Showing papers in "Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis in 2020"

Consumers' Preferences for Locally Produced Honey in Hungary

Abstract: Sustainability is considered in relation to the consumption of local food. Consumers have recently become more concerned about food safety, including potential impurities in Asian honey. Some consumers believe that eating local honey products might be a way to avoid food safety risks. Food security is also guaranteed by certification marks that create confidence in consumers, and help their decisions in buying.The aim of the paper is to identify the main characteristics of Hungarian consumer preferences when buying honey. In this article we analyse the consumer behaviour of Hungarian hive products. This study was supported by the data from a nationwide consumer survey carried out in 2016. A total of 1584 subjects participated in this survey, the sample is representative for gender, age and highest level of education in Hungary. The results of our study show the actual potential consumers of the Hungarian honey products. Based on the results, the consumers we interviewed consider the consumption of honey of Hungarian origin very important, and they prefer to purchase these products directly or indirectly from the beekeepers. Well-informed consumers in terms of honey certification marks consider some features of honey (Hungarian origin; region of origin; brand, producer name; certification marks) significantly more important than uninformed consumers. Awareness of the certification marks helps consumer decisions which are confirmed by the fact that consumers who are informed about honey certification marks were not affected by honey counterfeits.

Estimation of the Marketing Activity of Banking Structures

Abstract: Well-designed marketing activities and the use of modern marketing tools can increase the competitiveness of banks on the market. Given this fact, the main purpose of the study is to develop theoretical and practical provisions for estimating the level of marketing activity of banking structures. This is based on the definition of the integral index and takes into account all the elements of the marketing-mix and their partial indicators. The urgency of solving this problem comes from the fact that it is precisely the estimation of the level of marketing activity of the banking structures that directs managers to make the appropriate adjustment of marketing activities and make use of modern marketing instruments that will increase the competitiveness of banks on the market (e.g. increase market share and expand the boundaries of the target segments, help to create a positive image of the bank and maintain its business reputation).The article proposes a calculation methodology for bank marketing activity, which has been tested through the definition of the level of marketing activity of the leading Ukrainian banks. The computation of the level of bank's marketing activity is based on the calculation of the integral indicator by summarization the input statistics, that characterize the bank's marketing activity, with help of two methods: the standardization method and the hierarchy analysis method (Saaty method). The results of the expert survey were used for determining the weight of partial indicators within the hierarchy analysis method. Based on the results, the analyzed banks are ranked according to the level of their marketing activity in the investigated period, and a system of particular measures for raising the level of their marketing activity has been established.

The Utilization of Vegetable and Fruit Wastes for Saccharomyces cerevisieae Cell Wall Based β-Glucan Production with Antioxidant Activity

Abstract: The study aims to determine the number of mass and antioxidant activity of β-glucan extracted from S.cerevisieae which grown on vegetable and fruit wastes. The method used is experimental with descriptive analysis which consisted of 3 treatments namely banana waste, papaya waste, and napa cabbage waste as fermentation medium, repeated thrice. Fermentation medium was made by mixing waste with water with the ratio of 1:2. Ten percent (w/v) of S.cerevisieae was inoculated and incubated for 48 hours, at 27 ℃. Extraction of β-glucan was carried out using acid-alkaline methods and antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrayl) method and the microstructure of β-glucan is determined by Scanning Electrone Microscope. The result showed that the best medium in producing β-glucan was papaya waste which resulting 19.094 g β-glucan mass, with radical scavenging activity of 20.71 % and globular diameter of 533 μm.

Impact of destination image on satisfaction and loyalty.

Abstract: Tourist destinations are currently subjects of strong competition and their visitors are influenced by various factors, including the image of a destination. This paper deals with the topic of destination image and its influence on the tourist overall satisfaction and loyalty towards a destination. The study is aiming at domestic tourists in the Czech Republic. The data were obtained through a questionnaire survey with quota sampling. Sixteen destination image factors were researched. Nine of the factors have an influence on overall satisfaction (the most influential one being the attractiveness of a destination, the uniqueness of a destination and the friendly acceptance by the locals). Eight factors were statistically proved to have an influence on loyalty by means of oral or online recommendation, with the most influential factor being the sense of security. Finally, four factors have an influence on loyalty by means of the intention to revisit a destination (the uniqueness of a destination, food, the suitability of a destination for summer and all-year-round holiday). The research results enable deeper understanding of the loyalty towards a destination which is very important for destination managers and services providers in destination.

Knowledge-intensive Specialisation and Total Factor Productivity (TFP) in the EU Regional Scope

Abstract: The aim of the paper is to assess the impact of knowledge-intensive specialisation on Total Factor Productivity (TFP) in the EU regional scope. To calculate TFP defined as the aggregated output-input ratio, we employ the multiplicatively-complete Fare-Primont index as it satisfies all economically-relevant axioms and tests from the index number theory. The knowledge intensive specialisation of EU regions is captured by the statistics on high-tech industry and knowledge-intensive services, i.e. the employment in high-tech sectors as a percentage of total employment (HTS). The research sample consists of 248 EU regions at NUTS 2 level. The key findings of the study indicate that the employment in high-tech manufacturing and knowledge-intensive services is not distributed uniformly in the EU regional space. Similarly, TFP also varies substantially across the EU regions. Moreover, the results of the research model estimation show that specialisation in high-tech manufacturing and knowledge-intensive services directly affects regional TFP. The main implication of our analysis for the policymakers is to explore and support knowledge-intensive specialisation patterns, that should be built upon existing regional technological competencies and human capital endowment according to the smart specialisation strategies approach.

Industry 4.0: an Employee Perception (Case of the Czech Republic)

Abstract: Considering the fact that the initiative Industry 4.0 started in the Czech Republic in 2016, it is still a relatively unexplored topic. However, there is a significant lack of researches, which examines the perception of Industry 4.0 by employees whose jobs are directly threatened by Industry 4.0. The aim of the paper was found out how Czech employees perceive Industry 4.0 and whether a general pattern can be created for a group of employees who perceive it as a potential threat to their existence based on their characteristics (age, gender, education, and the job position). Information about this initiative is often tendentiously presented by media, even managers don't have precise information about the benefits and outcomes of Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 from the employees' point of view is connected with job loss or substitution of human work by robots. And this state might build barriers to implementation Industry 4.0.

The Model of Projects Creation of the Fire Extinguishing Systems in Community Territories

Abstract: The state of the united Ukrainian territorial communities fire extinguishing systems and trends in their development have been analyzed. The the united territorial communities development expediency scientific-methodical bases and service model of fire extinguishing systems projects has been proved. Developed scientific-methodical bases and service model take into account features of changing project environment of the projects in relation to the united territorial community fire extinguishing systems projects model, based on the prediction variability in reference to the fires number and type, take into account the roads condition and provide fire extinguishing systems in the desired state. Based on the united territorial community fire extinguishing systems algorithm service model project computer program has been developed. The proposed computer program provided an opportunity to substantiate trends in organizational-technological parameters values of the fire extinguishing systems projects regarding combined territorial communities. Regularities of changes in reference to organizational and technological indicators of the projects value concerning the fire extinguishing systems has been developed for conditions of Zhovtanets united territorial community.

Haptics and its Effect on Consumers' Intentions Using Neuroscientific Methods: Literature Review

Abstract: The haptic properties of a product have mostly been underestimated with most studies focusing on visual aspects of objects. Nonetheless, in the last years, it has been found that tactile stimuli are in some cases even more important than the visual ones. However, the traditional paper-based surveys cannot fully and objectively examine their effects on consumers. Therefore, neuroscientific methods, which overcome these obstacles, are becoming more used but there is still only a small number of studies focusing on the effect of haptics in marketing. Using the keywords haptics, tactile input, EEG, fMRI and tactile, seven relevant studies have been found and used in this literature review, out of which four have used EEG and three fMRI. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to review the research that has been already conducted and to identify the areas in which further research should be made and the neuroscientific methods which could be used.

Characteristics of Physical, Chemical, and Organoleptic Properties of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) By Studying the Ratio Between Coconut Cream with Inducement Oil and Length of Fermentation

Abstract: Coconut agribusiness development plays an important role in an effort to increase productivity as a raw material for processed products from coconut. Indonesia is one of the world's largest coconut plantation. Unfortunately, Indonesia's exports are in the form of ordinary coconut oil, while Philippines has begun to reach the world with the Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). However, there is still a lack of diversification that can be done by coconut farmers made its little progress. In fact, the price of VCO which tripled from coconut oil used to make the oil can be potential to be developed in Indonesia The purpose of this research was to examine the cream ratio with inducement oil and length of fermentation on VCO quality. The research used a factorial randomized complete design (CRD) of 3 × 3 consisting of two factors, namely the ratio of coconut cream and inducement oil (A) and length of fermentation (B). The ratio of coconut cream and inducement oil (A) consisted of three levels, namely: A1 = 2 : 1, A2 = 3 : 1, and A3 = 4 : 1. Length of fermentation factors (B) consisted of three levels, namely: B1 = 8 hours, B2 = 10 hours, and B3 = 12 hours. The results showed that the treatment of cream ratio with inducement oil had a very significant effect on the yield, organoleptic aroma, and color. The length of fermentation had a very significant effect on yield, organoleptic aroma and color. The interaction between the two factors had a very significant effect on all parameters (water content, peroxide number, acid number, and iodine number) except yield and organoleptic (aroma and color) which had no effect. The best VCO quality was obtained by ratio of cream with inducement oil 2 : 1 and 8 hours length of fermentation.

Exploring the Importance of Emotions Within Consumer Behaviour on the Czech Luxury Cosmetic Market

Abstract: In the last few decades, the role of emotions has been gaining importance across all industries when examining consumer's behavioural decisions. The impact that the emotions have on judgments, evaluations and decisions has long been important not only to psychology, but also to economic sciences. This paper aims to investigate the attitudes and behaviour of Czech women in regards to purchasing, using and their overall attitude to skincare products in the luxury segment, with special focus on emotions and social status as an influential factor. A targeted questionnaire was applied as a base to gain relevant quantitative data. Quantitative data were collected from 782 cosmetics consumers in luxury perfumeries all over the Czech Republic. Data were evaluated by means of descriptive statistics, dependencies were expressed by contingency (Chi-Square Test) and customer segmentation was managed by cluster analysis (k-means method, Euclidian distance). The obtained data clearly shows the significant importance of emotions and social value to certain female consumer segments. The research results provided valuable insights and information for the producers, marketers and managers to understand consumer attitudes, behaviour and social trends in the skincare cosmetics perfumery market and will help them to develop products, marketing and business strategies that are tailor-made to actual consumer needs and desires.

The Impact of Trade Credit Investment on Manufacturing Firms' Profitability: Evidence from Vietnam

Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the effect that trade credit investment has on firms' profitability. The characteristics of this relationship have not been dealt with in depth for manufacturing firms. We use panel data for a total of 227 Vietnamese publicly listed manufacturing firms for the period 2005-2017. Different econometric estimation techniques such as the feasible generalized least squares, fixed effects and random effects and different calculation of firm performance such as non market-based measure (return on assets) and market-based measure (Tobin's q) are employed to validate the consistent results. The robust results confirm a statistically significant inverted U-shaped relationship between trade credit investment and profitability.

Do the Subsidies Help the Young Farmers? The Case Study of the Czech Republic

Abstract: To ensure the generation renewal in the European Union there are subsidies for setting up of young farmers' businesses and the retirement scheme and top-up direct payments. In the Czech Republic are provided subsides to interest rates with preference of young farmers and intergenerational succession of the farm is tax-free. Together with other incentives, those factors shall facilitate enter of young people to the sector. The aim of the paper is to assess whether the policy measures help the young farmers with setting-up of their business. Based on the primary survey on 510 young Czech farmers the most motivating for enter the sector were tax relief on transfer of the holding and top-up payment for young farmers. The farmers without background considered as sufficiently motivating the top-up payments more often than those with certain background who acknowledged more the top-up subsidies. Possible way how to facilitate the enter to the sector could be to keep the tax relief on farm transfer, to combine the measures for retirement and setting up of young farmers and provide investment subsidies or financial instruments for start-up. Top-up payments, despite motivational according to the farmers, are criticized as inefficient.

Czech Farmers' Experience with Bt Maize: Fulfilment, and the Opposite, of Monsanto's Promises

Abstract: Genetically modified (GM) Bt maize MON810 is promoted as being beneficial for farmers and the environment. The aim of this study was to compare particular claims of the benefits associated with this GM maize with Czech farmers' practice. Ten semi-structured interviews and 27 questionnaires obtained from Czech farmers who had grown Bt maize for at least one year in 2005-2016 were analysed qualitatively.The alleged benefits of MON810 cultivation regarding lower levels of fungal disease infestation, yield increase, reduction of insecticide usage, lowered costs, time saving and simple manipulation were enjoyed by a varying proportion of Czech GM farmers. In contrast, some farmers experienced the opposite of the claimed benefit regarding yield, costs, manipulation and time requirements. The exception was the 100% control of the European Corn Borer (ECB). The current and previous studies suggest that most of the benefits manifest themselves rather on farms under high ECB pressure.Seen from an economic viewpoint, the cultivation of Bt maize could be recommended in areas with persistent high corn borer pressure. However, the benefit to the environment is challenged and it is suggested that farmers should employ a complex of cultural control methods.

Evaluation of the Level of Length of Eating Time, Chewing and Parameters of Daily Increased Activity Depending on the Breed, the Lactation Number and the Period of the Year

Abstract: Eating time, rumination and activity is affected by many factors. Evaluation of the parameters obtained from Vitalimeter 5P was performed on 719 dairy cows Czech fleckvieh cattle and Holstein cattle and their hybrids within one farm. Data collecting took place for one year. As part of a detailed evaluation using the GLM procedure, the lactation number, the period of the year and the pedigree (P < 0.001) had a significant effect on the time of rumination, eating, increased activity and the sum of activities. The highest values in all monitored parameters were reached by H 51-87. Within the effect of the lactation number was evident a certain discrepancy when the longest eating time was observed in cows at the first lactation (293.20 min.), while the longest rumination time in cows at 3, resp. 4 and further lactation (484.82 and 482.46 min, respectively). The lowest values were monitored for these two parameters in exactly the opposite order, the lowest eating time in older cows and the shortest rumination time in the youngest cows. Results of evaluated periods of the years confirmed mainly the differences in the time of eating and rumination in the summer months compared to the rest of the year (P < 0.01). These results, both individually and within the interactions of factors, confirm the effects of the body framework in the case of breeds, the age of the animals within the lactation order and the importance of assessing heat stress in assessing the effect of the year.

Molecular Evaluation of Three Populations of Farafra Sheep in Comparison to Ossimi and Rahmani Sheep Breeds

Abstract: Molecular markers are the most ideal approach to study genetic diversity. Consequently, we utilized both ISSR and RAPD markers to assess genetic diversity and relationships among three different populations of Farafra, Ossimi and Rahmani Egyptian sheep breeds. Both ISSR and RAPD gave moderate polymorphism 41.3% and 48.51%, respectively. Besides, this value was consistent with the moderate value of the mean of polymorphism information content (0.16 and 0.20, respectively). Farafra-F and Farafra-D populations had the highest similarity which was 0.92 for ISSR and 0.90 for the RAPD marker. Furthermore, ISSR and RAPD constructed dendrogram separated all the studied sheep into two main clusters. All the three populations of Farafra breed combined into one main cluster, while the second cluster contained both Rahmani and Ossimi breeds. The used molecular markers were able to discriminate among evaluated sheep and displayed that Farafra breed more closely related to Ossimi than Rahmani breed.

Non-Financial Reporting of Industrial Corporations - A Czech Case Study

Abstract: Scientific research and studies from recent years point to the growing interest of large multinational corporations in publishing reports that inform the public not only about their performance, but also about their behavior in terms of social responsibility and long-term sustainability. These are not only effects in the context of their success, but also the negative impacts of their environmental, social and administrative activities. Although corporate responsibility reporting integrating financial and non-financial information is becoming a standard practice, these approaches have not yet been investigated or published in the Czech region. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine how the new quality of reporting is perceived by Czech industrial corporations. Data for empirical research were excerpted from reports published in 2018. To verify the generally perceived assumption of a positive correlation between the size of corporations and the quality of their reports, respectively between reporting quality and corporate performance, eight hypotheses have been formulated. The Chi-Square independence test was used to confirm or refute the hypotheses. The tests confirmed a significant dependence of reporting quality on the size of the corporation. A positive correlation was also found between quality of report and performance, but the expected negative correlation between indebtedness could not be demonstrated.

Modeling the Equilibrium Price of the Companies Listed in the Prague Stock Exchange

Abstract: Valuation provides proper evidence on the financial situation of the firms. Incorrect valuation delivers wrong signals for the market participants and stands on the concepts of markets with information asymmetry. The study measures the estimated intrinsic value of the selected companies listed in the Prague Stock Exchange. Moreover, the results of the work observe influencing factors that deviate stock prices of the companies listed in the Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) from their estimated intrinsic value. Valuation techniques and Monte Carlo Simulation were employed to detain the estimated intrinsic of the selected companies from the Prague Stock Exchange. The estimated results indicate that Czech listed companies deviate from the intrinsic value in the range of 58% while international companies in the range of 301%. However, the average deviation within market prices and intrinsic value of the companies listed in the PSE was 179%.

The Efficiency of Public Health and Medical Care Systems in EU Countries: Dynamic Network Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract: Our paper analyses the technical efficiency and the change in the efficiency of the healthcare systems in 23 European Union (EU) countries between 2008 and 2016 based on the data published by OECD. We apply Dynamic Network Data Envelopment Analysis (DNDEA) to assess the efficiency of the medical care system and public health system, together with overall healthcare system efficiency. The findings suggest that the efficiency of public health systems in 2016 were higher than the efficiency of medical care systems in the same year only in Denmark. In the case of France, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, the medical systems were more efficient. The model marked Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Sweden as efficient in terms of the medical care system as well as the public health system in 2016.

Understanding Regional Product Characteristics and Consumers Purchasing them in the Czech Republic

Abstract: This article deals with regional products in the Czech Republic. The goal is to examine the regional product characteristics, purchasing behavior when buying said products and basic segmentation criteria of their consumers. After an analysis of WoS and Scopus articles focusing on regional brands, we have concluded that areas explaining how consumers understand regional products (their characteristics), purchasing behavior and basic segmentation criteria are under-researched. Thus we have planned our research to tackle these areas. Our sample consists of 1050 respondents from the Czech Republic, gathered through questionnaire by professional agency Ipsos. We use Chi-Square test to test data, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to test data distribution, Kruskal-Wallis test to test dependencies, and post-hoc pairwise comparison to test groups. Main results include: consumers assign different importance to regional product characteristics than regional brands communicate; most positive toward regional brands are age groups 36-45 and 26-35, university education, from Moravia or Silesia, least positive are youngest and oldest age group, with secondary education. We propose regional brands to utilize this knowledge when designing their communication.

The Effect of Socialising Piglets During Lactation on Performance, Suckling Behaviour and Weaning Aggression: a Preliminary Field Study

Abstract: The post-weaning aggression among piglets is a serious problem in modern pig production which compromises animal welfare and health, as well as could cause considerable economic losses. To prevent post-weaning aggression between piglets an approach of early socialisation of piglets during lactation was tested in the present study. In the group farrowing pen (GFP) three individual farrowing pens were interconnected whereby piglets had free access to move across pens and/or cross-suckled alien sows that were still individually crated - passage between pens was released within 24h postpartum. Piglets/litters in the control group went through the conventional breeding practice (i.e. individual farrowing pen/crate). Altogether, the experiment involved 235 piglets. The preliminary results revealed that the suckling order stability differed between studied breeding technologies (group and individual). About one third of all piglets (31.3%) were found being involved (at least once) in the cross-suckling, i.e. suckling by the alien mother. Consequently, suckling stability was found generally lower in the GFP, with a significant drop after two weeks of lactation. Regarding the growth performance, piglets from GFP grew relatively, i.e. considering initial body weight, faster both during lactation and after weaning, although their daily weight gain was not significantly higher. The present preliminary study revealed early socialisation of piglets as an effective method to mitigate post-weaning aggression, as well as to improve their growth performance. However, considering mortality in lactation and disturbances in suckling stability, additional studies are needed to optimize the process of early socialisation, particularly in terms of piglets' age when grouping of non-littermates is implemented during lactation.

Impact of Digital Supported Process Workflow Optimization for Hip Joint Endoprosthesis Implantation on Hospital-Specific Process and Quality Ratios

Abstract: Considering the continuous change within the German health care system, German hospitals are forced to realize efficiency gains and, at the same time, try to enhance their quality standards. Digital support systems in surgery rooms intend to improve operational efficiency and reduce failure quotas. A dataset with 383 hip joint endoprosthesis surgeries from a German hospital was analysed using statistical methods, among others logit model, odds ratio and ANCOVA. Results show that digitally supported surgery results in a shorter hospital stay time and reduces acute hemorrhagic anemia as a postoperative complication. Finally, it is possible to conclude that the Surgical Procedure Manager reduces surgical risks.

Consumption Function in the Context of Cultural Affinity Zones

Abstract: Consumers' 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.

Micropropagation of Camptotheca Acuminata Decne (Nyssaceae) - Endangered Ornamental and Medicinal Tree

Abstract: Camptotheca acuminata Decne (Nyssaceae) (happy tree, tree of life, cancer tree) is a rapidly growing deciduous and endangered tree endemic to east Tibet and southern China (Liu et al., 2002). C. acuminata is an ornamental tree with monopodial growth, beautiful leaves and shade- and cold- tolerant in their natural environment. Recently, its demand has grown rapidly due to secondary metabolites production like Camptothecin and its derivatives with anti cancer and antivirus activity. The aim of the present study was to develop an efficient protocol for in vitro micropropagation of this valuable plant. Different cultural media based on both MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) or DKW (Driver and Kuniyuki, 1984) formulations with different cytokinins (6-benzylaminopurine, BAP or 2-isopentenyladenine, 2iP or meta-topolin, mT) have been involved. The aromatic cytokinin meta-topolin stimulated plant growth. The optimum multiplication rate of Camptotheca shoots occurred on the DKW basal medium, supplemented with 2.5 µM meta-topolin, grown under mixed LED light. The highest number of roots per plantlets was recorded on the rooting medium with 0.3 mgl-1 NAA.

Trends in Predictive and Proactive Maintenance of Motor Vehicles

Abstract: Changes in maintenance approaches of more complex vehicles and related systems are closely associated with the development of motor vehicles and the ever increasing demand for mobility. Ever since the production of the first motorized vehicles started, engineers have been addressing maintenance issues, which aim to maximize the reliability of vehicles and eliminate unwanted failures. The purpose of this article is to show how proactive maintenance can be performed. Proactive maintenance is based on on-line diagnostic systems in motor vehicles. In this paper, the authors describe the possibilities of obtaining operational data on automatic transmission from on-board diagnostics and its subsequent processing. Furthermore, the article presents a model proposed for determining the amount of wear of individual machine parts in an automatic transmission. Finally, a comparison of the data from the proposed model and the data from the CAN bus is made. The authors show the possibility of access in the field of sustainability towards proactive maintenance and the effort to predict future wear of machine parts in an automatic transmission using modelling. In this case, Matlab & Simulink software was used, which is suitable for these processes. This approach to the sustainability of motor vehicles is in principle identical or very similar to the systems used under various designations in industry, aviation, computer science, etc.

Efficiency Development in the German Pharmaceutical Market

Abstract: Changes in Germany legislation since 2009 significantly limited the operation of German pharmacies. Since then, there has been a steady decline in the total number of pharmacies. This article deals with the efficiency change within the German retail and wholesale pharmaceutical sectors in the years 2009 to 2016. The efficiency calculation was based on the nonparametric data envelopment analysis method and the Malmquist index was used to evaluate changes. Two components of Malmquist index were also monitored separately, capturing changes in the area of technical efficiency and changes in the area of the production possibility set. The results point to the increasing efficiency which means that decreasing number of pharmacies is caused by concentration tendencies rather than by negative effects of government decisions.

The Relationship Between Board of Directors and Sustainability Reporting: An Empirical Study in German Large Listed Firms

Abstract: To improve quality of sustainability reporting, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines have been issued and widely applied. Board of directors' characteristics can be seen as essential factors to facilitate the implementation of these practices. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between board of directors and GRI adherence in sustainability disclosures. The research uses Tobit regression for 388 observations from 97 German listed firms in the period from 2013 to 2016. The findings indicate significant negative relation between board size and GRI adherent level of sustainability reporting. Further analysis is implemented for environmentally friendly and sensitive industries. The results maintain the same for board size, and reveal positive impact of board committees on GRI adherence of sustainability reporting in sensitive industry.

Relationship Between Age at First Calving and Longevity and Productive Life in Holstein Cows

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of age at first calving on functional traits - longevity and productive life in dairy cows. The survey included 1490 Holstein cows from 5 cattle farms in Bulgaria. The average milk yield per cow in the farms studied ranged from 6031.68 kg to 8660.37 kg. The average age at first calving was 29.68 months. The highest percentage of cows calved for the first time at age 28-30 months - 29.53%, generally 38.06% of cows calved for the first time at a very high age - over 31 months and only 7.58% calved aged up to 24 months. The average longevity for all culled cows was 6.05 years and the productive life - 3.63 years. 22% of all culled cows at these farms were culled before the end of their first lactation. The highest total longevity was in cows calved for the first time at high age - over 28 months. Cows calved for the first time, both at low age (up to 24 months) and at high age (over 37 months), had a shorter productive life of 4.0 and 3.9 years, respectively. Cows with the shortest productive life - one year and less - had and the highest average age at first calving of 30.21 months.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used as Amulets Among the Banen Ethnic Group in Ndiki Sub-Division (Centre Region of Cameroon)

Abstract: An ethnobotanical survey was carried in Ndiki sub-division of the Central Region of Cameroon to collect information on the use of plants in the manufacture of amulets among the Banen ethnic group. Focus group discussions and interviews were carried out from 2004 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2015 with a total of 50 respondents (34 men and 16 female) to gather information about local names of plants used, type of management (wild/cultivated), availability (common, sporadic, rare), existing threats, part(s) used, preparation methods, effects of amulets, associated taboos/beliefs, etc. A total of 11 plant species were recorded as used as amulet. They include Aframomum melegueta (Zingiberaceae), Cissus aralioides (Rubiaceae), Costus afer (Zingiberaceae), Euphorbia kamerunica (Euphorbiaceae), Imperata cylindrica (Poaceae), Kigelia Africana (Bignoniaceae), Morinda morindoides (Bak) Milne-Redh (Rubiaceae), Ornithogalum sp. (Amaryllidaceae), Pentaclethra macrophylla (Mimosaceae), Platycerium angolense (Polypodiaceae), Trachyphrynium braunianum (Maranthaceae). The amulets are used to protect people and their property, inflict sentiments of respect and fear. In case of violation, the perpetrator faces diverse punishments including suddenly seeing a big snake, hearing of a deafening scream in their ears, various evil and skin diseases. He can be healed upon confession of his wrongdoing to the owner of the amulet. This study shows that the traditional knowledge on amulets is an important part of the living habits and culture of Banen people who still have a strong belief in their efficacy.

System for Changing the Radial Response on Car Wheels

Abstract: The paper deals with the possibilities of change in adhesion force for experimental measurement on a road vehicle. The article deals with the ways in which the road vehicle can be brought to skid limit while driving at a safe speed. These are two newly designed systems (SlideWheel and Alternative SkidCar) to complement the experimental car. Both systems allow for the reduction of the adhesion force on car wheels, depending on the reduction of radial force transmitted by the car wheel. Their main difference is in the spatial arrangement and in the method of attachment to a car. The wheel units are mounted under the axles in case of SlideWheel and attached to the experimental car body via a subframe in case of Alternative SkidCar. We implemented an objective finding of their influence on the quantities describing the movement of the car in the two systems designed by the authors. Mutual comparison was made during experimental measurement during a test drive in the form of driving in a circle at a constant steering wheel turning angle. Experimental measurements were made with 50% of the radial response on car wheels. It is clear from the measured results that both systems met expectations and can be used to bring the car to the skid limit at a safe speed. Both systems help to induce any type of car skidding. The advantage of the SlideWheel system compared to Alternative SkidCar is its lower weight; the disadvantage is the size of the support wheels. The paper is focused on objective comparison of ASC and SW in terms of effect on the experimental car's behaviour.

Antioxidant Capacity, Total Phenolic Compounds and Fatty Acids Composition in Walnut Oil and Bagasse Pellets Produced at Different Parameters of the Screw Press

Abstract: Different rotational speeds and nozzle diameters of screw press were used to process walnut kernels. To evaluate the influence of pressing conditions on the quality of walnut oil and bagasse pellets the oil pressing temperature, yield of oil, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid composition were measured. The results show that the pressing at different conditions affected the antioxidant capacity and TPC of either bagasse pellets and pressed oil. Higher values of antioxidant capacity and TPC were measured in bagasse pellets than in pressed oils. Higher amount of pressed oil was yielded by using lower nozzle diameter, however, by lowering the nozzle diameter the oil pressing temperature was rising, which affected the fatty acids. Positive correlations with oil pressing temperatures were calculated at saturated fatty acids, while the correlation coefficients of polyunsaturated fatty acids were positive, but not significant. Monounsaturated fatty acids were negatively affected by higher oil pressing temperatures showing, that monounsaturated fatty acids were more susceptible to higher temperatures than polyunasturated and saturated fatty acids.