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Analysis of Occupational Accidents in Tree Climbers
Get PDFThe work of tree climbers is a hazardous activity during which many risks of occupational accidents must be faced. Numerous injuries happen during the performance of this professional activity. This is why our research was conducted, and the principle of which was to gather and evaluate, on the basis of the questionnaire method, injuries occurring to tree climbers during their work. An anonymous online questionnaire was prepared in order to obtain data about the rate of accidents recorded amongst tree climbers working in the territory of the Czech Republic. There were 121 tree climbers participating in the collection of data. The questionnaire was divided into seven sections, each section including questions focused on possible injuries related to the work of tree climbers and first aid. Answers of respondents indicated that the highest number of injuries were caused by cutting with the manual saw. Burns caused by the power saw and damage to eyes by sawdust or dust during sawing followed. The results also showed that nearly 30% of tree climbers work alone, and 47% of tree climbers collaborate with a ground worker who is not able to rescue them from the tree in the case of an exceptional unexpected situation. The research also revealed surprising results as to carrying first aid kits. Only 62% of tree climbers have a personal first aid kit on them in the tree crown. However, a positive finding appears in the fact that 75% of tree climbers are graduates of some medical course.O
Stem Growth of Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) under a Warming Climate-Tree Age Matters
Get PDFThis research provides new information about the effect of drought on horse chestnut growth (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in different ages. Global climatic scenarios predict a higher frequency of heatwaves and drought periods; however, investigations into the growth reaction of horse chestnut to drought are completely lacking. Approximately 50-year-old solitary, 100-year-old solitary, and 100-year-old canopy horse chestnut trees in a floodplain area were investigated. Growth reactions measured using automated dendrometers with respect to meteorological variables and water table depth were investigated during the years 2019-2021. Cambial activity was shown to be driven by tree age, as younger trees had higher stem radial increment rates. Both mature tree groups suffered from a low depth of water level and from higher sensitivity to meteorological variables, as growth was limited when mean daily vapor pressure deficit (VPD) exceeded 600 Pa. Together with a lower probability of growing days and a shorter growing season (GS) with earlier cessation of growth resulted in a lower total year radial increment (GRO) and basal area increment (BAI) when compared to younger trees. The young trees also exhibited lower tree-water-deficit-induced stem shrinkage (TWD) across all the studied years. Overall, horse chestnut trees in this floodplain area could be endangered by the decreasing level of soil water, with a greater age exacerbating the effects of drought. The year water deficit exceeded MINUS SIGN 340 mm in this locality every year, which has to be compensated for by regular flooding.O
Vertebrados de Sangre Fría en Nicaragua y su Desarrollo Regional
Get PDFChladnokrevní obratlovci představují v Nikaragui významný prvek v regionálním rozvoji. Byli pozorováni prakticky na všech místech, která byla během tří studijních cest v letech 2014-2018 navštívena. Bylo to pobřeží Tichého oceánu (přístavní město San Juan del Sur, pláže Marsella, Maderas, Chacocente, Casares a La Boquita), vulkanické ostrůvky Isletas de Granada v největším sladkovodním jezeře v Latinské Americe (Lago de Nicaragua), vnitrozemí, východní část Nikaragui s pobřežím v okolí města Bluefields a Kukuřičné ostrovy. Bylo pozorováno více než 40 běžně se vyskytujících druhů ryb, žab, ještěrů, želv a hadů, kteří v Nikaragui žijí. Mnozí z nich jsou významnou složkou potravy místních obyvatel. Mnohé druhy jsou důležitou součástí kultury místních obyvatel a v regionálním rozvoji a turismu jsou nezastupitelní. Jsou to např. z ryb sardinky (Sardina sp.), manty obrovské (Manta birostris), chňapalové (Lutjanus peru), tilapie (Oreocromis sp.), soltýni barakudy (Sphyraena barracuda), pilouni (Pristis sp.) a kostlíni mexičtí (Atractosteus tropicus). Z ostatních chladnokrevných živočichů jsou to ropuchy obrovské (Rhinella marina), leguánci (Sceloporus sp.), anolisové (Anolis sp.), leguáni zelení (Iguana iguana), leguáni černí (Ctenosaura similis), gekoni východní (Hemidactylus frenatus), užovky mnoha rodů a druhů, želvy zelenavé (Lepidochelys olivacea), želvy nádherné (Trachemys grayi) a kajmani brýloví (Caiman crocodilus). Mnozí tito živočichové jsou využíváni v kožedělném průmyslu, či při výrobě upomínkových předmětů pro turisty. Některé jedovaté druhy hadů, např. chřestýši středoameričtí (Crotalus simus) a křovinář němý (Lachesis stenophrys), představují značná zdravotní rizika jak pro místní obyvatele, tak pro turisty.Cold-blooded vertebrates are an important element in the regional development of Nicaragua. Species were observed in almost all locations visited during three study tours from 2014–2018. Sites visited during the tour include many on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua such as the port city of San Juan del Sur, beaches of Marsella, Maderas, Chacocente, Casares and La Boquita, as well as other areas including the volcanic islets of Isletas de Granada in the largest freshwater lake in Latin America (Lago de Nicaragua), inland, the eastern part of Nicaragua with the coastline around Bluefields and Corn Islands. More than 40 commonly occurring fish, frogs, lizards, tortoises and snakes commonly found in Nicaragua were observed. Many of them are an important component of the diet of the local population. Many species are important to the local culture and are integral to regional development and tourism. Observed species include Pilchard (Sardina sp.), Manta Ray (Manta birostris), Pacific Red Snapper (Lutjanus peru), Tilapia (Oreocromis sp.), Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), Sawfish (Pristis sp.), Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus), Cane Road (Rhinella marina), Lizards (Sceloporus sp.), Anole (Anolis sp.), Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), Common Spiny tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis), eastern gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), snakes of many different genus’s and species, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Red-eared Slider (Trachemys grayi) and Central American Caiman (Caiman crocodilus). These species and more are used in different ways by the local people for cuisine, leather manufacturing and for souvenir production for tourists. Some venomous snake species, i.e. the Central American rattlesnake (Crotalus simus) and bushmaster (Lachesis stenophrys), represent serious health risks.Los vertebrados de sangre fría son un elemento importante en el desarrollo regional en Nicaragua. Se observaron en prácticamente todos los lugares visitados durante tres visitas de estudio en 2014- 2018. Estos fueron, la costa del Océano Pacífico (la ciudad portuaria de San Juan del Sur, las playas de Marsella, Maderas, Chacocente, Casares y La Boquita), los islotes volcánicos de Isletas de Granada en el lago de agua dulce más grande de América Latina (Lago de Nicaragua), más allá, la parte oriental de Nicaragua, en la costa alrededor de Bluefields y Corn Islands. Se han observado más de 40 peces, ranas, lagartijas, tortugas y serpientes que se encuentran comúnmente en Nicaragua. Muchos de ellos son un componente importante de la dieta de la población local. Muchas especies son una parte importante de la cultura local y son insustituibles en el desarrollo regional y el turismo. Por ejemplo: sardina (Sardina sp.), mantarraya (Manta birostris), pargos rojos del pacífico (Lutjanus peru), tilapia (Oreocromis sp.), gran barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), pez sierra (Pristis sp.), gaspar (Atractosteus tropicus), sapo común (Rhinella marina), lagartijas (Sceloporus sp.), pichetes (Anolis sp.), iguana verde (Iguana iguana), garrobo negro (Ctenosaura similis), geco o perro zompopo (Hemidactylus frenatus), serpientes de los diferentes géneros y especies. La tortuga paslama (Lepidochelys olivacea) o la tortuga de ríos (Trachemys grayi) y el caimán centroamericano (Caiman crocodilus) se utilizan de diferentes maneras en la nutrición de la población local, en la fabricación de cuero o en la producción de recuerdos para turistas. Algunas especies de serpientes venenosas, como la serpiente de cascabel centroamericana (Crotalus simus) y la matabuey (Lachesis stenophrys), representan serios riesgos para la salud.Published Versio
Identifying Suitable Restoration and Conservation Areas for Dracaena cinnabari Balf.f. in Socotra, Yemen
Get PDFWe examine the distribution of Dracaena cinnabari, the Socotran Dragon's Blood Tree, an endangered species endemic to the island of Socotra (Yemen)-and we propose an accessibility approach to its conservation, taking the proximity of local communities and land users into account. Using the present occurrence of D. cinnabari, we applied a machine learning algorithm (random forest classifier) to estimate the potential distribution of the species across the island (overall validation accuracy of 0.91) based on available climatic and physiographic parameters. In parallel, we used an accessibility methodology to generate a map of the energy cost of accessing potential areas from the villages. This community-focused accessibility map, combined with the potential distribution map of Dracaena cinnabari, could contribute to decision-making processes related to long-term ecological restoration and reforestation activities. With our case study, we wish to emphasize that user-focused efforts and the implementation of sustainable land practices should play key roles in conserving endangered tree species.O
A Comparative Cross-Platform Analysis to Identify Potential Biomarker Genes for Evaluation of Teratozoospermia and Azoospermia
Get PDFMale infertility is a global public health concern. Teratozoospermia is a qualitative anomaly of spermatozoa morphology, contributing significantly to male infertility, whereas azoospermia is the complete absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Thus, there is a serious need for unveiling the common origin and/or connection between both of these diseases, if any. This study aims to identify common potential biomarker genes of these two diseases via an in silico approach using a meta-analysis of microarray data. In this study, a differential expression analysis of genes was performed on four publicly available RNA microarray datasets, two each from teratozoospermia (GSE6872 and GSE6967) and azoospermia (GSE145467 and GSE25518). From the analysis, 118 DEGs were found to be common to teratozoospermia and azoospermia, and, interestingly, sperm autoantigenic protein 17 (SPA17) was found to possess the highest fold change value among all the DEGs (9.471), while coiled-coil domain-containing 90B (CCDC90B) and coiled-coil domain-containing 91 (CCDC91) genes were found to be common among three of analyses, i.e., Network Analyst, ExAtlas, and GEO2R. This observation indicates that SPA17, CCDC90B, and CCDC91 genes might have significant roles to play as potential biomarkers for teratozoospermia and azoospermia. Thus, our study opens a new window of research in this area and can provide an important theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of both these diseases.O
Manure application followed by biochar application increases plant production regardless of soil dehydrogenase activity
Get PDFBiochar is obtained by the pyrolysis of biomass, and contains abundant carbon and minerals. Biochar supplementation of soils can greatly improve soil health and quality, but these beneficial effects typically develop slowly over time. Depending on the quality of the biochar and the soil to which it is applied, it may take years before positive effects are apparent. This is because organic substances are slowly sorbed onto the biochar over time, and the biochar eventually becomes part of the sorption complex of the soil. It is therefore advisable to apply biochar together with some organic material. We examined the effect of co-application of different doses of biochar with manure on soil dehydrogenase activity (DHA), soil oxidizable carbon (COX), cumulative soil respiration, soil buffering capacity, the soil exchange reaction (pH/KCl), and the production yield of winter rape seeds. We also determined seed production when artificial granular fertilizers were added to biochar and manure. The results showed that the application of biochar and manure significantly increased grain yield, DHA, the soil exchange reaction, and cumulative respiration. Thus application of biochar with organic material can increase seed yield and some properties of agricultural soils. However, the positive effect of biochar on seed yield was not directly proportional to biochar dose, in that the seed yield was lower for a biochar dose of 45 t/ha than 30 t/ha.OA-hybri
Activating supply chain business models' value potentials through Systems Engineering
Get PDFNew business opportunities, driven by smart digitalization technology and initiatives such as Industry 4.0, significantly change business models and their innovation rate. The complexity of methodologies developed in recent decades for balancing exploration and exploitation activities of digital transformation has risen. Still, the desired integration levels across organizational levels were often not reached. Systems thinking promises to holistically consider interdisciplinary relationships and objectives of various stakeholders across supply chain ecosystems. Systems theory-based concepts can simultaneously improve value identification and aligned transformation among supply networks' organizational and technical domains. Hence, the study proposes synthesizing management science concepts such as strategic alignment with enterprise architecture concepts and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven business process optimization to increase innovation productivity and master the increasing rate of business dynamics at the same time. Based on a critical review, the study explores concepts for innovation, transformation, and alignment in the context of Industry 4.0. The essence has been compiled into a systems engineering-driven framework for agile value generation on operational processes and high-order capability levels. The approach improves visibility for orchestrating sustainable value flows and transformation activities by considering the ambidexterity of exploring and exploiting activities and the viability of supply chain systems and sub-systems. Finally, the study demonstrates the need to harmonize these concepts into a concise methodology and taxonomy for digital supply chain engineering.OA-hybri
On the Investment Attractiveness of Ukrainian Companies
Get PDFThe geographical location of Ukraine provides a multitude of possibilities for successful investment activity. There are rich natural resources, a fertile soil and a qualified low-cost labour force. On the other hand, investors have to deal with historical ties to the Soviet Union, corruption, and political instability exacerbated by occupation of part of the territory by Russia. This paper deals with the possibility of identifying the investment attractiveness of the particular sectors in Ukraine by the level of concentration measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman index. Accounting data of companies taken from the Orbis database are evaluated by ABC analysis and the general linear model. The results point to significant dependency of variables representing investment attractiveness on the Herfindahl-Hirschman index, where deviations are explained by sectoral specifics.O
Influence of recreational activities on the distribution of forest wild boar rooting
No full textThe wild boar is a widely distributed and locally very numerous animal. The same is true in the conditions of Central Europe. Outside the growing season, it concentrates in forests, where it also actively searches for food sources. During this activity, it disturbs the soil surface, thereby significantly affecting the dynamics of the ecosystem. From an economic point of view, it limits the natural renewal of tree species, but from an ecological point of view, it changes habitat conditions and thus helps to increase biodiversity. Factors influencing the distribution of rooting across forest stands may be different. In this paper, we focused on the human factor and its influence on the rooting activity of wild boar in the Hodonínská Dúbrava, National natural monuments.Published Versio
Ekonomické zhodnocení vybraného ekologicky významného prvku v zemědělství
No full textEcologically significant elements are essential not only for the development and quality of life in rural areas, but also for agricultural management. Services provided by these ecosystems ensure water retention in the landscape, a protection against erosion and an increase in biodiversity. In the context of current political debates, the importance and necessity of highlighting the value of ecologically significant elements is desirable from the farmer's point of view. This study inquires into costs and benefits while implementing a selected ecologically significant element - landscaping orchard in an agricultural area, taking into account not only the explicit benefits that could be marketed, but also the benefits floating from the ecosystem services. The case study found out that whilst complying with the general conditions to be able to apply for the State subsidies with the value of ecosystem services, the Net Present Value is positive for the given project. The monetary value of ecosystem services provided by the given landscaping orchard is estimated to be, according to Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (2020), 125 thous. CZK.year-1 per 1.6 ha. That is a considerable amount which should be noted not only by the farmers but also by the policy makers who should reconsider the subsidies for farmers and pay more attention to their financial needs.Ekologicky významné prvky jsou nezbytné nejen pro rozvoj a kvalitu života na venkově, ale také pro hospodaření v zemědělství. Služby těchto ekosystémů zajišťují zadržování vody v krajině, ochranu před erozí a zvyšování biodiverzity. V kontextu současných politických debat je význam a nutnost vyzdvihování hodnoty ekologicky významných prvků z pohledu zemědělce žádoucí. Tato studie zjišťuje náklady a přínosy při implementaci vybraného ekologicky významného prvku - krajinotvorný sad do zemědělství, přičemž bere v úvahu nejen explicitní přínosy, které by bylo možné uvést na trh, ale také přínosy plynoucí z ekosystémových služeb. Případová studie zjistila, že při splnění obecných podmínek pro možnost žádat o státní dotace v hodnotě ekosystémových služeb je čistá současná hodnota pro daný projekt kladná. Peněžní hodnota ekosystémových služeb poskytovaných daným sadovým sadem se odhaduje dle Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (2020) na 125 tis. Kč.rok-1 na 1,6 ha. To je značná částka, kterou by měli vzít na vědomí nejen zemědělci, ale i tvůrci politik, kteří by měli přehodnotit dotace pro zemědělce a věnovat více pozornosti jejich finančním potřebám.O