Low temperature has negative effects on apple photosynthesis by inhibiting the accumulations of photosynthates and nitrogen. The interactive effects of low temperature and nitrogen application on photosynthetic parameters and the absorption and distribution of carbon and nitrogen in different organs were assessed to investigate if nitrogen application can relieve the low-temperature stress on gas exchange and the accumulations of carbon and nitrogen inside the apple plants. No matter under normal or low-temperature conditions, nitrogen application both improved the photosynthetic parameters including net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation of PSII as well as the absorption of carbon and nitrogen in roots, stems, and leaves. Thus, we conclude that nitrogen application can relieve the effects of low-temperature stress on photosynthesis and is of benefit for the accumulations of carbon and nitrogen in multiple organs of apple seedlings.
Exposure to chronic stress stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis and then simultaneously inhibits hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) axis activity. The inhibition formed by the HPA axis is the main mechanism of action of stress on reproductive function. HPG axis activity is known to be changed by various factors, including exercise. Exercise has been found to have a number of positive effects on sexual behavior, reproductive hormones, and sperm parameters in studies with animal models for many years. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of chronic treadmill exercise on chronically stressed-male rats’ sexual behavior, reproductive hormones, and sperm parameters. A total of 40 sexually adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups as control, stress, exercise, and stress+exercise. Animals in the exercise group were subjected to the chronic treadmill exercise (moderate intensity) for 33 days with a periodic increase in speed and duration. Animals in the stress group were exposed to restraint stress for 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h during the first, second and third 15 days respectively. Sexual behavior parameters, hormone measurements, and sperm parameters were evaluated. The main effects of chronic exercise on sexual behavior were centered on a significant increase in the ejaculation frequency (EF) in the stress+exercise group. Also, sperm concentration and motility in the stress group significantly decreased, and then sperm motility was improved by exercise in the stress+exercise group. In sum, our results show that chronic treadmill exercise may improve the adverse effects of chronic stress on sexual behavior and sperm parameters in male rats in terms of some parameters., Haluk Kelestimur, Ozgur Bulmus, Ihsan Serhatlioglu, Zubeyde Ercan, Seyma Ozer Kaya, Ahmet Yardimci, Nazife Ulker, Emine Kacar., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky), is a major pest of stored grain kernels. Irradiation is an established technique for controlling insects in stored grain and is a major stress factor affecting these insects. Since heat shock protein (hsp) genes respond to this stress, we proposed that hsps may be associated with irradiated stress tolerance in S. zeamais. The responses of the maize weevil to exposure to ultraviolet-C (UV-C) and microwave irradiation were assessed at four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The results revealed that exposure to UV-C (254 nm, < 8 h) did not affect the survival of the maize weevils; however, Szhsp70, Szhsc70 and Szhsp90 mRNA levels significantly increased during the first 1 h of UV-C exposure. The median lethal time (LT50) of exposure to microwave irradiation indicated that the adult stage was more tolerant of microwave irradiation than the other developmental stages. Microwave irradiation enhanced the expression of the three hsps, but the intensity of up-regulation differed among the three genes, with Szhsp70 the most highly up-regulated. Our experiments revealed that UV-C and microwave irradiation influenced the expression profile of hsp genes in S. zeamais. At the tissue level, the gene responses to UV-C and microwave irradiation varied greatly in different tissues., Jatuporn Tungjitwitayakul, Nujira Tatun, Boongeua Vajarasathira, Sho Sakurai., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Traps baited with plant volatiles and/or bark beetle pheromones have been used to survey for exotic and potentially invasive bark and wood-boring beetles in North America since the mid-1990s. Recent discoveries of sex and aggregation pheromones in the Cerambycidae offer means of improving detection rates of longhorn beetles, but little is known of their effects on detection of bark and ambrosia beetles in the subfamily Scolytinae. Our objectives were to determine the efficacy of host volatile trap lures for survey and detection of Scolytinae species and whether that efficacy was affected by the addition of longhorn beetle pheromones. More than 12,000 specimens and 36 species of Scolytinae were collected in two field trapping bioassays conducted in the Russian Far East in 2009 and 2010. The lure combination of spruce blend (a blend of racemic α-pinene, (-) β-pinene, (+)-3-carene, (+)-limonene, and α-terpinolene) and ethanol significantly increased detection rates and mean catches of Hylastes brunneus Erichson, Hylastes obscurus Chapuis, Ips typographus (L.), and Dryocoetes striatus Eggers compared with unbaited traps. The addition of the longhorn beetle pheromones, E-fuscumol, or E-fuscumol acetate, to traps baited with spruce blend and ethanol, slightly reduced mean catches of D. striatus but otherwise did not affect catch of any Scolytine species. Baiting traps with ethanol significantly increased mean catches of Anisandrus apicalis (Blandford), Anisandrus dispar (Fabr.), Anisandrus maiche (Kurenzov), Xyleborinus attenuatus (Blandford), Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg), Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford), Scolytoplatypus tycon Blandford, and Trypodendron lineatum (Olivier). By themselves, the longhorn beetle pheromones, racemic hydroxyhexan-2-one and racemic hydroxyoctan-2-one, were not attractive to any Scolytine species. However, when added to ethanol-baited traps, hydroxyhexan-2-one lures significantly increased mean catch of S. tycon, hydroxyoctan-2-one lures significantly reduced mean catches of A. maiche and X. attenuatus, and lures of either hydroxyketone significantly reduced mean catch of T. lineatum. The lure treatments that detected the greatest number of species per sampling effort were spruce blend plus ethanol in 2009 (16 Scolytinae species and 13 species of Cerambycidae combined in an eight-trap sample) and hydroxyhexan-2-one plus ethanol in 2010 (20 Scolytinae species and 7 species of Cerambycidae combined in an eight-trap sample). Species accumulation curves did not reach an asymptote for any lure treatment, indicating that many species would go undetected in samples of 8-9 traps per site., Jon D. Sweeney, Peter Silk, Vasily Grebennikov, Michail Mandelshtam., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is known to be independently attributable to aspiration-induced lung injury. Mechanical ventilation as a high pressure/volume support to maintain sufficient oxygenation of a patient could initiate ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and thus contribute to lung damage. Although these phenomena are rare in the clinic, they could serve as the severe experimental model of alveolar-capillary membrane deterioration. Lung collapse, diffuse inflammation, alveolar epithelial and endothelial damage, leakage of fluid into the alveoli, and subsequent inactivation of pulmonary surfactant, leading to respiratory failure. Therefore, exogenous surfactant could be considered as a therapy to restore lung function in experimental ARDS. This study aimed to investigate the effect of modified porcine surfactant in animal model of severe ARDS (P/F ratio ≤13.3 kPa) induced by intratracheal instillation of hydrochloric acid (HCl, 3 ml/kg, pH 1.25) followed by VILI (VT 20 ml/kg). Adult rabbits were divided into three groups: untreated ARDS, model treated with a bolus of poractant alfa (Curosurf®, 2.5 ml/kg, 80 mg phospholipids/ml), and healthy ventilated animals (saline), which were oxygen-ventilated for an additional 4 h. The lung function parameters, histological appearance, degree of lung edema and levels of inflammatory and oxidative markers in plasma were evaluated. Whereas surfactant therapy with poractant alfa improved lung function, attenuated inflammation and lung edema, and partially regenerated significant changes in lung architecture compared to untreated controls. This study indicates a potential of exogenous surfactant preparation in the treatment of experimental ARDS.
Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), are particularly concerning for native ecosystems because they occupy and disrupt a variety of food and habitat niches. In response, natural resource agencies are developing integrated pest management (IPM) plans to mitigate invasive carps. Control tools are one key component within a successful IPM program and have been a focal point for development by governmental agencies and academic researchers. For example, behavioural deterrents and barriers that block migratory pathways could limit carps range expansion into new areas, while efficient removal methods could suppress established carp populations. However, control tools are sometimes limited in practice due to uncertainty with deployment, efficacy and availability. This review provides an overview of several emerging modelling approaches and control technologies that could inform and support future invasive carp IPM programs.
Objectives. The study focuses on the emotional intelligence (hereafter „EI“) of members of the Police of the Czech Republic and on its differences according to the selected demographic characteristics (gender, age, and education). The outcomes are subsequently compared with the results of the general population. Sample and setting. The research sample comprised 531 adult respondents (222 police officers and 309 members of the general population). SEIS self-description questionnaire and anamnestic questionnaire were used to measure selected variables. Hypotheses. The authors assumed that the police officers would show a higher level of overall EI and particular EI factors than the general population. A higher level of overall EI would occur in female, higher age, and higher education groups – for both police members and the general population. Statistical analysis. The analysis of the data was focused on the determination of the factors forming EI by exploratory factor analysis, non-parametric tests were used to verify the hypotheses. Results. There was no statistically significant difference found between the police officers and the common population in total EI, only in particular EI factors. While no difference between gender, age, or education groups and overall EI was indicated among the police officers, significant differences between all variables were revealed among the general population. When dividing the sample according to gender and type, statistically significant differences were found with the men from the general population scoring the lowest compared to the highest score of policewomen. Study limitation. Given the sampling method, caution must be exercised to generalise the findings. A self-description method was used to measure EI. and Cíle. Studie se zabývá emoční inteligencí (EI) příslušníků Policie České republiky a jejími rozdíly dle vybraných demografických charak-teristik (pohlaví, věk, vzdělání). Výsledky jsou srovnávány s hodnotami zjištěnými u běžné po-pulace. Výzkumný soubor a procedura. Výzkumný vzorek je tvořen celkem 531 dospělými respon-denty, z toho bylo 222 policistů a 309 proban-dů z běžné populace. Zvolené proměnné byly měřeny pomocí sebepopisného dotazníku SEIS a anamnestického dotazníku.Hypotézy. Autorky předpokládaly, že příslušníci Policie ČR budou vykazovat vyšší úroveň cel-kové EI a vyšší hodnoty u všech faktorů EI než běžná populace. Dále předpokládaly, že vyšší úroveň celkové EI se bude u policistů i běžné populace vyskytovat u skupin s ženským pohla-vím, vyšším věkem a vyšším vzděláním. Statistická analýza. Analýza dat byla zaměřena na stanovení faktorů tvořících EI pomocí explo-rační faktorové analýzy, pro ověřování hypotéz byly využity neparametrické testy.Výsledky. Výsledky výzkumu neprokázaly exis-tenci statisticky signifikantního rozdílu mezi policisty a běžnou populací v celkové EI, byly však nalezeny rozdíly v jednotlivých faktorech. Zatímco nebyly objeveny rozdíly v celkové EI u skupin policistů dle pohlaví, věku a vzdělá-ní, v souboru běžné populace se tyto rozdíly projevily. Při rozčlenění hodnot celkové EI dle příslušnosti ke vzorku a pohlaví byly shledány statisticky signifikantní rozdíly, kdy muži z běž-né populace skórovali níže oproti ženám – po-licistkám.Omezení studie. Vzhledem k metodě výběru vzorku je zobecnitelnost výsledků limitována. K měření EI byla využita sebepopisná metoda.
Problem. A lack of empathy toward victimized students belongs to the key factors that fuel longterm bullying cases. The absence of cognitive empathy toward victims is characterized by inability or unwillingness of classmates to understand the emotions and the situation of victimized students. It relates to moral disengagement processes, including dehumanizing disregard to the harm of the victims. Sample and methods. The study examined the association between victimization by bullying (assessed using self-reports) and cognitive empathy received from classmates (measured by peer nominations for students who do not feel well among others or others treat them unfairly) in seventh graders (n=190). Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association when controlling for effects of peer status, gender, and sympathy of victimized students.Results. Students feel cognitive empathy for approximately half of the victims in their classrooms and cognitive empathy had a weak positive correlation with victimization frequency. Binary logistic regression showed that above-average cognitive empathy received from classmates is more likely in victims, students with low peer status, and male students. Because victimized students whose harm and difficult plight is overlooked by classmates have been considered victims most susceptible to psychological and social maladjustment, intervention efforts could benefit from tracing not only the established diagnostic criteria, but also cognitive empathy received from the side of classmates.Limitations. The findings may be limited by using a cross-sectional design and working with a convenience and relatively small sample (with a limited number of victims). and Problém. Jedním z klíčových prvků přispívajících k dlouhodobému trvání případů šikany je absence empatie k šikanovaným spolužákům. Absence kognitivní složky empatie se vyznačuje neschopností či neochotou spolužáků porozumět emocím a situaci šikanovaných žáků. Pojí se s procesy morálního vyvazování, včetně dehumanizace, při níž přestávají být spolužáci vnímaví k utrpení oběti. Důležitou otázkou je, jak velká část šikanovaných žáků získává empatii od svých spolužáků a zda tato empatie souvisí s charakteristikami šikanovaných žáků. Soubor a metoda. Studie zkoumala u žáků sedmých ročníků (n = 190) vztah mezi viktimizací (na základě sebeposouzení) a kognitivní empatií získanou od spolužáků (vrstevnickou nominací žáků, kteří se mezi ostatními necítí dobře či se k nim ostatní chovají nespravedlivě). Pomocí binární logistické regrese sledovala tento vztah při kontrole skupinového statusu, pohlaví a soucitu šikanovaného žáka. Výsledky. Spolužáci empatizují přibližně s polovinou obětí ve svých třídách. Frekvence viktimizace slabě pozitivně koreluje s mírou získané empatie od spolužáků. Podle výsledků binární logistické regrese predikuje nadprůměrnou míru empatie od spolužáků zkušenost s viktimizací a nízký skupinový status. Nadprůměrnou empatii spolužáků také častěji získávají chlapci. Vzhledem k tomu, že šikanované žáky, jejichž utrpení a obtížnou pozici spolužáci přehlížejí, lze považovat za nejohroženější oběti s potenciálními psychickými a sociálními následky, z intervenčního hlediska se jeví jako užitečné sledovat vedle existujících diagnostických kritérií i empatii spolužáků vůči konkrétním šikanovaným žákům. Limity. Výsledky studie mohou být omezeny příležitostným výběrem, nízkým počtem častěji šikanovaných žáků a průřezovým výzkumným designem.
Considering the advantage of Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) for extracting the geophysical signals and filtering out the noise, this paper will first apply the EMD approach to post-process the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) monthly gravity field models. A 14-year time-series of Release 06 (RL06) monthly gravity field models from the Center for Space Research (CSR) truncated to degree and order 60 from the period April 2002 to August 2016 are analyzed using the EMD approach compared with traditional Gaussian smoothing filtering. Almost all fitting errors of GRACE spherical harmonic coefficients by the EMD approach are smaller than those by Gaussian smoothing, indicating that EMD can retain more information of the original spherical harmonic coefficients. The ratios of latitude-weighted RMS over the land and ocean signals are adopted to evaluate the efficiency of eliminating noise. The results show that almost all ratios of RMS for the EMD approach are higher than those of Gaussian smoothing, with the mean ratio of RMS of 3.61 for EMD and 3.41 for Gaussian smoothing, respectively. Therefore, we can conclude that the EMD method can filter noise more effectively than Gaussian smoothing, especially for the high-degree coefficients, and retain more geophysical signals with less leakage effects.
The age and growth of weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis), an endangered and protected freshwater fish with a poorly known life history, was studied in two watercourses (the River Ner and the Nowy Rów canal, Poland). The weight, length and sagittal otoliths of 166 specimens collected in April 2015 were measured for weight-length relationships, ageing and back-calculation of length at age. At both sites sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. Weatherfish otoliths were small, elliptic (1.85 mm longer axes of the largest otolith) and the annuli were clearly visible. Female lifespan was six years but the oldest males were four and five years. In both sites populations were dominated by 2+ (the River Ner) and 3+ (the Nowy Rów canal) specimens. In general, weatherfish grows isometrically (b = 3) and the intercept of the weight-length relationship differ between study sites but not between sexes. Its total length (TL) was predicted by an interaction between sex and age, as well as capture site and age. Back-calculated estimates of TL fitted a von Bertalanffy growth function, though Taylor’s criterion showed that the asymptotic length were overestimated. Multiple comparisons of the von Bertalanffy growth function parameter revealed difference between sexes and sites.