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Presented paper deals with comparison of chosen methods used for the business cycle identification. With respect to this aim nonparametric method (kernel smoothing) and Box-Jenkins methodology were used. This comparison is performed by application on economic activity in USA 1960/Q01-2007/Q01. The residuals are tested by Box-Pierce test. Identified trend is discussed with chosen historical events which affect business cycle in the USA.

There is a need for fast, cheap and sufficient accurate methods for prediction of barley grain quality. The determination of Brabender hardness seems to be promising. The aim of this work was to compare three different methods for evaluation of graphic output from Brabender farinograph and subsequently select the most optimal method for routine laboratory work. 108 samples (twelve cultivars from three localities and three years) were analyzed for grain hardness. Simultaneously selected parameters of grain and malt were determined. The correlations among methods for evaluation were estimated as well as among selected technological traits of barley grain and malt.
Grain hardness expressed by area under curve (counted by specific weight of paper 'A' and measured by planimetr 'B') showed tendencies to distinguish the varieties by their malting quality. The same trend was not observed for the method C (hardness expressed by maximum value of peak). Nearly perfect positive correlation (0.99***) was found between the results of method A and method B. Medium correlation was found between values obtained by method A and method C (0.58***).
Significant correlations were established between values obtained by method A and extract (-0.63***), mash method according to Hartong and Kretschmer (-0.61***), the Kolbach index (-0.70***), friability (-0.71***), β-glucans in wort (0.76***), partly unmodified grains (0.71***), and non-starch polysaccharides content (in total β-glucans and pentosans) (0.67***).
Hardness values obtained by method C were related to partly unmodified grains (0.52**), β-glucans in grain (0.61**), and non-starch polysaccharides content (in total β-glucans and pentosans) (0.56**).
The most appropriate evaluation method was selected on the base of results of Tukey test as well as the level of correlation among the hardness level and selected quality parameters.

The aim of the research work was to evaluate phytotoxicity of mesotrione in poppy (Papaver somniferum). The amount of spraying water (150, 300 and 450 l per hectare) was compared as well. In the end, the different growth stimulators (Atonik - 0.6 l.ha^-1, Route - 0.8 l.ha^-1) and the adjuvants (Atplus 463 - 0.5% solution, Silwet 77 - 0.1 l.ha^-1) wre tested. Degree of phytotoxicity of individual variants was assessed by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence (parameter: maximum quantum yield of electron transport in photosystem II - QY) in 1st to 21st day after treatment. The results showed that the application of mesotrione caused phytotoxicity on poppy plants. The most significant phytotoxicity is evident at doses of 450 l spraying water per hectare. Addition of growth stimulators and adjuvants increases the phytotoxicity (decreases the value of QY) compared to the herbicide application itself. The mesotrione reduced the weight of dry plants by 15 % (150 l of spraying water), 1 % (300 l of spraying water) and 64 % (450 l of spraying water) compared to control variant.

High quality and purity of DNA isolated from food and feed is essential for species identification and has unpredictable influences an effect of analysis. In this study, the efficiency of eight different methods for DNA isolation was investigated. For DNA extraction, the raw chicken meet, ham, sausages, tinned lunch meat, pate, tinned feeds for dogs, complete granulated feeds for dogs and chicken flour were used. Kits of several different producers, i.e.: NucleoSpin Food (Marchery-Nagel), Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit (Promega), Invisorb Spin Food Kit I (Invitek), Wizard SV Genomic DNA Purification System (Promega), JetQuick Tissue DNA Spin Kit (Genomed), RNA Blue (Top-Bio), JetQuick Blood & Cell Culture Kit (Genomed), QIAamp DNA Mini Kit and QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit (Qiagen) were employed in the study. Gel agarose electrophoresis for primary verification of DNA quality was performed. The isolates were subsequently assessed for quantity and quality using by spectrophotometer Nanodrop 2000 (Thermo Scientific). To verify of template usability and quality of isolated DNA, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used.
Differences between isolated DNA from tinned products and meat, ham, sausage, granulated dog feed and chicken flour were found. In tinned food and feed, the DNA was more degraded, DNA content and DNA purity was lower and also PCR amplification was the most difficult. Overall DNA yield and quality have important influence on PCR products amplification. The best results were obtained with NucleoSpin Food and JetQuick Tissue DNA Spin Kit. DNA extracted by these methods proved highest yields, purity and template quality in all foods and feeds and the results of PCR analysis are excellent reproducible. Analyses showed that results depended on different food or feed using and different isolation system.
The results of this work will be utilized to choose the suitable isolating kit for educational course, which is designed for students and also for following research and analyses.

Forest roads pavement structures are considered to be low volume roads. These roads serve as a mean of transport of wood and people. Besides they are currently often used for recreational purpose. The construction of the pavements should be suitable for forest transportation irrespective of their low bearing capacity. These pavement structures are very specific for special unbound materials that are used in their construction. To meet the requirements of the pavement designs and simulation analysis the FEM model in the software ANSYS was created.
This paper compares two material models used for the description of the behaviour of unbound materials. The first is linear elastic according to Hook theory (H model) and the second one is nonlinear plastic model Drucker-Prager (D-P model). ANSYS software has been used to create flexible model based on the parametrers of variable principle. The flexible model is parametric to realize repeated calculations useful for optimization analysis.

In the paper an approach to support of strategic management process using the Balanced Scorecard method is discussed. The main focus is primarily directed to the customer perspective as the most important determining factor of today's strategic management. The article suggests general framework for construction of individual performance indicators from this field independently on particular implementation of existing information system in the organization. Methods of gaining necessary information from organization's database and from organization's environment using customer research are considered.