EJPAU, 2011, Volume 14, Issue 4

The main objective of the study is to design and fabricate a moisture-based fig sorter. Based on some physical properties of fig fruit which are affected by moisture content, the coefficient of static friction and rolling resistance were introduced as the key characteristics in fig sorting. Considering the mentioned characteristics, a test rig was fabricated. The rig consists of a horizontal feeding belt and three inclined sorting belts driven by an electric motor. The angle of each sorting belt can be manually adjusted. In order to evaluate the sorter, freshly harvested figs having different moisture contents were fed into the sorter. A factorial experiment with two factors including four levels of belt speed (7.2, 8.4, 9.4 and 10.6 m·min-1) and 9 levels of belt slope arrangements (8, 9, 10 – 8, 9, 11 – 8, 9, 12 – 8, 10, 11 – 8, 10, 12 – 9, 10, 11 – 9, 10, 12 – 9, 11, 12 – 10, 11, 12 degree) were conducted in a completely randomized design in four replications. A sorting index was introduced to show the performance of the sorter. Results have shown that the belt slope arrangement and belt speed both have highly significant effect on sorting accuracy. The best sorting accuracy of about 80% was obtained at belt speed of 9.4 m·min^-1 and belt slope arrangement of 8, 9, 10 degrees.

A pot experiments was carried out at National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt, to investigate the effect of IAA (100, 200 and 400 mg∙dcm^-3), NAA (10, 20 and 40 mg∙dcm^-3) and kinetin (25, 50 and 100 mg∙dcm^-3) on Lupinus termis plant growth, yield and seed chemical composition as well as hormones contents compared with untreated plants. The obtained results indicated that the highest number of branches was obtained with kinetin treatment, especially at 100 mg∙dcm^-3. While, the maximum values of both number and dry weight of pods were obtained as a result of foliar application with kinetin at 50 mg∙dcm^-3. Spraying the lupine plants with bioregulators increased significantly the seed number per pod and per plant, and seed yield/plant except those plants treated with IAA at 100 mg∙dcm^-3. Applications of IAA, NAA and kinetin treatments had no significant effect on crop index, harvest index and shelling percentage. The maximum seed yield was recorded with the application of kinetin at 50 mg∙dcm^-3 followed by kinetin at 100 mg∙dcm^-3 as well as IAA at 100 mg∙dcm^-3. High levels of GA and IAA were observed in seeds produced from plants treated by IAA relative to those treated by NAA or kinetin. Spraying the lupine plants with the bioregulators IAA, NAA and kinetin caused an increase in protein content and total carbohydrates and decrease of oil percent in the lupine seeds

The aim of this study was to determine factors, which significantly affect pelt size and fur quality in arctic foxes, and to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values for these traits. Data set consisted of 444 arctic foxes of different colour types was analyzed. All animals were kept at one private farm. The data were collected in 2004 – 2007. The studied traits were body length, body circumference, body size and conformation, colour type, purity of coat colour, coat quality and total score. GLM procedure and Duncan test were used to test significance of differences between means. For all studied traits heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations and breeding values were estimated. For this analysis, traits (graded on the discrete scale) were logistic transformed using L_n function. Four different mixed models with different effects were applied

Phenolic compounds found in the black cherry, Prunus serotina Ehrh., seem to enrich this plant's biochemical defense. The aim of the study was to analyze the tannin content in this invasive tree species. The condensed tannin content in the leaves of P. serotina was determined using vanillin method and it was demonstrated that it changed seasonally, reaching the highest values in July. The results of the histological study, performed in order to observe the tissue localization of the secondary metabolites, suggest that tannin compounds are accumulated mainly in the vacuoles of the upper epidermis and the palisade parenchyma. The observation of the main leaf veins also reveals frequent presence of tannin cells.

The aim of the study was to characterize phenotype response to salt stress under in vitro conditions of four tomato genotypes: 'Malinowy Ożarowski', 'Pokusa', 'Awizo' F1 and Lycopersicon chmielewskii LA2678. Tomato seeds were cultured with 0 (control), 50, 75, 100 and 125 mmol·dm^-3 NaCl in nutrient solutions. The effect of the stress applied on the morphological traits was evaluated in 14 day-old seedlings. The contents of proline in tomato shoots was also examined. Statistical correlations were found in shoot and root length as well as in the number of roots, with the exception of wild form L. chmielewskii. The analysis of variance showed that the highest shoots were grown on 50 and 100 mmol·dm^-3 NaCl solution. The shortest shoots were observed in the control. Longer roots (8.6 cm) were developed by the plants from the solutions containing 100 mmol·dm^-3 NaCl, the shortest (6.6 cm) – 75 mmol·dm^-3 NaCl. NaCl concentration in the medium significantly affected the number of tomato roots. However, the number of roots developed by the wild form of tomato L. chmielewskii was significantly lower in comparison with the other examined cultivars (mean 38-47%). The highest accumulation of proline in tomato cultivars was observed at 125 mmol·dm^-3 NaCl in nutrient solution and in the wild form at 50 mmol·dm^-3 NaCl.

In this paper the results of the relationship between pore pressure differences and time obtained in laboratory flow-pump technique tests in soft organic soils are presented.

The Soil-Water Characteristic is necessary to predict and calculate the real amount of vertical and horizontal deformations which depend on consolidation process and are relatively large in soft organic soils. The consolidation curve is changeable with the different values of load. In the deformation process of soil skeleton, under loading, the porosity decreases and causes the changes of permeability characteristics. Considerable differences in flow parameters between soft, cohesive and uncohesive soils demand to use various methods of water flow measurement in the subsoil under the engineering constructions. The laboratory methods for permeability measurement should model the main course of in-situ flow for fully saturated soils.

Because of very week organic soils structure and specific properties, such as, high porosity, low shear strength and high initial permeability which decrease during consolidation, the method of flow measurement should be suitable. The results obtained in flow-pump laboratory tests indicated that the constant velocity method is very optimized and proper to measure the flow parameters in soft peats.

The goal of the article was to determine the use of European Union's structural funds acquired by communes characterized by different development level localized in Eastern Poland (contains the following provinces: warmińsko-mazurskie, podlaskie, lubelskie, świętokrzyskie and podkarpackie). Statistical analyses led to the conclusion that best developed municipalities acquired the largest amount of European funds. The highest absolute and relative value of implemented projects characterized biggest cities. Faster development in peripheral rural and rural-urban communes resulted mainly from technical and secondarily social infrastructure development. In this group of communes a weak correlation between the volume of acquired funds and development speed was observed.

The aim of this paper is to propose a procedure for interval estimate of nitrogen dose x_r, which allows to achieve a chosen value of wheat production function derivative r. It is shown that the point estimator of x_r follows asymptotically normal distribution. That fact is used for construction of an asymptotic confidence interval for x_r. It is also shown that substituting r with proportion of input and product unit prices allows to use the proposed formula for interval estimation of economically optimal nitrogen dose. An example of such application based on winter wheat fertilizing experiment is given.

The effect of static magnetic field on the choice of direction of movement of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and sea bream (Sparus aurata) fry in a research setting, in which the fish had the option of swimming to one of four chambers at whose entrance magnetic field higher than the Earth's magnetic field was generated. Results on research on sea bream fry show significant correlations between the choice of direction of movement and the level of generated magnetic field. No such response was noted in the case of sea bass fry. These results suggest that some species of fish, despite inhabiting a very characteristic, environment of which the Adriatic coast is, where there is stratification of salinity and temperature and within which migrations of sea bream and sea bass to reproduction and feeding grounds take place, show changes in the direction of movement under the influence of artificially generated magnetic field, and most probably are guided by changes in magnetic field gradient during migrations.

The research dealt with the evaluation of the influence of selected lactic acid bacteria belong to Lactobacillus genus on rye bread quality. The 720 type rye flour served for preparing the leaven with 300% efficiency. Lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis were added into the leaven at the various amounts of 1, 2, 3 cm3and then they were subject to fermentation for 24 and 48 h. The control sample (0) was composed of spontaneously fermenting leaven. Sourdough and subsequently dough was made of the leaven. Lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and yeast counts were determined in the dough. Produced breads were subject to sensory assessment by means of evaluating the following physicochemical features: 100 g bread volume, acidity and hardness of bread crumb, as well as baking loss was calculated. Enriching the sourdough with starter cultures affected the increase of lactic and acetic bacteria as well as yeast counts in the dough made using sourdough fermenting for 24 hours, regardless of the quantity and type of a culture applied. The largest bread volume recalculated onto 100 g was achieved when Lactobacillus plantarum NCAIMB.01149 strain was added into shorter-fermenting sourdough as well as after application of Lactobacillus brevis Lb2 strain for longer-fermenting sourdough. Compared to the control, those breads had also lower baking loss. The increase of bread crumb acidity was mostly influenced on by the addition of Lactobacillus brevis Lb2 and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis Lb9 strains, after sourdough fermentation lasting both 24 and 48 hours. Breads containing these cultures achieved also the largest sum of scores in sensory assessment testing. Applied bacterial strains had no remarkable effects on bread crumb hardness. Worse crumb hardness was shown by breads produced from short-fermenting sourdough.

Three types of feed phosphates: monocalcium (MCP), dicalcium (DCP), and calcium-sodium (CSP), were used in Lohmann Brown laying hens feeding. The content of macro- (Ca, P, Mg, Na) and microelements (Cu, Fe, Zn) in blood serum of birds was determined at a peak and in final phase of laying period. Dicalcium phosphates (DCP) significantly increased mean content of phosphorus when compared to CSP, calcium in relation to MCP, and iron when compared to both phosphates (MCP and CSP). Monocalcium phosphates (MCP) in turn, significantly increased concentration of copper when compared to DCP. Generally, more macroelements (except sodium) and microelements were observed in blood hens in the final phase of laying period, when compared to the first phase of laying period (peak).

A detailed knowledge of the internal structure of the tendon may turn out to be helpful in better diagnosis and possible successful reconstruction of the ruptured common calcaneal tendon.

The aim of the study was to relate individual tendons fibers contributing to the formation of the examined tendon (the common calcanel tendon) with its layers and parts. We examined six separated pelvic limbs of the horse previously fixed in 10% formaldehyde. The layer-by-layer method was used during dissection. We separated individual muscles and then analyzed the internal structure of the full-length common calcaneal tendon between the muscle bellies and the attachment to the tuber calcanei.

The flexor digitorum superficialis constitutes the most superficial layer of the tendon. The fascicle composed of fibers from the soleus and the lateral head of the gastrocnemius forms the deeper layer and it contributes to formation of the medial border of the common calcaneal tendon. Deeper to the latterly mentioned the fascicle of the medial head of the gastrocnemius can be identified. The tarsal tendons of the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus represent the deepest layer of the tendon.

The common calcaneal tendon it is built of the fascicles from individual muscles and that rotation around the long axis of the tendon can be observed.

The aim of the study was to determine an influence of multicomponent preservative added to complete mixtures with lowered protein level for pregnant and lactating sows on nitrogen emission with faeces and physiological indices. The research material were 42 sows divided into 3 nutritional groups. The level of protein and amino acids in the control group was in accordance with recommendations included in Polish standards. The level of protein in experimental groups was lowered of 10 and 20%, and level of lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan was complemented to the level of the control group. The preservative in friable form was added to all mixtures for pregnant and lactating sows in amount of 0.8%. All sows during pregnancy and lactation were fed individually. Samples of faeces and urine from 8 sows from each group were collected at 60^th and 105^th day of pregnancy. The content of dry matter, nitrogen, fibre and ash was determined in faeces samples and nitrogen content was determined in urine. Blood from the jugular vein was collected from 24 sows (8 from each group) on 14^th day of lactation, and protein and fat transformation indices and minerals content were determined in serum. The obtained results of faeces and urine analysis prove that sows from the experimental groups released lower amount of nitrogen by 4 and 7% in faeces at day 60^th, and of 10 and 12% in urine. During high pregnancy period (105^th day) they released less nitrogen of 4 and 8% in faeces, and of 13 and 30% in urine. A decrease in total protein level and urea, and an increase in cholesterol level was observed in blood serum of both experimental groups sows. Protein level in mixtures fed did not influence neither the content of minerals in blood serum nor haematological indices of blood.

The cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery in fallow deer were described using 60 hemispheres. It was demonstrated that the artery gets divided into ten permanent branches. Two rhinal arteries supply the region of the brain located on the border between the old and the archicortex and the neocortex. The other eight branches gets divided into three branches running towards the frontal lobe, two branches – to the region of the parietal lobe and three temporal branches which supply blood to the neocortex only. The frontal, parietal and temporal branches descended independently from the main trunk of the middle cerebral artery or first formed a common trunk.

Dentition was examined in an adult male auroch skull found in the Tuchola Forest (Poland). The investigated skull was almost complete, except for the incisive bones and mandibles, and presented eight upper premolar and molar teeth. Morphologic description and morphometric analysis of these teeth, focusing on occlusal surface features such as nodules, funnels, folds of enamel, prove that auroch dentition is adjusted to the fragmentation of grasses, sedges and herbs, which, in turn, indicates that auroch, being a grazer, was originally associated with steppes and forest steppes.

The skull was found in the Tuchola Forest (Kuyavia and Pomerania Province) in the area of Tuchola. The skull was almost complete, with only a part of the incisive bone and the mandible missing. Observations and measurements allowed to broaden the knowledge about the next morphometric data concerning these extinct species. The capacity of the cranial cavity in investigated species was 710 cm³  and was much bigger then capacity of other Bovidae except for European bison (more than 12 years). The inner length of the cranial cavity measured from the rooster comb to the bregma point was 155 m. The comparison of the capacity of the cranial cavity in auroch with domestic cattle proves the higher capacity of the cranial cavity in auroch. Considering the auroch as the ancestor of the cattle it confirms  Bogolubski's (1968) thesis that wild game has the higher capacity of the cranial cavity in comparison with the related domestic animals.

The zoometric measurements (height at withers and sidelong barrel length) were conducted on 54 cows of red-white colour, of a body mass > 500 kg maintained on one of dairy cattle farms located in south-western Poland. The three genotypic groups were examined: I (phf NL) – 19 cows of Polish Holstein-Friesian breed of Dutch bulls (fathers), II (phf USA) – 19 cows of American bulls, and III (ZR) – 16 cows of Polish Red-White breed. Then the size of bed boxes was designed for these, differing with genotype, cows. The size of beds calculated in the present study was compared to the values recommended in zootechnical literature and current law regulations. The beds on the analysed farm of dairy cattle fulfilled all mandatory standards concerning welfare and cross compliance rules.