Chlorpyrifos (CPF) was the most frequently used pesticide in food production in the European Union (EU) until 2020. Unfortunately, this compound is still being applied in other parts of the world. National monitoring of pesticides conducted in various countries indicates the presence of CPF in soil, food, and water, which may have toxic effects on consumers, farmers, and animal health. In addition, CPF may influence changes in the population of fungi, bacteria, and actinomycete in soil and can inhibit nitrogen mineralization. The mechanisms of CPF activity are based on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. This compound also exhibits reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and genotoxicity. The problem seems to be the discrepancy between the actual observations and the final conclusions drawn for the substance’s approval in reports presenting the toxic impact of CPF on human health. Therefore, this influence is still a current and important issue that requires continuous monitoring despite its withdrawal from the market in the EU. This review traces the scientific reports describing the effects of CPF resulting in changes occurring in both the environment and at the cellular and tissue level in humans and animals. It also provides an insight into the hazards and risks to human health in food consumer products in which CPF has been detected.
The aim of this article was to review current knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the avian eye and ocular diseases in poultry. The avian visual organ consists of the eye and extraocular organs and, unlike the mammalian eye, is characterised by many structural and functional adaptations that enhance vision. Avian eyes do not have the same functions as mammalian eyes. Bird eyes have high sensory sensitivity and are capable of constellation recognition for star orientation and navigation; they may be regarded as the finest ocular organs in the animal kingdom. It is generally accepted that the considerable differences in the morphology and function of avian eyes are largely due to adaptations to specific activities and environmental conditions. Eye diseases are rarely diagnosed in poultry because, unlike livestock and pets, detailed ophthalmological examinations are not carried out on farmed birds. Nevertheless, poultry are frequently affected by ocular pathologies, including developmental abnormalities, infectious and non-infectious diseases, degenerative processes, tumours, injuries and pathological conditions of unknown aetiology. In poultry, ocular disease is often associated with respiratory and systemic disease. Ocular pathology in farmed birds has a complex aetiology and its incidence can be reduced by controlling the incubation parameters of hatching eggs, avoiding feeding errors in breeder flocks and rearing poultry under conditions that optimise welfare and comply with biosecurity standards.
Oxidative stress, inflammation, and environmental factors contribute significantly to the development of ocular disorders, including dry eye disease, conjunctivitis, and age-related degenerative changes. In recent years, growing attention has been directed toward natural compounds and plant-derived extracts with potential protective and therapeutic effects on eye health. This work provides an overview of selected bioactive substances, such as carotenoids (β-carotene), flavonoids, vitamins C and E, and phytochemicals derived from plants. These agents exhibit antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and regenerative properties that may support ocular surface integrity, reduce oxidative damage, and improve visual performance. The integration of such natural remedies into ocular health strategies may offer complementary benefits to conventional therapies.
The research is aimed at creating a methodology for increasing the positioning accuracy of an industrial robot and minimizing the vibration of the robot gripper by applying machine learning based on the developed mathematical model for estimating the positioning error. Two components of positioning accuracy are considered: geometric and kinematic errors and elastic static deformations. The dynamic error in the partial system of motion of the robot manipulator links is analyzed. The equation of partial motions is obtained from Lagrange’s differential equation of motion of the II kind. The system of differential equations for the positioning error was solved analytically by Euler’s method. An example of modeling the position and orientation error of the gripper due to temperature deformations of the third link for the manipulator scheme is given. An example of the modeling of static deformations and errors of the manipulator with elastic pliability of the robot links is given. An example of dynamic error modeling in a partial system of motion of the robot links is given. The proposed method of modeling robot gripper positioning errors makes it possible to increase the positioning accuracy of the industrial robot and minimize the vibration of the gripper. Having a mathematical model of positioning errors, it is possible to compensate for the positioning error by changing the speed of movement of the gripper reference point before determining the direct kinematic task.
Constructing agricultural microbial gasification plants near livestock farms is essential for technical, economic, and environmental reasons. Utilising substrates from these farms allows for producing electricity, heat, and environmentally friendly manure. However, biogas plants often face technical challenges. This study evaluates the power quality of an agricultural biogas plant on a dairy farm. It was found that the plant was connected via a cable with an insufficient conductor cross-section, leading to significant voltage overshoots exceeding 14.6%, which prevented the activation of the second generator. Both generators could operate after replacing the feed-in cable, but considerable fluctuations in the feed-in voltage persisted. Further measurements indicated the need for changes in the digester design. Specifically, replacing the current two mixers with more lower-powered mixers operating alternately was proposed. Sharing these solutions more broadly can help prevent similar issues in future microbial gas plant constructions and optimise electricity production.
About Me
My research focuses on the structural biology of animal eyes (encompassing multiple pathologies) as well as on the human cornea.
My research focuses on the structural biology of animal eyes (encompassing multiple pathologies) as well as on the human cornea.