A local Gaussian filter and adaptive morphology as tools for completing partially discontinuous curves

This paper presents a method for extraction and analysis of curve--type structures which consist of disconnected components. Such structures are found in electron--microscopy (EM) images of metal nanograins, which are widely used in the field of nanosensor technology. The topography of metal nanograins in compound nanomaterials is crucial to nanosensor characteristics. The method of completing such templates consists of three steps. In the first step, a local Gaussian filter is used with different weights for each neighborhood. In the second step, an adaptive morphology operation is applied to detect the endpoints of curve segments and connect them. In the last step, pruning is employed to extract a curve which optimally fits the template

Wild boars as a source of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli

To reveal wild boars as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance 332 faecal samples were collected from individual wild boars shot during 42 hunts within two seasons (2012/13 and 2013/14) in 34 regional forests scattered over the whole territory of Poland

Morphological-developmental reaction and productivity of plants and canopy of semileafless pea (Pisum sativum L.) after seed vaccination with Rhizobium and foliar micronutrient fertilization

The determinants of semileafless peas (Pisum sativum> L., cv. Tarchalska) crop productivity were studied during two vegetative seasons: cool 2010 and warm 2011 in south part of Poland (Modzurów 50°09’N 18°07’E; 274 m. a.s.l.. Peas was treated either with seed vaccine (NitraginaTM) containing Rhizobium bacteria or foliar micronutrient fertilizer (PhotrelTM) or both of them. The range of peas response to treatments included biometrical measurements and also the measurements of vegetation indices namely, green area index (GAI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), carried out in the specific stages of development, which for the compared objects were generally insignifi cant. In the warmer growing season, pea plants grew better, what resulted in a very high yield of seeds per plant, determined by a greater number of large seeds. It was shown that the length and weight of pea pod and the number of seeds formed in the pod depends on its position on the particular node. The longest pods, characterized by the greatest weight and number of seeds, developed on the lower nodes: 1st and 2nd one. The pea pods forming on higher nodes, from the 3rd, had reduced number of fruits and the weight of a single seed. The shortest pods were growing out of the 5th and 6th nodes, at the top of the stem. Analysis of the single pea seed mass shows a highly significant effect of its position in the fruit on pod productivity. Seeds located in the central part of the pod had the greatest mass, and this accuracy, as highly significant, was found for the pods containing from 3 to 8 seeds. The tested agrochemical treatments did not differentiate the chemical composition of seeds

Salmonella contamination of pig farm environment, Poland, 2014

Although pork is considered an important source of Salmonella infections, the introduction of control programs in pig farms are not obligatory in the EU. To resolve current epidemiological situation, monitoring of pig farms was introduced in Poland in 2014. The paper reports the first year outputs of the survey

Interleukin 1-β, Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist, and Interleukin 18 in Children with Acute Spontaneous Urticaria

Very little is known about the role of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in urticaria. Material and Methods. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and IL-18 were measured in 56 children with urticaria and in 41 healthy subjects. Results. Serum IL-1β did not differ between children with acute urticaria and controls. Children with single episode of urticaria had higher levels of IL-1RA and IL-18 than healthy subjects. In children with single episode of urticaria, level of IL-1RA correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and IL-1β levels. In subjects with recurrence of urticaria IL-1RA was positively correlated with WBC and D-dimer levels. No correlation of cytokine levels and urticaria severity scores (UAS) in all children with urticaria was observed. In children with single episode of urticaria UAS correlated with CRP level. In the group with single episode of urticaria and in children with symptoms of upper respiratory infection, IL-1RA and IL-18 levels were higher than in controls. The former was higher than in noninfected children with urticaria. In conclusion, this preliminary study documents that serum IL-1RA and IL-18 levels are increased in some children with acute urticaria. However further studies are necessary to define a pathogenic role of IL-1β, IL-1RA, and IL-18 in urticaria

Helminths associated with terrestrial slugs in some parts of Europe

A survey of helminths associated with terrestrial slugs focusing on the invasive Arion vulgaris and the native A. ater was conducted on populations from France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Poland. In total, 648 terrestrial slugs were collected from 18 sample sites, and identified by means of morphological examination, dissection of genitalia and molecular analysis using mitochondrial DNA. In addition to A. vulgaris and A. ater, also A. vulgaris/A. rufus hybrids and A. ater/A. rufus hybrids were collected. Helminth species were identified based on morphological features and sequencing of the 18S and ITS rDNA regions. The parasites included four nematode species: Alloionema appendiculatum, Angiostoma sp., Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, Entomelas sp., two trematode species: Brachylaima mesostoma, Eurytrema sp., and one cestode (tapeworm) species: Skrjabinia sp. Alloionema appendiculatum was the most common helminth in the investigated slug populations. Furthermore, we found higher prevalence of trematodes in the invasive A. vulgaris compared with the native A. ater, while differences in the prevalence for nematodes were not as clear.publishedVersio

Agricultural Academy

Abstract . Effects of heavy metals from polluted soils on the roots and nodules formation. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Intensive development of transport in suburban areas contributes to excessive accumulation of heavy metals in cultivable soils. The negative effect of heavy metals on legumes becomes apparent in specifi c concentrations in the soils, hence it is not always possible to determine direct harm of environment to the growth of plants root system. The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of soil conditions on root system weight, weight and number of root nodules in different legumes species; fi eld pea (Pisum sativum) and spring vetch (Vicia sativa). Additionally, we assess the degree of metals accumulation in roots dry mass. Research studies have shown that an increase in heavy metals content in agricultural soils in an urbanized area results in a decrease in microbiological activity of soils, their fertility, and in consequence a decrease in plants productivity. Metals pollution of soils resulted in deterioration of biometrical parameters of the root system and deterioration of effi ciency of the symbiotic system. Field pea showed little sensitivity to the presence of heavy metals in the soil. Spring vetch was more sensitive to soil pollution, developing lesser root mass. Field pea was less sensitive to the cultivation station, the effect of which was a lower level of zinc, chromium and nickel accumulation. Moreover, fi eld pea showed high detoxifi cation capacity, accumulating a large amount of lead in the roots