Radiocarbon dating of alkenones from marine sediments : III. Influence of solvent extraction procedures on 14C measurements of foraminifera

Author Posting. © Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona, 2005. This article is posted here by permission of Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arizona for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Radiocarbon 47 (2005): 425-432.As a result of the growing use of multiple geochemical proxies to reconstruct ocean and climate changes in the past, there is an increasing need to establish temporal relationships between proxies derived from the same marine sediment record and ideally from the same core sections. Coupled proxy records of surface ocean properties, such as those based on lipid biomarkers (e.g. alkenone-derived sea surface temperature) and planktonic foraminiferal carbonate (oxygen isotopes), are a key example. Here, we assess whether 2 different solvent extraction procedures used for isolation of molecular biomarkers influence the radiocarbon contents of planktonic foraminiferal carbonate recovered from the corresponding residues of Bermuda Rise and Cariaco Basin sediments. Although minor Δ14C differences were observed between solvent-extracted and unextracted samples, no substantial or systematic offsets were evident. Overall, these data suggest that, in a practical sense, foraminiferal shells from a solvent-extracted residue can be reliably used for 14C dating to determine the age of sediment deposition and to examine age relationships with other sedimentary constituents (e.g. alkenones).This work was financially supported by NSF grant 9809624. N Ohkouchi was supported by a fellowship from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Explaining attention and choice for origin labeled cheese by means of consumer ethnocentrism

This study examines the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism, visual attention and choice for origin labeled cheese. It evaluates the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on preferences for domestic products, as well as, on the visual attention paid to the origin labeling during the decision-making. Using a choice experiment, this study investigates US respondents’ preferences for product attributes of cheddar cheese including country of origin (US, Mexico, Ireland), region of origin, hormone use, biodegradable packaging, and price. It provides empirical evidence that the level of consumer ethnocentrism among US consumers influences the preference for US labelled cheese and the visual attention to origin labeling. Specifically, higher consumer ethnocentrism leads to a higher preference for US cheese as compared to Irish cheese. Further, the study reveals that the level of consumer ethnocentrism affects visual attention paid to origin labeling. However, this is only the case in less complex decision situations, when there is little information on other product attributes.</p

Explaining attention and choice for origin labeled cheese by means of consumer ethnocentrism

This study examines the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism, visual attention and choice for origin labeled cheese. It evaluates the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on preferences for domestic products, as well as, on the visual attention paid to the origin labeling during the decision-making. Using a choice experiment, this study investigates US respondents’ preferences for product attributes of cheddar cheese including country of origin (US, Mexico, Ireland), region of origin, hormone use, biodegradable packaging, and price. It provides empirical evidence that the level of consumer ethnocentrism among US consumers influences the preference for US labelled cheese and the visual attention to origin labeling. Specifically, higher consumer ethnocentrism leads to a higher preference for US cheese as compared to Irish cheese. Further, the study reveals that the level of consumer ethnocentrism affects visual attention paid to origin labeling. However, this is only the case in less complex decision situations, when there is little information on other product attributes.</p

Trust and willingness to pay for nanotechnology food

Les auteurs analysent le rôle de la confiance dans l'évaluation d'une nouvelle technologie alimentaire, à savoir les nanotechnologies. Une revue de la littérature en sciences sociales et économiques révèle que de nombreux concepts de confiance sont disponibles. La littérature économique suggère que la confiance peut conduire à un moindre effort des personnes, quand il s’agit de leur propre protection. Il est possible de traduire ce concept de confiance dans le cadre de la disposition à payer pour des produits alimentaires. Ils montrent que la disposition à payer pour la nourriture utilisant des nanotechnologies augmente avec la confiance, y compris quand de nouvelles informations à propos de cette technologie sont révélées. Les résultats sont confirmés par des données de sondages en ligne réalisés au Canada et en Allemagne, et des données expérimentales provenant d’Allemagne

On the measurement of consumer preferences and food choice behavior : the relation between visual attention and choices

When buying a product, consumers are confronted with a host of information presented to them. However, this information can only affect shoppers' choices if they pay attention to it. Eye tracking can measure visual attention to information. Most recently, agricultural and food economics research has combined eye tracking and valuation methods to give insight into the relation between visual attention, preferences, and choices. We present an overview of the eye-tracking literature, and discuss theory and applications. Also, insights on how to measure visual attention and choice are provided. While eye tracking has its challenges, there are interesting future research avenues that can be explored by agricultural and food economists using eye tracking

Do environmental attitudes and food technology neophobia affect perceptions of the benefits of nanotechnology?

In recent years, a significant amount of research has focussed on the analysis of consumers' aversion to new technologies in food production and processing. At the same time, research has shown that environmental attitudes may be related to purchasing behaviour of consumers. This paper presents the result of an investigation into Canadian attitudes towards nanotechnology, in general, and in applications in the food industry. The relationship between the food technology neophobia scale, environmental attitudes and nanotechnology is examined. The results suggest that food technology neophobia is significant in explaining attitudes towards nanotechnology, in general, and for food packaging and foods. Environmental attitudes are important in explaining respondents' attitudes towards nanotechnology in general but not in explaining attitudes towards nanotechnology in food packaging or food applications. Survey respondents' views of the role of science and technology in society (makes society worse or better off) are a more important determinant of attitudes towards nanotechnology than whether they had heard of nanotechnology prior to the survey

Alirocumab and cardiovascular outcomes after acute coronary syndrome

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