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In this study, the aim was to produce traditional couscous in gluten-free form. For this purpose, rice flour (RF) and pre-treated (gelatinized) rice flour (GRF) were added in varying proportions (15, 20, 25, and 30%) to the recipe instead of gums and enzymes in order to provide the desired structure. The control sample without GRF was also produced. With the addition of GRF, the total dietary fibre (TDF) content in the couscous samples increased, and reversely the carbohydrate and energy values decreased. The GRF reduced the level of total soluble organic material (TSOM) as well as the cooking loss of the couscous samples, which resulted in lower deformability. According to the results, the gluten-free rice couscous was successfully produced with GRF, especially at a 30% ratio. Good cooking properties were observed in these couscous samples. In this context, in the addition of 30% GRF, higher water absorption and swelling volume with lower cooking loss were observed compared with the control sample. In addition, the couscous samples had higher ash, dietary fibre and fat content as well as a lower phytic acid ratio (P < 0.05). It was determined that there was significant correlation between the cooking time of the samples with the cooking loss and total soluble organic material. According to the results, the PCA showed that there were clear correlations between cooking trials (water absorption and swelling volume) and chemical composition (moisture, ash, crude fat, and TDF).

This study evaluated the phytotoxic potential of ground-level ozone (O₃) on native forest tree species at eight intensive forest monitoring plots in the Czech Republic. O₃ risk was assessed using the exposure-based AOT40F (accumulated O₃ concentration above 40 ppb for forest protection) and the flux-based POD₁ (phytotoxic ozone dose above a flux threshold of 1 nmol O₃ m⁻²⋅s⁻¹ per leaf area) indices, together with data on visible foliar O₃ injury. The analysis was based on data from the 2021–2023 vegetation seasons. AOT40F exceeded the critical level of 5 ppm·h at all plots. The critical levels of POD₁ (5.2 mmol·m⁻² for Fagus sylvatica and 9.2 mmol·m⁻² for Picea abies) were exceeded at all sites in all seasons, except for one plot in 2022. Exceedance of POD₁ generally occurred earlier than that of AOT40F for F. sylvatica, while for P. abies it occurred later in the season. POD₁ showed a significant positive relationship with altitude, but AOT40F did not. Air temperature, soil moisture, and the O₃ concentration were identified as the main predictors of stomatal O₃ flux. Visible O₃ injury was absent in P. abies and limited in F. sylvatica, with a weak relationship to the O₃ metrics. The results emphasise the greater relevance of flux-based approaches for O₃ risk assessment and indicate that visible foliar O₃ injury alone provides only a limited indicator of O₃ impacts under Czech conditions.

The large number of charcoal kiln sites (CHKS) preserved as cultural heritage monuments demonstrates how extensive forest management for charcoal production has influenced the present forest dynamics and contributed to industrial expansion. Therefore, it is necessary not only to have a reliable methodology for detecting and documenting individual kiln sites for management and protection purposes but also to present the results in a meaningful way to the public. The aim is to optimise the data processing workflow from airborne laser scanning (ALS) point cloud to printable model (from LAS format to STL), determine the influence of vegetation cover at the time of data collection on the quality of the resulting model, verify the quality of printed models using photogrammetry, and finally, produce printed models of CHKS as cultural heritage objects in a form that can be effectively presented to the public. After comparison of different ground filtering methods, we conclude that the most accurate method for creating a precise ground representation for our area of interest was the Cloth Simulation Filtering (CSF) algorithm. From the filtered point cloud, a high-resolution raster surface was generated, which served as the basis for CHKS detection. Using our proposed methodology – combining the topographic position index (TPI) with a 0–5% slope threshold – we achieved a significant improvement in detection performance compared to using a zero-slope threshold alone, with the F1 score increasing from 0.667 to 1.000. Subsequently, the most representative kiln site was selected, which was then processed and optimised using various software tools, resulting in an exchangeable STL file suitable for dissemination and 3D printing. The accuracy of the printable model was then evaluated. We conclude that point cloud from the winter flight campaign achieved higher accuracy. The average height differences were similar; however, the spatial distribution varied between the two clouds. The model from the winter flight campaign had more evenly distributed deviations and overall was better for modelling the CHKS.

Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products (EUDR) establishes a substantially revised legal framework that extends beyond the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR 995/2010) by integrating legality, sustainability, and traceability obligations. This article provides a legal and comparative assessment of the implications of the EUDR for the Czech forestry and timber sector. The methodological approach combines doctrinal interpretation of EU legislation, comparative analysis of national implementation models, and an examination of relevant case law. Experiences from selected EU Member States are used to illustrate institutional, technological, and administrative challenges linked to EUDR implementation. The results indicate that, although the Czech Republic has an established regulatory framework under Act No. 251/2025 Coll., effective compliance with the EUDR will require improved coordination among supervisory authorities and the development of a unified digital platform for submitting and verifying due diligence declarations. Evidence from other European countries shows that integrated monitoring systems and the use of third-party certification can enhance both efficiency and transparency. The study concludes that the successful implementation of the EUDR in the Czech context will depend on institutional capacity, digital readiness, and the ability of forest managers and traders to adapt to more stringent environmental and traceability requirements.

Despite various treatment options for canine atopic dermatitis (cAD), therapeutic limitations still exist, including adverse effects and low absorption ratios. This study evaluated the effects of a membrane-free stem cell extract (MFSCE) on the clinical signs of atopic dogs. Thirty client-owned dogs previously diagnosed with cAD were separated into placebo (n = 10) and MFSCE-treated groups (n = 20). The dogs were treated with a cream (MFSCE and placebo) via dermal administration twice daily for 14 days, and the clinical response was recorded on days 0, 7, and 14. The MFSCE-treated group showed significantly decreased severity of pruritus on day 14 compared to that on day 0. In addition, the erythema, pigmentation, skin dryness, and thickness were remarkably decreased in the MFSCE-treated group on day 14 compared to those on day 0 whereas no significant changes were observed in the placebo-treated group. No general clinical signs or adverse effects were observed in this study. These results suggest that MFSCE could be a surrogate treatment option for cAD.

Natural plants are abundant in their native habitats and are traditionally used to treat a variety of health conditions. The Rosa genus stands out as an important species rich in bioactive compounds. This study, conducted in Türkiye, aimed to analyse the antioxidant and phenolic profiles of methanolic extracts obtained from different parts of Rosa canina (R.c.) and Rosa pimpinelifolia (R.p.) collected in 2021 and 2022. The antioxidant activity values of R.c. collected in 2021 and 2022 were found to be between 5 102.31–46 396.36 mmol Fe(II)/100 g in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 141.92–377.54 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AA)/kg in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 2.18–24.68 µg/g in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH (EC₅₀)] and 34.31–75.77 % in DPPH (% inhibition). Antioxidant activity of R.p. collected in 2021 and 2022 ranged from 17 258.44–71 903.20 mmol Fe(II)/100 g, 271.69–479.19 mg AA/kg, 1.02–8.32 µg/g and 50.98–85.57% for FRAP, TAC, DPPH (EC₅₀) and DPPH (% inhibition), respectively. The R.p. extracts generally exhibited higher antioxidant activity than those of R.c. Considering the total identified phenolic compounds achieved from different plant parts of rosehip for both years, the highest values of total phenolic compounds were determined in R.c. leaves (222.08 mg/100 g) in 2021, and R.p. leaves (5 465.95 mg/100 g) in 2021.

The use of flours from the acorns of Quercus ilex and Quercus coccifera to produce gluten-free pasta was investigated in the current study. The latter evaluates the nutritional value, physical properties (minimum preparation time, water absorption index, cooking loss, and colour), textural properties (hardness, firmness, and stickiness), and sensory attributes of cooked rice pasta enriched with different dosages of acorn flour [25 g·(100 g)–1 and 50 g·(100 g)–1]. The results demonstrated that pasta produced from Quercus ilex acorn required the shortest cooking time, whereas pasta made from Quercus coccifera acorn exhibited the highest cooking losses. Pastes enriched with acorn displayed a more pronounced yellow colour. The combination of 50% rice flour and 50% acorn flour in pasta formulations significantly reduced cooking losses and yielded acceptable scores across all sensory attributes, resulting in the highest overall quality.

Open-cast coal mining presents a big global issue because of the large areas the mines occupy, which get entirely changed. Their ecosystems lose most of their functions, and a huge amount of fertile soil gets utterly destroyed. Reclamation is a process of returning the functions of the soil after the excavation is finished, most commonly achieved by establishing vegetation, which can sometimes be very difficult. This happens due to the physical, chemical and biological changes that occur on these sites, which are described in this paper. Also, some directions for mitigating these problems are given. Once the vegetation is successfully introduced, natural cycles that were compromised by the mining are established once again, and the process of soil formation begins. Some trends and problems related to pedogenesis research on reclaimed mine sites are presented and discussed, along with presumptions of how the process of soil formation evolves on afforested clayey Technosols of central Europe. The potential future research which would confirm these presumptions is discussed, with the emphasis on the need of research performed on older reclamation sites, as well as sites with similar ecological conditions and different tree species cover.

In this study, different strains were used to ferment single/mixed cottonseed meal (cottonseed meal, corn flour, bran ratio of 7 : 2 : 1) substrates, and their feeding value was evaluated by an in vitro fermentation trial, to select suitable fermentation strains for cottonseed meal. For this purpose, two experiments (Exp.) were conducted. Exp. 1: Evaluation of the effect of fermentation of single cottonseed meal by different strains, which consisted of ten treatment groups: control (CON), Saccharomyces No. 1 (T1), Saccharomyces Fubon (T2), Saccharomyces Lallemand (T3), Lactobacillus (T4), Bacillus licheniformis (T5), Bacillus subtilis 10071 (T6), Bacillus subtilis 10089 (T7), Aspergillus niger (T8), and Monascus purpureus Went (T9). Exp. 2: Evaluation of the effect of fermentation of mixed cottonseed meal by different strains. The treatment groups were the same as in Exp. 1, numbered CON, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, and M9. The results showed that in both the single cottonseed meal group and the mixed cottonseed meal group free gossypol (FG) and methane (CH₄) were significantly reduced and the gas production, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), and in vitro digestibility of nutrients (P < 0.05) significantly increased, with Saccharomyces No. 1 showing the optimal effect. This study provides a theoretical basis for screening the suitable strains for fermenting cottonseed meal.

Determining reference intervals (RI) is a valuable asset for assessing the health of wildlife species. This is the first study to establish serum biochemical RIs in Siberian weasels. Forty-two healthy free-ranging Siberian weasels were captured live and brought to Seoul Wildlife Center between June 2021 and August 2022. Blood samples from 42 healthy Siberian weasels of both sexes were used to calculate RIs. An automated analyser was used to perform serum biochemistry profiles. The American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology recommendations were used to calculate a nonparametric RI with 90% confidence intervals. The RIs of albumin, total protein, globulin, calcium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus, amylase, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and creatine kinase were determined. The RIs established in this study will serve as a good starting point for analysing serum biochemical data in Siberian weasels.

Gluten-free (GF) bakery products differ significantly from standard wheat flour products, usually with inferior characteristics. To reproduce the visco-elastic properties of wheat flour dough, GF bread is balanced by complex formulations based on gluten-free flour and starches, including hydrocolloids. They must ensure maximum similarity with conventional products to reduce the resistance of final consumers to GF products. Identifying formulations or technologies that would help mimic the gluten matrix has been and remains the focus of research in GF product design. Most research focuses on ingredients. This study provides an overview of the various technological strategies in designing GF bakery products: technologies applied to cereals, flours, dough, and final products. The study could broaden the boundaries regarding developing, selecting, and using technologies to design GF products. It would also serve as a support for further research into the development of GF products, perhaps by leveraging local products and ingredients and adapting efficient, low-cost, environmentally friendly (including combined) technologies in such a way as to obtain products with high nutritional, rheological and organoleptic value.

The aim of this work was to study the use of different types of wood products by the G20 countries. In the current scenario, every country is concerned about the severe exploitation of forests and the ensuing lack of markets for timber. Production and consumption of wood and wood products by the G20 countries account for 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world's population. Data for the study includes eight major categories of wood products in the G20 countries from 2004 to 2021: industrial raw wood, sawlogs and veneer logs, sawn wood, wood fuel, wood-based panels, paper and paperboard, pulp for paper, wood pellets, and other agglomerates. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were used to predict the production, export, and import behaviour of wood and wood products from 2022 to 2030. According to the findings, the G20 countries would consume 1 644.6 million m³ of industrial raw wood in 2030, followed by 984.8 million m³ of sawlogs and veneer logs, 454.7 million m³ of sawn wood, 882.5 million m³ of wood fuel, 406.2 million t of paper and paperboard, 199.4 million t of pulp for paper, and 51.7 million t of wood pellets and other agglomerates. This study provides decision-makers with an analysis of the production and consumption of wood product markets in the G20 countries, which can be used for policy decisions.

A free electricity tandem-twin-hybrid-solar-biomass dryer comprised of two drying rooms and operated with solar and biomass energy combustion of 10 kg rubber wood per hour separately to dry Robusta coffee cherries with 3, 6, 9, and 12 cm bed thicknesses were studied with the drying completion time (tc), number of defects (ND), and colour parameters, i.e., lightness (L*), hue angle [H(^o)], and chroma (C), used as the performance indicators. The experimental results indicated that the drying room, bed thickness, and drying room-bed thickness interaction significantly affected the tc and ND and bed thickness only significantly affected C for both the solar energy drying and the biomass energy drying. The solar energy drying generated a drying air temperature of 44.6 ± 3.5 °C with a tc of 70.9–90.2 h for the front drying room and 40.1 ± 2.8 °C with a tc of 77.2–116.5 h for the rear drying room, whereas the biomass energy drying produced a drying air temperature of 57.2 ± 3.6 °C with a tc of 34.1–44.9 h for the front drying room and 45.6 ± 6.0 °C with a tc of 56.3–96.6 h for the rear drying room. Both drying processes produced coffee beans with the NDs less than 11 qualified for Grade 1 with similar colour characteristics.

The present study investigates the differential protein expression levels between the frost-tolerant variety Qingda No.1 and the frost-sensitive variety Gannong No.9. The analysis was conducted using 4D-Label-free quantitative proteomics technology, with the samples collected prior to and after overwintering. The results showed that the protein expression of Qingda No.1 changed more significantly during the overwintering process, with 451 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) being identified, of which 224 were up-regulated and 227 down-regulated. In contrast, the protein expression of Gannong No.9 differed from that of alfalfa roots of the frost-sensitive variety, with 204 DEPs being identified, of which 93 were up-regulated and 111 down-regulated. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway was significantly enriched in both groups. Furthermore, enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and chalcone isomerase (CHI) were significantly up-regulated in the freezing-tolerant varieties. Protein interaction network analysis revealed the synergistic regulation mode of DEPs. The present study elucidated the metabolic adaptive mechanism of overwintering in alfalfa roots at the protein level, thus providing a theoretical basis for the selection and breeding of frost-tolerant varieties.

This study analyses the bark beetle species spectrum (Scolytinae) in supranational migration across the Czech Republic (2020–2025) using a Johnson-Taylor suction trap network. Out of 2 129 identified individuals (45 species), Pityogenes chalcographus (Linnaeus, 1761) and Crypturgus cinereus (Herbst, 1793) were dominant, with their 2021 outbreak temporarily altering the community's proportional abundance. Ecological indices (H', J') confirmed an acute internal asymmetry caused by massive pest flights. The findings support the dispersal flight phenomenon, where individual scattering into vast air volumes explains the high proportion of sub-recedent species without compromising the representative value of the samples. The proven efficacy of suction traps for invasive species detection led to their official integration into the Czech national phytosanitary surveillance system.

This research evaluated the suitability of commercially available larval feeds, Otohime B2 (OB2), Aller Infa (AI), and Aqua Start (AS), and one Experimental Feed (EF), for the weaning of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), LMB. Feeds were presented with various ω-3 fatty acid levels/bioavailability (high in OB2 and AI), fat percentage (high in OB2 and AS), free amino acid and short peptide (FAA + SP) levels (high in OB2), and various soluble protein (SPR) levels (high in AS and EF). Fish were co-fed Artemia plus OB2 from the 19^th to 22^nd day post-hatching (DPH), then Artemia in addition to one of the four above diets for seven days, with complete Artemia removal on the 30^th DPH. Fish were sampled on the 32^nd DPH. Morphometry, digestive enzyme activities, hormonal status, skeleton, muscle development, and potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. levels were estimated. Survival was high (96% or more) in all the weaning regimes. Weaning to OB2 was linked to a fast fish growth rate (14.29%/day), while both OB2 and AI supported the skeleton development. Weight gain correlated with total fat, ash levels, free amino acids, and short peptide levels in the diet. Larvae weaned to soluble protein-rich AS and EF showed the lowest fish weight gain and skeleton development, and lower growth of potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. This research suggests that the weaning diets for largemouth bass should have a balanced protein content and quality while allowing for the inclusion of fewer marine ingredients.

The growing demand for vegetables free from pesticide residues has fuelled the search for sustainable pest management solutions. This study assessed the efficacy of azadirachtin, a neem-derived biopesticide, in achieving no detectable pesticide residues in tomato production under open-field conditions. The experiment, conducted from April to September 2024, included a systematic application and residue analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results showed that azadirachtin degraded rapidly, with residual levels in leaves, green fruits, and mature fruits falling below the detection threshold (0.01 mg/kg) after 8–10 days following treatment. The statistical analysis revealed strong time-dependent residue dissipation, with little systemic buildup in fruit tissues. The findings suggest that azadirachtin is a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides, aligning with food safety requirements and customer preferences for pesticide residue-free fruit. Future research should investigate the ecological factors that affect degradation rates to optimise its application in diverse agro-climatic conditions.

The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination of Thai dairy cows is routinely conducted to control and prevent the disease. In Thailand, FMD control strategies include a subcutaneous route (s.c.) vaccination with 2 ml of inactivated FMD vaccine 2-3 times a year produced by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD). A new way of vaccination was introduced in the form of an automatic needle-free injection device. This technology has several important advantages, such as requiring less animal restraint, reduced time and labour with high precision, and a consistent delivery system. Here, the effectiveness of an automatic needle-free injection (ANFI) device was evaluated in 30 dairy heifers (randomly divided into three groups, 10 in each group) in the FMD vaccine delivery. The first group was subcutaneously (s.c.) vaccinated using a conventional hypodermic needle with 2 ml of the vaccine, the second group received the same, but using a CO₂-powered ANFI device, and the third group received the vaccine using the same ANFI device, but administered intradermally (i.d.) with only 1 ml of the vaccine. The blood samples collected up to 120 days post-vaccination revealed that both injection methods resulted in a similar serological response. The results suggest that the i.d. and s.c. ANFI systems are effective and safe. Moreover, the i.d. use of the ANFI enabled the possibility to half the vaccination dose with the same efficacy. Therefore, the ANFI can be used as an alternative approach for FMD vaccination by s.c. or i.d. routes in dairy cows in Thailand. Ultimately, reducing the use of restraint devices and labour will improve the vaccination for the prevention and control of FMD and may improve the cows' welfare.

Flow cytometry (FC) is a very powerful method for the assessment of spermatozoa quality in multiple livestock species, including bulls. Nowadays, many flow cytometric tests are available for quality detection of bull sperm. These tests are based on fluorochromes (fluorescent tags or dyes) and the use of correct concentrations of fluorochromes is an essential aspect of the successful optimization of experimental methodology. Modern flow cytometers are much more affordable, such that spermatologists are now able to use FC methodology (and even image cytometry) in their studies. The present review aims to give a summary of current flow cytometric methodologies used to assess bull sperm quality by flow cytometry. Namely, we give here the concentrations of fluorochromes used in the studies related to bull sperm quality evaluation by flow cytometry published in the last three years (from 2021 to 2023). Importantly, in the present review, the concentration of fluorochromes is unified and presented using comparable molarity units. Furthermore, the rationale of each flow cytometric methodology for particular fluorescent tests, and the citation for the corresponding original methodology, are given. This review will help spermatologists shorten the time needed for the optimization of their flow cytometry methodology for the assessment of bull sperm quality.