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Vegetation structure of bio-belts as agro-environmentally-climatic measures to support biodiversity on arable land: A case study
Get PDFLoss of biological diversity is one of the greatest challenges that our civilization must face nowadays. Reaction to the diminishing biodiversity of agricultural landscapes is various measures promoting free-living organisms. The study deals with the vegetation composition and structure of agro-environmental-climatic measures applied on arable land in operating conditions (intensively farmed regions of the Czech Republic). Additional study focus was applied to a popular measure of the feeding bio-belts. Bio-belts are not only hiding places for free-living animals but can provide them a rich food offer in the period from the harvest of main crops until winter. Thanks to the bio-belts, the landscape gains in biodiversity, and sloping sites can be protected from soil erosion. The vegetation of land parts used as bio-belts was assessed using phytocoenological relevés. Dominant plant species sown in the bio-belts were Avena sativa, Panicum miliaceum, Brassica oleracea var. acephala, Fagopyrum esculentum, Phacelia tanacetifolia, and Pisum arvense. Apart from the sown plants, there were also weeds occurring in the bio-belts, of which the most abundant were Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Setaria verticillata, Cirsium arvense, Equisetum arvense, etc. Risks connected with the realization of feeding bio-belts in respect of weeds occurring on arable land are negligible. Weeds from bio-belts have only a limited potential to spread to adjacent arable land. A potential spreading of weeds from the bio-belts to adjacent arable land was not demonstrated. On the contrary, thanks to its composition, the vegetation of bio-belts has the potential to extend the food offer for animals. Thus, bio-belts are useful for supporting biodiversity in regions intensively used for agriculture.O
Youths perceptions of agroforestry in Uganda: motivations and willingness to participate in highland agroforestry tree planting and landscape protection
No full textThis study investigates public (youths) willingness to participate in highland agroforestry tree planting initiatives and perceptions of agroforestry in Uganda. Through a questionnaire survey (N= 1138), data were collected on respondents' willingness to engage in agroforestry activities, motivations for participation, preferred methods of participation, and perceptions of agroforestry effectiveness. Results indicate a strong overall willingness among respondents to participate in highland agroforestry tree planting, with 89.3% expressing willingness. Primary motivations for participation include environmental conservation, water regulation, and soil conservation. Younger respondents and those with higher education levels demonstrated a greater willingness to participate, suggesting that demographic factors influence attitudes towards agroforestry. Planting tree strips emerged as the preferred method of participation, followed by planting indigenous tree species and practising sustainable agriculture methods. While respondents generally rated agroforestry effectiveness moderately, they perceived land and forest degradation in Uganda as significant issues. These findings underscore the potential for expanding agroforestry practices in Uganda's highlands and highlight the importance of targeted outreach and education to engage diverse demographic groups in environmental conservation efforts and support for Eco-Tourism. Future research should focus on optimizing agroforestry interventions to address perceived barriers and enhance their effectiveness in mitigating land and forest degradation, and possible impact on Eco-Tourism in the region.Published Versio
A Comprehensive Analysis of the Use of SFRC in Structures and Its Current State of Development in the Construction Industry
Get PDFIn recent years, concrete technology has advanced, prompting engineers and researchers to adopt advanced materials to improve strength and durability. Steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) represents the substantial modification of concrete materials to improve their structural properties, particularly their flexural and tensile strength. Whether SFRC is stronger than conventional concrete depends on a variety of variables, including the volume, size, percentage, shape, and distribution of fibers. This article provides a comprehensive discussion of the properties of SFRC, such as durability, fire resistance, and impact resistance or blast loading, as well as the application of SFRC in structural members including beams, columns, slabs, and walls. The application of steel fibers in various types of concrete, including pre-stressed, pre-cast, self-compacting, and geopolymer concrete, was also examined in this comparative analysis review, and recommendations for the future scope of SFRC were identified.O
Determinants of individual income in EU countries: implications for social policy targeting
Get PDFIntroduction: The introduction of the Income Index constructed by authors as well as the identification of demographic, socio-economic and occupation-related factors influencing the income of individuals in EU countries is the main contribution of the paper. The Income Index makes it possible to analyze data of individuals from all EU countries. Methods: The multiple hierarchical regression of EU-SILC microdata provides the factors that influence individuals' income. Results: Outcomes show through which factors can be intervened in social policy settings to reduce income inequality. Factors significantly affecting the Income Index are the household composition, occupation sector (typically agriculture and accommodation and services are related to low incomes) and the degree of urbanization (rural areas with the lowest incomes of individuals). Discussion: Findings confirm ongoing discussions about the specific position of single parent households in the labour market and their need for social support.O
Methods of growing asian pears and plums
No full textV období, kdy je pěstování ovoce limitováno klimatickými změnami, kdy proto dochází k poklesu produkčních ploch a také pro vlastní nestabilní rentabilitu a náklady spojené s pěstováním, je důležité najít nové možnosti pro udržitelné a konkurenceschopné ovocnářství. Tou cestou, jak toho dosáhnout je například využívání nových nepůvodních ovocných druhů, jako jsou odrůdy asijských slivoní a asijských hrušní a případně mezidruhových kříženců. Oba tyto druhy mají mnoho výhod, které je pro podmínky České republiky předurčují a také dosahují odpovídající kvality plodů, či výnosů apod. V této metodice se zabýváme možnostmi pěstování, volbou podnoží a výběrem vhodných odrůd právě pro podmínky České republiky.In a period when fruit growing is limited by climate changes, when production areas are therefore decreasing and also because of the unstable profitability and costs associated with growing, it is important to find new options for sustainable and competitive fruit growing. The way to achieve this is, for example, the use of new non-native fruit species such as varieties of Asian plum trees and Asian pear trees and possibly interspecific hybrids. Both of these species have many advantages that predetermine them for the conditions of the Czech Republic and also achieve adequate fruit quality, yields, etc. In this methodology, we deal with cultivation options, the choice of rootstocks and the selection of suitable varieties precisely for the conditions of the Czech Republic.Published Versio
The Success of the Development of the Structurally Affected City of Karviná
Get PDFThe aim of this paper is to propose measures leading to overcoming the limits of development of the city of Karviná. Based on the results of the situational analysis supplemented by a questionnaire survey, it can be said that the economic and social pillars of the city are not developing very successfully. On the contrary, the environmental pillar, its landscape condition, and environmental care are developing most successfully. The current problematic factors limiting the development of the city are mainly the insufficient and unattractive local labour market and business activities, the image of the city, and the still low air quality. A strategy of diversification of the economic structure and a programme of support for small and medium-sized enterprises can make a significant contribution to overcoming these problems, achieving successful future development, and fully exploiting the city's potential. There is also scope for the use of development projects such as the New Economic Zone initiative and appropriate publicity for the city's strengths. A strategy aimed at improving air quality in the region is also a key aspect. There is an opportunity to finance these measures through the European Equitable Transformation Fund, which can greatly facilitate their implementation.O
The fungus Acremonium alternatum enhances salt stress tolerance by regulating host redox homeostasis and phytohormone signaling
Get PDFWhile endophytic fungi offer promising avenues for bolstering plant resilience against abiotic stressors, the molecular mechanisms behind this biofortification remain largely unknown. This study employed a multifaceted approach, combining plant physiology, proteomic, metabolomic, and targeted hormonal analyses to illuminate the early response of Brassica napus to Acremonium alternatum during the nascent stages of their interaction. Notably, under optimal growth conditions, the initial reaction to fungus was relatively subtle, with no visible alterations in plant phenotype and only minor impacts on the proteome and metabolome. Interestingly, the identified proteins associated with the Acremonium response included TUDOR 1, Annexin D4, and a plastidic K+ efflux antiporter, hinting at potential processes that could counter abiotic stressors, particularly salt stress. Subsequent experiments validated this hypothesis, showcasing significantly enhanced growth in Acremonium-inoculated plants under salt stress. Molecular analyses revealed a profound impact on the plant's proteome, with over 50% of salt stress response proteins remaining unaffected in inoculated plants. Acremonium modulated ribosomal proteins, increased abundance of photosynthetic proteins, enhanced ROS metabolism, accumulation of V-ATPase, altered abundances of various metabolic enzymes, and possibly promoted abscisic acid signaling. Subsequent analyses validated the accumulation of this hormone and its enhanced signaling. Collectively, these findings indicate that Acremonium promotes salt tolerance by orchestrating abscisic acid signaling, priming the plant's antioxidant system, as evidenced by the accumulation of ROS-scavenging metabolites and alterations in ROS metabolism, leading to lowered ROS levels and enhanced photosynthesis. Additionally, it modulates ion sequestration through V-ATPase accumulation, potentially contributing to the observed decrease in chloride content.OA-hybri
Multirole of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in Biomedical Systems for Managing Smart Healthcare Systems: An Overview of Current and Future Innovative Trends
Get PDFInternet of Medical Things (IoMT) is an emerging subset of Internet of Things (IoT), often called as IoT in healthcare, refers to medical devices and applications with internet connectivity, is exponentially gaining researchers' attention due to its wide-ranging applicability in biomedical systems for Smart Healthcare systems. IoMT facilitates remote health biomedical system and plays a crucial role within the healthcare industry to enhance precision, reliability, consistency and productivity of electronic devices used for various healthcare purposes. It comprises a conceptualized architecture for providing information retrieval strategies to extract the data from patient records using sensors for biomedical analysis and diagnostics against manifold diseases to provide cost-effective medical solutions, quick hospital treatments, and personalized healthcare. This article provides a comprehensive overview of IoMT with special emphasis on its current and future trends used in biomedical systems, such as deep learning, machine learning, blockchains, artificial intelligence, radio frequency identification, and industry 5.0.O
Fuzzy-logical self-organisation system modelling—Illustrating case of self-organisation Czech restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic
Get PDFThe aim of this paper is to show how Niklas Luhmann's concept of self-organization can be formalized using fuzzy logic. This approach is based on the shared assumptions of systems theory and fuzzy logic and focuses on natural language expression and the complexity of social processes. It involves modelling the operations of the system in relation to the fuzziness of the environment, that is, the transformation of environmental stimuli in gradual uncertainty to binary codes of communication. Based on these operations, it is possible to formalize their unified pattern, which shows the observation of past operations and the simultaneous observation of the environment. An example is given of the formalization of restaurant self-organization in the Czech Republic during the Covid-19 pandemic. The model illustrates and explains how the restaurant system reduces lockdown as an environment, in other words, how the system stabilizes its behaviour in a complex pandemic period.OA-hybri
A different approach to hop growing
Get PDFThe current study aimed to examine how various growers in the Czech Republic hop-growing regions approached the production of hops (Saaz variety). The work also keeps track of how different growers approach fertilization and nutrition, as well as how often plant protection chemicals containing these ingredients are used. The Saaz hop variety samples from the primary Czech hop-growing regions, gathered in 2020 and 2021, were assessed. The average spindle length (14-18 mm), average number of spindle segments (9.3-11.9 pcs/needle) and conductometric parameters (2.7-4.7% w/w) in the samples were identified.O