers’ perceptions of quality of food products increase their purchasing likelihood. This study provides a framework for exploring consumers’ perceptions of food quality for food product development and food market-ing strategies by providing vital information related to consumer behavior and food choice. It establishes a method for measuring food quality perceptions through a validated questionnaire. It was found that adult consumers in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, perceive intrinsic food characteristics higher than of extrinsic food characteristics. Characteristics related to product safety, nutritional value, and sensory attributes were the most highly valued aspects. Sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, education, occupation, income, and work/study in the food field were found to affect Saudi consumers’ perceptions of food quality. Furthermore, marital status, education, occupation, and income were the major classification factors for perception trends. Food identity and processing, food health prosperity, food safety and presentation, and food sensory attributes were the major qual-ities perceived by Saudi consumers.

The Impact of Puzzle Feeders, Ice-Pops and Artificial Seaweed on Captive Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) Behaviour

Environmental enrichment is used in zoos and aquaria to improve animal welfare through the stimulation of naturalistic behaviours and reduction of stereotypic behaviours. This study investigated the impact of new enrichment items on the behaviour of a group of captive adult harbour seals. Data were collected in summer-autumn 2023 using continuous scan sampling and all behaviours one-zero recording method for 1-minute intervals (4 hours/day, 8 days). Under standard enrichment conditions, more than 90% of the seals’ behavioural budget was represented by naturalistic behaviours, with low levels of pattern group swimming, which occurred mainly before the two daily shows. Group swimming decreased and random swimming increased before the seal shows on days with new enrichment, but these differences were not statistically significant. The presence of new enrichment items led to a significant increase in exploration and a significant decrease in group swimming only during the morning periods when the new items were actually present in the enclosure (p&lt;0.05, Kruskal Wallis test). During these periods the seals interacted most frequently with the submersed fish-filled puzzle feeders and least frequently with the floating artificial seaweed. This study concluded that new environmental enrichment may be beneficial even for seals displaying low levels of stereotypic behaviours as it provides more behavioural choices and helps promote active naturalistic exploratory behaviours which may alleviate captivity induced stress and improve welfare.

Association between infant feeding behavior and maternal choice of breastfeeding type

Abstract Introduction Feeding in infants is a fundamental process influenced by the mother-child relationship during the early months of life. The regulation of feeding behavior, and hunger and satiety cues may be interpreted by the mother, potentially relating to the type of feeding chosen. Objectives To determine the association between infant feeding behavior and the type of breastfeeding chosen by the mother. Methods A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted, including mothers with children aged between 6 and 18 months. Those with medical contraindications for immediate postpartum breastfeeding or with suspension of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life due to medical prescription were excluded. The Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire was used to evaluate the baby’s enjoyment of food, appetite response, eating speed, and satiety response. Results 108 mothers were included, with 87% in agreement with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), 43.3% using breastfeeding as the primary feeding method, and only 33.3% practicing EBF during the first 6 months. Food response (FR) scored 19.6 (±4.3), enjoyment of food (EF) 17.6 (±2.1), satiety response (SR) 7.1 (±2.0), eating speed (ES) 8.8 (±2.3), and appetite (AP) 4.2 (±0.7). Comparing FR, EF, SR, ES, and AP scores between those who practiced EBF and those who did not showed p &amp;gt; 0.05. sociodemographic characteristics, perinatal factors, stance on EBF, number of hours per day with the child, feeding location, poor technique, breastfeeding pain and lack of medical guidance, all showed p &amp;gt; 0.05 when comparing between those who practiced EBF and those who did not; in contrast to perceiving that the baby wanted to breastfeed (2.5/1.0-6.2), having time to feed (3/1.2-7.2) and having no health problems (10/1.2-78.7) all with p-value &amp;lt;0.05. Conclusions The mother’s perception identifying the baby’s desire to breastfeed, having time to feed the baby and not having health problems favor exclusive breastfeeding. Key messages • Maternal perception plays an important role in deciding to give SCI, so it is the physician’s job to educate the mother so that she has additional arguments for choosing SCI. • The infant’s feeding behavior does not have a significant impact on the mother’s behavior in choosing SCI feeding.

Integrating Forest Ecosystem Services into Health Strategies to Improve Human Well-Being

As the largest terrestrial ecosystem covering extensive expanses of the Earth’s surface, forests offer crucial health benefits to humans, both directly and indirectly. Presently, health services derived from forest resources have presented significant opportunities for enhancing human well-being. Nonetheless, the absence of a comprehensive understanding regarding the mechanisms by which forests impact human health jeopardizes the potential gains in health. Regrettably, there remains a dearth of scholarly work elucidating these pathways. This paper aims to furnish a thorough examination of how forests influence human health. We initiate by formulating a conceptual framework upon which we delineate the various pathways through which forests impact human health. These encompass the provisioning of resources, preventive services, and forest therapies. Concurrently, we outline the moderating influence of social, economic, and individual characteristics as mediators within this pathway. These characteristics are classified into two overarching dimensions: accessibility and behavioral choices, which notably affect marginalized demographics such as those with lower socioeconomic status, women, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and children in developing nations. Consequently, we build upon these foundational insights to propose six strategies aimed at perpetuating the positive impact of forests on human health in the foreseeable future. In the future, the development of forest management policies, the assessment of long-term health benefits, social practices, and international cooperation must be considered holistically to attain the dual objective of sustainable forest management and the advancement of human well-being.

Marketing to multiple audiences simultaneously using strategic ambiguity: A study of credit card choice behavior

ABSTRACT In marketing efforts, messages are commonly tailored to audiences to ensure effective outcomes. One way to tailor messages consists in providing arguments that appeal to the characteristics of a specific target audience. However, this strategy can decrease the message’s appeal to a non-target audience. Drawing on the concept of strategic ambiguity, an alternative strategy to tailor messages is proposed and tested. Strategically ambiguous messages provide arguments that appeal to several audiences (multiple audience tailoring). These messages combine attributes that are relevant to distinct audiences, and audiences are expected to pay selective attention to attributes that are most relevant for them. The effectiveness of one-audience and multiple-audience tailoring was compared in an experiment with credit-card holders. Single audience tailoring was the most effective form of tailoring. Multiple audience tailoring was more effective than unmatched tailoring in various conditions. The study enhances our understanding of message tailoring using ambiguity to increase marketing effectiveness.

Tastes on Wheels: Exploring Consumer Value Perceptions, Enjoyment and Choice Behavior in the Food Truck Market

Tastes on Wheels: Exploring Consumer Value Perceptions, Enjoyment and Choice Behavior in the Food Truck Market

Optimizing Pricing Strategies for Product Lines and Value‐Added Services: Accounting for Reference Prices and Network Effects

ABSTRACTCustomer choice behavior is increasingly influenced by the reference price effect and negative network effect as customers become more rational and personalized. This study, considering customers as pivotal stakeholders for enterprise development, employs the multinomial logit (MNL) model and develops pricing and strategy optimization models for pure bundling and mixed bundling strategies of an enterprise's product line. The main focus is to analyze how these effects impact optimal pricing and strategy selection. The results indicate that stronger effects lead to lower enterprise profits, and ignoring them can cause substantial losses. Generally, mixed bundling strategies yield higher profits.

Electing in the dark? Voting behavior in light of polarization

This paper develops a behavioral public choice model. It provides testable hypothesis to explain voter shifts in European national elections in the last decade. The model comprises three blocs of parties, the government, the opposition and so-called “profiteers”. Retrospective voters evaluate the performance of each bloc. Furthermore, it introduces an exogenous polarizing event that can affect the government’s and the profiteers’ chance to satisfy voters. Moreover, voters are subject to the negativity bias, which means that negative changes in probabilities to satisfy are stronger than positive changes. This framework yields various results on voting behavior under polarization. Most are robust to the introduction of non-voting. The government only profits from polarization iff sufficiently many positively voters are polarized in their favor to outweigh both the negativity bias and the increased competitiveness by profiteers due to polarization. Profiteers, strengthened by polarization, harm the opposition and increase voter turnout. Additionally, a higher negativity bias impairs the government, decreases voter turnout and benefits the opposition and profiteers.

The Influence of Social Media on College Choice among Undergraduates Majoring in Big Data Management and Application in China: Taking Guilin University of Electronic Technology as an Example

This study aims to investigate the influence of social media on college choice among undergraduates majoring in Big Data Management and Application in China. The study attempts to reveal how information on social media platforms such as Weibo, WeChat, and Zhihu influences the cognition and choice process of prospective students. By employing an online quantitative survey questionnaire, data were collected from the 2022 and 2023 classes of new students majoring in Big Data Management and Application at Guilin University of Electronic Technology. The aim was to evaluate the role of social media in their college choice process and understand the features and information that most attract prospective students. Social media has become a key factor influencing the college choice decision-making of undergraduates majoring in Big Data Management and Application in China. Students tend to obtain school information through social media platforms and use this information as an important reference in their decision-making process. Higher education institutions should strengthen their social media information dissemination, providing accurate, timely, and attractive information. It is also necessary to ensure effective management of social media platforms, maintain a positive reputation for the school on social media, and increase the interest and trust of prospective students. Simultaneously, educational decision-makers should consider incorporating social media analysis into their recruitment strategies to better attract new student enrollment. This study provides a new perspective for understanding higher education choice behavior in the digital age, particularly by revealing the importance of social media in the educational decision-making process. This has important practical and theoretical implications for higher education institutions, policymakers, and social media platform operators.

Manipulation of radixin phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens core modulates risky choice behavior

Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) proteins are actin-binding proteins that contribute to morphological changes in dendritic spines. Despite their significant role in regulating spine structure, the role of ERM proteins in the nucleus accumbnes (NAcc) is not well known, especially in in the context of risk-reward decision-making. Here, we measured the relationship between synaptic excitation and inhibition (E/I ratio) from medium spiny neurons in the NAcc core obtained in the rat after a rat gambling task (rGT). Then, after surgery of a phosphomimetic pseudo-active mutant form of radixin (Rdx-T564D) in the NAcc core, we examined its role in synaptic plasticity and the accompanying risk-choice behavior in rGT. We found that basal E/I ratio in the NAcc core was higher in risk-averse rats than risk-seeking rats. However, it was significantly reduced in risk-averse rats similar to that in risk-seeking rats in the presence of Rdx-T564D in the NAcc core. Furthermore, the head sizes of spines were shifted in risk-averse rats expressing Rdx-T564D in the NAcc core, similar to those observed in risk-seeking rats. The effects of Rdx-T564D in risk-averse rats were again manifested as behavioral changes, with reduced selection of optimal choices and increased selection of disadvantageous ones. In this study, we demonstrated that manipulation of radixin phosphorylation status in the NAcc core can alter glutamatergic synaptic transmission and spine structure at this site, as well as risk choice behaviors in the rGT. These novel findings illustrate that radixin in the NAcc core plays a significant role in determining risk preference during the rGT.

Maintained cognitive gains after 10 weeks of cognitively engaging exercise via reducing body fat in overweight children

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine whether the exercise-induced cognitive benefits persist after the interventions end and whether the persistence of cognitive gains following the intervention depends on the post-intervention exercise behaviour. Overweight children aged 10–12 years were enrolled in a 16-week afterschool program. During the first 10 weeks, children were randomised to receive the cognitively engaging movement games (CEMG) (N = 27) or the sedentary control (N = 27) interventions. During the subsequent 6-week post-intervention period, children self-selected either CEMG or sedentary activities daily. Perceptual discrimination performance, fitness, and body fat were measured before, immediately after, and 6-week after the intervention. Immediately after the intervention, the CEMG group improved aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, muscle power, body fat, and perceptual discrimination performance compared with the control group, and most of these benefits persisted after 6 weeks following the cessation of intervention. During the 6-week post-intervention period where CEMG and sedentary activities were both available, the CEMG group chose to engage in CEMG more frequently and with higher intensity on those days than the control group. The post-intervention exercise behaviours were positively related to the persistence of cognitive gains, and these associations were mediated through decreased body fat. Collectively, the 10-week CEMG intervention has positive effects not only on physical and cognitive outcomes, but also post-intervention self-selected exercise behaviours that may help maintain intervention-induced cognitive gains in overweight children. Future research controlling for factors impacting children’s behavioural choice and determining the differential effects of CEMG versus traditional exercise regimen is needed. Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry identifier: TCTR20220913006.

The impact of the health star rating front-of-packaging label on preferences for food products

PurposeThe Health Star Rating (HSR) is a front-of-pack labeling system that helps consumers understand the nutritional values of foods. In this study, we examined the effects of the presence (vs. absence) of an HSR label on consumer choice behavior and perception of healthiness.Design/methodology/approachIn an experimental study, we tested if the presence (vs. absence) of an HSR label provides a competitive advantage over a rival product that lacks the label, influencing purchase intentions. Participants were asked to choose among two competing products, with and without the labels, in a full factorial design.FindingsResults showed that products with an HSR label had a competitive advantage over the rival products that did not have the label. Moreover, this effect emerged more strongly for some products than others. Thus, while front-of-pack (FOP) labels can enhance sales, their impact may vary based on the specific product or brand.Originality/valueThis paper offers novel insights into the implications of HSR labels for consumer behavior and marketing strategies, particularly in the context of their potential use as a marketing tool by companies to boost sales in the food industry.

Modelling household online shopping and home delivery demand using latent class & ordinal generalized extreme value (GEV) models

The surge in e-commerce during the past decade has led to dramatic changes in consumer shopping behaviour. The study applies two Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) family models to investigate households' e-shopping demands. The study proposes a model structure to jointly model ordinal-based choice behaviour with choice-makers' latent class membership. Introducing latent class structure with the OGEV formulation accounts for the relationship between choice-makers heterogeneous preferential groups and their ordinal choice outcomes. Furthermore, the study also applies the Ordered General Extreme Value (OGEV)-Negative Binomial (NB) model, capturing the interplay between consumers' in-store shopping demands and online shopping behaviour. The RUM principle inherited within the OGEV-NB model allows econometric valuation of in-store shopping activity explicitly considering households' e-shopping demands. Both models are empirically estimated using a dataset collected in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada. The empirical findings and behavioural implications are also discussed.

‘I will not use it because the results are bad’ – understanding the influence of the drug checking service on changing consumption behavior

Background Based on the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, this study aimed to investigate the impact of drug checking services (DCS) on clients’ consumption behavior and to assess the intention to use drugs based on DC results, underlying motives and the consistency between intention and actual behavior. Methods Two anonymous questionnaires were sent to the clients of a Slovenian integrated DCS (No = 364), the first when the DC results were returned by e-mail – including closed and open questions – and the second after 10–14 days to check whether the first intention was maintained. Results The results show that the information provided by the DCS fosters the intention to avoid the use when the substance tested is not the one expected (65.5% of cases), with a strong correlation between the level of health risk of the sample (adulterations, substance other than the one purchased) and attitudes towards drug use. Conclusion Although the results should be strengthened by including larger samples, the study has demonstrated the potential of DCS to reduce health risks, particularly among PWUD and provides an example of how the impact of DCS on behavioral choices can be investigated.