Mammal responses to predator scents across multiple study areas

Antipredator behaviors allow prey to mitigate the impacts of their predators. We investigated antipredator responses of two herbivore species, roe deer and European hare, and one mesopredator, red fox, toward predation risk imposed by lynx and wolf. We collected data (using camera traps) on visitation frequency and vigilance behavior to olfactory predator stimuli during 158 standardized scent trials in five areas across Europe, where lynx and wolves either occurred or had been absent for centuries. After a period without scent, trial sites were either marked with lynx or wolf urine, or butyric acid (unspecific scent used to contrast species-specific scent responses). We expected the two herbivores to respond aversively (reduced visitation frequency, and increased vigilance) to predator urine, while red foxes (scavengers) might adopt a risk-sensitive exploration strategy by increasing vigilance near predator urine without reducing visitation frequency. For all species, we expected stronger responses toward the ambush predator lynx than to the pursue predator wolf (cryptic predator hypothesis). If prey responds more strongly to predator stimuli when coexisting with the predator, we expected stronger reactions to predator urine in areas where predators occurred (naïve prey hypothesis). Roe deer significantly avoided lynx urine and butyric acid, but not wolf urine. However, roe deer visitation frequency did not differ between scent treatment with large carnivore urine and butyric acid (suggesting that roe deer generally avoid areas with unfamiliar scent), or between areas where large carnivores were present and absent. Hares did not significantly avoid predator urine. Red foxes were attracted to lynx urine in sympatry, but not in allopatry with large carnivores. They increased vigilance rates in the presence of lynx urine independent of sympatry/ allopatry with large carnivores. These findings generally confirm our expectations of predator avoidance by herbivores, and attraction combined with increased vigilance of mesopredators. In all species, lynx urine elicited stronger responses than wolf urine (although not significantly different), which to some extent conforms to the cryptic predator hypothesis. We found no support for the naïve prey hypothesis. However, higher attraction of red foxes to lynx urine in sympatric situations might indicate that positive responses by scavengers are learning based.publishedVersio

Organization of Patient Management and Fungal Epidemiology in Cystic Fibrosis

The achievement of a better life for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is mainly caused by a better management and infection control over the last three decades. Herein, we want to summarize the cornerstones for an effective management of CF patients and to give an overview of the knowledge about the fungal epidemiology in this clinical context in Europe. Data from a retrospective analysis encompassing 66,616 samples from 3235 CF patients followed-up in 9 CF centers from different European countries are shown

Assessing the accuracy of current near infra-red reflectance spectroscopy analysis for fresh grass-clover mixture silages and development of new equations for this purpose

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether Near Infra-Red Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) prediction equations calibrated on grass silage samples, could accurately predict the chemical composition of mixed grass-clover silage samples, and furthermore, to develop and calibrate new grass-clover equations should the grass-based equations be insufficiently accurate for these silages. A set of 94 silage samples from mixed grass-clover swards (clover concentration (CC) ranging from 4 to 1000 g/kg as fed; determined manually) were analysed for chemical composition using reference laboratory techniques, in vivo digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD, in sheep), and in situ degradability of dry matter and crude protein (in cows). The same samples were scanned fresh (undried and unmilled, as is standard practice for silage analysis within UK laboratories) using NIRS (at AFBI, Northern Ireland) and grass-based prediction equations applied. Predicted and observed results were compared. Of 15 chemical components that were tested for prediction accuracy, only volatile-corrected dry matter and nitrogen were well predicted (RPD values of 4.9 and 2.4 respectively, with low root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP)). Neutral detergent fibre and DOMD showed low RPD values, however the predicted and observed datasets had no significant bias between them and were therefore also considered as fit for purpose. Variables with significant bias between predicted and observed datasets that were not considered suitably accurate included crude protein, acid detergent fibre, microbial dry matter yield and the effective degradability of protein. For many components, bias could be attributed at least in part to CC and changes in the fractionation of nutrients present. For some variables such as crude protein, grass-based equations were sufficiently accurate at low CCs but became inaccurate as CC increased, as expected. In response to inadequate prediction accuracy of certain nutrients, new grass-clover equations were calibrated using the obtained spectra. These were validated and results indicated that the grass-clover-based equations outperformed their grass-based counterparts. The adoption of new grass-clover equations, or alternatively, with further development, the use of a CC correction factor to the existing grass-based equations, is recommended for commercial laboratories offering undried and unmilled silage analysis on samples containing clover

Controlling in the Conditions of Czech Republic

The paper deals with the issue of controlling the Agriculture of the Czech Republic, using methods of activity-based costing. The basic premise of knowledge is based on a given topic, especially the nature of the method ABC (Activity Based Costing). The paper described the application of the ABC design method in Microsoft Excel applicable in the agricultural sector of the Czech Republic. The proposed application of the ABC method, using Microsoft Excel, is an alternative to using expensive costing ABC special software. Created ABC method application also demonstrates that if somebody wants to improve approach in the overheads management, so it can be used by using quite common user knowledge of Microsoft Excel

Regional Dimensions of Knowledge Processes in the Sectors of Transport and Logistics and ICT in the Zilina Region

The paper presents the results of the APVV project - Regional dimensions of knowledge economy, which was solved in the Department of Communications, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina during 2008 - 2011. The paper briefly describes logistics sector and ICT sector in the Zilina region and their knowledge management. Significant results of the project were achieved through knowledge biography, which maps creation, processing and dissemination of knowledge. Based on this methodology the case studies in selected logistics and ICT enterprises in the Zilina region were created. The results of sectoral analysis and knowledge biographies of enterprises resulted into finding that knowledge is the most strategic "material"; learning is a critical process for maintaining competitiveness of enterprises and that relevant aspects together create key mechanism for regional differentiation

Post-fledging Dependent Behaviour, Dispersion and Migration of Young Eastern Imperial Eagles from Slovakia as Revealed by Satellite Telemetry

In 2005, five nestling Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca) were fitted with battery-powered GPS Satellite Transmitters (PTTs) in Slovakia to study their behaviour after fledging, two of them in the east and the other three in the west of the country. The PTTs (LC4s made by Microwave Telemetry, Inc. USA) had one of the batteries removed to reduce the weight, and weighed about 90g. A total of 598 GPS fixes were received. The number of locations varied between 45 and 244 per bird, the tracking periods between three months and one year. From a female (PTT 59281, “Stefani”), a total of 110 GPS fixes were acquired during 23 August 2005 – 26 August 2006