Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are expected to have an important role in plant adaptation to high temperatures. The impacts of increasing night-time temperature on daytime terpenoid emissions and related gene expression in silver birch (Betula pendula) and European aspen (Populus tremula) clones were studied. The plants were grown under five different night-time temperatures (6, 10, 14, 18, and 22 °C) while daytime temperature was kept at a constant 22 °C. VOC emissions were collected during the daytime and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In birch, emissions per leaf area of the C11 homoterpene 4,8-dimethy1-nona-1,3,7-triene (DMNT) and several sesquiterpenes were consistently increased with increasing night-time temperature. Total sesquiterpene (SQT) emissions showed an increase at higher temperatures. In aspen, emissions of DMNT and β-ocimene increased from 6 °C to 14 °C, while several other monoterpenes and the SQTs (Z,E)-α-farnesene and (E,E)-α-farnesene increased up to 18 °C. Total monoterpene and sesquiterpene emission peaked at 18 °C, whereas isoprene emissions decreased at 22 °C. Leaf area increased across the temperature range of 6–22 °C by 32% in birch and by 59% in aspen. Specific leaf area (SLA) was also increased in both species. The genetic regulation of VOC emissions seems to be very complex, as indicated by several inverse relationships between emission profiles and expression of several regulatory genes (DXR, DXS, and IPP). The study indicates that increasing night temperature may strongly affect the quantity and quality of daytime VOC emissions of northern deciduous trees.

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This study attempted to evaluate the differences between bachelor and master requirements in the field of tourism regarding sixteen communication as well as sixteen managerial competencies explored in a wide range of employers in the Czech Republic. The questionnaire survey data were processed using a multivariate approach of the Fisher linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and its partial least squares algorithm (plsLDA) considering two-set cases and the functional relation of both methods depending on a parameter. It was revealed that although the differences between bachelor and master requirements in communication competencies are more pronounced considering the results of the classical approach to discriminant analysis, this is not the case in its partial least squares variant. The differences are to a great extent variable, filling the whole set of individual competencies. However, the most significant competencies demanded from master graduates are: providing a complex view -summary, providing feedback, time management, leadership and planning, considering both boundaries of eigenvalues with corresponding eigenvectors analytical (resp. smooth) path. The practical implication of the results can serve as a target for modern educational systems preparing students for success in the current competitive environment.

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Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a non-destructive, rapid and real-time measurement method which does not require special high-tech measurement devices and can be applied to food quality assessment. This method is rapid, effective and affords low-cost investigation of the product. The conventional EIS method requires a set of metal electrodes in direct contact with the medium to be measured. The complicated electrochemical processes on the electrodes-electrolyte interface could substantially affect the value of the impedance measured. The present study sought to explore the possibilities of using the impedance method for quality control in orange juices, to introduce the electrodeless method of electrolyte impedance measurement and to compare this with the conventional impedance methods. The electrical properties of the orange juices were described with the help of an equivalent circuit. An equivalent circuit was designed with constant phase element approximation. The values of the equivalent circuit components were fitted using a non-standard algorithm inspired by the behaviour of actual ant colonies. Implementing the electrodeless method obviated the electrodes phenomena effects and the behaviour of the electrolyte is similar to inductance. The proposed electrodeless method is generally applicable to measuring the electrochemical properties of electrolytes.

This study aims to identify the importance of local food for both the demand and supply sides and to show how local food can be bounded with tourism development in the region. The data presented are based on secondary and primary research. Secondary research includes the literature review and content analysis of documents. The qualitative research included a questionnaire survey among guests of the gastronomic establishments and entrepreneurs. Partial least squares variant of linear discriminant analysis (PLS-LDA) and partial least squares (PLS) as an alternative to standard multivariate methods were used to show the gastronomic establishments guests' and entrepreneurs' opinions on local seasonal food and beverages. The opinions are moreover related to the economically driven interest of guests and entrepreneurs. Based on the typical random variable source, data were gathered from three Czech regions covering the scope of this study. The significant disputes between opinions on local food and beverages are directly applicable in practice, including individual items.

Front page design Grzegorz Rogoziński CD cover design Beata DębskaArticles published in the form submitted by the authors All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or in any means without the prior permission in writing of the Publisher

As being an important player of sharing economy, ride sourcing services provide benefits for socio-economic and environmental issues of countries and make positive contributions for sustainability. To indicate socioeconomic and environmental influences of these services, this paper aims to make comparison between some alternative Transportation Network Companies, namely, Taxify, Uber and Liftago and standard taxi services regarding their drivers’, vehicles’ and trips’ characteristics. In line with this objective, this research investigates 84 drivers of ride sourcing services and standard taxi industry from two various cities of the Czech Republic, namely, Prague and Ostrava. The data of this paper was collected by using a self-administered questionnaire and the researchers applied multiple correspondence analysis in R-software to make the analyses of this research. The results of these analyses show that different from standard taxi services, most of the drivers of Taxify in Prague are not Czech fluent. Moreover, in Prague, drivers of Uber Technology Network company work at the weekends and they drive Uber cars as a part time work. When it comes to transportation activities in Ostrava, standard taxi services were driven for higher kilometres and at the weekends, while total kilometres that were driven by Liftago’s cars are less than standard taxi services and these trips were mostly taken in workdays. These results show that services of standard taxi industry and ride sourcing services differ regarding characteristics of drivers, trips, vehicles, passengers and cities. Some policy implementations are also provided by this paper to hinder disruptive transportation actions.