Are non-competitors greener? The effect of consumer awareness differences on green food consumption

IntroductionGreen consumption plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental degradation. Governments and corporations are actively fostering the growth of green consumption. The escalating environmental issues have awakened consumers' environmental and competitive awareness, which significantly aids in increasing the probability of green food consumption.MethodsThis study, based on the Self-Consistency Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, constructs a model to analyze the effects of consumer competitive and environmental awareness on green food purchase intentions. Data from 700 consumer surveys were examined through structural equation modeling.ResultsFindings indicate that while consumer competitive awareness negatively impacts green self-efficacy and perceived control, environmental awareness has a positive effect. Green self-efficacy and perceived control both positively influence green food purchase intentions. Notably, competitive awareness has a more substantial negative impact on perceived control compared to green self-efficacy. In contrast, the positive influence of environmental awareness on green self-efficacy is stronger than on perceived control. Moreover, the effect of green self-efficacy on green food purchase intention is more pronounced than that of perceived control.DiscussionStrategies like enhancing media publicity, educational initiatives, and improving purchase convenience can increase consumer purchase intentions. This study offers valuable insights for governments and businesses in understanding consumer psychology in green food consumption, aiding in marketing strategies for green food products

Attribute-Driven or Green-Driven: The Impact of Subjective and Objective Knowledge on Sustainable Tea Consumption

The market for green agricultural products has tremendous growth potential as the pressure on resources and the environment increases and the safety of agricultural products is garnering attention. The demand for green food (tea) is also rising as tea is among the top three beverages consumed worldwide. The study attempts to propose a model of the relationship between green food (tea) customers’ product knowledge, perceived product quality, trust, purchase intention, and purchase behaviour. In addition, we will provide an analysis of the role played by age, education, income, gender, etc. The study included 700 questionnaires on green food (tea) consumers that were collected through the Credemo questionnaire platform, and data analysis was carried out using the SmartPLS software to assess the model of product knowledge on green food (tea) consumption behaviour. The findings demonstrate that, concerning differences in age, education, income, and gender; product knowledge—including attribute knowledge and green knowledge—has a positive impact on perceived product quality and trust; perceived product quality has a positive impact on trust; perceived product quality and trust have a positive impact on purchase intention; and purchase intention has a positive impact on purchase behavior

Divergence and convergence: a cross-generational study on local food consumption

Abstract In the context of the expanding local food market, grasping the evolutionary trajectory of consumer purchasing behavior is crucial for understanding market dynamics. This study adopts a cross-generational perspective to delve into and elucidate the similarities and differences in local food consumption behaviors between Gen Z and Gen Y. Through the analysis of online survey data from 251 individuals of Gen Z and 319 of Gen Y and utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical framework, and the study identifies eight key variables. The findings reveal that while Gen Z and Gen Y exhibit a range of common characteristics in their choice of local food,including attention to word of mouth, health consciousness, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and attitude.there is a significant divergence in their motivating factors for purchasing. Specifically, convenience is the primary driver for Gen Z when selecting local food; conversely, price is the decisive factor in the decision-making process of Gen Y. By unveiling these significant differences and similarities, the research offers significant understanding beneficial to the food sector, particularly in formulating market strategies targeted at different generations

Clinicopathology of EpCAM and EGFR in human epithelial ovarian carcinoma

The objective of this study was to explore the expression of EpCAM and EGFR in human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters

The Hometown Is Hard to Leave, the Homesickness Is Unforgettable—The Influence of Homesickness Advertisement on Hometown Brand Citizenship Behavior of Consumers

The hometown brand is symbolic of a hometown and can induce homesickness in consumers. Especially for those who live in other countries, it can stimulate their inner sense of belonging, self-identity, and effectiveness, in turn generating a series of brand behaviors and promoting sustainable brand development. In this study, we adopt a situational experimental research method from the perspective of sense of place theory and social exchange theory in order to assess the regulatory mechanism of place attachment through the mediating mechanism of psychological ownership. In this way, we explore the mechanism underlying the relationship between homesickness advertising (vs. non-homesickness advertising) on the hometown brand citizenship behavior of consumers. Our findings suggest that (1) homesickness advertising has a more positive effect on consumer hometown brand citizenship behavior than non-homesickness advertising; (2) psychological ownership plays a fully mediating role in the relationship between homesickness advertising (vs. non-homesickness advertising) and consumer hometown brand citizenship behavior; and (3) place attachment plays a moderating role in the influence of homesickness advertising (vs. non-homesickness advertising) on the hometown brand citizenship behavior of consumers through psychological ownership

Influence of Perceived Value on Repurchase Intention of Green Agricultural Products: From the Perspective of Multi-Group Analysis

Consumers, in their daily lives, tend to select and repurchase agricultural products through experience or trust. With the improvement of consumers’ quality of life, green agricultural products are now favored, and consumers have begun to pay more attention to the perceived value of green agricultural products. Based on the ABC model of attitude, this study analyzed the mechanism of consumer perceptions (safety value, functional value, and green value) of green food rice and green food apple on their behavioral intentions (repurchase intention of green agricultural products) through structural equation modeling. Based on signaling theory and cue utilization theory, the mechanism of the role of green trust in mitigating information asymmetry in the green agricultural products market was analyzed through mediating effects. To verify the applicability of the findings to specific sample groups and the impact of different sample differences on the findings, multiple-group analyses were conducted for apples and rice and high and low education. Data were collected using a questionnaire method through a cell phone random push questionnaire service on the Credamo platform, and the respondents were consumers of green food rice and green food apples distributed in all provinces of the country. The results showed that the perceived value significantly and positively influences the repurchase intention of green agricultural products. In terms of the degree of influence, the functional value is greater than the safety value, while the green value has no influence. Green trust mediates the relationship between perceived value and repurchase intention of green agricultural products, with a fully mediating role in the path from green value to repurchase intention. There is a significant difference between green value and repetitive purchase intention by the type of green products (necessities and non-essentials). In addition, education levels (low and high education) also show differences in the effects of green value on repurchase intention, the functional value on green trust, and green value on green trust. This study not only enriches the research related to perceived value theory and repurchase intention but also enriches the research related to green trust to provide some references for enhancing the external effects of trust theory

Tumor-penetration and antitumor efficacy of cetuximab are enhanced by co-administered iRGD in a murine model of human NSCLC

En el período bajo análisis se perfilan dos temas como las líneas principales de la política exterior argentina hacia la región: el acuerdo Mercosur -UE y las relaciones bilaterales con Chile.Centro de Reflexión en Política Internacional.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionale

Submarine groundwater discharge and associated nutrient fluxes in the Greater Bay Area, China revealed by radium and stable isotopes

The estuary-bay system is a common and complex coastal environment. However, quantifying submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and associated nutrient fluxes in the complex coastal environment is challenging due to more dynamic and complicated riverine discharge, ocean processes and human activities. In this study, SGD and SFGD (submarine fresh groundwater discharge) fluxes were evaluated by combining stable and radium isotopes in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), a typical estuary-bay system. We first built a spatially distributed radium mass balance model to quantify SGD fluxes in coastal areas of GBA integrating the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), bays and shelf. We then used the stable water isotope (δ2H and δ18O) end-member mixing model to distinguish submarine fresh groundwater discharge (SFGD) from SGD. Based on the 228Ra mass balance, the estimated SGD fluxes in the PRE, adjacent bay, and shelf areas were (6.14 ± 2.74) × 108 m3 d-1, (3.00 ± 1.11) × 107 m3 d-1, and (5.00 ± 5.64) × 108 m3 d-1, respectively. Results showed that the largest area-averaged SGD was in the PRE, followed by that in the adjacent shelf and the bay. These differences may be mainly influenced by ocean forces, urbanization and benthic topographies controlling the variability of groundwater pathways. Further, the three end-member mixing model of 228Ra and salinity was developed to confirm the validity of the estimated SGD using the Ra mass balance model. In the two models, groundwater end-member and water apparent age estimation were the main sources of uncertainty in SGD. The estimated SFGD flux was (1.39 ± 0.76) × 108 m3 d-1, which accounted for approximately 12% of the total SGD. Combining stable and radium isotopes was a useful method to estimate groundwater discharge. Moreover, the estimated SGD associated dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) flux was one order of magnitude higher than other DIN sources. SGD was considered to be a significant contributor to the DIN loading to the GBA. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable information on coastal groundwater management and environmental protection of the GBA and similar coastal areas elsewhere

Identification of mRNAs related to endometrium function regulated by lncRNA CD36–005 in rat endometrial stromal cells

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and is commonly complicated by adverse endometrial outcomes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-protein-coding transcripts that are more than 200 nucleotides in length. Accumulating evidence indicates that lncRNAs are involved in the development of various human diseases. Among these lncRNAs, lncRNA CD36–005 (CD36–005) is indicated to be associated with the pathogenesis of PCOS. However, the mechanisms of action of CD36–005 have not yet been elucidated. Methods This study determined the CD36–005 expression level in the uteri of PCOS rat model and its effect on the proliferation activity of rat primary endometrial stromal cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics analysis were performed to detect the mRNA expression profiles and the biological pathways in which these differentially expressed mRNAs involved, after CD36–005 overexpression in the primary endometrial stromal cells. The differential expression of Hmgn5, Nr5a2, Dll4, Entpd1, Fam50a, and Brms1 were further validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results CD36–005 is highly expressed in the uteri of PCOS rat model and promotes the proliferation of rat primary endometrial stromal cells. A total of fifty-five mRNAs differentially expressed were identified in CD36–005 overexpressed stromal cells. Further analyses identified that these differentially expressed mRNAs participate in many biological processes and are associated with various human diseases. The results of qRT-PCR validation were consistent with the RNA-seq data. Conclusions These data provide a list of potential target mRNA genes of CD36–005 in endometrial stromal cells and laid a foundation for further studies on the molecular function and mechanism of CD36–005 in the endometrium

Multiple Seepage‐Faces in Tidal Flat With Very Gentle Slopes

Abstract Large‐scale seepage‐faces occur on small‐slope tidal flats. All previous studies assume that the seepage‐face has only one single exit point. Here we show via numerical simulations of tidally‐influenced groundwater flow that, in a two‐dimensional vertical, homogeneous transect of a tidal flat with gentle beach slope of 1‰, multiple seepage‐faces may occur with at most four unsaturated beach surface segments which separate four seepage‐faces. Salinity‐variation induced density‐dependent flow leads to this complex phenomenon. While the seepage‐faces are the groundwater discharging zones on the beach surface, the unsaturated zones are the recharging zones. The whole aquifer beneath the tidal flat is almost occupied by seawater and forms a wall blocking the horizontal seaward discharge of inland fresh groundwater so that inland freshwater discharges mainly occur near the high tide mark. This is in great contrast with the traditional results that inland freshwater discharge occurs mainly near low tide mark