2957 research outputs found
Sort by
Environmental Factors and Genetic Parameters of Beef Traits in Fleckvieh Cattle Using Field and Station Testing
Get PDFThe goal of this study was to analyze the genetic and environmental factors of selected meat yield indicators in Fleckvieh cattle in the Czech Republic, through the application of station (S) and field (F) testing methods. Data collected from fattened bulls were analyzed for F (n = 9378) and for S (n = 6346). In the F method and the S method, the values of the main meat yield indicators were as follows: carcass weight 402.91 kg (F), 339.37 kg (S); carcass daily gain 626.05 g/day (F), 609.74 g/day (S); SEUROP carcass classification 2.73 (F), 2.19 (S). Environmental factors were found to have a significant impact on the selected meat yield indicators; their heritability ranged from 0.14 (SEUROP classification) to 0.33 (dressing percentage). The genetic trend was significantly positive only in relation to those meat yield traits, which had a positive link to the size or weight of the animal. The genetic correlation between observations obtained in the S and F methods of testing was very high in relation to the carcass daily gain (0.8351) and carcass weight (0.8244), while slightly lower correlations were calculated for the SEUROP classification. A genetic evaluation of the degree of fatness is not routinely performed in Fleckvieh populations, and the newly established heritability for this trait ranges between 0.17-0.20. The genetic correlation between beef yield indicators and the exterior trait of muscularity was also established, and shows a strong link to the net daily gain, the SEUROP classification and body weight (0.79-0.97). The aim of the study was to evaluate the genetic and environmental effects on meat yield and also estimate genetic parameters for new traits. We can also state, based on the results, that a strong positive genetic trend is confirmed, especially in traits related to the size or weight of animals. This result can be used in breeding programs of dual-purpose cattle, where we can genetically improve the meat and milk yield through the body size.O
Diversity of Tree Species in Gap Regeneration under Tropical Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest: An Example from Bia Tano Forest Reserve
Get PDFIn a quest to improve the diversity and conservation of native tree species in tropical African forests, gap regeneration remains all-important nature-promoting silviculture practice and ecosystem-based strategy for attaining these ecological goals. Nine gaps of varying sizes (286-2005 m2) were randomly selected: three each from undisturbed, slightly disturbed and disturbed areas within Bia Tano Forest Reserve of Ghana. Within individual gaps, four transects (North-South-East-West directions) followed by 10 subsampling regions of 1 m2 at 2 m apart were established along each transect. Data showed 63 tree species from 21 families in the study. Although, all estimated diversity indices showed significant biodiversity improvements in all gaps at p < 0.05 level. Yet, there were no significant variations amongst gaps. Additionally, tree species differed between gaps at the undisturbed and the two disturbance-graded areas while no differences were presented between disturbance-graded areas. Balanced conservation between Green Star and Reddish Star species and imbalanced conservation between Least Concern, Near Threatened and Vulnerable species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List were found, showing the reserve's long-term prospects for economic and ecological benefits of forest management. Thus, there is a need for higher priority for intensive management to regulate various anthropogenic disturbances so as to protect the biological legacies of the reserve.O
Importance of the debt-adjusted real exchange rate in the eurozone and V4
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to determine a potential overvaluation and undervaluation of currencies of selected eurozone countries and of the Visegrád Four. The DARER (Debt-Adjusted Real Exchange Rate) model was used for an empirical analysis of the period between 2010-2014 in individual quarters. The advantage of this model is that it explicitly takes into consideration the development of the current account and the debt of the country in connection with the theory of purchasing power parity. The DARER model appears to be a suitable tool for the empirical analysis because, currently, there are many countries in the eurozone with a high debt. In the analysis, data on the current account, debt service payments, GDP, HICP USA and individual researched countries, the exchange rates EUR/USD and CZK/USD, PLN/USD, HUF/USD were used. According to the average overvaluation and undervaluation of currency in all observed states in the Eurozone, in total the overvaluation of the euro against the US dollar was 19.3 %. The overvaluation in individual countries varied from 6.3 % to 33.38 %. These differences in the overvaluation of states' currency against the US dollar were caused mainly by different development of the balance of payments of the country and the country's debt. This can indicate various levels of external imbalances among the states within the monetary union. According to the result of this research, the DARER model was able to identify varying overvaluation and undervaluation of currencies in individual eurozone states and the Visegrád Group, so it can be used by policy makers as one of the indicators of these external imbalances of individual countries in the monetary union.O
Legal and economic context of the Czech civil code rules on family enterprises
Get PDFThe family-run business model is in the Czech Republic not used in the scope, as it is the case of other EU Member States. Until recently one of the reasons was also the absence of a legislative framework that would give to the family business or its organization a comprehensive and systematic rules and a stable order. This has - from a part - changed since January 1st, 2014 with the entry into force of the new Czech Civil Code, Act No. 89/2012 Coll. The present paper aims at pointing out the ways, forms and the diversity of family business from business in general according to the legislation in the Civil Code introducing in its Sections 700 - 707 the institute of family enterprise. In the context of economic-legal analysis undertaken some aspects related to the family enterprise are highlighted, in particular the sharing of profit gains, employment of family members in the operation of the family enterprise and the continuing of operation of the family business after the death of the family member being in the legal position of the entrepreneur.O
European Policies and Legislation Targeting Ocean Acidification in European Waters - Current State
Get PDFOcean acidification (OA) is a global problem with profoundly negative environmental, social and economic consequences. From a governance perspective, there is a need to ensure a coordinated effort to directly address it. This study reviews 90 legislative documents from 17 countries from the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK that primarily border the sea. The primary finding from this study is that the European national policies and legislation addressing OA is at best uncoordinated. Although OA is acknowledged at the higher levels of governance, its status as an environmental challenge is greatly diluted at the European Union Member State level. As a notable exception within the EEA, Norway seems to have a proactive approach towards legislative frameworks and research aimed towards further understanding OA. On the other hand, there was a complete lack of, or inadequate reporting in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive by the majority of the EU Member States, with the exception of Italy and the Netherlands. We argue that the problems associated with OA and the solutions needed to address it are unique and cannot be bundled together with traditional climate change responses and measures. Therefore, European OA-related policy and legislation must reflect this and tailor their actions to mitigate OA to safeguard marine ecosystems and societies. A stronger and more coordinated approach is needed to build environmental, economic and social resilience of the observed and anticipated changes to the coastal marine systems.O
Apoptosis of Eosinophil Granulocytes
Get PDFIn the past 10 years, the number of people in the Czech Republic with allergies has doubled to over three million. Allergic pollen catarrh, constitutional dermatitis and asthma are the allergic disorders most often diagnosed. Genuine food allergies today affect 6-8% of nursing infants, 3-5% of small children, and 2-4% of adults. These disorders are connected with eosinophil granulocytes and their apoptosis. Eosinophil granulocytes are postmitotic leukocytes containing a number of histotoxic substances that contribute to the initiation and continuation of allergic inflammatory reactions. Eosinophilia results from the disruption of the standard half-life of eosinophils by the expression of mechanisms that block the apoptosis of eosinophils, leading to the development of chronic inflammation. Glucocorticoids are used as a strong acting anti-inflammatory medicine in the treatment of hypereosinophilia. The removal of eosinophils by the mechanism of apoptosis is the effect of this process. This work sums up the contemporary knowledge concerning the apoptosis of eosinophils, its role in the aforementioned disorders, and the indications for the use of glucocorticoids in their related therapies.O
Effects of Biochar Application on Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Roots Under Long-Term Drought Conditions
Get PDFThe main objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of applying biochar and activated carbon on winter wheat affected by drought in model laboratory conditions. Cultivation tests of the soil-microorganisms-plant (winter wheat) system were focused on understanding the interactions between microbial soil communities and experimental plants in response to specific cultivation measures, in combination with the modelled effect of drought. The containers were formed as a split-root rhizotron. In this container experiment, the root system of one and the same plant was divided into two separate compartments where into one half, biochar or activated carbon has been added. The other half without additives was a control. Plants favoured the formation of the root system in the treated part of the container under both drought and irrigation modes. In drought mode there was lower production of CO2, lower overall length and surface of the roots of winter wheat compared to variants in irrigation mode. The application of biochar and activated carbon, therefore, supported the colonization of roots by mycorrhiza in general. The Scientific merit of this paper was to investigate the possibility of mitigating the effects of a long-term drought on winter wheat through the application of biochar or the application of activated carbon.O
Per Capita Income Inequality in Czech Households Before, During and After the Economic and Financial Crisis
Get PDFThe study tackles the issue of distribution inequality in equalized per capita income in households defined by multiple grouping criteria in the Czech Republic before, during and after the economic and financial crisis. The factors were economic status of the household head, number of children, education and the NUTS 3 administrative regions. Interval grouped per capita income data assembled within the EU-SILC framework via quota sampling were received from czso.cz for 2008, 2012 and 2016. Indicators of income level, variation, quantiles, medial and Gini index were calculated for the respective household groups. Income concentration in the Czech Republic is considerably low among OECD states and still decreasing due to government social and economic policy and favourable phase of the economic cycle. The largest income inequality was detected in the self-employed, jobless and qualified employees, households with 3 or more children, single-parent families with dependants, households with one or both tertiary educated parents or households residing in Prague or Stoedoèeský region. The threat of poverty is imminent in the jobless, economically inactive pensioners, unqualified labourers and households with 3 or more children. Geographically, the poverty affects households mostly in Moravskoslezský or Ústecký regions. Government measures evidently helped reduce income inequality, poverty and social exclusion in Ústecký region in 2008. The least affected regions by poverty were Prague and Stoedoèeský region. Significant differences in income level or concentration of income distributions by regional and other household grouping criteria were revealed.O
Determination of grain size and resistance to corrosion of stainless steel welded pipes
Get PDFDiscover problems of welds is not so easy from time to time. Specially, If welding was made in rough environmental conditions such as high temperature, humidity and dusty wind. It is necessary to provide good conditions to realize basic step of welding. For welding, have been used welding procedures specification and procedure qualification record. However, dificult conditions, documentations rightness or human errors are always here. Common weld defects like cracks, porosity, lack of penetration and distortion can compromise the strength of the base metal, as well as the integrity of the weld. According of site inspection, there were suspicion of intercrystalline corrosion, inclusions, leaker or segregation in root of weld, root weld stretches to the pipe inside, the welded pipes are not in axially level, the not proper surface treatment after welding and keep the intervals between single welds to not overheat the pipes.O
Local Management System of Dragon's Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f.) Resin in Firmihin Forest, Socotra Island, Yemen
Get PDFVarious nontimber forest products (NTFPs) are produced from the forests and woodlands of Yemen. Dragon's blood tree resin is one of the commercial NTFPs in Yemen and is produced by tapping Dracaena cinnabari trees, which are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. By applying a forest resource assessment, the present study inventoried the D. cinnabari forest with the aim of identifying and evaluating its structure, the harvesting status of the resin, and the current management system. The study was conducted in the Firmihin forest, Socotra Island, Yemen Republic. The forest resource assessment was carried out through a forest inventory by measuring trees from 12 plots following stratified random sampling. The relevant parameters of a total of 819 trees were measured, including the tree height, stem height of lowest branches, height of the highest wound, diameter at breast height (DBH), and presence of wounds. The wounds were measured on a total of 401 trees. Value chain analysis (VCA) was used to clarify the flow of dragon's blood tree resin from the producers to the local, national, and international markets. Traditional management was examined using questionnaires in the case study area and surrounding villages. There are two tapping techniques: (1) collecting the pure dragon's blood tree resin and (2) cutting part of the bark along with the pure resin. The second technique resulted in 84% of the trees having wounds. The tappers were mostly from the community in and around the forest. The study found that the traditional management system of tapping dragon's blood tree resin is not sustainable.O