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The Position of Netflix in the Czech Republic Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThis article is focused on the differences in the brand equity of the streaming service Netflix before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic. Brand equity is measured by a specially modified conceptual model. Based on a two-wave questionnaire survey, the possible impact of the pandemic on the dimension of the conceptual model was examined. The results showed that there was no statistically significant change in the level of brand equity but there was a change in its structure. It was also found that although the number of people who tried Netflix's services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, they did not become long-term users.O
Methodology for specialized microclimate measurements in agricultural research
No full textMetodika poskytuje praktický nástroj pro metodicky korektní realizaci mikroklimatického monitoringu v širokém spektru experimentů zemědělského výzkumu. Včetně uvedení příkladů z realizovaných aplikací inovuje a rozšiřuje metodiku "Metodika měření mikroklimatických poměrů zemědělských plodin a kultur" certifikovanou v roce 2016. Reflektován je tak nejen pokrok v oblasti technického řešení používané přístrojové techniky, zpracování dat, ale i výsledky výzkumu v oboru. Soustředí se především na mikroklimatický polní porostní monitoring zemědělských plodin a kultur a zásady monitoringu meteorologických prvků v nádobových experimentech. Uvedeny a popsány jsou postupy měření meteorologických prvků, jejichž monitoring je vhodné provádět s ohledem na hodnocení vlivu meteorologických podmínek na produkční proces rostlin, nebo aplikovatelných jako vstupní data pro modely prognózující výskyt patogenů a škůdců. Zmíněny jsou i kritické aspekty, které ovlivňují přesnost a reprezentativnost monitoringu. Pro posouzení specifik a diferencí je vždy uveden i relevantní postup měření na stanicích Českého hydrometeorologického ústavu, který má v metodické rovině upozornit na odchylky a možné dezinterpretace při hodnocení vztahu podnebí/počasí - rostlina/porost použitím dat z podmínek mimo porost zemědělských kultur.The methodology provides a practical tool for methodologically correct implementation of microclimate monitoring in a wide range of agricultural research experiments. Including examples from implemented applications, it innovates and expands the methodology "Metodika měření mikroklimatických poměrů zemědělských plodin a kultur" certified in 2016. This reflects not only progress in the field of technical solutions, used instrumentation, data processing, but also the results of research in the field. It mainly focuses on microclimatic field vegetation monitoring of agricultural crops and cultures and the principles of monitoring meteorological elements in pot experiments. The procedures for measuring meteorological elements are listed and described, the monitoring of which is suitable for evaluating the influence of meteorological conditions on the production process of plants, or applicable as input data for models forecasting the occurrence of pathogens and pests. Critical aspects that affect the accuracy and representativeness of monitoring are also mentioned. In order to assess the specifics and differences, the relevant measurement procedure at the stations of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute is always indicated, which is to point out methodologically deviations and possible misinterpretations in the assessment of the climate/weather - plant/vegetation relationship using data from conditions outside the growth of agricultural crops.Published Versio
Multi-perspective quality of life index for urban development analysis, example of the city of Brno, Czech Republic
Get PDFUrban system present dynamic systems, where many interactions take place and revealing deeper spatial relations of the urban system and the quality of life is a necessary part of decision-making process in sustainable urban development. The proposed multi-perspective index aims to evaluate the urban quality of life on the basis of five groups of factors and in combination with a cluster analysis it enables a deeper insight of the urban system and its spatial organization. The study is based on quantitative and publicly available data. In total 41 environmental, demographic, social, economic and technical indicators were included. The data used were collected with a clear methodology by official institutions, such as the Czech Statistical Office, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, the Ministry of Health and the European Union's Earth observation programme Copernicus. Using these kinds of data sources ensures the feasibility and transferability of the method to other cities in the Czech Republic but also to other countries, where data on a similar basis are collected. The case study of Brno, Czech Republic, helped to identify disparities in living conditions among the city districts. The influence of historical city development on the quality of life was revealed using cluster analysis.OA-hybri
Determination of optimal insemination time in sheep by assessing cervical mucus arborization
No full textInsemination and estrus synchronization are one of the most used biotechnological reproductive methods used in sheep breeding, but also in most other livestock species. Subsequent insemination values are influenced by several factors such as age, condition, health, hereditary establishment of the animals, quality of the insemination doses and the quality of the performance of the insemination itself. Another way to optimise the insemination values is to determine the optimal time for insemination, which varies between livestock species but may also vary slightly within the individuality of the individuals within the breed. One way of determining the optimal time for insemination is to assess the arborisation of cervical mucus, which forms different types of structures after crystallisation at different stages of estrus. Changes in the arborisation structures are influenced by endocrine changes, by the action of oestrogen on the cervical glands, where electrolytes are concentrated and which, after association with mucin and subsequent crystallisation, form typical structures. The experiment took place from September 2020 (synchronization of estrus and insemination) to March 2021 (end of lambing). In this experiment, it was found that the type of crystallization structures at the time of insemination has a conclusive effect on the subsequent pregnancy rate. Animals with "V" type crystallization achieved the best pregnancy rate (80%).Published Versio
Epigenetic factors in breast cancer therapy
Get PDFEpigenetic modifications are inherited differences in cellular phenotypes, such as cell gene expression alterations, that occur during somatic cell divisions (also, in rare circumstances, in germ line transmission), but no alterations to the DNA sequence are involved. Histone alterations, polycomb/trithorax associated proteins, short non-coding or short RNAs, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), & DNA methylation are just a few biological processes involved in epigenetic events. These various modifications are intricately linked. The transcriptional potential of genes is closely conditioned by epigenetic control, which is crucial in normal growth and development. Epigenetic mechanisms transmit genomic adaptation to an environment, resulting in a specific phenotype. The purpose of this systematic review is to glance at the roles of Estrogen signalling, polycomb/trithorax associated proteins, DNA methylation in breast cancer progression, as well as epigenetic mechanisms in breast cancer therapy, with an emphasis on functionality, regulatory factors, therapeutic value, and future challenges.O
Cut-to-Length Harvesting Options for the Integrated Harvesting of the European Industrial Poplar Plantations
Get PDFPlantation forestry has a long history in Europe and still supports local industry, generating employment, improving environmental quality, and mitigating climate change. As part of these plantations, medium-rotation poplars (5-8 years) provide good quality logs for fiber production, and the branches and tops can be converted into green energy. Finding a cost-effective harvesting system for this plantation is challenging due to the small tree size and the need for log production, which prevents whole-tree chipping. To verify the economic benefit of using small mechanized cut-to-length (CTL) technology, four different CTL chains were tested in western Slovakia. All chains tested consisted of a harvester and a forwarder. Each machine had a skilled operator and was timed while cutting and processing (or forwarding) eight experimental sample plots. Sample plots were randomly assigned to each treatment, and each one covered an area between 0.08 and 0.10 ha (120-170 trees). Harvester productivity ranged from 2.2 to 4.2 bone-dry tons per scheduled machine hour (BDT SMHMINUS SIGN 1), and harvester cost from EUR 11 to EUR 22 BDTMINUS SIGN 1. Forwarding productivity and cost ranged from EUR 2.0 to 4.5 BDT SMHMINUS SIGN 1 and from EUR 9 to 20 BDTMINUS SIGN 1. Total harvesting costs ranged between EUR 26 and 36 BDTMINUS SIGN 1. Choosing a smaller harvester is preferable due to the small tree size, which caps productivity regardless of a machine's intrinsic potential. Furthermore, small harvesters and forwarders are lighter on the ground, which can be a valuable asset on the many wet sites planted with poplar.O
Alternative mechanical pre-treatment methods of hot-dip galvanising surface to increase of the organic coatings adhesion
No full textThe content of this contribution is an evaluation of research on various mechanical pre-treatments of inorganic coating, which is part of the so-called duplex system applied to a steel sheet. In order to coating adhesion increase, the hot-dip galvanising surface was first pre-treatment using the standard light blast technology (synthetic brown corundum F40). Furthermore, pre-treatment was also carried out using alternative methods that can be used in conditions without blasting equipment - sandpaper regrinding (P40, P60, P80 and P100) and a corrosion-resistant steel brush (wire diameter 0.30 mm). Tools are designed e.g. for cleaning metal surfaces. Samples without mechanical pretreatment and samples with blasted surface were used as a standard. The surface texture was evaluated based on the roughness height parameters Ra and Rz (according to ČSN EN ISO 4287 standard). The mechanical resistance of applied anti-corrosion protection was determined by means of a pull-of adhesion test (according to ČSN EN ISO 4624 standard). The experiment suggest results, that among the alternative methods, the use of P80 and P100 sandpapers and corrosion-resistant steel brushes seems to be the most suitable, as these tools are not as aggressive to the galvanised surface as P40 and P60 sandpapers.Published Versio
Multilocus Sequence Genotype Heterogeneity in Streptococcus uberis Isolated from Bovine Mastitis in the Czech Republic
Get PDFThe ubiquitous occurrence and high heterogeneity of Streptococcus uberis strains cause difficulties in the development and implementation of effective control strategies in dairy herds. In this study, S. uberis strains from 74 farms, obtained predominantly from subclinical, acute, and chronic recurrent mastitis, as well as from udder surface swabs and milk from healthy udders, were analysed for their genetic diversity using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Isolates were tested for the presence of the genes encoding the virulence factors using polymerase chain reaction. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using a microdilution assay including 14 antimicrobials. The virulence profiles and antimicrobial (AMR) profiles of the isolates were assembled and the overall heterogeneity was evaluated. Among the 124 isolates, 89 MLST genotypes, 7 different virulence profiles, and 12 AMR profiles were identified. The large number of different MLST allelic profiles in this study points to the high heterogeneity of strains in dairy herds in the Czech Republic. Isolates of a certain MLST genotype may possess a different set of virulence factor genes. We detected up to three different resistance profiles within a single MLST genotype. The results of our study showed that fully susceptible isolates coexisted with resistant or even multiresistant isolates in the same herd. Multiple genotypes within a herd were detected on many farms (up to seven MLST genotypes and four AMR profiles in one herd). This heterogenic population structure might suggest that environmental transmission is the predominant route of infection in herds in the Czech Republic.O
Underground spaces in Bosonožský hájek Nature Reserve and their geoeducation importance
No full textBosonožský hájek Natural Reserve (Brno, South Moravia) is a very important site from the Earth Science point of view, however, its geodiversity values have been rather overlooked and omitted in the past (the object of legal protection is the occurrence of well-preserved forest ecosystems and endangered species). In the last decades, a series of field work and geophysical measurements has been carried out and the Earth Science phenomena have been identified and described here. These are represented by a dense network of gullies that developed in Pleistocene loess and that are both of natural and anthropogenic origin (some gullies probably developed along the old paths) and specific underground spaces (so called dugouts). Until now, the dugouts in South Moravia have been investigated mainly by archaeologists and those in Bosonožský hájek NR have not been described in detail yet. This brief contribution brings new information about three underground landforms and their possible relationship to the age and development of the gullies. The possibility of different interpretations of the origin of these specific landforms can be considered an opportunity in the field of Earth Science (geosciences) education and as an interesting complement of tourist and recreational activities on site.Published Versio
The Influence of Calcium Intake During the Period of Sexual Maturation of Pullets on its Retention and Eggshell Quality of Laying Hens
Get PDFThe aim of the study was to determine the calcium requirements in preparation period of the sexual mature and egg-laying and evaluate development of calcium retention in the first laying period of the hybrid combination Bovans Brown hens. The experimental trial lasted from 14 to 30 weeks of hens age. The animals were fed ad libitum with a pelleted complete feed mixture with 42 g/kg of calcium content. The amount of calcium retained by pullets gradually increased along with feed intake depending on age and preparation for sexual maturity and was around 0.39 +- 0.19 g Ca in the first period. Ca retention increased up to an average of 0.85 g Ca from 8 day before laying the first egg. Retention dropped sharply on the day of laying the 1st egg and a negative Ca balance occurred. Shell output was 1.75 +- 0.21 g/day for the beginning of laying and subsequently increased to 2.23 +- 0.08 g/ day during evaluate peak laying. The range weight of the first laid eggs was 45 +- 5 g. Percentage of eggshell move around an average of 10 +- 0.37% throughout the observed period. The daily calcium intake of pullets was 3.56 +- 0.26 g/day. With the beginning of laying, the daily intake increased to an average of 4.51 +- 0.43 g/day Ca. Before reaching sexual maturity, the calcium apparent digestibility of laying hens was relatively low, averaging around 22%, but the moment the hens began to lay, the apparent calcium digestibility began to increase to an average of 50%. Feeding a non-standard feed mixture with a higher calcium content than usual in mixtures for pullets did not have a negative effect on the finishing of animal development, the onset of sexual maturity, or deterioration of the observed parameters of eggs quality.O