EJPAU, 2009, Volume 12, Issue 4

Majority of manufacturers of upholstered furniture design construction frames on the basis of craftsman's intuition and imitation rather than on the basis of engineer practice. The objective of this study was to present a method for the dimension sub-optimisation of cross-section diameters of a sofa frame construction and to demonstrate the need for virtual prototyping of upholstered furniture in an integrated computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided engineering (CAE) environments. The concept of the performed investigations assumed the need to select sub-optimal dimensions of cross sections and thicknesses of the construction constituent elements of a two-person sofa frame on the basis of numerical calculations of developed solid models. However, undertaking appropriate steps towards the planned construction sub-optimisation required carrying out strength tests in order to verify the suitability of models developed in the environment of the finite element method. Corroboration of the satisfactory quality of the results of these calculations allowed proposing cross sections of reduced dimensions and next to manufacture an experimental construction of sufficient rigidity and strength in industrial applications. It was demonstrated on the basis of the performed experiments that the proposed dimensions of the main construction elements put forward following the performed sub-optimisation decreased beech wood consumption by 36% and that of particle board – by 25%. Reduced dimensions of the most important construction elements did not result in a significant decrease of the stiffness and strength of the sofa frame.

The studies were conducted along the shoreline of the southwestern part of the Szczecin Lagoon from July 30 to September 14, 2007. The animals were collected, measured and then released back into the water. The length [L], height [H], and girth [G] of the shells were measured, and age [A] was determined based on annual growth rings on the shell surface. These data were used to attempt to establish the age structure of Anodonta cygnea, and to determine the dependence among the meristic characters of this animal. The age of individuals ranged from 1 to 6 years, and was dominated by individuals aged 3, while individuals aged 1 year comprised only a small share of the population. The mean length of the Anodonta cygnea shells studied ranged from 4.6 to 10.0 cm, height – 2.7 to 5.7 cm, and girth – 1.6 to 3.6 cm. It was determined that both biotic and abiotic (primarily anthropogenic pressure) factors influenced the abundance, distribution, age distribution, and linear meristic characters of the Anodonta cygnea population inhabiting the Szczecin Lagoon. Despite differences resulting from environmental factors, it was established that the individuals collected belonged to one population. This conclusion was supported by high correlation among the characters measured as well as the fact that the individuals belonged to the same age structure.

The purpose of the dissection was to analyze blood vessels of the ostrich pelvic limb. Material constituted 8 limbs of two-day old ostrich chicks fixed in 4% solution of formic aldehyde. Photographic documentation and schemes of the blood vessels route were performed.

In this study dimensional changes caused by cyclical changes in relative humidity at constant air temperature were analyzed in thin wood-based materials, according to EN 318. Tests were conducted on MDF, HDF, PB and OSB. Boards used in the tests, except for MDF, were boards with an enhanced resistance to the action of air with elevated humidity. It was found that final relative changes in board dimensions significantly depend on changes in dimensions occurring at individual stages of conditioning. The smallest relative change in length after the last stage of conditioning was recorded in OSB; however, dimensional changes in these boards in relation to their initial length are much bigger than those of the other boards. In turn, the biggest dimensional stability was found for particleboard.

Quantitative and qualitative composition of the spring and summer macro-zoobenthos was studied at selected sites in the catchment area of the middle and lower Drawa River to evaluate the quality of water in the selected watercourses by the BMWP PL method. The animals found represented 7 phyla of invertebrates including 64 taxa, 62 families and over 70% of Insecta. No statistically significant changes in the abundance of animals between the months of individual seasons were established (P> 0.05), but the differences were statistically significant between spring and summer at all sites studied (P < 0.05). According to statistical analysis, only at two sites the animal abundance was significantly high (P < 0.05). On the basis of the results and using the BMWP PL method the quality of water was evaluated. The quality of water in the Drawa River and its indirect catchment area was found unsatisfactory as at over 50% of the sites studied the quality of water was classified as not good.

The results showed that the means for spring and winter covered barley were not significantly different for 1000 kernel weight, test weight, grain uniformity as well as protein and lipid contents. Significant differences in the content of ash, proteins, lipids, total dietary fiber were noted among the eight barley samples. However the highest differences in content of total dietary fiber for "Rudzik" and "Sigma" varieties were observed. Chemical scores of spring and winter samples were similar; lysine was the first limiting amino acid. The calculated nutritional indices show good protein nutritive value of covered barley. What is more, the soluble fraction of the dietary fiber makes up about 23% of the total dietary fiber and the content of β-glucans ranges from 4.1 to 5.1%. Statistically significant differences between the means of spring and winter barleys for total, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber as well as crude fiber and pentosans were observed. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were found in the content of β-glucans.

Effects of salinity (0.5–0.7; 1; 2; 3‰) on the duration and course of embryogenesis in sea trout were studied using a system consisting of a microscope coupled with a digital camera, computer screen, and video recorder. The observation system used made it possible to analyze the videotaped images and frames, and to measure the eggs (diameters) and newly hatched larvae (body length and yolk sac volume). The control embryos took the longest to hatch. Depending on the water salinity, the newly hatched larvae showed significant differences: the longest and largest larvae hatched from the control eggs and those incubated at the lowest salinity. The larvae incubated at 2‰ showed the highest percentage of malformed individuals. The salinity of 3‰ proved too high for the sea trout embryos; they failed to hatch and died while still in the egg. Low salinity (up to 2‰) did not affect the duration and course of embryogenesis in the sea trout.

The objective of the study was to analyze nerves of the wing of the ostrich. The investigation was conducted on 8 wings of two-day old chicks of the ostrich. The situation of the nerves of the brachial plexus was described and shown on the schemes, on which they were projected on bones of the adult bird using Adobe Photoshop CS. The analysis was documented by photographs.

This article deals with the subject of optimizing the streams of input deliveries when rational, regular, cyclical deliveries syn-chronized with production needs are required. It examines the costs of storage as well as the costs of production stoppages asso-ciated with a depleted stock of inputs. The subject matter is discussed in terms of cybernetic modelling for optimal control that ultimately provides the basic parameters for the level of the safety stock and the cycle of deliveries. The optimization criterion is a function minimizing the total costs of storage and of production coming to a halt because of depleted stock of inputs.

The investigations were carried out on 3.5 years old 20 half-bred horses. The measurements were made during an active race training. The ultrasonographic examination of SDFT (superficial digital flexor tendon) was carried out with a linear transducer 6-8 Mhz. The averaged values of cross-sectional area measurements were 92.36 mm² at level A, 95.23 mm² at level B and 105.59 mm² at level C. The results were statistically analyzed with t-Student test.

The goal of this study was to analyse changes in plant communities of the Wyskoć Ditch (near Poznań in western Poland) over the last 30 years. Vegetation diversity increased, but the red-listed association Sagittario-Sparganietum emersi (dominant in the 1970s) was replaced by plant associations characteristic of more fertile waters. In 1979, in the same section of the watercourse, only 3 plant associations were found, compared to 12 in 2007. In contrast, the area covered by vegetation decreased nearly twofold. These transformations are due to environmental stress, linked with changes in chemical conditions caused mostly by intensive farming, but also with changes in physical conditions, resulting primarily from direct human interference (ditch restoration works) as well as the growth of aquatic plants and trees and shrubs on the banks. Shading of long sections of the watercourse by trees and shrubs limits the growth of plants in water and has led to a substantial reduction of the area covered by them. Results of this study indicate that under moderate human pressure, some red-listed aquatic vegetation may disappear from watercourses, but their vegetation diversity may increase anyway and the ecosystems still greatly enhance the biodiversity of agricultural landscape.

Ninety-three hearts of birds belonging to five species representing the Anseriformes were used in the study. Morphological and imaging examination was conducted on the material using an X-ray apparatus (RTG). In most species each free margin of the cusp of the aortic valve had the nodules of the semilunar cusp. It can be assumed that the structures mentioned above are the evidence of a specific adaptation of birds to their lifestyle – diving. A lot of terms to describe the aortic valve and its adjacent structures were suggested. Morphological and X-ray research will contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the aortic valve of sea birds able to dive very well. The study will also let us relate basic ecological examination with clinical sciences.

The paper covers modeling of processes characterized by fluctuations. In the theory of forecasting two kinds of models are used: additive and multiplicative models. The generalization about them is the additive model with nonlinearly changeable amplitude of fluctuations according to any nonlinear time function. If there is the inverse function towards the one amplitude's modeling, dependence on time can be exchanged with dependence on the trend. If there is assumption of constant amplitude, the presented model leads to the simple additive model. Assumption of amplitude directly proportional to the trend leads to the multiplicative model. The model was verified on an example of inflation in Poland. The model with nonlinearly changeable amplitude of fluctuations resulted in smaller errors than the ordinary multiplicative model and the multiplicative models, where seasonality was distinguished with use of centered 12-month moving average and Cenzus Method II X-11.

The study was performed in three variants with the fry fed only on zooplankton, on mixed diet of zooplankton and dry food and only on dry food. The best parameters of growth were obtained for the fry fed on mixed diet and they were significantly bigger from those obtained for the fry fed on zooplankton. The survival of all variants was very good, however fry fed only on dry prepared diet survived in smallest amount. Fry fed on living zooplankton developed the behaviour typical of predators, observed already from the second day of feeding, that is fast attack to prey, in contrary to fry fed on dry prepared diet. These fish collected food mainly from the bottom of the tank and showed increased mobility only at the moment of food supply.

The study was to determine the effect of the composition of modified atmosphere and the type of packaging material on physico-chemical properties and sensory quality of minimally processed coleslaw mix stored for 12 days at 4°C. Samples were packaged in Flow HB 50 EZ Peel (OPP/PEEVOH) film with oxygen permeability of 3 cm³/m²/24 h or in Opalen 55 AF (OPA/PE) film with oxygen permeability of 35 cm³/m²/24 h, with and without microperforation. Tested vegetable salads were packaged in air atmosphere or in modified atmosphere with an O₂/CO₂ percentage ratio of 70/30 and 80/20. It results from conducted analyses that the application of Opalen 55 AF 50 film (with oxygen permeability of 35 cm³/m²/24 h) with 2 x 10 microperforation and modified atmosphere containing 70%O₂/30%CO₂ and 80%O₂/20%CO₂ makes it possible to maintain good sensory quality of coleslaw mix during 12-day storage at 4°C. In all analyzed samples a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) of solids content was recorded during storage. After 12 days pH in samples packaged in modified atmosphere, irrespective of the applied type of film, was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower that in air atmosphere packaged vegetable salads.

Studies consisted in the evaluation of predator's pressure on hatch of Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus living in cities and agricultural areas by means of laying artificial nests (camouflaged and open). The stronger predator's pressure on pheasant's hatches in urban than agricultural areas was found. Higher pheasant population density in cities as compared to neighboring agrocenoses at stronger predator's pressure on pheasant's hatches in city area suggests that other environmental factors have higher influence on pheasant population than predator's pressure. Corvids Cervidae, namely European magpies Pica pica in cities, while Red fox Vulpes vulpes then Corvids in rural areas are the main damage perpetrators among pheasant's hatches. In cities, predators damaged first of all nests on open area, while in agricultural area, their penetration focuses mainly the middle-field trees.

Contradictory opinions exist regarding the fatty acids content of the bioemulsifier obtained from Yarrowia lipolytica yeast. Our research with Y. lipolytica EH 59 strain showed that cells cultivated on glucose, glycerol or soybean oil excreted a bioemulsifier which does not contain fatty acids permanently bound to polysaccharide-protein matrix. Fatty acids profiles of cell membranes and the bioemulsifier posed similar composition, indicating that rather than being a selective excretion, they are impurities from the cells responsible for the detection of fatty acids in the bioemulsifier.

In dairy herds lameness caused by foot diseases, especially lameness are a big economical and health problem. After infertility and mastitis, lameness is placed on third position among main causes of economic losses in milk production in Poland. Improper housing conditions and nutritional deficiencies are the main reasons of the problem. The aim of this study was the estimation of the biotin and Zn-methionine feed additives on feet health in first and second trimester of lactation. The study was conducted in three groups of cattle, 30 animals each. Cows in group I – control group, were fed with average ford used on the farm, cows in group II – had added biotin in 10 mg/d/cow, cows in group III – had added biotin in 10 mg/d/cow and Zn-methionine in 5 g/d/cow. At the beginning and the end of the experiment reproduction indexes and feet health were assessed. Our results show better feet health in cows supplemented with biotin or/and Zn-methionine, although the best result had cows supplemented with both together. biotin and Zn-methionine supplementation favourably affected reproductive indexes in treated cows. The results justify using these food supplements in feet disorders in dairy cows.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of fifteen herbs on the growth of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris (A.a.). Contrary to our expectations, the majority of the selected herbs stimulated the A.a. growth. The most efficient in inhibition of A.a. growth was extract of dog rose, characterized by low antioxidant activity. Exposition on 10% extract of dog rose fruit or dwarf everlast flower enabled the reduction of A.a. cells number by about 80% (when compared with control without herbal extract) after 60 h of culturing. In the same concentration extracts from nettle leaves diminished the growth by 70%, while roots of liquorice and angelica by 50%. Although the extracts concentrations applied in the experiments were too high to become competitive (economic considerations) with chemical disinfectants, in the many of cases the inhibitory effect was stronger for lower doses of herbs. It suggest that the further research on the impact of herbal extracts (of concentration below 1%) on A. acidoterrestris growth is needed. In the presented study, no correlation between antioxidant potential of examined herbs and their inhibitory effect on A.a. growth was shown.

The study presents results from studies of energy expenditure (EE) in work associated with stand establishment and early stand treatment. The performed experiments comprised six operations carried out on seven work stations. The net energy expenditure was determined through measurements of pulmonary ventilation conducted with an MWE-1 energy expenditure meter. The author determined per-minute values of the energy expenditure for individual activities (n=14) as well as the energy cost of an 8-h workday for each work station. The effective work time constituted from 49.4 to 74.1% of the work shift while rest and personal breaks amounted to 12.7–23.5%. The net unit energy expenditure ranged from 7.5 to 31.7 kJ × min^-1, whereas the net energy cost of a workday ranged from 3.9 to 11.9 MJ. A majority of the five examined operations were categorized as very heavy work – and the remaining two (motor-manual cutting of weeds and the job of a helper during planting) with the energy expenditure below 6.3 MJ were classified as moderate.

Effects of temperature (10; 14; 20; 24; 30°C) on the duration and course of embryogenesis, embryo movements in tench Tinca tinca (L.) were observed vertically and horizontally using two set-ups, each consisting of a microscope, digital camera, monitor, video recorder, and a computer. The results showed that small tench eggs including the eggs cells of v = 0.49 ±0.4 mm³, had sticky egg shell, whose external part had an irregular structure and a few openings that closed rather quickly upon hydration. However, on the internal part of the shell there were oval pores present throughout the entire embryogenesis. During the embryogenesis, which at 24°C lasted approximately 840 H° following observations were made: sideways situated germinal disc due to the lack of the lipid droplet was a characteristic for the cyprinid fishes; yolk sac was divided after approximately 415 H° into two parts; specific somatic and "trembling" embryo movements. Right after the hatching the individuals whose mean length was 3.49 ±0.54 mm had a small (v = 0.21 ±0.15 mm³) yolk sac. The early stage embryogenesis was retarded in the temperatures that were too low.

In order to estimate the biothermic conditions of north-east Poland, Błażejczyk's sensible temperature index STI was applied, which is based on the analysis of human heat balance. STI value was determined using the simplified version of the model based on the following term data from 12 o'clock UTC: air temperature, relative air humidity, steam pressure, wind speed, and cloudiness by low (C_L) and middle (C_M) clouds. Data were taken from 10 meteorological stations in north-east Poland, and the period of the study was years 1966–2000. Sensible temperature index STI fell within the range of below -38°C to over 55°C. To the particular values of the STI index, Błażejczyk attributed heat sensations in a seven-degree scale of subjective heat sensations – from "very cold" to "very hot". Mean STI values and the frequency of the occurrence of the particular heat sensations were presented for months, seasons, and a year. Time trends of sensible temperature STI were determined for four seasons and a year, and a spatial diversification of this index in north-east Poland was carried out. Sensible temperature STI showed a statistically significant increase in the period of 35 years in all seasons only in Suwałki, and at the remaining stations, a significant increasing trend of this temperature occurs during spring and winter. The highest sensible temperature increase, from 0.57°C in Płock to 1.99°C in Suwałki fell in the spring, except the station in Ostrołęka where in that season, a negative and statistically insignificant tendency was noted. Spatial picture of the distribution of sensible temperature STI shows an increase in its values from the north towards the south of the studied area in all the seasons of the year except winter, in which a decrease in STI values takes a direction from SW to NE.

In the present paper changes of biometric characters of a total of 249 juvenile specimens of Siberian sturgeon in the heated water culture are discussed. Investigations were made on specimens from 0+ and 1+ age groups in the five total length classes. The analysis involved 11 meristic and 34 metric characters. In addition, the analyses of the so-called Soljan index – SOLJ, the relative position of barbels CA, width of snout FB as well as the length and weight of fish were performed. Most of the metric characters of the Siberian sturgeon show an allometric growth affected by the specific conditions of culture. Meristic characters of the species examined in the aquaculture are subjected to the significant variability in different directions.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of consumption of foods, which are sources of vitamin D and calcium, among secondary school youth depending on sex, body weigh status and physical activity. The investigated population included 618 students (305 girls and 313 boys) aged 16 to 20 years, from 8 randomly selected secondary schools in the city of Poznań. Dietary intake data was obtained using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and physical activity was assessed with the use of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). It was found that boys in comparison to girls consumed more frequently (p < 0.05) products containing higher amounts of vitamin D and calcium (hard cheese, fish, fish preserves and seafood, eggs). Also young subjects with higher level of physical activity in comparison to less active ones consumed more often (p < 0.05) products rich in vitamin D and calcium (milk, yoghurt, kefir, buttermilk, beef, veal). Overweight and obese students declared more rarely (p < 0.05) consumption of some foods rich in calcium as well as sweets in comparison with students with a proper body mass. The findings of this study show that overweight and obese, as well as physically non-active students, especially girls, may be at risk of an insufficient supply of calcium and vitamin D. Moreover, it seems that the estimation of dietary habits of overweight and obese students might be burdened with a respondent error.

The possibility of the genetic verification of forest materials on the basis of morphological and isoenzyme markers and also of genetic markers directly characterizing DNA was evaluated. Against this background the basis of the genetic verification of progeny of forest trees using the Backmann elimination law was presented. Examples were given of using isoenzymes for the identification of populations and genotypes and also of the genetic markers of the RAPD, ALP, PCR-RFLP type and of the micro-satellite DNA for the identification of populations and genotypes of selected species of forest trees.

We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of biometric measurements for determining the individual condition of the European Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus. The study included 153 female Roe Deer obtained in Autumn 2007 in Warmia and Mazury region. We measured carcasses supplied to the purchase center in Zwierzyniec using a zoometric stick and measurement tape. Division into 4 weight classes was accepted for this study due to the objective difficulties associated with the age life evaluation of wild Roe Deer. General measurements characterizing the development of particular body parts were taken into account during the evaluation: chest depth, chest width, and chest circumference. The measurement-based calculations allowed us to determine the chest capacitance index (CI) and we determined the variability between particular biometric measurements by calculating correlation coefficients. We confirmed differences in body weight among Roe Deer from the northeastern (Podlasie) and Warmia and Mazury areas of Poland. We found a mean value of 66.4% for the CI of female Roe Deer. This value was apparently higher in the second weight class (P ≤ 0.05), which was reflected in a characteristic oval shape of the chest and an apparent elongation in the 2 following classes. We found significant positive dependencies between carcass weight and the values of all biometric parameters.

This paper concerns with the production of the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), representative of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), in aphids Rhopalosiphum padi L. and Sitobion avenae F. Three aspects of the subject have been investigated: (I) 'centre' of H₂O₂ occurrence; (II) variability of H₂O₂ production in aphids, in response to dietary chemicals; (III) 'molecular source' of H₂O₂, amongst free radiacals and oxidases.  It is known that the H₂O₂ production focuses in the midgut and in the salivary secretions. Compounds among o-dihydroxyphenolics e.g. caffeic acid, (+) – catechin, L-dihydoxyphenylalanine, increase rate of H₂O₂  production. Whereas, monophenolics e.g. p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzolic acid, ferulic acid are rather non-prooxidant. Presence of superoxide anion (O₂^·–) in the midgut – major 'compartment' of H₂O₂ generation – evidences that O₂^·– participates in 'chemical route' of H₂O₂ generation. Polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1), primary biocatalyst of Aphididae for the oxidative metabolism of the phenolic allelochemicals, seems to provide O₂^·–, precursor of H₂O₂. The aphid H₂O₂ generated in the midgut and additionally also in the saliva appears as toxic by-product of the oxidation of the o-dihydroxyphenolic allelochemicals. Visualization of H₂O₂ is accomplished via the ferricyanide-ferrichloride staining method. 'Amount' of H₂O₂ is determined via UV-spectrophotometry, A₂₄₀. O₂^·–  is examined with the conventional Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) microscopic assay. The results indicate that each amongst used assay is simple, sensitive and specific for determined molecule and that all they can be used to visualize/measure of H₂O₂ and O₂^·– in animal and plant cells and tissues. I recommend these methods for  education in biochemistry.

Three species of Tenthredinidae feeding on bracken fern were recorded within the area of Ślęża Landscape Reserve (Lower Silesia). Larvae of oligophagous species Aneugmenus padi were present during all the 3 years of study in spruce forest site. They were most abundant there at the turn of June and July.

The group of 81 endangered species (79 of them are mentioned at regional Red Book of Plants) have been recorded in the 44 selected fishpond complexes of the central-eastern Poland (Południowopodlaska lowland). The studies demonstrated the importance of these elements in the agricultural landscape of the Polish lowlands as refugees for endangered plant species, especially those ecologically associated with hydrogenic sites.

Two series, acyclic and cyclic aminophosphonates were synthesized for potential agrochemical application. They differed inside the series in substituents at the phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen atoms. Their efficiency to destabilize erythrocyte (RBC) and lipid model membranes (BLM), to change plant membrane properties (Nitellopsis obtusa, Beta vulgaris ssp. L. rapacea, Syringa vulgaris L., Cucumis sativus), to change activity of the antioxidative enzymes and chlorofil content in plant (Cucumis sativus) and to inhibit plant growth (Spirodela oligorrhiza) were studied.
The results obtained enabled classification aminophosphonates studied into three classes: useless as potential pesticides, of medium potential biological activity and those that changed the above-mentioned parameters of the objects studied sufficiently enough to treat them as good potential pesticides. Analysis was then done to determine what structural features of aminophosphonates were responsible for their activity. The general and obvious conclusion was that this activity is directly related to the lipophilicity of particular compounds. However, such an approach was found to be too simple. For instance, the compounds with iso-propyl groups attached to the P atom had lower lipophilicity in comparison with compounds with n-C₄H₉ groups attached at this atom but their efficiency to influence the studied parameters was greater. This effect may be the result of better screening of the polar part of the molecule by the branched i-C₃H₇ group.
A greater activity was observed for acyclic compounds. Incorporation of various ring structures into substituents at the N and P atoms decreased that activity. The results obtained may be useful in the synthesis of new compounds for agrochemical application.