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The Effect of Low Air Temperature on Behaviour and Milk Production in Holstein Dairy Cows
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of low air temperature on behaviour and milk production in Holstein dairy cows. The experiment was carried out at a Mendel University Farm in Žabčice, CZ, between 06-12-16 and 28-02-17. The average outdoor temperature during the above mentioned period was 2.3 oC and the average barn temperature was 1.8 oC. Other known microclimatic parametres were (in average values): relative humidity (56.9 %), refrigerating quantity (37.3 W.m-2), light intensity (326.7 lx), and air flow (0.1 - 0.4 m.sMINUS SIGN 1). The values were always measured at 10:00 am. In the experiment, 75 Holstein dairy cows were observed. These cows were housed in free-stall housing stable in which the number of boxes was higher than the number of housed cows there. The observed dairy cows were either standing (43.8 %) or lying (56.2 %). In case, they were standing, the most of them were found at trough (50.4 %), less of them were found in corridor (30.0 %), and the least of them were found in their boxes. In case, the dairy cows were lying, it was found more of them were lying on their left body side (58.7 %) and less on their right body side (43.8 %). The number of dairy cows standing in boxes had a decreasing character. Concerning the daily milk yield values, these had the same trend as the barn temperature, i.e., in 9 out of 11 cases. In this case (temperature range), the amoung of daily milk yield seems to be the best assessment factor for the infuence of temperature. It is necessary to dedicate attention to air temperature range, in which the experiment was carried out.O
The Use of Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Determining the Driver's Field of Vision
Get PDFTerrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is currently one of the most progressively developed methods in obtaining information about objects and phenomena. This paper assesses the TLS possibilities in determining the driver's field of vision in operating agricultural and forest machines with movable and immovable components in comparison to the method of using two light point sources for the creation of shade images according to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 5721-1. Using the TLS method represents a minimum time saving of 55% or more, according to the project complexity. The values of shading ascertained by using the shadow cast method by the point light sources are generally overestimated and more distorted for small cabin structural components. The disadvantage of the TLS method is the scanner's sensitivity to a soiled or scratched cabin windscreen and to the glass transparency impaired by heavy tinting.O
Yield and soil coverage of catch crops and their impact on the yield of spring barley
Get PDFThe aim of experiment was to evaluate the impact of catch crops on the yield of spring barley. An assessment of the suitability of catch crops in relation to their yield and soil coverage was made. The field experiment was set up in a corn-growing area (south Moravia, Czech Republic). The results show a statistically significant difference in yield of dry matter and soil coverage among catch crops as well as among years. The most appropriate was the cultivation of Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham and Sinapis alba L., which regularly provided the highest yields and soil coverage. In some years, similar results were also achieved for Fagopyrum esculentum Moench and Carthamus tinctorius L. Less suitable catch crops are Secale cereale var. multicaule L., which ensured lower yield and good soil coverage, but reduced the yield of spring barley, and Panicum miliaceum L. Yield of spring barley was affected by year and species of catch crops. The lowest yield of barely was in the year with unfavourable rainfall. The yield decreased with increasing quantities of catch crop matter. In the case of favourable rainfall year, there was no risk of lower yield of spring barley after monitored catch crops in one of the driest and warmest places in the Czech Republic.O
Immunomodulation of Avian Dendritic Cells under the Induction of Prebiotics
Get PDFAlthough the immunomodulatory properties of prebiotics were demonstrated many years ago in poultry, not all mechanisms of action are yet clear. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the main antigen-presenting cells orchestrating the immune response in the chicken gastrointestinal tract, and they are the first line of defense in the immune response. Despite the crucial role of DCs in prebiotic immunomodulatory properties, information is lacking about interaction between prebiotics and DCs in an avian model. Mannan-oligosaccharides, β-glucans, fructooligosaccharides, and chitosan-oligosaccharides are the main groups of prebiotics having immunomodulatory properties. Because pathogen-associated molecular patterns on these prebiotics are recognized by many receptors of DCs, prebiotics can mimic activation of DCs by pathogens. Short-chain fatty acids are products of prebiotic fermentation by microbiota, and their anti-inflammatory properties have also been demonstrated in DCs. This review summarizes current knowledge about avian DCs in the gastrointestinal tract, and for the first-time, their role in the immunomodulatory properties of prebiotics within an avian model.O
Vliv různých podmínek skladování na počty enterokoků v sýrech zrajících pod mazem
No full textThe number of enterococci was monitored in smear-ripened cheeses stored under different temperature regimes. Sampling and subsequent analyses were performed on the day of manufacture (A/0 = B/0 = C/0), at the end of BBD (A/35, B/35, C/35), two weeks after BBD (A/49, B/49), and eight weeks after BBD (C/91). No statistical difference (p >0.05) was found in the numbers of enterococci in cheeses stored under different temperature regimes until the Best-Before date or at the end of monitoring after 49 and 91 days respectively. At the beginning of storage (A/0, B/0, C/0), the numbers of enterococci in cheeses were 2.3 log CFU.g-1. The highest number of enterococci was recorded after 49 days of storage at 6 degree C at 5.4 log CFU.g-1. During storage, there was an increase (p <0.05) in the numbers of enterococci in all types of temperature regimes. Enterococci content was influenced (p <0.05) by both the storage period and storage method (temperature regime).Sledovány byly počty enterokoků v sýrech zrajících pod mazem, skladovaných v odlišných teplotních režimech. Vzorky sýrů byly analyzovány v den výroby (A/0 = B/0 = C/0), na konci doby údržnosti (A/35, B/35, C/35), dva týdny po ukončení doby (A/49, B/49), a 8 týdnů po ukončení doby údržnosti (C/91). V sýrech skladovaných v různých teplotních režimech, nebyly před ukončením doby údržnosti a na konci skladování (po 49, resp. 91 dnech) nalezeny v počtech enterokoků rozdíly (p >0,05). Na počátku skladování (A/0, B/0, C/0) byl počet enterokoků v sýrech 2,3 log KTJ.g -1. Nejvyšší počty enterokoků byly zaznamenány po 49 dnech skladování při 6 stupních C, a to 5,4 log KTJ.g-1. V průběhu skladování byl ve všech typech teplotních režimů zaznamenán nárůst (p <0.05) počtů enterokoků v sýrech. Na počty enterokoků v sýrech měla vliv (p <0.05) jak teplota, tak i doba skladování.O
Volatiles Distinguishing the European 'Conference' and the Asian 'Yali' Pears Stored at Different Post-Harvest Temperatures
Get PDFA total of 124 identical volatile aromatic compounds were identified during storage of the European 'Conference' and the Asian 'Yali' pear cultivars in different temperature conditions. Only 5 volatiles were statistically differentiated in both cultivars by means of successive multinomial logistic regression: 3-methylbutan-1-al, 2-methylpropyl acetate, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, ethanol, and eugenol. Significant statistical data obtained by sequential multinomial logistic regression developed by the principal component analysis (PCA) procedure and distinguishing the different 'Conference' and 'Yali' pears storage regimes were dimensionless in themselves. The PCA components were expressed as linear combinations of selected variables necessary to distinguish the cultivars. The eigenvalues of the first three PCA components differentiated the storage regimes. For each principal components were selected volatiles with a probability higher than 0.4. Combinations created from PCA components were shown using clusters distinguishing the pear storage conditions used. Analytical data from SPME-GC/MS such as concentration (ng kgMINUS SIGN 1) demonstrated multiple and order-of-magnitude differences between the 'Conference' and 'Yali' pears. The 'Yali' cultivar exhibited significantly higher concentrations of eugenol.O
Haptics and its effect on consumers' intentions using neuroscientific methods: Literature review
Get PDFThe haptic properties of a product have mostly been underestimated with most studies focusing on visual aspects of objects. Nonetheless, in the last years, it has been found that tactile stimuli are in some cases even more important than the visual ones. However, the traditional paper-based surveys cannot fully and objectively examine their effects on consumers. Therefore, neuroscientific methods, which overcome these obstacles, are becoming more used but there is still only a small number of studies focusing on the effect of haptics in marketing. Using the keywords haptics, tactile input, EEG, fMRI and tactile, seven relevant studies have been found and used in this literature review, out of which four have used EEG and three fMRI. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to review the research that has been already conducted and to identify the areas in which further research should be made and the neuroscientific methods which could be used.O
Comparison of Different Remote Sensing Methods for 3D Modeling of Small Rock Outcrops
Get PDFThis paper reviews the use of modern 3D image-based and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) methods of surface reconstruction techniques for high fidelity surveys of small rock outcrops to highlight their potential within structural geology and landscape protection. LiDAR and Structure from Motion (SfM) software provide useful opportunities for rock outcrops mapping and 3D model creation. The accuracy of these surface reconstructions is crucial for quantitative structural analysis. However, these technologies require either a costly data acquisition device (Terrestrial LiDAR) or specialized image processing software (SfM). Recent developments in augmented reality and smartphone technologies, such as increased processing capacity and higher resolution of cameras, may offer a simple and inexpensive alternative for 3D surface reconstruction. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to show the possibilities of using smartphone applications for model creation and to determine their accuracy for rock outcrop mapping.O
Anticarcinogenic effect of spices due to phenolic and flavonoid compounds-in vitro evaluation on prostate cells
Get PDFThis study shows the effects of spices, and their phenolic and flavonoid compounds, on prostate cell lines (PNT1A, 22RV1 and PC3). The results of an MTT assay on extracts from eight spices revealed the strongest inhibitory effects were from black pepper and caraway seed extracts. The strongest inhibitory effect on prostatic cells was observed after the application of extracts of spices in concentration of 12.5 mg.mL- 1. An LC/MS analysis identified that the most abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds in black pepper are 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and naringenin chalcone, while the most abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds in caraway seeds are neochlorogenic acid and apigenin. Using an MTT assay for the phenolic and flavonoid compounds from spices, we identified the IC50 value of ~1 mmol.L- 1 PNT1A. The scratch test demonstrated that the most potent inhibitory effect on PNT1A, 22RV1 and PC3 cells is from the naringenin chalcone contained in black pepper. From the spectrum of compounds assessed, the naringenin chalcone contained in black pepper was identified as the most potent inhibitor of the growth of prostate cells.O
Utilization of a Local Coefficient for Immovable Property Tax in the Czech Republic
Get PDFThe paper deals with the issue of using a local coefficient as a tool to increase tax revenues of local government budgets in the Czech Republic. The local coefficient is defined as a corrective element increasing up to five times the immovable property tax that is 100% public budgets of local governments (municipalities) since 2009. As part of the paper, our own questionnaire survey was conducted across municipalities in the Czech Republic with the aim of identifying positive and negative consequences of application or non-application of this tax instrument at the level of local governments. Results of the research clearly demonstrate the use of the local coefficient, despite its potential high budget revenue is not high at all. In 2020, only 10.43% municipalities from all over the Czech Republic applied it. A research survey conducted among municipalities focused on obtaining information on the reasons for the low use of the local coefficient. To this end, two research questions were formulated "Do municipalities have sufficient information on local coefficient issues?" and "May the introduction of a local coefficient result in a loss in the communal elections?" The questionnaire survey showed that 91% municipalities know about their possibility to apply a local coefficient, but do not use it. Moreover, it was found that if the local coefficient is introduced at the right time or handling additional tax revenues of the municipality is transparent, its introduction does not affect the election result of the political party that declared it by a generally valid decree.O