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Aging of beef rumpsteak on sensory quality, color appereance and texture properties
Get PDFThe aim of the work was to optimize the time of aging of beef - rumpsteak for culinary processing in relation to color, texture and sensory changes.The 8 weeks of dry-aging had an influence on color change by 18% and there was darkening of samples, darker meat linearly, without any variations. During dry-aging decreased softness and increased strength steaks. There was no significant effect of maturation and softness, it has only been affected by less than 5% (p < 0.05). The best evaluation was obtained after 7 weeks of aging in descriptors. The main point was in intensity and pleasantness of flavor and intensity and pleasantness and taste. On the other hand, juiciness and texture to bite was evaluated after 4 weeks of aging the best. As the softest sample in descriptor texture in bites it was four-week aging; as the hardest sample was observed in 8 week of dry-aging. Dry-aging affected (p < 0.05) the L* value, the trend during dry-aging period had decreasing tendencies. On the other hand, in the course of decreasing lightness fluctuations was observed in lightness value L*. Chromaticity value a* displayed a negative significant (p < 0.05) correlation to weeks of dry-aging. Dry aging had a significant negative effect (p < 0.05) on the chromatic value b*. The length of the dry-aging had significant statistical impact on the ligthness and both chromatic coordinates. The length of dry-aging had paramount influence on the textural properties of rump steaks evaluated by instrument.O
Effect of Weather on the Occurrence of Puccinia Graminis Subsp. Graminicola and Puccinia Coronata F. Sp. Lolii at Lolium Perenne L. and Deschampsia Caespitosa (L.) P. B
Get PDFMonitoring of Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola and Puccinia coronata f. sp. lolii was carried out in Plant breeding station called Větrov. The pathogens were estimated on turf grass (Lolium perenne L., Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. B.) from 2009 to 2014. Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola was detected in the increased level in 2009 and 2012. The highest amount of mixed infections w as determined in 2014 because of the warmest winter from all monitored years and low precipitations. Significant differences were found out.in the resistance of similar plant materials grown in different fields. Significant effect of weather conditions and supposed effect of different infectious pressure on various fields were reflected in these facts. At evaluated grasses, the highest (P < 0.05) occurence of Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola. Lolium perenne L. was observed and the infection of Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola (P < 0.05) was determined higher than in Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. B.O
Comparison of Economic Efficiency of Management Systems with Prevailing Representation of Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in the Territory of Křivoklátsko Forest Park (Czech Republic)
Get PDFThe objective of the article was to model the economic efficiency of coppice and compare it with that of an oak high forest (primarily for the territory of Křivoklátsko Forest Park). The model calculations were based on actual expenses and revenues from the area of interest to the maximum possible extent. The calculations included methods both with time factor (dynamic methods, namely the method of net present value) and without time factor (static methods). For the area of Křivoklátsko Forest Park, the examined data showed that the economic efficiency of coppice could be greater than that of high forest or over-mature coppice.O
Consumption function in the context of cultural affinity zones
Get PDFConsumers' purchasing behaviour is affected at the microeconomic level by personal, psychological, situational, social and cultural factors. Beside the political and economic factors, culture with its beliefs, values, attitudes and traditions plays a substantial role also at the macroeconomic level in affecting national aggregate consumption, despite the recent phenomenon of globalisation. There is an evidence of excess sensitivity in European countries, which confirms that income change is a good predictor of consumption change. Clusters of European countries constructed according to single consumption functions correspond to some extent to the cultural affinity zones. Reactions (marginal propensity to consume) vary among formed groups of European countries and average consumption response is the highest in wealthier Western, followed by Central Europe and is the lowest in the South Europe. The results of this paper suggest that a stabilization policy may be more effective in an individualistic, hedonistic, rather a decentralised culture.O
Effect of various ignition timings on combustion process and performance of gasoline engine
Get PDFThis article deals with the effect of the ignition timing on the output parameters of a spark-ignition engine. The main assessed parameters include the output parameters of the engine (engine power and torque), cylinder pressure variation, heat generation and burn rate. However, the article also discusses the effect of the ignition timing on the temperature of exhaust gases, the indicated mean effective pressure, the combustion duration, combustion stability, etc. All measurements were performed in an engine test room in the Department of Technology and Automobile Transport at Mendel University in Brno, on a four-cylinder AUDI engine with a maximum power of 110 kW, as indicated by the manufacturer. To control and change the ignition timing of the engine, a fully programmable Magneti Marelli control unit was used. The experimental measurements were performed on 8 different ignition timings, from 18 CA to 32 CA BTDC at wide throttle open and a constant engine speed (2500 rpm), with a stoichiometric mixture fraction. The measurement results showed that as the ignition timing increases, the engine power and torque also increase. The increase in these parameters is a reflection of higher pressure in the cylinder, the maximum value of which is achieved at a higher ignition timing near top dead centre in thepower stroke. In these conditions we can expect higher engine efficiency. It was also found that the combustion is more stable with a higher value of ignition timing. No significant difference was found in the combustion duration.O
The Italian Garden Influence Within the Development of Garden Design in the Czech Lands (Bohemia and Moravia)
Get PDFThis article puts the Czech garden into the context of the development of garden design in Europe. Although it has not been defined as a garden type, it has always reflected new directions and modified them in line with geographical and cultural differences. The selected examples illustrate the development of garden art in the Czech lands from the 16th to the 18th century with an emphasis on Italian patterns and Italian artists. There are gardens that took the morphology of the Italian garden - they were built in slopes, their architecture uses terraces and stairs, dynamic water is used or some building elements typical of the Italian garden. The information provided exemplify the great influence of Italian culture in the Czech lands, which got there directly with Italian artists and builders.O
The Level of Shelves and Space Solution as One of the Key Factors for Consumer Attention
Get PDFThis paper is focused on consumer attention to the positioning of 5 product categories (packaged vegetables, dairy food, packaged fish, packaged meat and frozen food) in store bays and shelves. The results compare consumer attention to different levels of shelves. A different space solution - the SpaceGrid II system - was also used in the chosen bays. In these bays, the data indicate a distinct increase of consumer attention. The data were obtained through the eye-tracking device SMI RED 250 (n = 22). Particular attention was given to consumer perception by analysing AOI (areas of interest). The research was carried out during September 2015 in the Eye-Tracking Laboratory at Mendel University in Brno. The objective of the research was to identify attention in different levels of shelves and differences in perception between two types of shelves (classic and SpaceGrid). The results imply that the shelf level significantly influences the variability of attention of all product categories except for vegetables. The influence of the type of shelves was proven for meat and fish. The article also offers detailed information about the behaviour of participants who were surveyed in the framework of in depth interviews.O
Management Intensity and Forest Successional Stages as Significant Determinants of Small Mammal Communities in a Lowland Floodplain Forest
Get PDFThe conversion of forests from complex natural ecosystems to simplified commercial woodlands is one of the major causes of biodiversity loss. To maintain biodiversity, we need to understand how current management practices influence forest ecosystems. We studied the effects of forest successional stage and management intensity on the abundance, species richness, and assemblage composition of small mammals. Our results show that management intensity significantly contributes to reducing the number of species after clearcutting. We revealed that intensively managed clearings can make the dispersal or foraging activity of small mammals diffcult and hence negatively influence their abundance and species richness. The significantly higher species richness of small mammal species was recorded within more extensively rather than intensively managed clearings. In contrast, we did not observe significant changes in species richness and abundance after intensive management in old-growth forests. Species Clethrionomys glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis reached the greatest abundance in old-growth forest patches. On the other hand, Microtus arvalis and Microtus subterraneus were species mainly associated with the successionally youngest forest stands. Our analysis suggests that intensive management interventions (i.e., vegetation destruction by pesticides and wood debris removal by soil milling) in clearings produce unhostile environments for majority of the small mammal species.O
Villa Kratochvíle as an example of an Italian garden in the Czech lands
Get PDFThe paper deals with an example of the Italian garden applied as a type in the Czech lands. Villa Kratochvile is one of the very few cases of an independently created Renaissance villa in the territory of the Czech Republic. Its author was an Italian builder coming from the area around Como Lake - Baldassare Maggi and he was commissioned by a significant Czech nobleman, William of Rosenberg. Villa Kratochvile together with the surrounding landscape is compared with the landscape of lakes around Mantua and Palazzo Te, which is typologically similar. Especially the use of large water bodies is what these two places and their surrounding landscape have in common. Italian arts came to the Czech lands directly with Italian artists - one of them was the garden design. However, it was transformed there by the cultural tradition as well as the geographical location.O
An Empirical Analysis of the Currency Hedging Behavior of North German SMEs
Get PDFIn a globalized world, companies are able to sell their products or services abroad or purchase them abroad. This generates advantages due to the expansion of the business area creating a broader market but comes along with currency risks. This paper examines which factors influence German SMEs' willingness to conduct foreign business, respectively to do transactions in foreign currencies. An empirical study researches how the currency risk in North German SMEs is valued and assessed. The analysis further identifies the differences in the use of foreign currencies of rural and urban SMEs and examines the reasons for the use of foreign currencies and currency management which lead to the use of currency hedging. With a sample size of 73 SMEs the study aims for a better understanding of the foreign activities of German SMEs and investigates the approach to the currency risk management for a better understanding of their needs. In general, the paper shows that the larger a company is, the more likely is the use of a currency management. A comparison of rural and urban SMEs in Northern Germany reveals, that urban ones are larger and therefore more likely to use currency hedging. Based on the research, the paper provides recommendations for SMEs with foreign sales.O