Static Stretching Combined with Conscious Slower Breathing May Increase Parasympathetic Activity and Reduce Stress in Adult Women

Background: Women are thought to be more susceptible to stress than men in a stressful society, and reducing stress is crucial for women to maintain their health. Static stretching (SST) is applied in various fields to not only increase muscle flexibility but also reduce stress. Additionally, conscious slower breathing (CSB) predominates parasympathetic activity, causing a relaxing effect. These results indicate that combining SST and CSB may be more useful in reducing stress. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of this combination remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the combination of SST and CSB on autonomic activity and stress in adult women. Methods: Eleven healthy Japanese adult female participants performed SST with nonconscious natural breathing for 20 min. The same participants performed SST in combination with CSB (2 s inspiratory and 4 s expiratory) for 20 min on another day. Salivary cortisol and chromogranin A levels were measured before and after stretching as stress markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. The coefficient of variation of the R-R interval (CVR-R) and high-frequency component (HF), which reflect parasympathetic nerve activity, and heart rate and low-frequency component (LF)/HF ratio, which reflect sympathetic nerve activity, were measured before, during, and after stretching. Results: SST decreased cortisol levels but with no significant changes in chromogranin A, heart rate, CVR-R, HF, or LF/HF ratio. The combination of SST and CSB increased CVR-R and HF levels in addition to decreasing cortisol levels but with no significant changes in chromogranin A, heart rate, or LF/HF levels. Conclusion: These results indicate that the combination of SST and CSB may increase parasympathetic activity and reduce stress. However, future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes should support this conclusion.

What Happens in Organizations When Enhancing Organizational Culture Toward Being More Conscious?

The purpose of this study is to offer a better comprehension of what happens in organizations when enhancing organizational culture through consciousness by linking the market-oriented ecosystem variables and analyzing their relationship with a conscious organization.Design and methodology:Two questionnaires were used to test the hypotheses,the market-oriented ecosystem 38-item(Yeung&Ulrich,2019),and the conscious organization model 7-item adaptation(Sisoda,2018).Pearson correlations were calculated to measure the strength of the linear relationship among the variables involved in each one of the hypotheses,and coefficient alpha(coefficient𝛼)was used to analyze the reliability,to measure the internal consistency of the scales.Relevant findings:Context,ecosystem organizational structure,governance,and people ecosystem were positively correlated to a conscious organization.The originality of this study is based on use of the interaction among the variables of the market-oriented ecosystem model(continuous changing context,ecosystem organizational structure,governance,and people ecosystem)and a conscious organizational culture.Finally,the practical implications of having high levels of the market-oriented ecosystem variables predict high level of consciousness in organizations.These variables require careful consideration,a proactive planning process to enhance organizational culture through consciousness.

The Claimed Revolution to Understand Consciousness:Information Plays the Driving/Essential Role for the Structuration and Behavior of the Living Organisms

A prestigious conference claimed recently a revolution in neuroscience to understand consciousness.In this paper it is shown that this revolution already came,revealing the determinant role of information for human and living structures,both for their structuration and behavior,explaining consciousness at human as the result of the activity of the Informational System of Human and Living Structures.For this,it is emphasized and discussed the informational structure of the eukaryotic cell,the basic/representative composing unit of the multicellular body of human,animals,and plants,showing that the composition and functions of the informational system are basically similar with that of human.To reveal the driving role of informational mechanisms in human and subhuman organisms,it is introduced the concept of matter-related information,showing that information can be hidden/“embodied”or released/“disembodied”in or from the elemental micro/macro components of the body,during the multiple chain/cascade interactions including transduction processes.It is shown that such interactions are initiated from two main categories of informational sources:implicit(genetic)and explicit(external/internal)sources,the first category leading to structuration of the body and the second the reactive behavior.Consciousness in human and subhuman organisms,expressed by two corresponding informational relations,is the result of the release of information by the mind,acting as an informational operator/device,the development degree of mind and consciousness depending on the complexity degree and adaptation.An analogy of this Informational Model of Human and Living Structures(IMHLS)with the ancient model of chakras is highlighted,showing that these models support each other,applied with beneficial effects in Reiki technique and music-based cognitive multi-task therapy for neuro-rehabilitation.

When Conscious Consumerism Backfires:A Critical Study on Social Exclusion,Partnerships,and White Saviorism

Purpose:What factors influence conscious consumerism,especially related to race and gender identities?This scholarship explores three white women-led social responsibility organizations’(SROs)aspirations to encourage conscious consumerism as well as factors that influence conscious consumerism.Design/methodology/approach:Using the Black feminist thought and sustainability development theory,the data were analyzed using a thematic analysis to explore the activation of the white savior industrial complex(WSIC)in SROs.Interviews provided in-depth knowledge of the SRO culture including,but not limited to,insight on social exclusion and partnerships.Findings:Noonday Collection,Sseko Designs,and Trades of Hope,all SROs,aspire to be dedicated to people,planet,and profit and encourage conscious consumerism as a means for their customer base and sales consultants to“do their part”,and yet,an unintended consequence of the SROs’work is social exclusion and white saviorism.Originality:This scholarship investigates what can be done to dismantle the overreliance of conscious consumerism in an effort to finally strip white saviorism,and its role in the white savior industrial complex(WSIC),of its power.

The Axiology of Consciousness in Mocombeian Consciousness Field Theory

This work explores the axiology of consciousness in Mocombe’s consciousness field in the material world.The paper critically assesses Mocombe’s consciousness field theory(CFT)within the larger body of contemporary ontological debates regarding the nature,origin,and constitution of consciousness in the universe.The work goes on to highlight the manifestation of Mocombe’s consciousness field in the material resource framework that is the earth,and the nature and origins of ethics and values.

Analysis of Commuting Modal Shift in Consideration of Social Interaction of Consciousness for Environment

It is the matter for achievement of the low carbon transport system that the excessive use of private vehicles can be controlled appropriately.Not only improvement of service level of modes except private vehicle,but also consciousness for environmental problem of individual trip maker is important for eco-commuting promotion.On the other hand,consciousness for environment would be changed by influence of other person.Accordingly,it is aimed in the study that the structure of decision-making process for modal shift to the eco-commuting mode in the local city is described considering environmental consciousness and social interaction.For the purpose,the consciousness for the environment problem and the travel behavior of the commuter at the suburban area in the local city are investigated by the questionnaire survey.The covariance structure about the eco-consciousness is analyzed with the database of the questionnaire survey by structural equation modeling.As the result,it can be confirmed with the structural equation model that the individual environmental consciousness is strongly related with the intention of self-sacrifice and is influenced with the local interaction of the individual connections.On the other hand,the intention of modal shift for the commuting mode is analyzed with the database of the questionnaire survey.It can be found out that the environmental consciousness is not statistically significant for commuting mode choice with the present poor level of service of public transport.However,the intention of self-sacrifice for the prevention of the global warming is statistically confirmed as the factor of modal shift with the operation of eco-commuting bus service with the RP/SP integrated estimation method.As the result,the multi-agent simulation system with social interaction model for eco consciousness is developed to measure the effect of the eco-commuting promotion.For the purpose,the carbon dioxide emission is estimated based on traffic demand and road network condition in the traffic environment model.On the other hand,the relation between agents is defined based on the small world network.The proposed multi-agent simulation is applied to measure the effect of the eco-commuting promotion such as improvement of level of service on the public transport or education of eco-consciousness.The effect of the promotion plan can be observed with the proposed multi-agent system.Finally,it can be concluded that the proposed multi-agent simulation with social interaction for eco-consciousness is useful for planning of eco-commuting promotion.

Efficacy of acupuncture to regain consciousness in patients with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide,and consciousness disorder is a common problem in TBI patients.Acupuncture has been used to improve neurological deficits in patients with TBI.This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects and safety of acupuncture in improving consciousness in patients with TBI when compared with other therapies.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases PubMed,EMBASE,Web of Science,the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,Allied and Complementary Medicine Database,WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform,ClinicalTrials.gov,and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials that investigated the effect of acupuncture on patients with TBI.From the inception of databases to March 2023.Results:A total of 653 participants were included in nine trials.We found that acupuncture adjunct to routine treatment significantly improved the wakeup rate of patients in TBI when compared with routine treatment alone(relative risk=1.36,95%confidence interval:1.16 to 1.59,I2=4.78%,P=0).Additionally,we found that acupuncture is significantly associated with reduced impaired consciousness after TBI when adjunct to medicine therapy.As a safe intervention,acupuncture can also improve the activities of daily living for people with TBI(mean difference=15.71,95%confidence interval:9.19 to 22.22,I2=0%,P=0).Conclusion:Acupuncture can improve consciousness and braise wakeup of patients with TBI when adjunct to conventional treatment compared with routine treatment alone.Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal acupuncture treatment parameter for TBI.

Correlations between the Global Earth Healing and Global Consciousness Projects—Brain-Mind-Matter-Interactions through Physical Noise Generators

Inspired by Roger Nelson’s Global Consciousness Project (GCP), the Global Earth Healing Project (GEHP) uses a network of several hundred physical noise generators to amplify the combined intentions of their users in order to infuse positive affirmations into the global consciousness. As mentioned in the original study design, it was intended to use the GCP as a reference for the effectiveness of its activities. The data of the GEHP consisting of 21 events from 2013 to 2020 is analyzed and statistically compared to the data of the GCP. An astonishing synchronicity was observed, which suggests an interaction between the brain states of the observers and the physical noise generators of the GCP.

The Great Cholesterol Quandary and Global Consciousness Awakening

Ancestors of human species have been living on the planet earth for about six million years while the modern form of humans only evolved about 200,000 years ago. Civilization is only about 6000 years old, and industrialization started in the 1800s. World population interconnectedness is enhanced with love and mercy but disrupted with dishonest, lies and wars. Human species has been feeding on animal fat as the finest and prime source of energy for all human history. In 1953 Ancel Keys and collaborates illusionized human kind that their historical source of energy is toxic. Massive health, behavioral as well as economic consequences followed. Human hearts known historically to be the seat of spirit, soul and emotions is proven by our group to orchestrate with global energetic fields. Global consciousness as represented by the planetary electromagnetic fields is in critical need to be feed with awakening merciful information. Documents refuting Ancek Keys dogma and reverting humanity to the truth in their energy source is presented in this review. The harmony we expect is not only physiological but will affect our global planetary environment for the wellbeing of human species in earth.

Survey study of the etiology of non-traumatic altered consciousness in the Emergency Department at Suez Canal University Hospital in Egypt

BACKGROUND Disorders of consciousness including coma in non-trauma patients can be caused by a wide variety of pathologies affecting the central nervous system.They represent a frequent challenge in emergency medicine and are combined with a very high in-hospital mortality.Hence,early treatment of these patients is vital and increases the likelihood of a good outcome.AIM To identify the causes of altered consciousness presentation to the Emergency Department at Suez Canal University Hospital.METHODS This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 87 patients with acute non-traumatic disturbed level of consciousness(DLOC)at the Emergency Department.RESULTS The mean age of the studied patients was 60.5±13.6 years.Among them,60%were males and 40%were females.The most common cause of acute non-traumatic DLOC was systemic infection,such as sepsis and septic shock(25.3%),followed by respiratory causes(24.1%)and neurological causes(18.4%).CONCLUSION The most common cause of acute non-traumatic DLOC was systemic infections followed by respiratory and neurological causes.

Quantum Theory of Consciousness

Both consciousness and quantum phenomenon are subjective and indeterministic. In this paper, we propose consciousness is a quantum phenomenon. A quantum theory of consciousness (QTOC) is presented based on a new interpretation of quantum physics. We show that this QTOC can address the mind and body problem, the hard problem of consciousness. It also provides a physics foundation and mathematical formulation to study consciousness and neural network. We demonstrate how to apply it to develop and extend various models of consciousness. We show the predictions from this theory about the existence of a universal quantum vibrational field and the large-scale, nearly instantaneous synchrony of brainwaves among different parts of brain, body, people, and objects. The correlation between Schumann Resonances and some brainwaves is explained. Recent progress in quantum information theory, especially regarding quantum entanglement and quantum error correction code, is applied to study memory and shed new light in neuroscience.

Students' sustainability consciousness with the three dimensions of sustainability:Does the locus of control play a role?

The persistent environmental problems and the growing difficulty to achieve sustainable development require a re-evaluation of person’ sustainable knowledge, attitude, and behaviour. To go to where we want to go, we must first assess where we are now. The study investigated the level of sustainability consciousness of students in India, and sustainability consciousness was expressed in sustainability knowledge, attitude, and behaviour. Sustainability consciousness was further examined using the three dimensions, such as environment, society, and economy. By drawing the perception map of students and studying the role of the locus of control, the reasons why sustainability knowledge does not appear in sustainability behaviour were analyzed. Quantitative analysis was conducted for a sample of 205 students from higher educational institutions across central India(Madhya Pradesh) from January to March in 2022. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 26 and Smart Partial Least Square(PLS) 3.0. The research revealed that sustainability attitude impacts sustainability behaviour more than sustainability knowledge. The results showed that respondents’ sustainability knowledge is higher than their sustainability attitude and behaviour. Moreover, it was discovered that economic concerns can lead to sustainability behaviour. In order to study respondents’ behaviour regarding sustainability consciousness, the study divided respondents into two groups according to the locus of control: the internal and external locus of control. It was found that most respondents thought whatever happened around them was beyond their control. Further, the locus of control influenced sustainability behaviour in groups with the internal locus of control. The study helps to explain why sustainability knowledge and attitude cannot translate into sustainability behaviour and provides a basis for achieving sustainable development. The conclusions of this study are crucial for governments, educational institutions, and organizations that empower youth to change their behaviour.

Creative Activity and the Development of Consciousness:A Discussion With Piaget and Rudolf Steiner

This study aims to discuss the possibility of becoming conscious of certain aspects of one’s own existence through creative activity.The discussion involves Piagetian constructivism and Steiner’s ideas about human development and is justified by the contribution of creative activity to the development of autonomy,according to Piaget,and to the development of an ethical individuality,according to Steiner.The participation of adults in sessions of creative process,as well as the questions posed after this activity,asking for the relationships between what they created and their life,is evidence of practices favourable to increasing the grasping of consciousness of self and of the process of developing an ethical individuality.

A Review on Sustainable Product Design, Marketing Strategies and Conscious Consumption of Bamboo Lifestyle Products

Conscious consumption is a trend that is here to stay since consumers are becoming more aware of their purchasing decision and its impact on their health & environment. To sustain in the market on the move towards sustainability and meet the demands, companies need to re-examine their footprints and incorporate green practices in their products and organization. Using eco-friendly material & processes is one of the remedies to come up with this, and bamboo is one of the most versatile, green and renewable natural resources on planet earth. Traditionally bamboo has been exploited to a large extent but cutting-edge options available for bamboo are still limited and have a scope of indulging fully in the lifestyle of people in India. The global market size of bamboo was valued at UED 53.28 billion in 2020, and it is expected to grow at compound annual growth rate of 5.7% from 2022 to 2028. There is increasing demand for sustainable construction, and furniture and handicraft products also have considerable weightage. Manny brands and craft clusters of bamboo are realizing and promoting this green quotient of bamboo to the market to attract the eco-conscious audience and trying to cope up with the advancement of sustainability, like certifications of being a green organisation. Despite the exceptional qualities of bamboo, it is considered as a marginalized material due to low production rate, high competition with the non-eco-friendly or cheaper alternatives, aesthetics and marketing gaps. There is a gap between willingness to purchase and an actual purchase when it comes to the sustainable products and marketing plays a major role in conversions. The main purpose of the research is to study and understand the product, craft, design, production processes and marketing practices of bamboo lifestyle products and how conscious consumption patterns influence the bamboo products and the industry in relevance to the sustainability. Exploratory research method was applied with the literature survey and reviewing of the research papers from the peer reviewed journals. They were classified and reviewed based on the areas relevant to the bamboo products. The research outcome revealed the research gaps and the results were discussed and presented with the perspectives of product design, conscious consumption and marketing strategies in relevant to the sustainability of bamboo lifestyle products.

植根于历史自觉的文化自信:新时代中国共产党文化意识的创新发展

从批判“封建文化”为主导,到肯定中华文明是“当代中国文化的根基”,中国共产党人的文化意识在新时代发生了历史性转变。在习近平文化思想的核心理论观点中,“文化自信”着重从精神层面阐述优秀传统文化作为中华民族“独特的精神标识”,不仅是中华民族区别于其他国家和民族的“根本特征”,而且是当今中国人文化自信的源泉;“历史自觉”则将论题扩展到中华民族不同于世界其他文明体的发展历程,强调中国多元一体的民族和文明格局、独特的制度创造对当今中国的影响。将巩固“文化主体性”作为文化自信的根本依托,进一步凸显了新时代中国共产党人对中华文明“大一统传统”在价值观念和社会体制层面的传承与转化。

Consciousness Field Theory and Antihuman Psychology

Against behaviorism,humanism,and cognitive psychology,this work explores Mocombe’s antihuman psychology as a product of his consciousness field theory.The paper critically assesses Mocombe’s consciousness field theory within the larger body of contemporary ontological debates regarding the nature,origin,and constitution of consciousness,especially human consciousness,vis-à-vis their relations to the psychological theories of behaviorism,humanism,and cognitivism,concluding that consciousness field theory posits an alternative psychological theory of the mind,i.e.,antihuman psychology,to behaviorist,humanist,and cognitivist conceptions of the mind.

新媒体背景下少数民族动画符码赋能铸牢中华民族共同体意识

少数民族动画是在艺术想象下创作实践而成的文化精神承载物,是中华民族文化符号的具体呈现,少数民族动画对中华民族共同体意识“日常生活层面”的传播有着重要作用。新媒体信息传播方式对文化符码的传播和输出产生了文化多元化、对象多样化、传播复杂化等影响。少数民族动画文化符码作为铸牢中华民族共同体意识的重要媒介和载体,从1949年-2019年经历了族群认同、自我认同、国家认同的发展历程,在新媒体背景下少数民族动画呈现出与大众文化消费市场距离较远、“碎片化”信息传播需要整合、民族文化差异性与共享性需要平衡、动画观众个性化需求需要协调等特点。研究认为,可以从审美层面契合少数民族动画符码的当代向度,使内容与形式符合现代人的审美需求;从观念与价值层面引导少数民族动画符码的价值构建,以文艺形式承载时代精神,价值引导符合时代发展的需求;从情感与记忆层面满足少数民族动画的与时俱进,传递共同民族心理与共同价值观念,拓展少数民族动画媒体宣传力度,增强少数民族动画赋能铸牢中华民族共同体意识的能力。

深化理解和把握人文经济学的方法论自觉

当前,我们需要提高方法论自觉来深入理解和把握习近平总书记关于新时代人文经济学新思想新观点新论断的基本内涵、精神实质和本质要求。一是以文本文献研究为基础,准确理解和牢牢把握习近平总书记提出新时代人文经济学新思想新观点新论断的最新旨要与本质内涵;二是以实事求是的研究扎根中国大地,汲取样本范例的主要经验以推动中国式人文经济学理论创新;三是以反思批判性对话破解西方经济学逐利本性所导致的“人文缺失”、“人文悖论”与“人文危机”等价值困境,深入理解和把握人文经济学以“人文回归”与“人文逻辑”解决西方经济学弊端的创新特征与主要功能;四是以创新性思考理解和把握人文经济学所肩负的重大战略性创新实践使命;五是以系统思维深刻把握人文经济学的马克思主义思想资源。

基于OBE理念的阶梯式电子技术实验教学改革研究

为了克服传统电子技术实验教学方法单一,学生动手能力和创新能力得不到有效提高等诸多问题,提出一种以OBE教育理念为基础的阶梯式电子技术实验教学策略。该策略将电子技术理论知识贯穿于整个电子技术实验课程中,使每个学生都能从自己掌握的理论基础出发去探索新知识。本文从多方面探讨了如何有效地将现代教育技术手段运用到电子技术实验教学当中,提高学生的综合素质和创新能力。经过推广和实践应用,以OBE理念为基础的阶梯式电子技术实验教学方法不仅可以为电子技术实验教学质量的提高提供启示,也可为电子技术实验教学改革提供参考。

What is Mind,What is Consciousness,and Where This Resides

The main purpose of this paper is to respond to the questions what is mind and consciousness and where this resides.The answers are based on the frontline Informational Model of Human Body and Living Structures(IMHBLS),which shows that mind and consciousness can be described by the activity of the Informational System of the Human Body and Living Structures(ISHBLS),consisting of seven informational components,each of them with specific activity and functions,inter-correlated to support the immaterial/informational manifestation of the body expressed by mind and consciousness.The basic concept of matter-related and virtual information results as a consequence of the operability of the physics,chemistry,biologic,or mathematics laws,which actually act as informational operators,such processes are informationally driven and manifested finally as a“media-like functions”of mind and consciousness,on the“screen/display”of prefrontal cortex.The mind is therefore described as the capacity of every individual to access the data field of own life experience,where the thought acts as an informational operator,which can activate the required information from internal/external reality.Consciousness is the result of the info-representation of the explored reality,accumulated by the momentary connection,and compared/combined with the life experience,serving as judgment reference/criteria.The question is discussed in relation with the localization of consciousness,showing that this resides in the brain,as a result of the activity of ISHBLS.The discussion on the experimental evidences concerning the minimal basic components necessary and sufficient to sustain consciousness,compared with the results of the informational model,indicates the cortico-thalamus axis,in a full agreement each other.One of the basic findings is that the activation of consciousness is operated in two steps,one consisting in a feed-forward reception and another in feedback perception for recognition of the info-significance,which is fully supported by the recently reported experimental results.The phenomena of intuition,inspiration,premonition,“deja vue”,retrocausality,and intentionality are discussed.This model unifies the eastern and western concepts/models on consciousness and mind,explaining the energetic Yung/Yin Chinese model by YES/NO-informational Bit-type behavior,the Plato’s ideas/forms by“information”concept as a participating component of reality,Aristotle’s materialist view with matter structuration(assisted by information),and archaic model of the seven“chakras”at human,as vital informational centers connected with the body.