Conscious Decision Research Articles

The role of objective and subjective knowledge in tourists’ environmentally conscious travel decisions

The role of objective and subjective knowledge in tourists’ environmentally conscious travel decisions

The main motivational and value attitudes of pediatricians in choosing a vocation

Introduction. Determining the trajectory of a future career and understanding one’s occupational mission imposes responsibility on the life in the individual and society as a whole. Among many vocations, one of the most difficult, not only in terms of maste­ring, the need for constant updating of special knowledge, but also because of many moral and ethical aspects, is the occupation of a doctor. The purpose of the work is to identify the leading factors of motivation for professional self-determination of pediatricians. Materials and methods. One hundred six pediatricians practicing in Moscow, graduated from 35 medical universities of the country took part in the work. An online questionnaire was used for sociological analysis. The respondents were selected using the “snowball” method. Results. Leading factors encouraging the choice of pediatrics as a an vocation were found to be the interest of the person himself in the profession (67%) and the opportunity to help people (19.8%). This indicates the psychological motives of a person in choosing a profession to dominate over social motives. The prestige of the profession and the influence of parents are not considered the main motives for choosing (4.7% and 2.8%, respectively). Most of the pediatricians surveyed (63.2%) are completely satisfied with their chosen profession, which indicates a conscious decision at the time of admission and a desire to develop further within the chosen vocation. Due to their own choice, 95.3% of respondents plan to work in pediatrics in the future. 64.2% of respondents see the main benefit for other people and society in improving children’s health. Conclusion. The dominant motives of professional self-determination of pediatricians, determining the choice of a future specialty, are personal conscious goal-setting in choosing a medical vocation and the opportunity to help children. Working as a pediatrician guarantees a high degree of satisfaction from the chosen path and daily activities.

As-if trust

ABSTRACT A lot of what we understand to be trust is not trust; it is, instead, an active and conscious decision to feign trust. We call this ‘as-if’ trust. If trust involves taking on risks and vulnerabilities, as-if trust involves taking on surplus risks and vulnerabilities. People may decide to act as if they trust in many situations, even when they do not have sufficient warrant to trust – which is to say even when they do not trust. Likewise, people might decide to act as if they trust even when they have good reasons to actively distrust. The surplus risks of as-if trust may be worth taking in a number of different contexts and for many reasons. We argue that as-if trust is a concept that should be added to our theoretical, practical, and political vocabularies of trust and distrust. In doing so, we discuss the main reasons for someone to act as if they trust. We then show that the practice of as-if trust has been recognized by other scholars but treated as trust. In response, we clarify how as-if trust differs from trust, and we discuss the utility and ubiquity of as-if trust, especially in politics.

Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Additive or Conventional Process Selection in the Preliminary Design Phase

Additive manufacturing (AM) has become a key topic in the manufacturing industry, challenging conventional techniques. However, AM has its limitations, and understanding its convenience despite established processes remains sometimes difficult, especially in preliminary design phases. This investigation provides a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) for comparing AM and conventional processes. The MCDM method consists of the Best Worst Method (BWM) for the definition of criteria weights and the Proximity Index Value (PIV) method for the generation of the final ranking. The BWM reduces the number of pairwise comparisons required for the definition of criteria weights, whereas the PIV method minimizes the probability of rank reversal, thereby enhancing the robustness of the results. The methodology was validated through a case study, an aerospace bracket. The candidate processes for the bracket production were CNC machining, high-pressure die casting, and PBF-LB/M. The production of the bracket by AM was found to be the optimal choice for small to medium production batches. Additionally, the study emphasized the significance of material selection, process design guidelines, and production batch in the context of informed process selection, thereby enabling technical professionals without a strong AM background in pursuing conscious decisions.

Towards net-zero operating in neurosurgery

Background The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats to public health and surgery is a significant contributor to carbon emissions generated by the NHS. In this paper, we describe our experience of sustainable operating by using evidence-based methods to reduce our carbon footprint across three neurosurgical theatres during our ‘Green operating day’. Methods The Green operating day was run at a single site over a 12-hour operative day and included 10 neurosurgical cases. Following discussions with the theatre, anaesthetic and sustainability team, each operative case was reviewed and changes in the consumables, surgical instruments and utilities recorded. Carbon footprint was calculated using an environmentally extended input-output model for baseline and Green operating day. Qualitative data was collected on the participants of the Green operating day to assess attitudes and behaviours towards sustainability in neurosurgery. Results There was a total reduction of carbon emissions by 31%, equivalent to 1.04 tonnes CO2e. Reductions were seen across different aspects of surgery including anaesthetics, surgical instruments, waste and utilities. Discussion This study demonstrates the feasibility of carbon footprint reduction within neurosurgical theatres which was not associated with increases in operative duration or adverse patient outcomes. This study advocates for environmentally conscious decision making in neurosurgical procedures.

Female entrepreneurship in a sport context: unveiling the barriers perceived by women in leadership positions in a society of stereotypes!

ABSTRACT Purpose Despite the efforts that have been made by several institutions, women still find it difficult to develop entrepreneurial initiatives in sport. This study identifies the barriers felt by women in leadership positions. Design A qualitative study was carried out through a semi-structured interview systematized at three levels (macro, meso and micro) with 30 female entrepreneurs in Portugal, between January and March 2022. Findings At the macro level, social/cultural issues are found to have a great influence on women’s careers. They also present difficulty in coping with the regulatory and legal matters involved in entrepreneurial processes. At the meso level, men do not willingly accept communication and coordination coming from women. In addition, women are still very dependent on the family. Concerning the micro level, the cultural idea of women being the weakest link ends up influencing their willingness to take risks professionally. More training in entrepreneurship is needed. Practical implications It is suggested that government institutions linked to sport should make adjustments to legislation and provide incentives for women, particularly financial, training and logistic support, applying them in the context of sport federations, clubs and organisations, both public and private. Research Contribution The multi-level model proposed is fundamental to understand how barriers are related, and contribute to more conscious decision-making.

Década del Envejecimiento Saludable: Calidad de Vida para los Adultos Mayores

This article deals with health as an inalienable human right of older people, as subjects with full rights, who must access health and life in general with quality, with information, without discrimination or abuse. Living this stage of life in the best conditions is possible by assuming responsibilities and trying to make conscious decisions for healthy aging. The challenge is everyone's task, without forgetting the share of responsibility that we have as pointed out by the WHO towards the Decade of Healthy Aging 2021-2030, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2020, as the main strategy to build a society for all ages.

Assessing processing-based measures of implicit statistical learning: Three serial reaction time experiments do not reveal artificial grammar learning.

Implicit statistical learning, whereby predictable relationships between stimuli are detected without conscious awareness, is important for language acquisition. However, while this process is putatively implicit, it is often assessed using measures that require explicit reflection and conscious decision making. Here, we conducted three experiments combining an artificial grammar learning paradigm with a serial reaction time (SRT-AGL) task, to measure statistical learning of adjacent and nonadjacent dependencies implicitly, without conscious decision making. Participants viewed an array of six visual stimuli and were presented with a sequence of three auditory (nonsense words, Expt. 1; names of familiar objects, Expt. 2) or visual (abstract shapes, Expt. 3) cues and were asked to click on the corresponding visual stimulus as quickly as possible. In each experiment, the final stimulus in the sequence was predictable based on items earlier in the sequence. Faster responses to this predictable final stimulus compared to unpredictable stimuli would provide evidence of implicit statistical learning, without requiring explicit decision making or conscious reflection. Despite previous positive results (Christiansen et al. 2009 and Misyak et al. 2010) we saw little evidence of implicit statistical learning in any of the experiments, suggesting that in this case, these SRT-AGL tasks were not an effective measure implicit statistical learning.

High-resolution parametric embodied impact configurator for PV and BIPV systems

To fully analyze the potential of PVs in achieving sustainable energy goals, careful consideration of the life cycle including the embodied impact is needed. Despite the existence of various life cycle inventories for PV modules, there remains a lack of structured and detailed data to enable easy comparison across different technology configurations. Such data is crucial for identifying the components with the highest environmental impact and further optimization. This data gap is an obstacle to informed decision-making processes when evaluating PV designs. The goal of this study is to develop a harmonized, modular database that captures the environmental impact of various PV systems in high resolution. It includes the selection of cell technology, electrical components, frame materials, and the location of production. The environmental assessment includes 14 impact categories. Additionally, a web-based configurator is available, allowing users to quickly estimate the environmental impact of custom PV panels. Through exhaustive sampling of different configurations, the study demonstrates that the Global Warming Potential of a PV panel can range from 10 to 380 kgCO2eq/sqm. The results of this study can support architects, engineers, and planners in estimating the embodied impact of the PV systems, leading to more informed and environmentally conscious design decisions.

European Academy of Neurology: First 10 years.

The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) was founded in May 2014 as the scientific society of all neurologists and all national neurological societies in Europe. The creation of EAN was based on the conscious decision of two predecessor societies (the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the European Neurological Society) to have a unique society for this continent with its 53 countries according to the World Health Organization and with the EU as the most important continental political decision level. In this report, the important milestones and the motivations of the decision-makers during the first 10 years are described. The development of the annual congress, the broad educational agenda, and the scientific groundwork including the European guidelines for the practise of neurology are described. Collaboration with and work for the national neurological societies is an important task for EAN. The political representation of neurology in Brussels and collaboration with the scientific societies of neighbouring medical disciplines and patient organizations are other major tasks on the agenda of the organization. EAN's goal is to reduce the burden of neurological diseases and to be the "home of neurology" in Europe for physicians, patients, and society. EAN communicates and interacts with its members, patients, partners, politicians, and the public through different channels. EAN is the owner of the scientifically independent European Journal of Neurology. EAN is based in Vienna, where its head office is located, but is also strongly represented in Brussels.

Grouping-maintenance of multi-components production system under ecological background

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose an opportunistic group maintenance model for a multi-component series system considering reducing CO2 emission and increasing system efficiency, which establishes a maintenance policy to minimize the cost rate of the system life cycle.Design/methodology/approach: Structural dependence and economic dependence between the components in a multi-component series system are analyzed to make a condition-based maintenance policy. To minimize the cost rate of the system life cycle, clustering theory and two decision variables, which include the preventative maintenance cycle multiplier and basic preventive maintenance interval of each component, is utilized to make an opportunistic policy for system optimal maintenance under the background of increasing energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.Findings: It can be concluded that the government imposes fines on excessive CO2 emissions and energy consumption indicators, which can influence the maintenance decisions of enterprises, promote enterprises to shorten the cycle of preventive maintenance, and avoid excessive CO2 emissions of various components and exceed the indicators as much as possible, so as to enable enterprises to actively save energy, reduce emissions and control carbon emissions. Furthermore, when the single preparation cost of repair maintenance increases, enterprises need to shorten the maintenance period to avoid frequent component failures. As the cost of a single prep for preventive maintenance rises, organizations need to extend maintenance cycles and avoid frequent parts downtime - minimizing their own repair costs.Practical implications: Considering the high maintenance cost and low energy efficiency of multi-component systems, this model assists production managers to have better maintenance of these systems.Originality/value: 1.Model innovation: comprehensive consideration of two variables in the selection of decision variables for preventive maintenance or opportunistic maintenance; The selection and synthesis of ecological factors when making ecologically conscious maintenance decisions for multi-component systems make up for the gaps of single variables and one-sided indicators in previous studies and models. 2. Methodological innovation: In the identification of opportunity maintenance, the idea of clustering is first combined; In the simulation analysis, genetic algorithm is used to obtain the optimal parameters quickly and accurately. A blend of management, statistics, biology and computer science.

Development of a framework to track life safety levels of occupants in the event of a fire in buildings

ABSTRACT In the operational phase of buildings, tracking what modifications can have an impact on the expected facility performances through manual checks can be impractical, albeit very important from a facility management perspective. The transition from the traditional prescriptive method towards the performance-based approach for building design and management may facilitate quantitative assessment of performances and may lead to conscious decisions which includes preparedness in the event of emergencies. The main goal of this paper is to develop a framework, compliant with a Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment, to track fire safety performance levels, in terms of life safety of occupants. As long as this is done through the definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are being tracked continuously, facility managers can have a comprehensive and updated overview of current performances of a facility. More specifically, a single representative KPI was set and evaluated for several fire scenarios, using a set of simulation and data management tools. The results of the assessment were processed and transformed into a visual representation, referenced to a grid superimposed over the building layout to quantitatively represent the safety of occupants at every point of the building. The results were then sent back and displayed into the BIM model, for seamless accessibility by facility managers. The proposed methodology was tested on a pilot building, assuming two fire scenarios. This approach enabled supervision of a building’s compliance with fire safety requirements, in terms of occupants’ life safety, throughout the building lifecycle.

What Is Your Building Doing for the City? Systematic Literature Review on the Potential of Façade Design for the Mitigation of Urban Environmental Problems

Rising urban temperatures, noise and air pollution, and the loss of biodiversity are pressing problems in cities worldwide that call for action at different scales to improve the livability of urban areas. This study focuses on the role that buildings and façade design play in the urban environment, exploring how their informed design might help mitigating these environmental issues at a local scale. It explores the field by means of a systematic review aimed at identifying the impact of façade design choices focusing on three main design variables: material, geometry, and vegetation in façades. Scopus and Web of Science databases were explored between 17 April and 20 April 2023, ending up with 121 scientific articles, then categorized and data-mined to allow for descriptive statistical analysis to discuss scientific results obtained via digital simulation or empirical measurements. Risk of bias was addressed through double revision of the gathered sample. This study ends with the identification of desirable façade attributes based on their reported impacts, in terms of material properties, geometric operations, and main vegetation parameters, which we discuss by outlining compatibilities and clashes between them to guide conscious building design decisions to improve the urban ecosystem.

“I don’t need my kid to be high”: prioritizing harm reduction when using cannabis during pregnancy

BackgroundCannabis is the most common illicit substance used in pregnancy. As use continues to increase, understanding peoples’ behaviors surrounding cannabis use during pregnancy is needed to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The aim of this study was to better understand pregnant individuals' perceptions and knowledge of cannabis use and use patterns as well as the social and environmental factors that may influence their use.MethodsWe conducted interviews with 19 participants between December 2022 and March 2023. Individuals self-identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), were over 21 years of age, spoke English or Spanish, resided in California, and had used cannabis during pregnancy in the last 0–2 years. Using qualitative, constructivist grounded theory methods, we analyzed the contexts that contributed to participants’ lived experiences surrounding cannabis use behaviors during pregnancy.ResultsParticipants reported making conscious decisions to responsibly manage their cannabis use during pregnancy to minimize potential harm to the fetus. Participants prioritized making what they perceived to be safer adjustments to their use of cannabis: (1) changing the amount of cannabis used, (2) changing the types of cannabis products used, and (3) changing sources of cannabis procurement.DiscussionOur findings show that pregnant individuals are seeking information about safe cannabis use beyond medical supervision and are open to altering their cannabis consumption patterns. However, they are unable to find trustworthy and evidence-based harm reduction practices which can be implemented to mitigate harm to their unborn children. A harm reduction approach is needed in the field of maternal cannabis use to promote positive maternal and fetal health outcomes.ConclusionsMore data is needed on comprehensive harm reduction approaches to cannabis use during pregnancy. This requires implementation of education on these topics in healthcare settings presented by prenatal care clinicians.

Adapting Lully for the London stage: reading a chaconne of 1698

Abstract In the Prologue to Rinaldo and Armida (1698), playwright John Dennis is quick to distance this new work from Lully and Quinault’s earlier Armide (1686). Despite this, traces remain, as evidenced by the presence in Dennis’s drama of Armida’s confidante Phenissa, a figure invented by Philippe Quinault. The most notable link with Lully’s opera comes, however, in John Eccles’s entertainment for Act 3, a divertissement-like masque of Venus and Cupid, which includes a chaconne that bears a close resemblance to the passacaille given in the fifth act of Lully’s Armide. In comparing Eccles’s chaconne with Lully’s passacaille, it is possible to note not only common structural features, but also the corresponding narrative role taken by the respective scenes in which each dance features. It will be argued that the use of such an identifiably French element in Dennis and Eccles’s work represents a conscious dramaturgical decision, and an ironic reframing, consistent with the work’s patriotic intent. Through this, it can be argued that familiarity with the music of Lully allowed it to be readily adapted and reimagined for the London stage.

Psychosocial Situations Encountered By Athletes: Opinions of Orienteering Coaches

It is not surprising that athletes face many psychological strains in the competitive sports environment. The orienteering athlete, on the other hand, demonstrates making conscious decisions while interpreting the complexity of the map and recognizing the features of his/her environment, and in doing so, faces a psychological burden. In this context, the aim of this study is to reveal the opinions of orienteering coaches about the psychological difficulties experienced by their athletes in the competitive sports environment and what methods of solution to this situation. In the research, phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research methods, and homogeneous sampling, one of the purposeful sampling types, were used. The research group consists of 3rd level orienteering coaches (n: 6, 4 women, 2 men). A semi-structured interview form was used to obtain data in the study. Content analysis method was used when analyzing data. As a result of the analysis, it was seen that a structure with two themes was formed: "Psychological Strains Encountered by Athletes" and "Solution Suggestions for Psychological Difficulties Encountered by Athletes". The codes formed under the themes and categories create concepts such as athletes before and during the competition, stress, anxiety, focus, excitement, fear, low motivation, high expectation, lack of self-confidence and focus. The opinions of the coaches regarding the solution suggestions are; Concepts such as entering a psychological regime, breathing stretches, positive inner speech of the athlete, visual and auditory checking during the competition, visualization work, increasing motivation and visually analyzing the terrain are seen. As a result, the coaches stated that the athletes encountered many psychological negativities during the competition and that they tried to improve the athlete by introducing a psychological regime to solve these problems.

Impacting teaching and learning through collaborative reflective practice

ABSTRACT The article focuses on the final years of my PhD research in which I (Bernadette) explored in-school professional learning opportunities with a group of teachers who were working to support collaborative teaching methodologies to allow pupils to take an active role in their learning. This was set in the context of the development phase of Cosán, the national framework for teachers’ learning in Ireland, in which the profession could examine what it would mean for them in the context in which they practise. Explicit in this framework is the emphasis on the growth of teacher professional learning to enhance student outcomes. Central to this is reflective practice. The reader will see how this research shows that our facilitated engagement in the process of reflection through ongoing, sustained, critical and collaborative conversations allowed us not only to celebrate successes but also to challenge values, beliefs, and assumptions about why we do what we do, supporting us to make conscious decisions about possible future actions. In taking ownership of our practice, we were motivated to take the risk to examine it and take collective responsibility for making a difference in each other’s learning and in the interests of improving student learning.

Bloodless Total Hip Arthroplasty in Jehovah’s Witness Patients: Contemporary Strategies and Outcomes

BackgroundReported blood transfusion rates in total hip arthroplasty (THA) range between 3 and 22%. Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) do not accept blood transfusions and make conscience decisions to accept blood derivatives. This study reports on strategies and outcomes for bloodless THA. MethodsAll JW patients undergoing primary THA at our institution between 2011 and 2022 were included in this study (94 of 110 THA). The indications for THA were osteoarthritis (92%), femoral neck fracture (6%), rheumatoid arthritis (1%), and failed open reduction and internal fixation (1%). Strategies used to optimize outcomes included erythropoietin, tranexamic acid, cell savers, intrailiac artery tourniquets, and minimizing phlebotomy. ResultsThe mean estimated blood loss was 201.2 ± 122.2 mL. Preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) levels were 13.4 ± 1.4 g/dL, which decreased to 11.0 ± 1.3 g/dL on postoperative day 1 (POD1, P < 0.001), 10.3 ± 1.5 g/dL on POD2 (P = 0.001), and 9.8 ± 1.1 g/dL on POD3 (P = 0.171). The use of tranexamic acid significantly decreased Hgb drop on POD1 (P = 0.04). Subgroup analysis showed that preoperatively anemic patients (closed circuit, Hgb < 12 g/dL) had significantly less Hgb drop postoperatively (P = 0.003). No patients met the recommended transfusion threshold (Hgb < 7 g/dL). There were two 90-day readmissions due to falls. There was zero 90-day mortality. ConclusionsA THA can be safely performed on JW patients. Preoperatively anemic patients had a decreased Hgb drop postoperatively. JW patients make a conscious decision to accept blood derivatives, which may be present in medications including erythropoietin. We recommend maintaining an Hgb above 11 g/dL prior to surgery, as a Hgb drop of 3.1 g/dL can be expected. These findings highlight the efficacy of a multimodal approach to optimizing bloodless primary THAs.

Black male college athletes’ self-schemata and (Un)critical consciousness

ABSTRACT Extant literature on the experiences of Black male college athletes focuses on outcomes, such as their college engagement (academic, athletic, and social), graduation rates, and post-college transitions. However, there is a lack of focus on the antecedents of these outcomes. This article offers empirical findings from a study of 16 Black male college athletes’ developmental experiences at Division I historically white institutions. The study employed a constructivist grounded theory methodology and incorporated a three-stage coding analysis to make sense of data. A key finding from this study is the identification of the (Sub)Conscious Decision-Making Filter, which is comprised of the following four components: (a) Self-Schemata; (b) Critical Racial Consciousness; (c) Social Associations Related to Racial, Athletic, and Student Identities; and (d) Internal Conflict. Data analysis offers insights into the meaning-making processes of Black male college athletes as they exist in majority white spaces, which is vital for sport administrators who seek to support the optimal holistic development of this important stakeholder group.

Factors influencing career adaptation: The positive effects of mastery goal orientation, social support, and vocational decision self-efficacy

In the highly competitive employment environment, most college students have left their jobs for a short time after employment, and attention should be paid to students’ career adaptation. However, the further influence of skilled goal orientation, social support and career-determined self-efficacy on college students’ career adaptation needs to be confirmed. This study analyzes the effects of these factors on college students’ career adaptation. This study aims to analyze the impact of mastery goal orientation, social support, and vocational decision self-efficacy on career adaptation among 224 university students in East China. The results indicated that university students generally exhibit positive levels of mastery goal orientation, social support, vocational decision self-efficacy, and overall career adaptation. Female students demonstrate higher levels of mastery goal orientation, social support, vocational decision self-efficacy, and career adaptation compared to male students. As students progress in their academic years, their levels of mastery goal orientation, social support, vocational decision self-efficacy, and career adaptation tend to increase. Students majoring in humanities and social sciences have higher level than students majoring in science and engineering in all factors. Students majoring in humanities and social sciences exhibit more optimism in all factors compared to students in science and technology fields. The relationships among these factors show positive correlations. Mastery goal orientation, social support, and vocational decision self-efficacy all have positive effects on career adaptation. Among these, family support stands out as the most influential subordinate factor of social support on career adaptation. The most influential subordinate factor of vocational decision self-efficacy on career adaptation is conscious decision-making. Therefore, male, lower grade, science and engineering college students are the groups that need to be paid attention to in improving career adaptation. Skilled goal orientation, family support and conscious decision making have a better effect on the improvement of career adaptation. These results can provide important reference information for universities, counselors and college students in the training of career planning, and theoretically enrich the relevant research on college students’ career adaptation, and provide certain enlightenment for future researchers.