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Hydrothermal carbonization is a suitable method for energy and material recovery of wet heterogeneous kitchen waste. The paper examines the ability of the process to produce stable, energy-rich material without harmful by-products from lunch leftovers, raw potatoes, creamy yogurt and raw onions. Results of the batch experiments confirm the hypothesis that waste processing results in homogenous energy-rich (> 24 MJ/kg) and carbon-rich (> 63 % wt.) material. The biochar of creamy yogurt reaches the highest lower-heating value of 31.75 MJ/kg. In terms of energy use and emission concentrations, all samples meet legal requirements for incineration in combustion devices. Phytotoxicity tests prove the harmlessness of the liquid by-product for agricultural purposes.

Detailed inventory data (n = 3,930; approximately one representative sampling point per 650 ha) on soil organic carbon (SOC) to a depth of 30 cm has been used to characterize carbon content in forest soils in the Czech Republic across all altitudinal vegetation zones and forest ecological series. This data set was used to predict the most probable changes in soil carbon content in the altitudinal vegetation zones due to global warming. The mean value of the SOC content in forest soils of the Czech Republic was determined to be 62.6 ± 17.2 t.ha^-1. Under different warming scenarios the major SOC loss was observed at an altitude of 700-900 m a.s.l. Using a pessimistic emission scenario in the climatic model (i.e. predicted temperature change by +4.24°C), losses of C from forest soils in the Czech Republic, or potentially in central Europe, could be as high as 13% of the current carbon stock in forest soils.

An optimised protocol for the extraction of allergenic proteins in fish was developed. Twelve existing or modified extraction buffers were evaluated based on the amount and quality of obtained 12 kDa IgG-binding protein (major fish allergen parvalbumin) by SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, and ELISA. The results indicated that using DL-Dithiothreitol during the extraction process, the stability and functionality of the final extract were significantly increased. Solution 3 (containing Tris-HCl, Glycine, and DL-Dithiothreitol) yielded the highest amount of parvalbumin. The extract also induced a higher allergenic reactivity to the three tested human sera by immunoblotting. The results indicated that solution 3 provided better results in fish allergen detection and diagnosis. In conclusion, our study discovered and established solution 3 (Tris-HCl + Glycine + DTT) as the most potential buffer to overcome the conventional allergen extraction buffer and therefore it is highly recommended as a substitute optimised extraction buffer.

Surface mulch is an important factor of soil protection technology in the cultivation of potatoes. Presented herein are the results of three years (2009-2011) of field trials at two sites (Leškovice and Uhříněves), where two cultivars (Finka and Katka) were grown. Three mulching treatments (grass mulch after planting, grass mulch before germination and black polypropylene mulch textile) were used in the study. The weight of marketable tubers (tuber over 40 mm) and tuber size distribution were influenced significantly by mulching. The application of grass mulch on surface of the row ensured a 20.5-24.8% increase of weight of marketable tubers and higher occurrence of tubers over 56 mm (resp. tubers 56-60 mm and over 60 mm). There was no consistent effect of grass mulch on the aboveground biomass of weeds. Higher occurrences of larvae of Colorado potato beetle was found on the plots with black polypropylene textile in warmer site Uhříněves.

The stem and bulb nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) is a serious quarantine pest of vegetables spreading worldwide via seed and planting material. Currently, a hot water technique is used as the pre-seed treatment, which is difficult to execute and the risk of seed damage is high. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the (a) penetration of gaseous hydrogen cyanide (HCN) into garlic tissue; (b) HCN phytotoxicity, and (c) nematicide potential of HCN against D. dipsaci. Penetration of HCN into the core of the garlic clove was approximately 30% of the concentration inside the fumigation chamber after 30 h of exposure. Decreased emergency was observed only in the exposure treatment lasting 16 and more hours. Garlic cloves naturally infested by D. dipsaci were treated with HCN at a concentration of 20 g/m³ for 12, 18 and 24 h in a fumigation chamber, and 99% mortality was achieved in all three exposure times.

From 2012 to 2014 a field experiment was conducted on a podzolic soil. The aim of the study was to evaluate the yield and weed infestation of winter rye canopy depending on three biochar rates (10, 20 and 30 t/ha). The biochar was pyrolyzed from wheat straw at 350-650°C. After 12, 24, and 36 months from biochar incorporation into the soil pH, total carbon (C) and some elements in soil were determined. Additionally phytotoxicity of soil solid phase was assessed by the commercial toxicity bioassay - Phytotoxkit. The addition of biochar had a positive influence on grain yield of winter rye, which was related to the nutrient application in the form of biochar. The highest grain yields were obtained when biochar was applied at the rate of 20 t/ha. The air-dry weight of weeds in the rye crop grown in the biochar-amended plots was lower compared to the control plots. Incorporation of biochar into the soil at the rates of 20 and 30 t/ha caused a significant increase in the soil content of total C as well as of available P, K, Mg, Fe and B, relative to the control treatment. Moreover, the biochar-amended soil had higher pH because of the relatively high concentration in the biochar (pH_KCl 9.9). The assessment of substrate toxicity revealed that biochar applied at the rates of 10 and 20 t/ha had no negative effects on the germination of Lepidium sativum L.

The Old Kladruber horse is an important Czech genetic resource. In the current study, two categories of traits were evaluated - the first, a numerical score for Type and Gender Expression and the second, 11 traits describing performance divided into four categories: (1) Rideability (Overall Impression, Rideability), (2) Gaits (Walk, Trot, Canter), (3) Carriage Drivability (Dressage Test, Obstacle Driving Test, Marathon Test), and (4) Reliability in Tug (First Tug, Second Tug, Third Tug). The original data set contained records from 700 individuals from the period 1995-2014, each horse having 3-5 performance evaluations for the suite of traits. Our objective was to identify a suitable model for the estimation of genetic parameters and prediction of breeding values. Only one model was examined for the Type and Gender Expression trait, whereas three models were compared for the analysis of each performance trait. Criteria for choosing the most appropriate model were minimal values for the deviance information criterion (DIC) statistics, low ratios of residual variance to phenotypic variance, and maximal heritability estimates. The heritability estimate for Type and Gender Expression was 0.18. For the performance traits, the model with the fewest sources of variation (model 1) was more appropriate than two alternatives with more sources of variation. Heritability estimates from this model ranged from 0.08 to 0.40, while estimates for various performance traits from the other models were in the range 0.08-0.24. Low heritabilities for several of the performance traits suggested that selection for their genetic improvement would likely be unsuccessful. In order to maintain genetic variability, inbreeding, and fitness in the Old Kladruber population we suggest to use breeding value estimation using the heritabilities and the method presented in this paper.

The purpose of this study was to comparatively assess the antidermatophyte and antioxidant activities of enilconazole, Nigella sativa (NS) and enilconazole with NS in the treatment of dermatophytosis in cattle. A total of 24 cattle with clinically established diagnosis of dermatophytosis were used in the study. Trichophyton verrucosum was isolated and identified from all of the specimens stemming from the dermatophytosis-suspected animals. The lesion areas in Groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated as follows: enilconazole (three times at 3-day intervals), NS (once a day for two weeks) and enilconazole with NS, respectively. There were significant increases (P < 0.05) in plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels and non-significant increases (P > 0.05) in creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels after treatment in Group 1 when compared with Groups 2 and 3. After treatment, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione levels increased (P < 0.05) and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels decreased (P < 0.05) in Groups 1, 2 and 3 in comparison with before treatment. However, there were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels and significant increases (P < 0.05) in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione levels after treatment in Groups 2 and 3 when compared with Group 1. This study indicates that NS might have antidermatophyte and antioxidant effects in the treatment of dermatophytosis in cattle and the antidermatophyte effects of NS plus enilconazole was stronger among all groups.

The article describes the distribution of areas of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris Linnaeus) and Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia Linnaeus) stands within the Northern Steppe of Ukraine based on forest biometry data. The total area of Scots pine stands is 21,472.9 ha, of Black locust it is 17,683.7 ha, which corresponds to 24.6 and 26.9% of the total forest-covered area. Scots pine is partly naturally, partly artificially regenerated. Black locust stands are man-made forests only. Both species form mainly pure stands within the study area. Mean age of Scots pine is around 60 years with a mean wood stock of 292 m³.hа^-1. The dominant Black locust stands are overmature ones with a mean age of 43 years and a mean stock of 149 m³.hа^-1. Generally, for both species, an increase in mean wood stock was observed, reaching its maximum at 71 to 75 (Scots pine) and 81-85 (Black locust) years of age. It has been demonstrated that the largest area of Black locust stands is represented by relatively rich soil conditions (54.3%), whereas in Scots pine stands there are relatively poor soils (56.5%).

The financial structure of enterprises is constantly a subject of research of many academics. Despite the fact that many scientific studies deal with this area of financial management, the research is mostly focused on industrial companies. In our opinion, there is a wide scope for research into the segment of agricultural enterprises and their financial structure, as well. The aim of the paper is, therefore, to analyse the direction and intensity of action of the selected internal corporate factors and external factors of the macro-environment on the financial structure of Czech and Slovak agricultural enterprises and to identify differences in the action of these factors between the Czech and Slovak companies. The methods of multiple regression and correlation analysis have been used as the main research methods. The achieved results pointed at the fact that in addition to the internal corporate factors, the external factors of the macro-environment were also statistically highly significant for certain groups of agricultural enterprises. The paper also points to some differences in the direction and intensity of action of the chosen factors on the examined level of debt - the total indebtedness and the credit indebtedness of the studied agricultural enterprises.

Four different concentrations of extracts obtained from three lichen species (Lecanora muralis (Schreb.) Rabenh., Letharia vulpina (L.) Hue, and Peltigera rufescens (Weiss) Humb) were tested against adults of Sitophilus granarius (L.) in Petri dishes. After treatments, mortalities of the adults were determined after 24, 48, and 96 h. Expectedly, higher concentration and longer exposure time resulted in higher S. granarius mortality. Mortalities 96 h after treatments with the highest concentration (20 mg/ml) of extracts of L. vulpina, P. rufescens, and L. muralis were determined as 100, 100, and 86.86%, respectively. However, there were no dead insects in the control group. Values of LC₅₀ after 96 h for L. muralis, L. vulpina, and P. rufescens extracts were 0.666, 0.505, and 0.328 mg/ml, respectively.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of erythromycin (Emy), a prokinetic drug active at the level of the abomasum, duodenum and proximal duodenum, in dairy cows undergoing a laparoscopic repositioning of left abomasal displacement (LAD). A total of 71 German Holstein cows were randomly assigned into three groups. Cows of the group Emy1 received erythromycin once preoperatively (10 mg/kg; intramuscularly). Animals of the group Emy3 were additionally treated twice after surgery at intervals of 24 h each (10 mg/kg; intramuscularly), while cows in the control group did not receive erythromycin. The milk yield of the patients was documented on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 and the rumen contraction rate (RCR) was determined on Days 1 and 3. Additionally, the measurement of the concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in whole blood samples was performed on Days 0, 1 and 3. Significant differences between the study groups regarding the cure rates, milk yield (in relation to Day 0); BHB concentrations and RCR could not be determined on the observation dates. With respect to a prudent use of antibiotics in livestock, the application of erythromycin as a prokinetic drug cannot be recommended for the present in cows undergoing a laparoscopic correction of LAD.

The aim of this study was to investigate a possible effect on thyroid hormone concentrations in peripheral blood in sheep submitted to isolation, restraint and shearing. Circulating T₃, T₄, fT₃ and fT₄ concentrations of No. 40 Pinzirita sheep were evaluated under baseline conditions, 24 h before isolation, restraint and shearing (T0), after isolation (T1), and after restraint and shearing (T2), with respect to the influence of a previous shearing experience (just shorn). A control group of 40 sheep was evaluated under baseline conditions (T0). Two-way RM ANOVA showed a significant effect of previous experience and sex on T₃ (P ≤ 0.05) and fT₃ (P ≤ 0.01) changes, with lower T₃ and higher fT₃ concentrations in just shorn than in intact females; on T₄ (P ≤ 0.005), fT₃ (P ≤ 0.0001) and fT₄ (P ≤ 0.001) changes, with higher T₄, fT₃ and fT₄ changes in just shorn than in intact females; on T₄ (P ≤ 0.001), fT₃ (P ≤ 0.0005) and fT₄ (P ≤ 0.001) changes, with higher T₄, fT₃ and fT₄ changes in intact females than males. The magnitude of total and free iodothyronine changes following handling practices suggests that restraint and shearing represent a moderate stressor in sheep, while isolation is probably perceived as a severe stress stimulus.

In the years 2003-2012 the effects of nitrogen fertilization and term of harvest on the dry matter yield and biomass quality of Miscanthus × giganteus were examined. The harvest was carried out each year in the autumn and in the spring following year. No significant differences in yields between the sites were observed but the effect of weather conditions in individual years dominated. The nitrogen fertilization increased average biomass yields at the site Prague-Ruzyně by about 14% at the dose of 100 kg/ha and at the site Lukavec by about 11% at the dose of 150 kg/ha in comparison without N fertilization. Average yields of dry matter at Prague-Ruzyně 19.60 t/ha and at Lukavec 18.24 t/ha were achieved at the autumn term of harvest. The loss of biomass over the winter period was 24.3% at Prague-Ruzyně and 24.0% at Lukavec. In the spring term of harvest lower contents of all monitored elements were detected in the biomass of Miscanthus compared to the autumn term of harvest.

There is little knowledge available regarding Australian forestry work safety and accident rates. Machine operators and forestry workers are vital parts of the forestry sector and their health and well-being can greatly impact on their work quality and efficiency. To increase our knowledge of forest workers' safety this project aimed to analyse the frequency, type and root causes of work accidents which occurred within different forestry activities of five industry partners of Australian Forest Operations Research Alliance over the period from 2004 to 2014. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to the partners to collect the safety incident reports. Total number of work accidents was 470 for a period of 11 years (a rate of 43 accidents per year). Considering the estimated yearly production rates of the industry partners that participated in this project, the accident severity rate was 14.40 accidents per million m³ of harvested wood. The majority of accidents occurred in harvesting operations (37%) and forest management (30.2%). Based on the results 8.1% of the accidents occurred during firefighting and 24.3% of work accidents occurred in other forestry activities. Main root causes of accidents for different types of activities were personal errors such as lack of personal protective equipment, operator error, poor body position and poor techniques applied. Work safety training could be delivered to forestry personnel to minimise accidents caused by personal errors. Back and shoulder (as upper parts of the body) received most injuries. To avoid/reduce muscular damage (such as strain and sprain) the workers should be provided with proper ergonomic training.

Anthropogenic activity along the Velhas River (São Francisco River basin) has destabilized the banks of the river channel across an urban fragment. To improve the physical stabilization, the base of the slope was stabilized with urban construction waste. After this, the slope was revegetated with native species and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) inoculation was applied with a successfully restoration of the vegetative cover and ecological functions. This study aims to evaluate the role of the AMF population in the soil aggregation and stabilization of the revegetated slope. The soil aggregation was higher at the experimental site than at the disturbed site, especially under the AMF inoculation. The aggregates improvement was accompanied by an increase of soil humic acid and glomalin contents 24 months after the transplantation despite a flood impact 12 months after the transplantation. A scatter plot based on Principal Component Analysis of aggregates Showed that the preserved site samples clustered with most of those from experimental site. However, some samples from experimetal site were found between those from preserved and disturbed sites. This result shows that the recovering site is evolving toward the conditions of the preserved site and that the rehabilitation process is in an intermediate phase related to the aggregate formation. The AMF inoculation of woody species was indicated in the rehabilitation procedures.

The aim of the experiment was to improve seed quality of harvested soybean seed by pre-sowing seed treatment with biologically active compounds Lignohumate B (mixture of humic and fulvic acids), Lexin (mixture of humic and fulvic acids enriched by auxins), brassinosteroid (synthetic analogue of natural 24 epibrassinolide) and so-called complete seed treatment (mixture of saturated solution of sucrose, Lexin, Maxim XL 035 FS fungicide of Syngenta and adjuvant on the base of pinolene). Four-year experiments proved positive influence of all treatments to seed parameters (laboratory germination, seed vigour (AA test), field emergence and thousand seed weight).

Bovine mastitis is a major disease affecting dairy cattle worldwide. The milk collected from cows with different type of inflammation, including mastitis, is characterized by an increased number of somatic cells (SCC), especially polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). It was proved that the antibacterial activity of PMN generates reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide-derived metabolites. The accumulation of the reactive species correlating with a decrease in the antioxidant activity specific for milk can lead to oxidative and nitrosative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant/oxidant status in normal cow's milk and in subclinical mastitis milk using three parameters: total antioxidant status (TAS); levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) - a degradation product of lipid peroxidation; and levels of proteins oxidation expressed as carbonylated proteins analyzed in the reaction with dinitrophenilhydrazine (DNPH). Subclinical mastitis was diagnosed using an electrical conductivity method and by determining the number of SCC in milk. Comparative analysis of TAS in normal and mastitis milk revealed extremely significant differences (P = 0.0005), the average of this parameter was lower for mastitis milk samples. The results describing the antioxidant status were correlated with those on lipid and protein oxidative degradation. The average level of MDA in mastitis milk was higher compared with normal milk, the mean difference was 40.69 nmol/ml. A similar variation was observed for DNPH, the mean difference was 191.24 µmol/ml. The levels of SCC, MDA, and DNPH were significantly higher in subclinical mastitis milk compared to milk from healthy cows due to the occurrence of oxidative stress state in subclinically inflamed mammary gland.

The study compares the effects of: timer ('Timer') and soil moisture sensor-controlled irrigation on soilless lettuce; two volumetric water content (Θ) thresholds for irrigation (0.30 ('Θ = 0.3') and 0.40 m³/m³ ('Θ = 0.4')). The most nutrient solution (NS) was applied in 'Timer' where the lowest water use efficiency was observed, with 17 and 42% less NS used in 'Θ = 0.4' and 'Θ = 0.3', respectively. Irrigation volumes followed the plant water needs in the sensor-controlled treatments, with little or no leaching, while 18% of leaching was recorded in 'Timer'. Plants in 'Timer' and 'Θ = 0.4' had higher fresh weights (24%) and leaf area (13%) than plants in 'Θ = 0.3'. Similar dry weight was observed among treatments but percentage of dry matter was 20% higher in 'Θ = 0.3'. Gas exchanges and leaf tissues chemical composition were similar in all treatments, but nitrate concentration was lower in the 'Θ = 0.3' plants. Precision sensor-controlled irrigation based on Θ measurements is an effective tool to increase the overall water use efficiency and to improve the quality of soilless-grown lettuce by acting on the substrate moisture level.

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on the synthesis of selenoprotein and the antioxidative indices of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) in vitro and to explore the antioxidative mechanisms of RA in the BMEC. The subconfluenced BMEC were divided into six treatments with six replicates per treatment and cultured in a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/F12 media (10% fetal bovine serum, 5 µg/ml ovine prolactin, 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 1 g/ml hydrocortisone, 0.5% insulin-transferrin-selenium) containing different levels of RA (0 (control), 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 1 or 2 mg/ml) for 24 h. Addition of RA promoted the proliferation of BMEC, increased the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), thioredoxin reductase (TRXR), and the content of selenoprotein P (SELP) in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The optimal RA dose was 1 μg/ml. However, positive effect of RA tended to be suppressed when RA was increased to 2 μg/ml. The expressions of mRNA and protein of GPX in BMEC were up-regulated by RA in a quadratic dose-response relationship (P < 0.01), and the addition of 1 μg/ml RA showed the best effect. The mRNA expressions of TRXR1 and SELP as well as the protein expression of TRXR1 were higher at 1-2 μg/ml RA. These results suggested that RA promoted antioxidant function of BMEC by regulating the synthesis of selenoprotein including GPX, TRXR, and SELP in vitro.

The transient effects of weaning on the health of newly weaning piglets were investigated. In this study, 24 piglets were randomly assigned to weaning and suckling (control) groups. Weaning piglets were sacrificed on days 1, 4, and 7 post-weaning; suckling piglets were slaughtered at the corresponding time points. Blood samples and internal organs were collected for the determination of hematological traits, relative organ weights, and serum biochemical, antioxidant, enzyme, and immune indexes. The results revealed that piglets' growth performance significantly decreased on days 4 and 7 post-weaning. White blood cell and lymphocyte counts changed on days 1 and 4 post-weaning. On day 4, serum glucose levels decreased and urea nitrogen levels increased. Thymus gland weight significantly decreased on day 7, while adrenal gland weight significantly increased on days 4 and 7. Malondialdehyde level increased on day 4 post-weaning and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase activities decreased on days 4 and 7 post-weaning. Serum IgA concentrations decreased from day 1 to day 4 post-weaning. The results showed that the adverse effects of weaning on the serum biochemical indexes gradually weakened on day 4 post-weaning. However, during the first week post-weaning, there were damaging effects on the endocrine, antioxidant, intestinal, and immune systems of piglets.

Biological diversity is the basis for a wide array of goods and services provided by forests. The variety of forest trees and shrubs plays a vital role in the daily life of forest communities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of modelling the diversity of tree species by characteristics of topography, soil and climate, using data mining algorithms k-NN, RF and SVM in Dr. Bahramnia forestry plan in the north of Iran. Based on the basal area factor for each species in a total of 518 sample plots, diversity indices such as species richness, evenness and heterogeneity were calculated for each plot. Topographic maps of primary and secondary properties were prepared using the digital elevation model. Categories of the soil and climate maps database of Dr. Bahramnia forestry plan were extracted. Modelling rates of tree and shrub species diversity using data mining algorithms, with 80% of the sampling plots were taken. Assessment of the model accuracy, using 20% of samples and evaluation criteria, was conducted. Results showed that topographic features, especially elevation, had the highest impact on the species diversity index. The modelling results also showed that Camargo evenness index had lowest root mean square error (RMSE) (0.14) and RMSE% (24.35), compared to other indicators of diversity. In addition, the results of the comparison between the algorithms showed that the random forest algorithms were more accurate in modelling the diversity.

The acaricidal activity of aqueous extracts obtained from 28 plant species was tested against Tetranychus urticae. The extract efficacy on the incidence of individual development stages of T. urticae on the treated plants was determined, compared to untreated plants. Of the 28 extracts, 24 showed an efficacy higher than 50%; of these, 16 extracts caused a reduction in the count of adults on the plants by more than 90% compared to the control. The counts of nymphs and eggs showed significant differences depending on the extract used. Only 13 extracts showed an efficacy higher than 50%, and only 2 extracts (obtained from Ammi visnaga and Saponaria officinalis) had more than 90% efficacy. Twenty extracts resulted in eggs reduction of more than 50% compared to the control; of these, 6 extracts (from A. visnaga, G. glabra, J. palmata, L. carthamoides, O. majorana, S. officinalis) exhibited an efficacy higher than 90%. Extracts with the highest efficacy were tested for their acute toxicity for T. urticae adults, and LD₅₀₍₉₀₎ values were estimated. By comparing the confidence intervals (CI₉₅) for individual LD₅₀ values, extracts obtained from Saponaria officinalis roots and Ammi visnaga seeds were found to provide the significantly highest efficacies, and lethal doses (LD₅₀) of 10.3 and 12.5 g/l, respectively, were estimated for them. However, wanting to compare LD₉₀ values as well, we chose 5 extracts (A. visnaga, C. annum, M. × piperita, O. majorana, and S. officinalis) whose CI₉₅ intervals overlapped (P ≤ 0.05). Based on our tests, aqueous extracts from S. officinalis roots can be recommended for the development of products which reduce the incidence of T. urticae on plants.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a high-quality fodder crop which has been hybridized successfully with its wild relative zigzag clover (T. medium L.). The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic impact of interspecific hybridization and subsequent repeated backcrossing on the variability within hybrid progeny genomes. Nuclear DNA content of 800 and 753 hybrid plants from F₇/F₈ and F₈/F₉ generations, respectively, was measured by flow cytometry. Resulting values were converted to estimated chromosome counts, which were successfully validated on a sample of 28 plants by counting mitotic chromosomes. The two generations showed a similar distribution of various chromosome counts ranging from 22 to 47 chromosomes. In total, 24.0% and 34.3% of plants from the two generations had different numbers of chromosomes from their parental plants. Variability within the hybrid population was assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization using rDNA probes. Individual plants had a pattern of 5S and 45S rDNA loci rather more similar to that of T. pratense than of T. medium. Numbers of chromosomes with clusters of 5S rDNA ranged from 6 to 14 while those of 45S rDNA varied between 4 and 13. Individual arrangements were almost unique, and some plants possessed also novel formations which were not present in any of the parental species, such as a cluster of 5S rDNA surrounded by 45S rDNA clusters or a 45S rDNA cluster surrounded by 5S rDNA clusters. This suggests complex rearrangements connected with post-hybridization stabilization of hybrid genomes.

The aim of the study was to characterize nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in the bovine PTPRQ gene, to search for their possible effect on the expression of myogenic factor 6 (MYF6; MRF4) and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) genes in skeletal muscle and on meat production traits. Three novel SNPs were found in intron 35 of the bovine PTPRQ gene: g.200,451A>G, g.200,467T>C, g.200,480C>T (GenBank Acc. No. NW_001494990.2; counted from translation initiation site). These SNPs are placed very closely to each other (within 29 base pairs). The results showed that genotype influenced the expression of MYF6 and MYF5 genes in longissimus dorsi muscle of Limousine bulls both at the transcript and protein levels. Moreover, an association was found between the PTPRQ genotype and carcass traits in Limousine bulls. These findings suggest that bovine PTPRQ gene may contain regulatory sequences for MRF genes located 24 kb downstream. The results also showed that nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in the PTPRQ gene may influence meat production traits in beef cattle, possibly through the regulation of the MRF genes expression.

Four clonal progenies of wild cherry obtained using an in vitro technique and control progeny of generative origin were tested on the Polná research plot in southeastern Bohemia. Growth characteristics of cherry trees were determined each year during the period 2000-2010. At the age of 15 years, the progenies reach mean heights of 4-9 m and diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5-10.5 cm. The determined differences in height and DBH between progenies are statistically significant. Cherry trees of generative origin and progeny of clone No. 14 grow markedly slower in comparison with clones Nos 24, 26 and 28. The values of growth characteristics for verified clones are comparable with similar findings from abroad. The in vitro plantlets of wild cherry achieve similar growth characteristics as generative seedlings.

Intensification of agricultural systems through the use of intensive agriculture and the advance of deforestation have led to a decrease of soil biological quality. Soil functional and structural microbiota are sensitive parameters to monitor changes caused by agricultural use. Different sites under soybean monoculture (continuous soybean) and soybean/maize rotation practices were selected. Samples were collected from agricultural soils under different periods of implantation: 4-year rotation; 15-year rotation; 5-year monoculture; and 24-year monoculture (M24). A site of native vegetation recently under agricultural production (RUA) was also sampled. Native vegetation soils (NV) adjacent to agricultural sites were sampled as a control. In general, the results showed that RUA and M24 had lower enzyme activities, less microbial abundance and low physical and chemical soil quality than those subjected to crop rotation. In contrast, both the bacterial and total microbial biomasses were significantly higher in NV and crop rotation than in soils under monoculture systems. Although it was expected that differences in microbial activities would be due to changes in microbial community abundance, the results indicated that changes in soil management produced faster alterations to soil enzyme activities than any modifications induced in the microbial community structure. Consequently, both aspects of microbial diversity, namely function and structure, were affected independently by agricultural intensification.

Acute colic in horses, especially presentations requiring surgical correction, such as large colon volvulus, very often involves defective or excess platelet activation. The PFA-100 is a new point-of-care analyser that evaluates platelet function by measuring closure time (CT) in the whole blood of healthy horses in a standardised manner. However, there are no reports on platelet function in horses with colic measured by the PFA-100. The aim of the present study was to investigate platelet function in a group of horses suffering ascending colon displacement (ACD) and who underwent surgery compared to a group of control (C) horses. Thirty ACD cases and twenty untreated clinically healthy control horses were included. Blood samples were collected from the ACD horses prior to and 24, 48 and 72 h after laparotomy. Red blood cell count (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, white blood cell count (WBC), total plasma protein (TP) concentration, platelet count (PLT), platelet volume (MPV) and ADP closure time (CT-ADP) were measured. CT was determined on a PFA-100® device using collagen/ADP cartridges. There were no significant differences in RBC, PLT and MPV between C and ACD horses pre-operatively. Reduced PLT was observed in the post-operative period. The mean CT-ADP of C horses was 96.43 ± 12.53 and 91.43 ± 2.51 seconds in the ACD group prior to surgery. CT-ADP was changed after surgery whereby CT-ADP time was more than doubled. We conclude that the PFA-100^® can be used to detect platelet function defects in horses.

We analysed the formulation of Rural Development Programme of the Slovak Republic for 2007-2013 applying the theory of actor-centred institutionalism and its interaction forms. Approaches accentuating the role of actors and their interactions are an appropriate tool for the better understanding of cross-sectoral relationships and the improvement of public policy coherence in the formulation process of strategic documents in rural development. Methodologically the study is based on a qualitative analysis of documents and standardized interviews. The formulation of RDP SR 2007-2013 is showing signs of cross-sectoral coordination between different actors in the form of bargaining, as well as signs of hierarchical coordination among public and private actors. In the formulation process of RDP SR 2007-2013 a negative mechanism of coordination was dominant with negative consequences for the policy coherence of the final document. A positive element for the coherence of rural development policy is the observation of decision-making elements in networks.

The aim of this paper was to quantify vertical stress distribution in silty loam soil by applying three combinations of tyre inflation pressures of front and rear wheels of a four-wheel drive tractor weighing 3560 kg. The tyres on the tractor were bias-ply, front 11.2-24 and rear 16.9-30, and inflation pressures were 67, 100, and 150% of the recommended pressure. Soil stresses were measured at 10, 30, and 50 cm depths using a stress transducer consisting of ten sensors with a 10 cm distance between sensor centres. Decrease in tyre inflation pressure resulted in a decrease of maximum soil stress at all measured depths. Tyre inflation pressures greatly influenced soil stresses measured in the topsoil. Maximum soil stress in the topsoil depth below front wheel tyres was significantly higher than that below rear wheel tyres. There were no significant differences between tyre contact areas at recommended, high, and low tyre inflation pressures.