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The bioactive compounds, as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of two Savoy cabbage cultivars, Dama and Leticia, grown in west of Spain under similar conditions were identified, quantified and compared. We found that cv. Dama presented in general betters results when compared with cv. Leticia. Cv. Dama presented higher concentrations of chlorophyll a (2.26 mg/100 g fresh weight), total phenolic content (102.71 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalent/100 g fresh weight) and total intact glucosinolates (195.22 µmol of sinigrin equivalent/100 g fresh weight). Thus, cv. Dama exhibited higher values of in vitro antioxidant activity.

An experiment with 192 caged ISA Brown laying hens, fed a diet containing a high level of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), was conducted to determine the influence of selected feed additives on biomechanical and geometrical indices of tibia and femur bones. At 26 weeks of age hens were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 12 replicates (cages of two hens). To week 55, hens were fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets either containing or not containing a high level of DDGS (200 g/kg). The diet containing 200 g/kg of DDGS was supplemented or not supplemented with feed additives, i.e. enzymes (xylanase and phytase), sodium butyrate, probiotic bacteria (L. salivarius), herbal extract mixtures (Taraxaci siccum, Urticae siccum, and Salviae siccum), inulin or chitosan. At week 55, inclusion of DDGS in the diet had no effect on biomechemical (bone breaking strength, yielding load, and stiffness) or geometrical (cortex thickness, cross-section area, weight, and length) indices of tibia and femur bones (P > 0.05). Some of the supplements used had a beneficial effect on bone quality in hens fed the diet with a high level of DDGS. Thus, the addition of probiotic bacteria or herb extracts increased the breaking strength of femurs and breaking strength and yielding load of tibias (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that DDGS may be included to a level of 20% in the diet of laying hens without any negative influence on bone quality, while such feed additives as probiotic bacteria and herbal extracts may improve the selected biomechanical indices of bone quality of layers fed diets with a high level of DDGS.

Agrarian trade of the Czech Republic and Slovakia has undergone very significant changes in the period since the break-up of Czechoslovakia up to the present, which have influenced its commodity and territorial structure. The process of dividing the state, building a new business structure and the EU accession influenced the current form of Czech and Slovak agricultural trade and also particularly the competitiveness of Czech and Slovak agricultural and foodstuff products in relation to the EU market and also in relation to the world market. The process of transformation of agricultural production and trade in both countries has also affected their relationships. For this reason, the primary objective of this paper is to highlight the changes that have occurred in relation to the Czech and Slovak agricultural trade performance development - and in particular the changes in the mutual export and import operations are analysed. During the period 1994-2010, agricultural exports from the Czech Republic to Slovakia became considerably more dynamic than those in the opposite direction. Czech agricultural and foodstuff products have gradually established themselves and have gained comparative advantages over Slovak agrarian production. As a result of this development, a gradual increase of the negative balance of Slovak agricultural trade has occurred in relation to the Czech Republic. Since the Slovak agrarian sector has in recent years significantly decreased its own production capacity, in the future a continuation of the current trend can be expected.

The effect of weather conditions and eleven apple rootstocks was studied on the phenol content in fruits. Super-dwarf rootstocks P 61 and P 22 determined the highest content of all phenolic compounds tested. Dwarf rootstocks M.9, P 62 and semi-dwarf M.26 determined lower content of all phenolic compounds tested. The content of (+)-catechin, procyanidin B1 and total procyanidins content in apple fruits depended on rootstock genotype and high variation coefficient of these compounds between rootstocks was established. Rootstocks had a lesser effect on the content of quercitrin, (-)-epicatechin, total catechins, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid. No clear differences were found between super-dwarf, dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstock groups. Conditions during the growing season, yield and fruit weight impacted on the content of bioactive compounds. Less than 10% difference in total phenols between the growing seasons was recorded for M.26 and P 22. The greatest differences were recorded in the fruits from trees grown on M.9, Pure 1 and P 66 rootstocks. Rootstock B.396 determined the most stable content of all compounds analysed, except for procyanidin B1 and B2.

An improved screening procedure was developed for the detection of amino acid decarboxylase-positive microorganisms (especially lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteria). Monolayer culture and double layer colour development methods for the detection of amino acid decarboxylase-positive lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteria were established. Biogenic amine-positive bacteria strain was isolated directly from the samples. The applicability and detection level of the designed medium were quantitatively evaluated by the confirmation of the amine-forming capacity using an HPLC procedure, while tyrosine decarboxylase and lysine decarboxylase genes were detected by PCR with specific primers. The screening method showed a good correlation with the chemical analysis and molecular detection. Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus faecalis were obtained from traditional Chinese sausage. The isolation and screening of amino acid decarboxylase-positive lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteria can be carried out simultaneously by the improved method.

Three experiments were conducted to compare raw corn, extruded corn, and dehulled-extruded corn in piglets' feeding. In Experiment (Exp.) 1, 8 barrows (19.9 ± 0.6 kg) were fed experimental diets containing one out of three corn samples and a rice-soybean meal basal diet in a double 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in the corn samples using the difference method. The DE content in extruded (14.29 MJ/kg) and dehulled-extruded (14.42 MJ/kg) corn was greater (P < 0.05) than in raw corn (13.57 MJ/kg). In Exp. 2, 5 barrows (26.2 ± 1.3 kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design to determine the apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA). The diets comprised the basal diet, the three corn diets from Exp. 1, as well as a nitrogen-free diet to estimate basal endogenous losses of AA. The AID and SID of isoleucine, leucine, lysine, threonine, and valine in dehulled-extruded corn was lower (P < 0.05) than in raw or extruded corn. In Exp. 3, 108 weaned 35 days old piglets (8.4 ± 1.2 kg) were allotted to one of the three diets based on corn type. Weaned pigs fed diets containing extruded or dehulled-extruded corn exhibited reduced (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed intake than pigs fed diets containing raw corn. The diet containing dehulled-extruded corn resulted in a higher incidence of diarrhoea. In summary, extrusion of corn did not result in improvements in digestibility and dehulling corn prior to extrusion appeared to result in heat damage which reduced ileal digestibility of AA. Substitution of raw corn with extruded or dehulled-extruded corn in starter diets formulated to equal quantities of ME and SID AA content did not improve the performance of weaned pigs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in coagulation tests, haptoglobin concentrations and leukocyte counts in rabbits with right-ventricle pacing medicated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Blood was collected from 35 non-anaesthetised males from the jugular vein at baseline, one and two months after pacemaker implantation. Animals were divided into two groups: non-medicated and medicated with ASA. Total leukocyte and platelet counts were measured on an automatic veterinary flow cytometry haematological analyser. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen levels and D-dimers were determined from citrated blood. We found significantly elevated activated partial thromboplastin times and prothrombin times in ASA in comparison to the control group, but not within the ASA group over time. We also observed a decrease in platelet counts in the control group over time, but not in comparison to the ASA group. No significant changes in total leukocyte counts and haptoglobin concentrations were detected. Medication with ASA may alter coagulation profiles in rabbits with permanent transvenous pacing.

The contribution presents the results of a 5-year (2008-2012) dendroecological research in a Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) clone forest (Northern Slovakia). Due to different climatic and soil moisture conditions in the monitored years, different seasonal courses of stem increment formation were observed using band dendrometers with continuous data recording. The lack of precipitation affected growth processes mainly during the growth culmination and at the end of summer. The multiple regression analysis of the impact of individual factors on stem circumference changes on the basis of their partial correlation coefficients revealed that the individual environmental characteristics influenced daily stem radial changes with time lags of one to ten days. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the stem radial reactions to climatic and soil moisture factors were not significantly different between the clones.

We ranked the most frequently used pre-emergent herbicides in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) according to their efficacy and selectivity under different soil moisture conditions within 2008-2011. The efficacy of oxyfluorfen, aclonifen, acetochlor, dimethenamid, and propisochlor on the majority of weeds (Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli, Amaranthus retroflexus, Mercurialis annua,and Solanum physalifolium) was only slightly affected by the soil moisture and these herbicides can be used in arid and semiarid regions. The efficacy of linuron, prosulfocarb, and pethoxamid was strongly affected by soil moisture and was insufficient under dry conditions. The majority of herbicides showed good selectivity for sunflower. Crop injury rate of 5-15% was recorded after application of flurochloridone and acetochlor. For flurochloridone, the phytotoxicity increased due to irrigation after herbicide application. The highest sunflower injury rate (27-35%) was recorded after application of oxyfluorfen.

Festuca ovina L. is an important ornamental species used in urban landscapes and pastures reclamation. However, low resistance of this species to salt stress has hindered its extended application in low-water and salty regions. To study the effects of calcium on reducing salt stress injuries in seed germination and early growth of this species, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. The salt levels included NaCl solutions (5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m). Calcium source was CaCl₂ with concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 30 mmol₊/L. Germination percentage and mean germination time were significantly affected by interaction of salinity and calcium. As salinity increased, mean germination time increased. However, germination percentage, shootlet length, rootlet length, shootlet fresh and dry weight, rootlet fresh and dry weight and seed vigour index decreased following the increasing salinity. Concentrations of 10 and 20 mmol₊/L CaCl₂ had significant effects on reducing salt injuries on seed germination of Festuca ovina. This finding was even prominent in higher salinity levels of 15 and 20 dS/m. Therefore, to facilitate using this species in urban landscapes or in pastures, pre-treatment of the seeds using 10 and 20 mmol₊/L CaCl₂ is recommended.

Grain size distribution of grist is dependent on the type of grinding mill. The most widely used crushers used for malt grinding are roll grinding machines and dispersants are the disc mills. For rating of grist fineness grists made in the two-roller mill KVM 130/150 and dispersant the disk mill Skiold SK 2500 was used. The selected types of barley malt were processed: light malt, Munich malt, caramel malt and colouring malt. Rating of malt grist fineness was made with a help of sieve analysis using a "Pfungstadt sifter". Conclusions from the measurements are as follows: by using the two-roller mill the coarsest grist is got from caramel malt and the finest malt from the light malt. The dispersant was processing grist at a speed of 1,500 rpm and 2,800 rpm. For each speed, the coarsest grist was obtained from caramel malt and the finest grist was obtained by crushing colouring malt.

The present study was aimed at the detection and describing the lesions of akabane virus in foetal and new-born calves tissues using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques. Akabane virus lesions were evaluated in 12 foetuses and three new-born calves using serological and pathological methods and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Macroscopically, prominent arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly (A-H syndrome) were the main symptoms. At the histopathological examination, lesions were especially localised in the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata in the central nervous system (CNS) in calves naturally infected with akabane virus. In these areas, degenerative and necrotic neurons were observed. There was prominent mononuclear infiltration in perivascular areas. While akabane virus antigen was only detected in brain using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry against akabane virus yielded positive antigenic reactions in the cerebrum, cerebellum, liver, spleen and kidneys. In addition to these findings, there was a relationship between akabane virus infection and neurofilament (NF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) immunoreaction in astrocytes and neurons.

The aetiology of Crohn's disease and paratuberculosis are the subjects of intensive study and also frequently, of dispute. However, a number of other nosological entities have a similar history, namely type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, asthma, psoriasis, spondylarthritis, Blau syndrom etc. The zoonotic risk of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has been discussed for more than one hundred years. "The problem remains open, further research is needed", is the sentence which seems to be obligatory in the conclusions of many scientific articles. A number of hypotheses have been suggested, all with a grain of truth in them. The infection hypothesis has many supporters and opponents, but it does not fit to all Crohn's disease cases. The contribution of the genetic factor has been admitted a long time ago and has been experimentally confirmed by recent excellent studies. An environmental factor is expected and has been often mentioned, but has yet to be discovered. Muramyl dipeptide, derived from peptidoglycans of the bacterial cell wall is one of the triggers, mentioned in connection with chronic inflammatory diseases. The immunomodulatory ability of this compound has been recognised for decades and is exploited in Freund's adjuvant. A critical amount of muramyl dipeptide can affect immunity during some bacterial infections but the long latent period between infection and onset of the clinical form of the disease could explain why a causative relationship between the primary infection and chronic inflammation is not considered. Different species of mycobacteria can be found in the environment, in water, dust, soil and aerosol. Although severe infections with mycobacteria have been described, these species are not thought to be typical zoonotic pathogens. Muramyl dipeptide derived from mycobacteria obviously plays a starring role as a bacterial trigger in the aetiology of many autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Paratuberculosis in cattle and other ruminants is a source of enormous contamination of the environment but also of milk and meat by MAP. Muramyl dipeptide from mycobacteria, namely MAP, and Crohn's disease as a representative of diseases often called civilization threats, are important pieces of the gigantic puzzle. Mycobacteria in the environment and foodstuffs have to be acknowledged as a public health risk, which can never be completely eliminated. There is no reason to push the panic button, but we must learn how to live together with this microorganism, how the pool of immunomodulator sources can be diminished, and how the pathogenic relationship between triggers and target tissues can be disrupted. The dissemination of knowledge, the availability of rapid and inexpensive tools for identification of mycobacteria in different matrices, and the establishment of a maximal allowed limit for mycobacteria in milk and meat should contribute to food safety and consumer protection.

An intact male, six-month-old Hanwoo bull calf (native Korean beef breed) was presented to the Animal Medical Centre, Chonbuk National University because the owner had noticed a conjunctival and corneal abnormality in the left eye (OS). On ophthalmic examination, a small, elevated and skin-like mass lesion, containing hair was found on the ventronasal cornea and the conjunctiva of the third eyelid. In the light of its characteristic appearance, the lesion was classified clinically as a corneal dermoid. Under general anaesthesia, superficial lamellar keratectomy and conjunctivectomy was performed to remove the abnormal tissue. As the owner could not apply topical medications regularly, a drug-filled osmotic pump (Alzet; Alza, Palo Alto, CA) was implanted subconjunctivally under the upper eyelid and connected to a catheter at the lateral limbus. The catheter was fixed to the conjunctiva with 3-0 polyglactin 910 (Vicryl^®; Ethicon, Johnson and Johnson, Somerville, USA) and a partial temporary tarsorrhaphy was placed. In order to determine the efficacy of medication delivery, a sample of aqueous humour was collected via aqueocentesis from the anterior chamber at two weeks and four weeks after implantation of the pump. The presence and concentration of ciprofloxacin was determined via mass spectroscopy. Aqueous concentration of ciprofloxacin was 0.093 µg/ml at two weeks and 0.107 µg/ml at four weeks. The calf healed without incident and returned to normal function six weeks following the procedure.

We report here the clinical presentation and successful surgical management of flail chest caused by bite wounds in a toy breed dog. Surgery was decided on, based on physical, radiographic and computed tomography (CT) examination findings which included thorax deformity, inward displacement of the end of a fractured rib and suspected lung injuries. Interfragmentary wiring, basket-weave fashion sutures and latissimus dorsi flap for thoracic wall reconstruction were performed to correct the flail chest and augment the thoracic wall stability. There was no evidence of respiratory distress 16 months post-operatively. This is the first case report describing detailed clinical information together with computed tomography evaluation and a successful surgical procedure to correct flail chest in a toy breed dog using interfragmentary wiring and basket-weave fashion sutures.

The paper deals with the evaluation of economy of forestry companies. The evaluation stems from the results of economic analyses of enterprises that are further monitored in the context of forestry and development of economic financial ratios of evaluated companies. Furthermore, the evaluation is based on real possibilities of companies stemming from resources which they have at their disposal and on the facts that occurred in the selected companies in the monitored period. The development of important factors influencing the whole branch of forestry and their real state are introduced in the first part of the paper. After that, methods used in financial analysis of enterprises are described. The fact that forest land in the Czech Republic covered 2.66 million hectares in 2014 and its proportion in the total area of the country is 34% adds importance to the topic (Czech Statistical Yearbook 2015).

Epifluorescence microscopy (EFM) was used to study the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 6, 24, 30, 48, 54, 72, 78, and 96 h growth in a chamber slide system. For this purpose, the biofilm was stained with the Live/Dead BacLight, wherein live and dead cells were visualised based on the cell membrane integrity. With the use of EFM we described 8- of 9-stage biofilm characteristics after 78 h of growth, since the majority of microscopic fields were fully covered with attached cells. However, the 96-h growth resulted in the cell detachment and revealed 30% of dead cells of all those cells that remained on the surface. The susceptibility testing of planktonic and biofilm cells to two disinfectants, chlorine-based and quaternary ammonium compound-based, revealed that biofilm cells were more tolerant to a chlorine-based sanitiser than planktonic counterparts. P. aeruginosa was inhibited by lower concentrations of the quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitiser than the chlorine-based sanitiser, which on the other hand was more effective in cell inactivation, as both the MIC/MBC (inhibitory/bactericidal) measurement and the CFDA/PI (carboxyfluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide) staining indicated.

This research was conducted to assess the influence of long-term tillage system on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, root biomass and crop yield in spring wheat-field pea rotation fields in a rainfed semi-arid environment from 2013 through 2015. The treatments were; conventional tillage with stubble removed (T); no-till with stubble removed (NT); no-till with stubble retained (NTS) and conventional tillage with stubble incorporated (TS) arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. The soil organic carbon in NTS increased by 16% and 14% over T and NT. Compared with the T and NT, NTS increased soil microbial biomass carbon by 42% and 38% in 0-30 cm depth, respectively. Root biomass was significantly increased in NTS by 47% and 54% over T and NT, respectively. Across the three years, NTS had an average grain yield of 53% and 41% higher than T and NT, respectively. Compared with NTS, T and NT decreased root biomass by 54% and 48%, respectively. In view of the limited and erratic biomass production in this region, integration of no-till with straw mulching is recommended for soil fertility improvement, environmental quality and sustainable crop production.

Two experiments conducted on laying hens, aged 50 and 52 weeks, were carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary Mg and its relationship to the Ca : NPP (non-phytate phosphorus) ratio using a various grain-size of limestone. The Ca : NPP ratio in each experiment was 12.8 and 18, respectively. Two Mg levels were evaluated in the first (1.56 and 4.0 g/kg) and the second experiment (1.52 and 4.0 g/kg). A fine-grained limestone (< 0.5 mm; FL) or a coarse-grained limestone (0.8-2 mm; CL) was used in the first experiment. In the second experiment, a mixture of both the aforementioned limestone forms (FCL) was used as the third alternative. The main parameters estimated in this study were egg production and egg shell breaking strength. In the first experiment, CL significantly increased hen-day egg production (P = 0.043) and Mg (in dietary concentration up to 4 g/kg) increased egg weight (P < 0.001). The addition of Mg to the mixed feed, together with CL, decreased yolk percentage (P = 0.008), increased egg shell percentage (P = 0.044), increased egg shell thickness (P = 0.014), and egg shell breaking strength (P = 0.003). Higher dietary Mg, together with a wider Ca : NPP ratio in the second experiment, increased egg production and egg weight (P < 0.001), but it did not influence egg shell breaking strength. CL increased egg shell breaking strength compared to the addition of FL, as well as FCL (P < 0.05), regardless of the Mg levels. Lower level of Mg with FL decreased ash content of shells (P = 0.004).

The aim of this work is to determine the compatibility, the scion biomass, and the yield of the grapevine variety Welschriesling grafted onto 12 grapevine rootstocks. As an index of compatibility, the callus development and graft success were determined. Dry weight of canes was measured at the end of the growing seasons (2011-2014), while root dry weight only in the first year in the nursery. The grape yield was measured in the first production year. Welschriesling showed good compatibility with all examined rootstocks. More than 85% of grafts had a complete callus development (8BČ rootstock 100%). The average of graft success in the nursery was 67%, but the average of 5BB, G251, and G103 was above 80%. The G103 rootstock had the highest root dry weight after one season. The dry weight of canes in vineyards was above the average with 5BB, SO4, Binova, Börner, and M V rootstocks. All Georgikon rootstocks had a lower cane dry weight per vine than the others. The highest yields were recorded on SO4, G251, and Börner rootstocks.

The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular and respiratory effects and the bispectral scale index (BIS) as well as the recovery period characteristics in response to treatment with a propofol/alfentanil admixture of different concentrations in dogs undergoing splenectomy. We conducted a prospective, randomised, blinded experimental trial. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained by continuous-infusion anaesthesia of propofol and alfentanil or a propofol/alfentanil admixture after premedication with acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg). Dogs were assigned to receive different concentrations of the admixture. Changes in BIS value, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R), non-invasive arterial blood pressure, pulse oximetry (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations (ETCO₂) and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded at predefined time points during anaesthesia. Data [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures followed by a Dunnett's test and Student's t-test (P < 0.05) and where necessary, the Mann-Whitney U-test. No significant differences were found between groups with respect to age, body mass, SpO₂, ETCO₂, f_R, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP, DAP and MAP). BIS values were significantly lower in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 at T7, T8, T9. The HR of Group 2 was significantly lower at T2 to T9 when compared to Group 1. The propofol and alfentanil admixture provided satisfactory results in dogs undergoing splenectomy. Thus, an admixture of propofol/alfentanil may be used for total IV anaesthesia in dogs at the infusion rates determined in this study.

The study reports the results of a comprehensive clinical evaluation of 18 racehorses with a history of inadequate athletic performance. The poor performance evaluation included general physical examination and laboratory screening, respiratory examination including upper airway endoscopy at rest and during maximal treadmill exercise, cardiac examination, post-exercise serum biochemistry and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology. A definitive diagnosis was established in 15 horses (83.3%). The most frequent findings were upper respiratory tract disorders, with dorsal displacement of the soft palate being most often diagnosed (eight horses) followed by axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (two horses) and recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (two horses). Inflammatory airway disease was diagnosed in two horses and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in one horse. Subclinical myopathy was detected in two horses. Ten horses (55.6%) had multiple concomitant problems that may have contributed to their inadequate athletic performance; therefore, a comprehensive approach is required to diagnose the cause of decreased athletic capability.

To assess the residual damage a 100% inventory method was employed in pre-hauling and post-hauling, alongside skid trails and winching strips. Inventory was executed within 6 m from each side of the skid trail or winching strip centreline (12 m width). Besides the data analysis to choose the best alternative depending on residual damage the Analysis of Multiple-criteria Approval (MA) was applied. In the winching strip, our results demonstrated that depending on the density of standing residual trees the most unfriendly alternative to standing trees was a short-length method (SLM) which damaged 27.9% of the total standing trees and the best alternative was a tree-length method (TLM) (11.89%). The most unfriendly alternative to regeneration in winching and skidding operations was SLM with damaged 21% and 9% of all seedlings, respectively. In the winching strip TLM is the best alternative depending on the number of damage trees but 72% damage degree was deep. Alongside the skid trails the highest number of damaged trees occurred in TLM (44 stems) and the lowest was in the long-length method (LLM) (10 stems); according to the density of trees also the greatest damage to trees occurred in TLM (16.73%) and the lowest was in LLM (3.13%). In addition (in winching and skidding operations), 14.31, 8.79 and 18.19% of residual trees and 9, 11 and 16% of individuals of regeneration were damaged in TLM, LLM and SLM, respectively. The results of data analysis (by SPSS and MA) indicated that the friendly alternative to residual stand in the north of Iran is a long-length method.

The susceptibility of field and laboratory strains against all instars larvae of S. littoralis to spinosad pesticide after a 24- and 48-h exposure and under laboratory conditions was investigated. As a result against 1^st instar larvae, the LC₅₀ values after 24 h were 12 and 0.275 µg/ml for laboratory and field strain, respectively. In addition, the resistance ratio (RR) of 1^st instar was 43.64-fold. In this interim, the 48 h LC₅₀ values were 8.7 and 0.18 µg/ml for laboratory and field strain, respectively and the RR was 48.33-fold, which revealed the field strain was more susceptible to spinosad than the laboratory strain. Distinctly similar trend was shown for later instar larvae stages. For instance, in 6^th instar larvae, the LC₅₀ values after a 24-h exposure to spinosad were 1100 and 105 µg/ml for the laboratory and field strain, respectively, and the RR value was 10.48-fold. Furthermore, after a 48-h exposure, the LC₅₀ values for laboratory and field strains were 500 and 42 µg/ml, respectively, with RR value being 11.90-fold. On the other hand, according to relative tolerance values, the 6^th instar larvae were the most tolerant instar of all the instars tested. The susceptibility of 6^th, 5^th, and 4^th instar larvae was comparable and significantly lower than that of 3^rd, 2^nd, and 1^st instar larvae. However, the 1^st instar was the least tolerant. The results implied that spinosad may play a potential role in the control of S. littoralis and, therefore, it is considered a promising tool in integrated pest management program to control Cotton leafworm which is becoming resistant to conventional pesticides in Egypt.

Selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) play important antioxidant role during the transition period of dairy cattle. However, there is limited information about their blood fluctuations during the entire transition period, especially in heifers. Furthermore, it is questionable whether the use of clinoptilolite, a natural zeolite, affects the availability of these trace elements during this period. The objective of the present study was to monitor the blood concentrations of Se, Cu, and Zn during the transition period of dairy heifers and to investigate whether the dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite has any effect on them. Forty clinically healthy Holstein heifers were used in the experiment. They were randomly allocated in two equal groups (n = 20) formed according to their body condition score. The control group was fed only the basal ration whereas the daily feed of treatment group was supplemented with 200 g clinoptilolite. The experiment started 28 days before the expected day of calving and lasted until day 21 after parturition. Blood samples were taken at the onset of the experiment and then at weekly intervals until parturition, at the day of calving, and on days 7, 14, and 21. All samples were analyzed for blood Se and plasma Cu and Zn concentrations. The results indicate that the levels of Se, Cu, and Zn in blood change significantly (P < 0.05) throughout the transition period in dairy heifers and increase significantly (P < 0.05) immediately after calving. Furthermore, the dietary administration of clinoptilolite does not significantly affect their blood concentration (P > 0.05). Blood levels of Se, Cu, and Zn, although undergoing significant changes throughout the transition period in dairy heifers, remain practically stable until parturition and increase significantly immediately after calving. Clinoptilolite does not impair the dietary availability of the trace elements evaluated when added in heifers' rations during this period.

The aim of this study was to design and implement a Seroprevalence Map based on Business Intelligence for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (M. gallisepticum) in broilers in Comunidad Valenciana (Spain). To obtain the serological data we analysed 7363 samples from broiler farms over 30 days of age over the course of two years (3813 and 3550 samples in 2009 and 2010, respectively, from 189 and 193 broiler farms in 2009 and 2010, respectively). Data were represented on a map of Comunidad Valenciana to include geographical information of flock location and to facilitate the monitoring. Only one region presented with average ELISA titre values of over 500 in the 2009 period, indicating previous contact with M. gallisepticum in broiler flocks. None of the other regions showed any pressure of infection, indicating a low seroprevalence for M. gallisepticum. In addition, data from this study represent a novel tool for easy monitoring of the serological response that incorporates geographical information.

The area of forest destruction as well as the annual growth loss due to road construction before constructing a road was predicted. To do this, road cross sections of 88 points along the 10 km proposed road were predicted using Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network with two input parameters of hillside slope and rock share within MATLAB software. Then according to the predicted width, the area of road earthwork as well as the area of roadside with a 10 m width was calculated in ArcGIS software. Finally, by overlaying the inventory network layer on the road map and by knowing the annual growth (m³) for each plot the growth loss of the area of road earthwork was calculated and one-third of the annual growth increment was considered to calculate the growth loss of the roadside. According to the results, for the construction of a 10 km long road in the region, 12.98 ha of forest area is destructed due to road construction, of which 5.36 ha is destructed resulting from earthwork operations and 7.61 ha occurs in the roadside and its growth is influenced by road construction. With the construction of the road, in total, 32.606 m³ of growth will be lost annually, of which 22.221 m³ is due to road earthwork that is completely removed from the forest annual growth cycle and 10.384 m³ of the growth loss belongs to the roadside which is decreased resulting from road construction.

Balancing the use of maize (Zea mays L.) residues for soil amendment and forage is an important strategy for agricultural sustainability. Therefore, the study assessed the impacts of four proportions of maize residues to soil retention (S) and forage (F) on soil total organic carbon (TOC); total nitrogen (TN); carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N); grain yield, economic benefits and nutritional contents of removed residues. The concentrations of TOC and TN increased when more residue returned, while the C/N ratios were S₁₀₀ + F₀ > S₃₄ + F₆₆ > S₆₆ + F₃₄. Also, crude protein, crude fat, and crude starch in the removed residues were F₃₄ > F₆₆ > F₁₀₀, while the crude fiber and ash contents exhibited the opposite trend. The crop yield improved with residue retention increased, but there were no differences on the economic benefits of the four residue-use systems. The S₃₄ + F₆₆ system maintained a TOC ranging from 11.51 to 13.37 g/kg, a TN from 1.12 to 1.16 g/kg, 92.93% of the annual yields of the S₁₀₀ + F₀ system, and 6.2 t/ha/year of forage. Therefore, the S₃₄ + F₆₆ system can balance the use of maize residues for soil amendments and forage to sustainably develop a household crop-livestock system.

In this article, the effect of increasing dry matter content and reaction time of hydrothermal carbonization on mass yield of biochar was studied. Carbonization took place in batch experiments in a pressure vessel. Results have confirmed the assumption that the mass yield of biochar would increase with growing dry matter content in the initial solution and also with reaction time at reaction temperature of 200°C. It was found that components of the liquid product that remain in the biochar have a measurable impact on its mass yield. Mixing of the reactor proved to have a considerable effect on the mass yield as well. Biochar produced in absence of mixing had higher pore volume and higher yield. This was evident even after subtracting the equivalent liquid phase dry matter in the biochar after drying.