Consumers’experiences and preferences for plant-based meat food:Evidence from a choice experiment in four cities of China

This paper examined consumers’experiences in and preferences for plant-based meat(PBM)food and their respective correlates,based on data from an online survey of 579 consumers in four major cities in China in early 2021.We first described consumers’experiences in consuming and purchasing PBM food and their correlates,and then analyzed consumer preferences using hypothetical choice experiment.The experiment offered consumers various options to purchase burgers made from PBM or animal-based meat(ABM),combined with different countries of origin(COO),taste labels,and prices.Our data showed that respondents hold overall positive attitudes toward PBM food;85 and 82%of respondents reported experience in eating and purchasing PBM food,respectively.More than half of them ate PBM food because they wanted to try new food(58%),or were interested in healthy food(56%).Income,religion,and dietary restrictions were significantly correlated with consumers’experiences in PBM food consumption.Results from the Random Parameter Logit Model based on the hypothetical choice experiment data showed that 79%of respondents chose PBM burgers and were willing to pay an average of 88 CNY for a PBM burger.We also found that 99.8 and 83%of respondents are willing to buy burgers made in China and those with a taste label,with a willingness to pay(WTP)of 208 and 120 CNY,respectively.The heterogeneity test revealed that females and those with at least a bachelor’s degree,higher income,religious beliefs,and dietary restrictions are more likely to buy PBM burgers than their counterparts.

Consumer Knowledge, Brand Image, Openness to Experience and Involvement: A Case in Cosmetic Consumption

The study adopted the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as research model to inspect what factors would influence consumers to purchase cosmetics by adding brand image, involvement, consumer knowledge and openness to experience to the model. A 7-point Likert scale questionnaire was designed to measure TPB items and totally 400 valid respondents were collected online. The results show that among the above, only “perceived behavioral control” has positive influence on intention of purchasing cosmetics. Neither attitude nor subjective norm has significant influence on purchasing intention. In addition, brand image and involvement have no significant influence on purchasing intention but consumer knowledge and openness to experience were found to have positive influence on purchasing intention.

Defects of Traditional Marketing Model and New Consumer Experience Requirements in the Context of"New Retail"

With the concept of"new retail"and the rapid development of"new retail"format,the defects of traditional marketing models such as advertising marketing,direct marketing and e-commerce marketing are becoming more and more obvious,which has seriously hindered the further development of the consumer retail industry.At the same time,under the background of"new retail",the industry demand based on the improvement of consumer experience is increasingly characterized by consumer entertainment,consumer autonomy,consumer personalization,and consumer socialization,which provides ideas and reference for the construction of new marketing models in the consumer retail industry.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Consumers’ Reaction: An Experiment

Companies differ in their motivation to corporate social responsibility(CSR)practices,with some compa­nies taking a genuine,altruistic approach and others preferring an opportunistic approach(and attempting to mimic the former).If consumers can distinguish them,they will eventually reward the altruistic(being willing to pay more)and penalize the opportunistic ones.This paper performs an experimental study to assess whether differences in consumers’willingness to pay are statistically significant for different classifications of CSR activities:(i)proactive or reactive,(ii)environment,employees,or social,(iii)involving more or less expensive products,(iv)being performed by firms facing competition or not.Results show that consumers are willing to reward CSR initiatives that follow a reactive approach;consumers’decisions are more moderate when rewarding initiatives associated with more expensive products;the rewards provided depend on the CSR dimension;a relationship between market structure and consumers’reaction to CSR was not found.

An Analysis of Mystical Experience in Sophy' s Hysterical Hallucination in Darkness Visible

In William Golding' s Darkness Visible,Sophy' s experience of " hysterical hallucination" plays an important role in the the matic expression.They point directly to the evil nature of man.Although the specific content of hallucinations is different,they possess a common characteristic-mystical experience.They worth further research.This paper examines Sophy' s mystical experience in her hyster ical hallucination,so as to find out the functions of mystical experience and its influences on the novel' s thematic expression.

Consumer confidence and consumers’ preferences for infant formulas in China

A series of safety incidents related to domestically-produced infant formulas(DIFs) almost destroyed Chinese consumer confidence in domestic dairy products. Understanding consumer confidence and its effect on consumption behavior is important to restore consumer confidence and enhance the competitiveness of domestic dairy industry. This article first measures Chinese consumer confidence in DIFs safety using a two-dimension scale(optimism and pessimism) and then investigates its effect on consumers’ preferences for DIFs through a choice experiment. Involving 450 consumers residing in Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, the experiment elicited information on their preferences for DIFs with six attributes(organic raw milk, farm-to-table traceability, region of origin, quality certification, animal welfare, and price). Our analysis yields four findings. First, Chinese consumers still lack confidence in DIFs safety. Second, quality certification is the most preferred product characteristic, followed by organic raw milk and farm-to-table traceability. Third, serving as a signal of high quality, price exerts a positive impact on choices of DIFs for pessimistic consumers. Finally, consumer preferences for farm-to-table traceability and region of origin are significantly influenced by consumer confidence.

Outcome of non-variceal acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in relation to the time of endoscopy and the experience of the endoscopist: A two-year survey

AIM: To prospectively assess the impact of time of endoscopy and endoscopist's experience on the outcome of non-variceal acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding patients in a large teaching hospital.METHODS: All patients admitted for non-variceal acute upper GI bleeding for over a 2-year period were potentially eligible for this study. They were managed by a team of seven endoscopists on 24-h call whose experience was categorized into two levels (high and low) according to the number of endoscopic hemostatic procedures undertaken before the study. Endoscopic treatment was standardized according to Forrest classification of lesions as well as the subsequent medical therapy. Time of endoscopy was subdivided into two time periods: routine (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and on-call (5 p.m.-8 a.m.). For each category of experience and time periods rebleeding rate, transfusion requirement, need for surgery, length of hospital stay and mortality we compared. Multivariate analysis was used to discriminate the impact of different variables on the outcomes that were considered.RESULTS: Study population consisted of 272 patients (mean age 67.3 years) with endoscopic stigmata of hemorrhage. The patients were equally distributed among the endoscopists, whereas only 19% of procedures were done out of working hours. Rockall score and Forrest classification at admission did not differ between time periods and degree of experience.Univariate analysis showed that higher endoscopist's experience was associated with significant reduction in rebleeding rate (14% vs 37%), transfusion requirements (1.8±0.6 vs 3.0±1.7 units) as well as surgery (4% vs 10%), but not associated with the length of hospital stay nor mortality. By contrast, outcomes did not significantly differ between the two time periods of endoscopy.On multivariate analysis, endoscopist's experience was independently associated with rebleeding rate and transfusion requirements. Odds ratios for low experienced endoscopist were 4.47 for rebleeding and 6.90 for need of transfusion after the endoscopy.CONCLUSION: Endoscopist's experience is an important independent prognostic factor for non-variceal acute upper GI bleeding. Urgent endoscopy should be undertaken preferentially by a skilled endoscopist as less expert staff tends to underestimate some risk lesions with a negative influence on hemostasis.

Experience of the patient's success in facing post-stroke urinary incontinence: the patient's perspective

Objective:Post-stroke urinary incontinence(UI)is one of the sequelae of stroke.This situation affects all aspects of the patient’s life–physically,psychologically,socially,and spiritually.This study aimed to investigate the experience of patients’success in facing a post-stroke UI.Methods:A qualitative study using the Rapid Assessment Procedure(RAP)approach was used in this study.Informants were selected using purposive sampling.In-depth interviews with as many as 8 patients who had recovered from post-stroke UI and living in the greater area of Southeast Sulawesi(Indonesia)were conducted.In-depth interviews were also conducted with 8 caregivers and 2 nurses.Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach and interpretation of data was based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing.Results:Five successful things the patients experienced during post-stroke UI were identified.The five successes were as follows:they provided information to get to know and understand post-stroke UI,followed the procedures to overcome post-stroke UI,conducted self-control exercises and stayed motivated,performed daily activities independently according to ability,and made use of family suppor t and peers’attention.Conclusions:These findings indicated that persistence,belief,independence,and social support(family and peer)made patients to successfully face their post-stroke UI and improved their quality of life.These findings also became the basis for developing a poststroke UI management model based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing.

On the Unipolar Generator: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

When studying the phenomenon of the induced electromotive force, which originates from Faraday’s unipolar inductor, the contrast between Faraday’s view of the magnetic field dynamic lines and the theory of relativity is revealed. In order to remove this contradiction, this phenomenon was studied in depth, theoretically and experimentally, using an experimental setup similar to Faraday’s. Calculations of the induced electromotive force, based on relativity on the one hand and on Faraday’s view on the other were made with the help of measurements of the magnetic field components. Accurate magnetic field measurements are confirmed by analytical calculations. Precise-induced electromotive force measurements confirmed Faraday’s view and contradicted the theory of relativity.

Prof.Sheng Canruo's Experience in Acupuncture Treatment of Throat Diseases with Yan Si Xue

Yan Si Xue(咽四穴)refer to four points in the throat summarized by Prof.Sheng Canruo in his long-year clinical experience based on the combination of TCM theory and the knowledge of modernmedical anatomy.By taking “Yan Si Xue” as main points,and other differential adjunct points,Prof.Sheng has obtained satisfactory therapeutic results in treating various throat diseases such ashoarseness,paralysis of vocal cord,dysphonia after radiotherapy on throat tumor,vocal nodules,disorder of the glossopharyngeal nerve,hysteric aphasia,and acute or chronic laryngopharyngitis.

On the Role of Consumer Preferences in the Coordination among Health Insurers under Regulated Competition

This paper addresses the coordination problem of price and quality setting insurers, arising on the health insurance market under regulated competition, as introduced, for instance, in the Netherlands in 2006. We use an experimental study to gain novel insights on the impact of the uncertainty about consumer preferences on the coordination problem. This fundamental uncertainty implies uncertainty about the identity of the payoff dominant equilibrium, while the risk dominant equilibrium is independent of the state of the world. The experimental results show that insurers are more likely to coordinate on the payoff dominant equilibrium under incomplete information. When insurers face not only strategic but also fundamental uncertainty in the coordination problem, they delay the response to the risk dominant strategy, and persist longer in trying to coordinate on the payoff dominant equilibrium. For the market we study, this implies that the co-ordination under incomplete information will result in consumers paying higher prices, in contrast to the original objectives of the regulated competition.

Consumer Preference and Willingness to Pay for Non-Plastic Food Containers in Honolulu, USA

Expanded polystyrene (EPS), a petroleum based plastic polystyrene, has an immense environmental impact with a degradation rate of over 500 years, and is a possible human carcinogen that may cause cancer in humans. Nonetheless, EPS is the most commonly used material to produce takeout food containers, a single use item that is quickly discarded. With growing recognition of the high environmental costs of EPS products and their pressure on landfill resources, EPS food container bans have become increasingly popular in jurisdictions across the globe. Similar legislation has been introduced in the state of Hawaii, USA. However, since EPS is currently more cost effective than its alternatives, the widespread adoption of food containers produced with biodegradable materials remains a challenge. This study employs Conjoint Choice Experiment (CCE) to determine consumer preference and willingness to pay for plant-based EPS alternative takeout food containers and their various product attributes in the urban center of Honolulu, Hawaii. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) is used to cluster respondents into four distinct classes based on their observable attributes of choice. Results show that the majority of respondents (81.0%) are in favor of a ban on EPS takeout food containers. As an alternative, the majority of respondents prefer a container constructed out of a sugarcane material (66.49%) that is microwaveable (88.94%), water resistant (100%), and locally produced (51.23%). Moreover, this study demonstrates an increase in consumer’s willingness to pay for more environmentally friendly food containers, which may allow businesses to offset the costs of substituting EPS for biodegradable materials. These findings provide valuable information for farmers, manufacturers, and natural resource managers, and can help to guide decision makers when considering socially responsible and environmentally sustainable policies.

The Experiences of the Elderly and Caregivers in Respect of Caring for the Elderly in Windhoek and Rehoboth Namibia: An Exploratory and Descriptive Study

In many instances, care for the elderly, especially in long-term care institutions, is provided under minimal supervision by caregivers who are lay people. This can lead to poor quality care or neglect of the elderly. The research question was: “How competent are lay caregivers for the elderly in old age homes, who often lack the opportunity for training to improve their knowledge and skills, in delivering care to the elderly? The aims of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of both the caregivers and the elderly in respect of caring for the elderly in old age homes. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of the caregivers and the elderly with respect to caring for the elderly and in respect of nursing care they received. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, contextual and phenomenology design was used to perform this study. In the situational analysis, the experiences and needs of the caregivers were described. Themes in terms of interpersonal relationships that could be positive or negative regarding the elderly were identified. These included lack of regular in-service training sessions for caregivers. Likewise, sub-themes like communication, support and caring for elderly people were revealed. Inadequate knowledge of caregivers in caring procedures, a shortage of staff, equipment and absence of policies which should support and guide the work of caregivers impacts negatively on the care of the elderly. From the experiences of the elderly and caregivers, the competencies under scrutiny emerged and were measured qualitatively by the perceptions of the elderly, in respect of the caring they were exposed to.

Online Shopping: What Factors Determine Consumers to Buy?

This study analyzed factors influencing consumers in the process of making a decision in online shopping. The findings could inspire suggestions for online marketers in developing either media or infrastructures accordingly. The variables in the study involved product information, price, service, transaction safety, environment, age, gender, educational background, and income rate as independent variables, while the process of purchasing decision served as a dependent variable. Primary data were gathered in 10 locations within Jabodetabek areas involving 270 respondents which were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The study revealed that price, information product, and service as significant variables influencing consumers in online shopping. Service became the most important factor for marketers to be considered as it emerged as the most dominant variable influencing the process of making a decision in online shopping.

Experience with intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer: the Geneva University Hospital's experience

Background Breast conserving surgery along with adjuvant radiotherapy is effective in terms of local control and survival for early- stage breast cancer （1）. External beam radiotherapy （EBRT） following breast conserving surgery has been shown to improve survival by preventing local recurrence, in the Early Breast Cancer Trialists＇ Collaborative Group meta-analysis （2）. Standard radiotherapy typically requires numerous fractions over a 3-5 week period and is performed weeks or months after surgery or chemotherapy.

Swedish Women’S Emotional Experience of the First Trimester in a New Pregnancy after One or More Miscarriages: A Qualitative Interview Study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate how Swedish women describe their emotional state of being during the eighth week through the eleventh week after they have become pregnant again after suffering a previous miscarriage. Method: A qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach has been used to analyze fourteen interviews that served as the data base for this study. The content analysis resulted in the development of five categories which evolved into one primary theme. Findings: The five categories identified were Worry and preoccupation;Distance;managing their feelings;Mourning what is lost;Guarded happiness and expectations. These categories were compiled into a main theme, “Worry consumes a lot of energy, but on the other side lies happiness”. This theme focused on whether the women could feel any happiness about being pregnant again despite their concerns with the previous miscarriage. Conclusions: The emotional states of the women when they get pregnant again are typically characterized by anxiety, worry and concerns about their current pregnancy. The women have a tendency to distance themselves emotionally from their pregnancy but also strive to find the joy of being pregnant again. During the new pregnancy they find themselves in need of support from their family and friends as well as in need of support from the healthcare system.

MANAGEMENT OF MENEERE'S DISEASE—THE BEIJING TIANTAN HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE

Objective To report outcomes of nonsurgical and surgical management of Menire＇s disease at Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Methods Patients with Menire＇s disease were categorized into groups based on hearing and quality of life. Individualized management was provided, including life style modification, drug therapies, endolymphatic sac decompression and labyrin- thectomy. Treatment outcomes were evaluated during up to 24 months follow up. Results Eighty seven patients underwent life style modification and drug therapies. The vertigo control rate of Grade A and B was 76.9% and 83.8% respectively. Six patients received surgical management, including endolymphatic sac decompression （n = 5） and labyrinthecto- my （n = 1）. For these patients, the vertigo control rate of Grade A and B was 80% and 100%, respectively. Conclu- lsions Management of Meni6re＇s disease depends on several factors, i.e. severities of vertigo and hearing loss, quality of life, surgical contraindications and patient subjective desire. The treatment is drug therapies for the majority of patients, as well as life style modification. Surgical indications are rare and the least invasive procedures should be considered first. The results of surgery are generally satisfying.

China＇s Experience in Rural Poverty Reduction.Jobs from Industrialization and Urbanization to Increase Rural Household Income

This paper makes an appraisal of the successful experience of China, a country with the largest agricultural population in the world, in the reduction of rural poverty. We conclude that it is an indispensible strategy to give priority to the development of urban sectors to promote economic growth and reduce rural poverty, and that the development of low value-added agriculture yields few, if any, benefits in decreasing rural poverty. By first adopting urban-biased policies and promoting industrialization, China has created new sources of economic growth and urban employment opportunities to absorb the surplus rural workforce. Entering labor-intensive industrial sectors for higher incomes has thus become a critical avenue for the rural poor to benefit from economic growth and escape poverty.

Evaluation of Patients’ Experience Following Dental Implant Surgical Procedure

Background: Patient’s acceptability of dental implant prostheses may be influenced the fact that a surgical procedure is involved. Adequate relevant information by the dental professionals pre-surgery, is therefore, paramount to alleviating the fear of surgery and contribute positively to patient’s ability to cope with post-surgical experience. This study, therefore, aimed at evaluating the postsurgical experience of the dental implant patients. As against what was expected, and relate this with the information given pre surgery. Methodology: Post treatment self-completed questionnaires were administered to consented patients that had dental implants placed between July 2017 and December 2019. The surgical procedure followed the standard protocol and data related to post-surgical experience were collected one week after the surgery to obtain information on the level of pain/discomfort and amount of swelling experienced following surgery. The effect of the information on coping ability following surgery was also assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (p value ≤ 0.05). Results: Twenty-seven patients received 44 implants to replace 48 teeth. The mean age of the patients was 45 ± 16.3 (SD) years. Teeth mostly replaced were the maxillary central incisors (39.6%). The majority of the patients 77.7% reported to experience less pain/discomfort than expected and 66.6% had less swelling than expected. While 29.6% felt they had excellent explanation of what to expect, 51.9% said they had good explanation. The post-surgical experience between males and females was not statistically significant (pain: p = 0.08, swelling: p = 0.64). However, the majority (8/12) that had good to excellent information preoperatively, had significantly less discomfort than expected. Conclusion: Positive, encouraging and satisfactory experience of patients following implant surgical procedure is related to adequate and correct information pre-surgery.

How Vaginal Infections Impact Women’s Everyday Life <br/>—Women’s Lived Experiences of Bacterial Vaginosis and Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Reoccurring symptoms and persistent problems that continue post treatment can be characteristic of the vaginal infections Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). The purpose of this study was to describe women’s life experiences in managing the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and Candida. Sixteen women were recruited and participated in an interview study when they contacted a Swedish gynecology clinic with vaginal complaints that ranged from and included abnormal discharge, irritation itching along with serious malodor. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used with an individual interview to get a more intimate understanding of the women experiencing these problems. The finding of this study shows that managing the recurrent symptoms of the infections remains to be a challenge for women as it has a clearly negative impact on the quality of their lives. Four themes developed: frustration and mood disorders, intimacy changes in the relationship, exposure, hope and relief. The women had high hopes of eliminating the symptoms within the six-month study period. The treatment program, with its well-developed guidelines and continuity of care within the context of the study greatly improved the quality of life of these women. Women had feelings of frustration and anxiety when nothing could cure their problem while they had also a great hope to get rid of the symptoms with a long striking treatment. Well-developed guidelines and continuity of care can help these women to have an improved quality of life.