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Perception of individual variation in body odour in human adults
Fialová, Jitka ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Schaal, Benoist (referee) ; Stopka, Pavel (referee)
The thesis consists of two parts. The first part introduces the topic of human chemical communication and reviews current evidence on individual variation in human body odour and its perception. This part is framed by sexual selection theory. In the first chapter, the concept of the theory of communication is introduced followed by a discussion on the specifics of chemical communication. Next, the formation of individually specific body odour signatures with reference to skin glands, their volatile products and the subsequent metabolization by skin microflora is described. The next chapters are dedicated to selected interindividual body odour cues such as sex and kin recognition, genetic compatibility in genes of Major Histocompatibility Complex, and health and reproductive status in a mate choice context. Furthermore, interactions between perfumes and body odours are discussed. Finally, methods of body odour sampling are introduced and a rationale behind presenting individual samples or body odour blends is discussed. The second part is comprised of six scientific papers, specifically three reviews and three empirical studies. Review papers summarize factors affecting human body odour quality with emphasis on diet and affective states. The first text shows that human body odours contain cues to...
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Interaction of selected cosmetic additives with biotransformation enzymes
Bušovská, Radka ; Hodek, Petr (advisor) ; Smrček, Stanislav (referee)
Substances which cause an endocrine dysfunction have a negative impact on the human body and can be found all around us. One of the main mechanisms of their action is the binding to cell receptors or the inhibition of key enzymes involved in steroid hormone synthesis. In this study, the inhibitory effect of selected perfumes and car air fresheners on the activity of aromatase, the key enzyme of steroidogenesis, was examined. Aromatase converts male sex hormones into the female ones. Inhibition of this enzyme results in decreased estrogen concentrations and may thus affects human fertility. The aromatase activity was examined based on the aromatization reaction of testosterone into estradiol. The formation of estradiol was monitored by TLC method. Based on the results of the pilot study the tested perfumes do not significantly inhibit the aromatase activity, while air fresheners in cars appear to be potential aromatase inhibitors. Keywords: Endocrine dysfunction, steroidogenesis, aromatase, perfumes, air fresheners, TLC, chromatography
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Interaction of selected cosmetic additives with biotransformation enzymes
Bušovská, Radka ; Hodek, Petr (advisor) ; Smrček, Stanislav (referee)
Endocrine disruptors are nowadays very often discussed, due to their negative impact on the human body. They can be found all around us and they've become a parf of our everyday life, even if many people don't even realize it. Cosmetic products and perfumes are part of everyday life and just few of many people realize the consequences of having regular contact with our skin. Perfumes and fragrances are part of all cosmetic products or various commonly used industrial products, that people could not even live without. Perfumes can have a negative effect on the health of the organism and, due to the large number of chemicals they consist of and the interactions with each other and the subsequent interaction with important enzymes such as aromatase, they can belong to the group of hormone-active substances. The aim of this work was to find out by TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) analytical method whether various perfumes and industrial car smells can disturb the endocrine system by inhibiting the key enzyme, aromatase. Experiments have shown that the commonly used fragrances really interact with aromatase. Keywords: Endocrine disruptors, aromatase, TLC, chromatography, perfumes, industrial fragrances
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Perception of individual variation in body odour in human adults
Fialová, Jitka ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Schaal, Benoist (referee) ; Stopka, Pavel (referee)
The thesis consists of two parts. The first part introduces the topic of human chemical communication and reviews current evidence on individual variation in human body odour and its perception. This part is framed by sexual selection theory. In the first chapter, the concept of the theory of communication is introduced followed by a discussion on the specifics of chemical communication. Next, the formation of individually specific body odour signatures with reference to skin glands, their volatile products and the subsequent metabolization by skin microflora is described. The next chapters are dedicated to selected interindividual body odour cues such as sex and kin recognition, genetic compatibility in genes of Major Histocompatibility Complex, and health and reproductive status in a mate choice context. Furthermore, interactions between perfumes and body odours are discussed. Finally, methods of body odour sampling are introduced and a rationale behind presenting individual samples or body odour blends is discussed. The second part is comprised of six scientific papers, specifically three reviews and three empirical studies. Review papers summarize factors affecting human body odour quality with emphasis on diet and affective states. The first text shows that human body odours contain cues to...
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Style development of czech perfume bottle from the second half of the 19th till the beginning of the 20th century
Lisnyak, Vlada ; Mergl, Jan (advisor) ; Brožková, Helena (referee)
English abstract The fundamental goal of this thesis includes a closer look at the glass-making industry of flaconware in Bohemia during the 19th century and the early 20th century. The first chapter provides a brief introduction to the history of flacons as containers for fragrances and their use in different countries. Perfume bottles have been in use since ancient times for the preservation of fragrances. The chapter describes the emergence of the first flacons and different techniques for their production. The second chapter provides insight into the centers of production of scent bottles in Bohemia. There were several production centers, where the perfume bottles were manufactured. Glass factories varied in methods of production, ornamentation techniques and stylistic orientation. The chapter introduces the most significant glass factories, where the flaconware was developed. The third chapter is dedicated to the situation in the Czech flaconware in the first half of the 19th century. The political situation in Europe influenced the appearance of Czech flacons. Classicism and, subsequently, the Empire style from France were adopted. Since the 30s the style tendencies of flaconware had turned to the use of elements of Biedermeier. In Bohemia during this period can be observed experiments with techniques...
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Contemporary Marketing-Communication Activities of the Perfume Chain Sephora on the Czech Market
Straškrábová, Eva ; Hejlová, Denisa (advisor) ; Klabíková Rábová, Tereza (referee)
The purpose of this bachelor's thesis is to outline the exercise of marketing communications within the segment of the luxury cosmetics industry, focusing on the perfume chain Sephora in the Czech market. The main attention is drawn to the period of years 2011 - 2015. The first chapter introduces marketing communications within the cosmetics industry. It describes the beginnings of the contemporary cosmetics industry and portrays significant features of selected marketing tools and strategies, which are used in this specific area. Furthermore, the thesis descriptively analyses the current Czech market with (luxury) cosmetics and fragrances, as well as it maps the major types of Sephora's competition. The third chapter is dedicated to the Sephora company itself and its operating in the Czech Republic. Moreover, the chapter overviews Sephora's selected marketing and communication activities of the marketing mix, including the insight into pricelist estimates of Sephora's advertising investments into several chosen media channels. Last but not least, the thesis presents a research carried out by the author of the thesis. Its primary objective is to identify the key reasons, which make both potential and the actual customers go to Sephora stores and eventually buy some products. This quantitative...
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Mystery shopping - Comparison Douglas vs. Sephora
Homola, Martin ; Zamazalová, Marcela (advisor) ; Šojdel, Václav (referee)
A fight for customer is nowadays a typical sign of business. There is no doubt about an importance of a customer service. If a company doesn't dispose of quality in this point of view, a dissatisfied customer will use competitor's service in future. There is plenty of sellers, who don't master their roles. However, to measure the quality of service is difficult. One of methods that are used by a modern marketing, is mystery shopping. This instrument serves for an identification of imperfections in the process of service, where occurs a contact between the seller and the customer. It reveals a relief and a complete approach of staff to customers. Based on this there is a possibility to compare results with standards and norms of the company, but also with competitors, the market. Identification of the best and the worst parts is a possibility to improve the performance and the quality of service. A topic of my dissertation is usage of mystery shopping to compare the customer service in perfumeries Douglas and Sephora. The aim of the dissertation is to recommend steps concerning customer service to Douglas and Sephora based on results of mystery shopping. Partial aims are judging aspects as the importance of time of shopping, whether there is a difference between quality of customer service during week and on weekend, how much it's important if the customer is a man or a woman, or if the critical factor is customer's age. I will also try to prove that prices in common stores are noticeably higher than in e-shops.
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Trends of the consumer behaviour during the global economic recession: Detailed image of the Czech consumer
Kadilák, Michal ; Chytková, Zuzana (advisor) ; Stříteský, Václav (referee)
The main goal of this bachelor thesis is to explain the perfumes consumption trend in the Czech economic background and its differentiation from other, mostly savings-oriented trends. I am interested not only to describe the main signs of the trend, but I will also focus my research on unveiling hidden motivators inside consumer himself/herself. To fulfill this assignment, I chose the methods of qualitative market research to gather and interpret relevant data. Research itself was conducted with 5 consumers using individual in-depth interviews. During interviews, I was consecutively realizing the differences between general consumption pattern during the crisis and the consumption of perfumes, as one of the factors of self-presentation. By the end of the research, all the main drivers of consumers spending towards this specific category were identified. All findings were compared and connected to the theories of well known experts in the field of customer behaviour study, Cooley's "looking-glass self" and Belk's -- "extended self". The perfumes consumption trend confirmed its existence in the Czech Republic among respondents and has shown its tight correlation to consumers' identity and personality.
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