Abstract This paper explains that research indicates that, in the United States, perceptions factors in the purchase of organic foods relating to food safety concerns are environmental contaminants, disease-causing organisms and pesticide residues. The author points out that useful knowledge for anyone wishing to introduce consumers to organic foods is that the consumer would not perceive much risk in food until after he or she has heard about some problem; however, once that happens, it would be likely that they would make biased judgments. The paper indicates that, in contrast to nutrition knowledge, perceptions about attributes of organic foods, such as importance of nutrition, appear to be good predictors of dietary behavior; therefore, consumer information programs must be careful to reiterated nutrition as a "salient attribute" of organic food if they want to be successful in encouraging consumers to behave in a certain way.
Table of Contents
What is Consumer Behavior?
Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior
What is Perception?
Perceived Risk in Food
Price Perception
What are Attitudes?
Willingness to Pay
Resource Deficit Model
Organic Food as a Strategy to Deal with Worries about the Safety and Quality of Food
Consumer Buying Decision Process
From the Paper "Dean (1999) investigated three factors-advertising cues-he believed affected consumer perceptions (and therefore behavior) concerning product quality, uniqueness, manufacturer reputation and manufacturer corporate citizenship. It is likely the last of this list would have some effect on consumer behavior regarding organic foods, especially. The three cues Dean investigated were third-party product endorsement, brand popularity and event sponsorship. He found that the popularity cue lacked significant effect; also, he found that the three cues do not interact with each other significantly in forming a basis for consumer perception and arguably behavior."
Tags: reconstructionist, nutrition, perceptions, food-safety, information
Abstract This paper examines the historical, social and environmental influences that determined the make up of the Japanese garden and how the traditional Japanese garden translates into the Japanese garden prevalent in the United States today.
From the Paper "The Chinese brought in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Zen. The relationship between nature and human construction became "fused more in the days of mountain Buddhism, during the 9th-12th century." The word Shinto comes "from the Chinese Shentao, which means the mystic rules of nature and/or the path leading to a grave." The Japanese found proper place in the Confucian classics they inherited from China, and their notions of "purity" in the rituals of the indigenous Shinto religion." Shinto, the worship of nature, has influenced how Japanese relate to nature. There is sacredness in everything. This Shinto concept translates to Japanese people not changing the balance of aesthetics, which reinforces proper place ideology.
One of the Ancient Age periods--the Heian, began with the transfer of the capital to Kyoto in 794 and the period lasted till 1185. The Heian period explored creativity beyond the realm of religion. Gardens were in many nobles' homes plus the imperial palace, and they had a certain look, a shinden-style, which the Sakuteiki manual formalized.. During the Heian period the nobles built pleasure gardens, strolling gardens, and architectural monuments such as the Golden Pavillion, Kinkaku, in Rokuon-ji, Kyoto."
Tags: Shinto, Zen, Heian, Muromachi, medieval, Teizoden, botanical
Abstract This paper examines the economic and ecological advantages and disadvantages of relying on a. a small number of genetic variations of major crops and livestock, b. genetically modified foods, and c. perennial food crops in agricultural practices today. Reasons for support and/or opposition of each are outlined particularly in the developed versus developing countries."
From the Paper "Over this century it will become even more difficult to meet the basic requirements that the people of the world need to survive. A balanced diet, clean water and shelter are the basic requirements that a great part of the world's population is struggling to meet. The exponential growth of the world's population, the fragile environment, the overuse of land for grazing and crop production and pollution and just some the causes that have brought about a crisis resulting in the fact that in "1996 an estimate 840 million of the world's people did not get enough food to thrive" (Raven et al., 1998). "
Abstract This paper focuses on two chapters from Brett De Bary's translation of 'Origins of Modern Japanese Literature' by Karatani Kojin. This paper introduces a distinctively Japanese regard for landscape in relation to literature, and discusses what Kojin referred to as the 'discovery of Interiority'. The paper reviews these chapters as they are a helpful introduction to other trends in modern Japanese literature before the rise of militarism.The rise in militarism heralded the War in the Pacific that brought the destruction of the Japanese'modern' order as it is known.
From the Paper "Foreign influence of the later 19th century inspired reflection on Japanese literature hitherto shaped by Confucian/Chinese literary culture. Several reformers appeared, esp. Soseki of early 20th century to inspire a strongly Japanese expression; focus on landscape as background for human activity, and conveying of human psychology. Expression then delayed by rise of Japanese militarism in 1920s and 1930s; much of what we understand, now, did not surface strongly till after 1949. Mainly course material references."
Abstract This paper examines how rice is a grain cereal plant of the grass family and how in terms of total production it is the world's second leading food crop. In particular, it looks at how rice will continue to play a major role in feeding billions of people in the world especially in Asia and how the goals and ambitions of researchers today must be to develop rice cultivars and methods of cultivation which enhance the crop yield and are resistant to disease and adverse weather conditions.
Outline
Abstract
Biology of the Rice Plant
Regions of Rice Cultivation and Factors Affecting Yield
Preparation for Planting
Soil Type
Whole Farm Planning
Calendar of Events
Propagation of Rice
Recent Developments
Irrigation
Pests and Diseases
Harvesting
Post Harvest Issues
Processing
Environmental Effects of Rice Cultivation
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The rice plant is usually classified as the genus Oryza in the grass family (Graminae). The rice plant has a number of jointed stems, called culms, which measure between 38cm to 244cm. The culms are composed of hollow internodes that join at solid nodes and arise from the shallow fibrous root system. A few of the nodes become elongated as the plant matures. The upper internode supports the panicle, which is the head of the rice plant. The flat grass-like leaves of the rice plant have a basal sheath which surrounds the culm. The blade of the leaf is set at an angle to the sheath. The panicle can range from open to compact and from erect to droopy. In most varieties it is dense and droopy."
Abstract This paper explores the importance of sugar cultivation for Cuba during the mid eighteenth century and late nineteenth century. This paper covers the rise and fall of the sugar industry in Cuba and how that affected Cuba's economy, the people of Cuba and Cuba's global relationships.
From the Paper "Finally by the mid 1880's, Cuba received "new credit and investment capital, largely from the United States," that helped them raise sugar production by updating their milling technology in the remaining mills. (Perez, L., 1983, p. 132). Increasing sugar production increased the demand on supporting production capabilities like fuel and transportation. Because of this, the railroads expanded having the sugar industry provide "81 per cent of the total rail revenues," and providing jobs for 39.6 percent of the Cuban population. "
Abstract This paper explains that "factory farming" is a commonly used term in the agricultural business, which is associated with the mass production of goods such as meat, eggs, milk and other related products. The author points out that this new assembly line style of farming may produce exceptional revenue and profit for farmers but it comes at a great cost to the animals, the environment and most of all to the consumers. The paper relates that factory farming creates conditions that spread diseases, which can transfer to humans such as pfiesteria from fish. The paper includes several quotations.
From the Paper "Secondly, factory farms are producing meat so that we won't grow hungry, although the quality of the meat and the production process is slowly killing us and the environment. Producing and cramming massive numbers of animals into these small factory farm warehouses causes' disease and pollution. "Alberta's Feedlot Alley, which produces untreated waste from 1.3 million animals that is the sewage equivalent for a population of eight million people [...]" This sewage is damaging fertile soil used for planting and the condition of water that sustains life."
Abstract This paper explores the progress of ethanol as a fuel derived from renewable crops. It particularly focuses on cellulosic ethanol, which can be produced from agricultural, municipal and forestry waste, corn stalks, sawdust and waste paper. The paper discusses all of these options, as well as the viability of being able to produce enough to significantly reduce the United States dependence on foreign oil.
Table of Contents:
History of Ethanol
Current Uses of Ethanol
Arguments For and Against Ethanol as a Major Alternative Fuel
Retooling for Ethanol
Conclusion
From the Paper "United States would require an "area of energy crops as large as the current area of food crops grown in the United States. Additional land use of this magnitude would be staggering and contentious" (p. 18). According to Haroon S. Kheshgi, an engineer for EXXonMobil Research, nothing will replace petroleum because to run an average U. S. car with corn-derived ethanol for a year would require 14 acres of cropland--about nine times more land than is needed to feed one person the same length of time. Aside from the fact that Kheshgi is invested in the oil industry, this argument, does not consider the use of agricultural waste products as the source or use of the by-products of distilling ethanol. If the land were still used to grow food, and the wastes were used for ethanol, benefits to the environment would be great. Also, if hydrogen power is the ultimate goal, ethanol could be "part of a transition strategy for shifting from today's internal combustion engine technology to tomorrow's hydrogen-based engines" (Issues in Science & Technology, 2002, p. 17)."
Abstract The paper explores the world-wide debate about genetically modified (GM) crops and explains the advantages and disadvantages of these products. The paper looks at the regulation of genetically modified foods in the United States and Europe and how GM food growth is drawing a political backlash. The paper discusses the powerful opposition of Greenpeace to genetic engineering. The paper concludes that as long as environmental organizations generate fear and doubt among politicians, retailers and the public, it will be almost impossible for the technology to break through, despite its benefits.
Outline:
Introduction
The Science of Genetic Engineering
Genetically Modified Foods and Hunger
Genetically Modified Foods and Biodiversity
Research for the Common Good
Growth of Genetic Engineering
Greenpeace
Conclusion
From the Paper "The world wide debate about genetically modified crops has been a heated one, pitting biological progress against environmental conservation. The genetically modified foods issue involves complex factors including politics, international trade, and social and cultural norms. Advocates of GM foods say that the increased yields and decreased price of using genetically modified seeds can help to alleviate world hunger. However, progress is being hampered by over cautious environmentalists and consumers, mostly in Europe and Japan. These wealthy areas of the world can afford to take precautions that the starving people of the world cannot, but the preference of consumers in wealthy countries of whole, natural, organic foods is influencing impoverished countries."
An examination of the reasons behind the dissatisfaction of the American rural class in the 19th century, and how farmers organized to solve their problems.
1,088 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 4 sources, 1999, $ 37.95
From the Paper "The late nineteenth century was a time of drastic change in the United States. The country was growing at an unprecedented rate, and the Industrial Revolution was sweeping the nation. This industrial revolution not only affected those working in the newly founded industries and those in the cities, but the revolution impacted the farmers as well. American farmers were, as a whole, dissatisfied with their state of affairs, and began an agrarian movement. The farmers' grievances were multifaceted, and generally had merit, though allegations of an organized conspiracy to thwart the farmers were unfounded. Further, the discontent of the farmers was displayed in the formation of an organized political movement, which never before existed to such a degree. "
Abstract This paper looks at Atropine the plant as drug and medicine under the following headings: Discovery, Extraction from its Natural Sources, Uses, Side Effects, Description of Structure.
From the Paper "The medicinal properties of Atropine were discovered through Shamans or "Medicine Men". It is not known exactly when it was discovered, but the first recorded use of it was in 1676 when a group of soldiers in Jamestown went insane upon ingestion of the plant that contains Atropine along with other Tropane alkaloids. In 1968, over-the-counter remedies for asthmatic difficulties were banned after people began to use them recreationally."
Abstract An argumentative paper about nature as a destructive force. The author argues that nature is a more destructive force than mankind can ever be and proves this with examples of natural disasters, population explosions and diseases. A comparison between natural destruction and human destruction.
From the Paper "A common notion between mankind is that mankind is the most destructive force in the world. Another is that man is the dominant factor on the planet. These statements are both false. In actuality, the first and foremost threat to man, to life, to this planet's existence, is nature. Man can in no way compare or interfere with nature's fury.Man verses nature is a common thread in literature, but this thread is also a battle raging on even now in which nature has been winning. Nature has been dominating this battle since the beginning of recorded history."
Abstract This paper examines causes and possible solutions to endangered animals. The author examines endangered animals from man's past and present interactions. The author seeks alternatives that will allow man to work with nature instead of against it.
From the Paper "On the surface, it appears that things are going quite well for mankind. Human beings are the masters of this domain and are unchallenged by any other being in nature. In the vast scheme of things, man has radically disrupted the instinctive orders of existence and natural selection and progression. Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. Man is becoming too ingenious for his own good. His approach to nature is to beat it into submission. Man would stand a better chance of survival if he would try to accommodate himself to the planet and view it appreciatively instead of skeptically and dictatorially. Man needs to realize he is a part of nature and therefore his war on nature is a war against himself. Man must start trying to work with nature instead of against nature."
Abstract A serious look at the agricultural industry in Nigeria, Africa. The importance of Soya is the topic. With extensive facts and figures.
From the Paper "Nigeria has recently turned to Soya foods as an alternative source to meat and other protein related food supplements. 98% of the Nigerian families consume soy- foods and over a 100,000 people are involved in its cultivation. Although farming does not take place on a large scale yet around several million tonnes of soy is produced in Nigeria. Nigeria is fortunate in its geography. The vegetational varieties endow the country to successfully undertake a wide variety of crops. Nigeria's major legumes are groundnuts (Peanuts), soybeans and cowpeas."
Abstract This paper looks at the Borna Virus. The author discusses the effects that this virus has had our livestock today. He further explores some of the symptoms that are noticeable, and how it has an impact on the body of the species.
From the Paper "The Borna Virus Disease (BVD) is a common virus that has been around for a long time in our culture. It has never really been look at too carefully until about 30 years ago. This virus may be questioned on what it means, and there is a simple answer for that, but it is not a scientific answer. The virus was named after a town in Saxony, Germany where this disease was first discovered in 1766 in horses."
