Recent advances toward the sustainable management of invasive Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles

We provide an overview of both traditional and innovative control tools for management of three Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), invasive species with a history of damage in forests, nurseries, orchards and urban areas. Xylosandrus compactus, X. crassiusculus and X. germanus are native to Asia, and currently established in several countries around the globe. Adult females bore galleries into the plant xylem inoculating mutualistic ambrosia fungi that serve as food source for the developing progeny. Tunneling activity results in chewed wood extrusion from entry holes, sap outflow, foliage wilting followed by canopy dieback, and branch and trunk necrosis. Maintaining plant health by reducing physiological stress is the first recommendation for long-term control. Baited traps, ethanol-treated bolts, trap logs and trap trees of selected species can be used to monitor Xylosandrus species. Conventional pest control methods are mostly ineffective against Xylosandrus beetles because of the pests’ broad host range and rapid spread. Due to challenges with conventional control, more innovative control approaches are being tested, such as the optimization of the push–pull strategy based on specific attractant and repellent combinations, or the use of insecticide-treated netting. Biological control based on the release of entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi, as well as the use of antagonistic bacteria, has yielded promising results. However, these technologies still require validation in real field conditions. Overall, we suggest that management efforts should primarily focus on reducing plant stress and potentially be combined with a multi-faceted approach for controlling Xylosandrus damage.

     

IncN plasmids carrying bla CTX-M-1 in Escherichia coli isolates on a dairy farm

The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli bovine isolates on a conventional dairy cattle farm with high consumption of parenteral and intramammary cephalosporins (farm A) and on an organic dairy farm with no cephalosporin use (farm B). ESBL-producing E. coli were isolated from rectal swabs and milk filters by selective cultivation on MacConkey agar with cefotaxime (2mg/l). ESBL genes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing, and the genetic diversity of the isolates was determined by XbaI pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Conjugative transfer, incompatibility group, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles of the ESBL-carrying plasmids were studied. Higher prevalence (39%, n(rectal samples in cows)=309) of CTX-M-1-producing E. coli isolates was found on farm A compared to farm B (<1%, n(rectal samples in cows)=154; 0%, n(rectal samples in calves)=46). Using PFGE, the isolates from farm A were divided into nine pulsotypes. In all ESBL-positive isolates, the bla(CTX-M-1) gene was carried on 40 kb IncN conjugative plasmids of three related HincII restriction profiles. Horizontal gene transfer through transmission of IncN plasmids harboring bla(CTX-M-1) as well as clonal dissemination of a particular clone seems to be involved in dissemination of CTX-M-1-producing E. coli isolates in cows on the farm using cephalosporins in treating bacterial infections. The study demonstrates a possible role of cephalosporin use in the widespread occurrence of CTX-M-1-producing E. coli on the conventional dairy cattle farm compared to the organic farm.     

Investigation of mechanical properties of basalt woven fabrics by theoretical and image analysis methods

This paper explains a study conducted to evaluate mechanical properties of woven structures of basalt. The mechanical properties like shear strength and tensile strength were studied. Tensile properties of basalt hybrid and non-hybrid fabrics are predicted by computational tool and verified with experimental data. The shear strength was investigated by using picture frame fixture. The tests were recorded by a CCD monochrome camera during displacement of specimen at various positions. The images were used for image analysis program developed in MATLAB. The results of image analysis were compared with the actual experimental results. The results illustrate that the mechanical properties of fabrics experience a marked improvement when hybridization of basalt with polyester and polypropylene in different sets of weaves takes place. These findings are important requirements for using such fabrics for high-tech applications and composite forming.     

Basalt nanoparticle reinforced hybrid woven composites: Mechanical and thermo-mechanical performance

Nanoparticles are gaining wider importance and increasing utility in many areas of engineering and technology. This investigative work is conducted to study the effect of incorporating basalt nano particles in composites with basalt/basalt and basalt/jute woven structures as reinforcement. The nanoparticles were developed from basalt, they were characterized and used for reinforcing composites of basalt and jute hybrid fabrics. The mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of hybrid woven basalt reinforced epoxy composites were evaluated. Microscopic examination was carried out in order to analyze the internal structure and fractured surfaces. Interfacial characteristics, material morphology and failure was studied by use of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy. Thermal stability was characterized by TGA. The results elaborated that the incorporation of basalt nanoparticles exhibited superior properties compared to the pure epoxy resin impregnated basalt fabric reinforced composites in terms of mechanical and thermal stability.     

Egg oxidation status,antioxidant enzyme activities,lipid classes,fatty acid composition profile and embryo survival rates during in vitro oocyte ageing in tench Tinca tinca (Linnaeus, 1758)

The effect of in vitro storage of oocytes on embryos survival rate, egg oxidation status, antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid classes and fatty acid composition profile was investigated in common tench Tinca tinca. In order to identify the role of oxidative stress in the progress of oocyte ageing the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and carbonyls as indicators of lipid and protein oxidation were measured and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were examined. Stripped ova from six females were stored in cell culture plates at 20°C for up to 10 hr post‐stripping (HPS). The stored ova were fertilized and the embryo survival rates were assessed. The results indicated that tench eggs could be successfully stored in vitro for 4 hr after stripping at 20°C. Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity increased at 6 HPS, whereas glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities decreased in oocytes during in vitro storage (p < .05) at 4 and 8 HPSs, respectively. The level of malondialdehyde did not show any significant changes during the progress of oocyte ageing. Carbonyls increased up to 2 HPS and thereafter decreased significantly. However, ova ageing did not affect the main lipid class composition and the fatty acid composition of the eggs. Lower quality eggs exhibited lower levels of cholesterol but higher levels of triacylglycerol.     

Immune development in jejunal mucosa after colonization with selected commensal gut bacteria: a study in germ-free pigs

The immunological structure of the porcine jejunal lamina propria in germ-free piglets was compared with that of their counterparts associated with two strains of commensal Escherichia coli, A0 34/86 serotype O83:K24:H31 and the O86 E. coli strain, up to 20 days post-colonization. In the antigen-presenting compartment, both dendritic cells (DC) and cells expressing CD163, probably macrophages were investigated. In addition we also assessed the number of CD2+/CD3+ (T) cells. In contrast to some previous reports, we show a total lack of both DC and T cells for germ-free animals in the diffuse lymphoid tissue of villi and crypts of the jejunum. Association with either strain of commensal E. coli had a profound effect on the immune structure and resulted in extensive recruitment of DC to the lamina propria and of T cells to epithelium and lamina propria. The data suggest that the earliest immigrant cells were monocytes, which soon acquired the phenotype of mucosal DC. T cells migrated in at a slightly slower rate. Nevertheless, the response could be extremely rapid: within 3 days of colonization with O83, the magnitude of this response was comparable to that observed 20 days post-colonization.     

Blood coagulation times in the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus)

Background:  Many causes of mortality in the European brown hare, such as bacterial and viral infections, anticoagulant poisoning, and trauma, may result in hemorrhage. There are, however, no reference values concerning blood clotting in this species.  Objectives:  The aim of this study was to determine reference values for blood coagulation times and related parameters in healthy European brown hares.  Methods:  Blood samples from 30 clinically healthy adult hares (15 males and 15 females) were obtained. Hares were physically restrained for blood collection from the cephalic vein into tubes containing citrate and EDTA.  Results:  Mean ± SD were obtained for thrombin time (TT) (13.97 ± 1.37 seconds), prothrombin time (PT) (13.32 ± 2.15 seconds), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (16.73 ± 1.86 seconds), fibrinogen concentration (2.98 ± 1.06 g/L), and platelet count (355.28 ± 128.73 × 10⁹/L). Conclusions: Reference values for blood coagulation times and other parameters associated with blood clotting will be useful in the laboratory evaluation of hemorrhage in the European brown hare.     

桔梗种子成熟与主要气象要素的关系

在桔梗开花期,计算桔梗开花后每5 d的千粒质量和成熟度的增长量,分析桔梗种子成熟度与主要气象要素之间的关系。结果表明:在吉林省桔梗种子要完全成熟,开花后需要55 d以上的时间;种子成熟与主要气象要素之间没有显著的相关性,种子成熟主要受桔梗本身发育规律支配。     

Polyphenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Berries of Four Russian Cultivars of Lonicera kamtschatica (Sevast.) Pojark

Nowadays increasing attention has been focused on polyphenolic compounds as the main representants of antioxidants in horticultural crops including fruits. The edible honeysuckle has an unique position among lesser known fruits due to its high level of antioxidants. In the present study we determined polyphenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of four Russian cultivars of edible honeysuckle including ‘Gerda 25’, ‘Amfora’, ‘Morena’, ‘Lipnicka’, which found together in a single location in Mendel University in Brno, The Czech Republic. Polyphenolic compounds were detected by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detector (HPLC-ED). The antioxidant capacity was measured by DPPH test. According to the results there were differences among cultivars in terms of polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity and Lonicera kamtschatica ‘Gerda 25’ were found to be possessed the highest content of phenolic compounds corresponding to the highest value of antioxidant activity.     

Kinematic Viscosity and Shear Stress of Used Engine Oil

The goal of this paper describes kinematic viscosity and shear stress of two used engine oils, which have been taken from two different passenger cars. Kinematic viscosity and shear stress are two of the most important physical behaviours of fluids, especially lubricating fluids. In this paper the authors have focused on engine oil. Knowledge of these properties of engine oil is very important due to its lifetime. The experiments have been done using digital rotary rheometer Anton Paar DV-3 P with use of TR8 spindle and special adapter for a small amount of sample （20 mL）. Two different engine oils have been observed--first from passenger car Renault Scenic with petrol engine （engine capacity 1.6 dm3） and the second from passenger car Skoda Roomster with diesel engine （engine capacity 1.4 dm3）. Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 engine oil has been taken from Renault car and Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W-30 engine oil has been taken from ~koda car. Service interval of change oil has been set to 15,000 km and samples of used engine oils have been taken after 1,500 km. Only first samples of used engine oils have been taken after raid of 20 km. All samples of used engine oils have been compared with new （unused） engine oils same specification. The measured values of kinematic viscosity and shear stress have been modeled using linear function. The coefficients of correlation R have been achieved high values （0.88-0.96）. The obtained models can be used to prediction of engine oil flow behaviour.