Towards understanding Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) development: effects of microhabitat variability in naturally growing horse-chestnut tree canopy

Dwelling intensity of horse-chestnut miner (Cameraria ohridella) larvae in various leaves insolation and temperature was measured to determine whether this pest’s development follows a predictable pattern or depends more on local microenvironment conditions. Mines growing on leaves of mature host plants (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in their natural conditions were photographed for two consecutive generations of the pest and in two separated vegetation periods. Apart from meteorological data obtained from the nearest station, the temperature of intact and mined parts of sun-exposed and shaded leaf blades was measured at various daytimes throughout the experiment. Obtained sets of digital data were analysed and combined to model mine area growth as a function of degree-days sum by adopting of Verhulst logistic equation. We showed the predictive potential of our model based on experimental data, and it may be useful in the scheduling of pest control measures in natural conditions. Our analyses also revealed that despite significant differences in microenvironment conditions depending on mines’ insolation, the horse-chestnut miner larvae could partially compensate for them and complete their development at similar endpoints expressed as the cumulative sum of degree-days. We conclude that computer-aided analysis of photographic documentation of leaf-miner larval growth followed by mathematical modelling offers a noninvasive, reliable, and inexpensive alternative for monitoring local leaf-miners populations

Functional properties of polyurethane ureteral stents with PLGA and papaverine hydrochloride coating

Despite the obvious benefits of using ureteral stents to drain the ureters, there is also a risk of complications from 80-90%. The presence of a foreign body in the human body causes disturbances in its proper functioning. It can lead to biofilm formation on the stent surface, which may favor the development of urinary tract infections or the formation of encrustation, as well as stent fragmentation, complicating its subsequent removal. In this work, the effect of the polymeric coating containing the active substance-papaverine hydrochloride on the functional properties of ureteral stents significant for clinical practice were assessed. Methods: The most commonly clinically used polyurethane ureteral Double-J stent was selected for the study. Using the dip-coating method, the surface of the stent was coated with a poly(D,L-lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) coating containing the papaverine hydrochloride (PAP). In particular, strength properties, retention strength of the stent ends, dynamic frictional force, and the fluoroscopic visibility of the stent during X-ray imaging were determined. Results: The analysis of the test results indicates the usefulness of a biodegradable polymer coating containing the active substance for the modification of the surface of polyurethane ureteral stents. The stents coated with PLGA+PAP coating compared to polyurethane stents are characterized by more favorable strength properties, the smaller value of the dynamic frictional force, without reducing the fluoroscopic visibility.Web of Science2214art. no. 770

Biotesty ekotoksykologiczne jako narzędzie do ciągłego monitoringu jakości wody w zbiornikach zaporowych

Ecotoxicological biotests were applied in order to evaluate their suitability as early warning systems in the continuous monitoring of lowland shallow dam reservoirs located in Central Europe. The following biotests were used: Daphtoxkit F™magna, Algaltoxkit F™, Ostracodtoxkit F, Phytotoxkit and MARA Test. The experiment was conducted from July 2010 to December 2012 in Goczalkowice Reservoir (the Vistula River, Poland), serving as a model. For the analysis, 41 out of 52 measured water indices were used to assess its toxicity to living organisms. The results of biotests were correlated with 41 hydrochemical indices of water quality. The pattern of relationships among the result of biotest and hydrochemical indices as well as Factor Analysis (FA) and Primary Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that: i) signs of ecotoxicity detected with biotests were associated with either low flow periods or spring surface runoff of water; ii) single events of increased ecotoxicity in the depression areas behind saddle dam pump stations appeared after high flow periods; iii) elevated toxicity was accompanied by high concentrations of dissolved and suspended substances; iv) FA and PCA demonstrated correlations among the results of biotests and damming parameters, water conductivity, alkali and transitory metal metals (Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn), and several forms of nitrogen phosphorous and carbon compounds concentration. The relationships suggest that batteries of biotests may serve as a cost-eff ective tool for continuous monitoring of water quality in dam reservoirs and can detect effects of extreme hydrologic events, local toxic discharges, and signs of the trophic status of the reservoirs.Celem pracy była analiza zastosowania biotestów ekotoksykologicznych do oceny ich przydatności jako systemów wczesnego ostrzegania w ciągłym monitoringu nizinnych, płytkich zbiorników zaporowych zlokalizowanych w Europie Środkowej. Zastosowano następujące biotesty: Daphtoxkit F™magna, Algaltoxkit F™, Ostracodtoxkit F, Phytotoxkit i MARA Test. Badania prowadzono od lipca 2010 do grudnia 2012 roku na Zbiorniku Goczałkowickim (Wisła, Polska), który pełnił funkcję modelu badawczego. Do analizy wykorzystano 41 z 52 zmierzonych wskaźników wody celem oceny jej toksyczności na organizmy żywe. Wyniki biotestów skorelowano z 41 hydrochemicznymi wskaźnikami jakości wody. Schemat zależności między wynikiem biotestów i wartościami wskaźników hydrochemicznych oraz wyniki analizy czynnikowej (FA) i analizy składowych pierwszorzędowych (PCA) wykazały, że: iii) oznaki ekotoksyczności wykryte za pomocą biotestów były związane albo z okresami niskiego przepływu, albo z wiosennym spływem wód powierzchniowych; iii) po okresach wzmożonych przepływów wystąpiły pojedyncze przypadki zwiększonej ekotoksyczności w obszarze obniżenia tamy bocznej za przepompowniami zapory; iii) podwyższonej toksyczności towarzyszyły wysokie stężenia substancji rozpuszczonych i zawieszonych; iv) FA i PCA wykazały korelacje między wynikami biotestów i parametrami piętrzenia, przewodnością wody, metalami alkalicznymi i przejściowymi (Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn) oraz kilkoma grupami związków azotu, fosforu i węgla. Uzyskane wyniki analizy sugerują, że baterie biotestów mogą służyć, jako efektywne, nisko kosztowe narzędzie do ciągłego monitorowania jakości wody w zbiornikach zaporowych i mogą wykrywać negatywne skutki ekstremalnych zdarzeń hydrologicznych, lokalnych zrzutów zanieczyszczeń oraz zmian stanu troficznego zbiorników. Wyniki sugerują, że biotesty mogą pomóc w ciągłym monitorowaniu poziomu troficznego zbiorników zaporowyc

Analysis of Transport Conditions for Frozen Food on the Way from the Shop to Home

The transport of temperature sensitive products takes place under special conditions defined by specific agreements and international standards. The only exception to this rule is consumer transport. This transport is carried out by the consumer and takes place on the way home from the shop. The study examined consumers' awareness of the consumer transport of frozen food and analysed this type of transport in terms of the continuity of the cold chain. Such situation affects the deterioration of frozen food quality especially in case of its later storage in the home freezer. It was found that the average distance that customers cover from shop to home was 4.98 km. They usually used a car and covered this distance in an average of 12.85 minutes. During the summer months, this time is sufficient to partially thaw a package of frozen vegetables. Only 33% of the respondents used insulated bags to protect frozen food on the way home. When analysing the transport of frozen raw material carried out by consumers in real conditions, the use of insulated bags was found to be justified. These bags are able to keep the temperature of the packed raw material below −5°C. It was found that the legal imposition of the necessity to use such bags or the introduction by the manufacturer of frozen food of appropriate packaging protecting the food against transport at inappropriate temperatures in the summer months is necessary

Modified gelatine structures as packaging material for frozen agricultural products

Gelatine gels modified by hydrated paper pulp (PP), ground extruded starch (ES) and hydrogel balls (HGB) were formed so that after the crosslinking process, the plates of suitable thickness could be obtained. Then the material was freeze-dried and the obtained porous gelatine structures as well as styrofoam (XPS) as the reference material were tested for thermal conductivity and bending. The temperature fields were examined during the thawing process of products placed inside the test packagings with modified gelatine structures and polystyrene as well as temperature field profile on outer surface of these packs. The studied materials resemble styrofoam in terms of thermal insulation and exhibited medium thermal conductivity ranging between 0.047 and 0.081 [W·(mK)-1]. The bending strength of the materials under investigation proved higher than that of styrofoam and this fact supports their applicability as an alternative for frozen agricultural products packages

Modified gelatine structures as packaging material for frozen agricultural products

Gelatine gels modified by hydrated paper pulp (PP), ground extruded starch (ES) and hydrogel balls (HGB) were formed so that after the crosslinking process, the plates of suitable thickness could be obtained. Then the material was freeze-dried and the obtained porous gelatine structures as well as styrofoam (XPS) as the reference material were tested for thermal conductivity and bending. The temperature fields were examined during the thawing process of products placed inside the test packagings with modified gelatine structures and polystyrene as well as temperature field profile on outer surface of these packs. The studied materials resemble styrofoam in terms of thermal insulation and exhibited medium thermal conductivity ranging between 0.047 and 0.081 [W·(mK)-1]. The bending strength of the materials under investigation proved higher than that of styrofoam and this fact supports their applicability as an alternative for frozen agricultural products packages

Simple Approach to Medical Grade Alumina and Zirconia Ceramics Surface Alteration via Acid Etching Treatment

In order for bioceramics to be further used in composites and their applications, it is important to change the surface so that the inert material is ready to interact with another material. Medical grade alumina and zirconia ceramic powders have been chemically etched with three selected acidic mixtures. Powder samples were taken for characterization, which was the key to evaluating a successful surface change. Changes in morphology, together with chemical composition, were studied using scanning electron microscopy, phase composition using X-ray diffraction methods, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms are used to evaluate specific surface area and porosity. The application of HF negatively affected the morphology of the material and caused agglomeration. The most effective modification of ceramic powders was the application of a piranha solution to obtain a new surface and a satisfactory degree of agglomeration. The prepared micro-roughness of the etched ceramic would provide an improved surface of the material either for its next step of incorporation into the selected matrix or to directly aid in the attachment and proliferation of osteoblast cells