Identification of QTLs related to sugar and organic acid composition in melon using near-isogenic lines

The soluble sugar and organic acid composition of melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit flesh has become a major focus of plant breeding worldwide in an attempt to improve taste. Thus, sugar and organic acid profiles were characterized using near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from the Spanish cultivar Piel de Sapo (PS) and the exotic Korean accession Shongwan Charmi (PI 161375). Fruits were cultivated in only one environment. These data were used to map 60 quantitative trait loci (QTLs): 18 for individual sugars, eight for sucrose equivalents, five for the glucose-to-fructose ratio, seven for the total sugar content and 21 for organic acids. Within the QTLs that were associated with the sugar profile, 27 defined the sugar content: eight for fructose, six for glucose, four for sucrose, and nine for sucrose equivalents. Although increased sweetness of selected NILs compared with the parental PS was achieved by an increased glucose or fructose content, only glucose heritability was above 0.5. A total of 21 QTLs (two with positive effects and nineteen with detrimental effects compared with the PS levels) controlled the organic acid profile: l-glutamic, ascorbic and succinic acids (the principal ones) and fumaric, citric, oxalacetic, and isocitric acids. The levels of sugars imparted by the PI 161375 introgression frequently decreased the score grades given to NILs by consumers. Within the 32 QTLs mapped for sensory traits, 27 were associated with lower scores in taste (nine QTLs), sweetness (eight QTLs) or global quality appreciation (nine QTLs); two with increased fruit sourness or sweetness and three with increased fruit bitterness. The QTLs defined herein may assist breeders to understand the overall organoleptic balance (sweetness, sourness, and umami taste) in melon fruit, particularly those located within linkage groups III, V, VI, and VIII to XI.     

基于消费行为学的城市交通工具选择决策机制

严重的交通拥堵现象已成为制约城市发展的重大问题,其主要原因之一是私家车出行比例越来越高而公共交通出行比例越来越低,实质是交通工具选择不合理问题.针对此问题,采用消费行为学的研究方法来研究出行者的交通工具选择决策机制,重点从效用方面对选择决策机制进行分析,得到了选择决策的主要影响因素,归纳得到人们出行时的交通工具选择决策机制.研究成果对政府制定公共交通发展政策,缓解我国现阶段严重的交通拥堵现象,引导人们选择低碳绿色的公共交通出行方式,有重要的参考意义.     

Consumer perception versus scientific evidence of farmed and wild fish: exploratory insights from Belgium

The increasing number of marketable fish being supplied from aquaculture is a response to the increasing demand for healthy food and is filling the gap left by depleting natural fish stocks. Little is known about the awareness and perception of the consumer in terms of farmed fish versus fish from capture fisheries. The consumer's subjective point of view is of overriding importance for the production system and product acceptance as well as for future market success. In this paper consumer perception in Belgium is explored and compared against scientific evidence of farmed versus wild fish. Primary data were collected through a consumer survey (April 2003) and focus group discussions (May 2004) with Belgian consumers. The majority of the consumer sample reported no perceived differences between farmed versus wild fish. However, mean perception scores were slightly in favour of wild fish on the attributes taste, health and nutritious value, in particular among consumers aged 55 years and older. The availability of farmed fish was perceived to be better than that of wild fish, while the consumer's perception of safety did not differ between farmed and wild fish. The focus group discussions indicated that consumers’ opinions and beliefs about farmed fish are mainly based on emotion and image transfer from intensive terrestrial livestock production rather than on awareness and factual knowledge of aquaculture.

金融支持对农民消费影响的分析

农民消费需求扩大是拉动内需的关键之一。金融支持可以促进农民提高收入,同时能缓解农民的流动性约束,因而在扩大农民消费需求中具有重要作用,但目前支持力度严重不足。文章基于计量模式对金融支持与农民消费的关系做定量研究。     

A marketing survey on Greek consumers' attitudes towards fish

The commercial fish industry in Greece traditionally represents one of the most important natural resource-based industries. The process by which the wide variety of seafood products moves from the deck of a trawler, or the fish farm, to the consumer's dish is rather complicated. Considering the various species marketed, the seasonal nature of the many domestic and foreign supplies, the specific quality and safety attributes, and a multitude of processing methods and products, the effective marketing of seafood products becomes very demanding. The present survey evaluates the Greek consumers' attitude towards wild and farmed fish in order to understand and satisfy market needs. The results of this study mainly indicate that fish consumption pattern is age-dependent. In addition, four consumer clusters are identified, with clear-cut socio-demographic profiles.     

看水越冬及其生物学分析

根据黑龙江、吉林地区数十个鱼类越冬池的实测数据 ,从水色、透明度、浮游生物与水体溶氧间的相互关系 ,总结如下规律 :1 水体透明度与浮游植物量负相关 ,与浮游动物量正相关。透明度 <5 0cm者 ,浮游植物丰富而极少浮游动物 ,一般氧气充足 ;透明度 >80cm者 ,多滤食性浮游动物 ,浮游植物少 ,一般溶氧量较低。越冬池透明度以 5 0～ 70cm为宜。 2 根据水体透明度可了解越冬池营养盐的丰欠 ,在越冬中、后期“肥水 (浮游植物多 )易缺肥而瘦水 (浮游动物多 )不易缺肥”。 3 目测冰下水体中鱼类的活动状况和兼测水温变化 ,可为池鱼越冬效果预测提供重要依据     

Satisfaction across urban consumers of smallholder-produced teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) poles in South Benin

The study used the expectancy-disconfirmation framework to investigate the satisfaction among urban consumers of teak pole in South Benin, so as to identify the areas where interventions are needed to secure market opportunity for smallholder forestry. A survey was conducted in five cities; and 223 household-heads were interviewed using systematic sampling, with a random start. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, teak pole consumption forms, behaviour patterns, and motivations. Respondents also rated their expectations and perceptions for a set of nine attributes on a 7 points Likert scale. Hierarchical ascending cluster analysis was performed to identify consumer segments; and satisfaction level was analysed per segment, by determining the gap between expectations and perceptions, for all attributes. Four consumer segments were identified; and sociodemographic profiles differed across those segments. Competitive price was an important purchasing motivation across the identified segments. Consumers were dissatisfied with price, availability, knot frequency, bending, length, hardness, and durability of teak pole. The efforts to meet the consumer expectations should be concentrated on building farmers' capacity in silvicultural management, and ensuring the availability of good planting material. The issue of competitive price might be addressed, through the improvement of the overall efficiency in the value chain.     

Organic Food Demand: A Focus Group Study Involving Caucasian and African-American Shoppers

A focus group study using four groups of food shoppers provides insights into consumers’ knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding organic foods. Two focus groups consisted of shoppers who regularly bought organic foods and two focus groups of shoppers who predominantly purchased conventional foods. Participants in one of the conventional groups were all Caucasian; in the other they were all African-American. While familiarity with organic foods was much lower in the African-American group, its members were more receptive and positive towards organic foods. Likewise, the African-American shoppers were more accepting of price premiums for organics foods. In comparing the two organic shopper groups with the two conventional shopper groups, it was found that the former were generally more knowledgeable about organic foods. They were also more likely to follow a special diet than conventional Caucasian shoppers. However, the behavior of organic shoppers varied widely. The research supports examining social justice and access as motivations for changing policies to support organic agriculture. Lydia Zepeda is a Professor of Consumer Science at University of Wisconsin and Senior Fellow of the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy. Her research focuses on agricultural technology adoption, farm household decision making, and consumer perceptions and behavior towards agricultural technology and food. Hui-Shung Chang is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Economics at the University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Her research focuses on demand analysis and agribusiness marketing. Catherine Leviten-Reid is a research assistant and graduate student in the Department of Consumer Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is interested in household behavior and sustainable community development.     

改善我国农村消费环境的若干措施

针对当前农村消费市场普遍存在的诸多问题,提出了改善我国农村消费环境的若干措施。