Czasopisma Uniwersytetu Przyrodniczy w Lublinie
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Subacute toxicity and endocrine-disrupting effects of Fe2O3, ZnO, and CeO2 nanoparticles on amphibian metamorphosis
No full textThis study evaluated the potential toxic and endocrine-disrupting effects of sublethal concentrations of Fe2O3, CeO2 and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) on amphibian metamorphosis. Tadpoles were exposed to several NPs concentrations, reaching a maximum of 1000 mu g/L, for up to 21 days according to the amphibian metamorphosis assay (AMA). Some standard morphological parameters, such as developmental stage (DS), hind limb length (HLL), snout-to-vent length (SVL), wet body weight (WBW), and as well as post-exposure lethality were recorded in exposed organisms on days 7 and 21 of the bioassay. Furthermore, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of glutathione S-transferases (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), carboxylesterase (CaE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were determined in exposed tadpoles as biomarkers. The results indicate that short-term exposure to Fe2O3 NPs leads to toxic effects, both exposure periods cause toxic effects and growth inhibition for ZnO NPs, while short-term exposure to CeO2 NPs results in toxic effects and long-term exposure causes endocrine-disrupting effects. The responses observed after exposure to the tested NPs during amphibian metamorphosis suggest that they may have ecotoxicological effects and their effects should be monitored through field studies.Inn niversitesi [2019/1830]; Inonu University Research FundThis study was supported by the Inonu University Research Fund (project no.: 2019/1830). The authors wish to thank the supporting institution
Which training load indicators are greater correlated with maturation and wellness variables in elite U14 soccer players?
No full textBackground Monitoring of training load is done to improve physical performance and minimize the incidence of injuries. The study examined the correlation between accumulated training load parameters based on periods with maturity (i.e., maturity offset and peak height velocity -PHV- and wellness variables -e.g., stress and sleep quality-). The second aim was to analyze the multi-linear regression between the above indicators. Methods Twenty elite young U14 soccer players (M=13.260.52 years, 95% CI [13.02, 13.51]) were evaluated over 26 weeks (early, mid, and end-season) to obtain stress, sleep quality, and measures of workload in the season (accumulated acute workload [AW], accumulated chronic workload [CW], accumulated acute: chronic workload ratio [ACWLR], accumulated training monotony [TM], accumulated training strain [TS]). Results The analysis revealed a moderate, statistically significant negative correlation between sleep quality and training monotony (r = -0.461, p0.05). In the multi-linear regression analysis, maturity, PHV, sleep, and stress collectively accounted for variances of 17% in AW, 17.1% in CW, 11% in ACWLR, 21.3% in TM, and 22.6% in TS. However, individual regression coefficients for these predictors were not statistically significant (p>0.05), indicating limited predictive power. Conclusion The study highlights the impact of sleep quality on training monotony, underscoring the importance of managing training load to mitigate the risks of overtraining. The non-significant regression coefficients suggest the complexity of predicting training outcomes based on the assessed variables. These insights emphasize the need for a holistic approach in training load management and athlete wellness monitoring
Data-driven moment-carrying capacity prediction of hybrid beams consisting of UHPC-NSC using machine learning-based models
No full textThis paper presents, for the first time in the literature, a study on the development of data-driven machine learning (ML) models to predict the moment-carrying capacity of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)normal strength concrete (NSC) hybrid beams. A database of 56 specimens of rectangular-section UHPC-NSC hybrid beams subjected to flexural loading is adopted to train the models. In this context, ten ML algorithms that are most preferred in structural engineering applications are selected to develop prediction-based models: linear regression (LR), lasso regression (LASSO), ridge regression (RR), support vector regression (SVR), multilayer perception (MLP), random forest (RF), extremely randomized trees (ERT), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), K-nearest neighbors regression (KNN), and adaptive boosting regression (AdaBoost). Moreover, the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) method is used to assess the impact of the input features on the prediction results. Lastly, user-friendly a graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed to ensure the interpretability of the prediction models and to overcome the black box problem of ML methods. The GUI, which is designed based on the model with the most effective prediction ability obtained from this work, allows design engineers to analyze their own data and customize the parameters of the model for the prediction of the moment-carrying capacity of UHPC-NSC hybrid beams. The results indicated that ML models can be an effective tool for predicting the moment-carrying capacity of UHPC-NSC hybrid beams. In this regard, notably, the XGBoost model exhibited superior performance in terms of prediction accuracy and generalization ability (R2 = 0.996 and 0.945 in the training and test datasets, respectively). On the other hand, according to the SHAP analysis results, the three most important input parameters influencing the moment-carrying capacity of UHPC-NSC hybrid beams are the effective depth (d), UHPC thickness at the bottom of the beam (UHPCbottom layer) and compressive strength of UHPC (fc,UHPC), respectively. Moreover, it has been found that the placement of the UHPC layer at the bottom of the beam rather than at the upper part of the beam is more effective in enhancing the moment-carrying capacity of UHPC-NSC hybrid beams
The effects of some environmental conditions on the mode I fracture toughness of rocks
No full textFracture toughness is an important parameter in determining the fracture mechanism of rocks, concretes and other composites, and it is used in performing design and stability analyses. In this study, the aim was to determine the effects of different environmental conditions (dry, saturated, freezing, thermal shock and thermal aging) on fracture toughness and fracture energy values of rocks from three different origins: gabbro, recrystallized limestone and limestone. In the first stage, the physical, chemical, mechanical, mineralogical and petrographic properties of rocks were determined. The material properties of rocks were revealed by physico-mechanical tests, XRD, XRF and petrographic analysis. In the second stage, the rocks were aged by exposing them to pre-determined environmental conditions for a certain period of time and then, semi-circular bending strength tests were applied to the aged rocks. SEM images were taken to determine the effects of different environmental conditions on surface cracks. According to the experimental results, thermal shock, thermal ageing and water saturation conditions led to decreasing fracture toughness, while freezing conditions led to increasing fracture toughness. It was determined that thermal shock was the environmental condition that caused the most weakening. In freezing conditions, it was observed that physico-mechanical properties and fracture toughness values of rocks increased. It was seen that the fracture toughness values of the monomineralic structured samples were more affected by the environmental conditions than the multimineralic rocks.Inn niversitesi [FDK-2017-879]; Inonu UniversityAuthors are grateful for financial support from Inonu University Research Funding. (Inonu University, Project No: FDK-2017-879)
The proportion of components in field pea and spring triticale mixtures and harvest stage affect crude fiber content and forage digestibility
No full textThe work presents results of a study conducted in 2016–2018 to determine the effect of component share in the mixture and harvest stage on concentration of crude fibre and its fractions as well as digestibility of field pea/spring triticale mixtures. The following two factors were examined in a field experiment: factor I – component share in a mixture: field pea in pure stand 100%, spring triticale in pure stand 100%, field pea 75% + spring triticale 25%, field pea 50% + spring triticale 50%, field pea 25% + spring triticale 75%; factor II – harvest stage: field pea flowering stage (BBCH 65), field pea flat green pod stage (BBCH 79). The concentration of crude fibre and its fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL) were determined in the dry matter in addition to dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility. The lowest content of crude fiber and its fractions, among the mixtures, was revealed in the mixture with the share of components of pea and spring triticale 75% + 25% and 50% + 50%, respectively. Harvesting mixtures at a later stage caused an increase in crude fiber content and its fraction in dry matter. The superior dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility were found for field pea and field pea/spring triticale mixtures containing 75% + 25% and 50% + 50% of the respective components and harvested at the stage of field pea flowering.The work presents results of a study conducted in 2016–2018 to determine the effect of component share in the mixture and harvest stage on concentration of crude fibre and its fractions as well as digestibility of field pea/spring triticale mixtures. The following two factors were examined in a field experiment: factor I – component share in a mixture: field pea in pure stand 100%, spring triticale in pure stand 100%, field pea 75% + spring triticale 25%, field pea 50% + spring triticale 50%, field pea 25% + spring triticale 75%; factor II – harvest stage: field pea flowering stage (BBCH 65), field pea flat green pod stage (BBCH 79). The concentration of crude fibre and its fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL) were determined in the dry matter in addition to dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility. The lowest content of crude fiber and its fractions, among the mixtures, was revealed in the mixture with the share of components of pea and spring triticale 75% + 25% and 50% + 50%, respectively. Harvesting mixtures at a later stage caused an increase in crude fiber content and its fraction in dry matter. The superior dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility were found for field pea and field pea/spring triticale mixtures containing 75% + 25% and 50% + 50% of the respective components and harvested at the stage of field pea flowering
Wpływ odmiany i terminu siewu na przezimowanie i plonowanie grochu siewnego (Pisum sativum L.) w województwie kujawsko-pomorskim
Get PDFThe subject of the study was the evaluation of the yield of 14 foreign pea cultivars sown in 3 autumn terms and in the spring term, in which the domestic cultivar Batuta was also sown. Strict 2-factor field experiments were conducted in 3 growing seasons (2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020). Spring plant density, seed yield, protein content and yield in seeds and leaf area index (LAI) were determined. In the 1st and 2nd sowing date in 2017, no varieties overwintered, and in the 3rd date – only 5 varieties. Due to the drought in spring 2018, the average seed yield of all foreign varieties was only 1.63 t‧ha–1. In the 2018/2019 season, thanks to more favorable thermal conditions, only 6 varieties from the 1st date and 2 varieties from the 2nd sowing date did not overwinter. However, in 2019, extremely unfavorable humidity conditions were recorded, which is why the average seed yield from the examined dates was only 1.90 t‧ha–1. Only in the favorable 2019/2020 season, all varieties from all autumn sowing dates overwintered, and their average seed yield from the examined dates was 3.52 t‧ha–1.Przedmiotem badań była ocena plonowania 14 zagranicznych odmian grochu siewnego wysiewanych w 3 terminach jesiennych i terminie wiosennym, w którym wysiewano krajową odmianę Batuta. Ścisłe dwuczynnikowe doświadczenia polowe przeprowadzono w 3 sezonach wegetacyjnych (2017/2018, 2018/2019 i 2019/2020). Określano wiosenną obsadę roślin, plon nasion, zawartość i plon białka w nasionach oraz indeks powierzchni liściowej (LAI). W pierwszym i drugim terminie siewu w 2017 r. nie przezimowały żadne odmiany, a w terminie trzecim – tylko 5 odmian. Z powodu suszy wiosną 2018 r. średni plon nasion wszystkich odmian zagranicznych wynosił zaledwie 1,63 t‧ha–1. W sezonie 2018/2019 dzięki korzystniejszym warunkom termicznym nie przezimowało tylko 6 odmian z pierwszego terminu i 2 odmiany z drugiego terminu siewu. Jednak w 2019 r. zanotowano skrajnie niekorzystne warunki wilgotnościowe, dlatego średni plon nasion z tych terminów wynosił zaledwie 1,90 t‧ha–1. Wszystkie badane odmiany przezimowały jedynie w korzystnym sezonie 2019/2020 i ich średni plon nasion z badanych terminów wynosił 3,52 t‧ha–1, a najwyższy plon uzyskano w trzecim jesiennym terminie siewu
Udział gatunków roślin zielarskich w zbiorowiskach łąk użytkowanych ekstensywnie
Get PDFHerbal plants have been an object of interest since antiquity. Despite a constant increase in the range of herbs cultivated as field crops, their gathering from natural habitats is still an important source of raw materials for the herbal industry. In the valley of the Por River floristic observations were conducted between 2020 and 2022, in meadows used extensively and harvested at least once a year. The main objective of the research was to determine the composition of species with medicinal properties and their frequency and abundance in meadow communities. In the flora of the meadows, a total of 85 species of herbs were recorded, with both stems and leaves, or flowers, leaves, roots or seeds having healing properties. Native meadow species were the most numerous, accounting for 47% of the recorded herbal plants. The species inventoried in the meadows varied in terms of their useful parts. The largest group, with 54% of the flora, were plants from which stems and leaves can be used for herbal purposes, and species with a high coverage ratio included Glechoma hederacea, Geranium pratense, Trifolium hybridum, Achillea millefolium, Lichnis flos-cuculi, Myosotis palustre and Veronica chamaedrys. Plants from which roots/rhizomes could be obtained constituted a much smaller proportion in the communities, accounting for 18%, with species like Polygonum bistorta, Geum rivale, Symphytum officinale and Valeriana officinalis being of a high coverage ratio. Other groups of plants, from which herbs and flowers, or herbs and roots, or leaves, flowers, seeds and roots could be obtained were represented only by a few representatives.
The main objective of the research was to determine species composition and frequency and abundance of sites with medicinal plants. In the valley of the Por River, floristic observations were carried out during the 2020-2022 growing periods, in meadows used extensively and harvested at least once a year. In the flora of the meadows, a total of 85 species of herbs were recorded, with stems and leaves or flowers, leaves, roots or seeds having healing properties. Native species typical of meadow communities were the most numerous. They accounted for 47% of the recorded herbal plants. The inventoried species of herbs in the meadows were varied in terms of parts used for medicinal purposes. Species from which stems and leaves could be used for pharmaceutical purposes were most frequently found. They constituted 54% of the herbal flora. With frequent occurrence and very large populations, this group included Glechoma hederacea, Geranium pratense, Trifolium hybridum, Achillea millefolium, Lichnis flos-cuculi and Myosotis palustre. In the immediate vicinity of the river bed Lythrum salicaria and Polygonum amphibium were often noted. Species from which roots/rhizomes could be obtained constituted a much smaller share in the communities, accounting for 18%. Representatives of this group were Polygonum bistorta, Geum rivale, Symphytum officinale and Valeriana officinalis. Other groups from which stems, leaves and flowers or stems, leaves and roots, or leaves and flowers or seeds and roots could be obtained were represented by several species.Od starożytności rośliny zielarskie cieszą się niesłabnącym zainteresowaniem. Pomimo stale rozszerzającej się oferty ziół uprawnych, ich zbiór z naturalnych siedlisk jest nadal jednym z ważniejszych źródeł zaopatrzenia przemysłu zielarskiego w surowce.
Badania florystyczne były prowadzone w latach 2020–2022 w dolinie rzeki Por na ekstensywnie użytkowanych łąkach, które były koszone przynajmniej raz w sezonie. Głównym celem badań było określenie składu gatunkowego, częstości występowania i liczebności gatunków o właściwościach leczniczych w zbiorowiskach łąkowych. We florze badanych zbiorowisk łąkowych zarejestrowano łącznie 85 gatunków roślin, z których można pozyskiwać ziele, kwiaty, liście, korzenie i nasiona. Najliczniejszą grupą były rodzime gatunki łąkowe, które stanowiły 47% odnotowanych gatunków roślin zielarskich. Zinwentaryzowane na łąkach gatunki były zróżnicowane pod względem części użytkowych. Najliczniejszą grupę, tj. 54% flory, stanowiły gatunki, z których do celów zielarskich pozyskuje się ziele. W tej grupie duży udział miały: Glechoma hederacea, Geranium pratense, Trifolium hybridum, Achillea millefolium, Lichnis flos-cuculi, Myosotis palustre i Veronica chamaedrys. Zdecydowanie mniejszy udział, tj. 18% we florze badanych zbiorowisk łąkowych, miały gatunki, z których można pozyskiwać korzenie/kłącza. Do tej grupy, o dużym pokryciu, należały: Polygonum bistorta, Geum rivale, Symphytum officinale i Valeriana officinalis. Pozostałe grupy gatunków, z których można pozyskać ziele i kwiaty, ziele i korzeń, liście, kwiaty, czy nasiona i korzeń były reprezentowane nielicznie, po kilka roślin
Carbon farming and nutrient management. Influential factors of Polish farmers’ perception of pro-climate measures
Get PDFCarbon farming and nutrient management, a sustainable pro-environmental and pro-climate approach to enhance soil quality and mitigate carbon losses, faces implementation challenges in the European Union. To explore potentially existing barriers, a survey involved 122 Polish farmers, representing diverse systems and land-use. Utilizing structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews,and Principal Component Analysis, we assessed farmers’ perceptions of six pro-environmental and pro-climate measures. The survey highlighted factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt surveyed practices, revealing that the potential to enhance soil carbon and nitrogen stocks outweighed the impact of subsidies, bureaucracy, age, and farm size. Barriers included technical challenges and machinery limitations, notably hindering manure and slurry incorporation. Conservation tillage was considered least feasible nationally, attributed to machinery needs and a preference for conventional practices. Addressing these challenges, especially in conservation tillage, requires targeted education. Raising awareness about measures’ impact on soil carbon stock emerged as a potent means to overcome identified barriers.Carbon farming and nutrient management, a sustainable pro-environmental and pro-climate approach to enhance soil quality and mitigate carbon losses, faces implementation challenges in the European Union. To explore potentially existing barriers, a survey involved 122 Polish farmers, representing diverse systems and land-use. Utilizing structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews,and Principal Component Analysis, we assessed farmers’ perceptions of six pro-environmental and pro-climate measures. The survey highlighted factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt surveyed practices, revealing that the potential to enhance soil carbon and nitrogen stocks outweighed the impact of subsidies, bureaucracy, age, and farm size. Barriers included technical challenges and machinery limitations, notably hindering manure and slurry incorporation. Conservation tillage was considered least feasible nationally, attributed to machinery needs and a preference for conventional practices. Addressing these challenges, especially in conservation tillage, requires targeted education. Raising awareness about measures’ impact on soil carbon stock emerged as a potent means to overcome identified barriers
The influence of biostimulants used in the cultivation of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) on nitrogen uptake and the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization
Get PDFThe aim of the study was to determine the effect of different biostimulants applied in the cultivation of Italian ryegrass cv. Dukat on nitrogen uptake and effectiveness of nitrogen fertilisation. A two-year field experiment was arranged as a randomised subblock design (split-plot) with three replicates. The following factors were examined: a) type of biostimulant: Algex, Tytanit, Asahi SL and a control (no biostimulant addition); b) nitrogen application rate: 0 (control), 120 and 180 kg ha–1. The total nitrogen content in the plant material was determined and nitrogen uptake with yield, agricultural and physiological efficiency were calculated. The application of biostimulants increased the nitrogen content in the Italian ryegrass biomass compared to the control. The differences between the tested biostimulants were insignificant. The amount of nitrogen in the biomass was significantly influenced by the rate of nitrogen. The effect of the year of the study was insignificant. The biostimulants used had a significant impact on the total nitrogen uptake during the vegetation year by Italian ryegrass. The values of this parameter depended on the type of biostimulant. Similarly, the value of this parameter was significantly affected by the year of the study, i.e. the total nitrogen uptake was significantly lower in the second year of the study. In the case of the agricultural efficiency fertilisation of Italian ryegrass, no significant differences were found for the influence of the tested experimental factors. The obtained values of the physiological efficiency fertilisation of Italian ryegrass fertilization did not differ significantly in the years of the study.The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different biostimulants applied in the cultivation of Italian ryegrass cv. Dukat on nitrogen uptake and effectiveness of nitrogen fertilisation. A two-year field experiment was arranged as a randomised subblock design (split-plot) with three replicates. The following factors were examined: a) type of biostimulant: Algex, Tytanit, Asahi SL and a control (no biostimulant addition); b) nitrogen application rate: 0 (control), 120 and 180 kg ha–1. The total nitrogen content in the plant material was determined and nitrogen uptake with yield, agricultural and physiological efficiency were calculated. The application of biostimulants increased the nitrogen content in the Italian ryegrass biomass compared to the control. The differences between the tested biostimulants were insignificant. The amount of nitrogen in the biomass was significantly influenced by the rate of nitrogen. The effect of the year of the study was insignificant. The biostimulants used had a significant impact on the total nitrogen uptake during the vegetation year by Italian ryegrass. The values of this parameter depended on the type of biostimulant. Similarly, the value of this parameter was significantly affected by the year of the study, i.e. the total nitrogen uptake was significantly lower in the second year of the study. In the case of the agricultural efficiency fertilisation of Italian ryegrass, no significant differences were found for the influence of the tested experimental factors. The obtained values of the physiological efficiency fertilisation of Italian ryegrass fertilization did not differ significantly in the years of the study
A G6P1E isomerase of sugar metabolism is involved in the flower colors of Dianthus chinensis
Get PDFDianthus chinensis L. is indigenous to northern China, Korea, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and southeastern Russia. It is widely cultivated in urban landscapes. Its flower has a great variety of colors and color schemes. Sugars control and induce anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation in plants. In sugar metabolism, many enzymes are specific for their substrate’s α or β anomer. Gaining and characterizing genes involved in sugar metabolism and flower color will be beneficial in clarifying the role of sugar in the flower colors of D. chinensis. Glucose-6-phosphate-1-epimerase (G6P1E, EC 5.1.3.15) catalyzes the α or β change of glucose-6-phosphate at the branch point of glucose metabolism. DchG6P1E1 (MZ292712) was isolated in D. chinensis and characterized using the tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system. Its cDNA full length is 1401 bp, including an open reading frame of 918 bp. In the DchG6P1E1-silenced flowers, the reducing purple was observed, as well as the anthocyanin content, reducing sugar content, G6P1E activity, and DchG6P1E1 expression were significantly decreased. During the development of floral buds and among the three flower colors, the anthocyanin content, reduced sugar content, G6P1E activity, and DchG6P1E1 expression rose dramatically, with pigments increasing in the petals. Among the organs, the flowers had the highest anthocyanin contents and reducing sugar. The highest levels of G6P1E activity and DchG6P1E1 expression were in the roots. The anthocyanin content was positively related to the reducing sugar content at 0.05 levels by correlation analysis. In conclusion, DchG6P1E1 is a root-enriched gene associated with flower colors in D. chinensis.Dianthus chinensis L. is indigenous to northern China, Korea, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and southeastern Russia. It is widely cultivated in urban landscapes. Its flower has a great variety of colors and color schemes. Sugars control and induce anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation in plants. In sugar metabolism, many enzymes are specific for their substrate’s α or β anomer. Gaining and characterizing genes involved in sugar metabolism and flower color will be beneficial in clarifying the role of sugar in the flower colors of D. chinensis. Glucose-6-phosphate-1-epimerase (G6P1E, EC 5.1.3.15) catalyzes the α or β change of glucose-6-phosphate at the branch point of glucose metabolism. DchG6P1E1 (MZ292712) was isolated in D. chinensis and characterized using the tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system. Its cDNA full length is 1401 bp, including an open reading frame of 918 bp. In the DchG6P1E1-silenced flowers, the reducing purple was observed, as well as the anthocyanin content, reducing sugar content, G6P1E activity, and DchG6P1E1 expression were significantly decreased. During the development of floral buds and among the three flower colors, the anthocyanin content, reduced sugar content, G6P1E activity, and DchG6P1E1 expression rose dramatically, with pigments increasing in the petals. Among the organs, the flowers had the highest anthocyanin contents and reducing sugar. The highest levels of G6P1E activity and DchG6P1E1 expression were in the roots. The anthocyanin content was positively related to the reducing sugar content at 0.05 levels by correlation analysis. In conclusion, DchG6P1E1 is a root-enriched gene associated with flower colors in D. chinensis