Analysis of Brand Awareness for the Food Producer

Import 02/11/2016Cílem této práce je zjištění známosti značky výrobce potravin. Data byla získána metodou osobního dotazování, technikou výběru vhodné příležitosti pomocí marketingového nástroje dotazníku. Vyhodnocení bylo zpracováno pomocí datové matice a softwaru MS Excel. Hlavním výsledkem je zjištěná úroveň vyvolané známosti značky výrobce potravin, která činí 35 %. Na základě zjištěných výsledků, je možné aplikovat návrhy ke zlepšení známosti značky.The aim of this study is to determine brand awareness of the food producer. Data were obtained by personal interviews, by the technique of appropriate opportunities using marketing tool questionnaire. The evaluation has been processed using data matrix and software MS Excel. The main result of the food producer's brand recognition is determined on the level of 35%. Based on the results, it is possible to apply suggestions improving brand awareness.116 - Katedra marketingu a obchodudobř

Mutual Coupling Between Meteorological Parameters and Secondary Microseisms

The basic scientific question of this study was: do other mechanisms exist for excitation of secondary microseisms aside from the widely accepted mechanism by non-linear interactions of respective ocean waves. Here we use continuous broadband data from secondary microseisms recorded at the Ostrava-Krásné Pole, Czech Republic (OKC) seismic station to create a massive seismological database. Except for seismological data, various meteorological features and their mutual relations were analysed: temperature, the so called ¡§shifted¡¨ temperature, air density, changes of atmospheric pressure, and synoptic situations. These analyses prove that maximum amplitudes of microseisms were observed during winter, while minimum amplitudes occured in summer months. The annual variations of microseisms amplitudes could not be explained by annual variations of storm activity above the North Atlantic. In addition, current analyses also aim at quantitative and quantitative evaluation of synoptic situations for triggering individual microseismic anomalies. Some of the meteorological features, namely the distribution of low pressures above northern Europe and high-pressure areas in Central Europe make it easy to explain most of the microseismic extremes. Here we pay special attention to the influence of large earthquakes, which usually induce slow deformation waves. We conclude that at least three mechanisms of microseism generation are possible: (1) the function of atmospheric pressure at sea level in the North Atlantic, (2) the effects of spreading of thermoelastic waves in the rock mass and (3) deformation waves induced by large earthquakes

Interannual Variation in Root Production in Grasslands Affected by Artificially Modified Amount of Rainfall

The effect of different amounts of rainfall on the below-ground plant biomass was studied in three grassland ecosystems. Responses of the lowland (dry Festuca grassland), highland (wet Cirsium grassland), and mountain (Nardus grassland) grasslands were studied during five years (2006–2010). A field experiment based on rainout shelters and gravity irrigation simulated three climate scenarios: rainfall reduced by 50% (dry), rainfall increased by 50% (wet), and the natural rainfall of the current growing season (ambient). The interannual variation in root increment and total below-ground biomass reflected the experimentally manipulated amount of precipitation and also the amount of current rainfall of individual years. The effect of year on these below-ground parameters was found significant in all studied grasslands. In comparison with dry Festuca grassland, better adapted to drought, submontane wet Cirsium grassland was more sensitive to the different water inputs forming rather lower amount of below-ground plant matter at reduced precipitation

Distinct seasonal dynamics of responses to elevated CO2 in two understorey grass species differing in shade-tolerance

Understorey plant communities are crucial to maintain species diversity and ecosystem processes including nutrient cycling and regeneration of overstorey trees. Most studies exploring effects of elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) in forests have, however, been done on overstorey trees, while understorey communities received only limited attention. The hypothesis that understorey grass species differ in shade-tolerance and development dynamics, and temporally exploit different niches under elevated [CO2], was tested during the fourth year of [CO2] treatment. We assumed stimulated carbon gain by elevated [CO2] even at low light conditions in strongly shade-tolerant Luzula sylvatica, while its stimulation under elevated [CO2] in less shade-tolerant Calamagrostis arundinacea was expected only in early spring when the tree canopy is not fully developed. We found evidence supporting this hypothesis. While elevated [CO2] stimulated photosynthesis in L. sylvatica mainly in the peak of the growing season (by 55%-57% in July and August), even at low light intensities (50 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)), stimulatory effect of [CO2] in C. arundinacea was found mainly under high light intensities (200 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)) at the beginning of the growing season (increase by 171% in May) and gradually declined during the season. Elevated [CO2] also substantially stimulated leaf mass area and root-to-shoot ratio in L. sylvatica, while only insignificant increases were observed in C. arundinacea. Our physiological and morphological analyses indicate that understorey species, differing in shade-tolerance, under elevated [CO2] exploit distinct niches in light environment given by the dynamics of the tree canopy

Site response investigation at the seismological station Ostrava-Krásné Pole (OKC)

Seismic waves generated by earthquakes, quarry blasts, ocean waves and various technological sources cause vibrations that spread through underlying strata into the broad vicinity of these sources. The aim of our experiments was to identify and characterize possible sources of seismic noise generated primarily by technical sources in the Ostrava-Karviná urban agglomeration, which is part of north-eastern Moravia (Czech Republic). The solution of this issue was initiated upon the demand for new knowledge of particle velocity amplitudes and spectral content of disturbing effects, using a newly developed data acquisition method and a system of digitized data processing. A detailed investigation of the influence of different seismogeological conditions at the two sites of observation was performed. While the seismic cellar (OKC A: φ = 49.8375o N, λ = 18.1472o E and h = +272 m) is underlain by glaciofluvial sediments (clay loams, sands and gravels), the thickness of which is approximately up to 22 m, the underlying beds in the nearby experimental gallery (OKC B: φ = 49.8353o N, λ = 18.1423o E, and h = +250 m) are represented by compact Culm-facies schists (Lower Carboniferous). The thickness of these Culm-facies that represent the underlying bed of the coal-bearing Upper Carboniferous (Namurian A) is about 1,200 m. The experimental gallery is situated at a distance of approximately 450 m from the original seismic cellar and about 22 m below its bottom. Different physical-mechanical properties of sub-surface layers at both sites result in different values of acoustic impedance, which naturally influences the particle velocity values, while the shape of calculated amplitude spectra displays a noticeable similarity. On the basis of experimental measurements, some results related to particle velocities and corresponding amplitude spectra of seismic noise are briefly discussed

Distinct morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses to light quality in barley leaves and roots

Light quality modulates plant growth, development, physiology, and metabolism through a series of photoreceptors perceiving light signal and related signaling pathways. Although the partial mechanisms of the responses to light quality are well understood, how plants orchestrate these impacts on the levels of above- and below-ground tissues and molecular, physiological, and morphological processes remains unclear. However, the re-allocation of plant resources can substantially adjust plant tolerance to stress conditions such as reduced water availability. In this study, we investigated in two spring barley genotypes the effect of ultraviolet-A (UV-A), blue, red, and far-red light on morphological, physiological, and metabolic responses in leaves and roots. The plants were grown in growth units where the root system develops on black filter paper, placed in growth chambers. While the growth of above-ground biomass and photosynthetic performance were enhanced mainly by the combined action of red, blue, far-red, and UV-A light, the root growth was stimulated particularly by supplementary far-red light to red light. Exposure of plants to the full light spectrum also stimulates the accumulation of numerous compounds related to stress tolerance such as proline, secondary metabolites with antioxidative functions or jasmonic acid. On the other hand, full light spectrum reduces the accumulation of abscisic acid, which is closely associated with stress responses. Addition of blue light induced accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), sorgolactone, or several secondary metabolites. Because these compounds play important roles as osmolytes, antioxidants, UV screening compounds, or growth regulators, the importance of light quality in stress tolerance is unequivocal

Ultraviolet and photosynthetically active radiation can both induce photoprotective capacity allowing barley to overcome high radiation stress

The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of acclimation to ultraviolet (UV) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) on photoprotective mechanisms in barley leaves. Barley plants were acclimated for 7 days under three combinations of high or low UV and PAR treatments ([UV-PAR-], [UV-PAR+], [UV+PAR+]). Subsequently, plants were exposed to short-term high radiation ;stress (HRS; defined by high intensities of PAR - 1000 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), UV-A - 10 W m(-2) and UV-B 2 W m(-2) for 4 h), to test their photoprotective capacity. The barley variety sensitive to photooxidative stress (Barke) had low constitutive flavonoid content compared to the resistant variety (Bonus) under low UV and PAR intensities. The accumulation of lutonarin and 3-feruloylquinic acid, but not of saponarin, was greatly enhanced by high PAR and further increased by UV exposure. Acclimation of plants to both high UV and PAR intensities also increased the total pool of xanthophyll-cycle pigments (VAZ). Subsequent exposure to HRS revealed that prior acclimation to UV and PAR was able to ameliorate the negative consequences of HRS on photosynthesis. Both total contents of epidermal flavonols and the total pool of VAZ were closely correlated with small reductions in light-saturated CO2 assimilation rate and maximum quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry caused by HRS. Based on these results, we conclude that growth under high PAR can substantially increase the photoprotective capacity of barley plants compared with plants grown under low PAR. However, additional UV radiation is necessary to fully induce photoprotective mechanisms in the variety Barke. This study demonstrates that UV-exposure can lead to enhanced photoprotective capacity and can contribute to the induction of tolerance to high radiation stress in barley. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Ecometabolomics for a better understanding of plant responses and acclimation to abiotic factors linked to global change

The number of ecometabolomic studies, which use metabolomic analyses to disentangle organisms' metabolic responses and acclimation to a changing environment, has grown exponentially in recent years. Here, we review the results and conclusions of ecometabolomic studies on the impacts of four main drivers of global change (increasing frequencies of drought episodes, heat stress, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO) concentrations and increasing nitrogen (N) loads) on plant metabolism. Ecometabolomic studies of drought effects confirmed findings of previous target studies, in which most changes in metabolism are characterized by increased concentrations of soluble sugars and carbohydrate derivatives and frequently also by elevated concentrations of free amino acids. Secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids and terpenes, also commonly exhibited increased concentrations when drought intensified. Under heat and increasing N loads, soluble amino acids derived from glutamate and glutamine were the most responsive metabolites. Foliar metabolic responses to elevated atmospheric CO concentrations were dominated by greater production of monosaccharides and associated synthesis of secondary metabolites, such as terpenes, rather than secondary metabolites synthesized along longer sugar pathways involving N-rich precursor molecules, such as those formed from cyclic amino acids and along the shikimate pathway. We suggest that breeding for crop genotypes tolerant to drought and heat stress should be based on their capacity to increase the concentrations of C-rich compounds more than the concentrations of smaller N-rich molecules, such as amino acids. This could facilitate rapid and efficient stress response by reducing protein catabolism without compromising enzymatic capacity or increasing the requirement for re-transcription and de novo biosynthesis of proteins

Morphological, biochemical and physiological traits of upper and lower canopy leaves of European beech tend to converge with increasing altitude

The present work has explored for the first time acclimation of upper versus lower canopy leaves along an altitudinal gradient. We tested the hypothesis that restrictive climatic conditions associated with high altitudes reduce within-canopy variations of leaf traits. The investigated beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest is located on the southern slope of the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains (Czech Republic). All measurements were taken on leaves from upper and lower parts of the canopy of mature trees (>85 years old) growing at low (400 m above sea level, a.s.l.), middle (720 m a.s.l.) and high (1100 m a.s.l.) altitudes. Compared with trees at higher altitudes, those growing at low altitudes had lower stomatal conductance, slightly lower CO2 assimilation rate (Amax) and leaf mass per area (LMA), and higher photochemical reflectance index, water-use efficiency and Rubisco content. Given similar stand densities at all altitudes, the different growth conditions result in a more open canopy and higher penetration of light into lower canopy with increasing altitude. Even though strong vertical gradients in light intensity occurred across the canopy at all altitudes, lower canopy leaves at high altitudes tended to acquire the same morphological, biochemical and physiological traits as did upper leaves. While elevation had no significant effect on nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) contents per unit leaf area, LMA, or total content of chlorophylls and epidermal flavonoids in upper leaves, these increased significantly in lower leaves at higher altitudes. The increases in N content of lower leaves were coupled with similar changes in Amax. Moreover, a high N content coincided with high Rubisco concentrations in lower but not in upper canopy leaves. Our results show that the limiting role of light in lower parts of the canopy is reduced at high altitudes. A great capacity of trees to adjust the entire canopy is thus demonstrated