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In the present study the most outstanding anatomical findings of the heart of a giraffe are described. Two papillary muscles were found in the right ventricle, namely magnus and subarterial. There were no papillary parvi muscles. The supraventricular crest gave insertion to various tendinous chords. These chords fixed the angular cusp of the right atrioventricular valve. The pectinate muscles were better developed in the left auricle than in the right one. Within the left ventricle two big papillary muscles were found as well as a notorious septomarginal trabecula. The left coronary artery irrigated the majority of the heart's territory. It gave origin to the interventricular paraconal branch and to the circumflex branch. The latter gave off the branch of the left ventricular border and the interventricular subsinosal branch.

The uniqueness of limestone soil-forming substrate was assessed with respect to the classification of forest ecosystems. 50 soil profiles from the Bohemian Karst were studied and the results were confronted with previously published works from other karst areas. The evaluation of soil profiles was based on a macroscopic description, on the results of chemical and physicochemical analyses, and on a micromorphological study. The carbonate bedrock was a cause of specific genesis of soils in these sites - both recent and relict ones (terrae calcis). However, it does not always condition the unique characteristics of these sites whose differentiation would call for an a priori special edaphic category. Unique geochemical characteristics of the substrate are modified on the gradient of advanced pedogenesis (Holocene up to mid-Pleistocene soils were assessed) by a very intensive soil-forming process connected with the impact of allochthonous, mostly aeolian material. Two possible approaches were designed for the classification of these sites: (i) wider conception - distinction of the basic edaphic category with small limitations for the quality of soil-forming substrate, (ii) narrower conception - limestone edaphic category with a number of limitations to distinguish this edaphic category.

Altitudinal studies has become of interest to ecologists concentrated on functional alterations aiming to clarify the effects of limiting factors. Nutrient element release from forest floor (FF) decomposition is suppressed by those factors such as low temperature, shortened vegetation period concluding FF accumulation at high elevation fields. To draw out a response to the FF decomposition issue, FF layers as leaf + fermentation (L + F) and humus (H) were collected from 37 representative sample plots along an altitudinal gradient (from 1,400 m to 1,710 m) on Kaz (Balikesir-Turkey) mountain. Mass, pH, organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (Nt) contents of FF were investigated to explain the relation between decomposition and altitudinal effects. The results revealed that total FF mass and (L + F), (H) sub-fraction masses through elevation show an insignificant relation with the altitude. No significant difference was found between the altitudinal groups in the OM content of L + F. Besides there are significant negative correlations between OM contents (%) of L + F and H layers and altitude with the coefficient values 0.342 (P< 0.05) and 0.597 (P < 0.01), respectively. The Nt content of L + F layer also increases through the elevation revealing a medium correlation with altitude (0.368; P < 0.05). The increasing Nt and decreasing OM contents show better decomposition rates at higher sites regardless of the altitude induced climatic changes. We assume that the forest floor accumulation under tree canopies provides a better decomposition relying on the microclimatic environment mediated by tree canopies, in spite of the altitude.

Intangible issues, which are often very difficult to be quantified become more and more the field of interest of social sciences. There are many research works demonstrating that various types of knowledge, institutions, social networks, and social relations have a great influence on human activities as for efficient achievement of the actors' goals. This paper relates expert knowledge (shaping professional qualification) to human capital and tacit knowledge (understood as a broader, general, and contextual knowledge) to cultural capital. Both forms of capital exist in their primary form only in concrete individual persons. Concerning collective persons (firm, community), cultural and human capitals are transformed into intellectual capital. Work with specific knowledge, tacit knowledge and capitals corresponding to them shows the role of social networks and social capital in their organization. Using the analysis of two farms based on natural experiment, the paper demonstrates the role of tacit knowledge and cultural capital (opposing to the overestimated role of expert knowledge and human capital). The conclusions outline social determination of both types of knowledge through social networks and social capital needed for an efficient work of a farm.

The power function was used to show the dependence of gross, final and sold output on the gross value of total fixed assets and on the ratios of this value to the productivity of these three production categories. Further elaboration included the characteristics of variable features. The system of independent variables employed in the study allowed for the estimation of both extensive and intensive utilisation of fixed assets in Polish agriculture from 2002-2005. The study showed the diminishing impact of the productivity of fixed assets and the decreasing productive efficiency of Polish agriculture from 2002-2005. This situation was caused by the relative stability in the generic structure of fixed assets and by a slow average annual rate of increase in new fixed assets (8.74%).

The microbiological quality of the final product and the safety of the production procedures were screened in an ice cream factory, after implementation of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. We analysed 30 vanilla (IC1), 30 strawberry (IC2), and 30 chocolate flavoured (IC3) samples of ice cream; 30 of water; 90 of personnel's hands flora; 150 of plastic ice cream containers flora; 50 of sanitised equipment-surfaces flora. After HACCP introduction, Staphylococcus aureus was not further detectable in ice cream and Escherichia coli was mostly less than 10 CFU/g, while the spoilage markers (total coliforms - TC, aerobic plate counts - APC) in ice cream and the environment were reduced by 20-35%. Mean log CFU/g, for IC1: TC from 2.20 reduced to 1.57, APC from 4.58 reduced to 3.62. For IC2: TC from 2.29 reduced to 1.65, APC from 4.61 reduced to 3.49. For IC3: TC from 2.67 reduced to 1.76, APC from 5.08 reduced to 3.81.

For the first time in the Czech Republic, bacteria identified as Pseudomonas marginalis, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Pseudomonas putida were isolated from tubers of Zantedeschia spp. with symptoms of tuber soft rot. The symptoms occurred on mother tubers as well as on new daughter tubers of different calla lily hybrids with yellow spathe, calla lily cv. Mango with bright orange spathe and Zantedeschia rehmanii with pink spathe. The percentage of diseased plants of the total plants in the plot was around 10%. When inoculated into potato tuber slices, strains of P. marginalis and P. c. subsp. carotovorum produced soft rot. Pectolytic activity of P. marginalis strains was less intensive than that of the P. c. subsp. carotovorum strain. The results confirm that bacterial soft rot of Zantedeschia spp. may have several causes.

The review focuses on recent progress in the breeding of small grain cereals (barley, wheat, oats) for resistance to the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). First, the symptomatology of barley yellow dwarf (BYD) disease is briefly described and the genome of BYDV, its serotypes and mechanisms of its replication and translation in host plants are characterized. Great attention is paid to the description of resistance genes and sources of BYDV resistance that are currently used in some breeding programmes of barley, wheat and oats. In barley, the introduction of the Ryd2 gene into high-yielding cultivars is still desirable. An example of recent success reached in a European programme aimed at a pyramiding of resistance genes is the registration of the Italian feeding barley cultivar Doria, carrying resistance genes Ryd2, rym4 and Rdg1. The release of this cultivar resulted from the cooperation between EICR, Fiorenzuola d'Arda and CRI in Prague-Ruzyně in the field of virus resistance. Finally, some experiments employing transgenic techniques in the construction of resistant plants are mentioned. In conclusion, the advantages and disadvantages of classical breeding methods using crossing and transgenic techniques are compared and newly arising approaches are discussed.

The production of organic acids and changes during decomposition of rice straw amended with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and Udaipur rock phosphate (URP) were studied under laboratory conditions. The organic C content of rice straw decreased and total N increased with time, resulting in a decrease in C:N ratio as the decomposition progressed. The pH decreased to acidic range in all the treatments on day 15, but became alkaline again later on. Soluble P increased at 15 days after incubation, declined later during decomposition, and was highest in the treatments containing TCP and Aspergillus awamori inoculation. Citric, oxalic, formic and maleic acids were detected during decomposition of rice straw and maximum amounts were present on day 15. Citric and oxalic acids were responsible mainly for P solubilization from TCP and URP; generally, citric acid was the most effective in P solubilization.

The milk urea concentration (MUC) is a respected indicator of the health and nutrition status of dairy cows. It is in relation to their reproduction performance, longevity and technological milk indicators. The accuracy of the interpretation of results depends on their reliability, which is so important. There are a lot of principles of MUC analyses. Their results can be affected by a number of interferential factors. Many disproportions were noticed for the above-mentioned reasons in laboratory practice. That is the reason why relevant result variation sources are studied. The goal of this paper was to search the relationships between different methods of MUC determination with the use of specifically modified samples on a milk basis with the absence of dissolved components such as lactose. The results of two methods (photometric BI with diacetylmonoxime and FT-MIR (mid infrared)) were disqualified for a large shift and variance of values, unsatisfactory recovery and paralysed relation to other methods (BI r = from 0.184 to 0.213; P > 0.05). Therefore the second BI method was retained in the evaluation, and it was probably a local defect in the performance at disqualification. Nevertheless, the procedure showed poorer recovery (75.5 ± 14.3%) and necessity for methodical modifications for support of result reliability such as increase in the number of calibration points as compared to the contemporary procedure. The results of FT-MIR method were strongly systematically displaced due to lactose absence in particular (by 33.824 ± 3.794 mg/100 ml). Nevertheless, the correlations with results of other relevant methods were tight (from 0.991 to 0.999; P < 0.001). The photometrical method with Ehrlich's agent (para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, EH) showed acceptable values of all the evaluated indicators of reliability. The specific Ureakvant method (UR; with conductivity difference measurement) showed the most proper results in combination with all the reliability indicators (recovery as much as 93.2 ± 10.2%; correlation from 0.989 to 1.0; P < 0.001; acceptable ratio of systematic and random error components). It is possible to use the tested specific standard samples for the control or calibration of all methods (BI, EH and UR) with the exception of FT-MIR.

The submitted work deals with the relation between the sum of active temperatures above 7°C and important phenological phases in peach tree cultivation. The aim of the paper is to provide information for growers, especially regarding anticipated harvest dates, which is important for marketing. Data has been compiled for the period 1998-2007 for the variety Catherine, grown in the locality of Velké Bílovice in the Czech Republic. A relationship between the sum of active temperatures above 7°C from the beginning of the year up to the start of blossoming has been identified, and a model determining the harvest date on the basis of the sum of active temperatures in the periods of 30 days and 60 days after blossoming has been tested.

The objective of this study was to determine the wildlife hosts of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in the Czech Republic. A total of 8 796 wildlife animals were examined by culture of faecal or tissue samples during the years 2002-2007. MAP was isolated from 12 (0.5%) out of 2 296 red deer (Cervus elaphus), two (0.2%) out of 835 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 78 (5.7%) out of 1 381 fallow deer (Dama dama), 28 (3.2%)out of 866 mouflons (Ovis musimon), four (2.5%) out of 162 chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and from one (0.1%) out of 805 wild boar (Sus scrofa). MAP was not cultured from 82 badgers (Meles meles), 55 martens (Martes foina), one pine marten (Martes martes), 25 brown hares (Lepus europaeus), five rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), nine European polecats (Mustela putorius), two steppe polecats (Mustela eversmannii), two American minks (Mustela vison), four raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and four Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). MAP was isolated from three (2.0%) out of 149 small terrestrial mammals: one (5.9%) out of 17 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), one (1.7%) out of 59 common voles (Microtus arvalis) and one (2.6%) out of 39 lesser white-toothed shrews (Crocidura suaveolens). Culture examinations of 34 house mice (Mus musculus) and 2 113 pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) were negative. All 123 in vitro growing MAP isolates from wild ruminants were of IS900 RFLP type B-C1. One mouflon infected with a MAP strain which did not grow on the tested media was after IS1311-PRA-PCR assessed as being infected with a "sheep" strain. The RFLP type of the MAP isolate from the wild boar was of the RFLP type A-C10. Although the detection of MAP in wildlife in the Czech Republic was not very high, their role as a potential risk factor for cattle should be considered.

The paper presents results from a study of sycamore maple development, health condition and growth in forest altitudinal vegetation zones (FAVZ) 6 and 7 occurring in pollution damage zones A and B in the air-polluted region of Krušné hory Mts. as compared with the trees of identical height in FAVZ 4 and 5 occurring in pollution damage zone D in the Bohemian-Moravian Upland. Sycamore maple develops a fully diversified root system. On spread mounds it creates only a superficial root system and its growth is retarded. The growth of sycamore maple is limited by the layer of humus horizons. If the layer thickness is over 20 cm, the sycamore roots would grow into mineral horizons.

The silver fir was planted under mountain conditions in order to reveal its response to the addition of finely ground rocks (limestone and amphibolite) mixed with soil into the planting holes. The results document that the increments of the plantations fertilised with amphibolite were higher by 25% on average than those of the control plantations while the increments of the plantations treated with dolomitic limestone were lower by 13%. Generally, as concerns both the plantations with the application of ground rocks and the control ones, the development of the fir plantations in 1994-2007 is considered successful. As the damage by climatic stresses has gradually diminished, the number of dead trees has been decreasing and the height increments have been increasing in the last years, therefore a positive development is to be expected also in future.

The common denominator of all rather different names and understandings of it (the problem of the "model of man and society development", problem of the "lack of the civilisation concept" etc.) is that there is no clear understanding regarding the question of the perspective approach (or approaches), the relevant basic development trends of humankind in the material as well as non-material sphere, i.e. in the basic question of many philosophers "Who are we, whence and where are we going". We mention only some of the problems, which are at present directly connected to the "problem of the future of man". These are the problems from the sphere of all-human social, ethical, humanitarian and cultural aspects of the human civilisation development, which are today (but need not be already in the near future) in the centre of attention: the problem of social inequality extension, the problem of spreading epidemics and drug abuse, the problem of the uncontrollable migration and city agglomerations growth, the problem of terrorism.

Experimental samples simulated the composition of vermouths. In all experiments, 0.01% quinine was used as a standard bitter substance. Sucrose increased the acceptability in the concentration range of up to 14%, remaining constant at higher concentrations, both in aqueous and 16% ethanolic solutions. A decrease of bitterness was observed in water but not in 16% ethanol. Ethanol did not affect the sweetness appreciably at the concentrations of up to 16%, but 32% ethanolic solutions appeared less sweet. Ethanol enhanced the bitterness only at high concentrations; interactions were similar in the samples containing 10% and 16% sucrose. Aspartame and Neotame sweetness increased the acceptability and decreased the bitterness similarly to sucrose, both in aqueous and in 16% ethanolic solutions.

The virulence of 166 Fusarium solani isolates collected in the Czech Republic from infected pea plants was evaluated. Based on the ability to produce phytotoxic naphtarazin (DHF - dihydrofusarubin), only two isolates from this collection (designated FS VG and FS We) corresponded with the characteristics of f.sp. pisi. Suitability and effectiveness of two methods of inoculation based on soaking of seed in the inoculum were evaluated. The possibility to use mixtures of inocula of different species (F. solani f.sp. pisi + F. oxysporum f.sp. pisi races 1 and 2) and of mixtures of two isolates with different virulences was explored. Employing an efficient testing method and the most virulent isolate FS VG, 184 semileafless types of field peas and garden peas were screened to find accessions with a higher level of resistance to F. solani f.sp. pisi.

The evaluation of the effect of the stage of lactation on milk composition, its properties and the quality of rennet curdling was carried out over the period of three successive years using milk samples (n = 162) obtained from a total of 27 ewes of the East Friesian (EF) breed, reared on a small sheep farm in Juřinka in the region of Wallachia. The stage of lactation had a highly significant effect on the contents of all milk components. However, only the contents of total solids (TS), solids non-fat (SNF), fat (F), protein (P) and casein (CN) gradually increased with the advancement of lactation. The stage of lactation also had a highly significant effect both on all the properties of milk and the rennet curdling quality (RCQ). All phenotypic correlations between the particular contents of TS, SNF, F, P, CN and urea nitrogen (UN) were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001). On the other hand, all phenotypic correlations between milk yield and particular contents of TS, SNF, F, P, CN and UN were negative and high (P ≤ 0.001). The majority of phenotypic correlations between rennet clotting time (RCT) and the other particular parameters was insignificant. However, the phenotypic correlations between lactose (L) and RCT and between pH and RCT were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001) whereas the phenotypic correlation between titratable acidity (TA) and RCT was negative and high (P ≤ 0.001). The majority of phenotypic correlations between the rennet curdling quality (RCQ) and the other particular parameters was insignificant. Nevertheless, the phenotypic correlations between pH and RCQ and between RCT and RCQ were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001) whereas the phenotypic correlation between TA and RCQ was negative and high (P ≤ 0.001).

The frequent presence of rye translocation 1B/1R in common wheat is well known as well as its unfavourable effect on bread-making quality. These translocated materials make up more than one tenth of all wheat varieties registered in the Czech Republic and due to their lower technological value they are predominately used for livestock feeding in spite of the lack of information about their desirability for monogastric animals. Our study was aimed at a general effect of 1B/1R translocation, including other grain characteristics in model feeding tests with laboratory rats. Triennial evaluation of selected chemical and technological characteristics of winter wheat grain, including feeding characteristics in the model set of 18 DH lines with/without 1B/1R translocation, confirmed a highly significant effect of year on evaluated parameters. Wheat lines with the presence of 1B/1R translocation showed a significantly higher value of relative viscosity, crude protein content and higher proportion of the albumin + globulin fraction. This was manifested negatively in the technological characteristics of the gluten index (GI) and the Zeleny sedimentation test of these wheat lines. Detected values of relative viscosity, grain hardness (PSI) and albumin-globulin fraction were significantly influenced by the genotype of the wheat line. The relationships of evaluated grain characteristics to the results of feeding test were not unequivocal. The presence of 1B/1R translocation significantly decreased the values of balance in these characters: net protein utilization (NPU) and biological value of proteins (BV), however the effect of the 1B/1R translocation on protein efficiency ratio (PER) was not confirmed. Correlation analyses showed low mutual relationships among the parameters of balance and growth tests. A lower but significant positive correlation of the albumin + globulin fraction and a negative correlation of storage proteins with growth parameter PER were also observed. It is possible to summarize that individual relation between albumins + globulins and gluten protein composition of grains influenced the values of PER more significantly than the presence of 1B/1R translocation.

The paper deals with historical development of floodplain forests in the area of Vrapač National Nature Reserve in the floodplain of the Morava River (Protected Landscape Area Litovelské Pomoraví, Czech Republic). The aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the anthropogenic influences that have over centuries led to the present state of floodplain forests in the study area. Thus, it will be possible to define more efficiently the management plan of this floodplain forest ecosystem.

This scientific paper shows the partial results of the research project GAČR 402/05/2697, focussing on the analysis of a questionnaire survey and the creation of strategic thinking models of decision making. The partial analysis of the questionnaire survey results was used for designing the basic structure of the required dependencies in the form of a decision tree. On the basis of the tree, requirements for designing the system of strategic thinking models were deduced. These requirements are reflected in the functional model, the data model and in the status diagram. These models will present an instrument suitable for supporting strategic decision making.

The paper addresses the LEADER approach in the Czech Republic. Using documentary research and content analysis of the appropriate documents and the Local Action Groups information sheets, the paper firstly outlines the evolution of the LEADER approach in the Czech Republic (the paper points out the difference in understanding LEADER in the EU /focusing on capacity building and the use of intangible forms of capital/ and in the Czech Republic EU /focusing on investments/). The paper also analyses the participation of farmers and the farming related actors in the LEADER approach (approx. 30% of local action groups are composed by those actors, however, they mostly do not aim /similarly like non-farming actors/ at developing partnership but want to achieve the investments into production; that is why the Czech local action groups are rather quasi-partnerships; it is also reflected in a very low number of strategies aiming at the "adding value to local products" which is the closest to farmers /but it is the less opted theme: only 6% of projects/). The paper ends with the analysis of projects implemented under the LEADER scheme where the farmers participate. It shows that more than the integrated strategies, the Czech local action groups prefer the strategies of the multi-sector type. The paper also points out that the publicly available information about the activities of the local action groups is not sufficient, although the groups are funded from the public budgets. This fact makes the analysis more difficult as for the scientific merit but also contradicts the principles of democratic governance.

A three-year field experiment was conducted from 2000 to 2002 in North-East Poland. Each year three sulphur fertilization rates in the form of sulphate (S- SO₄^2-) and pure sulphur (S-S⁰) were applied: 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha. The most beneficial effect on the yields of cabbage, onion and barley was produced by the rates of 40 and 80 kg S/ha, while the dose of 120 kg S/ha (especially when applied as S-SO₄^2-) reduced the yields of these crops. Increasing rates of sulphur used as a fertilizer caused increased concentration of sulphates in plants up to their luxury accumulation. Irrespective of the test crop species or form of sulphur applied, once the crops terminated their vegetative season, the plants fertilized with sulphur typically contained more total N than those fertilized only with NPK. The S-SO₄^2- fertilization tended to raise the accumulation of N-NO₃^- in the crops, especially during the juvenile phase. The application of 120 kg S-SO₄^2-) /kg caused depressed amounts of potassium in cabbage, onion and in barley during the heading phase.

The resistance of Chinese asters to Fusarium wilt was tested by artificially inoculating the root systems. A mixture of Fusarium isolates was prepared with a concentration of about 10⁴-10⁹ propagules per litre of the pathogen. 63 cultivars of both domestic and foreign origin were evaluated in the 1^st year, 95 in the 2^nd year and 89 in the 3^rd year. Clear, statistically valid differences in mortality, both with experiments involving artificial inoculations and considering natural infections, make it possible to divide aster varieties into three groups based in their resistance to infections. The first set can be described as resistant. This includes the Matsumoto, Einf. Madeleine and Americká kráska series, and several others. The second set can be described as being moderately resistant. This includes the Chryzantémokvěté and Standy series, and the cultivars Matsumoto Pink, Princes Armida and Jitka. The third set can be described as sensitive. This includes the Průhonický trpaslík, Jehlicovité and Pastel series and several others. A statistical analysis of the results shows that the Einf. Madeleine series of cultivars is the most resistant to Fusarium wilt. This series is phenotypically similar to the original botanical species. Resistance was evaluated by recording the differences in mortality rates between artificially-inoculated plants and non-inoculated group (controls).

The role of the water movement and retention during extreme runoff formation was demonstrated in the Modrý Důl catchment (Krkonoše Mts., Czech Republic). A cyclone, which moved from Hungary to Poland, caused an extreme rainfall (120 mm) and subsequent extreme runoff in August, 2002. The precipitation, discharge, air and soil temperatures, tensiometric pressure, and soil moisture were recorded. The maximum retention capacity of the catchment was evaluated (70 mm). Depending on the actual retention capacity and the precipitation amount, two situations were recorded: (1) the precipitation amount lower than the actual retention capacity where the precipitation was fully absorbed in the catchment and the discharge in to the stream was not influenced by rain, (2) the precipitation amount higher than the actual retention capacity where the precipitation caused a saturation excess of the soil profile, generating extreme outflow into the stream. Neither the soil cover in the catchment or fluvial deposits along the Modrý potok stream were able to retain the extreme rain and inhibit the catastrophic flood.

D-alanine (DAL) has been successfully used as a marker of bacterial nitrogen (N) in the small intestine of cows. This study compares DAL contents of intestinal bacteria in digesta of cows and pigs with respect to diet and sampling site. In isolated ileal bacteria of pigs a DAL/N ratio (41.72 ± 3.19 mg/g, n = 18) was found, which was not different from that in rumen bacteria (40.11 ± 1.95 mg/g, n = 18) but higher than in duodenal bacteria of cows (38.09 ± 2.09 mg/g, n = 18, P < 0.001). The DAL/N ratio in ileal bacteria of pigs was independent of the diet (P = 0.38) but it tended to be affected by the animal (P = 0.095). In bacterial preparations derived from cows, the DAL/N ratio depended on the diet (P = 0.04) and the site of sampling (P = 0.004). Our findings indicate that a general value for DAL/N ratio in pig or cow intestinal contents to calculate bacterial N should not be used.

Molecular studies enabling the recognition of the role of game and ticks in the circulation of pathogens transmitted by ticks and detection of coinfections in order to estimate a risk which a contact with tissues of roe deer, red deer and wild boar from north-western Poland brings were the aim of this research. DNA isolated from the blood and spleen of game and from Ixodes ricinus were the study materials. The results shows that Capreolus capreolus and Cervus elaphus play an important role in the life cycle of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, two Bartonella species, Theileria and Babesia spp. Whereas in the isolates obtained from 50 representatives of Sus scrofa, the DNA of only one pathogen, A. phagocytophilum occurred. 63.5% of 74 PCR+ isolates from Capreolus capreolus showed a double coinfection and three isolates - triple. In the tissues of Cervus elaphus, the coinfections were triple in 38% of individuals, double in 40%, single in 84%.

Zemspol, Dešná, Ltd is a large corporation engaged in various aspects of agriculture in the Czech Republic, including agricultural production, the assembly, maintenance and repair of agricultural machinery, the production of feed stuffs and feed mixtures,special agricultural services demanding special entitlement, business related matters and accounting. This paper focuses on agricultural production. The farm manages 2 100 hectares of agricultural land suitable for growing potatoes, although the largest area is used for growing wheat. The range of produce remains constant. Regarding livestock, the corporation specializes in cattle with the steady head count 250 for the past 15 years. These are predominantly red and white cattle, optimized for both milk and meat production. The average annual production is 1 350 000 litres of milk and 250 tons of beef. The agricultural farm can be described as being a strong perfomer with a very stable base, good reputation and very attractive products, both of crops and livestock. In order to keep this enviable status, frequent internal and external environmental analyses are undertaken.

The image of a shop is the perception of the attributes of trade chains which are stated by consumers or the target market. The part of the shop image can be the assortment, the production quality and price, services of the shop, organization, the location and atmosphere of the shop, advertising and the shop reputation. The basis for conceiving this paper was an assumption that the image of a shop is one of the determining factors of the shopping place choice. The individual attributes of a shop can affect the perception of a consumer and therefore affect his decision about the choice of a shop and buying goods. The image analysis of trade chains was processed on the basis of a 5-point scale which shows the respondents' attitude toward each and every of 29 attributes of the researched trade chains. The basic data were gained by the means of a questionnaire research in the field of Slovak consumers' behaviour and the results were analysed by the means of the semantic differential method. The shop image analysis hands out information which can be a starting point for understanding the importance of the attributes of the trade chains from the point of view of the consumer perception and attitude. Based on the image analysis of the foreign trade chains in the Slovak market, we can say that the consumers are satisfied with the opening hours, shops location, cleanliness and appearance of shops and the sufficient number of shopping trolleys. Minuses were noticed in the field of promotion activities and the waiting time at the registers.