Wine Ratings and Advertising Strategies: Is There a Link?

Advertising is one of the most widely used marketing resources in the beverage industry, yet the wine industry has not made an intense use of this resource over time. The small average size of wineries together with rising concerns about the effectiveness of advertising has led many wineries to use alternative strategies to market their products: collective brands, the display of prizes and medals on their labels, or positive ratings in expert guides. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to analyse the behaviour of wineries regarding their use of advertising as a marketing resource. Specifically, we analysed the advertising strategy of wineries with respect to the existence of publicly available wine ratings. The method was based on the estimation of a Heckit model that simultaneously identifies the variables underlying the decision to invest in advertising and the determinants of the amount of money invested. The results revealed a nonlinear relationship between wine ratings and advertising investment.

Effect of Trace Yttrium Addition and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast ADC12 Aluminum Alloy

The effects of rare earth yttrium (Y) additions and the heat treatment process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast ADC12 aluminum alloy have been investigated. The results showed that the primary Si crystals were significantly refined from long axis to fibrous or granular when the Y content was 0.2 wt%. Compared to the matrix, the mean area and aspect ratio were decreased by 92% and 75%, respectively. Moreover, the Si and Fe-rich phases were spheroidized and refined with a small average size during the solid solution. It was also noted that the copper-rich phases were dissolved into the matrix. Correspondingly, it was found that after metamorphic and heat treatment the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation, and, hardness increased by 81.9%, 69.7%, and 74.8%, respectively, compared to the matrix. The improved mechanical properties can primarily be attributed to the optimization of the microstructure and the refinement of various phases.

Energy forests or vineyards?

This paper primarily aims at giving an introduction to an alternative opportunity for vineyards owners many of whom have come to adecision about elimination of their vineyards. The paper is focusing on the Mátra wine-region as a study area, which is the largest mountainwine region in Hungary where more than one third of supported clearing of vineyards have been implemented in the last few years. Theabandoning of vineyards is explicable in more than one way such as very small average size of land or the increasing mean age of ownersetc. The fundamental reason is the chronic doubtfulness of the grape and wine market and the low level of overall profitability of production.Grape production has a long tradition in this region, thus the disappearance of vineyards caused serious problems in land use through theabsolute lack of plans for the future. The popularity of biomass production in the press and the biofuel resultant from vine stocks raiseinterest for short rotation forestry within a group of farmers. Short rotation forestry offers a new chance for some farmers to cut oneself adriftfrom the harmful effects of the market of agricultural products.

Structures of spontaneous deletions in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We have investigated the structural features of spontaneous deletions in Caenorhabditis elegans. We cloned and sequenced the junctions of 16 spontaneous deletions affecting the unc-54 myosin heavy-chain gene and compared their sequences with those of the wild type. We analyzed these sequences in an attempt to identify structural features of the gene that are consistently involved in the spontaneous deletion process. Most deletions (15 of 16) removed a single contiguous region of DNA, with no nucleotides inserted or rearranged at the deletion junctions; one deletion was more complex. unc-54 deletions were small, averaging 600 base pairs in length, and were randomly distributed throughout the gene. Unlike deletions that occur in Escherichia coli, spontaneous unc-54 deletions did not contain statistically significant direct or inverted repeats at or near their termini. Except for their small average size, we have not identified any distinguishing features of their sequence or structure. We discuss these results with regard to the mechanisms for spontaneous deletion in eucaryotic and procaryotic cells.

Structures of spontaneous deletions in Caenorhabditis elegans

We have investigated the structural features of spontaneous deletions in Caenorhabditis elegans. We cloned and sequenced the junctions of 16 spontaneous deletions affecting the unc-54 myosin heavy-chain gene and compared their sequences with those of the wild type. We analyzed these sequences in an attempt to identify structural features of the gene that are consistently involved in the spontaneous deletion process. Most deletions (15 of 16) removed a single contiguous region of DNA, with no nucleotides inserted or rearranged at the deletion junctions; one deletion was more complex. unc-54 deletions were small, averaging 600 base pairs in length, and were randomly distributed throughout the gene. Unlike deletions that occur in Escherichia coli, spontaneous unc-54 deletions did not contain statistically significant direct or inverted repeats at or near their termini. Except for their small average size, we have not identified any distinguishing features of their sequence or structure. We discuss these results with regard to the mechanisms for spontaneous deletion in eucaryotic and procaryotic cells.

Marion Lake (IBP) — from Bacteria to Fish

The microbial–detritus food chain in the sediment of Marion Lake, British Columbia, is an important pathway for the cycling of organic matter derived from both allochthonous (leaf litter) and autochthonous (phytoplankton, aquatic macrophytes, and benthic algae) sources. The activity of the sediment microbial community (approximately 109–1010 cells/g dry wt) as estimated by oxygen consumption and solute uptake is greatest during the summer months, when water temperatures are higher than 10 C. Solute uptake is also influenced by sediment depth, nutrient enrichment, sediment particle size, and oxygen concentration. Organic matter from natural sources such as algal excretion, interstitial water, and leaf detritus is complex and is not assimilated as rapidly as the simpler organic compounds.Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Marion Lake are characterized by small average size and slow growth rates. Fish production, although highly variable, is at the low end of the range compared to other salmonid producing systems. These characteristics are related to the inefficiency of trout and kokanee in cropping the benthic food supply. Experiments with individual predators and their prey have identified the nature of many of the interactions controlling the availability of benthic prey to the predators. Construction of simulation models shows promise as a means to quantify the importance of such interactions.

Age and Growth of Round Whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) from Ungava

Growth in length and weight of round whitefish was similar in two localities in Ungava, northern Quebec. The pattern of growth, however, differed from those reported previously for round whitefish from the Great Lakes. Round whitefish from Ungava are slow growing and approach their maximum size at a constant growth rate, whereas those from the Great Lakes approach their upper size limit rapidly within the first 3 years and thereafter growth is slow. The maturing age was greater for both Ungava males and females (4+ and 3+ years respectively for the earliest specimens) than for round whitefish from the Great Lakes. Though round whitefish are abundant in the Ungava region, they are of no commercial interest because of their slow growth and small average size.

LODGEPOLE PINE AND ITS INCREASED UTILIZATION

Lodgepole pine is the true Cinderella tree of North America. The unjustified disparagement due to its small average size is being overcome as the market becomes cubic foot conscious.The species was well suited to the requirements of the Plains Indians, but followed the Indians into decline. Characteristics of straightness, strength, and good form are once again important. Abundant supplies are available in British Columbia and western Alberta. Uses for which it is best suited include railway ties, lumber (where often it is not differentiated from spruce), poles, piling, pulp and paper and wood fibre boards.Detracting features of the species include cat faces and heavy resin flows associated with stem canker, and red stain in the heartwood. In spite of these facts, foresters will find that its high yield, at low rotation ages, and the ability to regenerate rapidly after cutting are attractive management features.

STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF CEREAL GRAINS: II. THE EFFECT OF AGE AND KERNEL SIZE ON THE COURSE OF RESPIRATION OF WHEAT DURING EARLY GERMINATION STAGES

Wheat samples that had been previously stored for periods of 6, 18, and 30 months were kept at 25 °C. (a) in contact with water, and (b) in a moisture-saturated atmosphere for 40-hr. periods during which hourly records of their carbon dioxide outputs were made. The lengths of the previous storage periods did not appear to have had any significant effect on the respiratory activities of the samples. Kernel size, however, was found to have a definite effect on respiration on the basis of the quantity of carbon dioxide produced per unit weight of grain, kernels of large average size giving a lower carbon dioxide output per unit weight of grain than kernels of small average size.