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One of the critical points of Douglas fir seedling production is to optimize the time of sowing and length of pre-sowing treatment. Germination and emergence of Douglas fir seed lot of the Czech origin (CZ-2-2A-DG-1740-6-3-P) were observed in simulated warm and cold conditions in two phytotrons for 3 months. Before this procedure the seeds were exposed to different prechilling duration. The temperature in control conditions of phytotrons was stable for 28 days and then it was increased: 11, 13, 17°C in cold phytotron and 13, 17, 20°C in the warm phytotron. Seeds without stratification and stratified for 3, 5, 7, 9 and 16 weeks were tested. The laboratory germination capacity of non-stratified seeds was only 58% and it was significantly (P < 0.05, Tukey's test) lower than in stratification treatments when it varied from 92% to 96%. Non-stratified seeds did not germinate in cold phytotron and they germinated very slowly (germination rate at the end of experiment was 7%) in warm phytotron. The germination capacity of seeds both in the phytotron and in the laboratory was observed in treatments with prechilling of seeds longer than 7 weeks in warm conditions and only for seeds after 16 weeks of prechilling in cold conditions. The highest emergence rate of seeds (84%) was found in the warm phytotron after 16 weeks of stratification. Comparable results were reached only for 9 weeks of stratification in the same phytotron. The results suggest that the prolongation of the standard 3-week prechilling period helps to increase germination capacity and emergence rate of seeds. Future research should focus on optimal length with regard to more seed lots and also on seedling quality parameters.

Fatty acid content of raw and cooked zander (Sander lucioperca) was studied. Special attention was paid to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic, 20:5 n-3 (EPA) and docosahexaenoic, 22:6 n-3 (DHA), and also to the n-6/n-3 ratio, which are regarded as indicators of nutritive value. As found, the heat treatments, boiling, stewing and frying, including those in a convection steam oven (CSO), did not significantly decrease the content of EPA and DHA in the products. Boiling and stewing appeared to give products of a higher nutritive value, regarding the above indicators, than frying and cake preparation. Frying of zander in CSO was found to be more beneficial for nutrition compared to pan-frying. The cooked zander had higher EPA and DHA contents than many other popular food fish species, and also had a high nutritive value due to the low n-6/n-3 ratio when boiled and stewed.

The depth of sampling is an important factor for evaluating soil stability. The objective of this study was to test soil aggregate particle-size fractions and soil organic carbon (SOC) in water-stable aggregate by vegetation restoration through 0-60 cm soil profile. We collected soil samples in 30 years old Robinia psendoacacia (Rr); Platycladus orientalis (Po); Pinus tabulaeformis (Pt); abandoned land (Ab), and slope cropland (Sc), which were separated into > 2, 2-1, 1-0.25, 0.25-0.053, and < 0.053 mm fractions. The > 0.25 mm water-stable aggregates (WSA) and mean weight diameter (MWD) were calculated in 0-60 cm soil depth. Results showed that soil aggregate fractions (> 0.25 mm) of four vegetation types were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in 40-60 cm soil depth under Po, Pt, and Ab compared with Sc and the SOC distribution in macro-aggregates (> 0.25 mm) under Rr, Po, Pt, and Ab was higher more than 37.7, 92.4, 92.5, 79.1%, respectively in 40-60 cm compared with Sc additionally, > 0.25 mm WSA and MWD was significantly higher in Pt soil in 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm soil depth (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that soil stability was enhanced and SOC content was increased after converting slope cropland to forest, especially under Pt forest that greatly influenced the subsoil.

The prosperity of various forest regeneration methods was evaluated on the prepared windthrow area established in 2010 in a previously allochthonous coniferous stand growing in mid-elevations of the Czech Republic. The forest regeneration variants were as follows: (1) "planting" of target species (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and Fagus sylvatica (L.), (2) "seeding" of pioneer (non target) species (Betula pendula Roth) and (3) spontaneous "succession". Two years after windthrow the "planting" was evaluated in accordance with the Czech forestry law as regeneration method with sufficient attributes, density (6,000-9,000 indd.ha^-1) and regular spatial distribution of target tree species. The "seeding" and "succession" variants showed a insufficient attributes of target tree species - total density ca 3,000 indd.ha^-1 (being ca 1,000 indd.ha^-1 higher than 20 cm) and irregular distribution across the plot. The non-target species birch on the "seeding" variant showed a high density of plants (131,000 indd.ha^-1) being eight times higher than the succession variant. The cost of the regeneration treatment was different between the variants - planting: 5,000-6,000 EUR.ha^-1, 1,300 EUR.ha^-1, succession: 1,000 EUR.ha^-1. Comparing to "planting" the higher diversity of tree species and higher density of non-target species (20,000-134,000 EUR.ha^-1) in the "seeding" and "succession" variants promise success for the future, however the real potential of regeneration methods that were used will be clear after long-term observations.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of feed supplementation of laying hens with manganese from its inorganic and organic sources on performance and some parameters of egg quality. Ninety-six hens at 20 weeks of age were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments, each consisting of 6 replicates (4 birds per replicate). The control group was fed unsupplemented basal diet (BD) with only natural background Mn level of 46.4 mg/kg feed. For the three experimental treatments, the BD was supplemented with 120 mg Mn/kg either from Mn-sulphate or Mn-chelate of protein hydrolysate (Mn-Pro) or Mn-chelate of glycine hydrate (Mn-Gly). After 8 weeks of dietary treatments the egg production, egg weight, feed intake, and feed efficiency were not affected by dietary treatments. Regardless of the sources, Mn supplementation to feed resulted in significantly decreased percentages of cracked eggs compared to the unsupplemented control group. The thickness, weight, proportion, and index of eggshell were significantly elevated in all groups supplemented with Mn. The intake of Mn-Gly resulted in considerably increased Mn deposition in egg yolk compared to the control eggs. In the control and Mn-sulphate groups yolk malondialdehyde (MDA) started to increase after 20 and 30 days of egg storage respectively, whereas in eggs from hens given organic Mn-sources this parameter was not affected up to 40 days. Although there were no significant differences in MDA values between the treatments until 20 days of storage, the Mn-sulphate group showed significantly higher MDA concentration in yolks compared to the control group after 30 days of storage. These results demonstrate that supplementation of hens' diet with Mn has positive effects on eggshell quality. Feed supplementation with Mn from organic sources appears to be more effective in preventing yolk lipid oxidation during cold storage of eggs than that from Mn-sulphate.

Lycopene is a carotenoid present in vegetables and ripe fruit and has been proved to be the most potent antioxidant among various common carotenoids. This study assessed the effects of lycopene on performance production, tissue lycopene content, antioxidant capacity, and biochemical parameters in 720 Xing-hua breeding hens. Rice-soybean diets were supplemented with different lycopene levels: 0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg. Lycopene supplementation significantly increased fertilization rates in hens. Serum and egg lycopene contents and the Roche Yolk Colour Fan score increased with lycopene supplementation through day 7. In the liver, lycopene supplementation significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG). Additionally, lycopene supplementation increased serum SOD, serum T-AOC, serum glutathione peroxidase, and serum GSH/GSSG. Lycopene addition significantly decreased total cholesterol and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triiodothyroxine. It also improved fertilization rates, antioxidant capacity, and metabolism in breeding hens.

The study deals with the influence of the structure, texture and dynamics of a spruce-beech primeval forest on the bird community in Skalná Alpa National Nature Reserve in the Veľká Fatra Mts. (West Carpathians, Slovakia) in the years 1982-2002. The abundance of Norway spruce (Picea excelsa Lam.) was highest both in the optimum and decomposition stage. In the growth stage the number of Norway spruce (Picea excelsa Lam.) trees was quite low. The texture of spruce-beech virgin forest was very variable. Percentage ratios of individual stages on the area of 42.16 ha were as follows: growth stage 38.3%, optimum stage 20.1% and decomposition stage 41.6%. Altogether 46 bird species were represented in the bird community during the spring season. Mean total density was 85.8 ind/10 ha. The bird community consisted of 52 species in the summer season, 45 in the autumn migration season, 34 in the winter season, and of 47 in the spring migration season. The highest density was found in the bird community during the autumn migration season (109.8 ind/10 ha), the lowest in the winter season (24.6 ind/10 ha). During the spring migration season, both the spectrum of bird species and total density of bird community increased by the number of migratory species that came back from winter habitats.

This paper analyses regional heterogeneity under the discretionary measures of non-operating earnings quality and stock returns on firm value in Taiwan's biotech industry during 2008-2015. An econometric framework based on panel smooth transition regression models is employed in a non-linear panel data model. The results show that biotech firms near the bottom threshold for operating income have low-quality non-operating earnings and those near the upper threshold demonstrate the opposite. Investors who exclusively focus on stock returns are thus likely to miss important information about the quality of earnings.

The goal of this study was to examine the effect of oxidative stress (OS) induced with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on the anaesthetic properties of ketamine in seven and 14 day-old broiler chicks. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that H₂O₂ (0.5%) induced OS through significant inhibition of glutathione (GSH) and elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in the brain of chicks in comparison to control (tap water) group. The hypnotic and analgesic median effective doses (ED_50s) decreased by 44% and 19%, respectively, in the stressed group compared to control group of chicks. On the other hand, the acute toxicity of ketamine increased through decreasing the acute median lethal dose (LD₅₀) (22%) in stressed chicks as determined by the up-and-down method. Injection of multiple ketamine doses at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, i.m. produced hypnotic effects for both groups of chicks depending on the dose, whereas H₂O₂ caused an increase in ketamine hypnotic efficacy in comparison to the control group. In the same manner, the antinociceptive effect of ketamine increased in the stressed chicks that underwent electrostimulation for pain induction. Both AST and ALT concentrations in the plasma were significantly elevated in the stressed group when compared to the control group. The results of this study suggest that H₂O₂-induced OS modifies the anaesthetic properties of ketamine in chicks by increasing its efficacy and acute toxicity probably through its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions; thus, care must be taken when stressed animals are undergoing anaesthesia with ketamine.

This article is focused on the evaluation of the Al/Ca ratio in fine roots of Norway spruce on the plots belonging to the ICP Forests monitoring programme in the Czech Republic. In total 122 fine root samples were collected from twenty plots from two soil layers of 0-10 and 10-20 cm and then analysed. The mean Ca/Al molar ratio in the fine roots from the 0-10 cm topsoil layer is higher than in the lower 10-20 cm soil layer, which corresponds to the distribution of fine roots - on average 80% of fine roots were found in the topsoil. 6% of the samples in the lower soil layer strongly indicate aluminium stress (Ca/Al < 0.1) and 30% of the samples may demonstrate the adverse effects of aluminium (< 0.2). On the other hand, no relationship was found between the Ca/Al ratio in the fine roots and the fine root biomass and vitality or crown condition. These results suggest that the potential aluminium toxicity is not the driving factor of the crown condition in Norway spruce and the Ca/Al ratio itself does not pose a risk to forest health in the region.

The development of age structure of Czech agricultural workforce has been continuously predominantly negative since 1989 and it constitutes a serious problem in terms of reproduction of agricultural workforce. The present paper abstains from analyzing the demographic, economic and socio-political influences on this process and tries to identify the specific factors inherent in the agricultural labour market. It considers opportunities for improving the age structure of agricultural workforce provided by the labour market system, particularly in relation to the supply of workforce, demand for it, unemployment and wage levels. An abductive approach, based on a secondary analysis of quantitative data and the authors' own empirical survey, identifies a set of hypotheses about the relationship between agricultural labour market and the age structure of agricultural workforce.

Effects of insecticidal sprays on poppy root weevils (Stenocarus ruficornis, Stephens 1831) were assessed in small plot trials at three localities in the Czech Republic during two years (2011-2012). In addition, the effects of seed dressing were included into the assessment in one of the localities (Červený Újezd). The levels of root damage caused by the insect pest larvae (expressed as number of bore holes per root) and yield got from individual treatments were compared. Sprays applied for 18 days after the first record of poppy root weevils in trials showed the highest effects on a decrease of the levels of root damage (40% of untreated control). In general, sprays applied at the date when SATF₁₄ value exceeded 20°C showed significant effects on decreasing the levels of root damage. The highest effects were usually recorded in sprays which were applied when SATF₁₄ value exceeded 100°C.

The fractionation of Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zn species in extracts of rye (cv. Fernando) seedlings (grown up in both standard and Cd²⁺-enriched medium) and rye flour was performed by SEC/ICP-MS method. The majority of Cu, Zn, and Ni in all samples were bound in the 1-2 kDa fraction. Molybdenum occurred in all samples in the fraction of 3 kDa. During five days of cultivation in a solution of 30 µmol/l Cd²⁺, the plants accumulated as much as 5 mg/kg fresh matter of Cd, but its soluble portion represented only 12-15%. The prevailing portion of Cd complexes was contained in the fraction of 3 kDa, while the minor part occurred in the fraction of 20 kDa. The speciation of elevated Cd in plants differs from that of other metals present at a physiological level. The metal-rich fractions of the extracts of all samples (i.e. those of 1-2 kDa) were refined by immobilised metal affinity chromatography. The isolated ligands of trace elements were peptides rich in dicarboxylic aminoacids.

The aim of this study was the determination of lactoferrin in goat milk using HPLC method. Milk samples were collected at a goat farm in the South Moravia Region, the Czech Republic. It were established bulk tank samples of raw milk (n = 24) and pasteurised milk (nn = 27) that were collected during lactation. Lactoferrin contents were analysed by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with diode-array detector PDA 2996. Detection was carried out at the wavelength 205 nm. The average concentration of lactoferrin in goat milk was 120 ± 18 μg/ml. The lactoferrin content was increasing within the lactation period in the ranges of 98 ± 170 μg/ml in April to 149 ± 19 μg/ml in November. The heat treatment (pasteurisation at 72°C for 20 s) resulted in no significant effect on the lactoferrin content. No statistically significant differences (P = 0.05) were found between the values of raw and pasteurised goat milk.

Tree growth is one of the main variables needed for forest management planning. The use of simple models containing traditional equations to describe tree growth is common. However, equations that incorporate different factors (e.g. site quality of the stands, crown classes of the trees, silvicultural treatments) may improve their accuracy in a wide range of stand conditions. The aim of this work was to compare the accuracy of tree diameter growth models using (i) a family of simple equations adjusted by stand site quality and crown class of trees, and (ii) a unique global equation including stand and individual tree variables. Samplings were conducted in 136 natural even-aged Nothofagus antarctica (Forster f.) Oersted stands in Southern Patagonia (Argentina) covering age (20-200 years), crown class and site quality gradients. The following diameter growth models were fitted: 16 simple equations using two independent variables (age and one equation for each stand site quality or crown class) based on Richards model, plus a unique global equation using three independent variables (age, stand site quality and crown class). Simple equations showed higher variability in their accuracy, explained between 54% and 92% of the data variation. The global model presented similar accuracy like the better equations of the simple growth models. The unification of the simple growth models into a unique global equation did not greatly improve the accuracy of estimations, but positively influenced the biological response of the model. Another advantage of the global equation is the simple use under a wide range of natural stand conditions. The proposed global model allows to explain the tree growth of N. antarctica trees along the natural studied gradients.

Rendering plant fat (RPF) was collected and different conditions were used for transesterification. The course of transesterification of RPF was compared with that of transesterification of lard under the same conditions. Significant diffe-rences were found between transesterification of RPF and that of lard. Optimum methanol excess for lard transesterification was found to be 30-fold, for RPF 10-fold, optimum sulfuric acid concentration was 1% for lard, 2.5% for RPF. Optimum temperature as well as optimum reaction time were similar in both cases. The fatty acid composition is similar but not identical in both fats. RPF contains a higher amount of free acid which could be the reason for the differences observed.

The susceptibility of G. pyloalis larvae to spinosad was studied using the leaf dip method. Treatment with doses of spinosad sublethal concentrations (LC₁₀, LC₂₀, LC₃₀, LC₄₀ of 0.026, 0.045, 0.065, 0.090 ppm, respectively) was applied. A significant difference in the effects was observed between the sublethal concentrations (LC₁₀, LC₂₀, LC₃₀, and LC₄₀) and the control in the content of carbohydrate and glycogen, and between the control vs. LC₃₀ and LC₄₀ in the content of protein. A significant decrease in glutathione S-transferase activity with the increase of spinosad concentration, no significant differences in the activities of α- and β-esterases, and a significant increase in the enzyme activity of phenoloxidase were observed. Effects of LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ spinosad concentrations on some biological parameters showed that percentage of larval pupation and female fecundity significantly decreased in the concentration of LC₃₀.

The effects of yeast-derived protein (YP) on growth performance, intestinal health, and oxidative status of weanling piglets were investigated. A total of 80 weaned piglets (PIC 327 × 1050, 26 ± 2 days old, 6.20 ± 0.10 kg) were randomly allocated into 2 groups, 5 pens per each group and 8 piglets per each pen, receiving control diet and diet with inclusion of 4% YP at the expenses of fish meal (YP diet) for a period of 28 days. The diets were formulated to contain similar nutrient levels. Compared with control, piglets fed YP diet had markedly higher overall average daily growth (+14%, P < 0.05) and lower final feed conversion ratio (-8%, P < 0.01). Concentrations of serum serine, cystathionine, histidine, hydroxyproline, and urea were decreased in piglets fed YP diet (P < 0.05), whereas alanine and aspartate were increased (P < 0.01). Moreover, serum antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase) was markedly increased (+19%, P < 0.01) in piglets fed YP diet relative to piglets fed control diet. In addition, feeding YP diet considerably (P < 0.05) increased the copy numbers of lactobacilli and total bacteria in the colon of piglets at the end of the experiment. Furthermore, the mRNA abundance of innate immunity-related genes (TLR4, NF-κB1, and IL-6) was increased (P < 0.06) in the ileum of piglets fed YP diet. Collectively, results of this study indicated that diet with the inclusion of YP improved growth performance and partially enhanced anti-oxidative capability as well as intestinal innate immunity of weaning piglets.

Quantitative relationships between stand indices and carbon dioxide (CO₂) stocking are missing in the evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs) in eastern China and this hinders to estimate carbon (C) budget in the subtropical region. We determined the vegetation-soil C pool and CO₂ stocking using stand indices [diameter at breast height (DBH), total height (H) and wood density] in Schima superba dominated EBLFs in the Tiantong National Forest Park in eastern China. Vegetation biomass was determined by a non-destructive method using the tree volume and wood density approach while soil C concentration was determined using the oil bath-K₂CrO₇ titration method. Finally, multiple regression and one-way ANOVA with LSD test were used for data analysis. Results showed that total C stocks in the vegetation and the 0-20 cm surface soil were 90.53 t.ha^-1 and 116.24 t.ha^-1, respectively. The study revealed that the total amount of CO₂ stocks in the studied forest is 331.87 t.ha^-1. One-way ANOVA with LSD test showed that CO₂ stocks varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the tree growth stages. There was a significant variation in CO₂ stocking capacity within sapling and pole growth stages but no significant variation within standard stage. The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that DBH, BA and H were related to the C stocking while wood density had no significant effect. The significant amount of C stocking in EBLFs in the Tiantong National Forest Park of eastern China showed the potential and significant C stocks by trees. As the C pool structure changes due to a change in the forest type and location, therefore this study is important to estimate C stocks and predict CO₂ stocks from stand indices in EBLFs which serve as a scientific basis for sustainable forestry operations, rational utilization of forest resources and global warming reduction in EBLFs in subtropical regions of China.

The relationships between intrinsic viscosity and some properties of amylose and amylopectin were investigated. The intrinsic viscosities determined by Ubbelohde viscometer for rice, maize, wrinkled pea and potato amyloses were 46.28 ± 0.30, 123.94 ± 0.62, 136.82 ± 0.70, and 167.00 ± 1.10 ml/g, respectively; and the intrinsic viscosities of rice, maize, wrinkled pea and potato amylopectins were 77.28 ± 0.90, 154.50 ± 1.10, 162.56 ± 1.20 and 178.00 ± 1.00 ml/g, respectively. The thermal and retrogradation properties of amylose and amylopectin were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Results showed that the thermal enthalpy (ΔH_g) was positively correlated with intrinsic viscosity, however, the onset and peak temperatures were not related to the intrinsic viscosity. The amylose and amylopectin retrogradation enthalpy values were negatively related to intrinsic viscosity, while the onset and peak temperature values of retrograded amylose and amylopectin were not related to the intrinsic viscosity during storage (except one-day storage). Furthermore, the onset and peak temperatures and retrogradation enthalpy of amylose and amylopectin changed slowly during storage at 4°C.

The dissipation patterns of thiamethoxam insecticide at two different rates (12.5 and 25 µg/g) in both silty clay loam and loam soils were studied. The half lives of thiamethoxam were in the range of 15.0 to 18.8 days in silty clay loam and 20.1 to 21.5 days in loam soil. The residues of thiamethoxam in potato tubers and soil at harvest time (90 days after planting) could not be detected either in soil or in tubers at any of the applied rates (25 and 50 g a.i./ha). Thus, thiamethoxam does not appear to pose any health hazard to consumers or harm to the environment.

Improving the quality of reclaimed soils requires an active population of microorganisms which can promote plant growth. Increasing the activity of microorganisms can be done by adding nutrients, making agrotechnical soil improvements and by the inoculation of beneficial microorganisms. We investigated the role of fertilizer treatments on plant growth and nitrogen fixation in a pot experiment conducted under green house conditions. Influence of the fertilizer type on numbers of bacteria was also investigated. The seeds were inoculated with the mixture of Azotobacter spp. and Rhizobium spp. The pot experiment was set up with the substrate from the mine spoil (North Bohemia coal basin, the Czech Republic) using Medicago sativa as test plants. The following treatments were used: compost 0, 20, 40, 120, 400, 800 t/ha and mineral fertilizer - ammonium sulphate. The doses of ammonium sulphate were calculated to be equivalent (in nitrogen content) to those doses of compost. Control variants without bacteria inoculation and fertilizers were also included. Inoculation with the mixture of AzotobacterRhizobium spp. significantly increased plant growth and nitrogenase activity. The nitrogenase activity was inhibited by mineral fertilizers in all doses used. The results of the study have proved that compost application stimulated the growth of Azotobacter spp. and Rhizobium spp.

The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of using rabbit bladder as a model for experimental detrusor electrostimulation research. In a study of urinary bladder activity induced through electrostimulation of the ventral roots, the functional and morphological parameters of the rabbit detrusor were investigated. Under general anaesthesia, open electrostimulation of ventral spinal roots leading towards the detrusor (usually S_2, S₃) was performed in 20 rabbits. Detrusor response was recorded by repeated electromyography and cystometry in two groups: animals with naturally concentrated urine content (Group A, eight rabbits) and animals after flushing and filling the bladder with saline (Group B, 12 rabbits). Histological examination of bladder wall was performed in both groups. The measured values were compared to one another as well as with data from the veterinary and human literature. The histological specimens were compared with histological specimens of human bladder. The reaction of detrusor fibres was detectable by electromyography in all cases. Elevation of intravesical pressure as a consequence of detrusor contraction was more difficult to detect, as this depends more on the density of the intravesical content. The pressure rise in Group B had a higher amplitude - up to 15 cm H₂O versus 5 cm H₂O in the first group (P = 0.00046). Histological examination of bladder wall from the two groups of rabbits showed no differences. In comparison with the bladder wall in humans, the only differences found were significantly thinner detrusor layers relative to the overall thickness of bladder wall. It is possible to use rabbit bladder for research into experimentally electrostimulation-induced activity of the detrusor or for experimental detrusor reinnervation research. It is necessary, however, to take into account certain limits - the lower contractility of the bladder wall and the need for qualitative control of bladder content. The present results also suggest that the physiological micturition of rabbits is probably more dependent on abdominal pressure than in humans.

The extraction of capsanthin and capsaicin from red pepper (Capsicum annum L.) was studied using a three-liquid-phase system (TLPS) of acetone/K₂HPO₄/n-hexane. When the system consisted of 22% (w/w) acetone/20% (w/w) K₂HPO₄/10% (w/w) n-hexane, capsanthin was extracted into the top n-hexane-rich phase, yielding a recovery of 98.15% at a temperature of 25°C. Meanwhile, capsaicin was mainly distributed in the middle acetone-rich phase, less than 0.01% in the top phase, and undetectable in the bottom salt-rich phase. The yields of capsanthin and capsaicin were 105 and 88% of those of the conventional solvent extraction, respectively. Thus, capsanthin and capsaicin were separated through a single step at a low cost.

The effect of different pre-treatments (i.e. osmotic dehydration in 10, 15 and 20°Brix NaCl solution and drying air temperature of 50, 60 and 70°C) on drying behaviour of onion slices were investigated. The onion slices were dried in a laboratory model tray dryer. Drying of onion slices occurred in falling rate period. Five thin-layer drying models (Exponential, Page, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic and Power law) were fitted to the moisture ratio data. Among the drying models investigated, the Page model satisfactorily described the drying behaviour of onion slices. The effective moisture diffusivity of pre-treated samples was higher than that of non-treated samples

The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program in the period from 2006 to 2013 based on epidemiological data (Incidence of confirmed rabies in red foxes), biological marker evaluation (presence of tetracycline [TTC] indicating bait uptake), and the assessment of seroconversion (based on ELISA for rabies antibodies) in red foxes in Lithuania. Results were compared between juvenile and adult red foxes, and between the spring (March to May) and autumn (October to December) campaigns. On average, 20 baits/km² were distributed over the entire territory of Lithuania. During the entire period of 2006-2013 1179 red foxes (10% of 11 829) were rabies-positive. While in 2006, 23.8% of tested foxes were rabies-positive, the incidence decreased to 2.4% in 2009, and 0.7% in 2011. Based on jaw bone investigation 78.1% of the foxes had ingested TTC from baits, 52.2% had seroconverted. The percentage of ELISA-positive red fox sera samples remained stable at 44.7-53.2% during both most recent ORV periods. The majority were adults (83%), 81.1 ± 8.54% of which were TCC-positive, and 73.8 ± 6.33% were TTC-positive juveniles. 52.5 ± 5.81% of adult red foxes had seroconversed, while 48.2 ± 4.51% of the young animals had a positive ELISA test in the years 2006 to 2013. This is in contrast to 2006 where only 29.5% of the young foxes were ELISA-positive. There were no significant differences between TTC- and ELISA-positive populations in different geographical regions of Lithuania.

We determine the total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidative potential (AOP) in external and internal leaves of different cultivars of chicory, both before and after storage. We analysed the red cultivars Leonardo, Trevisio, Mesola, Verona, and Chioggia, the red-spotted cultivar Castelfranco, and the sweet cultivars Jupiter, Uranus, and Mercurius. The chicories were stored at temperatures from 0.1°C to 0.8°C and relative humidity from 90% to 95%. Cultivar and leaves significantly influenced TPC and AOP, while storage influenced AOP only. The outer leaves showed significantly higher TPC and AOP. The TPC in chicory ranged from 20 mg/100 g to 400 mg/100 g fresh weight and the AOP ranged from 0.20 μmol/g to 0.85 μmol/g fresh weight.

Several different fungi can cause tar leaf spot diseases in maple trees, including three fungi of the genus Rhytisma. Rhytisma acerinum (Pers.) Fries is an ascomycete that forms black stromata known as tar spot on the adaxial surface of the leaves of Acer species. The tar spot (R. acerinum) disease has been increasing in incidence and severity in maples of Hyrcanian forests, northern Iran, in recent years. One of the best ways to manage infestations by R. acerinum is through adequate biotechnical techniques. The isolation of fungal spore colonies was evaluated using different dosages of Oxywet 10% (50, 100, 200, 500 µl), Gentamicin 5% (100, 200, 400; 1,000 µl), and Amoxicillin antibiotics 20% (25, 50, 100, 250 µl) in 100 ml of distilled water in each treatment. All possible combinations of single doses were applied using light and dark treatments. In light conditions, it appears that the Oxywet (200 µl) had the significant effect on controlling R. acerinum. Reduced fungal growth, coefficient and inhibition of fungal growth were observed in the light treatment. The other antibiotics (Gentamicin, Amoxicillin) were not so effective in controlling this pathogen. Results of spore germination showed a significant difference between all treatments. All treatments were tested in pure cultures in the laboratory only. The results obtained cannot be expected of the same effectiveness in open field trials.

A laboratory microcosm experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the four single-species (Pinus tabulaeformis (Pt), Pinus radiata (Pr), Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cj), and Ostryopsis davidiana (Od) litters from southwestern China and mixed pine-broadleaf (Pt + Cj, Pr + Cj, Pt + Od, Pr + Od) litters on soil microbial activities and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Microcosms with the local typical soil and litterbags containing the eight litter types were incubated with 60% water field capacity for 84 days at 20°C. The results showed that the dynamics of soil microbial parameters and DOC were influenced by the litter types with different initial chemical quality. Due to their initial poor nutrient contents, the Pt and Pr litter treatments always showed lower soil microbial activities and DOC at each sampling compared with the Cj and Od litter treatments. However, compared with the single-species pine litter treatments, the inclusion of broadleaf Cj or Od litter into pine litter significantly increased soil microbial activities, and the concentrations of soil DOC during the whole incubation process. The current work thus provided a good implication for plantation management that it should be appropriate to consider Cj as an ameliorative species or retain Od in the pine plantations to improve soil conditions.

The effect of egg collection time, genotype and housing system on egg quality characteristics was evaluated in an experiment with laying hens of ISA Brown, Hisex Brown and Moravia housed on litter and in conventional cages. The experiment was conducted from 20 to 64 weeks of age. Eggs were collected and recorded daily at 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. Once every four weeks, two days in row, all eggs laid from each pen or cage at each oviposition time were used for egg quality analyses (total 1 694 eggs). Egg collection time was dependent on genotype. Significantly more eggs were laid at 06:00h by ISA Brown while Moravia laid eggs mainly at 10:00 and 14:00 h. Housing on litter postponed the time of oviposition. The highest egg weight (62.09 g) was recorded in Hisex Brown genotype placed in cages and at 06.00 h. Interactions of all factors were determined also in Haugh units (P ≤ 0.041). Eggshell strength was affected by housing system, genotype and egg collection time (P ≤ 0.049). It was higher in cages than on litter, and lower in the Moravia genotype in comparison with the other two strains.