Characteristics of the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils on the Twardowice Plateau (Silesian Upland)

The paper presents the results of investigations on the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils. The research was carried out in the area of the Twardowice Plateau (the Silesian Upland) within 9 areas adjacent to xerothermic grasslands. The investigated flora consisted of 220 vascular plant species with the dominance of native taxa. Plants of xerothermic grasslands and thermophilous edges were the most numerous (32%). The dominance of Libanotis pyrenaica in 4 of the examined areas should be emphasized. The percentage of meadow species was also considerable (25%). Anthropophytes comprised 18% of the flora of fallow lands and archaeophytes prevailed among them (9%). Solidago canadensis, an invasive species, was the constant component of the investigated fallows and sometimes its coverage was remarkable. As a result of the high proportion of xerothermic and thermophilous plants, plants associated with dry soils and soils having an intermediate character between dry and fresh, as well as plants preferring slightly acidic to alkaline soils poor in nitrogen compounds predominated in the investigated fallows. Perennial plants prevailed (65%) in the studied flora and slightly more than half of the species reproduced only by seeds. Competitive plant species (C strategists) had the highest proportion (39%) and species with intermediate strategies CSR, CR and CS were also numerous. The investigations have shown that there are favourable conditions for settling and growth of many xerothermic species in the investigated fallow lands. Moreover, the neighbouring grasslands are the seed source for these areas

Characteristics of the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils on the Twardowice Plateau (Silesian Upland)

The paper presents the results of investigations on the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils. The research was carried out in the area of the Twardowice Plateau (the Silesian Upland) within 9 areas adjacent to xerothermic grasslands. The investigated flora consisted of 220 vascular plant species with the dominance of native taxa. Plants of xerothermic grasslands and thermophilous edges were the most numerous (32%). The dominance of Libanotis pyrenaica in 4 of the examined areas should be emphasized. The percentage of meadow species was also considerable (25%). Anthropophytes comprised 18% of the flora of fallow lands and archaeophytes prevailed among them (9%). Solidago canadensis, an invasive species, was the constant component of the investigated fallows and sometimes its coverage was remarkable. As a result of the high proportion of xerothermic and thermophilous plants, plants associated with dry soils and soils having an intermediate character between dry and fresh, as well as plants preferring slightly acidic to alkaline soils poor in nitrogen compounds predominated in the investigated fallows. Perennial plants prevailed (65%) in the studied flora and slightly more than half of the species reproduced only by seeds. Competitive plant species (C strategists) had the highest proportion (39%) and species with intermediate strategies CSR, CR and CS were also numerous. The investigations have shown that there are favourable conditions for settling and growth of many xerothermic species in the investigated fallow lands. Moreover, the neighbouring grasslands are the seed source for these areas

Effect of age of Japanese quail on physical and biochemical characteristics of eggs

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of age of birds on egg quality in Japanese quail. The eggs were randomly selected from among all eggs laid on the same day when the birds were 15, 23 and 31 weeks old. At each time point, 90 fresh eggs were evaluated for their physical and biochemical characteristics. Egg weights were similar over time. At 23 and 31 weeks, the eggs had less shell than at 15 weeks. Crude fat and ash contents of the eggs increased with the age of the birds. Crude protein was also highest in eggs of the oldest quail. At 31 weeks old, the eggs were lowest in pH of yolk and white. Quail that were 23 and 31 weeks old laid eggs with significantly higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents. The lowest cholesterol content was in egg yolks from 23-week-old quail. The oldest birds had the highest contents of sodium, potassium, zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese. The content and activity of lysozyme decreased with ageing of the birds. From the consumers’ point of view, eggs from older birds appeared to be the most valuable. At the same time, as the quail ages, the antibacterial properties of eggs deteriorate, which may indicate a shorter shelf life

Manual Therapy Versus Closed Kinematic Exercises—The Influence on the Range of Movement in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

Reduced range of motion is one of the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. These deficits are believed to have a negative impact on activities of daily living. The aim of the study was to examine how manual therapy and closed-chain kinematic exercises affect the range of motion in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Sixty-six patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited and divided into three groups: manual therapy group, exercise group, and control group. The following parameters were evaluated before and after 10 days of rehabilitation: the range of motion in the open and closed kinematic chain using Orthyo sensors, pain intensity using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the subjective functional assessment in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The results indicate an increase in the range of motion after manual therapy in the open chain test and an increase in the possible range of motion in the closed chain test in the exercise group. Both study groups showed significant improvement of WOMAC-assessed function and a significant decrease of VAS-assessed pain following rehabilitation. Manual therapy and exercise affect the range of motion in patients with knee osteoarthritis. When examining the range of motion, it is worth taking into account various biomechanical conditions

Utilization of selected organic acids and their mixtures in feeding of broiler chickens

Celem przeprowadzonych badań było określenie wpływu dodatku średniołańcuchowych kwasów tłuszczowych (MCFA), maślanu wapnia, kwasu benzoesowego i ich mieszanin, jako potencjalnych stymulatorów wzrostu w żywieniu kurcząt rzeźnych. Doświadczenie przeprowadzono na 12 grupach ptaków żywionych dietami zawierającymi dodatek kwasu benzoesowego – B (0,1%), maślanu wapnia – MW (1%), średniołańcuchowych kwasów tłuszczowych (MCFA): kapronowego – K1 (0,85%), kaprylowego – K2 (0,85%), kaprynowego – K3 (0,85%), ich mieszaniny w stosunku 1:1:1 – MCFA (0,85%) oraz mieszaniny kwasu kaprynowego i kaprylowego w formie triglicerydowej (0,3%) w stosunku 1,4:1 – MCT. Grupa kontrolna pozytywna (PC) zawierała dodatek kokcydiostatyku – salinomycyny, w ilości 70 mg/kg. W grupie kontrolnej negatywnej (NC) nie zastosowano żadnych dodatków. We wszystkich okresach odchowu nie stwierdzono poprawienia wskaźników odchowu w stosunku do PC i NC (P<0,05). W okresie od 1. do 14. dnia życia najgorszym przyrostem charakteryzowały się grupy BK2 i BMCFA, natomiast najwyższy współczynnik zużycia paszy na 1 kg m.c. występował w grupie BMW (P<0,05). W okresie od 15. do 35. dnia życia najgorszym przyrostem i zużyciem paszy na 1 kg przyrostu charakteryzowały się ptaki z grupy MWMCFA (P<0,05). W przypadku grup BMCFA, BMCT i BMW również stwierdzono wzrost współczynnika zużycia paszy (P<0,05). W całym okresie doświadczenia (do 35. dnia życia) pogorszenie przyrostów masy ciała ptaków stwierdzono w grupie BMCFA, natomiast negatywny wpływ dodatków na współczynniki zużycia paszy występował w przypadku grup BMW, BMCT, BMCFA oraz MWMCFA (P<0,05).The aim of this study was to determine the effect of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), calcium butyrate, benzoic acid and their mixtures as potential growth promoters in feed for broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on 12 groups of birds fed with the diets containing the addition of benzoic acid – B (0.1%), calcium butyrate – MW (1%), medium-fatty acids (MCFA): caproic – K1 (0.85%), caprylic – K2 (0.85%), capric – K3, and their mixtures (0.85%) in the ratio 1:1:1 – MCFA and the mixture of capric and caprylic acid in a form of triglycerides (0.3%) in the ratio 1.4:1 – MCT. The positive control (PC) included addition of a coccidiostatic – salinomycin in the quantity of 70 mg/kg. The negative control (NC) did not contain any additives. In all periods of rearing, no improvement in performance results were observed in relation to PC and NC (P<0.05). In the period from 0 to 14 days, groups BK2 and BMCFA were characterized by the worst body weight gains, while the highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in group BMW (P<0.05). In the period from 15 to 35 days, the birds from group MWMCFA were characterized by the worst growth and the worst FCR (P<0.05). In the case of BMCFA, BMCT and BMW groups, FCR was high (P<0.05). During the entire period of the experiment (1-35 days), the deterioration in body weight gains of the birds was observed in group BMCFA, while the birds from BMW , BMCT, BMCFA and MWMCFA groups were characterized by negative effects of experimental additives (P<0.05) on feed conversion ratio

Effect of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) on growth performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens

Celem przeprowadzonych badań było określenie wpływu dodatku średniołańcuchowych kwasów tłuszczowych jako potencjalnych stymulatorów wzrostu w żywieniu kurcząt rzeźnych. Doświadczenie przeprowadzono na 6 grupach ptaków, żywionych dietami z takim samym udziałem (0,85%) kwasu kapronowego, kaprylowego i kaprynowego oraz ich mieszaniny (33:33:33%). Pozostałe dwie grupy były kontrolne (negatywa, pozytywna). W grupie kontrolnej pozytywnej dieta zawierała dodatek kokcydiostatyku – salinomycyny, w ilości 70 mg/kg. W okresie od 1. do 35. dnia odchowu kwas kaprynowy wpłynął na zmniejszenie pobrania paszy przy jednoczesnym pogorszeniu przyrostów masy ciała kurcząt, w porównaniu do grupy kontrolnej pozytywnej, oraz polepszenie współczynnika konwersji paszy w okresie od 15. do 35. dnia i od 1. do 35. dnia w porównaniu do grupy kontrolnej negatywnej (P≤0,05). W przypadku kwasu kaprylowego i mieszaniny trzech kwasów organicznych stwierdzono identyczne statystyczne zależności odpowiadające grupie z dodatkiem salinomycyny we wszystkich okresach trwania doświadczenia (P≤0,05). Natomiast u kurcząt żywionych mieszanką z dodatkiem kwasu kapronowego stwierdzono pogorszenie współczynnika konwersji paszy, zarówno w okresie od 15. do 35. dnia, jak i od 1. do 35. dnia (P≤0,05). W przypadku innych parametrów nie stwierdzono statystycznie istotnych zależności (P≤0,05).The aim of this study was to determine the effect of medium chain fatty acids as potential growth promoters in feeding of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on 6 groups of birds fed the diets with the same proportions (0.85%) of caproic, caprylic and capric acids and their mixture (33:33:33%). The remaining two groups were controls (negative, positive). The positive control included an addition of coccidiostatic – salinomycin in the amount of 70 mg/kg. In the period from 1 to 35 days, capric acid resulted in reduction of feed intake and lower weight gain of chickens in comparison with the positive control and the improvement of feed conversion ratio in the periods from 15 to 35 and from 1 to 35 days of life in comparison with the negative control (P≤0.05). In the case of the caprylic acid and a mixture of three organic acids, identical statistical relations were observed in all periods of the experiment in the group supplemented with salinomycin (P≤0.05). In chickens fed the diets with caproic acid, deterioration of the feed conversion ratio in the period from 15 to 35 days and from 0 to 35 days of life was recorded (P≤0.05). No statistically significant correlations were found for other experimental parameters (P≤0.05)

Effect of Dietary Protein Sources Substituting Soybean Meal on Growth Performance and Meat Quality in Ducks

The study aimed to examine the growth performance and meat quality of Pekin ducks fed diets consisting of various protein source alternatives (groups: II&mdash;yellow lupin (YL) and rapeseed meal (RSM); III&mdash;YL and narrow-leaved lupin (NLL); IV&mdash;pea and YL; V&mdash;RSM, YL, NLL and pea) to (I) soybean meal (SBM) and RSM. Four hundred and twenty ducks were assigned to five groups with six replicates (14 birds per group). After 7 weeks, 10 ducks from each group were slaughtered. Breast muscles were analyzed for water-holding capacity, drip loss, color, and elasticity. Productivity parameters did not differ between groups I and II but were lower in V. The weight of carcass, neck with skin, skin with subcutaneous fat and total fat were highest in group II. The proportion of wings was higher in group V. In group II, lightness (L*) was higher, but redness (a*) was lower. In groups, I and III, L* was lower and a* was higher. Breast muscles contained more protein in groups I and II, more fat in groups I and III and more water in groups II and IV. The inclusion of vegetable protein alternatives to SBM in duck diets provided the best results in birds fed with YL and RSM (ratio of 1:0:31 in starter and 1:0.81 in grower)

Mobile Applications in Evaluations of Knee Joint Kinematics: A Pilot Study

Because medical professionals lack the means to monitor exercises performed by patients in their home environment directly, there is a strong case for introducing technological solutions into this domain. They include methods that use wireless inertial sensors, which emit signals recorded and processed by special applications that work with mobile devices. This paper&rsquo;s aim is (a) to evaluate whether such sensors are suitable for qualitative and quantitative motion analysis, and (b) to determine the repeatability of results over a few recordings. Knee joint activity was analysed using a system of inertial sensors connected through a Wi-Fi network to mobile devices. The tested individuals did eight different activities, all of which engaged the knee joint. Each excercise was repeated three times. Study results did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the three measurements for most of the studied parameters. Furthermore, in almost every case, there were no statistically significant differences between the results of the right and left lower limb (p &gt; 0.05). This study shows that easy use and repeatability of results combined with the feature of quantitative and qualitative analysis make the examined method useful for functional evaluations of the knee joint

Quality and Physicochemical Traits of Carcasses and Meat from Geese Fed with Lupin-Rich Feed

The aim of the study was to analyze the quality of geese meat receiving feed with soybean meal (group 1), yellow lupin (group 2), narrow-leaved lupin (group 3), or white lupin (group 4). In total, 400 male White Kołuda&reg; geese were randomly assigned to four groups, with 10 replicates and 10 birds each, during the 77-day rearing period. After the end of the rearing period, 10 birds from each group were slaughtered and dissected. Meat quality traits were measured. Based on the production results, it can be concluded that geese use fodder with yellow and white lupin to the same degree as in the case of the control group and higher body weight gain was recorded in the first rearing period. In contrast, the use of narrow-leaved lupin in mixtures for geese worsened the feed used. Meat traits were similar in all groups, including the content of muscles and fat in the carcass (p &gt; 0.05), excluding abdominal fat. The weight of abdominal fat and its proportion in the carcass were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in geese from group 4. A higher (p &lt; 0.05) pH was found in group 1. The protein and intramuscular fat content in breast muscles was highest (p &lt; 0.05) in geese from group 4, and a higher water content was found in group 1. The protein content in leg muscles was higher in group 3, and the fat content was higher in group 4 (p &lt; 0.05). The color and water-holding capacity of meat were comparable in all groups (p &gt; 0.05). The analysis revealed a positive effect of replacing soybean meal with alternative protein sources, especially yellow and white lupin, on the growth performance and quality of goose meat