Choice Decisions Research Articles

Supporting community translation of lung cancer screening: A web-based decision aid to support informed decision making.

Results of the National Lung Screening Trial create the potential to reduce lung cancer mortality, but community translation of lung cancer screening (LCS) has been challenging. Subsequent policies have endorsed informed and shared decision-making and using decision support tools to support person-centered choices about screening to facilitate implementation. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of LuCaS CHOICES, a web-based decision aid to support delivery of accurate information, facilitate communication skill development, and clarify personal preferences regarding LCS-a key component of high-quality LCS implementation. Using a parallel groups randomized trial, the study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of LuCaS CHOICES decision aid in comparison to the National Cancer Institute's Lung Cancer Screening website. Three waves of self-report data were collected: baseline (PRE), 2 weeks post-baseline (POST), and 4 months post-baseline (FOL). Participant accrual and intervention access data were also collected to evaluate methodological feasibility for conducting a larger subsequent trial. Participants assigned to LuCaS CHOICES (n = 25) and the NCI website (n = 25) interventions reported similar, favorable levels of intervention feasibility and acceptability that exceeded a priori criteria. Methodological feasibility was partially supported for the proposed accrual and retention goals, but accrual was slower than hypothesized, and documented exposure to the digital interventions was suboptimal per a priori standards. Overall, both interventions demonstrated intervention feasibility and acceptability. In addition, the proposed methods achieved desired levels of retention and overall data collection. Modifications to enhance intervention engagement should be explored prior to further testing. Subsequent steps involve conducting a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of LuCaS CHOICES on informed decision making and preference-concordant screening behavior, supporting LCS translation into community settings.

Identification of the novel BRCA1 c.2463_2464delTA mutation in two high grade serous ovarian cancer sisters and potential dosage effects implications: a case report.

Ovarian Cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women worldwide and the therapeutic landscape to treat it is constantly evolving. One of the major points of decision for the treatment choice is the presence of some genomic alterations that could confer sensitivity to the new available therapies including inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARPi) with BRCA1 and 2 genes playing the most important role. We performed the search for any somatic and/or germline alteration in patient's samples by next generation sequencing (NGS). On two patients, our bioinformatic tools allowed us to correctly classify the c.2463_2464delTA BRCA1 new variant. The novel BRCA1 c.2463_2464delTA variant which falls into the DNA Binding Domain (DBD) of the BRCA1 gene can be considered as a variant of clinical significance due to the peculiar family and personal history of patients.

Determinants of formalised mineral market outlet choice decision of artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Geita, Tanzania

Determinants of formalised mineral market outlet choice decision of artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Geita, Tanzania

Using Administrative Data to Better Understand the Reliability of ICMA’s Alternative Service Delivery Survey

The International City/County Management Association’s Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) Survey has been highly influential in the study of make-or-buy and sector choice decisions at the local level. Recently, the reliability of the ASD has been called into question. This paper builds on Lamothe, Lamothe, and Bell’s findings of inconsistencies in these data by comparing 2007 ASD survey results with those found in 2007–2008 administrative data from California. The findings lend further credence to the idea that ASD data should be used with caution and an understanding of its limits and weaknesses, as well as the need to collect more reliable data on local service delivery decisions.

Physician, know thyself: Applying brand management principles to professional identity in academic medicine.

A career in medicine is a journey of countless opportunities, challenges and choices. Determining the "right" decision for any given career choice ultimately must come from within; thus, a clear understanding of a physician's core professional identity is critical. Existing conceptualizations of professional identity within medicine focus primarily on medical training; however, it is clear that professional identity evolves throughout one's career. We propose the use of brand management principles as a novel means of understanding and expressing a physician's evolving professional identity throughout their career. We propose a conceptual framework for managing academic physician professional identity based upon brand management principles derived from marketing and consumer research literature. The four key framework elements include brand identity ("Who am I?"), brand delivery ("What actions do I choose to present myself to others"), brand experience ("How are my actions experienced by others?") and brand image ("How do others see me?"). Successful management of one's brand starts with understanding the core professional brand identity, then determining the best way to deliver this identity through specific actions experienced by target audiences (e.g., patients, collaborators, colleagues, employers, learners, promotion committees, etc.), and ends with the target audience having a clear and compelling brand image that reflects the underlying professional identity. Alignment of these components results in an array of benefits; misalignment can result in feelings of burnout or career stalling. We contend that physicians can and should see themselves as their own unique brand. Though often confused with naked self-promotion, developing a professional brand is an identity exploration and reflection experience that allows individuals to better control the course of their careers. A strong personal brand has numerous practical applications; three key examples presented herein include navigating promotion through the professoriate, managing one's reputation and achieving professional fulfilment.

Task scheduling in cloud computing systems using multi-objective honey badger algorithm with two hybrid elite frameworks and circular segmentation screening

In cloud computing environment, task scheduling is the most critical problem to be solved. Two different multi-objective honey badger algorithms (MOHBA-I and MOHBA-II) based on hybrid elitist framework and circular segmentation screening are proposed for the multi-objective problem of task scheduling optimization in cloud computing systems. MOHBA-I and MOHBA-II combine the grid indexing mechanism and decomposition technique, respectively, to select better populations based on elite non-dominated sorting. A circular segmentation screening mechanism was proposed to retain the superior individuals when the regional density is too high to further maintain the diversity of the populations, and attach an external archive to preserve the uniformly diversified Pareto decomposition set. The performance of the proposed algorithms is verified by using test functions. MOHBA-I and MOHBA-II achieve the first and third rankings, respectively, compared to other classical multi-objective algorithms. Solve the cloud computing task scheduling problem using time, load and price cost as metrics, test for different task sizes, and compare MOHBA-I with algorithms such as NSGA-III, MOPSO and MOEA/D in the same experimental environment. When facing a large-scale task, MOHBA-I ranks first in HyperVolume value with 2.4449E−02 for two objectives and 9.2950E−03 for three objectives. The experimental results show that MOHBA-I finds the highest number of solutions with better convergence and coverage, obtaining a satisfactory Pareto front, which can provide more and better choices for decision makers.

Definition of the concept of information for living and artificial information systems

The article, based on a combination of knowledge in the field of information technology and widely known results of biological research, shows that the process of reproduction of living cells cannot occur without the use of information stored in DNA. The opinion about the possibility of the emergence of life as a random chemical compound has been refuted. The concept of information for living and artificial information systems is defined as the essence of the message (the gist of the message), which causes the corresponding action of the system without intelligence and influences the choice of decision by the intelligent system. An important feature of information is the ability to transfer it to various physical media for the purpose of storage or transmission. It has been proven that living cells reproduce only because of vital information, without which life is doomed, and this information, in turn, is preserved from destruction indefinitely due to copying during cell reproduction.

A Bi-Objective Model for the Location and Optimization Configuration of Kitchen Waste Transfer Stations

Since the implementation of China’s mandatory waste sorting policy, the recycling of kitchen waste has become one of the core tasks of waste classification. The problem of designing the locations and the optimization configuration strategy for kitchen waste transfer stations faces great challenges in reconstructing the municipal solid waste collection and transportation system. This paper establishes an integer programming model for the bi-objectives of the location and optimal configuration for a kitchen waste transfer station, with the goal of minimizing the total cost and overall negative environmental impact. An improved non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm with an elite strategy (NSGA-II) is used to solve the problem, resulting in a Pareto-optimal solution set that includes several non-dominated solutions, thereby providing diversified choices for decision-makers. Finally, a pilot case involving cooperative enterprises is used as an example in this study, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the model and algorithm, as well as their feasibility in practice.

Research on Factors Affecting the Career Choice Decision of High School Students in Thai Nguyen Province

This study evaluates factors influencing career choice decisions among high school students in Thai Nguyen province through statistical analysis. Results indicate that crucial factors affecting these decisions include labor market needs, career counseling, family influence, university factors, and personal preferences. Exploratory factor analysis identifies 5 significant factors, explaining 73.68% of data variance. Strong positive correlations are observed between career decisions and factors such as labor market needs, career counseling, family, university factors, and personal preferences. Additionally, a linear regression model predicts that labor market demand, career counseling, and university factors positively and significantly influence career choices, while personal and family influences show weaker correlations. Practical implications of this research include assisting educational institutions, families, and students in comprehending career decisions and formulating effective support strategies.

Safety and bicycle route choice – To what extent does accident risk and perceived safety influence bicycle route choice?

Safety is a major issue in bicycle traffic and understanding safety-related factors that influence bicycle route choice is crucial for improving safety and promoting sustainable transportation. However, there is a notable lack of research on the impact of accident risk and perceived safety on cyclists' route choice. This study addresses this gap by investigating whether accident-prone areas or perceived insecure locations affect actual route choice decisions. The contribution explores this relationship by leveraging an extensive dataset comprising approximately 4,000 trips from around 170 participants, alongside additional data on infrastructure, operations, exposure, accidents, and mobility diaries on critical incidents. The findings broadly confirm the results from other studies regarding the influence of route characteristics (e.g., existence of cycling infrastructure, traffic volumes of motorized traffic, or presence of signal-controlled intersections). Moreover, the study reveals that a high accident risk along a route does have a slight negative influence on route choice. Surprisingly, perceived safety does not significantly influence route choice of cyclists.

What information do patients pay more attention to in online physician selection? Information needs model for online medical choice decision-making based on trust theory and fuzzy decision

BackgroundThe development of information technology has reshaped the information flow process in traditional medical activities, giving rise to eHealth. In the context of Internet medical treatment, the massive and heterogeneous information available complicates and challenges patients’ online medical choices. Understanding which indicators on Internet medical platforms should be prioritized by ordinary patients is crucial for effective online medical decision-making. ObjectiveTo address these challenges, this paper introduces an information needs model for online physician selection tailored to experts with different medical preferences. This model aims to provide the methodological support for constructing user profiles on eHealth platforms and for medical service providers. In addition, this study seeks to introduce the strategies used by experts in online physician selection to provide clear guidance and suggestions for ordinary patients making online medical choices. MethodThis paper uses the “Hao Daifu” eHealth platform as the research setting, and selects experts based on their eHealth literacy and online physician selection experience. It describes individual’s preferences in online physician selection using interpersonal trust theory. Furthermore, the paper examines the eHealth platform indicators that experts focus on during the online physician selection process. The importance of these indicators is evaluated using the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets decision-making method. ConclusionThis study presents a method for investigating the comprehensive information needs of patients’ online physician selection. The findings reveal that different patients prioritize different trust dimensions in the physician selection process. Patients mainly rely on hospital qualification indicators – such as grade, ownership, and type – when selecting hospitals. For evaluating doctors, they focus on doctor qualification indicators, represented by professional titles and doctor-patient interaction indicators, represented by efficacy satisfaction.

Lotto lotteries – Decision making under uncertainty when payoffs are unknown

This paper analyses decision making under uncertainty when payoffs are unknown, similar to a Lotto lottery. In a Lotto lottery, the probability of winning a prize is known, but the size of the prize is unknown. This paper proposes a theoretical framework to model preferences over Lotto lotteries as compound lotteries. The first stage determines whether a prize is obtained, while the second stage determines the size of the prize. Then the paper empirically analyses human behaviour when uncertainty can be described as a Lotto lottery. There is considerable heterogeneity in the subjects’ aversion to lotteries with unknown payoffs. Further analysis shows that choices of decision makers can be best explained by a combination of risk and ambiguity preferences. These results suggest that subjects treat unknown payoffs similar to known payoffs with ambiguous probabilities.

Eye movements in binary food choice context: assessing the complexity of restaurant menus on virtue vs. vice foods

ABSTRACT This paper explores binary food choices through the lens of information load theory. We conducted two laboratory studies using the eye-tracking approach to understand the influence of the high menu complexity on visual attention for virtue versus vice food options. This paper also examined the moderating effect of time on the initial fixation. Our findings showed that the time duration taken to reach the first fixation influences binary food choices. This was evident when participants were tasked with selecting food options from a high menu complexity. Specifically, fixation duration is greater for virtue food than vice food in a high menu complexity context. However, no differences in fixation duration between vice and virtue foods were observed in low menu complexity. This study provides key insights into understanding how differences in menu complexity impact customers’ binary food choice decisions concerning vice and virtue foods.

BS SO08 - Prospective audit of weight loss and resolution co-morbidities of various bariatric surgeries and Comparisions of weight loss and ORM resolution between bypass and sleeve-1 years follow up- Audit outcomes from Jan 2019-2023

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery is the gold standard in managing bariatric patients. There are various bariatric surgeries that have been approved. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most common procedure to be done globally. RYGB is considered the gold standard surgery as it gives the best weight loss and comorbidity resolution. OAGB is now a well-established procedure. Other procedures which are offered to the patients are duodenal switch and SADIS. Method We prospectively analysed the patients who underwent bariatric surgery at our center. All the bariatric surgery patients were included. Aim To calculate EBWL at 6 m, 1 year Resolutions of obesity related morbidity Comparision of the outcomes between Sleeve and Bypass Results 1024 patients underwent bariatric surgery. All the patients undergo MDT discussion and the decision of choice of surgery is made based on MDT discussion and patients' preference. For the first 6 months both sleeve and bypass fair equal in terms of weight loss and resolution of comorbidities. Subsequently weight loss is better with bypass. It is also better sustained with the bypass. Resolution of comorbidities is the best within the first 6 months post-surgery. Conclusion There is a direct relationship between weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities. These patients are under follow up for outcomes at 2 years. Results will be published at the time of conference presentation

Impact of integrated marketing communication strategies on choice of higher education institutions

In today’s fiercely competitive realm of higher education, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) have emerged as a crucial approach for institutions to effectively connect with prospective students. This study examines the influence of IMC strategies on students’ choices of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Bangalore, India. Using a descriptive research design, data were gathered via a structured questionnaire from a sample of 384 students. The findings reveal notable disparities in perceptions of IMC based on gender, academic discipline preference, and institution type. Interestingly, age does not yield significant differences in IMC perceptions. A positive correlation (0.632) between IMC perceptions and choice of HEIs underscores the importance of customized strategies in attracting and engaging students. IMC strategies such as digital marketing, social media engagement, content marketing, alumni engagement, and student ambassadors significantly influence the choice of HEIs with the variance of 0.315, 0.523, 0.394, 0.619, and 0.298, respectively. Further, IMC strategies such as digital marketing, social media engagement, alumni engagement, partnership with influencers, and student ambassadors significantly influence the selection of disciplines with the variance of 0.298, 0.642, 0.497, 0.421, and 0.234, respectively. In essence, this study emphasizes the pivotal role of effective IMC strategies in higher education choice decision-making and provides actionable insights for institutions seeking to refine their marketing approaches.

Assessing metacognitive knowledge in subjective decisions: The knowledge of weights paradigm

Subjective, multi-attribute choice decisions – such as whom to marry or which college to attend – play a substantial role in decision makers’ long-term well-being. However, the metacognition literature lacks tools for assessing metacognitive capacities in subjective decisions. We present three studies in which we propose and validate the Knowledge of Weights (KoW) paradigm, a novel method for assessing metacognitive knowledge of attribute weights in subjective, multi-attribute choice decisions. In Study 1, we demonstrate the test-retest reliability of metrics generated by the KoW paradigm. In Study 2, we apply the KoW paradigm in four domains and show that it generates consistent results. In Study 3, we demonstrate that participants who perform better on the KoW paradigm make choices with which they are more satisfied, providing suggestive evidence of predictive validity. Use cases in cognitive psychology and beyond are discussed.

Consumer Moral Decision Making: The Impact of Alignable Versus Nonalignable Differences

Abstract Consumer choice decisions often involve a tradeoff between an alignable difference (a difference along a shared attribute) and a nonalignable difference (a difference between unique attributes of each alternative). For example, Café A provides friendly service, while Café B offers unwelcoming service (an alignable difference). However, Café A occasionally makes billing errors, and Café B has comfortable seating (a non-alignable difference). Prior research shows that alignable differences tend to have a greater impact on choice than nonalignable differences (known as the “alignability effect”). Yet, little research has examined tradeoffs involving moral attributes. Contrary to the prevailing evidence, eight studies (N = 2,861) demonstrate that in moral attribute tradeoffs, nonalignable (vs. alignable) differences have a greater impact on choice (termed the “nonalignability effect”). Consequently, consumers prefer an alternative that is superior on a nonalignable moral difference but inferior on an alignable moral difference. Moreover, in moral-quality tradeoffs, where one alternative is more ethical but is of lower quality, consumers show a stronger preference for the ethical alternative when its moral superiority is represented by a nonalignable (vs. alignable) difference. The nonalignability effect is driven by consumers’ unique decision process in making moral attribute tradeoffs, characterized by categorical valence coding and attribute-by-attribute win-loss counting.

Motivational Characteristics of High School Students as Predictors of Ethical Choices in Decision-Making in Corruption Risk Situations

The paper presents the results of the study about the nature of the links between the high school students' characteristics of the motivational sphere (life goals, ethical position, locus of control, suggestibility and individual value orientations) and the type (ethical or corruption) and moral orientation (justice or care) of their choices when making decisions in situations of corruption risk. The sample consisted of 112 10th grade students of Moscow educational institutions aged 16-18 years (54 girls and 58 boys). It was found that high school students who choose personal growth as an internal life goal, have an expressed ethical position of idealism and are oriented towards universalism and stimulation as personal values are significantly more likely to make ethical choices (irrespective of their moral orientation) when making decisions in corruption risk situations. Striving for personal growth as an internal life goal, the ethical position of idealism, value orientations towards kindness, security and power are direct predictors of ethical decisions with an orientation towards the morality of justice, while the ethical position of relativism and value orientation towards hedonism are reverse predictors of such decisions. At the same time, relativism, health care and suggestibility are reverse predictors of ethical decisions oriented to the morality of care. Unethical (corrupt) choices based on the principle of justice ("everybody does it, and I can do it") are more often made by senior pupils who strive for money as an external life goal, and based on the principle of care - by respondents with a relativistic ethical position and value orientation towards hedonism. The desire to help can be a direct predictor of both ethical and corrupt decisions, depending on how senior pupils justify their choice: care orientation (ethical) or justice orientation (corrupt).

6.P. Scientific session: Economic evaluation of health impacts for better decision choices

Abstract The strategy of Health in All Policies (HiAP) pursues to analyse the wider determinants of health affected by the decision-making process of traditionally non-health sectors, seeking to enhance population health benefits while avoiding health inequalities. This usually involves the use of health impact assessment (HIA) or health lens analysis to any policy, program, plan or project (PPPP), preferably prior to its implementation. On the other hand, decision-makers from a wide range of public and private sectors also demand a better insight of the meaning of the health impacts quantified under HIA. Assuming the (ubiquitous) situation of limited resources and budgets, decisions need to be based on cost effectiveness criteria and, whenever possible, direct and indirect health costs should be part of the impact assessment. Economic appraisal attempts to define whether a proposal makes a net contribution to social welfare, quantifying and valuing changes to individuals’ utility from the societal perspective, taking into account the impact of health on the individual, their family, employers, healthcare providers and the state. This approach can incorporate different components of the welfare costs of illness, including direct medical and paid care expenses, indirect lost opportunity costs such as productivity and the value of informal care time, as well as a value that monetises the disutility or pain and suffering associated with disease. The range of methods and estimated benefits can make it challenging to identify a best practice approach. The present session aims to address certain methodological aspects related to the economic evaluation of health impacts, which still generate some controversy and debate, with particular emphasis on the following topics: • Approaches for synthesizing evidence on health impact pathways and economic evaluation of health impacts for a better decision choice; • Health metrics: influence on the conclusions of economic analysis within HIA; • Sources of metrics used for economic analysis; • Uncertainties inherent to economic valuation of health outcomes: how to deal with it. Key messages • The economic analysis of health impacts can help prioritizing aspects with the greatest impact on population health, facilitating a more effective use of human and economic resources. • The economic analysis within HIA can improve decision-making but requires careful consideration of health metrics, sourcing of data, and management of uncertainties.

Touchscreen response precision is sensitive to the explore/exploit tradeoff.

The explore/exploit tradeoff is a fundamental property of choice selection during reward-guided decision making. In perceptual decision making, higher certainty decisions are more motorically precise, even when the decision does not require motor accuracy. However, while we can parametrically control uncertainty in perceptual tasks, we do not know what variables - if any - shape motor precision and reflect subjective certainty during reward-guided decision making. Touchscreens are increasingly used across species to measure choice, but provide no tactile feedback on whether an action is precise or not, and therefore provide a valuable opportunity to determine whether actions differ in precision due to explore/exploit state, reward, or individual variables. We find all three of these factors exert independent drives towards increased precision. During exploit states, successive touches to the same choice are closer together than those made in an explore state, consistent with exploit states reflecting higher certainty and/or motor stereotypy in responding. However, exploit decisions might be expected to be rewarded more frequently than explore decisions. We find that exploit choice precision is increased independently of a separate increase in precision due to immediate past reward, suggesting multiple mechanisms regulating choice precision. Finally, we see evidence that male mice in general are less precise in their interactions with the touchscreen than females, even when exploiting a choice. These results suggest that as exploit behavior emerges in reward-guided decision making, individuals become more motorically precise reflecting increased certainty, even when decision choice does not require additional motor accuracy, but this is influenced by individual differences and prior reward. These data uncover the hidden potential for touchscreen tasks in any species to uncover the latent neural states that unite cognition and movement.