title: Consumer segmentation and motives for choice of cultured meat in two Chinese cities: Shanghai and Chengdu

authors: Wang, Ou

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Purpose: The widespread dietary adoption of cultured meat could provide important benefits to 8animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security. This study examines consumer 9segmentation and consumer motives for choice of cultured meat in China. 10 11Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected by means of a web-based questionnaire 12(n=608) distributed in the two cites of Shanghai and Chengdu. Factor analysis, cluster analysis and 13path analysis were employed for data analysis. 14 15Findings: Three consumer segments were identified with regard to the acceptance of cultured 16meat in China: Conservatives (25.7%), Acceptors (41.9%) and Pioneers (32.4%). Significant 17differences were recognised in age, household income, education and household size between the 18three consumer segments. The following meat choice motives have significant influences on 19Chinese participants’ attitudes and/or purchase intentions towards cultured meat: Usually eat, 20Environmental concern, Societal concern, Mood, Purchase convenience and Price. 21 22Originality/value: This is the first study to develop a factorial construct of meat choice motives 23(MCMs) based on a previous theoretical model of food choice motives (FCMs) in China.  The 24study contributes understanding of choice motives for cultured meat in a non-Western setting, 25particularly in China - the country consuming the largest quantity of pork. Further, this is the first 26study to recognise segments that are directly based on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions 27towards cultured meat. The findings of this study will help global producers and policymakers to 28create effective promotion strategies and policies for this innovative product in developing 29countries, particularly in China.

text: Consumer segmentation and motives for choice of cultured meat in two Chinese cities: Shanghai and Chengdu Purpose: The widespread dietary adoption of cultured meat could provide important benefits to 8animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security. This study examines consumer 9segmentation and consumer motives for choice of cultured meat in China. 10 11Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected by means of a web-based questionnaire 12(n=608) distributed in the two cites of Shanghai and Chengdu. Factor analysis, cluster analysis and 13path analysis were employed for data analysis. 14 15Findings: Three consumer segments were identified with regard to the acceptance of cultured 16meat in China: Conservatives (25.7%), Acceptors (41.9%) and Pioneers (32.4%). Significant 17differences were recognised in age, household income, education and household size between the 18three consumer segments. The following meat choice motives have significant influences on 19Chinese participants’ attitudes and/or purchase intentions towards cultured meat: Usually eat, 20Environmental concern, Societal concern, Mood, Purchase convenience and Price. 21 22Originality/value: This is the first study to develop a factorial construct of meat choice motives 23(MCMs) based on a previous theoretical model of food choice motives (FCMs) in China.  The 24study contributes understanding of choice motives for cultured meat in a non-Western setting, 25particularly in China - the country consuming the largest quantity of pork. Further, this is the first 26study to recognise segments that are directly based on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions 27towards cultured meat. The findings of this study will help global producers and policymakers to 28create effective promotion strategies and policies for this innovative product in developing 29countries, particularly in China.

year: 2022-04-05

title: Matrix operator symmetries of the Dirac equation and separation of variables

authors: Kalnins, Ernie G.

subjects: Mathematics

abstract: The set of all matrix-valued first-order differential operators that commute with the Dirac equation in n-dimensional complex Euclidean space is computed. In four dimensions it is shown that all matrix-valued second-order differential operators that commute with the Dirac operator in four dimensions are obtained as products of first-order operators that commute with the Dirac operator. Finally some additional coordinate systems for which the Dirac equation in Minkowski space can be solved by separation of variables are presented. These new systems are comparable to the separation in oblate spheroidal coordinates discussed by Chandrasekhar [S. Chandrasekhar, The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes (Oxford U.P., Oxford, 1983)].

text: Matrix operator symmetries of the Dirac equation and separation of variables The set of all matrix-valued first-order differential operators that commute with the Dirac equation in n-dimensional complex Euclidean space is computed. In four dimensions it is shown that all matrix-valued second-order differential operators that commute with the Dirac operator in four dimensions are obtained as products of first-order operators that commute with the Dirac operator. Finally some additional coordinate systems for which the Dirac equation in Minkowski space can be solved by separation of variables are presented. These new systems are comparable to the separation in oblate spheroidal coordinates discussed by Chandrasekhar [S. Chandrasekhar, The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes (Oxford U.P., Oxford, 1983)].

year: 1986-07

title: Barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer diagnosis in New Zealand: a qualitative study

authors: Blackmore, Tania Louise

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background: New Zealand (NZ) has high rates of colorectal cancer but low rates of early diagnosis. Due to a lack of understanding of the pre-diagnostic experience from the patient’s perspective, it is necessary to investigate potential patient and health system factors that contribute to longer diagnostic intervals. Previous qualitative studies have discussed delays using The Model of Pathways to Treatment, but this has not been explored in the NZ context. This study aimed to understand the patient experience and perception of their general practitioner (GP) through the diagnostic process in the Waikato region of NZ. In particular, we sought to investigate potential barriers and facilitators that contribute to longer diagnostic intervals. 
Methods: Ethical approval for this study was granted by the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee. Twenty-eight participants, diagnosed with colorectal cancer, were interviewed about their experience. Semi-structured interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using The Model of Pathways to Treatment framework (intervals: appraisal, help-seeking, diagnostic). 
Results: Participant appraisal of symptoms was a barrier to prompt diagnosis, particularly if symptoms were normalised, intermittent, or isolated in occurrence. Successful self-management techniques also resulted in delayed help-seeking. However if symptoms worsened, disruption to work and daily routines were important facilitators to seeking a GP consultation. Participants positively appraised GPs if they showed good technical competence and were proactive in investigating symptoms. Negative GP appraisals were associated with a lack of physical examinations and misdiagnosis, and left participants feeling dehumanised during the diagnostic process. However high levels of GP interpersonal competence could override poor technical competence, resulting in an overall positive experience, even if the cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage. Māori participants often appraised symptoms inclusive of their sociocultural environment and considered the impact of their symptoms in relation to family. 
Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the importance of tailored colorectal cancer symptom communication in health campaigns, and indicate the significance of the interpersonal competence aspect of GP-patient interactions. These findings suggest that interpersonal competence be overtly displayed in all GP interactions to ensure a higher likelihood of a positive experience for the patient.

text: Barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer diagnosis in New Zealand: a qualitative study Background: New Zealand (NZ) has high rates of colorectal cancer but low rates of early diagnosis. Due to a lack of understanding of the pre-diagnostic experience from the patient’s perspective, it is necessary to investigate potential patient and health system factors that contribute to longer diagnostic intervals. Previous qualitative studies have discussed delays using The Model of Pathways to Treatment, but this has not been explored in the NZ context. This study aimed to understand the patient experience and perception of their general practitioner (GP) through the diagnostic process in the Waikato region of NZ. In particular, we sought to investigate potential barriers and facilitators that contribute to longer diagnostic intervals. 
Methods: Ethical approval for this study was granted by the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee. Twenty-eight participants, diagnosed with colorectal cancer, were interviewed about their experience. Semi-structured interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using The Model of Pathways to Treatment framework (intervals: appraisal, help-seeking, diagnostic). 
Results: Participant appraisal of symptoms was a barrier to prompt diagnosis, particularly if symptoms were normalised, intermittent, or isolated in occurrence. Successful self-management techniques also resulted in delayed help-seeking. However if symptoms worsened, disruption to work and daily routines were important facilitators to seeking a GP consultation. Participants positively appraised GPs if they showed good technical competence and were proactive in investigating symptoms. Negative GP appraisals were associated with a lack of physical examinations and misdiagnosis, and left participants feeling dehumanised during the diagnostic process. However high levels of GP interpersonal competence could override poor technical competence, resulting in an overall positive experience, even if the cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage. Māori participants often appraised symptoms inclusive of their sociocultural environment and considered the impact of their symptoms in relation to family. 
Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the importance of tailored colorectal cancer symptom communication in health campaigns, and indicate the significance of the interpersonal competence aspect of GP-patient interactions. These findings suggest that interpersonal competence be overtly displayed in all GP interactions to ensure a higher likelihood of a positive experience for the patient.

year: 2020-10-01