INFLUENCE OF SELECTED MARKETING FACTORS ON CONSUMER RESPONSE TO RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS: A CONJOINT ANALYSIS1

Restructured beef steaks, formulated with different beef particle sizes, fat content and binder levels, were evaluated with selected marketing factors by 30 consumers. Conjoint analysis was applied to consumers’hedonic scores and statement of purchase intent for raw and cooked steaks. Product preference, packaging and brand had significant (P < 0.05) impacts on hedonic scores for raw products. Price was an additional important factor in purchase intent. Parcooked products, only product preference was important for both hedonic rating and purchase intent. When products were not present, conjoint measurement indicated that nutritional information, price and brand influenced (P < 0.05) hedonic responses.     

MULTIDIMENSIONAL SORTING, SIMILARITY SCALING AND FREE-CHOICE PROFILING OF GRAPE JELLIES

The sensory data from three different methods, multidimensional sorting, similarity scaling, and free-choice profiling were compared using ten commercial grape jellies as a model system. Without any prior training, the overall similarities/dissimilarities between stimuli were judged using both multidimensional sorting and pair-wise scaling and the sensory attributes were rated using free-choice profiling by different panels. A two-dimensional stimulus configuration best represented the data from each of the three methods. The underlying dimensions of stimulus space were identified from free-choice profiling data and also explained some background variables. The texture, sweetness, sourness, grape flavor and color contributed to both dimensions. All three methods were very similar in describing the most important differences among stimuli as suggested by the highly significant correlation between their first dimensions. The Procrustes analysis coupled with permutation tests, as well as RV coefficient, indicated that similarity scaling and free-choice profiling reached maximum consensus, whereas multidimensional sorting shared slightly lesser consensus with the other two methods.     

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF CAT LITTER1

Eighteen commercial cat litters were characterized for the following physical characteristics: water holding capacity, drying time, pH, cost, density, residual water, and particle size. Using sensory analysis, eight of the litters were evaluated for dustiness, clumpability and odor control before and after use and storage. The cat litters differed substantially in both physical and sensory properties. The crystal litters were noted for their small uniform size, high water holding capacity and clumpability. The recycled litter was most dusty and ammoniacal; whereas, the granule litter had an innately offensive odor. The alfalfa litter had superior odor control, but neither clumped nor dried well. The clay litters could be differentiated by pH, residual water, water holding capacity and could be classified as either perfumed and nonperfumed. Some of the perfumed litters became intensely perfumed when used and stored; whereas, the other perfumed litters behaved like the nonperfumed litters and became more offensive.     

INCOMPLETE SONG STROPHES IN THE CHAFFINCH FRINGILLA COELEBS L.: GENERAL INFLUENCES ON A SPECIFIC BEHAVIOURAL OUTPUT

ABSTRACT

Incomplete song strophes in free-living territorial Chaffinch males can be induced by different experimental as well as natural stimulus situations including replay of species- specific song, approaching of human beings, and aggressive encounters with con-specific males. While the first post-stimulus song strophe is shortest the following ones gradually attain their full number of elements again. The strength of this reaction differs with regard to different stimuli.     

In vitro and in vivo discrepancy in inducing apoptosis by mesenchymal stromal cells delivering membrane-bound tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis inducing ligand in osteosarcoma pre-clinical models

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent pediatric malignant bone tumor. OS patients have not seen any major therapeutic progress in the last 30 years, in particular in the case of metastatic disease, which requires new therapeutic strategies. The pro-apoptotic cytokine Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) can selectively kill tumor cells while sparing normal cells, making it a promising therapeutic tool in several types of cancer. However, many OS cell lines appear resistant to recombinant human (rh)TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We, therefore, hypothesized that TRAIL presentation at the membrane level of carrier cells might overcome this resistance and trigger apoptosis.