Analysis of the lifetime and culling reasons for AI boars

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the lifetime and culling reasons for boars used in insemination centers(AI centers).Methods: The data collected from 355 culled boars from 1998 to 2013 included: age at start of semen collection,boar herd life, culling reason, daily gain and lean meat content, and number of ejaculates not meeting sales requirements after dilution. Culling reasons were divided into 7 groups: low semen value(LSV), low or lack of libido(LL), leg problems(LP), infectious diseases(ID), old age(OA), reduced demand for semen from the given boar(RD),and others(OT).Results: The most common culling reasons for boars were LSV(23.7%) and RD(22.5%). It was observed that the lowest daily gains were noted in boars culled due to OA. Boars culled due to OA and RD were maintained in production for the longest time(over 1000 d), for LSV and ID retention was about 700 d, and due to LL below 400 d. The survival probability was over 0.9 until 1.5 yr, and just over 0.2 until 4 yr. The highest relative frequency was observed in the 36 ^(th) and 42 ^(nd) mo of life(over 16%). Hazard risk analysis revealed a more than 10 times higher risk of culling in the case of LL, ID or OT, in comparison to OA.Conclusions: The results can be used as a direct point of reference for the identification of emerging problems in AI boar exploitation and the development of an appropriate culling policy in AI centers.

The Influence of Environmental Factors on the Behavior and Mortality Risk of Polypedates megacephalus Tadpoles

Since tadpoles change their behavior when facing adverse environmental conditions, observing tadpoles in a tank can help detect problems in their ma intena nce. Detecting such a bnormal behavior early, an amphibian breeder can react quickly, by changing the conditions. If quick and appropriate, such a reaction can save unnecessary deaths. The paper presents an experimental study on the behavior of tadpoles of Polypedates megacephalus in various adverse environmental conditions. In addition to a control 25-liter tank, 5-liter tanks with 10 tadpoles each were studied, each having various improper conditions. Observations included the degree of tank exploration by the tadpoles, their mortality, anomalies in swimming behavior, and eating behavior.

Effect of nanosilver(nAg) on disinfection, growth, and chemical composition of young barley leaves under in vitro conditions

Cereals, including barley, have been playing a key role in human diet for a long time. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of nanosilver(nAg) on limitation of infections, morphological features, and their chemical composition of young barley seedlings under in vitro condition. Addition of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg dm^–3 nAg into MS medium was used.Obtained results showed that the effect on the morphological features depended on the nAg concentration. The addition of 6 and 8 mg dm^–3 nAg into MS medium limited the number of infected barley embryos in vitro, whereas 4 and 8 mg dm^–3 nAg resulted in the highest seedlings with the longest roots. nAg in the medium affected the colour of leaves and increased the contents of chlorophyll and β-carotene, in particular in seedlings growing in MS medium supplied with 6 mg dm^–3 nAg.The addition of 8 mg dm^–3 had the greatest effect on the contents of vitamin C and E in young barley seedlings. It was found that the contents of K and Ca in the young barley leaves were lower, as compared to control plants. The presence of 6 mg dm^–3 nAg in the medium resulted in an increased contents of N, Mg, Zn, Cu, and P. Hence, a diversified effect of nAg on individual groups of polyphenolic compounds was noticed. The presence of 2 and 8 mg dm^–3 nAg caused higher content values of polyphenolic compounds in young barley leaves.

Labile and stabile soil organic carbon fractions in surface horizons of mountain soils–relationships with vegetation and altitude

Global and local climate changes could disturb carbon sequestration and carbon stocks in forest soils. Thus, it is important to characterize the stability of soil organic matter and the dynamics of soil organic carbon(SOC) fractions in forest ecosystems. This study had two aims:(1) to evaluate the effects of altitude and vegetation on the content of labile and stabile forms of organic carbon in the mountain soils; and(2) to assess the impact of the properties of soil organic matter on the SOC pools under changing environmental conditions. The studies were conducted in the Karkonosze Mountains(SW Poland, Central Europe). The content of the most labile fraction of carbon(dissolved organic carbon,DOC) decreases with altitude, but the content of fulvic acids(FA), clearly increases in the zone above 1000 m asl, while the stabile fraction(humins, nonhydrolyzing carbon) significantly decreases. A higher contribution of stabile forms was found in soils under coniferous forests(Norway spruce), while a smaller-under deciduous forests(European beech) and on grasslands. The expected climate change and the ongoing land use transformations in the zone above1000 m asl may lead to a substantial increase in the stable humus fraction(mainly of a non-hydrolyzing carbon) and an increase in the SOC pools, even if humus acids are characterized by a lower maturity and greater mobility favorable to soil podzolization.In the lower zone(below 1000 m asl), a decrease in the most stable humus forms can be expected,accompanied by an increase of DOC contribution,which will result in a reduction in SOC pools. Overall,the expected prevailing(spatial) effect is a decreasing contribution of the most stable humus fractions,which will be associated with a reduction in the SOC pools in medium-high mountains of temperate zone of Central Europe.

Investigation of the immune effects of Scutellaria baicalensis on blood leukocytes and selected organs of the chicken＇s lymphatic system

Background： The health of chickens and the welfare of poultry industry are central to the efforts of addressing global food security. Therefore, it is essential to study chicken immunology to maintain and improve its health and to find novel and sustainable solutions. This paper presents a study on investigation of the effect of Scutellaria baicalensis root（SBR） on the immune response of broiler chicken, especially on lymphocytes and heterophils reactivity, regarding their contribution to the development of immunity of the chickens.Methods： The 121-day-old Hubbard Hi-Y male broiler hybrids were randomly assigned to four treatment groups,three SBR supplemented groups（0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of SBR） and one control group. Each treatment was replicated five times with six birds per replicate pen in a battery brooder. Blood was collected after 3-（rd） and 6-（th）wk of the experiment, and hemoglobin and hematocrit values were determined, as well as total leukocyte count and differential count were performed. Nitroblue tetrazolium test and phagocytosis assay as nonspecific immune parameters and humoral immune responses to the antigenic challenge by sheep red blood cells were performed.Moreover, the ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes to form radial segmentation（RS） of their nuclei was analyzed.Body weight and relative weight of spleen, liver, and bursa of Fabricius were recorded.Results： Results showed that mean heterophile/lymphocyte ratio increased in the SBR groups compared to the control group and the blood of the chickens showed lymphocytic depletion. The results also demonstrated that the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and spleen in groups fed with SBR significantly decreased compared to the control group. This study also showed that the addition of SBR significantly inhibited the formation of RS of nuclei compared to some cytotoxic substances.Conclusion： We found that SBR supplementation should be carefully evaluated when given to poultry. The excess intake of SBR supplementation may cause immunologic inhibition and may negatively affect the development of immune organs. SBR has inhibited the formation of radial segmentation nuclei showing antimetastatic properties and also the phagocytosis of chicken heterophils.

Airborne Fungal Spores of Subalpine Zone of the Karkonosze and Izerskie Mountains(Poland)

The incidence of the airborne fungal spores was determined in the air of subalpine zone of the Karkonosze Mountains and of the Izerskie Mountains in the borderland between Poland and the Czech Republic. The experiment was conducted in2011 and 2012 at three to four week intervals from May to October. Air samples were taken from three locations in the Karkonosze Mts. and one from the Izerskie Mts. To examine the air, the Air Ideal 3P sampler and acidified PDA medium were used. The results show that Cladosporium cladosporioides was the most abundant spore type in all the sampling locations(up to 30%), followed by Alternaria alternata(16%–20%), Fusarium(up to 10%) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorium(up to 6%). The lower spore counts were recorded in May samples, compared to the other months. In this case the snow cover, that was still present in the area at the beginning of May,may be the reason for the lower, compared to June,July and August samplings, CFU(Colony Forming Unit) counts in that month.. The influx of air masses from SE, S and SW sectors in the area under study may affect dissemination of the plant-pathogenic fungi from the Czech Republic and from the South of Europe in general.

Mycobiota of the disused ore mine of Marcinków inSnieznik Masiff(western Poland)

Marcinków(Lower Silesia, ?nie?nik Masiff,south-western Poland) has been a well-known mining centre since the mid-15 th century. Mineral extraction ended in 1949 with the ores of Pb, Ag, Cu and occasionally Au, U or graphite mined there. The mine is surrounded by metamorphic graphite and mica schist. It is not open to the public and no bats have been recorded living in. The aim of this study was the mycological analysis of the air, the rock surface and the water of the disused ore mine of Marcinków.Additionally, the chemical composition of rocks and water, and microclimate conditions of the adit were determined. Fungi were identified using a combination of phenotypic and molecular methods.Six taxa of fungi were cultured from the indoor air samples of the adit, whereas the outdoor air samples contained only five taxa. On the other hand, nine taxa were isolated from both the rocky walls and the water.The Aspergillus group was present only on the rocks and in the water, whereas Cladosporium herbarum,Dumontinia tuberosa, Epicoccum nigrum, Hirsutella sp., were found exclusively in the air. The mycobiota found in the ore mine were mostly similar to those recorded in other mines and natural caves. However,it should be noted that the internal microclimate and chemical compounds of the rocks.

The influence of potassium to mineral fertilizers on the maize health

Field experiments （2009-2011） were conducted at the Department of Agronomy at Poznar~ University of Life Sciences on the fields of the Research Institute in Swadzim. We evaluated the health of maize plants of two types, depending on the variations in mineral fertilization. The conducted research recorded the occurrence of pests such as oscinella frit （Oscinella frit L.） and the European corn borer （Pyrausta nubilalis Hbn.）. Diseases recorded during the research included two patho- genes： Fusarium （Fusarium ssp.） and corn smut （Ustilago maydis Corda）. It was shown that the meteorological conditions during the maize vegetation had a significant influence on the occurrence of pests. Adding potassium to mineral fertilizers increased the maize resistance to Fusarium. Cultivation of ＂stay-green＂ cultivar shall be considered as an element of in- tegrated maize protection. The occurrence of oscineUa flit was correlated with the occurrence of Fusarium as well as the occurrence of the European corn borer for both examined cultivars.

The development of the Rook's(Corvus frugilegus)colony in the face of shifting spring phenology

Many birds species breed in colonies.One of the species in the Corvidae family nesting in groups is the Rook(Corvus frugilegus).The construction of the nest is costly for birds and needs high energy expenditure.Therefore,birds should optimize the time of nest building in relation to environmental,especially weather,conditions.Furthermore,birds should adapt their breeding phenology,including the date of starting the construction of nests for climate change.We observed the dynamics of increasing numbers of nests in a colony of Rooks in relation to air temperature,wind,rainfall,snowfall and day-length(indirect indicator of photoperiodism).Observations were carried out during three breeding seasons(2015-2017)in a large rookery in a big city in north-eastern Poland.The increase in the number of nests was correlated only with day length and no effect of climatic factors on the number of nests in the colony was observed.Number of nests varied significantly between successive years of research.In the case of the Rook(predictable breeders),the photoperiod seems to be the most important factor influencing breeding behavior,especially nest construction.In the last three decades,increasing temperature and time of spring phases have advanced and have influenced changes in the phenology of the availability of food resources.Simultaneously,a rapid decline in the numbers of breeding pairs of the Rook in Poland has been observed,especially in the last three decades.Conservative attachment to the length of the day,which is the main factor responsible for the development of the breeding colony,makes the Rook appear to be a species with low plasticity in the face of rapid climate changes.Thus,we suggest that may indirectly influence the decrease in the breeding population of the Rook.

Influence on the Solid−Liquid Two-Phase Flow from Cross-Section Area of Slurry Pumps for Deep-Sea Mining

To explore the mechanism of solid-liquid two-phase flow in deep-sea mining pumps,this paper investigates the influences of the impeller cross-section area on the multi-phase flow in the slurry pump.Experimental and numerical results are presented for two-phase flow in four impellers with different cross-section areas.They show that the degree of vortex strength and the passing capacity of particles increase as the cross-section area of the impeller.In addition,the correlations between the two-phase flow and cross-section area have been revealed by a mathematical model taking the force of the flow field into account.The simulation results confirm the theoretical analysis,while the experimental pump performances validate the numerical calculation.The influence of the cross-section area on two-phase flow and pump performance could provide theoretical support for the design of high-performance deep-sea mining slurry pumps.

Parallel coordinate plots of maize traits under different magnesium applications

The parallel coordinate plot is proposed as an efficient tool for visualization of 13 traits of ＂stay-green＂ maize（Zea mays L.） cultivar exposed to different methods of magnesium application. The field experiment was conducted in the Department of Agronomy, Poznań University of Life Sciences, on the fields of the Department of Teaching and Experimental Station in Swadzim in 2006–2008. Experiment was conducted as a single-factor experiment with seven applications of magnesium in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The highest mean values of grain yield and 1 000-grain weight were obtained after application of variant T3 of magnesium（10 kg MgO ha^–1 soil） in the all three years of study.

A potential engineering solution to facilitate upstream movement of fish in mountain rivers with weirs:Southern Carpathians,the Azuga River

An important aspect in the restoration of longitudinal connectivity in rivers and streams is the implementation of fish migration systems at the upstream of the functional hydraulic structures(weirs,drop structures or river sills).The diversity of these existing structures as well as the different locations of these weirs within the river,watershed and riparian zone challenge the design engineers to find new holistic solutions for fish migration systems.The Azuga River study area requires a new synergistic fish migration design system.Being a mountain area,rapid increase in water level is quite frequent,especially after heavy or prolonged rainfalls and during spring snow melt.Therefore,it is necessary to design a specific system for fish migration to meet this location’s requirements.Due to the characteristics in this location of the Azuga river,the classic fish migration systems would not be functional.The indigenous/mountain trout is considered as the target species in this paper.Although this is a good swimming species,the use of classical systems could,due to exhaustion,prevent and/or reduce the movement of fish upstream of the two weirs(also known as river sills).This new,comprehensive solution,presented in this paper includes:(i)the restoration and stabilization works of the right bank in the weir study area by using biotechnical measures and(ii)the upstream migration system itself-for supporting the migration of fish on the Azuga River.

Consumption of Alzheimer disease protective nutrients in diets of polish elderly divided into different nutritional status (MNA)

Many abnormalities can be observed in the nutrition of elderly people which, as a consequence, lead to occurrence or progression of many already existing diet-dependent diseases. The aim of this work was assessment of nutrients consumption, important for prevention and treatment of diet-dependent diseases and potentially neuropsychological diseases, including Alzheimer disease. The intake of antioxidant vitamins, group B vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids in food ratios was assessed among 1001 people over 60 years of age, from Wroclaw and nearby areas, SW Poland. Selected parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were determined in the blood of surveyed people. A deficit intake of all nutrients was demonstrated in groups distinguished by MNA form. Moreover, it was demonstrated that statistically significant, the lowest amounts of vitamin A, E, C, B6, B12, folates, and many other polyunsaturated fatty acids were consumed by women at risk of malnutrition in comparison with women with an adequate nutritional status. Statistically significant lower biochemical parameters, such as TC, LDL TG and glucose were also demonstrated in the group of women at risk of malnutrition than in the group of women with an adequate nutritional status. Control and supervision of the elderly persons’ nutritional intake constitutes the basis of the assessment of risk of deficiency of particular nutritional components occurrence and negative health effects deriving from it. Poor nutrition of seniors along with longer life, from demographic point of view, induces to search for new efficient health-oriented strategies.

Influence of Alginates on Tube Nerve Grafts of Different Elasticity - Preliminary <i>in Vivo</i>Study

This preliminary research project has been conducted to evaluate different elastic polymer materials in terms of their applicability in peripheral nerve regeneration. Poly(tetrafluoroetylene-co-difluorovinylidene-co-propylene), poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide), and polyurethane were used for the manufacture of tubular implants. Alginate sodium gel and fibers were used as a scaffold to fill in tube nerve grafts and enhance nerve regeneration. The tubes were implanted to reconstruct a 10 mm gap in the sciatic nerve in rats. After 3, 7, 14, 28 days the tubes were retrieved for histological examination. Among tested tubes polyurethane implants were found to be the most suitable because of their mechanical and surgical properties. Other tested implants were found to be unfavorable due to their inappropriate rigidity, elasticity or surgical convenience. Alginate transformation into dense gel form was observed that hindered inner tube space cellular colonization. In consequence of this transformation nerve regeneration was inhibited inside tube nerve grafts. Histological examination showed massive colonization of the implants with Schwann cells, and growth of new axons was found within Schwann cells growing on tubes external surface. Appropriate time rates for alginate gelation and dissolving must be determined to allow undisturbed tissue growth and maturation.

Low Peptone Dose as Inductor of Alkaline Protease Promoter Used for Invertase Gene Expression in Yarrowia lipolytica

According literature, the induction of Yarrowia lipolytica alkaline protease promoter （PXPR2） is efficient in pH 〉 6.0 and with high peptone dose. To establish optimal pH and peptone concentration for induction of invertase gene （suc2 of Saccharomyces cerevisaie） under PXPR2 in new Y. lipolytica A-101 invertase positive （Suc＋） transformants their growth on Bioscreen C was analyzed. Minimal mineral medium with thiamine （MMT） and sucrose （1%）, adjusted to pH from 5.8 to 7.6 and supplemented by 0-0.1% of peptone was used. Biomass （OD）, maximal specific growth rate （μmax） and consumed sucrose were measured. Maximal yeasts growth, resulting from the optimal PXPR2 induction, was observed at pH 7.2 and with very low peptone doses （0.0025% and 0.01%）. For five clones （A-101 1356-5; A-101 B54-6; A-101 B57-4; A-101 A18 and W29 ura3-302） only 0.005% of peptone was needed. Amount of hydrolyzed sucrose varied from 24% to 83% and μmax from 0.06 to 0.28 hl. Suc^＋ clones differ in growth parameters, so the site of yeast cassette integration into genome influences expression level of suc2 under PXPR2. Designing large scale processes with Y. lipolytica Suc^＋ clones peptone concentration has to be 100 times smaller than recommended so far.

水平管道水力输送粗粒物料的阻力损失研究

以深海采矿固液两相流管道输送工艺为应用背景,通过建立管道水力输送模拟系统,研究了不同粒径、不同体积浓度、不同输送速度条件下粗颗粒在水平管道中的阻力损失的变化规律。试验结果表明:颗粒浓度越高,输送速度越大,阻力损失越大。阻力损失与各参数的主要关系有:在保持其他条件不变的情况下,阻力损失与浓度或速度呈指数关系;颗粒运动状态对阻力的变化率有一定的影响。基于试验数据并结合理论分析,提出了阻力损失计算公式。

The Development of a Two-finger Dexterous Bionic Hand with Three Grasping Patterns-NWAFU Hand

Bionic inspiration from human thumb and index finger was the drive to design a high-performance two-finger dexterous hand.The size of each phalanx and the motion range of each joint in the human thumb and index finger were summarized,and the features of three grasping patterns were described in detail.Subsequently,a two-finger dexterous bionic hand with 6 Degrees of Freedom(DoFs)was developed.Both the mechanical thumb and index finger were made up of three rigid phalanx links and three mechanical rotation joints.Some grasp-release tests validated that the bionic hand can perform three grasping patterns:power grasp,precision pinch and lateral pinch.The grasping success rates were high under the following cases:(1)when power grasping was used to grasp a ring with external diameter 20 mm-140 mm,a cylinder with mass<500 g,or objects with cylinder,sphere or ellipsoid shape;(2)when the precision pinch was used to grasp thin or small objects;(3)when the lateral pinch was used to grasp low length-to-width ratio of objects.The work provided a method for developing two-fimger bionic hand with three grasping patterns,and further revealed the linkage between the difference in fimger structure and size and the hand manipulation dexterity.

Monitoring nonlinear and fast deformation caused byunderground mining exploitation using multi-temporal Sentinel-1 radar interferometry and corner reflectors: application,validation and processing obstacles

In this study,Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry(DInSAR)of artificial Corner Reflectors(CRs)were validated in the area of fast and nonlinear deformation gradient caused by active coal longwall exploitation.Three Sentinel-1 datasets were processed using conventional DInSAR,Persistent Scatterer Interferometry(PSI),and Small BAseline Subset methods implemented in ENVI SARscape™.For evaluation,leveling and Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)measurements were used.Considering the challenge of snow cover,the removal of all winter images was not a successful strategy due to the long temporal baseline and strong movement,which cause phase unwrapping problems and underestimate the real deformation.The results indicate that only conventional DInSAR and SBAS with low network redundancy allow us to capture maximal deformation gradient and the root mean square error calculated between the CRs and the ground truth is on the level of 2–3 cm for the vertical and easting deformation component,respectively.For the small deformation gradient represented by the permanent GNSS station(4 cm/year),all SBAS techniques appeared to be more accurate than DInSAR,which corresponds to higher redundancy and better removal of the atmospheric signal.In contrast,DInSAR results allowed to capture information about two subsidence basins,which was not possible with SBAS and PSI approaches.

Odour reducing microbial-mineral additive for poultry manure treatment

Poultry production systems are associated with emissions of odorous volatile organic compounds （VOCs）, ammonia （NH3）, hydrogen sulfide （HES）, greenhouse gases, and particulate matter. Development of mitigation technologies for these emissions is important. Previous laboratory-scale research on microbial-mineral treatment has shown to be effective for mitigation of NH3, H2S and amines emissions from poultry manure. The aim of this research was to assess the effectiveness of surface application of a microbial-mineral treatment for other important odorants, i.e., phenolics and sulfur-containing VOCs. Microbial-mineral litter additive consisting of 20% （w/w） of bacteria powder （six strains ofheterotrophic bacteria） and 80% of mineral carrier （perlite-bentonite） was used at a dose of 500 g·m^-2 （per -31 kg of manure）. Samples of air were collected m two series, 4 and 7 days after application of additives. An odor profile of the poultry manure was determined using simultaneous chemical and sensory analysis. Reduction levels of VOCs determined on Day 4 was between 31% and 83% for mineral adsorbent treatment and in the range of 9% and 96% for microbial-mineral additive, depending on the analyzed compound. Reduction levels on Day 7 were considerably lower than on Day 4, suggesting that the odorous VOCs treatment efficacy is relatively short. There was no significant difference between treatments consisting of microbial-mineral additive and mineral carrier alone.