Use of Food Label Information by Trinidad Consumers and Implications for National Health

Nutritional information on food labels helps consumers make informed decisions about what they chose to consume. This study, conducted among 320 consumers in Trinidad, West Indies, examined consumers' use of various informational components of the label and the influence of health-related factors on use of such information. The study found that, although there was a fairly high reading of food label information, fats and sodium information were not given the required attention. Six variables—(a) diabetes; (b) allergies; (c) gender; (d) level of schooling; (e) fast food consumption; and (f) fiber consumption—significantly impacted the use of food label information.     

Factors Influencing Consumers' Attitudes Toward Organic Agricultural Products

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing consumers' attitudes toward organic agricultural products. The study is correlational research. Results of regression analysis indicated that the variables of health awareness, knowledge of organic products, and consumers' motivations and age explained 32% of the changes in attitudes about organic products. The authors therefore recommend educational initiatives to increase knowledge and awareness and influence attitudes and consumption habits.     

Improving Genetic Engineering Secondary Education Through a Classroom-Ready Online Resource

Genetic engineering has long been used in food production in the United States. However, consumers' science literacy in genetic engineering is poor. Teacher knowledge, time, and resources are lacking in science curriculums on genetic engineering. Through interviews conducted with six high school agriculture teachers we show how a new online resource, The Journey of a Gene, addresses these barriers to help improve their knowledge and increase time spent on genetic engineering. The positive outcomes support funding for genetic engineering education. Education is key to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and societal decisions about advancing genetic engineering research.     

农业文化遗产地游客环境责任行为与饮食旅游偏好关系研究——以浙江青田稻鱼共生系统为例

传统饮食是农业文化遗产地重要的旅游资源,饮食旅游偏好影响着游客对旅游产品的选择。引导和培养游客环境责任行为对遗产地传统饮食旅游可持续发展具有重要意义。本文以全球重要农业文化遗产浙江青田稻鱼共生系统为例,通过问卷和访谈实证调查分析游客环境责任行为和传统饮食偏好之间的关系。运用SPSS18.0进行因子分析,提取出3项游客环境责任行为因子,分别为传统饮食认知因子、传统饮食环境责任态度因子、传统饮食环境责任行为因子;同时根据提取出的3项游客传统饮食偏好因子,将游客分为传统饮食口味追逐型、传统饮食参与体验型、传统饮食文化体验型, 3种类型所占比重分别为38.05%、35.63%和26.31%。其中传统口味追逐型游客关注饮食的口味、种类、环境等食用体验,传统饮食参与体验型游客更多地关注饮食的制作过程以及部分饮食文化内涵,而传统饮食文化体验型游客更加关注当地文化、生态保护和对本地食材的应用以及传统饮食所传递的文化价值,且三者中传统饮食文化体验型游客环境责任行为最强,传统口味追逐型游客最弱。最后将游客环境责任行为因子和传统饮食偏好因子进行回归分析,发现游客环境责任行为因子与游客传统饮食旅游偏好之间存在正相关关系。应考虑不同类型游客对农业文化遗产的饮食偏好,有选择有重点地适应游客的需求,避免为吸引大众游客而产生的饮食文化破坏与生态安全问题。     

Food preferences of earthworms for soil fungi

Soil fungi are considered to be an important food source for earthworms. Selection experiments were carried out in order to study the preferences of earthworm species for a variety of soil fungi. Nine fungal species (Cladosporium cladosporioides, Rhizoctonia solani, Mucor sp., Trichoderma viride, Fusarium nivale, Phlebia radiata, Glaeophyllum trabeum, Coniophora puteana, Coriolus versicolor) were grown separately in centrifuge tubes on sterilized sand with potato dextrose. Tubes containing different fungal species, 8–9 per experiment, were arranged in a food choice arena. The preference for the fungi of 5 different earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus castaneus, Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea, Octolasion cyaneum) was tested by adding one specimen per chamber. Removal of sand from the tubes within 6 days was used as the indicator of preference by earthworms. The food preference of earthworms irrespective of ecological group followed a general pattern. F. nivale and C. cladosporioides were the preferred fungal species, followed by fast-growing species such as Mucor sp. and R. solani. In contrast, basidiomycetes were generally refused. The epigeic species L. rubellus had the strongest preference for a single fungal species, in contrast the endogeic species A. rosea fed more evenly on different fungal species. We conclude that early successional fungal species are used as cues by earthworms to detect fresh organic resources in soil.     

Relationship between vegetation diversity and soil functional diversity in native mixed-oak forests

Most studies on the interactions between aboveground vegetation and belowground soil diversity have been carried out in microcosms or manipulated field plots. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between forest vegetation diversity and soil functional diversity (calculated from the activity of soil enzymes) in naturally developed plant communities of native mixed-oak forests without imposing any disturbances to already existing plant–soil relationships. In order to do so, five different vegetation types, i.e., herbaceous plants, climbing plants, trees, shrubs, and ferns, were considered. Correlations between plant diversity, soil physicochemical properties, and soil enzyme activities were determined. Soil physicochemical parameters appeared strongly correlated with both enzyme activities (e.g., pH was positively correlated with amidase and arylsulphatase, and negatively with acid phosphatase; OM content was positively correlated with β-glucosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase and urease, and negatively with amidase; total N was positively correlated with β-glucosidase, and acid and alkaline phosphatase, and negatively with amidase) and soil functional diversity. For ferns, strong correlations between enzyme activities and plant diversity indexes were found (i.e., dehydrogenase was positively correlated with species richness and Shannon's diversity; acid and alkaline phosphatase were negatively correlated with Shannon's diversity; acid phosphatase was also negatively correlated with species richness). Most interestingly, herbaceous plants and ferns showed a strong positive correlation between Shannon's plant diversity and soil functional diversity. Furthermore, herbaceous plants showed a strong positive correlation between species richness and soil functional diversity. Although these correlations between plant diversity and soil functional diversity might possibly be due to the fact that higher values of plant richness and diversity result in a greater habitat heterogeneity in the soil, current knowledge on the topic is mixed and very incomplete and, then, one must be extremely cautious when interpreting such correlations.     

基于中文字邻接图的食品抽检公告实体及关系联合抽取

在对中文食品抽检公告进行实体与关系抽取时，常会出现包含大量食品名称与食品分类的长句，现有深度学习模型在进行实体关系抽取时，只将文本看作一串字词序列来编码，当句子较长且词间距离过大时，词间强依赖关系的学习效果会减弱。而这一问题在食品领域的实体关系抽取中少有被关注，所以该研究提出基于改进中文依存句法树与多特征融合的实体关系联合抽取模型（TAG-JE），该模型将词间具有的强依赖关系通过句法依存树建立关系图，再根据中文BERT编码的字处理模式，将关系图转化为字邻接图，再由图神经网络学习字邻接图的结构特征，最后将之与BERT提取的文本上下文特征融合，融合权重通过门网络结构自主调节，以获得公告文本的多特征融合特征表示。获得的融合特征将采用主流的联合抽取模型进行实体与关系的抽取，并在关系判断时使用强化学习训练的关系选择器来优化关系的嵌入信息，以提升联合抽取方法在关系判断上的准确率。为了验证TAG-JE的效果，将其与主流的深度学习模型在自建的非结构化食品抽检公告数据集上进行了抽取效果对比，结果证明TAG-JE的精确率、召回率与F1值分别达到90.86%，90.50%，90.68%，相对其他基线模型都有较大提升，证明了其在中文食品抽检文档中的知识挖掘能力。针对中文公共数据集的试验中，该模型相对GraphRel与CasRel这些经典联合抽取模型也取得更好的结果，证明TAG-JE也有较好的泛化效果。研究结果可为食品安全中文知识图谱的构建提供技术参考。     

基于区块链技术的粮油食品溯源研究进展及展望

粮油食品供应链周期长、结构复杂、利益相关者众多，维护供应链的安全具有挑战性。近年来，特别是在粮食购销领域，存在"以陈顶新"、"转圈粮"、压级压价等现象，已严重威胁到粮食安全。追溯系统是一个能够对产品实施正向、反向和非定向跟踪的产品管理系统，可以连接粮油食品供应链的各个环节，监控原料采集、加工、储运、分销与销售过程，对粮食质量安全有重要保障。传统的追溯体系面临数据中心化、信息不透明、数据容易伪造、极易形成信息孤岛等问题。区块链作为继网络之后的下一代颠覆性技术，具备去中心化、分布式存储、匿名性、数据公开透明、内容不易篡改等新特点，为粮油食品供应链中的产品可追溯性问题带来新的解决方案。该文首先介绍近年来区块链智能合约、共识机制等关键技术的发展和应用，其次，阐述区块链技术应用到粮油食品溯源等领域的研究进展；最后，探讨当前粮油食品区块链溯源在存储、跨域与跨链、系统互操作性和可移植性等方面所面临的挑战，对区块链技术在粮油食品溯源领域中提高存储性能、跨域跨链、可扩展性等方面进行展望，为区块链技术在粮油食品中的创新应用提供参考。     

Enhancing Household Food Security Under Changing Climatic Conditions: A Case Study of Gokwe North and Hurungwe Districts in Zimbabwe

The effects of climate change are largely felt by smallholder farmers in southern Africa who rely on rain-fed agricultural production. This study used data from a cross-sectional household to investigate the factors that influence a household's adaptive capacity. Results show that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between receiving information on crop production (p <.01), access to early warning information (p <.01 and adaptive capacity. Without adaptation, it is impossible for smallholder farmers to enhance food security. The study recommends that there is need to improve farmers' knowledge of climate change adaptation technologies and access to early warning information.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in sesame under low-input cropping systems

The abundance and composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are generally low under managed agroecosystems in comparison to natural ecosystems. The objective of the study was to determine the composition and species richness of AMF associated with sesame under traditional low-input cropping system in Kerala, India. Wide variability in root colonization by AMF as well as spore density in the rhizosphere existed in sesame. Correlation between frequency of colonization (F%) and spore density as well as between these variables and soil characteristics showed a negative relationship. The fungal variables were influenced by soil factors such as pH, soil organic carbon (OC) and available nutrients. Frequency of colonization was positively correlated (P < 0.01) with soil pH and potassium (K) and negatively correlated with OC, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). AM spore density was positively correlated with OC, N and P and negatively correlated with pH and K. Ten taxa of AMF belonging to the genera Acaulospora, Diversispora, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus and Scutellospora were associated with sesame, with the predominance of Funneliformis and Acaulospora in both frequency and relative abundance over a wider soil nutrient range. Soil characteristics appear to have a profound influence on the composition and species richness of AMF under traditional low-input cropping systems.     

农业景观格局对玉米害虫-捕食性天敌定性食物网结构的影响

农业过度集约化带来的农业景观均质化已成为农田生物多样性降低的主要原因之一。为研究农业景观格局对害虫-捕食性天敌定性食物网结构的影响,本文选择辽宁省昌图县为研究区,选取8个典型田块为样区,在分析定性食物网结构的基础上,采用回归分析和最优模型确定食物网参数与景观指数之间的关系。结果表明:1)互作丰度(IR)与各景观指数无显著相关性。2)连接密度(LD)与蔓延度指数(CONTAG, x1)、聚集度指数(AI, x2)呈显著正相关(P0.05),最优模型为:LD=-64.621+0.780x1+0.739x2。农业景观中非耕作斑块越聚集,玉米害虫-捕食性天敌定性食物网结构越复杂。3)连接性(C)与CONTAG(x1)、香农多样性指数(SHDI, x3)呈显著正相关(P0.05),而与香农均匀度指数(SHEI,x4)呈显著负相关(P0.05),最优模型为:C=-178.500+1.831x1-106.808x4。景观类型越多样,且同类斑块连接度越好,害虫与捕食性天敌的相互作用越频繁,也越有利于复杂食物网结构的维持。4)普遍性(G)与景观形状指数(LSI, x5)、斑块结合指数(COHESION, X7)、AI(x2)呈显著正相关(P0.05),而与斑块密度(PD,x6)呈显著负相关(P0.05),最优模型为:G=-2 994.798+26.891x2+27.090x5-0.491x6+2.851x7。非耕作斑块破碎化程度越低,天敌的搜寻行为和聚集行为越强,越有利于食物网结构的稳定。5)易损性(V)与SHEI(x4)呈显著正相关,而与CONTAG(x1)呈显著负相关(P0.05),最优模型为:V=8.411+5.351x4。斑块类型在景观中分布越均匀,害虫多样性越高,群落结构也越复杂。总体而言,农业景观异质性越强越有利于玉米害虫-捕食性天敌定性食物网的构建和抗干扰性的增强。而利用田间数据构建食物网矩阵的方法可以成为研究如何增强农业景观异质性的有力工具。     

Density-dependent grazing on the extraradical hyphal network of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices, by the collembolan, Folsomia candida

The effect of microarthropod density on the relative palatibility of selected microfungi and on the integrity of extraradical arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) hyphal networks was examined. A series of microcosm experiments were conducted using two conidial fungi (Alternaria alternata and Trichoderma harzianum), one AM fungus (Glomus intraradices) and the microarthropod Folsomia candida (Collembola). We did not detect a significant effect of athropod density on food preference. Food preferences for conidial over mycorrhizal hyphae were consistent across a wide range of collembolan densities. Collembolan density did, however, have a significant effect on the numbers of extraradical AM hyphae which were severed from the plant root in vitro. Even in the presence of a preferred food source, numbers of severed AM hyphal networks increased with increasing collembolan density. Also, the fecundity of Folsomia candida increased in the presence of preferred food sources. We conclude that microarthropod population densities are influenced by the fungal species available and that the potential of microarthropods to impair the efficacy of AM symbioses is density-dependent. Received: 16 May 1997     

Multivariate effects of plant canopy, soil physico-chemistry and microbiology on Sclerotinia stem rot of soybean in relation to crop rotation and urban compost amendment

The effects of canopy, soil physico-chemical and microbiological variables on Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) on soybean were assessed in two soils (clay loam and sandy loam) using multiple regression and canonical redundancy analysis (RDA) and their partial form to control for the rotation (2 or 3-y-corn/soybean monoculture) and fertilization (mineral/urban compost) or spatial variables effects. The models revealed the minimal sets of variables that best explain the variance of the survival of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum’s sclerotia, carpogenic germination, disease severity and their associations. In clay loam, the 3-y-corn rotation reduced disease severity mainly through the reduction of weed biomass that favoured carpogenic germination. Urban compost has a conducive effect explained by a better soil surface drainage. Additionally, total N was found suppressive to sclerotial survival. In sandy loam, the carpogenic germination was negatively correlated with high C mineralization quotient and aggregate stability but correlated positively with Ca. Sclerotial survival was negatively correlated with pH and Ca, and positively correlated with biological fertility index. Aggregate stability, Ca and pH were associated with the urban compost. The regression and RDA analyses allowed to identify key variables that drived SSR development and explain their relationship with the cultural practices, soil health, as well as the spatial variation of disease variables.     

第三方稻米溯源平台设计与实现

中国现有农产品质量安全溯源平台大多以生产企业(基地)为主体自行设计和实施,造成溯源平台与生产企业同属一个利益团体,溯源结果难以得到消费者认同。为解决这一问题,该文分析现有农产品溯源机制及实现方式,以稻米为例提出一种第三方溯源平台的设计模式。第三方溯源平台在政府监管下,通过独立权威检测机构对稻米生产相关数据进行检测,并把溯源数据安全可靠地提供给消费者。该溯源平台系统采用B/S架构,数据库采用My SQL,采用J2EE(Java 2Platform Enterprise Edition)等技术手段,通过与微信公众号连接,向消费者提供二维码溯源服务,针对溯源平台中二维码防伪关键技术问题进行深入研究,并实现试运行。该系统为2家企业的稻米高端农产品实现全程溯源。试运行结果表明,由第三方溯源模式带来的成本提升,在售价提升20%后,得到了消费者认可,且销量提高了20%,达到了企业的效益增长。证明本文设计的第三方溯源平台较好解决了消费者对溯源结果的认同问题,为优质农产品安全溯源提供了一种有效手段。     

Testing an Extended Reasoned Action Framework to Predict Intention to Purchase Fruits With Novel Shapes

This study explored the influence of consumers' attitudes, subjective norms, and novelty-seeking on their intention to purchase fruits of unconventional or novel shapes. Based on the results of an online survey of consumers from around the world, and guided by an extended version of the theory of reasoned action, the findings showed that consumers' intention to purchase buddha- and baby-shaped pears was determined largely by the attitudes they hold about fruits with uncharacteristic shapes, but not by subjective norms. Novelty-seeking was strongly correlated with purchase intention. Young consumers with lower incomes were more likely to buy the non-conventional-shaped products than older consumers with higher incomes.     

Food Security in India: The Challenge of Food Production and Distribution

Food security in India is adversely affected by several abiotic, biotic, and sociopolitical situations. The current position may worsen in the future if timely and appropriate actions are not planned and executed. The pressure of human population and land for cultivation, climate change, government policies of public distribution and marketing of food grains, and lack of a participatory approach—all are contributing to slow down the availability of foods. Also, crop productivity seems to be very much unsustainable. The situation has to be remedied by all possible means and citizens must be assured of food security. This review summarizes several strategies for crop production and food distribution and emphasizes the need for a second Green Revolution.     

南方红壤丘陵区流域植被景观格局变化及水沙响应关系

以南方红壤丘陵区典型流域濂江河流域为研究对象,依托GIS和Fragstats平台与长时间系列水沙数据,运用景观格局指数分析和统计学方法,分析流域景观格局和水沙变化特征及其相关性。结果表明:流域内径流呈减少趋势,泥沙呈增加趋势。流域内以有林地为主,面积增加最显著的是经果林。景观水平上,斑块面积均方差(PSCV)、香浓多样性指数(SHDI)与径流呈现正相关,蔓延度指数(CONTAG)与径流呈现负相关;斑块数(NP)、斑块密度(PD)、景观边缘密度(ED)、面积加权的平均形状指数(AWMSI)、香浓多样性指数与径流呈现负相关。类型水平上,耕地的斑块面积(CA)、ED与径流呈负相关,与泥沙呈现正相关;有林地的形状指数(PSCV、AWMSI)与径流呈正相关,CA与泥沙呈现正相关,NP、PD与泥沙呈现负相关;灌木林的CA、ED与径流呈负相关;经果林的所有的指数与径流均呈现正相关,与泥沙呈现负相关性;同时,草地的NP、PD与径流呈现负相关。     

丹江上游土地利用/景观指数与水质关系初探

借助地理信息和景观分析技术,结合长系列水质数据,采用相关分析法、冗余分析法（RDA）,研究了丹江上游土地利用/景观指数与水质的关系,重点探讨了景观指数与水质参数的关系。结果表明:（1）2000—2013年,耕地面积减少,林地、建筑用地面积不断增加,耕地是最不稳定的土地利用类型,大部分转为林地和草地。流域内景观多样性和聚集度逐渐增加,流域景观格局趋于规则化、高连通和高度聚集的方向发展。（2）耕地面积比与NO₃^--N呈极显著正相关,与DO呈现显著负相关,表明耕地强烈的影响着水质变化;林地面积比与BOD₅,COD_Mn呈显著负相关,林地对水质有显著的正效应。（3）从景观指数与水质参数的相关性可以得出,香农多样性指数（SHDI）、最大斑块指数（LPI）、景观形状指数（LSI）、斑块结合度（COHESION）可以作为景观尺度上来预测水质变化的关键因子,具体表现为SHDI与COD_Mn呈显著负相关,与BOD₅呈负相关;LPI与BOD₅,COD_Mn呈显著正相关;LSI与DO呈极显著负相关,与NO₃^--N呈显著正相关;COHESION与BOD₅,COD_Mn呈显著正相关。斑块密度（PD）和蔓延度指数（CONTAG）与水质的关系无法得到合理的解释。     

Knowledge Assessment,Improved Storage Techniques,and Training of Local Processors and Vendors of Soy Products on Food Safety Practices in South West Nigeria

This study assessed the food safety knowledge, practices, and training needs of local processors and vendors of soy products in South West Nigeria. Ninety women, processors, and vendors were interviewed using a structured interview schedule about their training in food processing; knowledge of food hygiene, spoilage, and poisoning; primary source of water for processing; method of refuse disposal; types of toilet facilities; and hand washing, storage, and packaging practices. Laboratory studies were conducted to improve the storage of soymilk and soy cheese displayed for daily sale and to develop training in good food safety practices for local processors and vendors as an intervention strategy.