Sustainable consumption and third-party certified labels: consumers' perceptions and reactions

Compared with conventional products, sustainable products continue to attract relatively lower market shares. To increase customer acceptance, many sustainable products feature third-party certified labels (TPCL), yet it is unclear whether TPCL are effective and what processes and boundary conditions define their role in consumer decision making. Across three experimental studies, this research determines that sustainable products are characterized by credence qualities, associated with increased perceptions of risk, which negatively influence consumers’ purchase intentions. Drawing on signaling theory, this study also shows that TPCL on sustainable products provide brand-like information cues that reduce the perceived risk of sustainable products. Finally, a third experimental study demonstrates that consumers must perceive TPCL as credible for them to reduce consumers’ risk perceptions

Quality care, public perception and quick-fix service management: a Delphi study on stressors of hospital doctors in Ireland.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and rank the most significant workplace stressors to which consultants and trainees are exposed within the publicly funded health sector in Ireland. DESIGN: Following a preliminary semistructured telephone interview, a Delphi technique with 3 rounds of reiterative questionnaires was used to obtain consensus. Conducted in Spring 2014, doctors were purposively selected by their college faculty or specialty training body. SETTING: Consultants and higher specialist trainees who were engaged at a collegiate level with their faculty or professional training body. All were employed in the Irish publicly funded health sector by the Health Services Executive. PARTICIPANTS: 49 doctors: 30 consultants (13 male, 17 female) and 19 trainees (7 male, 12 female). Consultants and trainees were from a wide range of hospital specialties including anaesthetics, radiology and psychiatry. RESULTS: Consultants are most concerned with the quality of healthcare management and its impact on service. They are also concerned about the quality of care they provide. They feel undervalued within the negative sociocultural environment that they work. Trainees also feel undervalued with an uncertain future and they also perceive their sociocultural environment as negative. They echo concerns regarding the quality of care they provide. They struggle with the interface between career demands and personal life. CONCLUSIONS: This Delphi study sought to explore the working life of doctors in Irish hospitals at a time when resources are scarce. It identified both common and distinct concerns regarding sources of stress for 2 groups of doctors. Its identification of key stressors should guide managers and clinicians towards solutions for improving the quality of patient care and the health of care providers

Health Care Professionals’ Knowledge and Practice of Physical Activity Promotion for Cancer Survivors in Ireland

Purpose: With advancements in cancer screening and treatment, cancer mortality rates continue to decline for most major cancer types globally. This translates into a growing cohort of cancer survivors worldwide, estimated to be over 30 million surviving at least five years post diagnosis. However, this success has also brought to the recognition that cancer survivors have significantly elevated risk of premature death and serious morbidity due to cancer recurrence, secondary cancers, and chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. Cancer survivors also experience fatigue, depression, and pain, resulting in reduced quality of life. Rationale: Nutrition and physical activity are one of the cornerstones for cancer prevention and control, and are among the few modifiable behaviours for preventing chronic health conditions and improving quality of life. Poor nutritional intake and sedentary behaviour can exacerbate morbidities in cancer survivors, while healthy dietary patterns and being physically active can serve a protective function. Health care professionals play critical roles in reinforcing the importance of healthy lifestyles for long-term health. It is imperative to assess health care professionals’ knowledge and practice of providing lifestyle support to cancer survivors. Research is also needed to understand the targeted nutritional needs in cancer survivors and the mediators of lifestyle interventions to develop personalised lifestyle prescription for the growing population of cancer survivors. Objectives: We aim to discuss the targeted nutritional needs in cancer survivors, the effect and underlying mechanisms of clinical- and community-based lifestyle interventions on survivors’ physical and psychosocial functioning and quality of life, and cost-effective strategies to integrate personalized lifestyle prescription into cancer care or community settings. Summary: Four short papers will be presented on diet quality and nutritional intake in cancer survivors, the effect and underlying mechanisms of lifestyle interventions on survivors’ physical and psychosocial functioning and quality of life, and health care professionals’ knowledge and practice of physical activity promotion for cancer survivors. This will be followed by facilitated discussions on how to address specific nutrition and physical activity needs in cancer survivors through cost-effective interventions

Cheddar and mozzarella cheesemaking characteristics of bovine milks containing k-casein A and B variants

This investigation studied the influence of K-casein A and B variants on the composition, production and for the first time the pilot-scale Cheddar and low moisture part-skim Mozzarella cheesemaking properties of milks from Irish Holstein Friesians. Analysis of 6,007 individual animal milks showed that only 1.98 % of animals had the K-casein BB phenotype. No statistically significant associations (P AB>BB while the rate of curd firming and curd firmness values were such that K-casein AA<AB<BB (Chapters 2 & 5). The moisture adjusted Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese yields for AA and BB variant milks were 92.5 and 100.1, and 91.5 and 102.5 kg cheese/1000 kg milk, respectively. The moisture and protein adjusted Mozzarella cheese yields for K-casein AA, AB and BB variants were 90.2, 93.2 and 95.2 kg cheese/1000 kg milk, respectively (Chapters 2 & 5). Cheddar cheeses made from K-casein BB variant milk had significantly higher (P<0.05) free amino acid levels after 270 days ripening than K-casein AA cheeses. Rheometric analysis during a 270 day ripening period showed that K-casein BB Cheddar cheeses were significantly softer (P<0.05) at 90 and 180 days and had a lower fracture stress at day 180 than AA variant cheeses. K-Casein variant had no significant effect on the sensory characteristics of Cheddar cheese (Chapter 3 & 4). Furthermore, K-casein variant had no significant effect on the proteolysis (nitrogen soluble at pH 4.60 and nitrogen soluble in 5 % phosphotungstic acid), rheological (hardness) or functional characteristics (melt, flow and stretch) of Mozzarella (Chapter 5). Given the above results, it was concluded that K-casein BB variant milk resulted in improved rennet coagulation properties and higher yields of Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese while having no detrimental effects on cheese quality. Furthermore, increasing the frequency of the B variant of K-casein in Irish Holstein Friesian dairy herds should be beneficial in the production of milk for the manufacture of Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese

Mast Cell Stabilisers

Mast cells play a critical role in type 1 hypersensitivity reactions. Indeed, mast cell mediators are implicated in many different conditions including allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, psoriasis, mastocytosis and the progression of many different cancers. Thus, there is intense interest in the development of agents which prevent mast cell mediator release or which inhibit the actions of such mediators once released into the environment of the cell. Much progress into the design of new agents has been made since the initial discovery of the mast cell stabilising properties of khellin from Ammi visnaga and the clinical approval of cromolyn sodium. This review critically examines the progress that has been made in the intervening years from the design of new agents that target a specific signalling event in the mast cell degranulation pathway to those agents which have been developed where the precise mechanism of action remains elusive. Particular emphasis is also placed on clinically used drugs for other indications that stabilise mast cells and how this additional action may be harnessed for their clinical use in disease processes where mast cells are implicated

Uptake to a community based chronic illness rehabilitation programme (CBCIR): Is there a gender disparity?

Background: Multi-morbidity and chronic conditions pose a threat to population health. Despite known benefits of rehabilitation using structured exercise, uptake to such programmes remain sub-optimal. The aim of this study is to identify the psychosocial and health related fitness correlates of uptake to a CBCIR in men and women, with the secondary aim of identifying the rate of uptake. Methods: Participants referred to a CBCIR via GPs and hospitals completed an induction process. This introduced them to the CBCIR programme and got them to complete a multi-section questionnaire (including instruments on physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, intentions for exercise, and perceived family/friend social support) and complete a battery of physical health measures (including the Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), a lower body strength test and body mass index (BMI)). Post induction participants who attended an exercise class were classified as ‘Uptakers’, whilst those who never came back were classified as ‘Non-Uptakers’. Class attendance was objectively monitored by the researchers. Data were analysed using SPSS, and are presented using means, standard deviations and proportions, group differences are examined via t-tests and logistic regression was used to predict uptake. Results: A total of 441 participants (56% male; average age 64.3 ±12 years completed induction measures. Overall, 77% were identified as Uptakers (81% female, 74% male, p=0.068, 2-sided). Among men, Uptakers reported more days of 30mins moderate to vigorous physical activity (t(111) = -2.499,

Co-design and user validation of the MedFit App: a focus group analysis

This abstract details the development phase of the formative research process outlined by the Medical Research Council, used to develop a theoretically informed Android App, named MedFit, to enhance disease self-management and quality of life in adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The overall aim of the app is to increase physical activity minutes of adults with CVD. A key part of the development phase, which is the focus of this abstract, is the co-design and user validation of the MedFit app

Behavior Change Techniques in Physical Activity eHealth Interventions for People With Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death and disability in Europe, accounting for 4 million deaths per year and costing the European Union economy almost €196 billion annually. There is strong evidence to suggest that exercise-based secondary rehabilitation programs can decrease the mortality risk and improve health among patients with CVD. Theory-informed use of behavior change techniques (BCTs) is important in the design of cardiac rehabilitation programs aimed at changing cardiovascular risk factors. Electronic health (eHealth) is the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for health. This emerging area of health care has the ability to enhance self-management of chronic disease by making health care more accessible, affordable, and available to the public. However, evidence-based information on the use of BCTs in eHealth interventions is limited, and particularly so, for individuals living with CVD. Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the application of BCTs in eHealth interventions designed to increase physical activity (PA) in CVD populations. Methods: A total of 7 electronic databases, including EBSCOhost (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, SPORTDiscus with Full Text, and CINAHL Complete), Scopus, and Web of Science (Core Collection) were searched. Two authors independently reviewed references using the software package Covidence (Veritas Health Innovation). The reviewers met to resolve any discrepancies, with a third independent reviewer acting as an arbitrator when required. Following this, data were extracted from the papers that met the inclusion criteria. Bias assessment of the studies was carried out using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing the risk of bias within Covidence; this was followed by a narrative synthesis. Results: Out of the 987 studies that were identified, 14 were included in the review. An additional 9 studies were added following a hand search of review paper references. The average number of BCTs used across the 23 studies was 7.2 (range 1-19). The top three most frequently used BCTs included information about health consequences (78%, 18/23), goal setting (behavior; 74%, 17/23), and joint third, self-monitoring of behavior and social support (practical) were included in 11 studies (48%, 11/23) each. Conclusions: This systematic review is the first to investigate the use of BCTs in PA eHealth interventions specifically designed for people with CVD. This research will have clear implications for health care policy and research by outlining the BCTs used in eHealth interventions for chronic illnesses, in particular CVD, thereby providing clear foundations for further research and developments in the area

Exploring the impact of authentic assessment on sustainability literacy through reflective and action-oriented tasks: A roundtable podcast

Business schools must engage in fundamental change to retain their legitimacy and position themselves as providers of solutions to urgent economic, social, and environmental crises. To this end, we need pedagogy that enables students to become sustainability literate graduates and thus develop appropriate knowledge, skills, and mind-sets. This roundtable discussion podcast comprises six colleagues engaged in conversation and reflection around a pedagogical initiative designed with the broad aim of enhancing sustainability literacy among business students using innovative digital tools as part of an authentic assessment strategy. The pedagogical approaches we discuss engage students with learning across several different modes and in a ‘deep’ reflective manner (Meyers & Nulty, 2009).  We discuss our use of the UN supported Sulitest platform, specifically our use of the Sulitest quiz tool. The podcast transcript has been annotated through footnotes to direct the listener/reader to further reading on the various topics that emerge in our discussion

MedFit: The development of a mobile-application to enhance participant self-management of their cardiovascular disease

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death and disability in Europe. Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) can reduce the impact of CVD by lowering mortality and morbidity rates and promoting healthy active lifestyles. Yet adherence within CR is low. Research suggests that mHealth interventions are useful in supporting the self-management of chronic disease. The purpose of this research is to report on the development of an mHealth intervention. Methods: For the intervention development the Medical Research Council’s formative process consisting of 4 stages; i) development, ii) feasibility/piloting, iii) evaluation and iv) implementation will be used to develop a theoretically informed Android App to enhance disease self-management and quality of life in CVD. Like CR it will use exercise as its main modality, and provide advice on other health behaviours. Results: A systematic review of the use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in physical activity eHealth interventions for CVD patients has been conducted. Seven electronic databases yielded 987 articles, 97 of which met the inclusion criteria for full text review. A multidisciplinary team comprised of exercise scientists, health behaviour change and technology specialists are using this information to develop the intervention prototype. Stage one will be followed by qualitative research, where end-users will be asked to examine the intervention in order to determine its feasibility and acceptability, to ultimately improve its efficacy through a co-design process. Conclusion: Preliminary findings and systematic review protocol will be reported as per the PRISMA guidelines, ultimately aiding the development of the MedFit app