In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of selected essential oil components against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum causing bacterial soft rot of potato tubers

Pectinolytic bacteria cause bacterial soft rot of potato tubers. The most significant losses occur during storage. The efficacy of essential oil (EO) components carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, d-carvone, l-menthone, R-(+)-limonene and thymol was tested against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) and Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pa). Disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests were performed in vitro, as well as potato disc and whole tuber maceration tests in vivo. Under in vitro conditions, cinnamaldehyde was the most effective against both bacteria (MIC 0.5 μL/mL, MBC 1.5 μL/mL). Both bacteria were found to be more susceptible to d-carvone (MIC 1.5-2.5 μL/mL, MBC 2.5 μL/mL) and thymol (MIC 2.5-5 μL/mL, MBC 3-5 μL/mL). R-(+)-limonene was the least effective. Results from the potato tuber disc maceration test confirmed a significant antibacterial effect of cinnamaldehyde at a concentration of 1.5 μL/mL. No rotted area was observed on potato tuber discs after treatment with l-menthone at concentrations of 2.5 μL/mL and 10 μL/mL against Pcc. A more pronounced effect was obtained when carvacrol was used at concentrations of 5 μL/mL against Pcc and 10 μL/mL against Pa. Disease severity tests on potato tubers after soaking for 20 min at MIC concentration of the EO components followed by 7 days of incubation at room temperature and 15 oC confirmed the antibacterial activity of cinnamaldehyde (0.5 μl/ml), l-menthone (2.5 μl/ml) and carvacrol (5-10 μl/ml). Cinnamaldehyde, l-menthone, and carvacrol may be recommended for further testing to treat stored potato tubers.O

The Image of the Czech Agriculture Based on the National Television News in the Period of Adaptation of Czechia into the European Union: Regional Perspectives

Agriculture represents one of the most important economic activities that co-creates the qualities of landscapes. While topics such as food production, land utilization, or the development of rural regions are typically taken into account when analysing agriculture, regionally differentiated media portrayals of agriculture constitute a largely innovative approach. The main objective of this paper is to analyse and interpret agriculture-oriented news about individual self-governing regions in Czechia that were broadcasted in the framework of the national TV reporting. The paper is conceived as a historical study of the creation of the image of agriculture in the period from 2004 to 2011, which we define as the period of adaptation of Czech agriculture to the EU. The article includes both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. In summary, the media portrayals of agriculture largely differ from real conditions in Czech self-governing regions. Important themes, such as common agricultural policy or organic farming, have been mostly ignored within regionally focused national TV coverage. On the contrary, TV news is typically focused on one or a few phenomena of unusual or negative character, which is consistent with the gatekeeping conception.O

A newly discovered species of the genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861, subgenus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 from Doi Phu Kha National Park, Thailand (Scorpiones, Scorpiopidae)

A new scorpion species, Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) doiphukha sp. nov., belonging to the family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905, is described based on 12 specimens of both sexes (three adults and nine immatures) collected in Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan Province, Thailand. The new species presents key features exhibited by scorpions of the subgenus Euscorpiops and can be characterized notably by a large size, a sexual dimorphism strongly marked with male pedipalps elongated, a distinct trichobothrial pattern and other morphological features. This new taxon represents the 115th species among the currently recognized species for the genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861, and the 44th species described for the subgenus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980. It is likely an endemic element of Thailand's scorpion fauna, raising the number of known Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) species in the country to 13. Ecological and distributional aspects of the new species are discussed and compared with closely related Scorpiops species, highlighting its distinctiveness within the genus.O

Modelling of online shopping behavior in the Czech online environment

The online environment has its own specifics, which shape the specific behavior of all market subjects, both customers and companies that trade electronically. The aim of the paper is to create, quantify and verify a conceptual comprehensive model of relationships between determinants that influence consumers when shopping online. The impetus for the conducted research was the discovery of the non-existence of a comprehensive model of online shopping behavior that reflects the specifics of the online environment. The main research method is the method of online questioning in the form of a questionnaire survey among a selected group of Czech respondents (n = 926) shopping online with the aim of evaluating the determinants of online shopping behavior. The results of the questionnaire survey are subsequently used to build a comprehensive model of online shopping behavior, which was statistically compiled and verified using the PLS-SEM method, which, based on statistical data, estimates the size and quality of the links between the measured (manifest) and assumed unmeasured (latent) variables. The results show that the selected factors (31 factors) explain up to 82.53% of the variability of the total variance. The results of the correlation analysis of the factors confirmed that the defined factors are not mutually dependent and that in the comprehensive model the factors are not only identified but also statistically significant. The results also confirmed that the correlation of e.g. psychological factors are stronger than dependence on other investigated factors in the comprehensive model of online shopping behavior. The research clearly showed that the key factors for customers when shopping online are Security and risk elimination (SE), together with the Online distribution and logistics (OD) and Online payments (OP). Impulsive online shopping was identified by customers as the least important factor. The validated model provides a comprehensive explanation of the current phenomenon of online shopping that integrates and extends previous studies identifying behavioral models of online shopping behavior.O

Selenium Status of Southern Africa

Selenium is an essential trace element that exists in inorganic forms (selenite and selenates) and organic forms (selenoamino acids, seleno peptides, and selenoproteins). Selenium is known to aid in the function of the immune system for populations where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is endemic, as studies suggest that a lack of selenium is associated with a higher risk of mortality among those with HIV. In a recent study conducted in Zambia, adults had a median plasma selenium concentration of 0.27 μmol/L (IQR 0.14-0.43). Concentrations consistent with deficiency (<0.63 μmol/L) were found in 83% of adults. With these results, it can be clearly seen that selenium levels in Southern Africa should be investigated to ensure the good health of both livestock and humans. The recommended selenium dietary requirement of most domesticated livestock is 0.3 mg Se/kg, and in humans above 19 years, anRDA (recommended daily allowance) of 55 mcg Se/per dayisis recommended, but most of the research findings of Southern African countries have recorded low levels. With research findings showing alarming low levels of selenium in soils, humans, and raw feed materials in Southern Africa, further research will be vital in answering questions on how best to improve the selenium status of Southern African soils and plants for livestock and humans to attain sufficient quantities.O

Intelligent finance and change management implications

Change management is the embodiment of an enterprise's core competence. It provides competitive differentiation and effectively adapts to the ever-changing world. This paper explores the implications of intelligent finance on change management and provides insights into how organizations can effectively manage change to achieve the desired outcomes. The study examines the case of Ping An (Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.), a leading insurance company in China that has successfully implemented intelligent finance and change management strategies. The paper begins with a literature review that provides an overview of the concept of intelligent finance, the relevance of change management in the context of intelligent finance, models, and frameworks for intelligent finance, and approaches to change management. The study then presents a case analysis of Ping An, including descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression analysis, and qualitative findings. The paper concludes with implications for practice and theory, contributions of the study, and recommendations for future research. Overall, this paper contributes to the growing literature on intelligent finance and change management and provides practical insights for organizations seeking to adopt intelligent finance.O

Is regulatory protection of the territory empirically detectable? Analysis of temperature and vegetation trends in the northern area of Bogota with remote sensing.

Este trabajo presenta un análisis de las tendencias de desarrollo urbano del sector norte de Bogotá, en un área de 6930 hectáreas que incluye el Plan de Ordenamiento Zonal del Norte (POZN) y parte de la reserva natural Thomas Van der Hammen (RTVH). El plan propuesto por la Alcaldía mediante el Decreto 088 de 2017 intenta dar coherencia a un desarrollo urbano que ha ocurrido de facto y con importantes consecuencias ecológicas y sociales mientras que la RTVH intenta proteger las características ecológicas de este sector entre los cerros y el rio Bogotá. El método consistió en analizar series de tiempo de temperatura de la superficie y de vegetación mediante técnicas de teledetección e indicadores radiométricos para identificar los cambios estructurales que ha experimentado el sector en términos de sus componentes biofísicos. Los resultados del análisis ponen en evidencia que el proceso de urbanización instalado en el sector norte de Bogotá es el determinante de las tendencias del espacio biofísico observadas, más allá de las figuras de protección legal que existen que incluyen el POZN y la RTVH. En el caso de la RTVH, el marco de protección no ha sido efectivo para preservar las características ecológicas que justificaron su creación. La inclusión de evidencia empírica como la mostrada en este trabajo en la planificación del desarrollo urbano es clave para avanzar en la protección activa del medio ambiente, más allá del discurso normativo.This article analyzes the trends in urban development in an area of 6930 hectares in the northern sector of Bogotá that includes the Northern Zonal Management Plan (POZN, in Spanish) and part of the Thomas Van der Hammen Nature Reserve (RTVH, in Spanish). The plan established by the Mayor's Office through Decree 088 of 2017 seeks to manage an urban development trend that has occurred de facto, with important ecological and social consequences, while the RTVH intends to protect the ecological characteristics of this sector located between the hills and the Bogotá River. The method consisted of analyzing time series of surface temperature and vegetation using remote sensing techniques and radiometric indicators to identify the structural changes experienced by the sector in terms of its biophysical components. The results of the analysis show that the urbanization process taking place in the northern sector of Bogotá is the driver of the observed trends in the biophysical space beyond the legal protection instruments currently in force, including POZN and RTVH. In the case of RTVH, the protection framework has been insufficient to preserve the ecological characteristics that led to its creation. The inclusion of empirical evidence in urban development planning, such as that shown in this work, is key to advancing the active protection of the environment beyond the regulatory discourse.O

Heart Rate Index as a Measure of Physical Workload in Chainsaw Operations

Timber harvesting operations, including manual and motor-manual activities, require workers who are in good health to be able to work effectively. The aim of our paper was to introduce a simplified index methodology for workload assessment. Generally available wearable technology, namely Garmin, Biostrap, and Whoop devices, were used. The dependence of the heart rate (HR) on physical workload was examined to calculate the Heart Rate Index. The case study was performed with several variations of chainsaw devices cutting the poplar wood. It was proved that the use of a heavier work tool, MS 500i/90 cm 9.3 kg, contributes both to the creation of a non-ergonomic working position and to an increase in the energy required to perform work, which was represented by an increase in heart rate. With a lighter work tool and a shorter cutting blade, both a decrease in heart rate and a reduction in the working time performed in a non-ergonomic position were achieved. The results can be used in common practice for workers' self-assessment to increase safety and health protection at work or work productivity, not only in forestry-related professions.O

Sustainability and Outreach in the Microfinance Sector of Ghana

The recent finance sector clean-up in Ghana led to the collapse of a number of microfinance institutions (MFIs), which reignited the discussion of whether MFIs can achieve much-needed financial sustainability while also meeting the goal of reaching out to the poor. In that regard, this paper explores the potential for MFIs to improve the breadth of outreach by fostering financial inclusion and to deepen the depth of outreach by targeting the poor while simultaneously pursuing self-sufficiency and profitability. Using data from the MIX database for 89 MFIs over a 20-year period, we employed fixed and random effects models to show that among other results, outreach is improved when MFIs are financed more by debt than equity and that the pursuit of profitability is a disincentive to outreach. Overall, the results suggest that with improved efficiency in the pursuit of sustainability, MFIs in Ghana stand better chances of achieving outreach both in depth and breadth.O

Landscape and local factors drive pesticide distribution in perennial agroecosystems

Pesticides constitute a major threat to biodiversity, but our understanding of the complex interactions between local and landscape factors influencing their distribution in agroecosystems remains limited. We conducted a pioneering study where we screened spiders, rodents, plants and soils for multiple pesticide residues in perennial crops (orchards and vineyards) managed under organic (N = 8) and integrated pest management (N = 8) systems. We then quantified the proportional representation of major habitat types in surrounding landscapes. Additionally, we conducted interviews with farmers to gain precise insights into pesticide applications. We expected that landscape factors would be more important for mobile entities (i.e. spiders and rodents), while management type would be relatively more important for the sedentary entities (i.e. soils and plants). We detected various pesticides within studied crop types, including several forbidden in the European Union. We found that pesticide distribution in spiders was influenced by the proportion of semi-natural habitats in the landscape, with pesticide concentration decreasing as the proportion of semi-natural habitats increased. Additionally, we observed that the spectrum of pesticides in spiders increased with the dominance of web-building spiders. In contrast, pesticide levels in rodents were not affected by either landscape composition or local management type. For plants, pesticide distribution was affected by the proportion of forests and shrublands and, to some extent, by local management practices. In the case of soil, pesticide distribution was primarily determined by local management. This study marks an effort in demonstrating that both local and landscape factors play crucial roles in shaping pesticide distribution within perennial crops. Importantly, the relative importance of these factors varied across the four matrices investigated. Synthesis and applications: To comprehend the factors that determine pesticide distribution in crops, it is crucial to monitor diverse ecosystem components rather than focusing on a few model species. This approach underscores the necessity for ecologically sensitive management at landscape scale. Such management should involve the preservation and enhancement of (semi)natural habitats around crops. These combined insights can form the foundation for conservation and management initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of pesticides on biodiversity within crops.O