“I guess it's quite trendy”: A qualitative insight into young meat-eaters’ sustainable food consumption habits and perceptions towards current and future protein alternatives

As the market for sustainable food continues to expand, there is a need to understand how consumers’ consumption habits and perceptions are changing. Targeting the younger populations is of interest as they arguably will shape the future of food. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide in-depth consumer insights on a range of topics from current consumption habits (i.e., meat reduction, plant-based meat/seafood (PBM/S)), towards future protein alternatives (i.e., cell-based meat/seafood (CBM/S), precision fermented dairy (PFD)). Online focus groups were conducted in the UK with meat-eaters (n = 38) aged 18–34. Codebook thematic analysis was applied using the Framework Matrix as a tool for data analysis. Key themes were presented using the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation), which identified areas of behavioural change. Results found a trend towards meat reduction, partially initiated by moving away from home and limited food budgets. Overall, participants acknowledged the environmental impact of food, but a notable knowledge gap was apparent when quantifying the effect, especially for dairy and seafood. Compared to PBM, few participants had tried PBS products, partially due to lower availability and familiarity. Enablers for PBM/S included convenience, positive sensory experiences and the influence of others, whilst barriers related to negative health connotations and over-processing. For CBM/S and PFD, animal welfare, curiosity and optimised nutrition acted as enablers, whilst barriers related to wider consumer acceptance, affordability and unnaturalness. In general, participants felt changing food consumption habits can have an impact on climate change and were optimistic about novel technologies supporting future protein transitions. Increasing public understanding around the environmental impact of food, especially seafood and dairy, and prioritising the affordability of sustainable food are suggested as intervention strategies to encourage sustainable food consumption

Osteosclerosis in the extinct Cayaoa Bruneti (Aves, anseriformes) : insights on behavior and fligftlessness

Fil: Mendoza, Ricardo de. División Paleontología Vertebrados. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La PlataFil: Tambussi, Claudia Patricia. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra (CICTERRA). Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentin

Spinor condensates and light scattering from Bose-Einstein condensates

These notes discuss two aspects of the physics of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates: optical properties and spinor condensates. The first topic includes light scattering experiments which probe the excitations of a condensate in both the free-particle and phonon regime. At higher light intensity, a new form of superradiance and phase-coherent matter wave amplification were observed. We also discuss properties of spinor condensates and describe studies of ground--state spin domain structures and dynamical studies which revealed metastable excited states and quantum tunneling.Comment: 58 pages, 33 figures, to appear in Proceedings of Les Houches 1999 Summer School, Session LXXI

Applying regression tree analysis to explore willingness to reduce meat and adopt protein alternatives among Australia, China and the UK

The increasing global demand for meat causes additional environmental and food security issues. Adoption of a healthy and sustainable diet through the reduction of meat consumption may represent one approach to tackle these problems. An online survey collected responses from meat-eaters in Australia (n = 503), China (n = 785) and the UK (n = 489) to review the importance of considering cross-cultural and demographic differences when investigating meat-eating behaviour. The aim of this study was to understand meat consumption habits and the associations between consumers’ willingness to reduce meat/ adopt protein alternatives (meat substitutes, edible insects, cultured meat), with the influence of age, gender and country. To aid interpretation and explore interrelationships between variables, regression tree analysis using the CHAID algorithm was used. Results found country to be the most influential factor in predicting changes to meat consumption and willingness to reduce meat/adopt alternatives. Overall, Australians, especially those aged 35–54, were significantly less willing to reduce and adopt alternatives compared to Chinese and UK consumers. Interestingly, Chinese males were more willing to reduce meat and adopt alternatives, whilst the opposite trend was found in the UK. Findings highlight the importance of considering cultural differences, age and gender when designing country specific meat reduction strategies. It also emphasises the need to introduce appropriate protein alternative categories that will help facilitate a dietary transition in a given country. Overall, regression tree analysis has proven to be a useful stats tool to help explain complex interrelationships (e.g., meat consumption with other psychographic behaviours) in the current study

Comparing motivations and barriers to reduce meat and adopt protein alternatives amongst meat-eaters in Australia, China and the UK

Motivations are central in determining consumer food choices and provide insights regarding barriers to change. Given the global need to transition towards more sustainable protein consumption patterns, understanding cross-cultural motivations is important. The present research aimed to address this knowledge gap by reviewing motivations to reduce meat and to adopt meat substitutes, edible insects and cultured meat amongst meat-eating consumers in Australia, China and the UK (n = 1,777). An online survey captured the importance of key motivations via closed-ended statements, with barriers to change collected via open-ended questions for extremely unwilling consumers. Results found food safety and environmental benefits to be the most important motives for meat reduction and protein alternatives adoption. Chinese and UK consumers were more motivated by these factors compared to Australian consumers who had the greatest proportion of consumers unwilling to reduce based on the belief meat consumption is necessary for health reasons. Relative differences in motivational importance were also apparent by protein alternative type. In general, the greatest proportion of unwilling responses amongst Australians (n = 245) related to the use of meat substitutes, whilst for Chinese (n = 160) and UK consumers (n = 97) it related to edible insects. Overall, six key themes were identified amongst extremely unwilling consumers, with the protein alternatives being perceived as; Unhealthy, Unnecessary, Unsustainable, Unsafe, Unnatural and Unappealing. The prominence of themes differed between countries and across protein categories, but the perception that alternatives were unnecessary was a communal theme. Overall, the findings provide interesting insights and recommendations to support country-specific protein transitions

Feasibility and Compliance of Automated Measurement of Quality of Life in Oncology Practice

Purpose: Systematic quality-of-life (QOL) assessment may have value in oncology practice by increasing awareness of a wide range of issues, possibly increasing detection of psychologic morbidity, social problems, and changes in physical status, and improving care and its outcomes. However,logistic problems are substantial. Automated systems solve many of these problems. We field-tested the feasibility and compliance that can be achieved using a computer touchscreen system in two consecutive studies. Patients and Methods: In study 1, a prospective cohort of 272 patients was offered QOL assessment at each clinic appointment for 6 months. In study 2, all patients (N 1,291) were offered QOL assessment as part of clinic routine during a 12-week period. Results: In study 1, 82% of patients agreed to take part, but over time, compliance was poor (median, 40%; mean, 43%) and deteriorated with longer follow-up. In study 2, the overall compliance was greatly increased (median, 100%; mean, 70%), and compliance was retained over multiple visits. In study 1, compliance was better in younger patients,males, and socially advantaged patients, but was not affected by the presence of depression or anxiety, or QOL. In the second study, building on experience in the first study, data collection and storage in the computer system was excellent, achieving 98% of collected data stored in one center. In general, patients were comfortable with the computers and the approach. Data collection on the wards was more difficult and less complete than in clinics, especially for patients undergoing acute admissions. Conclusion: Feasibility with higher compliance was demonstrated in study 2, in which the data collection was integrated into routine care, and can be improved with further technical initiatives and education of staff.NO DIVISION21pub460pub