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One of the aerodynamic characteristics of lentil is its terminal velocity. In order to determinate the terminal velocity, was designed a vertical wind tunnel. It was fabricated based on existing methods and standards. For decreasing the non-uniformity of airflow in the vertical wind column, was used a honey comb test area with 5 mesh screens. So, a wind tunnel nozzle was designed and fabricated using Morel method with the aim of increasing airflow rate and decreasing losses due to mesh screens. The height and section area of tunnel were 1.425 m and 0.1 × 0.1 m2, respectively. The pressure loss values were calculated at different parts of tunnel and then, the required power of tunnel was determined. In this study, lentil grains of Kimia and Gachsaran varieties were separated at three groups based on their size (small, medium and large). Then, the terminal velocity was measured at 5 levels of moisture content (8, 12, 16, 20 and 24% (w.b.)) for each group. The results showed that Kimia and Gachsaran variety had the highest (7.204 m.s-1) and the lowest (6.987 m.s-1) terminal velocity, respectively. The mean value of terminal velocity increased linearly from 6.751 to 7.396 m.s-1 by increasing the moisture content from 8 to 24% (w.b.). Also, by increasing the grains dimension from small to large, the terminal velocity increased from 6.345 to 7.792 m.s-1.

The effect of spinosad on some biochemical characteristics of Xanthogaleruca luteola was investigated. LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ of spinosad for the third instar larvae were determined as 1.6 and 2.9 ppm, respectively. Biochemical tests were carried out on the 3^rd instar larvae treated with LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ of spinosad. The LC₃₀ concentration decreased carbohydrate and glycogen content and increased lipid content significantly. There was a significant decrease in carbohydrate, glycogen, and protein contents following the exposure to LC₅₀ concentration. Available energy of the larvae exposed to LC₃₀ of spinosad increased significantly, whereas it decreased significantly at LC₅₀. However, the energy consumed was increased at both concentrations significantly. Cellular energy allocation of larvae treated with LC₅₀ concentrations of spinosad decreased significantly. Glutathione-S-transferase and esterase activities were increased significantly at LC₅₀. However, lipase activity was decreased at both concentrations.

The stability of olive and sunflower oils for domestic uses after frying cow steak or only heating were evaluated in the presence or absence of the carvacrol-rich essential oil of Thymbra capitata. The treatments consisted of sunflower and olive oils either enriched with 200 mg/l of T. capitata oil or without it, heating at 180°C for 20 min, or frying 100 g cow steak at the same temperature and for the same period of time. In all assays, acid, peroxide, and p-anisidine values were followed over time. The fatty acid profile was estimated before heating or frying as well as at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the type of fat as well as the type of treatment (frying or heating) was determinant for the acid, peroxide, and p-anisidine values found. The presence of the essential oil also demonstrated to affect those values depending on the type of the oil as well as on the type of the treatment (frying or heating). In contrast, the fatty acid profile did not change greatly.

Further dissection of physiological molecular mechanisms is indispensable to alleviate rice yield losses resulting from cold injury. By using 105 near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from a backcross between cv. Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH) and cv. Towada, we detected quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for physiological traits of the rice flag leaf, based on polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM), mixed composite interval mapping (MCIM) approaches and phenotypic value subjected to combine with cold-water stress and three nitrogen application rates. By using ICIM, a total of 34 QTLs with additive effects (A-QTLs) were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10, and the phenotypic variation (R²) explained by each QTL ranged from 8.46 to 29.14%. By using MCIM, 20 A-QTLs and 14 pairs of QTLs with epistatic × environment interaction effects (Epistatic QTLs) were detected, the contribution of environment interaction (H²AE) was 0.87 to 7.36%, while the contribution rates of E-QTL were from 0.97 to 3.58%. Fourteen A-QTLs were detected by ICIM and MCIM, which may serve as a basis for fine-mapping and candidate gene studies, and providing strategies for the development of cold-tolerant rice cultivars and nitrogen application to alleviate chilling stress.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different sources of manganese (Mn) on the antioxidant status, some biochemical parameters and thickness of intestinal mucus in laying hens. Ninety-six 20-week-old hens of the Lohman Brown strain were randomly divided into four groups; each group was replicated six times with four hens per replicate. Hens in the control group were fed the basal diet (BD) with natural background Mn level of 45.5 mg/kg feed. For the three experimental groups, the BD was supplemented with 120 mg Mn/kg either from Mn-sulphate or Mn-chelate of protein hydrolysate (Mn-Bioplex) or Mn-chelate of glycine hydrate (Mn-Glycinoplex). After eight weeks of dietary treatment, a tendency towards increasing activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the erythrocytes was observed in all experimental groups. The results showed that inorganic Mn source increased the glutathione peroxidase activity in the hens' blood (P < 0.05). The intake of Mn-Bioplex resulted in significantly increased total antioxidant status in the plasma of hens in the group (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The plasma biological antioxidant potential was increased in the treatment groups supplemented with Mn-sulphate (P < 0.01) and Mn-Bioplex (P < 0.05). The total cholesterol concentration was decreased (P < 0.05) in the group fed the diet supplemented with Mn-Glycinoplex, as compared with the control. Moreover, the mucus layer thickness in the jejunum was reduced in the groups of birds fed with the organic form of Mn (P < 0.001, P < 0.05), as well as with the inorganic form of Mn (P < 0.001). These results indicate that the addition of dietary Mn was effective in improving the biological antioxidant potential, decreasing total plasma cholesterol and reducing the thickness of adherent intestinal mucus gel in the jejunum of laying hens.

The contribution of camels and their products (meat and offal) as potential reservoirs of foodborne pathogens is far from elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of camels as potential sources of different foodborne agents and to determine their antibiotic resistance profile. For this reason, one hundred apparently healthy camels admitted to the Zagazig abattoir (Sharkia province, Egypt) for slaughtering were studied. Three different specimens were collected from each camel including fresh faeces, raw meat and liver which were processed to determine the presence of different foodborne pathogens using standard bacteriological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was also performed using the disc diffusion method. The occurrence of Campylobacter in the faeces, raw meat and liver were 20%, 33% and 15%, respectively, with the most prevalent C. coli (21%) followed by C. jejuni (0.7%) and C. lari (0.7%). Enterococcus spp. was isolated at 50%, 40%, and 43% from the examined faeces, meat and liver, respectively, with E. faecalis (24%) as the most widely identified bacterial spp. The respective specimens showed typical colonies of S. aureus with 15%, 45% and 25%, respectively, with an overall prevalence 28.3%. S. aureus was found to colonise workers hands (40%; 10/25), followed by E. faecalis (20%) while Campylobacter spp. was not detected in any of the tested workers' hands. All recovered foodborne agents were found to be susceptible to enrofloxacin and resistant to rifampicin. The high loads of the pathogenic, as well as indicator bacteria in the raw camel meat, could indicate unhygienic conditions at the abattoir.

The aim of this study was to determine blood profile data in captive adult male leopard geckos. Animals were manually restrained with the head and neck extended. The right external jugular vein was punctured with a pre-heparinised needle and insulin syringe. The means and standard deviations for haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total red blood cell count, total white blood cell count and counts for heterophils, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, azurophils and lymphocytes for 20 healthy male leopard geckos were 72.58 ± 11.03 g/l, 25.40 ± 3.68%, 0.85 ± 0.14 10¹²/l, 10.47 ± 2.58 10⁹/l, 1.83 ± 0.92 10⁹/l, 1.67 ± 1.04 10⁹/l, 0.29 ± 0.33 10⁹/l, 0.48 ± 0.40 10⁹/l, 2.03 ± 1.07 10⁹/l and 4.17 ± 2.12 10⁹/l, respectively. The means and standard deviations for total protein, albumin, globulins, glucose, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, calcium, phosphorus and potassium for 20 healthy adult captive male leopard geckos were 55.60 ± 7.52 g/l, 16.45 ± 2.37 g/l, 39.15 ± 5.74 g/l, 6.18 ± 1.35 mmol/l, 67.95 ± 42.63 µmol/l, 0.83 ± 0.42 µkat/l, 25.40 ± 29.46 µkat/l, 3.05 ± 0.18 mmol/l, 1.4 ± 0.23 mmol/l, and 5.78 ± 0.58 mmol/l, respectively. This is the first study to report blood haematology and biochemistry values for a group of captive adult male leopard geckos.

The goal of the presented research was to assess the influence of continuously administered fentanyl on the intraocular pressure, pupil size and aqueous tear production in dogs. A prospective, randomised, double "blind" clinical study was performed. Twenty-five non-painful dogs, 13 breeds, a body weight of 10.0 ± 5.4 kg (mean ± SD) and age of 6.5 ± 3.3 years, 12 males and 13 females with no ocular abnormalities were randomly allocated into two groups receiving an intravenous injection of saline (SAL) 0.3 ml/kg followed by an infusion 2 ml/kg/h or an intravenous injection of fentanyl (FEN) 0.005 mg/kg (diluted in 0.3 ml/kg) followed by an infusion 0.005 mg/kg/h (diluted in 2 ml/kg/h). The intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size (PS), pulse rate (PR), respiratory frequency (f_R) and systolic and diastolic arterial pressures (SAP, DAP) were measured before (baseline) and at 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after the premedication. The Schirmer Tear Test I (STT-I) was measured prior to and at 30 min after the premedication. The data were analysed by Bartlett's, Anderson-Darling and Dunnett's tests, the t-test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P < 0.05). Relative to the baseline, in the fentanyl group, the PS was significantly decreased at all time points, the PR was significantly decreased at T₃₀ and the f_R was significantly decreased at T₅, T₁₀, T₂₀ and T₃₀. There were no other significant changes in the IOP, STT-I, SAP and DAP relative to the baseline. Compared to the control group, in the fentanyl group, the PS was significantly smaller at T₂, T₅, T₁₀, T₂₀ and T₃₀, the PR was significantly lower at T₂, T₂₀ and T₃₀ and the f_R was significantly higher at T₂₀. Within thirty minutes of a constant rate infusion of fentanyl in the healthy non-painful dogs, the intraocular pressure and aqueous tear production were not affected. However, the fentanyl significantly decreased pupil size. This fact should be considered, when planning analgesia where miosis is undesirable.

A long-term experiment was used to evaluate the effects of different nutrient management practices on the distribution of soil organic N fractions and their contribution to N nutrition of a rice-wheat system. Continuous rice-wheat cultivation for 13 years without any fertilization was unable to maintain total soil nitrogen level to its original level and resulted in a decrease at 8.3 mg N/kg/year. Likewise, amino acid N, amino sugar N, ammonia N, hydrolysable unknown N, total hydrolysable N and non-hydrolysable N decreased by 37.2, 29.6, 33.7, 10.4, 26.6 and 20.4%, respectively over their initial status. However, application of inorganic fertilizers alone or in combination with organic manures led to a marked increase in total N and its fractions. The increase in total N with the application of farmyard manure, press mud and green manure along with inorganic fertilizer over treatment with inorganic fertilizer alone was 23.1, 34.4 and 7.0%, respectively. These results imply that integrated use of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures represent a sound practice for sustaining N reserves in soil. On average, amino acid-N, amino sugar-N, ammonia-N and hydrolysable unknown-N constituted about 27.9, 10.7, 28.7 and 32.7% of the total hydrolysable-N, respectively.

Pig oocytes matured in vitro were parthenogenetically activated using nitric oxide donor SNAP (2mM). Continuous treatment successfully activated the oocytes only after more than 12 hours of exposure. Pulsatile treatments during which oocytes were repeatedly exposed to 2mM SNAP for a short time (10, 20 or 30 minutes) were more efficient with regard to the activation rate, even when the total exposure time did not exceed 4 hours. Parthenogenetic development was very limited after continuous treatment with 2mM SNAP. A significantly higher proportion of developing parthenogenetic embryos was observed after the pulsatile treatment (development to the morula stage 0 vs. 18%; development to the blastocyst 0 vs. 7%; P < 0.05). However, this developmental rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the development induced by conventional activation treatment with calcium ionophore (development to the morula stage, 23%; development to the blastocyst stage, 18%). When we combined pulsatile SNAP-treatment with the effect of protein kinase inhibitor 6-dimethyl aminopurine (6-DMAP) (2mM 6-DMAP for 2 hours) or with the inhibitor of protein synthesis cycloheximide (CHX) (10 µM CHX for 2 hours), we observed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activation rate when compared to the respective pulsatile SNAP-treatment without 6-DMAP or CHX (63 vs. 78% of activated oocytes for 6-DMAP; 63 vs. 83% of activated oocytes for CHX). However, the development of parthenogenetic embryos was not enhanced when the pulsatile SNAP-treatment was combined with 6-DMAP or with CHX.

The objectives of this study were to determine the immunoglobulin G concentration of colostrum in Czech dairy cows, to compare refractometer results with results achieved using the radial immunodiffusion method and to evaluate the reliability of three types of refractometers and recommend the best solution for the evaluation of colostrum quality. Colostrum samples (n = 1522) were collected from 38 herds between 2015 and 2017. The immunological quality of colostrum was estimated using Brix refractometers (optical, simple digital, digital Misco) and compared with the immunoglobulin G concentration assessed using radial immunodiffusion. We found high variability in the quality of colostrum. The minimum, maximum and median of individual measurements were the following: radial immunodiffusion immunoglobulin G - 5.2, 199.1, 76.9 g/l; optical refractometer - 9.5, 32.0, 23.1% Brix; simple digital refractometer - 5.4, 35.0, 19.1% Brix; digital refractometer Misco - 9.8, 37.4, 23.2% Brix. On the basis of immunoglobulin G concentration assessed using radial immunodiffusion, 20.9% of colostrum samples were of low quality (immunoglobulin G < 50 g/l). The Spearman correlation coefficients between radial immunodiffusion and the Brix refractometer readings were 0.62-0.67 (P < 0.001) according to the type of refractometer. The cut-off evaluation of the readings from optical and Misco digital refractometers both showed 20% Brix, with sensitivities of 89.4% and 88.2%, specificities of 73.2% and 74.5% and accuracies of 86.0% and 85.4%, respectively. The cut-off level for the simple digital refractometer showed 17% Brix with a sensitivity of 77.5%, specificity of 80.4% and an insufficient accuracy of 78.1%. For optical and Misco refractometers we recommend the use of two cut-off levels for the evaluation of colostrum: 23% Brix for the selection of good quality colostrum suitable for freezing and 19% Brix to discard poor quality colostrum. The different cut-off levels obtained by measuring with different types of refractometers indicate the need to check the quality of the instruments prior to their use in practice and, where appropriate, to determine their cut-off levels by comparison with results obtained using the reference method.

The present study was carried out in 2016-2017 to assess the effect of subsoiling depth on the soil bulk density, stability of soil structure, soil physical properties and summer maize yield based on a field experiment started in 2015. Four tillage depths were studied: conventional tillage 25 cm (CT₂₅); subsoiling tillage 30 cm (ST₃₀); subsoiling tillage 35 cm (ST₃₅) and subsoiling tillage 40 cm (ST₄₀). The results showed that at the 20-50 cm depth ST₃₀, ST₃₅ and ST₄₀ decreased the mean soil bulk by 4.59, 7.13 and 8.27%, respectively, and at the 0-40 cm depth reduced soil compactness by 17.62, 23.63 and 36.42%, respectively, as compared to CT₂₅. ST₄₀ reduced soil compactness in the 0-40 cm soil layer under conditions of relative drought (during the maize season growing season of 2016), ST₃₅ and ST₄₀ increased macroaggregates (> 0.25 mm), improved the stability of the aggregate structure (geometric mean diameter and mean weight diameter) (20-40 cm), increased soil water storage capacity at 40-60 cm and increased maize yield by 7.89% and 8.91%, respectively. Considering the improvement of soil properties and crop yield, ST₃₅ was the optimum method to increase maize yield and modulate soil physical properties in the North China Plain.

Patterns of biomass allocation were determined for seedlings of five provenances of Quercus castaneifolia from west to east of the Hyrcanian forest along a rainfall gradient. Experimental design was executed under controlled conditions at seven different light levels (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 100% full light). We quantified the biomass allocation patterns to leaves, stems and roots. For all provenances total mass increased with irradiance at low light levels, reaching an optimum at an intermediate level but decreasing at a high irradiance level. As results show, in drier provenances and at high light levels, the seedlings invest more biomass into root mass to facilitate water uptake and to alter their leaf size to prevent overheating. In contrast, at wetter provenances and low light levels, towards increased light interception, more biomass is allocated proportionally to leaves and the stems but, accordingly, less to roots. The leaf to root ratio (L/R) was negatively correlated with light, with high correlation at wetter provenances compared to drier ones. In contrast, the relationship between the root to shoot (R/Sh) ratio and light was positively correlated with light, but it was weak at drier provenances and became gradually stronger at wetter ones. Such relationships indicated that chestnut oak seedling growth strategies are different along a rainfall gradient to irradiance levels. Despite similar growth conditions in the greenhouse, different growth strategies may be the result of genetic adaptation to the ecological conditions, especially when precipitation regimes prevail in the native habitat.

The aim of the study was to determine the adaptive characteristics of pine needles associated with age and different growing conditions. The length of the needles decreases and its variability reduces with increasing dryness and poverty of the soil. In oppressed trees, the coefficient of variability of the length of the needles on the tree is 8%. The coefficient of variation in the length of needles approaching 20% will indicate the best conditions for the growth of a particular tree. Trends of the dependence of width and thickness of needles on growing conditions were not identified. The area of needles in pine forests with optimal water regime of soils (blueberry, cowberry type) varies in the range of 112-124 mm². In extreme growing conditions pine needles area is reduced by 27-33% and equals 76-86 mm². These ranges of values of the areas of needles are typical for plantings of the third and fourth classes of age. Changing the width and thickness of the needles is aimed at compensating for changes in the length of the needles in the direction of maintaining the optimal area for these conditions needles. In extreme conditions, the area of the assimilating tissue increases, and the area of the conducting tissue (stele) decreases. Correlation dependences of the area of the stele of needles with the cross-sectional area, with the area of conducting beams, with the number of resin canals and with the cover fabric are revealed.

The quantitative determination of four theaflavin monomers by a rapid reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed. A new RP-18 end-capped column with particle size 2 µm and equilibrated to 35°C in a Shimadzu temperature controller module was used. Four theaflavin monomers were successfully separated in 8 min by the new strategy, comparing to 20-85 min by HPLC in the peer literature reports. Linear gradient elution: from 92% mobile phase A (v) to 76% mobile phase A (v) during early 3 min and then 92% mobile phase A (v) till 8 min at elution flow rate 1.5 ml/min. The limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.1-0.3 and 0.4-1.1 mg/l. Satisfactory recoveries of theaflavin, theaflavin-3-gallate, theaflavin-3'-gallate and theaflavin-3,3'-gallate were 97.5-102.6, 98.6-102.4, 99.6-105.4, and 95.5-105.4%, respectively. The new method was applied to quantitative analysis theaflavins of tea samples, including 10 black teas, 5 oolong teas, and 5 green teas. This method is suitable for the rapid, accurate and inexpensive quantitative analysis of theaflavins under the basic detection conditions of HPLC.

Critical-sized bone defects are a difficult problem in both human and veterinary medicine. To address this issue, synthetic graft materials have been garnering attention. Abundant in vitro studies have proven the possibilities of poly(lactic-acid) (PLA) scaffolds and poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HAp) nanofibres for treating bone defects. The present study aimed at conducting an in vivo assessment of the biological performance of a three dimensional (3D)-printed PLA scaffold filled with a PLGA/HAp nanofibrous scaffold to estimate its potential applications in bone defect reconstruction surgery. Defects were created in a 20 mm-long region of the radius bone. The defects created on the right side in six Beagle dogs (n = 6) were left untreated (Group 1). The defects on the left side (n = 6) were filled with 3D-printed PLA scaffolds incorporated with PLGA/Hap nanofibres with gelatine (Group 2). The other six Beagle dog defects were made bilaterally (n = 12) and filled with the same material as that used in Group 2 along with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) (Group 3). Both the radiological and histological examinations were performed for observing the reaction of the scaffold and the bone. Micro-computed tomography (CT) was utilised for the evaluation of the bone parameters 20 weeks after the experiment. The radiological and histological results revealed that the scaffold was biodegradable and was replaced by new bone tissue. The micro-CT revealed that the bone parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in Group 3. Based on these results, our study serves as a foundation for future studies on bone defect treatment using synthetic polymeric scaffolds.

In vitro-grown shoot tips of Gisela 5 (Prunus cerasus × Prunus canescens) cherry rootstock were tested for regrowth after cryopreservation using vitrification technique. Explants were precultured in the dark at 23°C, in a liquid MS medium with a progressively increasing sucrose concentration (0.3 M for 15 h, then 0.7 M for 5 h), and subsequently loaded in a solution containing 2 M glycerol and 0.4 M sucrose for 20 minutes. Shoot tips were dehydrated at 0°C using either the original PVS2 or modified PVS2 solution (PVS A3 - 22.5% sucrose, 37.5% glycerol, 15% ethylene glycol and 15% DMSO) for 30, 40 and 50 minutes. The survival and regrowth of the cryopreserved shoot tips dehydrated with the original PVS2 solution ranged between 36-54% and 8-17%, respectively. However, the dehydration with the PVS A3 solution resulted in considerably higher survival rates (81-92%), as well as higher regrowth rates (39-56%) after cryopreservation. These results prove the feasibility of the PVS A3-based vitrification technique for a long-term storage of this genotype.

The study aimed at comparing the yield of dry biomass and energy efficiency of 22 willow cultivars depending on the harvesting frequency and variable plant density. The field experiment was established in 2010. The willow cultivars were planted in two densities; 13 300 and 32 500 plants per ha. Among the compared cultivars in the second year (2013) of full production, high yield of dry matter was obtained from cvs. Tordis (33.1 t/ha/year), Inger (30.4 t/ha/year) and Klara (29.0 t/ha/year). After six years of cultivation, the highest aboveground dry matter was given by cvs. Tora (27.4 t/ha/year) and Tordis (27.0 t/ha/year). The gross calorific value of willow biomass ranged from 15.2-20.1 GJ/t dry weight. Greater energy efficiency (329.3 GJ/ha/year) occurred in willow cultivars collected in a two-year cycle than in the one-year cycle (286.4 GJ/ha/year). In the two-year cycle collected in the third year after planting, energy efficiency was greater (379.5 GJ/ha/year) than in the two-year cycle harvested in the sixth year after planting (279.15 GJ/ha/year). The initial slower growth of biomass does not determine plant yielding.

Defatted wheat germ was used to substitute wheat flour by 5-15% to produce cookies enriched with protein, fat, sugar and minerals. The effects of different level of substitution of wheat flour by defatted wheat germ and dough moisture content (20-24%) on hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation in cookies were investigated. Colour parameters (L*, a*, and b*) were also measured, total colour difference (ΔE) and browning index (BI) were calculated and their correlations with HMF content were studied. The substitution of wheat flour by defatted wheat germ led to a higher HMF content compared to control cookies (P < 0.05). However, its formation was more strongly influenced by the dough moisture content than by the level of substitution. HMF content is positively correlated to the a* (r = 0.890; P < 0.01), b* (r = 0.605; P < 0.01) and BI (r = 0.710; P < 0.01) values, and negatively correlated to the L* (r = -0.624; P < 0.01). Results of the HMF formation and the correlation between HMF content and colour parameters were confirmed by the PCA analysis.

Verbascoside, the main component of Lippia citriodora extract, is one of the most powerful free radical scavengers exhibiting a wide biological activity. In in vivo study 20 adult New Zealand white rabbit bucks were divided into two homogeneous groups, one control (CON) and one verbascoside-supplemented (0.1%) in feed mixture (EXP) and later in vitro effects of verbascoside on the motility aspects of rabbit spermatozoa were analysed. The spermatozoa concentration, ejaculate volume, spermatozoa motility, progressive motility, distance parameters, velocity parameters and type of spermatozoa movement were negatively affected by Lippia citriodora leaves extract after the first 4 weeks of dietary treatment, till the end of experiment (8 weeks). Four weeks after the suspension of feed additive supplementation, all spermatozoa traits values returned to the normality, and in line with CON group. For in vitro findings, ejaculates from 10 male New Zealand white bucks were collected using an artificial vagina. Then it was diluted in physiological saline solution containing different concentrations of verbascoside at the concentration of 0, 0.0024, 0.0219, 0.157, 120.0 mg/ml (Ctrl, VB1, VB2, VB3, VB4 groups, respectively), using a dilution ratio of 1 : 4. The obtained data proved that verbascoside at the concentration of 0.0024 and 0.0219 mg/ml had no adverse effect on spermatozoa. Additionally, we found that verbascoside at higher concentrations (0.157 and 120.0 mg/ml) significantly altered all the motility parameters analysed in the experiment. In conclusion a possible negative effect of verbascoside supplementation into feed mixture (0.1%) on semen quality parameters in rabbit bucks as well as in vitro can be stated, obviously considering that target organs of antioxidant activities of phenylpropanoid glycosides are various. In addition it has to be emphasized that the extract showed a reversible action, since the semen traits of treated animals returned to the normality after the dietary administration period.

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of diet supplementation with linseed on the carcass characteristics, meat quality and oxidative stability as well as the composition of the fatty acids in M. longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) and the backfat of fattening gilts. A total of 40 animals were used, 20 in the experimental and 20 in the control group. The results indicate that gilts fed with the control feed mixture (C) showed a higher (P < 0.05) content of intramuscular fat and backfat as compared to the experimentaL group (L) of gilts. A higher drip loss (P < 0.001) was recorded in the L group as same as higher pH₄₅ and pH₂₄ values (P < 0.01). The fatty acid profile analysis in the MLLT showed that the content of the MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) was lower (P < 0.01) in the L group than in the C group of the animals and also showed a higher (P < 0.01) content of the PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in the L group. The content of the n-6 and n-3 PUFA was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group. The ratio of the n-6/n-3 PUFA was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the L group. The PUFA/SFA (saturated fatty acids) ratio was more favourable in the L group of gilts (P < 0.01). The results of the fatty acid profile analysis in the backfat proved the higher (P < 0.05) content of the UFA (unsaturated fatty acids) in the L group, while the content of the MUFA was lower (P < 0.001) in the L group. The total content of the SFA was lower (P < 0.05) in the L group. A higher content of the PUFA (P < 0.001) in the backfat was recorded in the L group than in the C group and the content of the n-3 PUFA was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group. The ratio of the n-6/n-3 PUFA was more favourable (P < 0.001) in the L group than in the C group. Also, the PUFA/SFA ratio was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group.

The paper presents the results of over 30-years of field experiment on soil organic carbon accumulation under different crop rotation, manure and mineral N fertilization. The experiment was conducted with two crop rotations: A - recognized as soil exhausting from humus (potatoes, winter wheat, spring barley and corn) and B enriching soil with humus (potatoes, winter wheat, spring barley, and clover with grass mixture). In each crop rotation, five rates of manure - 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 t/ha and four rates of mineral fertilizers N1, N2, N3 and N4 were applied. At the beginning of the experiment in 1979, the initial organic carbon content amounted to 0.74%, and after 33 years dropped to 0.61% in crop rotation without legumes. On the contrary, in crop rotation with clover - grass mixture, the tendency to stabilization of organic carbon quantity in soil was observed with the highest value 0.79% and the lowest one 0.72%. It was found that crop rotation enriching soil with humus produced organic matter ever more than those depleting the soil with humus, regardless of the manure fertilization. Mineral fertilization has modified soil organic carbon content.

Aiming at the problems of shallow effective soil layering and low utilization rate of precipitation in the North China Plain. The effects of different subsoiling stages on soil physical properties and water use in winter wheat/summer maize fields were studied. Three kinds of tillage treatments were studied: rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm in October and no-tillage in June (RT), rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm in October and subsoiling to 35 cm in June (ST-J), subsoiling to a depth of 35 cm in October and no-tillage in June (ST-O). Changes in soil bulk density and soil compaction were consistent over two seasons. Compared to RT, in the 10-50 cm soil layer, ST-J and ST-O decreased the average soil bulk density by 6.18% and 5.66%, respectively, and the soil compaction in the 10-60 cm layer was reduced by 17.89% and 20.50%. ST was improved soil structure and increased the water content of deep soil. The water use efficiency (WUE) of ST-J and ST-O increased by 4.73% and 14.83%, respectively, and the maize yields by 2.90% and 11.35%, respectively. Considering the WUE and maize yields, it was considered that ST-O is more suitable for tillage in the North China Plain.

To investigate a comparative evaluation of the gluten polymerization properties at different oil contents during the extrusion processing, the electrophoretic profiles of the gluten, free sulfhydryl (SH) compounds, the secondary structure of gluten, glutenin macropolymer contents and gluten network were measured. Five gluten samples were formulated by adding different oil contents. The low molecular weight contents of gluten decreased as well as the high molecular weight contents increased during the extrusion processing. The free SH of gluten at 8 or 10% oil content drops significantly to a minimum. The β-sheets contents of gluten have significantly difference between the treatments and control, except for 15 and 20% oil content treatments. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of mixed glutens correlated to the degree of oil contents with the gluten in the bi-continuous gluten network.

The flow characteristics of three varieties of Canarium schweinfurthii Engler nuts (Canarium schweinfurthii short, Canarium schweinfurthii long and Canarium schweinfurthii large - CSHT_LRG) relevant for the design and development of handling and storage systems was studied at three different moisture levels (10.20, 17.23 and 25.06% wet basis). The flow characteristics investigated include the normal stress, the shear stress, the initial shear stress, the coefficient and angle of the internal friction, the coefficient of mobility and the size of the discharge opening. An Instron universal machine at a cross-head speed of 25 mm.min^-1 was used to obtain the shear force. The results obtained showed that all the flow properties increased with an increase in the moisture content except for the coefficient of mobility. Moreover, the variety of the C. schweinfurthii nuts had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the flow characteristics. CSHT_LRG had the best ability to flow freely than the other varieties. The hopper side wall angle for all the varieties ranged from 67-70°. Round, square and triangle shapes are all acceptable for the smooth flow of C. schweinfurthii nuts.

In the present study, genetic diversity and population structure of Holstein Friesian and three native cattle breeds of Turkey including Turkish Grey Steppe, Eastern Anatolian Red and Anatolian Black were assessed. Totally 120 individuals of 4 breeds were genotyped using 20 microsatellite markers and 204 different alleles, of which 31 were private alleles, were detected. The average observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.63 and 0.74, respectively. Observed heterozygosity at the marker level ranged from 0.30 (DRBP1) to 0.88 (ILSTS011), while expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.51 (INRABERN172) to 0.88 (SPS113). Inbreeding coefficient values for Turkish Grey Steppe, Eastern Anatolian Red, Anatolian Black and Holstein Friesian were 0.216, 0.202, 0.128 and 0.069, respectively. The lowest pairwise F_ST value (0.030) was detected between Turkish Grey Steppe and Anatolian Black breeds, while the highest value (0.070) was detected between Turkish Grey Steppe and Holstein Friesian. Results of structure and factorial correspondence analysis revealed that Turkish native cattle breeds and Holstein Friesian were genetically different enough to separate the two breeds. Results of bottleneck analysis indicated heterozygosity deficiency in Turkish Grey Steppe (P < 0.05).

Changes of soil organic matter (SOM) parameters were investigated in a haplic Luvisol with medium-heavy texture. Soil samples were taken from several layers at minimum (MT) and conventional (CT) tillage plots of a field experiment in Sitzenhof (Germany). All cultural practices except for tillage (crop rotation, fertilizing, protection measures, etc.) were identical over the whole time of the experiment. The concentrations of oxidizable carbon C_ox and its constituents (humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA), and hot-water soluble carbon) are comparable in layers 15-20 cm in both variants. In 0-15 cm and 30-55 cm layers, these concentrations were higher in the MT variant. A similar trend was observed in the colour quotient values of humic substances Q4/6, which indicates increasing condensation of humus substances (HS) at deeper layers in both variants, and it is also confirmed by a humic to fulvic acids ratio HA:FA. Concentrations of SOM fractions were higher (except 15-20 cm layers) in the MT than CT treatment throughout the profile, especially below the 30 cm depth. The SOM did not accumulate markedly in the surface layer of long-term MT treatment.

The influence of pulsed electric field (PEF) on freeze-drying of apple tissue was investigated. The freeze-drying was performed with different parameters of PEF treatment, and PEF treatment on the drying characters, microstructure, rehydration ratio, effective diffusion coefficient and hardness of apple tissue were discussed separately. The results indicated that PEF utilization as a pretreatment of apples enhances the drying process. The drying time was shortened by 17.73% at most, specific energy consumption decreased by 24.74% at most, and the rehydration ratio was improved by 65.22% at most for PEF treatment samples respectively, compared with the untreated samples. The effective diffusion coefficients varied from 2.60 × 10-8 m2/s to 4.20 × 10-8 m2/s for PEF pretreated samples, and was 2.40 × 10-8 m2/s for untreated samples drying at 75°C, the hardness of the untreated apple tissue was about 144.4 N which was decreased to 39.5-115.0 N after PEF treatment.

This research evaluated the suitability of commercially available larval feeds, Otohime B2 (OB2), Aller Infa (AI), and Aqua Start (AS), and one Experimental Feed (EF), for the weaning of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), LMB. Feeds were presented with various ω-3 fatty acid levels/bioavailability (high in OB2 and AI), fat percentage (high in OB2 and AS), free amino acid and short peptide (FAA + SP) levels (high in OB2), and various soluble protein (SPR) levels (high in AS and EF). Fish were co-fed Artemia plus OB2 from the 19^th to 22^nd day post-hatching (DPH), then Artemia in addition to one of the four above diets for seven days, with complete Artemia removal on the 30^th DPH. Fish were sampled on the 32^nd DPH. Morphometry, digestive enzyme activities, hormonal status, skeleton, muscle development, and potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. levels were estimated. Survival was high (96% or more) in all the weaning regimes. Weaning to OB2 was linked to a fast fish growth rate (14.29%/day), while both OB2 and AI supported the skeleton development. Weight gain correlated with total fat, ash levels, free amino acids, and short peptide levels in the diet. Larvae weaned to soluble protein-rich AS and EF showed the lowest fish weight gain and skeleton development, and lower growth of potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. This research suggests that the weaning diets for largemouth bass should have a balanced protein content and quality while allowing for the inclusion of fewer marine ingredients.

Results obtained from the research study focused on the functional parameters of five saw chains tested on a test bench equipped with an electrically driven chain saw brought a number of findings. One of the most important of them is the significant difference between the cutting rates of round and square chains. The cutting rate of square chains R = 27.9 cm²·s^–1 is about 12% higher than the cutting rate of round chains. The influence of the chain construction on the chain cutting rate was conclusively demonstrated – the cutting rate of chains with a square profile is higher than the cutting rate of round-profile chains. It was further found out that although the specific energy E_m = 77.8 Ws·cm^–2 is by ca. 7% lower in the square chain than in the round chain, Student's t-test did not reveal any statistically significant difference in the data on the specific energy consumption of round and square chains, i.e. the influence of the chain design on the specific energy consumption of the chain at cutting was not clearly demonstrated. Other findings, for example, showed that working with a loose saw chain on the guide bar impairs parameters of the chain operation or that energy demands of cutting with the saw chain are directly proportional to wood density (hardness) and increase with the decreasing wood moisture. Yet another finding was learning the energy flow structure, which indicated that 46% of total power input is consumed by the electric motor alone for its operation while only about 7% goes for driving the chain movement along the bar (without cutting) and power input required for cutting is approximately 46%.