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The present study aimed to apply a multi-residue method for the screening and quantification of pesticide residues in ciders, low alcoholic beverages made by fermentation of apple juice. Twenty bottled craft cider samples purchased from the Czech market were analysed for pesticide residues. The residues of pesticides were extracted from samples using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) procedure in combination with additional solid-phase extraction (SPE) sample clean-up to achieve the lowest detection limit possible. In this study, targeted screening of pesticide residues in the samples was performed with the Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry instrument. We identified 18 pesticides in cider samples analysed by screening method using an accurate-mass database of about 500 pesticide compounds, including their retention times, empirical formulas, and characteristic fragments. Additionally, liquid chromatography with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometer (LC-HRMS/MS) was used for re-analysis of positive findings of pesticides in samples and allowed to quantify compounds of interest at 0.2 µg L^–1 concentration level. The monitoring scheme was applied to the set of craft ciders, and the results revealed the presence of pesticide residues in most of the samples at trace levels ranging from 0.5 to 5 µg L^–1 and rarely at a level higher than 10 µg L^–1.

The degree of the phenotypic similarity and differences between 61 seedless vine varieties was studied by grouping them according to economically important phenological, agrobiological and technological indicators. A multidimensional statistical approach is applied – a cluster analysis, which provides possibilities of establishing relatively homogeneous groups (clusters), based on a set of certain indicators. As the cluster analysis does not perform any tests for the statistical significance of the results, it is combined with a factor analysis, which provides information on the reasons leading to the distribution of the individual varieties in different clusters and the merging of others into one cluster. The applied factor analysis transformed all the studied indicators into seven main components, explaining 76% of the total variance. The transformation of these traits to the corresponding number of factors and the indicators in them, which explain that the varieties belong to the separate clusters, was established. The limits of the phenotypic similarity and differences between the studied seedless vine varieties and the conditional parameters of the polymorphism with their economically significant ampelographic characteristics were determined. The presented grouping can be used for taxonomic purposes, as well as in the selection to create new seedless vine varieties. By applying targeted agro-technical measures, the desired change in the indicators of the first and second factors in the individual groups of traits can be actively influenced.

While even-aged forestry is the dominating forest management system in Sweden, there is an increasing interest in Continuous Cover Forestry. Consequently, the conversion of even-aged stands into uneven-aged ones using e.g. selection cutting can be expected to become more common in Sweden. However, there are no up-to-date studies available on harvester productivity during selection cutting under Nordic conditions. Studying harvest intensity during selection cutting is of interest because lighter harvest intensities lead to higher volume growth and better-preserved forest ambience than heavier intensities. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of harvest intensity on harvester productivity during selection cutting. The field study entailed harvesting either 14%, 28% or 48% of a mature stand’s basal area. Harvester productivity was mainly explained by piece size (stem volume), while other factors, including harvest intensity, had only minor effects. This reality means that during selection cutting (thinning from above), piece size increases with decreasing harvest intensity, which in turn increases harvester productivity. Moreover, we observed a mild tendency that operators could select the stems’ felling directions and order more freely when fewer trees are harvested. This amelioration increases productivity additionally during lighter harvesting intensities.

Glyphosate is a widely used agrochemical. Nevertheless, only a few studies have investigated its effect on bees, specifically its influence on their foraging activity. This article provides a summary of the prominent research results on this issue, published in journals in the field of experimental biology. The effect of commonly used concentrations of glyphosate on honey bee navigation has been evaluated in several studies, as well as concentrations that are reportedly sublethal. Exposure to this herbicide increases the flight time back to the hive and affects the flight trajectories of these bees. These results imply that glyphosate at certain concentrations reduces their sensitivity to nectar rewards in associative memories. The contact of bees with non-lethal concentrations of glyphosate results in sublethal effects that affect foraging. In the future, the behaviour of glyphosate and its effect on bees in their natural environment need to be explored.

This study identified three soil bacteria (NRRU-BW3, NRRU-BW3, and NRRU-TV11) that degrade chlorpyrifos, produce indole-3-acetic acid, and exopolysaccharides under pesticide stress. The results revealed that soil bacteria were identified as Priestia megaterium NRRU-BW3, Bacillus siamensis NRRU-BW9, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRU-TV11. These strains showed the ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and exopolysaccharides (EPS) in chlorpyrifos. Moreover, these bacteria can degrade chlorpyrifos (CP) in an aqueous medium, and a 33–52% degradation rate was observed after 14 days of incubation. Inoculation with the NRRU-TV11 significantly increased (P < 0.05) plant height, root length, biomass and vigour index of rice seedlings compared to uninoculated controls in chlorpyrifos-contaminated soil. The findings demonstrated the beneficial effects of indigenous NRRU-TV11 on rice seedling development and chlorpyrifos degradation and recommended this strain as a potential replacement for plant growth improvement and environmental bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated agricultural soils.

This study aimed to use lactic acid bacteria isolated from piglet faeces to develop probiotics, allowing for the effective control of Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from the faeces of suckling piglets and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, then examined for haemolysis; gelatinase activity; and resistance to acid, bile, and pancreatin. The antimicrobial activity of selected lactic acid bacteria isolates was examined for 8 E. coli and 7 Salmonella strains. One-hundred and sixty-four lactic acid bacteria isolates were identified from 118 piglet faecal samples, and 13 lactic acid bacteria isolates were selected from analyses of haemolysis; gelatinase activity; and resistance to acid, bile, and pancreatin. Of the selected 13 lactic acid bacteria isolates, Limosilactobacillus reuteri PF20-3 and PF30-3 strains had the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli and Salmonella.

Kaliurang is one of the local taro cultivars in Indonesia, potentially due to its high productivity and delicacy. This study analysed morpho-genetic variation between one diploid and three tetraploid Kaliurang taro clones from in vitro polyploid induction after plantlet acclimatization in the greenhouse for 6 weeks. Plants’ morphological characters were analysed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method based on 50 characters according to the taro descriptor from the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). Furthermore, a morphometric characterization based on the Euclidean distance of 17 digitations from mature leaves, was analysed with the Analysis Phylogenic and Evolution package in R software. DNA band pattern was also performed with ISSR to analyse the clone’s genetic variance. The results showed morpho-genetic character diversity in diploid and tetraploid plants. A plant morphological study revealed that 22 out of 50 characters were distinct, with similarity coefficients ranging from 0.35 to 0.78. Leaf geometric morphometric analysis showed changes in five digitations and formed three clusters. Twelve ISSR primers out of twenty amplified the sequence of the Kaliurang taro genome to yield two clusters with a similarity coefficient of 0.71–0.83. Based on these three characterization approaches, tetraploid clones (K2 and K3) consistently differed morphologically from diploid clones (K0).

The impact of precipitations and air temperatures on winter wheat yields was evaluated in a 34-year long- term field trial with mineral and organic fertilization established at two experimental sites with different soil-climatic conditions: Ivanovice na Hané with well fertile soils (degraded Chernozem), higher average year temperatures and lower precipitations; Lukavec situated in Bohemian-Moravian highlands with less fertile soils (Cambisol), lower temperatures and higher precipitations. At both sites, a significant positive effect of used fertilizers was noted from the dose of 80 kg N/ha; the best yields were generally obtained at 120 kg N/ha and 160 kg N/ha. The wheat yields at the Ivanovice site were negatively affected by the decrease of precipitations, namely in more fertilized treatments, particularly farmyard manure + mineral nitrogen, from the dose of 80 kg N/ha. A different trend was obtained at the Lukavec site where better winter wheat yields were obtained under lower precipitations. The air temperatures played a positive role at the Lukavec site, but no significant effect of temperature was observed at the Ivanovice site. The less productive areas in highlands can become more interesting for agriculture production with changing climate. However, the soils generally having lower quality and nutrient content can be a limiting factor for obtaining high yields.

In some cases, it is difficult to promote climax tree species in the forest stand composition. In the Czech Republic, silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is a typical example. This study offers an evaluation of the use of two improving compounds for tree plantations in the initial stage of growth in Central Bohemia. In the experiment, we measured the initial growth performance of a young fir plantation treated with a brassinolide compound (concentration 1 : 100 and 1 : 200) and Bio-Algeen^® prior to planting and compared it with control treatment: we assessed height, root collar diameter, vitality and mortality rate during the period 2014–2019. Cumulative mortality rate of the plantation reached 25% at the end of the monitoring period, without any significant differences between variants. Height increment of the variant treated with Bio-Algeen^® was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the growth of brassinolide-treated variants, all treated variants were comparable with the control variant. The plantation underwent a drought-stress period in 2014 and 2015, which resulted in worsened vitality and colour across variants. As a result of the simple economic analysis, the most expensive inputs are planting stock and labour, therefore the price and application of additional substances should not affect decision-making.

Dried fruits are popular ready-to-eat snacks. However, due to cross-contamination or contact with infected persons, Escherichia coli could be present, of which some strains are pathogenic, thus, the consumption of contaminated dried fruits could pose a public health risk. Microbial cells subjected to stress factors such as osmotic shock, radiation and antimicrobials could induce complex stress response systems and adaptation. Radiation and antimicrobials have been shown to cause an SOS response in E. coli, which affects cellular metabolism, such as the enhanced ability to repair DNA and mutagenesis. Studies have shown that glucose plays a critical role in the down- or upregulation of locus for enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded virulence of E. coli. Gamma radiation could also cause the formation of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells. If these cells are present in a sample, the number of viable cells will be underestimated by the plate count method leading to the false conclusion that the product is germ-free. We have reviewed in this article how stressors such as high sugar content, gamma radiation, and antimicrobials affect the survival of E. coli in dried fruits.

An intracranial arachnoid cyst (IAC) is a rare developmental disorder that is consistent with cerebrospinal fluid accumulation between the brain and the arachnoid membrane. A quadrigeminal cyst is a specific type of cyst that is identified based on its localization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on this type of pathology in a Brussels Griffon. This case study describes an 11-month-old female Brussels Griffon with symptoms of reluctance to lower the head and eat from a bowl placed on the ground, combined with episodes of vocalization. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a quadrigeminal cyst during a low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam, and she tested positive for toxoplasmosis in the blood test. Arachnoid cysts are often described as incidental findings, but the characteristics of neurological symptoms in the presented patient suggest that the cyst was clinically significant. The currently known options of pharmacological and surgical treatment give some hope for symptomatic patients, although their definitive success rate is not yet fully known.

Endocrine disruptors, also known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, could mimic or interfere with the body's hormones. Indeed, naturally occurring endocrine disruptors have been widely identified in daily foods. Moreover, industrialisation has resulted in increasing synthetic endocrine disruptors being produced and used as food additives or in food package materials, which makes exposure to endocrine disruptors become more common. Although the safety of synthetic chemicals has been extensively evaluated before entering into the food industry, increasing evidence has also highlighted that long-lasting exposure might influence long-term metabolic outcomes and be associated with the prevalence of obesity. Therefore, this review summarised the sources, detection methods, obesogenic effects and possible mechanisms of endocrine disruptors commonly found in foods, as well as discussed possible underlying mechanisms by which endocrine disruptors contribute to the increased risk of obesity. In conclusion, the review may provide useful information for understanding the association between endocrine disruptors and obesity, which could provide a new angle of view for preventing obesity prevalence.

This study focuses on the effect of agricultural soil management on soil organic matter (SOM) composition. The addition of manure and crop residues was tested under different pedoclimatic conditions. The quality of SOM was assessed using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The following parameters were calculated from the spectra:   sum of aliphatic bands (ΣAL), aromatic bands at wave numbers 1 620 and 1 520 cm^–1 (AR₁₆₂₀ and AR₁₅₂₀), potential wettability (PWI), organic matter quality (OMQ), and decomposability (DI) indexes. The addition of manure or crop residues may not cause fundamental changes in the qualitative composition of SOM. Rather, pedoclimatic conditions determine which components are fixed in the soil on a long-term scale. A dominant effect of soil type was found in the distribution of all spectral parameters studied using main effect ANOVA. The main differences between the soil types concern the aromatic, oxygen and nitrogen groups contained in the SOM. Chernozems are soils with higher OMQ and DI, whereas Cambisols are soils with low OMQ and DI and the highest PWI. The stabilisation of SOM in soils can thus be based on the biochemical persistence of organic molecules, their specific affinity for minerals and the formation of aggregates that protect enclosed SOM.

Enzootic bovine leucosis is caused by bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), a Deltaretrovirus belonging to the family Retroviridae. BLV causes huge economic losses to the dairy industry in the form of decreased milk production, premature culling, and poor reproductive performance of the animals. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of BLV infection in buffalo in two districts of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 384 samples were collected and analysed using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to investigate the seroprevalence of BLV through the detection of the anti-BLV gp51 antibody. A predesigned data questionnaire proforma was employed to find out the association of risk factors with disease. Overall, 18.2% of buffaloes were seropositive for BLV in the study population. The results revealed a significant association (P < 0.05) of age with BLV infection. Furthermore, milk yield and pregnancy had a significant association with the seroprevalence of BLV infection in buffalo whereas no significant association was found with sex, breeding, and health status. Biochemical and oxidative stress markers revealed a significant decrease in liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in seropositive animals as compared to healthy animals. It is concluded that BLV has a considerable prevalence in buffalo in Punjab, Pakistan and there is a dire need to investigate the disease epidemiology at both national and international levels and strategies should be developed to implement an effective control program.

The vase life of cut lilies is short. Improving the vase life is very important to keep this kind of cut flower fresh by using exogenous improvers. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effectiveness of polyglutamic acid (PGA) on the vase life of cut lilies, in order to introduce a new vase life improver for cut lilies. The results demonstrated that PGA significantly strengthened the antioxidant capacity by enhancing the antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase) and the antioxidant contents (total phenolics, total flavonoids, total anthocyanin and vitamin C), which further decreased the electrolyte leakage and the malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents. Meanwhile, the PGA significantly maintained the water balance by decreasing the water saturation deficit and increasing the relative water content and the soluble sugar and proline contents, as well as the average fresh weight change rate and average water balance value of the cut flower. Besides, the PGA significantly decreased the wilted flower numbers and increased the open flower numbers, flower diameter and the vase life of lily cut flower. The above findings provided useful information for the potential application of PGA as a new vase life improver for cut lilies.

The tillage depth plays a critical role in solving soil compaction - a global problem of soil degradation. However, to date, there are few research reported about tillage depth, and the standard of optimum tillage depth is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the effect of tillage depths on crop yield across a global scale, and then to analysis their influence factors such as local climate, soil properties, and managements. Moreover, a global distribution of the optimal tillage depths was estimated by using a random-forest model. Overall, our result demonstrated that crop yield first increased within tillage depths from 25 to 35 cm, and then reduced under higher depth of deep tillage compared to conventional tillage, according to 1109 wheat, maize and soybean (WMS) yield observations from 202 studies and 109 publications. Visibly, 35 cm hence became the optimum tillage depth of WMS across the world, while it varies with different regions. Furthermore, higher crop yields observed in areas with a humid climate, high clay contents, and large bulk density under the optimal depth 40, 35 and 45 cm, respectively. In contrast, a lower yield was observed in areas with arid climates, silty and sandy soils, and lower bulk density within optimal depth of 25 cm, 30 cm, and 25 to 35 cm. Human management efforts, including fertilizer addition, irrigation, straw returning, and changing of cropping system or crop species mostly increased the crop yield under deep tillage. Particularly, our meta-analysis indicated that straw returning needs a greater depth. Finally, we predicted the distributions of optimum depths, which showed that 30 and 35 cm were the optimum tillage depths in the temperate and tropical regions, and the total crop yields of global WMS increased by 2689 million tons per year under the optimal tillage depth, compared with the conventional tillage.

Advocating proper phosphorus (P) fertilisation is necessary to save this limited natural resource and to save the investment in rice cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate changes in phosphorus availability, total phosphorus in soil, phosphorus buffering capacity, and phosphorus saturation in the long-term phosphorus fertilisation in the paddy rice system. Soil samples were collected in the harvest stage after seven consecutive crops over three years at Can Tho city, Vietnam. The applied phosphorus fertiliser rates were: no phosphorus fertilisation (P0), 17.4 kg P/ha (P17.4), and 26.2 kg P/ha as farmer’s practice (P26.2). The results showed that the soil phosphorus buffering capacity in P0, P17.4 and P26.2 treatments was 9.49, 9.08 and 9.04 mg/kg, respectively. The degree of phosphorus saturation of P17.4 and P26.2 treatments ranged from 17.7% to 25.5%, showing the medium to high risk of phosphorus leaching. This study indicated that the application of phosphorus rate higher than 17.4 kg P/ha might result in the reduced soil phosphorus buffering capacity in the intensive rice cropping system in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta region. Our results implied that the application of a rate lower than 17.4 kg P/ha/crop could be extended to the other rice-growing (double/triple rice) areas in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta region or other paddy rice on alluvial soils in Asia.

Today, there is widespread concern about the potential health effects on populations from consuming contaminated leafy plants and vegetables. In this study, heavy metal content is present in commonly consumed leafy plants (Atriplex hortensis, Spinacia oleracea, Urtica dioica, Beta vulgaris, and Brassica oleracea) from the mining area near Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina was determined. After the preparation of the samples by wet digestion with HNO3, the flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used. According to the results, the lowest concentration in leafy plants was obtained for Cr 0.08 mg/kg (Brassica oleracea) and the highest for Fe 539.15 mg/kg (Spinacia oleracea). The novelty of this study was to estimate health risk assessment for selected leafy plants. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Pb, Mn, Zn, and Cd from consuming leafy plants was higher than the maximum tolerated daily intake. For adults, the total target hazard quotient (THQ) calculated based on EDI of the heavy metals was found to be > 1 for Pb and Cd due to all leafy plant consumption and for the children risk level of THQ was observed for most heavy metals. The hazard index due to the intake of toxic metals from ingesting leafy plants was much > 1. According to the total carcinogenic risk index for adults and children, the carcinogenic risks for all samples were higher than the tolerable range. Based on the results of this study, there is a significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk to the population associated with the consumption of leafy plants cultivated in the mining area.

The present study was aimed at measuring the concentration of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in the milk of Holstein Friesian cows, its effect on the milk quality and seasonal trends, as well as to investigate the efficacy of a commercial clay-based toxin binder. For this purpose, milk samples from dairy cows (n = 72) were collected and assayed for AFM1 before employing a clay-based toxin binder. The milk samples (n = 72) were collected from selected animals, revealing that 69.4% of the milk samples had AFM1 levels above the United States permissible limit (0.5 µg/kg). The incidence of AFM1 in milk during the winter and summer was 82.5% and 53.1%, respectively. Owing to the presence of AFM1, the level of milk fat, solids-not-fat, and protein were found to be low. Subsequently, the affected animals were divided into two groups, i.e., AFM1 positive control (n = 10) and the experimental group (n = 40). The experimental group of animals were fed the clay-based toxin binder at 25 g/animal/day. A progressive decrease of 19.8% in the AFM1 levels was observed on day 4 and on day 7 (53.6%) in the treatment group. Furthermore, the fat, solids-non-fat and protein increased significantly in the milk. In conclusion, a high level of AFM1 contamination occurs in the milk in Pakistan, affecting the quality of the milk production. Clay-based toxin binders may be used to ensure the milk quality and to protect the animal and consumer health.

Thirteen adult healthy captive skinks, six Gidgee spiny-tailed skinks (Egernia stokesii), three Hosmer’s spiny-tailed skinks (Egernia hosmeri) and four tree crevice-skinks (Egernia striolata), were submitted to the study. The weight of the animals ranged from 28 g to 146 g. All skinks were explored during their putative mating season, which is December. Lizards were restrained manually and positioned in ventral recumbence. Cloacoscopy was performed with the rigid endoscope, protecting channel, endocamera and recording system Telepack-Pal (Karl Storz Endoskope, Tuttlingen, Germany). While the endoscope was gently introduced into the cloaca and advanced into the coprodeum sterile saline was flushed into the cloaca through the protecting channel. The endoscope was then slowly withdrawn to allow visualization of the main structures of the urodeum and proctodeum. Male skinks are characterized by the presence of urethral papillae and only one horizontal septum which divides the chamber of the urodeum into two subchambers. Female skinks are characterised by the presence of two septa. The central-dorsal fold that divides the urodeum into two pouches in female skinks is absent in males. Cloacoscopy proved an effective method of sex identification and can be considered a valuable method for breeding and conservation in monomorphic skink lizards.

In this study, the first observation of Thanasimus femoralis was conducted in Türkiye. Adults of T. femoralis and Thanasimus formicarius were collected from pheromone traps together with Ips sexdentatus, Ips acuminatus, Ips mannsfeldi and Scolytus intricatus in forest nurseries located in the Western Black Sea Region, between 2021 and 2022. The clerid and bark beetles were morphologically described. The aedeagus and antennae of T. femoralis were observed by scanning electron microscopy.

The potential of the framework of precision agriculture points towards the emergence of site-specific weed control. In light of the phenomena, the search for a cost-effective approach can help the discipline to accelerate the practical implementation. The paper presents a near-infrared data-driven machine learning model for real-time weed detection in wide-row cultivated maize (Zea mays) fields. The basis of the model is a dataset of 5 120 objects including 18 species of weeds significant in the context of wide-row crop production in the Czech Republic. The custom model was subsequently compared with a state-of-the-art machine learning tool You only look once (version 3). The custom model achieved 94.5 % identification accuracy while highlighting the practical limitations of the dataset.

The effects of long-term various organic fertilisers application on ecosystem respiration components and net carbon budget have rarely been investigated in a hillslope agricultural ecosystem. Hence, we measured the rates of plant autotrophic (R_a) and soil heterotrophic respiration (R_h) from 2011 to 2012 with five treatments: no fertiliser (CK); mineral fertiliser (MF); MF combined with swine manure (MFS); MF combined with crop straw (MFC), and swine manure (SM). Our results confirm that R_a was found to be more temperature-moisture sensitive than R_h, whereas R_h was more temperature sensitive than R_a. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) is a major factor influencing the temperature sensitivity coefficient of Rh (Q₁₀), thereby application of organic fertilisers combined with mineral fertilisers (MFS and MFC) significantly increased annual by 19.3% and 17.2% compared with MF treatment. Annual carbon emissions via R_h and R_a under MFS, MFC and SM treatments were increased by 24.6, 28.5, 48.8% and 6.6, 10.6, 1.8%, respectively compared with MF treatment (4.6 and 23.2 t C/ha/year). Net primary production (NPP) under MFS, MFC and SM treatments were increased by 5.4, 6.01, and 15.6% relative to MF treatment (13.6 t C/ha/year), respectively, and the corresponding net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) increased by 121.2, 172.8, and 342.4%. Our findings establish that long-term organic fertilisers application increase plant autotrophic, heterotrophic respiration and net ecosystem carbon budget, which can increase the carbon sink function. Overall, crop straw combined with mineral fertiliser is a feasible agronomy practice to increase carbon sink function, reduce soil erosion and maintain crop yield.

This study focused on drying moringa leaves using a cabinet dryer. The impact of the 40, 50, and 60 °C drying air temperatures on the moisture content of the leaves at a constant air velocity with variation in weight (40, 80, and 120 g) was considered. Ten drying models were fitted to the drying data to describe the drying parameters of moringa leaves. The best model was chosen based on the highest coefficient of determination (R²), and the lowest sum of square error (SSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) values. The Henderson and Pabis model best described the drying characteristics of the moringa leaves having the highest R² (0.9888) and lowest SSE (0.0401) and RMSE (0.0604). The effective moisture diffusivity increased with the temperatures ranging from 8.72 × 10^–9 to 1.40 × 10^–8 m²·s^–1. The activation energy ranged from 90.4636, 40.4884, and 22.7466 KJ·mol^–1 for 40, 80, and 120 g, respectively.

Due to the earthworms’ implications in nutrient cycles through their burrowing and casting activity, earthworms are worth considering when urban biogeochemical cycles are analysed. Several chemical parameters and their relationships were analysed in earthworm casts of two urban parks, namely the pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (Nt), plant available phosphorus (P), plant available potassium (K), and calcium water soluble (Ca). It was statistically significantly found that the TOC, Nt, P and K are reciprocally determined in the earthworm casts: 74.4% of the pH variability is co-determined by the N, P, K, TOC, and Ca contents; 95.9% of the Nt variability is co-determined by the pH, P, K, TOC, and Ca contents; 95.4% of the P variability is co-determined by the pH, N, K, TOC, and Ca contents; 94.5% of the K variability is co-determined by the pH, N, P, TOC, and Ca contents; 86.6% of the TOC variability is co-determined by the pH, N, P, K, and Ca contents. This study revealed the complexity of the chemical relationships inside earthworm casts, their reciprocal dependencies, and highlighted the complexity of the earthworms’ contribution to biogeochemical cycles in urban areas. Our findings propose earthworms as indicators of the integrative conservation management of urban ecosystems.

The study was carried out in the agricultural landscape (mosaic of an urban environment, gardens, grassland, fields, small forests and semi-natural non-forest habitats) in central Europe (southeast Czechia) in 2021. A light trap was used for trapping (207 nights). A total of 485 moth species and 5 170 individuals were captured. Eurytopic species dominated the area, 72% of species and 89% of individuals. Fifty-nine species are considered pests (12%), representing 25% of individuals. The seasonal dynamics of selected harmful species were evaluated and discussed. Species of semi-natural dry and wet habitats were represented by 14%, i.e. a proportion comparable to pests, but with only 4% of individuals. The numbers of species and individuals recorded and the Shannon-Wiener diversity and evenness indices are lower than at natural sites. Yet, overall biodiversity is relatively high, including the presence of some rare, ecologically, or zoogeographically remarkable species.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and range of refractive errors in dogs of different ages. A total of 99 clinically healthy, mixed-breed mesocephalic dogs were included in the study and divided into three different age groups according to the current human/pet analogy chart: 40 adults (23 males, 17 females, 1–8 years old, 3–70 kg), 21 seniors (14 males, 7 females, 6–11 years old, 7–42 kg), and 38 geriatrics (22 males, 16 females, 8–13 years old, 5–45 kg). All the dogs underwent an ophthalmic examination, including Schirmer tear test, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and ophthalmoscopy. Neither eye drops nor pharmacological sedatives were administered before the autorefractometry. The refractive states were assessed bilaterally using a hand-held Retinomax 3 (Righton) autorefractor. The results underwent statistical analysis using Statistica v12 software (ANOVA and t-test). A P-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Emmetropia, defined as a refractive state > −0.5 D and < +0.5 D, was found in 36% of the adult, 43% of the senior, and 38% of the geriatric patients. Anisometropia was found in 1% of the adult, 9.5% of the senior and 5.5% of the geriatric dogs when the refractive power of the two eyes differed ≥ 1.0 myopia ≤ −0.5 D and hyperopia ≥ +0.5 D were found in 23% and 41% of the adult eye globes as well as 24% and 33% in the senior dogs and 15% and 47% in the geriatric dogs, respectively. The maximal values of the myopia in the adult and geriatric dogs were −2.5 D and −2.75 D, respectively. The maximal values of the hyperopia in the adult and geriatric dogs were 1.75 D and 2.5 D, respectively. No statistically significant correlation was found between the groups. Ametropia is a common refractive state for dogs of different ages. The most frequent refractive state in ametropic mixed-bed dogs in all age groups is hyperopia.

The determination of the saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks on a field scale presents a challenge in which several variables have to be considered. As there is no benchmark or reference method for the Ks determination, the suitability of each available method has to be evaluated. This study is aimed at the functional evaluation of three publicly available types of pedotransfer functions (PTFs) with different levels of utilised predictors. In total, ten PTF models were applied to the 56 data sets including the measured Ks value and the required predictors (% sand, silt and clay particles, dry bulk density, and organic matter/organic carbon content). A single agricultural field with a relatively homogenous particle size distribution was selected for the study to evaluate the ability of the PTF to reflect the variability of Ks. The correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination, mean error, and root mean square error were determined to evaluate the Ks prediction quality. The results showed a high variability in Ks within the field; the measured Ks values ranged between 10 and 1261 cm/day. Although the tested PTF models are based on a robust background of soil databases, they could not provide estimates with satisfactory accuracy unless local soil data were incorporated into the PTF development.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current nutritional guidelines of modern diets based on medical and nutrition facts and their effect on gut microbiota and health, considering current recommendations of world authorities such as FAO and WHO. For this purpose, the first part is devoted to the impact of microbiota on human health, and special attention is committed to the effect of fibre on gut microbiota. The second part is dedicated to the fundamental division of diets and the evaluation of concrete nutritional guidelines of modern diets into microbiota and health, followed by the recommendations of global authorities. Modern diets include diets from the point of view of medical science (e.g. Mediterranean), promoted by nutritionists and authorities (e.g. Nordic) and by social trends (e.g. vegan). The evaluation summarises that high-fibre diets have tremendous benefits on human health. Diets with fresh, local and naturally fermented food positively impact the gut microbiota, hence human health (agrarian diets). The results of the review show that the nutritional guidelines associated with the lowest mortality are the Mediterranean with the Atlantic or Nordic diet, which is in line with the recommendation of the world authorities (FAO, WHO, UN). The low-fibre western diet with highly processed foods with no or very low levels of live bacteria appears to be high-risk in terms of preventing civilisation diseases with a negative impact on gut microbiota, which is in line with current FAO and WHO guidelines.

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