Fulltext search in archive

Various proportions of bentonite clay performing as co-catalysts were evaluated for the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO). The results showed that the use of bentonite as a heterogeneous co-catalyst could significantly increase the biodiesel yield by approximately 50% of the control. The heterogeneous co-catalyst of bentonite clay improved the properties of the produced biodiesel including acid number, free fatty acids (FFA), relative density, kinematic viscosity and flash point fulfilling with the standard ASTM limits and the European Biodiesel Standard (EN 14214). The use of bentonite clay in the transesterification of WCO could also enhance the conductivity of the produced biodiesel from 11 to 100 µS·m^–1.

Optimizing current assets and their financing resources is of great importance for firms to sustain their existence with the highest level of profitability. However, empirical evidence from the food and beverage industry on the effects of working capital management (WCM) on profitability is scarce and mixed. This study aims to understand how various components of WCM affect the profitability of listed European food and beverage (F&B) companies. For this purpose, static panel data methodology was used to test the relationship between profitability and WCM measured by the cash conversion cycle and its components. The results were checked for robustness by using dynamic panel data methodology. Our results indicate a negative relationship between profitability and the cash conversion cycle. Unlike previous studies that have analysed a single country, this study provides evidence based on analyses of the largest possible sample of listed European F&B companies.

This study aims to evaluate the influence of the surface/volume granule ratio of amaranth, corn, and potato starches on the rheological properties of pastes and gels obtained at 5 and 10% solids concentration through granulometry, scanning electron microscopy, rotational, and dynamic rheological measurements. The granule size distribution and the surface/volume ratio drove the rheological behaviour as a function of temperature and concentration. At a concentration of 10%, the consistency index of corn starch (CS) paste was 147.25 Pa·sⁿ (n – flow behavior index), a higher value compared to pastes from potato starch (PS), 86.54 Pa·sⁿ, and amaranth starch (AS), 44.48 Pa·sⁿ. The lowest values of the loss angle tangent (Tan δ) in CS (0.052 and 0.035) at both solids concentrations suggested a better gel conformation. Noticeable changes in consistency index and storage modulus were observed in CS. A theoretical analysis of the surface/volume ratio change showed that CS reached a 2.2 value, much lower than the 4.5 and 5.8 values for PS and AS, respectively. These findings provide additional criteria for the food industry when choosing starches with suitable rheological behaviour as a function of surface/volume granule ratio and solids concentration.

Our objectives were to characterise arable weeds of the Czech and Slovak Republic in cereals, especially considering important groups of species: thermophilic, weedy grasses, and rare and endangered species. The three-year phytocoenological survey was conducted from 2006 to 2008 in five climatic regions and eight different soil types. 379 relevés were recorded, and 281 weed species were found. The effects of both the climatic region and soil type were found to be statistically significant. Species richness increased with altitude. Several species were distinctly associated with soil type, from fertile chernozems to less fertile cambisols, while fluvisols were strongly associated with e.g. Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. The incidence of species outside their expected regions generally fit two categories: the most pervasive weeds found almost in all climate regions, such as Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., or rare weeds in higher altitudes than expected, such as Lolium temulentum L. Rare and endangered species were more likely to be found in a colder climate and poorer soils, and this is linked to less intensive management; however, not all endangered arable species can tolerate such conditions. Even though this data is not recently collected, this is still valuable information on the distribution of weedy species, especially concerning the current interest in maintaining biodiversity.

Polycyclic musk compounds are commonly used in personal care products to replace expensive natural fragrances. Due to their huge consumption, they have become a part of the aquatic environment. In the present study, a two-month exposure effect of tonalide on juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) was investigated. We determined the vitellogenin concentration to define the potential endocrine-disrupting effect of tonalide and also analysed selected indices to evaluate the induction of oxidative stress. The environmentally relevant concentration of tonalide (i.e., 500 ng/l) caused a significant decrease in the catalase activity (P < 0.05) and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the lipid peroxidation. An increasing lipid peroxidation was also recorded for the highest concentration group tested (i.e., 50 000 ng/l). On the other hand, no significant changes were recorded in vitellogenin in all the exposed groups. Thus, based on these results, we have not demonstrated the endocrine-disrupting activity of tonalide in zebrafish. The results of the oxidative stress indices showed a significant impairment of the antioxidant defence after the two-month tonalide exposure, which could indicate part of the adaptive response to the tonalide toxicity.

The recovery and utilization of onion processing waste would contribute to the solution of environmental problems. This research presents the way of successful supplementation of onion processing waste in mayonnaise. Different levels (0, 1, 2, and 3%) of onion waste powder (OWP) were used as an additive to mayonnaise, based on sunflower oil. The final mayonnaise formulations were evaluated for sensory properties, rheological behaviour, oxidative stability, total phenolic content, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. The results indicated that OWP could be used as a potential health-promoting functional ingredient in amounts of 2% to produce mayonnaise enriched with total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, having high antioxidant activity, acceptable quality, and overall consumer preference.

The study’s main objective is to determine the predisposition and challenges of agriculture to provide environmental public goods to society in areas particularly facing natural or other specific constraints (ANCs) established within their current delimitation in Poland. Its organisational features, economic situation, and the degree of interest in measures specifically serving the protection of the natural environment under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) EU were indicated. Statistically significant factors determined farmers’ willingness to participate in these measures. It turned out that farms from ANCs communes with particularly difficult conditions significantly contribute to the total production potential of agriculture in Poland. However, compared to farms with better natural conditions, they are characterised by a lower income per 1 ha of utilised agriculture area (UAA) and a higher share of subsidies, including those for participation in environmental measures, which were implemented to a greater extent. Based on the logistic regression model, it was found that in ANCs communes with particularly difficult conditions, the most important factor of farmers’ greater willingness to implement environmental measures was their higher level of education. On the other hand, this inclination was negatively affected by the higher income adjusted for operating subsidies per 1 ha of UAA.

To improve the quality and enrich the flavour of fermented sardine, Tetragenococcus halophilus, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus were used as a mixed starter for sardine fermentation. And their proportions were optimised using response surface methodology (RSM). The highest sensory score was obtained when the proportions of T. halophilus, S. xylosus, and S. saprophyticus were 1 : 1 : 1. The optimised fermented sardine had the lowest levels of histamine content (0.0190 μg·g^–1), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN, 208 μg·g^–1), and was richer in volatile compounds (308). The results may provide important evidence that T. halophilus, S. xylosus, and S. saprophyticus may be satisfactorily used as a mixed starter to improve the quality and flavour of fermented sardines.

In the experimental section of the barn (which made up 25% of the barn), 103 cubicles in free stall barn were selected in three rows, housing 98 dairy cows of Czech Fleckvieh cattle. Monitoring was done for one calendar year, once a week. From this period, 16 days with temperatures from 0.5–15.0 °C were selected for quantification. Observations were continuously recorded at 10:00 am (one hour after the coming of the last cow from the milking parlour), at hourly intervals until 7:00 pm. Ten observations were carried out every day of the monitoring period. In total, 15 680 individual observations were recorded. The microclimatic parameters (temperature, relative humidity) were monitored within the barns continuously at 15-minute intervals using three data logger sensors. Changes in the proportion of lying to standing dairy cows were observed during the day. A steady trend of a reduced ratio of lying dairy cows during the day (from 70% to 40%) in favour of standing dairy cows was observed. The optimal value of the cow comfort index – CCI (85%) was not reached in any monitored part of the day. The number of dairy cows lying on their left sides increased from 50.4% to 56%, especially after feeding (at 4:00 pm). Differences were found in the proportion of lying and standing cows (P < 0.05) at an optimal microclimate during the day. A significant preference for the left side when lying down was also found.

Our study comparative analyzed the morphological and physiological performance of Juglans regia L. cv. ‘Xiangling’ (JRX) grafted onto five rootstock species originated from China. A wide range of coefficient of variation (CV), 1.155–39.848%, was detected for fourteen indexes among the studied seedlings. CV of plant height, total dry biomass, total leaf area, root/shoot ratio, chlorophyll index, and stomatal conductance was higher than 15.00%, suggesting higher variation. Principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and subordinate function analysis were used to screen engrafted seedlings for their quality. All three methods produced the same result that seedling quality of ‘Xiangling’ engrafted with the five rootstock species from high to low were – Juglans regia L. cv. ‘Jizhaomian’ (JRJ), JRX, Juglans regia L. cv. ‘Lvxiang’ (JRL), Juglans mandshurica, Maxim., and Juglans hopeiensis Hu.. The evaluation results were highly consistent with the actual growth performance of the engrafted seedlings, it verified the reliability of our results and the evaluation methods. The results demonstrated that JRJ, JRX, and JRL are potential rootstock candidates in the studied walnut planting regions. It would provide important implication for the selection of proper rootstock species for a certain particular walnut variety.

To supply more insights into the roles of putrescine (Put) in alleviating salt stress in wheat crops, we explored the effects of Put on ascorbate (ASC) and glutathione metabolism, photosynthetic performance, and ion homeostasis in leaves of salt-stressed wheat seedlings. Our results displayed that salt stress increased the activities of enzymes in ASC and glutathione metabolism, including ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase, which increased reduced ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHA), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), total ASC and total glutathione contents. Whereas, salt stress induced higher increases in the contents of DHA and GSSG than those of AsA and GSH, which led to reduced AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG. Meanwhile, salt stress reduced photosynthetic rate (P_n), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), and the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, and destroyed Na⁺/K⁺ homeostasis, which further inhibited plant growth. In comparison with salt stress alone, Put strengthened the activities of the above enzymes, which further increased the above metabolites contents, as well as AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG in leaves of salt-treated seedlings. In this way, Put reduced malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage. Besides, Put also increased P_n, F_v/F_m, and above pigments contents, and maintained Na⁺/K⁺ homeostasis. Meanwhile, Put increased plant height and biomass of salt-treated seedlings. The present findings clearly implied that Put enhanced salt tolerance of wheat crops by strengthening ASC and glutathione metabolism, photosynthetic performance, and maintaining ion homeostasis in leaves. Therefore, Put can be applied to strengthen the salt tolerance of wheat crops in production and cultivation.

Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) is the most important and valuable industrial wood species in the Hyrcanian forests in the north of Iran mainly used for furniture, veneer, composite, and papermaking industries. The present research was conducted in 2014 aimed at investigating the physicochemical changes of the felled oriental beech stumps over a 2-25 year period, and likewise the feasibility of using the given stumps as an alternative resource for wood pulp production. To do so, the effects of in-situ decay of beech stumps on their physical (wet and dry weights of wood, wet apparent density, and dry apparent density) and chemical (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, extractives, and total mass of carbohydrates) properties over a 2-25 year felling period were studied. The effects of the given decay period were also studied on the obtained Kraft pulp yield and Kappa number. The results indicate that the wet and dry apparent densities as well as the wet and dry weights of the wood samples decreased over the study period. Also, the results show that approximately 30% of the total mass of carbohydrates was degraded by the ambient fungi over the initial two years of felling, whereas the same property was reduced by 60% after 25 years. The Kraft pulp yields obtained from 2- and 25-year decayed stumps were 22.5% and 8.4%, respectively. The fungal degradation of wood chemical compounds could considerably reduce pulp yield and Kappa number by 62.8% and 74.2%, respectively. The results of a stepwise multivariate regression model evidence that cellulose not only affects the Kappa number but also owns a greater share (vs. lignin) in modelling the Kappa number. This reveals that the intensity of cellulose degradation, due to fungal exposure, is significantly higher than that of the other components of beech stumps in the studied forest area.

An eleven-year-old Pit Bull Terrier was presented to the veterinary practice with an acute onset of whole-body seizures. The clinical signs developed in a garden where the dog was kept that morning. There was a suspicion of tremorgenic mycotoxin poisoning by compost as the dog had vomited parts of compost right before the onset of the seizures and there was a pile of compost located in the garden. The dog underwent immediate decontamination following supportive treatment and recovered fully within 24 h of intensive care. The samples of the vomit and parts of the compost were cultivated. In the sample of the vomit, Penicillium sp. was found. Subsequently, tremorgenic mycotoxins paxilline, penitrem A and roquefortine C were determined chromatographically at significant concentrations in the vomit and a growth medium with cultivated Penicillium sp. The aim of this work is to describe the complex therapeutic and diagnostic approach to the patient with a suspected tremorgenic mycotoxin poisoning where a combination of mycological and chromatographic analyses was used to confirm the diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of canine tremorgenic mycotoxicosis in the Czech Republic and the first reported case of paxilline poisoning in a dog.

Pesticide residues and heavy metals were analysed in both fresh tender coconut water (FTCW) (n = 161) and packaged tender coconut water (PTCW) (n = 126) samples collected from three southern states of India [Andhra Pradesh (AP), Kerala (KL), and Tamil Nadu (TN)]. A method validated in the laboratory using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for pesticide residues, while heavy metals were analysed using a validated method of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Significant differences in heavy metal concentrations were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc test (between different varieties collected 'within' and 'among' states). FTCW samples [n = 9 (6%)] collected from TN showed Monocrotophos and Malathion residues in the range of 1.0 µg L^-1 to 51.6 µg L^-1 and 0.5 µg L^-1 to 0.6 µg L^-1, respectively, while they were detected in n = 5 (4%) of the PTCW samples at a range of 0.90 µg L^-1 and 0.82 µg L^-1 to 1.56 µg L^-1. Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and stannum (Sn) were detected in different varieties collected from all three states. Some of the PTCW samples also contained traces of Cd, Cr, cobalt (Co), and Pb. Arsenic (As) was found in one sample from KL, while none of the samples was contaminated with mercury (Hg). The present study accentuates the need for fixing standards for the pesticide residues in coconut water.

In this study, the drying of bitter gourd slices with a halogen dryer was done at different thicknesses of bitter gourd (3, 5, and 7 mm) and temperatures (60, 65, and 70 °C). The effect of varying drying characteristics in the experiment was explored. Experimental results were evaluated based on the drying time and moisture content. The results indicate that the material drying thickness and drying temperature significantly impact the drying time and the equilibrium moisture content. Furthermore, the Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) model is also used to train and predict the moisture content of bitter gourd in this research. The temperature, thickness of the bitter gourd, and drying time were used as input parameters for the model. Two measures R² and Root Mean Ssquare Error (RMSE) were used to determine the accuracy of the trained MARS model. During training, the values of R² and RMSE obtained were 0.9846 and 3.7324, respectively. The test of trained MARS was successful, with a satisfactory correlation between experimental data points and predicted points. The results show that MARS can accurately predict the moisture content of bitter gourd in a halogen dryer.

Drought stress is among the significant forms of abiotic stresses that unfavourably affects maize survival as well as the development from germination to maturity. This paper, therefore, reviewed drought stress effects in maize plants and expatiated on the plausible adoptable mitigation measures to employ in curbing these effects as well. Water shortage prompts drought stress that alters the morphological, physiological and biochemical activities in maize plants. The major drought stress implications on the plant’s survival are mostly in the area of altered metabolic functions, including nutrient metabolism, cell membrane integrity, water relationships, plant yield, photosynthetic processes, osmotic adjustment, and the pigment content. Mitigating strategies, such as the breeding of drought-tolerant varieties, genomic applications for drought tolerance enhancement in maize plants, as well as the use of rhizobacteria and endophytic bacteria, can be employed in alleviating drought stress and ensuring optimal maize productivity.

3D printing is widely used method. In the term of developing of components for electronic devices, it is important to provide the good physical properties of the used dielectric. The main parameters are optional and stable value of the relative permittivity and the minimum dielectric losses of the material. The paper is focused on testing of loss factor and relative permittivity of following materials: polylactic acid (PLA, in two dye modifications), polyethylene terephthalateglycol (PET- G) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in the frequency range of 1-100 MHz. It was proven, that the values of permittivity of the tested materials were 2.9-4.2 and loss factor 0.8-4%. Concerning relative permittivity, the tendency to mild linear drop of relation was observed by increasing frequency, especially expressed in PLA materials. In loss factor, PLA materials displayed increasing values with increasing frequency, whereas the declining curve was observed in PET-G. Absolute value of ABS loss factor varied between 0.9-1.5%. The reasonable influence of added dyes was found out.

Black-pigmented bacteria are one of the neglected species to cause periodontal disease in cats, and they are also zoonotic agents that pose an infection risk to humans. In this study, we aimed to determine the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas gulae and Prevotella nigrescens in the oral microbiota of pet and stray cats. Dental swab samples were taken from 25 pet cats and 25 stray cats with symptoms of periodontal disease and then investigated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction using 16S rRNA species-specific primers. As a result of the multiplex PCR analysis, P. gingivalis 3/25 (12%), P. nigrescens 1/25 (4%), P. gingivalis + P. gulae 7/25 (28%), P. gingivalis + P. nigrescens 1/25 (4%), P. gulae + P. nigrescens 1/25 (4%), and P. gingivalis + P. gulae + P. nigrescens 2/25 (8%) were molecularly typed in the pet cats. In addition, 1/25 (4%) of P. gulae and 21/25 (84%) of P. gingivalis + P. gulae were typed in the stray cats. In 10/25 (40%) pet and 3/25 (12%) stray cat samples, no bacteria were detected by molecular typing. In summary, the results provide strong evidence that black-pigmented zoonotic pathogens are associated with cat periodontal disease.

Micropropagation has enormous potential in the forestry industry for the mass production of elite genotypes. A limiting factor that hinders a wider adoption of this technique is its high associated cost, dissuading small producers and laboratories from its use. Thus, it is important to develop low-cost protocols to increase the competitiveness of micropropagation. The goal of the present study was to elaborate a low-cost culture medium that would allow plant growth without diminishing plant quality and production. The replacement of laboratory sucrose with commercial sugar as a carbon source, and laboratory agar with locally produced agar as a gelling agent was tested. To validate the effects of the medium for woody species micropropagation, two relevant forest species, chestnut and birch, were used and several phenotypic characteristics were recorded. Our data indicated that the substitutions made in the media composition did not alter growth or rooting parameters. Substitution of laboratory sucrose and Bacto agar by table sugar and local commercial agar provides a valuable alternative for forest species micropropagation and for increasing their potential profitability.

Previous studies of the effects of elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) concentrations and heavy metal stress conditions on plant growth and physiology have mostly focused on crops rather than vegetables. In this study, we investigated the effects of Cd stress on the growth and antioxidant system of pak choi (Brassica rapa L.), water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.), cherry radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growing in pots under ambient CO₂ (aCO₂) or eCO₂ conditions. In general, Cd stress reduced plant biomass and SPAD values under aCO₂ and eCO₂ conditions; however, the reduction was smaller under eCO₂. Cd stress significantly reduced vegetable superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities under both aCO₂ and eCO₂ conditions; however, the decrease in cherry radish and pepper peroxidase and SOD activities and in pak choi SOD and CAT activities was significantly less under eCO₂. The Cd content of the edible parts of pak choi, water spinach and pepper was significantly lower under eCO₂ than under aCO₂. Our data suggest that eCO₂ concentrations could be beneficial for the growth of some vegetables and reduce the Cd content.

Forest thinning can be used as an adaptive measure to improve the growth and resistance of Norway spruce forests affected by climate change. The impact of different thinning intensities on sap flow, growth, and tree water deficit of 40-year-old Norway spruce was tested. High thinning intensity (–61% of basal area) resulted in increased tree-level sap flow compared to the control (+27%), but it caused a decrease in the stand-level transpiration (–34%) due to reduced leaf area index. Low-intensity thinning (–28% basal area), high-intensity thinning, and control showed similar responses of sap flow to vapour pressure deficit and global radiation, suggesting unchanged isohydric behaviour. Both low- and high-intensity treatments displayed greater radial growth than the control. There were no differences in tree water deficit between the treatments. The low-intensity treatment can be considered the best water utilisation treatment with increased growth and unchanged transpiration at the tree level. The high-intensity treatment had similar radial growth as the low-intensity but lower stand-level transpiration, implying improved soil water availability. The study expands the ecophysiological understanding of thinning as a valuable silvicultural practice for adapting forest management of Norway spruce to the effects of climate change.

Corn stover is one of the potential lignocellulosic biomasses as the raw material of biogas production. Pretreatment of lignocellulose substrates can enhance biodegradability and biogas yield. This study investigates the effect of oxalic acid pretreatment on biogas production during batch anaerobic digestion of corn stover. First-order, logistic, modified Gompertz and transference models predicted kinetic parameters during biogas production from pretreated corn stover. Results showed that oxalic acid pretreatment significantly affected biogas production (P < 0.05). The highest cumulative biogas yields of pretreated and untreated corn stover were 95.14 mL/gVS and 57.55 mL/gVS, respectively. Pretreated substrates improved biodegradability by 165%. Four kinetic models provided the determination coefficients R² higher than 0.9. The logistic model and modified Gompertz provided the best deviation of 1.57 and 3.75%, respectively. The logistic model proved the best fitting in predicting cumulative yields and simulating the kinetic model of anaerobic digestion of pretreated corn stover among the three models.

The effect of drought stress on carbon metabolism in the leaves and roots of bermudagrass was investigated. Plants established in PVC tubes suffered from three water treatments for 10 days. C138 and Tifway (drought-tolerant) were found to have lower relative electrical conductivity and higher water use efficiency than C32 (drought-sensitive) under moderate drought by increasing carotenoid and soluble sugar content and rapidly decreasing leaf starch content. The sucrose synthase activity of leaves and roots, acid invertase and neutral invertase activity of C32 roots substantially decreased under severe drought, resulting in a slow sucrose decomposition rate and significantly lower fructose and glucose contents than C138 and Tifway. The activities of four carbon metabolism enzymes and sucrose content in the leaves were greater than those in the roots, while the fructose and glucose contents were on the contrary, indicating that bermudagrass transported fructose and glucose obtained from sucrose decomposition from leaves to roots under drought to reduce roots damage. The path analysis indicated that leaves neutral invertase activity, and roots soluble sugar content might be the key parameter of carbon metabolism in bermudagrass under drought.

The sustainability of the family business mirrors the business success and functionality of the family. Sustainability cannot be ensured without sufficient business profitability, solvency and financial stability. A company unable to pay its obligations on time is insolvent and, therefore, unhealthy. The paper’s main goal is to evaluate the impact of selected economic aspects on the sustainability of family farms in Slovakia. The Finstat database serves as the source of input data for the research. For the economic analysis of the family and non-family sets of companies, Grünwald's bonity index (GIB) was chosen for its universality. According to the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, family businesses can be considered less risky, especially considering the conservative way of management and the effort for long-term sustainability. However, the results of our research may differ. Family businesses show higher profitability of total and mainly equity capital but also low current liquidity and an undercapitalised state. The most increased non-credit current liquidity was achieved in family businesses in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021. The family businesses we monitored are more profitable than non-family businesses, they do not show an excessive increase in investments, and most of them seem to have a targeted and purposeful high level of short-term liabilities.

However, its underlying mechanism remains largely undetermined. In this work, we examined the impacts of the continuous application of pig manure fertiliser for 10 years on wheat yield in the calcaric fluvisol soil with a texture of sandy loam, and the relationship between soil microbial community composition and soil properties was also analysed. The wheat yield, yield components and wheat biomass were analysed by collected aboveground part. Soil nutrient, enzymatic activity and microorganism compositions were analysed by collected soil samples at the filling stage. The results showed that long-term application of pig manure fertiliser could remarkably increase wheat yield by improving soil nutrient availability, enzyme activities, and microbial composition. Moreover, soil pH, nitrogen content, dehydrogenase and urease were closely related to the soil microbial diversity. In conclusions, the long-term application of pig manure in combination with term mineral fertiliser could optimise microbial community composition by regulating the interaction between microbial species and enhancing soil enzyme activity and soil fertility, leading to increased wheat yield.

Gallbladder atrophy (GBA) is characterised by a reduction in the size and volume of the gallbladder. In human medicine, it is well-established that GBA frequently occurs together with pathologies affecting the gallbladder and pancreas. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently a dearth of reported cases of GBA in dogs within the veterinary field. In this study, we present a case report of GBA in a 7-year-old Yorkshire Terrier. The diagnosis of GBA was confirmed using abdominal ultrasonography and advanced imaging techniques, including computed tomography, which were performed over a 4-year period. The patient initially presented with predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms, which were subsequently diagnosed and treated as pancreatitis. Concurrently, a gallbladder nodule and an anomalous structure suspected to be cholelithiasis were identified. However, during the 4-year follow-up, the gallbladder structure regressed, leaving only the presence of the gallbladder nodule. Notably, cholecystectomy was not performed, and apart from pancreatitis-related symptoms, the patient did not show any gallbladder-related problems throughout the spontaneous atrophic process. Based on these findings, we propose that the observed GBA was likely induced by cholecystitis associated with pancreatitis. This case underscores the significance of considering GBA as a potential diagnosis in canine patients presenting with pancreatitis and gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, it highlights the value of comprehensive diagnostic imaging in accurately determining the underlying cause of these symptoms.

Sustainable intensification (SI) is a widely discussed concept that aims to increase agricultural production without harming the environment. This study assessed the process of SI that took place in the EU regions from 2004 to 2018 and the impact of structural and weather-related factors. In doing so, a single index based on DEA environmentally adjusted efficiency and kernel regression were applied to data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) Public Database and the Agri4Cast resource portal. The study found an overall positive trend of SI in the EU regions in which land and animal concentration had a significant impact on this process. Sun radiation, as the only significant weather variable, had a decreasing impact on efficiency due to potential droughts. The findings emphasise the need for political support for regions with a low degree of SI and for those particularly affected by climate change.

This work discusses the differences in the removal efficiency of heavy metals in soils along the China-Russia crude oil pipeline in different vegetation backgrounds. In this paper, two representative forest types, birch forest and larch forest, were selected for replicated sampling and experimental study in the soil of disturbed and undisturbed areas along the pipeline, respectively. The results showed that after ten years of vegetation restoration, the amount of heavy metals in the soil of birch and larch forests decreased, the Cu content in the soil under the background of the birch forest was higher than that of the larch forest, while the Zn, Mn and Pb contents were lower than that of the larch forest. The order of decreasing magnitude was Mn, Pb, Zn and Cu, and the overall decreasing rate of heavy metal content in larch forest soil was more obvious. The above conclusions indicate that vegetation restoration is an effective measure to alleviate soil heavy metal pollution.

Vegetables and their products have a low caloric value. Root vegetables are rich in bioactive compounds such flavonoids, polyphenolic acids, carotenoids. It also contains a some percentage of other functional components that can significantly affect human health.In order to achieve a high yield, excessive fertilization with nitrogen fertilizer is performed, which worsens the quality of vegetables. The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact cultivation system on the content of total phenolics and flavonoids, as well as a comparative assessment of their antioxidant activity in selected samples of vegetables. The antioxidant activity was studied using DPPH, and ABTS assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteuand and Aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The highest content of total phenolics was determined for parsley from conventional production (427.38 mg GAE/100 g fresh sample), parsley from organic production the richest source of flavonoids (54.92 mg GAE/100 g fresh sample). Other samples of vegetables from conventional production had a lower flavonoid content compared to organic production. It was confirmed that the antioxidant activity of the analyzed vegetables in the maximum correlation with the content of total phenolics (R2 = 1). Organic samples of vegetables were characterized by a significantly higher content of flavonoids compared to vegetables grown conventionally. Organic production could be a good method to increase the concentration of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties in vegetables.