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This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effects of the moisture content, internode position, and loading rate on the bending characteristics of barley straw including bending stress and Young's modulus. In the study, 9 treatments were performed as randomised complete block design with 5 replications. The characteristics were determined at three moisture levels: 10%, 15%, and 20% wet basis, three loading rates: 5, 10, and 15 mm/min, and free internodes: the first, second, and third internodes. The results showed that both the bending stress and Young's modulus decreased with an increase in the moisture content and towards the third internode position. The average bending stress was obtained as 8.41 MPa varying from 6.32 to 12.41 MPa, while the average Young's modulus was calculated as 473.88 MPa ranging from 330.94 to 618.91 MPa. As shown by the results obtained, the values of the characteristics increased with increasing loading rate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a long-term peroral selenium supplementation in the form of sodium selenite and selenium lactate-protein complex by comparing selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity in blood of goats and their kids as well as comparing selenium concentrations in goat colostrums. For the study, a total of 27 clinically healthy pregnant white shorthair goats were used. They were divided to three groups, i.e., the control group (C) without any selenium supplementation, sodium selenite group (E1) and selenium lactate-protein complex group (E2). For four months, experimental goats received 0.43 mg of selenium per animal per day in diet; goats from the control group were given 0.15 mg of selenium per animal per day. At the beginning of the experiment, goats of all groups showed an average selenium concentration of 96 μg/l in whole blood. On the parturition day, samples of first colostrum from goats and heparinized blood from goats and kids were taken. In the control group (C), average blood selenium concentrations of 111.4 ± 33.5 μg/l were observed on the parturition day. In both experimental groups, selenium concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Average selenium concentration in the sodium selenite group (E1) was 177.2 ± 34.8 μg/l and in the group supplemented with selenium lactate-protein complex (E2) 159.0 ± 28.5 μg/l. Average glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in blood of control goats (C) was 581.9 ± 99.2 μkat/l, in group E1 1 154.6 ± 156.2 μkat/l and in group E2 1 011.6 ± 153.6 μkat/l. GSH-Px activity in experimental groups was significantly higher (P < 0.05) as compared with the control group. Average selenium concentrations in colostrum was in the control group 40.1 ± 12.8 μg/l, in E1 99.0 ± 29.9 μg/l and in group E2 79.0 ± 17.7 μg/l. Colostral selenium concentrations in experimental groups were significantly higher (P < 0.05) as compared with the control group. No significant difference in the monitored parameters was found between experimental groups. In kids of control mothers (kC), average selenium concentrations in blood on the parturition day were 62.4 ± 22.9 μg/l; kids of mothers supplemented with sodium selenite (kE1) showed average selenium levels of 100.0 ± 31.2 μg/l, and the average selenium concentration in kids of mothers receiving lactate-protein complex was 83.4 ± 20.1 μg/l (kE2). Average GSH-Px activity in control kids (kC) was 402.1 ± 153.9 μkat/l. Kids from kE1 showed average activity of GSH-Px 806.1 ± 254.9 μkat/l and kids from group kE2 529.9 ± 119.8 μkat/l. Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was found only between kC and kE1 which showed significantly higher selenium concentration and GSH-Px activity. The results of this study confirm that both forms of selenium administered in experimental groups (i.e., sodium selenite and selenium lactate-protein complex) had similar biological effect in goats. However, results obtained in kids indicate a better effect of supplementation with sodium selenite.

Superior protein quality and consistent processing quality is needed for winter wheat marketing in South China. It has been shown that uniconazole concentration and plant density are certainly related to crop growth. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of uniconazole concentration and plant density on nitrogen content and grain quality in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Trials were managed to provide three levels of density (90 × 10⁴, 180 × 10⁴, and 270 × 10⁴ per ha) over plots receiving four levels of uniconazole concentrations (0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) which were applied to seeds before sowing. The results revealed that the contents of N accumulated in ear, stem, and leaf were higher in uniconazole concentrations than that in control, and the effect of uniconazole on main stem was bigger than that on tillers. The grain protein was significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) higher in uniconazole concentrations than that in control. Uniconazole at 20 mg/kg was the most favorable for improving grain protein and protein fractions. Application of uniconazole concentrations also significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) increased WGC (wet gluten content) and SDS (sedimentation volumes), prolonged DDT (dough development time) and DST (dough stable time), and improved WA (water absorption), increased VV (valorimeter value), and subsequently improved the processing quality of wheat grains. These results suggest that a combination of uniconazole concentration and plant density should be applied in South China.

Microbial contamination of small streams in agricultural areas was monitored for two years. Microbiological indicators of faecal pollution (faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci were detected by standard methods based on the cultivation of bacteria on selective media). The obtained results showed that running contamination of streams from agricultural areas was not extremely high, but it showed marked seasonal fluctuations (the average values and maximal values revealed great differences). Microbial contamination also increased several times in relation to high precipitation. The water quality in three (and/or four) localities exceeded the acceptable counts of faecal coliforms and enterococci given by the Czech legislation (40 CFU/ml for faecal coliforms and 20 CFU/ ml for enterococci). In agriculturally polluted streams, there were detected more enterococci than faecal coliforms, and also some less frequent species related to farm animals (Streptococcus equines and S. bovis) or plant rests (E. mundtii, E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus) were present. E. faecalis and E. faecium strains (these are the most common species related to human faecal pollution) were less frequent there.

The study assessed cheese meltability at elevated temperatures, based on the results of the Tube Test and Schreiber Test. The tests were conducted on curd-ripened fried cheese with varying fat contents (Δfat = 17%) and at different storage times (Δt = 6 weeks). The protein:fat ratio in full fat cheese was C:F≈1, while in low-fat cheese it was C:F≈58. The data on cheese meltability recorded in the Tube Test and Schreiber Test, irrespective of experimental variables, indicated a high degree of correlation (r = 0.95). However, the lowest convergence (r = 0.6) of both methods was found when analysing low fat cheese. A higher fat content in the tested cheeses resulted in a statistically significantly higher meltability both in the Tube Test (by 12%) and in Schreiber Test (by 18%). The analysis of the regression model and response surfaces of variables confirms the trend showing that the lower the fat content and the longer the sample storage time, the lower the meltability. After 6 weeks the assessed meltability of cheeses was lower by 20.7% in the Tube Test, and by 19.1% in the Schreiber Test in comparison to the meltability of cheeses assessed immediately after their production.

The goal of this study is the evaluation of enriched bread prepared with an addition of buckwheat as a source of biologically active components in nutrition. Experimental pastry was baked using buckwheat wholegrain flour blended with wheat flour in different portions (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) in order to observe the influence of buckwheat addition on dough processing and the quality of the final baked products. Taking into account the overall acceptability rating, it was concluded that bread with an addition of up to 30% of buckwheat could be baked with satisfactory evaluation results. The content of rutin in loaves in a consumable form prepared with a buckwheat addition varied between 7.76 mg/kg and 26.90 mg/kg. The clinical study which followed the baking experiment was based on the consumption of enriched bread (30% buckwheat, between 34.7 mg/kg and 38.2 mg/kg rutin content in dry matter) by a group of volunteers during a period of four weeks. The results approved the increase of the total antioxidant status thanks to the buckwheat enriched bread consumption from the value of 1.135 ± 0.066 mmol/dm³ at the beginning of the study to 1.46 ± 0.083 mmol/dm³ at the end of the study, i.e. significant differences.

The presence of large plasmids in 30 Rhodococcus equi strains isolated from pig lymph nodes with granulomatous changes was investigated. Plasmid DNAs were isolated and digested with the restriction endonucleases BamHI, EcoRI, EcoT22I and HindIII for detailed comparison and estimation of plasmid sizes. A total of nine isolates were identified as intermediately virulent (VapB-positive), harbouring large plasmids of type 5 (n = 5) and four new variants that we tentatively designated as type 19 (n = 1), 20 (n = 1), 21 (n = 1) and 24 (n = 1). All isolates were subjected to genotyping with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). High genetic diversity was observed: 21 distinct genotypes were detected; five were found in multiple isolates and the others were unique. Isolates of the same plasmid type exhibited different PFGE profiles and vice versa. In a few cases, multiple strains from certain farms were analysed, the majority of which exhibited diverse PFGE profiles. Our findings demonstrate the presence of a wide variety of R. equi strains even in small confined environments such as farms. This is the first molecular epidemiology study of intermediately virulent R. equi isolates from Slovenian pigs.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of microbial oil (MO, n-6 fatty acids) and fish oil (FO, n-3fatty acids) used in their blends as supplements (5% wt/wt) to the diet containing 80% of hay and 20% of barley on rumen fermentation and lipid metabolism in artificial rumen. Overall, three different ratios of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (1:1, 3:1, and 5:1) as the blends of MO and FO were used. Two similar consecutive experiments were carried out within 2 months. Each experiment lasted for 12 days with 6 days of stabilization period. The addition of all three oil blends did not affect the parameters of fermentation such as degradation of dry matter (DM), detergent fibre, total gas production, but increased the degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose in the diets. The supplementation of oil blends to the diet insignificantly (NS) decreased the methane production (mostly the n-6/n-3 ratio 1:1, about 23.5%), increased (P < 0.01) mol% of propionate (mostly the n-6/n-3 ratio 1:1, about 24.1%) and decreased (P < 0.05) mol% of acetate (mostly the n-6/n-3 ratio, 1:1, about 7.7%). The lipid metabolism in artificial rumen was also affected, when the oil blends increased (P < 0.001) the concentration of total fatty acids (FA) and long-chain FA (LCFA) in effluent. The concentration (mg/g rumen fluid DM) of trans (trans 11 C_18:1, TVA-vaccenic acid), cis C_18:1 isomers and CLA-conjugated linoleic acid (cis 9, trans 11 C_18:2) was also increased (P < 0.001) by the oil blends. Finally, the oil blends caused the incomplete FA biohydrogenation by an increase in TVA concentration and TVA/C_18:0 ratio in effluent in artificial rumen.

In the present paper genetic relationships of twenty varieties of cashew are described on the basis of morphological characters and RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers. Results obtained for the phenotypic characters based on similarity coefficient were divided into four clusters with 70% similarity. By means of similarity coefficients (SG), cluster I was found to consist of twelve varieties. Cluster II consisted of a single variety, NRCC-1, cluster III consisted of six varieties and cluster IV had only one variety, Vridhachalam-2. The analysis started by using RAPD markers that allowed us to distinguish 20 varieties. A total of 80 distinct DNA fragments ranging from 0.2 to 3.0 kb were amplified by using 11 selected random 10-mer primers. Genetic similarity analysis was conducted for the presence or absence of bands in the RAPD profile. Cluster analysis clearly showed that 20 varieties of cashew grouped into two major clusters based on similarity indices. The first major cluster comprised one minor cluster. The other major cluster was divided into two sub-minor clusters, one sub-minor cluster having three varieties and the other sub-minor cluster was represented by 15 varieties. Among the 20 varieties, Ullal-3 and Dhana (H-1608) showed the highest similarity indices (87%). It was noted that Vengurla-2 and Vengurla-3 were not grouped into a single cluster but Vengurla-4 has 82% similarity to Vengurla-3. The variety Vengurla-2 has very close similarity (85%) with variety Vridhachalam-3 (M-26/2). The analysis of genetic relationships in cashew using morphological traits and RAPD banding data can be useful for plant improvement, descriptions of new varieties and also for assessment of variety purity in plant certification programmes.

To better understand the potential for improving biomass accumulation and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of winter wheat under deficit irrigation regimes, in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, an experiment was conducted at the Luancheng Experimental Station of Chinese Academy of Science to study the effects of deficit irrigation regimes on the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), biomass accumulation, grain yield, and RUE of winter wheat. In this experiment, field experiment involving winter wheat with 1, 2 and 3 irrigation applications at sowing, jointing, or heading stages was conducted, and total irrigation water was all controlled at 120 mm. The results indicate that irrigation 2 or 3 times could help to increase the PAR capture ratio in the later growing season of winter wheat; this result was mainly due to the changes in the vertical distributions of leaf area index (LAI) and a significant increase of the LAI at 0-20 cm above the ground surface (LSD, P < 0.05). Compared with irrigation only once during the growing season of winter wheat, irrigation 2 times significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) increased aboveground dry matter at maturity; irrigation at sowing and heading or jointing and heading stages significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) improved the grain yield, and irrigation at jointing and heading stages provided the highest RUE (0.56 g/mol). Combining the grain yield and RUE, it can be concluded that irrigation at jointing and heading stages has higher grain yield and RUE, which will offer a sound measurement for developing deficit irrigation regimes in North China.

Net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) of leaves of Nothofagus pumilio and N. an-tarctica seedlings were measured at different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs, 20, 150, 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,200 μmol/m²/s) and after 60 minutes of shade to determine the rate of photosynthetic induction after seedling transition from low to high PPFD. A and gs were also measured to evaluate the responses to water stress and the tolerance to waterlogging. N. pumilio had higher A values than N. Antarctica for all light intensities measured with the maximum value of 16.8 μmol CO₂/m²/s saturated at 1,000 μmol/m²/s PPFD. Values of gs for both Nothofagus species also declined as light intensity decreased. The times required for full induction of A were 18 and 27 minutes after the increase of PPFD (full sun) for N. pumilio and N. Antarctica, respectively. There was a negative relationship between A and water stress, expressed as pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψ_lp), where the reduction in gs was the main factor that reduced A in both species. Tolerance to waterlogging was related with changes in A and gs where N. Antarctica was more tolerant. These photosynthetic results of Nothofagus leaves to fluctuating light, water stress and waterlogging could be used to estimate the responses of regeneration to environmental conditions under the dynamics of natural stands, after silvicultural practices and for restoration plans.

A set of 20 samples of tomato ketchup purchased on the market were analysed by several rheological procedures (Rheo-Stress 300) and by sensory profiling of both textural and flavour characteristics. A great variance was observed of all characteristics in all sample variables. About a third of plots between two variables were significantly related in the case of two rheological attributes and two sensory attributes, and in that of combinations between rheological and a sensory attributes. Similarly as in the case of lipid dispersions, the sensory texture acceptability was significantly related to the overall flavour acceptability. This proves the importance of texture in the consumption of tomato ketchup.

The oxidation stability of extra virgin and refined olive oils produced in different countries were studied under different conditions of microwave heating (microwave oven Electrolux, 2450 MHz, 500 W) and conventional heating (200°C). Oils were heated in a microwave oven and in a conventional oven for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes. The evaluated parameters were peroxide value, content of conjugated dienes, conjugated trienes (determined by absorbance at 233 nm and 274 nm, respectively), and fatty acid composition by GC. During microwave and conventional heating peroxide values and contents of dienoic compounds differed significantly between control and the heated samples. The microwave treatment did not produce significantly greater amount of oxidation products than traditional heating.

Chemical modification of starch for food purposes is strictly limited in terms of the type of chemical reactions, the kind of modifying agents, the degree of substitution as well as the level of contaminants. Commonly applied chemical reactions include only three types, i.e. oxidation, esterification and etherification. Influence of chemicallymodified starches on a biological processes occurring in a human body seems to be interesting, especially as a source of the substances indispensable for the course of various metabolic processes. The study was aimed at answering a question: whether or to what extent the commercial preparations of potato starch, obtained upon chemical modification, would constitute a source of macro- and microelements and starch resistant to α-amylase hydrolysis, as components affecting physiological properties in a human body. Industrially obtained native potato starch as well as it food grade modified starches, were studied: oxidised starch (E 1404), acetylated starch (E 1420), and acetylated distarch adipate (E 1422). Protein content was determined with the Kjeldahl method. Resistant starch (RS) content was estimated according to the method described by Champ et al. (1999) and amylose content according to Morrison and Laignelet method (1983). The assay of individual elements content in the native and chemically-modified potato starch was carried out using the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method. Native and chemically-modified potato starch were characterised by different contents of amylose (from 20 to 31% d.m.) and a RS fraction (from 74 to 77% d.m.). All type of the investigated chemically-modified potato starch appeared to be a good source of elements, however the highest contents of phosphorus and potassium were found in native potato starch. Oxidised starch (E 1404) was the best source of macroelements (calcium and magnesium) and microelements (copper, manganese and zinc), as compared to the other investigated starches. Therefore, the application of the investigated chemically-modified potato starch may prove favourable not only due to their functional properties but also a source of RS and minerals.

The presented work complements studies on agroclimatic zoning that were performed during 19^{th and 20th century in the Czech Republic and Austria and allows estimating the effect of climate change on the spatial distribution of agroclimatic conditions within both countries. The main conclusions of the study are: (1) The combination of increased air temperature and changes in the amount and distribution of precipitation will lead to significant shifts in the agroclimatic zones by the 2020's. The current most productive areas will be reduced and replaced by warmer but drier conditions, which are considered less suitable for rainfed farming. (2) While trends in the changes expected in lowlands are mostly negative (especially for non-irrigated crops), higher elevations might experience improvement in their agroclimatic production potential. However, the production potential of these regions is usually limited by other factors such as the soil quality and terrain accessibility. Additionally, these positive effects might be shortlived, as by the 2050's, even the areas in higher altitudes might experience much drier conditions than nowadays. (3) Dairy-oriented agriculture (based on permanent grassland production) at higher altitudes could suffer through an increased evapotranspiration demand combined with a decrease in precipitation, leading to higher water deficits and yield variations. (4) All above listed changes will most likely occur within less than four decades. The rate of change might be so high that the concept of agroclimatic zoning itself might lose its relevance due to the perpetual change.}

During 2004-2006, another permanent research plot (No. 12) on Pop Ivan Marmarosh Mt. in the Zakarpattya province of Ukraine was renewed, i.e. re-measured and re-analyzed. The plot was originally established in the 30's of the 20^th century. The tree layer is dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), with Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) as often associated species, and with sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) growing occasionally in small groups. After 70 years, the tree species composition partly changed. Total live timber volume increased from 529.6 to 636.3 m³/ha. Considerable growth was recorded in beech, while the live timber volume of fir, spruce and sycamore maple did not almost change. Total number of trees (> 3 cm in dbh) increased from 737 trees/ha to 760 trees/ha. Number of beech trees increased markedly. On the contrary, fir and spruce showed a significant decrease in tree number. Interesting results emerged from the renewal of the permanent square plot (20 × 20 m), proving that beech is able to persist in the shade for more than 70 years with only minimal increment of both height and diameter.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of amaranth wholegrain flour on the rheological characteristics of wheat and spelt flour dough. Organically produced composite flours made from basic flours of wheat (refined) or spelt (refined, wholegrain) and amaranth flour in the propostions of 10%, 20%, and 30% (flour basis) were compared to cereal flours. Dough was analysed for its amylographic, farinographic and extensographic properties. The amaranth substitution altering of the examined measures relates to a certain extent to the properties of the basic flour used. By increasing the amaranth replacement ratio, the gelatinisation temperature, water absorption, development time, and stability increased whereas the dough softening was only slight. The amaranth addition strengthened the dough, mainly by decreasing its extensibility and, in spelt containing composite flours, also by increasing the resistance to extension. Considering the results obtained and the characteristics of the basic flour used, the amaranth substitution of 10-20% evidently improves some rheological properties and strengthens the dough. The present study provides the first report on the spelt-amaranth blends and dough extensograph behaviour of amaranth composite flours

The objective of these studies was to observe the effects of the process of micronisation on the protein solubility, as well as, on contents of antioxidants and vitamins in whole maize flour. Maize hybrids differing in the kernel colour developed at the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, Belgrade, Serbia, were selected for these studies. The semi-flint hybrid ZP 633 has pronounced yellow kernels; the pericarp of ZP Rumenka is dark red, while the hybrid ZP 551b is characterised by a white colour of kernels. Grain of selected genotypes was used in the production of flour. Whole flours were produced by milling of intact maize fresh grain in a stone grinder. In order to determine the effect of the process of micronisation on nutritive properties of maize flour, intact kernels of selected ZP hybrids were subjected to the process of micronisation at the temperature of 145°C. Infrared rays are used to cook maize kernels, which were then flaked under the pressure of rolls. Maize flakes were also ground in the stone grinder and produced flour was used for analyses. Differences in nutritive values of produced flours were established by the analysis of standard chemical composition (ash, total proteins, oil, cellulose, starch), soluble proteins (albumin, globulin, zein, glutelin), α- and β+γ tocopherol, total antioxidants, total phenols and β-carotene. According to our results, white maize flour does not contain β-carotene. Raw whole flour of yellow maize, produced by milling of grain of the hybrid ZP 633, had a high content of β-carotene (5.43 μg/g), while this content was somewhat lower in raw whole flour produced from red maize (2.56 μg/g). A micronisation heat treatment caused a significant reduction in the β-carotene content in yellow micronised maize flour (23%). In the present study, the highest γ-tocopherol content was estimated in raw whole flour made from yellow maize (20.94 μg/g). A high temperature of infrared rays caused the reduction of the γ-tocopherol content, hence it amounted to 16.94 μg/100 g in flour made by milling of micronised yellow maize. This reduction was somewhat lower in flour made by milling of micronised red-seeded maize and it amounted to 35%. Flour produced from raw and micronised red maize grain had the highest antioxidant activity. According to our results 3.27 mg of whole flour made from raw red maize grain inhibits 50% activities of DPPH radicals. Some of Maillard reaction products which are formed during process of micronisation have an antioxidant activity, which could be a reason for the increased antioxidant activity in flour produced by milling of micronised white and red maize grain. 2.34 mg of red micronised flour inhibits 50% activities of DPPH radicals. The antioxidant activity in white micronised flour was higher by 40% than of flour produced from raw white kernels. The highest content of total phenols was determined in flour produced by milling of raw and micronised grain of red maize (2.80 mg catechin/g on the average). Heating of plant protein sources leads to decreasing of the protein solubility as well as content of tryptophan.

The aim of our study was to compare the concentration of selenium (Se) and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the whole blood of goats and their newborn kids. The experiment involved 25 gravid, clinically healthy goats of the white shorthaired breed. On the day of delivery, we took whole blood from the mother and her newborn kid before the kid drank the first colostrum. In mothers, the measured average concentration of Se in whole blood was 149.60 ± 45.01 μg/l, the average concentration of Se in kids was 87.91 ± 29.66 μg/l. Average activity of GSH-Px in the blood of mothers was 938.46 ± 341.09 μkat/l, and in the blood of kids 658.20 ± 339.13 μkat/l. Regression and correlation analysis produced regression line formulas and correlation coefficients that revealed a close, statistically significant relation (P < 0.01) between the concentration of Se in the blood of mothers and their kids and the activity of GSH-Px in mothers and their kids. The relation between the concentration of Se in the blood (μg/l) of mothers and kids was γ= 0.484x + 15.55; r = 0.73, the relation between the activity of GSH-Px in blood (μkat/l) of mothers and their kids was γ = 0.809x - 101.27; r = 0.80. The concentration of Se and activity of GSH-Px was lower in newborn kids than in their mothers, reaching approximately 60-70% of the mother's levels. The relation between the concentration of Se and activity of GSH-Px in the blood of goats was γ = 4.23x + 276.31; r = 0.64 (P < 0.01) and the relation between the concentration of Se and the activity of GSH-Px in the blood of kids was γ = 6.556x + 64.70; r = 0.83 (P < 0.01). It follows that a Se concentration of 100 μg/l corresponds to a GSH-Px activity of 699.51 μkat/l in the blood of mothers and 720.34 μkat/l in the blood of kids. The results show the need to provide for a sufficient Se saturation of goats with a view to preventing Se deficiency in kids and that the Se concentration in the blood of newborn kids is physiologically about 40% lower in comparison with the Se concentration in the blood of their mothers. This should be taken into account when interpreting the results and assessing the reference values of Se concentration in the blood of kids.

The growth rate, frequency of moulting, and intermoult intervals of juvenile Pacifastacus leniusculus were studied under experimental conditions over a period of 3 months. Juveniles were reared individually in small boxes at two different temperatures: 14.31 ± 0.64°C (cold water) and 20.54 ± 0.69°C (warm water). Although the average weight and length of consecutive stages were similar at both temperatures, juveniles in warm water attained more moults. Within the age group juveniles achieved a higher length and weight in warm water than in cold water. Three month-old juveniles reached 147 mg and 18.5 mm in cold water at the 6^th stage of development, and 259 mg and 22.2 mm in warm water at the 8^th stage. Specific growth rate (SGR) decreased (5.6 and 10.4 for cold and warm water in the first stage, respectively) and reached final values of 1.4 and 1.5 after 3 months of growth. SGR was significantly higher in warm water and showed negative correlations with the number of days after hatching and number of moults. Duration of intermoult periods was significantly influenced by water temperature, with five moults attained in cold water compared to seven in warm water. All intermoult periods were significantly longer in cold water than in warm water. The average percent weight and length increments decreased with increasing number of moults, length, weight and number of days after hatching. In warm water increments were higher (89.8% and 21.8% for weight and length, respectively) than in cold water (68.5% and 20.3% for weight and length, respectively), and the decrease was faster. However, the final values were similar at both temperatures (about 36% and 11% for weight and length, respectively). The mean absolute weight and length moult increments were not significantly influenced by water temperature. Although the temperature influenced growth due to the number of moults, the duration of individual intermoult periods did not affect the weight and length of juveniles in particular stages.

The paper provides some of the interim results of the Fifth Framework PRISMA project dealing with the of impact ICT on government and citizen services in Europe. The analysis and the concept description of long-term strategies for eGovernment and a long-term vision over 10 years for eGovernment are described. Activities performed by the government are analysed from the demand ("front office") and supply ("back office") point of view. Recommendations for long-term strategic decisions are based on three scenarios of the future European development till 2010: (1) "Prosperous and just Europe", (2) "Turbulent world", (3) "Recession and reorientation".

The objective of this research was to examine the influence of different drying procedures on the colour quality and rehydration capacity of wild asparagus (Asparagus maritimus L.). Wild asparagus samples were dried using convective (40°C, 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C at the airflow velocity of 2.75 m/s), natural, and freeze (-20°C and -40°C) drying procedures. Rehydration and colour characteristics were used as indicators of the quality of the dried asparagus samples. Convective drying of asparagus resulted in the smallest colour change of the fresh material, whereby drying at 60°C presented the optimum. The best rehydration ratio was achieved when the samples were freeze dried at -40°C. Naturally dried asparagus samples resulted in a very low rehydration ratio compared to the other procedures investigated. The rehydration and appearance of the dried asparagus are two important physical factors that need special attention when designing or selecting a drying procedure. Furthermore, the influence of drying on other quality characteristics of wild asparagus, such as the content of active ingredients or microbial count, should be investigated in further studies. The investigation of economic parameters of different drying procedures should be considered as well.

The aim of this work was to improve microwave heating in white sauces using different polysaccharides in their formulation; ι-, λ- and κ-carrageenan and native and modified starches were used as thickeners. Five model systems were prepared, each one with a different polysaccharide, salt, and water. Dielectric loss factor (ε'') was measured and penetration depth of the electric field was calculated at 20 and 40°C at 2450 GHz. The results showed that ε'' increased significantly (P < 0.05) when temperature rose in all the model systems. Moreover, ε'' decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when the polysaccharide concentration rose in the systems elaborated with starch (both native and modified). The penetration depth increased significantly at 40°C when native starch concentration rose. Not significant differences due to the thickener concentration were found in the depth penetration values in the other model systems, both at 20 and 40°C.

Genetic variation in three Croatian coldblood horse populations was analysed using a sequence analysis of the proximal part (nt 15 498-15 821) of the D-loop region of mtDNA. Twenty unrelated horses were chosen from the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood breeds and fifteen horses from the Murinsulaner horse population. Sequencing of the proximal part of the mtDNA D-loop region revealed 26 polymorphic sites representing thirty haplotypes which were clustered into eight haplogroups. A wide variety of mitochondrial haplotypes of the analysed horse breeds were clustered into eight different haplogroups. Two haplogroups (D and F) were specific to Posavina horse, five haplogroups were shared among the Croatian Coldblood and Murinsulaner horse, the fact that can be explained by selection strategy at the beginning of the 20^th century and possible gene flow between the two populations. These results indicate the presence of many ancient maternal lineages with high diversity in mtDNA. The genetic information based on mtDNA typing has a great importance for the future breed conservation strategy, especially for the critically endangered breed such as Murinsulaner horse.

The combination of georeferenced colour aerial photos and limited field measurements of individual trees was used to determine tree stand biomass in forests of prevailing Norway spruce. The technique was carried out in two localities - small catchments of natural lakes in the Bohemian Forest (56 and 76 ha in size, respectively). This method is not so expansive as the inventory based on sample plots, namely in the terrain of high dynamics in the mountains. Tree crown diameters were determined semi-automatically on the basis of orthophotos. The catchment of Plešné jezero Lake can be described by these average values: crown diameter 4.5 ± 1.35 m, mean tree height varying between 19.6 and 30.2 m depending on altitude (tree average and standard deviation are 25.5 ± 3.9 m), tree density 154 ± 67.7 ha and stand biomass 197 t/ha. The Čertovo jezero Lake catchment shows somewhat different values: crown diameter 4.9 ± 1.35 m, mean tree height varying between 20.9 and 25.1 m (dependence on altitude is weak; tree average and standard deviation are 25.6 ± 2.0 m), tree density 200 ± 65.7 ha (all parameters for Norway spruce only), and stand biomass 156 t/ha (Norway spruce) + 17 t/ha (European beech). Some features are common to both catchments: a regular to random tree pattern prevails. Tree clumping is typical of the most extreme stands. Minimum tree density occurs in the zone of the altitudes 1,200-1,250 m a.s.l. The crown diameter to dbh ratio is independent of altitude. Tree height decreases linearly with altitude. The distribution of trees according to crown diameter is skewed to higher values.

The main aims of this study are to describe how much the economic role of agriculture decreased, and this decrease comes mainly from some economic difficulties, for example weak income position of producers based on weak capital accumulation. So agricultural producers need financial supports to improve their production and favourable credit conditions. In 1990s during the last decade, the role of agriculture in the national economy decreased, which contributed to its decreasing share in GDP and real value of agricultural GDP. In 2001, in spite of the fact that the plant production considerably increased and the animal husbandry stagnated, the whole agricultural production volume was by 20 percent under its level of 1989. Finally by the end of 2001, the share of agriculture declined to 4 percent of GDP and together with food industry, their share was about 7 percent. The agricultural scissors increased considerably, namely from 126.5 percent in 1992 to 138.4 percent in 2001.The income conditions made a significant influence on the capacity of the agricultural sector in fields of investments and accumulation. The main problem was the decline of real value of investments. For example the real value of investments in 2001 had not implemented half of investments realised in 1989. This situation showed the low level of technological and technical development in the agricultural sector during a longer period, than a decade. It was important to increase different kinds of supports for agricultural producers, for example: export subsidies, interests of credits, supports for establishing new farmland structure. The share of supports for agricultural production and food industry was 12-14 percent of the two sectors' GDP in 1990s. The development of the main factors of agricultural incomes was determined by index calculations based on the data of the APEH (Hungarian Tax and Financial Supervising Office) and EAA (Economic Accounts for Agriculture). The supports are needed, which are as follows: based on the APEH data, the profit before tax of 23 billion HUF in 1997 decreased to the loss-level of 8 billion HUF by the end of 1990s. The main aim for agricultural producers was to increase their capital accumulation to implement improvement of production in order to be competitive on the world and domestic markets. There is a difficulty that at the end of 1990s, only about 30 percent of the supports was directly provided for agricultural producers. In Hungary, without taxes and other different deprivals, the current value of production supports was over the level of incomes obtained in agricultural sector, but according to the calculation methods of the OECD, the value of PSE (PSE= Producer Support Estimate) index was at a very low level and it had a decreasing tendency, which could not ensure enough income for agricultural producers in Hungary. So the development of agricultural production cannot be realised additionally to the unfavourable background conditions for the sector. Comparing the support structure experienced in the OECD with that in Hungary, it can be declared, that within the PSE (Producer Support Estimate) during 1997-2000, the MPS (Market Price Support) declined, similarly it was in Hungary. In the OECD, the 8-9 percent share of payments based on input use has remained at s

Up to date business is managed by large-scale different rules that regulate how the business acts and how it is structured. We find the rules in law, regulation, business policy document, procedures manual, system documentation, memoranda etc. These reference resources may provide the specific basis for a rule or offer a background, context or explanation of the business rule. In the recent years, it has been discovered that business rules constitute an entire body of knowledge that has not been adequately addressed in either the analysis or design phases of the information system development. Typically, business rules have been buried in the program code or in the database structures. The article deals with the business rules approach and rule technology and helps to identify the business and technical opportunities they afford to the company. It offers the business process model and its integration with business rules. This approach could provide business analysts with an essential approach to understanding, redesigning and communicating what really happens in the business processes (in agricultural area). It serves to understand the business impact of any change in small and medium-sized organizations. We use the UML notation and its business model extension.

Fruit juices are a significant source of vitamin C in the human diet and therefore their nutritional value is mainly related to the amount vitamin C they contain (KABASAKALIS et al. 2000; MANSO et al. 2001; SHINODA et al2005; BERLINET et al2006). However, vitamin C (which also commonly known as ascorbic acid) is readily oxidised and degraded at different rates depending on storage conditions like temperature, the presence of oxygen or trace metals, light exposure etc. (KABASAKALIS et al. 2000). In the presence of oxygen, ascorbic acid (AA) is oxidised to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), which is itself then further hydrolysed into 2,3-diketogulonic acid (DKG). DKG is then decarboyxylated leading to the formation of reductones and furan compounds. Whereas AA and DHA have vitamin C activity, DKG does not exhibit any vitamin C activity. In this study, the influence of different headspace O₂ levels on the oxidation of AA and the formation and breakdown of DHA, was investigated at 22°C. Kinetic rate constants for each degradation step were estimated using a reversible consecutive model. Finally, the estimated kinetic parameters were linked to the headspace oxygen levels. The headspace oxygen level was observed to have a significant effect on the rate of oxidation of AA. A lower oxygen partial pressure in the headspace, resulted in a lower concentration of dissolved oxygen in the model fruit juice, and consequently in a slower rate of AA oxidation. At the high headspace O₂ levels (10 and 20.9%), AA was completely oxidised and below the LOD (32.55 mg/l of model fruit juice) after 20 days. Whereas under anaerobic conditions, 65% of the initial amount of AA was still present after the same incubation period. With regards to DHA, a marked difference was noticed in the slopes of the curves and in the maximum DHA concentration attained. Namely, an increase in the initial headspace oxygen level corresponded not only to an increase in the maximum DHA concentration but also to a shorter time for the maximum DHA concentration to be attained. This indicates that a faster rate of formation of DHA occurred the higher the initial headspace oxygen level was. The estimated kinetic rate constants supported the observations made above. A positive linear correlation was been found between the oxidation rate of AA and the initial headspace oxygen level. This is very important as it provides for the first time an opportunity to model the rate of vitamin C degradation.

The work aimed to evaluate the state of agricultural soil contamination what is important for the gaining of information needed for growing of hygienic safe raw materials and foodstuffs. Metallic pollution of soil in Zemplínska polluted area has begins by accumulation of heavy metals in soil, mainly resulting from location in vicinity of chemical and industrial factories, as well as from many others sources. The pH value development indicates gradual trend of soils acidification, except of alkalic ones reaching up to 20% from total arable soils in Slovakia. Acidification is process, where acidity of abiotic compounds has been increased. Soil reaction is a significant agrochemical property markedly affecting growing and developing of plants, and has directly effect on soil fertility, influencing the ecological conditions for plants and soil microorganisms. The site had been localised with GPS and 5 sampling places had been fixed. From these sites the soil samples were taken from 1 depth, A horizon (0-0,2 m) and then processed and managed according to particular ISO norms. The soil reaction and the heavy metals contents in solution of aqua regia and HNO₃ in soil samples were assessed. Afterwards the gained results had been compared with limit values from legislative documents.

In this study, fruits, fruit flesh and seeds of damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) and rose hip (Rosa canina L.) were assayed for the composition of fatty acids, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and mineral elements. The content of linoleic acid in seed oil of Rosa damascena (54.18%) was found to be higher than in that of Rosa canina (48.84%). α-Tocopherol contents were found to be 7.10 μg/g and 34.20 μg/g for Rosa damascena and Rosa canina fruits, respectively. Ascorbic acid content was determined as the highest in the fruit flesh (546 mg/100 g in Rosa damascena and 2200 mg/100 g in Rosa canina), and as the lowest in the seeds of both species. Rosa damascena fruits were found to be richer in minerals such as Ca, Fe, K, Mn, Na, P, and Zn than Rosa canina fruits. The results of the present study showed that Rosa damascena fruits could be used as food and food additive equally as rose hip fruits.