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Investigating the Impact of Nosema Infection in Beehives on Honey Quality Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
No full textThis study investigates the impact of Nosema infection in beehives on the physico-chemical and biochemical properties and spectral characteristics of honey as indicators of honey quality. Comprehensive analyses were performed on honey samples from hives with varying levels of Nosema infection, examining water content, free acidity, optical rotation, electrical conductivity, sugar composition, catalase activity, and pollen content. Honey from highly infected hives showed higher water content (up to 17.3%), lower optical rotation, reduced electrical conductivity, decreased glucose levels, and increased sucrose levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified distinct clustering of samples based on infection levels, with changes in the sugar profile, particularly higher phenolic compounds, correlating with increased infection levels. Fluorescence spectroscopy combined with PARAFAC modeling identified proteins and phenolic compounds as key discriminators of honey from infected hives. Correlation and PLS modeling further demonstrated strong relationships between spectral features and honey properties, including catalase activity and pollen content. This research presents a novel approach to evaluating the impact of Nosema infection on honey quality by integrating physico-chemical and biochemical analyses and sugar composition profiling with advanced spectroscopic techniques. These insights are invaluable for improving bee health monitoring practices and advancing sustainability in the beekeeping and honey production industries
Development of novel high-temperature alumina-based ceramic adhesive as a sealing material for IT-SOFC with the addition of wastewater sludge
No full textIn recent years, the tendency of modern society toward "green" technologies, which might solve concerns regarding the growing consumption of fossil fuels, is rising. Furthermore, the adoption of so-called waste-to-wealth concepts in industry has become a primary focus of forthcoming scientific research. Accordingly, in the present study, we investigated the potential application of an innovative alumina-based ceramic adhesive material with a partial addition of waste sludge as a prospective sealant for IT-SOFCs. The extensive characterization was intended to determine whether the material possesses specific properties most relevant to sealing applications. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), an important property of the sealant samples, was determined using dilatometry. The results were within the optimal range. A leaching test was performed to confirm its ecological friendliness. In addition, the sealant's sealing performance and thermomechanical stability in a single cell under operating conditions were validated via open circuit voltage (OCV) measurements. Good cell hermeticity and stable operating voltages in the intermediate temperature range were provided, indicating the potential applicability of IT-SOFC technology. In the upcoming research, further optimization of the material composition and properties will be carried out to achieve higher efficiency and better robustness
Biofertiliser Effects on Lettuce Morphological Traits for Fresh Consumption and Processing in Two Distinct Soil Types
No full textLettuce is a leafy vegetable consumed fresh or processed in ready-to-eat products, supporting
lifestyle trends favouring quick, healthy, and convenient meals. Morphological traits impact yield,
processing efficiency, shelf life, and product quality. Biofertilisers are gaining attention as ecofriendly,
sustainable alternatives that enhance soil fertility, increase microflora diversity, stimulate
plant growth, and reduce pollution in all agricultural systems. This study aimed to investigate the
effect of biofertilisers on lettuce morphology traits for fresh consumption and processing. Six lettuce
cultivars ('Kiribati', 'Murai', 'Aquino', 'Gaugin', 'Aleppo', and 'Carmesi') were cultivated over three
consecutive seasons (autumn, winter, and spring) under greenhouse conditions. Experiments were
conducted in two distinct soil types: Mollic Gleysol (Calcaric)-GL and Hortic Anthrosol (Terric,
Transportic)-AT. Two biofertilisers, EM Aktiv and Vital Tricho, were applied alone and combined to the
soil and foliar via a battery sprayer. Green cultivars, especially 'Kiribati' and 'Aleppo', had the highest
levels in most morphological parameters, while red 'Gaugin' had the highest core ratio (stem to
rosette height) in both soils. In GL soil, all biofertilisers increased rosette diameter, with Vital Tricho
boosting dry leaf weight, and EM Aktiv and combined fertilisers raising core ratio. In contrast, in AT
soil, all fertilisers significantly reduced fresh leaf weight and stem diameter, while Vital Tricho and
combined treatment lowered rosette diameter and core ratio. Generally, morphological traits were
higher in winter and spring trials than in autumn. Pearson correlation coefficients showed that fresh
leaf weight was positively linked to all other traits in both soils. An increased core ratio negatively
impacts processing quality; thus, maintaining it below 0.5 is essential. Although fertiliser did not
influence all parameters, the interaction among all factors was significant, except for dry leaf weight in both soils, indicating the need to optimise biofertiliser application according to soil type
EFFICIENCY OF DOLOMITE WASTE IN RECLAMATION OF ACID SOILS
No full textAcid soil needs to be limed repeatedly as the bases added with lime are washed out of the soil in the humid northern hemisphere. The mining of dolomite rock for road construction produces large quantities of waste-byproduct that can be used as lime material for the remediation of acidic soils. In 2015, a microfield experiment was launched in the Soil Remediation Laboratory of the Agrophysical Research Institute (Russia, St. Petersburg) to test the possibility of using large particles of dolomite chippings as a long-acting ameliorant stored in landfills. Dolomite particles with a size of 5-7 and 7-10 mm were investigated for 16-years, which were used in deliberately excessive doses. A 10-variant micro-field experiment was carried out in polyethylene vessels without bottom (S = 1 m2, depth 25 cm, weight – 300 kg of soil per vessel). The crops grown (peas and mustard) are sensitive to liming and characterized by a high demand for calcium and magnesium. Increasing the dolomite grains from 5-7 and 7-10 mm to 3 full doses (3Hy) led to a significant increase in the recovery effect. Over the course of 16 test years, these ameliorants were able to keep the pHKCl value of the soil in the medium and slightly acidic range. The application of dolomite granules of 5-7 and 7-10 mm at a dose of 5 Hy enhanced the reclamation effect at pH values corresponding to slightly acidic and almost neutral values throughout the duration of the experiment. The application of dolomite screenings at 5-7 and 7-10 mm in deliberately excessive doses can be considered as a technique that allows the soil acidity to be kept constant over a long period of time, thus postponing the time for repeated liming. The clustering of the individual test variants was carried out according to their effect on the pHKCl value over the entire test period of 16 years
The Use of Essential Oils against Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep - In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
No full textGastrointestinalne nematode predstavljaju jedan od glavnih problema sa kojima se suočava moderno ovčarstvo, kako u svetu tako i kod nas. Njihov negativni uticaj se obično reflektuje u vidu izazivanja subkliničkog oboljenja sa gubicima telesne mase i padom proizvodnje. Međutim, u pojedinim slučajevima može doći i do klinički vidljivog oboljenja sa pojavom kaheksije, dijareje, anemije, gubitaka proteina i edema, kao i uginuća. Dodatni problem predstavljaju razvoj rezistencije na najčešće korišćene antihelmintičke lekove iz grupe benzimidazola, makrocikličnih laktona i imidazotiazola, kao i rezidue koje ove preparati ostavljaju u životinjskim proizvodima i životnoj sredini. Zbog toga se, u cilju smanjenja upotrebe ovih lekova, danas širom sveta radi na otkrivanju alternativnih rešenja poput razvoja različitih biljnih preparata. Cilj ovih istraživanja, sprovedenih u Regionalnom centru za monitoring parazitoza KREMOPAR u Eboliju (Salerno), Italija je bio ispitati efikasnost in vitro (test izgleganja larvi) i in vivo (test redukcija broja jaja nematoda u fecesu) odabranih etarskih ulja protiv gastrointestinalnih nematoda kod ovaca, uz određivanje bezbednosti primene nekoliko ulja ispitanih u terenskim uslovima (posmatranje tretiranih životinja i praćenje hematoloških i biohemijskih parametara krvi). Dodatno, određen je hemijski sastav svih ispitanih etarskih ulja uz pomoć gasne hromatografije i masene spektrometrije, kao i određena procentualna zastupljenost prisutnih rodova nematoda uz pomoć odgovarajućih ključeva determinacije. Rezultati su pokazali visok antihelmintički potencijal ispitanih ulja čija efikasnost je zavisila od vrste i hemotipa biljke, odnosno hemijskog sastava i prisutnih bioaktivnih jedinjenja, kao i od primenjene koncentracije/doze. Pri tome, nijedno od primenjenih ulja nije izazvalo negativne efekte kod životinja. Od velikog broja ispitanih ulja naročito se istaklo ulje origana, sa karvakrolom kao glavnim sastojkom, koje je pokazalo najveći antihelmintički potencijal od svih ulja generalno testiranih u ovakvim i sličnim istraživanjima. Dalja ispitivanja će biti usmerena ka razvoju odgovarajuće formulacije, zasnovane na kombinaciji pojedinih ulja, koja bi se koristila u praksi, kao i otkrivanju najefikasnijeg načina primene.Gastrointestinal nematodes represent one of the main problems faced by modern sheep breeding all over the world and in Serbia. Their negative impact is usually reflected in the form of subclinical disease with body weight loss and production decline. However, in some cases clinically visible disease can also occur with the signs of cachexia, diarrhea, anemia, protein loss and edema, as well as death. An additional problem is the development of resistance to the most commonly used anthelmintic drugs from the group of benzimidazoles, macrocyclic lactones and imidazothiazoles, as well as the residues that these drugs leave in animal products and the environment. For these reasons, researchers worldwide are focused in discovering alternative solutions, such as the development of various herbal preparations, to reduce the use of commercial anthelmintics. The aim of the present study, carried out at the Regional Center for Parasitosis Monitoring CREMOPAR in Eboli (Salerno), Italy, was to examine the effectiveness in vitro (Egg Hatch Test) and in vivo (Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test) of selected essential oils against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep, while determining the safety of application of several oils tested in field conditions (clinical observation of treated animals and monitoring of hematological and biochemical blood parameters). In addition, the chemical composition of all tested essential oils was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the percentage representation of the nematode genera present was determined using appropriate determination keys. The results showed a high antihelminthic potential of the tested oils, the effectiveness of which depended on the type and chemotype of the plant, i.e. the chemical composition and bioactive compounds present, as well as on the applied concentration/dose. In addition, none of the applied oils caused negative effects in animals. Of the large number of tested oils, the oil of oregano, with carvacrol as the main ingredient, stood out in particular, which showed the highest anthelmintic potential of all the oils generally tested in this and similar research. Further tests will be aimed at developing a suitable formulation based on a combination of individual oils that will be used in the practice, as well as discovering the most efficient way of application
New evidence for Alpine overprint of poly deformed gneisses in the ‘Median Dacides’ of SE Europe: restoring polyphase deformations and transposition cycles
No full textThe outcrop and microscale structural constraints on metamorphosed fragments of Carpathian-Balkan exotic north Gondwanan continental crust show sequential recurrent peripheral subduction
processes which produced a series of collisional orogens: (i) Variscan suturing of ‘Median Dacides’
(western Danubian/Moesian realm), and (ii) post-dating polystage Alpine overprinting. The ‘Median
Dacides’ comprise the two gneiss-bearing amphibolite-facies, Serbo-Macedonian and Getic/Kučaj
basements, embedded into Southern Carpathians (Romania) and Carpathian-Balkans (Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria). To unravel polyphase deformation processes, we have incorporated the data available on Neoproterozoic-Lower Palaeozoic protoliths and tectonometamorphic events, coupling these with new extensive structural field-based analysis. The deformation patterns expose polystage deformation history (D1-2), fashioned by the youngest Alpine overprinting (D3-4). The structural data
and protolith analyses suggest a Lower Palaeozoic Cadomian-to-Cenerian geodynamic linkage
between the two gneissic basements. Notably, the pre-Variscan anatexis, migmatitization, metamorphism (D1-1), and the formation of Cenerian (axial planar) foliation (D1-2) are precursors of the tight isocline Variscan folds (D2-1). Progressive deformation of the initial Variscan structural fabric (metre-scale folds) produced complete transposition (D2-2) with scarcely preserved metre-scale folds. The successor Alpine shortening (D3) (re)activated the existing remnants of Variscan axial plane cleavages (or overlapped foliation-to-cleavage planes), further producing schistosity and folding pattern preserved due to the partial transposition
Convergent evidence for the temperature- dependent emergence of silici cation in terrestrial plants
No full textResearch on silicon (Si) biogeochemistry and its beneficial effects for plants
has received significant attention over several decades, but the reasons for
the emergence of high-Si plants remain unclear. Here, we combine experimentation, eld studies and analysis of existing databases to test the role of
temperature on the expression and emergence of silicification in terrestrial
plants. We first show that Si is beneficial for rice under high temperature
(40 °C), but harmful under low temperature (0 °C), whilst a 2 °C increase
results in a 37% increase in leaf Si concentrations. We then find that, globally,
the average distribution temperature of high-Si plant clades is 1.2 °C higher
than that of low-Si clades. Across China, leaf Si concentrations increase with
temperature in high-Si plants (wheat and rice), but not in low-Si plants
(weeping willow and winter jasmine). From an evolutionary perspective, 77%
of high-Si families (>10 mg Si g−1 DW) originate during warming episodes,
while 86% of low-Si families (<1 mg Si g−1 DW) originate during cooling episodes. On average, Earth’s temperature during the emergence of high-Si
families is 3 °C higher than that of low-Si families. Taken together, our evidence suggests that plant Si variation is closely related to global and long-term climate change
Prikaz parametara kvaliteta vode reke Save na mestu zahvata za vodosnabdevanje
No full textIstraživanje je sprovedeno u periodu 2019 – 2023 godine s ciljem analize kvaliteta sirove vode reke Save na vodozahvatu „Makiš“ i njegove uporedne analize sa podacima SEPA-e. Dnevnim uzorkovanjem analizirani su pH, HPK, amonijum jon, nitriti, nitrati i elektroprovodljivost, a rezultati su klasifikovani prema važećoj regulativi. Vrednosti HPK i nutrijenata ukazuju na povećan unos organske materije, pri čemu reka Sava na ovoj lokaciji pretežno pripada II–III klasi. Razlike u odnosu na SEPA podatke sugerišu lokalni antropogeni uticaj. Postavljanje dodatne monitoring stanice poboljšalo bi kontrolu kvaliteta sirove vode i optimizaciju tretmana.The study was conducted from 2019 to 2023 to analyze the raw water quality of the Sava River at the "Makis" water intake and compare it with SEPA data. Daily sampling was performed to analyze pH, COD (permanganate method), ammonium ion, nitrites, nitrates, and electrical conductivity, with results classified according to current regulations (Official Gazette RS, No. 50/2012). COD and nutrient values indicated increased organic matter input, with the Sava River at this location predominantly classified as class II–III. Differences from SEPA data suggest local anthropogenic influence. Establishing an additional monitoring station would improve raw water quality control and treatment optimization
Pregled cinka u zemljištu i zrnu pšenice u Srbiji – postoji li rizik od nedostatka cinka u ishrani baziranoj na pšenici?
No full textZinc (Zn) soil deficiency negatively affects crop yields and the quality of staple food
globally. Soil Zn availability is declining due to soil conditions and is further impacted by factors
such as agricultural practices, especially the use of phosphorus fertilizers, which can reduce Zn
uptake in wheat. As a result, wheat grain often contains low Zn levels, and its bioavailability is
limited, contributing to insufficient Zn intake through wheat-based foods. This review focuses on
plant-available Zn status in soils, Zn in wheat grains, and the human population in Serbia,
emphasizing the connections between these issues. Data on soils with low available Zn, rather low
Zn in wheat grain and general lack of results on Zn concentration in crop plant tissues and
application of Zn fertilizers suggest that further research is needed to evaluate nutritional status of
wheat plants for Zn. Existing data suggest that Zn deficiency in humans could be a concern in
Serbia, especially with dietary shifts toward more plant-based diets. Given the high consumption of
wheat in the country, biofortification presents a promising and solution to improve Zn levels in
wheat grain in a sustainable way. Agronomic biofortification, through application of soil and foliar
Zn fertilizers can enhance Zn concentration in wheat grain and improve human nutrition, thus
reducing the risk of deficiency in the population.Nedostatak cinka u zemljištu negativno utiče na prinos i kvalitet osnovnih prehrambenih namirnica širom sveta. Dostupnost cinka biljkama u zemljištu opada pod uticajem različitih faktora, najpre osobina zemljišta, a može biti dodatno smanjena faktorima poput agrotehničkih mera, naročito primenom fosfornih đubriva, što može da dovede do toga da usevi kao što je pšenica slabije usvajaju cink. Zbog toga je koncentracija cinka u zrnu pšenice često niska, a njegovu biološku raspoloživost u organizmu dodatno ograničavaju različiti faktori, što doprinosi nedovoljnom unosu cinka ishranom. U fokusu ovog preglednog rada su koncentracija dostupnog Zn u poljoprivrednom zemljištu, nivo cinka u zrnu pšenice i njegov značaj za zdravlje ljudi u Srbiji, sa posebnim osvrtom na vezu između ovih aspekata. Podaci o zemljištima sa niskim sadržajem dostupnog Zn, relativno niskim nivoima Zn u zrnu pšenice, kao i opšti nedostatak rezultata o koncentraciji Zn u tkivima gajenih biljaka i o primeni cinkovih đubriva, ukazuju na potrebu za daljim istraživanjima kako bi se procenio nutritivni status pšenice u pogledu Zn. Budući da je potrošnja pšenice u Srbiji velika, postojeći podaci sugerišu da deficit cinka kod ljudi može biti značajan problem, naročito zbog trenda prelaska na ishranu sa više biljnih namirnica. Agronomska biofortifikacija, proces tokom kog se đubriva unose u zemljište ili se primenjuju folijarno, predstavlja efikasno rešenje za povećanje nivoa cinka u zrnu pšenice i može doprineti boljoj ishrani ljudi, smanjujući rizik od njegovog nedostatka u populaciji
Some Qualitative Observations of Evolution of (Quasi)Brittle Fracture of Pre-Cracked Specimens Using Particle Dynamics
No full textThis study utilizes the particle dynamics method to simulate fracture toughness testing on a pre-cracked virtual sample mimicking the standard compact tension (CT) specimen. The material systems modeled are prone to microcracking to varying degrees depending on the level of quenched disorder. The simulations feature a system of randomly distributed “continuum particles” shaped approximately like the CT specimen, interconnected by bonds with random lengths, stiffnesses, and failure thresholds, and subjected to gradually increasing displacement-controlled quasistatic loads. The objective is to investigate the micro/mesoscale mechanisms governing damage and fracture. Results from this established method of computational mechanics of discontinua provide qualitative insights relevant to empirical modeling efforts that employ scaling concepts grounded in weakest-link theory, extreme value theory, and Weibull statistics for size effect analysis of ferritic steels in the ductile-brittle transition region. Preliminary findings reveal that the stress field near the crack tip aligns with brittle fracture behavior under small-scale yielding, consistent with fracture process zone characteristics reported in the literature. However, contrary to the rigor of weakest-link theory, the simulation results suggest that even in highly damage-intolerant systems, initial micro-ruptures do not trigger immediate catastrophic failure but instead lead to progressive damage accumulation and propagation culminating in global failure. Thus, while damage remains mostly localized and limited in extent—to various degrees depending on the level of quenched disorder—it persists and ultimately drives global (macroscale) failure of the system