Showing papers by "Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz published in 2011"

Increased inbreeding and strong kinship structure in Taxus baccata estimated from both AFLP and SSR data

Abstract: Habitat fragmentation can have severe genetic consequences for trees, such as increased inbreeding and decreased effective population size. In effect, local populations suffer from reduction of genetic variation, and thus loss of adaptive capacity, which consequently increases their risk of extinction. In Europe, Taxus baccata is among a number of tree species experiencing strong habitat fragmentation. However, there is little empirical data on the population genetic consequences of fragmentation for this species. This study aimed to characterize local genetic structure in two natural remnants of English yew in Poland based on both amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite (SSR) markers. We introduced a Bayesian approach that estimates the average inbreeding coefficient using AFLP (dominant) markers. Results showed that, in spite of high dispersal potential (bird-mediated seed dispersal and wind-mediated pollen dispersal), English yew populations show strong kinship structure, with a spatial extent of 50–100 m, depending on the population. The estimated inbreeding levels ranged from 0.016 to 0.063, depending on the population and marker used. Several patterns were evident: (1) AFLP markers showed stronger kinship structure than SSRs; (2) AFLP markers provided higher inbreeding estimates than SSRs; and (3) kinship structure and inbreeding were more pronounced in denser populations regardless of the marker used. Our results suggest that, because both kinship structure and (bi-parental) inbreeding exist in populations of English yew, gene dispersal can be fairly limited in this species. Furthermore, at a local scale, gene dispersal intensity can be more limited in a dense population.

The impact of the Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on the health and performance of broiler chickens.

Abstract: The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effects of feeding grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on morphometric indices of jejunum and to follow the passage of deoxynivalenol (DON) through subsequent segments of the digestive tract of broilers. A total of 45 1-d-old broiler chickens (Ross 308 males) were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments (15 birds/treatment): (1) control diet; (2) diet contaminated with 1 mg DON/kg feed; (3) diet contaminated with 5 mg DON/kg feed for five weeks. None of the zootechnical traits (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion) responded to increased DON levels in the diet. However, DON at both dietary levels (1 mg and 5 mg DON/kg feed) significantly altered the small intestinal morphology. In the jejunum, the villi were significantly (P 0.05) in broilers fed the diet containing DON compared with controls. DON and de-epoxy-DON (DOM-1) were analyzed in serum, bile, liver, feces and digesta from consecutive segments of the digestive tract (gizzard, cecum, and rectum). Concentrations of DON and its metabolite DOM-1 in serum, bile, and liver were lower than the detection limits of the applied liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Only about 10 to 12% and 6% of the ingested DON was recovered in gizzard and feces, irrespective of the dietary DON-concentration. However, the DON recovery in the cecum as percentage of DON-intake varied between 18 to 22% and was not influenced by dietary DON-concentration. Interestingly, in the present trial, DOM-1 did not appear in the large intestine and in feces. The results indicate that deepoxydation in the present study hardly occurred in the distal segments of the digestive tract, assuming that the complete de-epoxydation occurs in the proximal small intestine where the majority of the parent toxin is absorbed. In conclusion, diets with DON contamination below levels that induce a negative impact on performance could alter small intestinal morphology in broilers. Additionally, the results confirm that the majority of the ingested DON quickly disappears through the gastrointestinal tract.

Religiosity, Family Orientation, and Life Satisfaction of Adolescents in Four Countries

Abstract: This study examined the rarely investigated interplay between religiosity, family orientation, and life satisfaction of adolescents across four countries with a Christian tradition and different religious contexts. A mediation relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction through family orientation moderated by the country context of religiosity was examined. In a sample of 1,077 adolescents from France (n = 172), Germany (n = 270), Poland (n = 348), and the United States (n = 287), we found that in all cultures, religiosity had a positive impact on adolescents’ family orientation, which was in turn related to a higher life satisfaction. This link was stronger in cultures with a high overall religiosity (Poland and the United States) as compared to one of the two cultures with the lowest importance of religion (Germany).

Nurses’ sense of coherence and their work related patterns of behaviour

Abstract: This paper is a report on the relationship between a sense of coherence (and its components) and work related patterns of behaviour in the group of nurses. Data were collected by two questionnaires (Antonovsky’s Orientation Questionnaire and Work Related Patterns of Behaviour and Experience Questionnaire) in the sample of 331 volunteer nurses employed in three Polish general care hospitals. The analysis of r-Pearson’s correlation and the linear multiple regression analysis revealed a strong relationship between the sense of coherence and healthy type of behaviour, and a strong negative relationship with a burnout type of behaviour. The results obtained in this study provide grounds for the conclusion that the sense of coherence correlates with healthy functioning at work in the group of nurses.

The molecular structure ordering and orientation of the metallophthalocyanine CoPc, ZnPc, CuPc, and MgPc thin layers deposited on silicon substrate, as studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy

Abstract: In this article, we present orientation study of metallophthalocyanine (MPcs) (CoPc, ZnPc, CuPc, and MgPc) thin films deposited on silicon substrate The MPc’s thin layers were obtained by the quasi-molecular beam evaporation The micro-Raman scattering spectra of MPc’s thin films were investigated in the spectral range 550–1650 cm−1 using 488 nm excitation wavelength Raman scattering studies were performed at room temperature before and after annealing process Annealing process of thin layers was carried out at 200 °C for 6 h From polarized Raman spectra using surface Raman mapping, the information on polymorphic phase of MPc’s layers has been obtained The chosen Raman modes A1g and B1g are connected with different polymorphic phases of MPc (α and β form) thin layers Moreover, the obtained results showed the influence of the annealing process on the ordering of the molecular structure Following the annealing process, it was observed arrangement of the thin layers structure being revealed in Raman spectra The obtained results indicate that the annealing process has a significant influence on the structure of thin layers being under study

Influence of Dicumyl Peroxide Content on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polylactide

Abstract: The aim of this article was to determine the effect of the dicumyl peroxide (DCP) content on thermal and mechanical properties of polylactide (PLA). Reactive extrusion of the PLA and DCP b...

Formation of ultracold SrYb molecules in an optical lattice by photoassociation spectroscopy: theoretical prospects

Abstract: State-of-the-art ab initio techniques have been applied to compute the potential energy curves for the SrYb molecule in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation for the electronic ground state and the first fifteen excited singlet and triplet states. All the excited state potential energy curves were computed using the equation of motion approach within the coupled-cluster singles and doubles framework and large basis-sets, while the ground state potential was computed using the coupled cluster method with single, double, and noniterative triple excitations. The leading long-range coefficients describing the dispersion interactions at large interatomic distances are also reported. The electric transition dipole moments have been obtained as the first residue of the polarization propagator computed with the linear response coupled-cluster method restricted to single and double excitations. Spin-orbit coupling matrix elements have been evaluated using the multireference configuration interaction method restricted to single and double excitations with a large active space. The electronic structure data were employed to investigate the possibility of forming deeply bound ultracold SrYb molecules in an optical lattice in a photoassociation experiment using continuous-wave lasers. Photoassociation near the intercombination line transition of atomic strontium into the vibrational levels of the strongly spin-orbit mixed b(3)Σ(+), a(3)Π, A(1)Π, and C(1)Π states with subsequent efficient stabilization into the v'' = 1 vibrational level of the electronic ground state is proposed. Ground state SrYb molecules can be accumulated by making use of collisional decay from v'' = 1 to v'' = 0. Alternatively, photoassociation and stabilization to v'' = 0 can proceed via stimulated Raman adiabatic passage provided that the trapping frequency of the optical lattice is large enough and phase coherence between the pulses can be maintained over at least tens of microseconds.

Importance of electron correlation effects and basis set superposition error in calculations of interaction energies and interaction-induced electric properties in hydrogen-bonded complexes: a model study

Abstract: A detailed study of the interaction energies and interaction-induced electric dipole properties in model linear hydrogen cyanide complexes (HCN) m (m = 2–4) is carried out within the finite field HF SCF, MP2, CCSD and CCSD(T) approximations using the recently developed LPol-n (n = ds, fs, dl, fl) basis sets. The importance of high-order correlation effects and the basis set superposition error is evaluated. To correct for the latter is crucial for obtaining accurate interaction energy values, but the error can safely be neglected in the estimation of induced electric properties when the LPol-n (n = ds, fs, dl, fl) basis sets are used. Correlation effects are important in the evaluation of both the interaction energies and the induced electric properties of the systems.

Surface morphology studies of laser irradiated and chemically metalized polyamide composites

Abstract: Most of polymers need surface treatment prior to be electroless metalized. Conventionally, polymer substrates are cleaned with solvents to remove surface contaminants, then chemically etched to obtain a micro-roughened oxidized surface, and finally seeded with a catalyst such as palladium. In this work, the method consisting in compositional and physical modifications of polyamide (PA6) was applied. Granulated PA6 was mechanically mixed with copper oxide and copper acetylacetonate powders and glass fibers, then extruded and injection molded to produce samples. The samples were irradiated with ArF excimer laser pulses (λ = 193 nm) and electroless metalized by the use of commercial metallization bath and formaldehyde as a reducing agent. Examinations presented in this work focus on studies of laser induced changes in surface morphology of the prepared samples, as well as on the surface morphology of copper layers deposited on these samples.

Time-resolved spectroscopy of exciton states in single crystals and single crystalline films of YAlO3 and YAlO3 : Ce

Abstract: Luminescence characteristics of single crystals (SC) and single crystalline films (SCF) of YAlO3 and YAlO3 : Ce are studied at 4.2–300 K under photoexcitation in the 4–20 eV energy range. The origin and structure of the intrinsic and impurity defects responsible for various exciton-related emission and excitation bands are identified. The ≈5.6 eV emission of YAlO3 SCF is ascribed to the self-trapped excitons. In YAlO3 SC, the dominating 5.63 eV and 4.12 eV emissions are ascribed to the excitons localized at the isolated antisite defect and at the defect associated with the nearest-neighbouring oxygen vacancy, respectively. The thermally stimulated release of the electrons, trapped at these defects, takes place around 200 K and 280 K, respectively. The presence of -related defects and isolated oxygen vacancies (AlO5 units) in YAlO3 SC is confirmed by NMR measurements. The formation energies of various -related defects are calculated within the density functional theory. The influence of various intrinsic and impurity defects on the luminescence characteristics of Ce3+ centres is clarified.

Selective laser melted prototype of original minimally invasive resurfacing hip endoprosthesis

Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present the main results of a research project finished in 2008 which concerned the selective laser melted (SLM) prototype of a new kind of minimally invasive resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RHA) endoprosthesis with the original multi‐spiked connecting scaffold (MSC‐Scaffold). Previous attempts performed in pre‐Direct Metal Manufacturing (DMM) era demonstrated that it was impossible to manufacture suitable prototypes of this RHA endoprosthesis (especially of the MSC‐Scaffold) using traditional machining technologies. Owing to an extensive development of DMM technologies observed in recent years the manufacturing of such prototypes has become possible.Design/methodology/approach – Computer aided design models of pre‐prototypes and the prototype of the RHA endoprosthesis with MSC‐Scaffold were designed and initially optimized within the claims and the general assumptions of international patents by Rogala. Prototyping in SLM technology was subcontracted to SLM Tech Center...

Population genetic structure of Juniperus phoenicea (Cupressaceae) in the western Mediterranean Basin: gradient of diversity on a broad geographical scale

Abstract: The genetic structure and diversity of ten natural populations of Juniperus phoenicea L. from the western part of the species range have been studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Among 10 analyzed primers only 3 reproduced consistently across successful PCR reactions and gave 45 loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P) and Nei’s heterozygosity (H e ) have average values of 64.9% and 0.177. The average expected heterozygosity of particular populations positively correlate with latitude and negatively with altitude (τ = 0.556, P = 0.025; τ = −0.494, P = 0.047, respectively). The proportion of genetic variation contributed by the differences between populations was low (G ST = 0.056). The gene flow (N m) has an average value of 4.2, and was higher in subsp. turbinata (7.3) than in subsp. phoenicea (4.1). Significant proportion of the variation (ΦST = 0.106) was attributable to differences among populations, as revealed in analysis of molecular variance analysis of pair-wise RAPD distances. No evidence for isolation by distance was detected in Mantel test on genetic (ΦST) and geographic distances. European populations differed at a higher level from the African, subsp. phoenicea from turbinata (3.97% and 3.14% of total variance, respectively). The significant level of differences between European and African populations can result from (1) the earlier divergence and considerably low level of gene flow between them, or (2) a different mutation rate within population of different continent. The results suggest rather local forest economy with J. phoenicea, without seed exchange on large distance.

Implementation of genetic algorithms into development of mechatronic multi-edge's grinder design

Abstract: Authors of the study propose the method aiming at determination of design properties of a multi-edge grinder. This method is based on a genetic algorithm and its purpose is to optimise the geometric shape of the cutting edges. The input data include population of individuals. Each individual is represented by a set of cutting disks. Whereas the fitness function was assumed as a combination of several postulates of the mechanical design foundations. Those postulates include mechanical, design and energy metrics. Each individual constitutes a complete solution of the disk set whereas the population represents the entire class of solutions. The fitness function of an individual is calculated as the fitness average of each disk supplemented by information describing the relationship between both disks and discs. The method for calculating function values was selected to ensure its maximisation in the process of evolution. Despite promising results of the genetic algorithms operation, one can consider improvement of the method efficiency. The authors used morphological operations in order to better adjust the method to the task. Results of the simulations were verified in laboratory conditions with positive effects.Copyright © 2011 by ASME

Mutual information and redundancy in spontaneous communication between cortical neurons

Abstract: An important question in neural information processing is how neurons cooperate to transmit information. To study this question, we resort to the concept of redundancy in the information transmitted by a group of neurons and, at the same time, we introduce a novel concept for measuring cooperation between pairs of neurons called relative mutual information (RMI). Specifically, we studied these two parameters for spike trains generated by neighboring neurons from the primary visual cortex in the awake, freely moving rat. The spike trains studied here were spontaneously generated in the cortical network, in the absence of visual stimulation. Under these conditions, our analysis revealed that while the value of RMI oscillated slightly around an average value, the redundancy exhibited a behavior characterized by a higher variability. We conjecture that this combination of approximately constant RMI and greater variable redundancy makes information transmission more resistant to noise disturbances. Furthermore, the redundancy values suggest that neurons can cooperate in a flexible way during information transmission. This mostly occurs via a leading neuron with higher transmission rate or, less frequently, through the information rate of the whole group being higher than the sum of the individual information rates—in other words in a synergetic manner. The proposed method applies not only to the stationary, but also to locally stationary neural signals.

Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World Jane McGonigal. 2011. New York: Penguin Press, ss. 388

Abstract: Jane McGonigal jest światowej slawy specjalistką w zakresie badania i projektowania gier. Z wyksztalcenia doktor performance studies, pracuje obecnie w kalifornijskim Institute for the Future. Jako projektantka gier skupia sie przede wszystkim na grach internetowych angazujących tysiące uzytkownikow, ktorych wspolpraca prowadzi do wyksztalcenia sie zbiorowej (rozproszonej) inteligencji. Ma w swoim dorobku m.in. glośne projekty o zasiegu globalnym, na przyklad The Lost Ring na zamowienie Komitetu Olimpijskiego czy EVOKE! finansowane przez Instytut Banku Światowego. Wedlug McGonigal masowe spoleczności graczy kryją w sobie ogromny potencjal jako zasoby ludzkie, a ponadto same systemy gier zawierają skuteczne procedury motywujące do wysilku i optymalizujące ludzkie starania. Koronną ideą autorki jest zaprzegniecie gier, zwlaszcza internetowych, do rozwiązywania problemow rzeczywistego świata. W branzy projektantow gier wystąpienie McGonigal na Game Developers Conference w 2008 stanowilo przelom: tworcy i producenci gier uświadomili sobie potencjal (i poniekąd moralny obowiązek) uzywania gier pro publico bono. Oczywiście, juz wcześniej istnialy gry nastawione na pozytek pozarozrywkowy (Serious Games, Games With a Purpose, wszelkie gry edukacyjne, aktywizujące spolecznie, zwalczające stereotypy etc.). Jednak do 2008 bylo ich stosunkowo niewiele – w 2009 ruszyla lawina. Co wiecej, uzytecznośc gier zostala doceniona takze poza branzą. Ho m o Lu de ns 1 /(3 ) ( 20 11 )

On lattice structure and implications on ordered fuzzy numbers

Abstract: Ordered fuzzy numbers (OFN) invented by the second author and his two coworkers in 2002 make possible to utilize the fuzzy arithmetic and to construct the Abelian group of fuzzy numbers and then an ordered ring. The definition of OFN uses the extension of the parametric representation of convex fuzzy numbers. Fuzzy implication is proposed with the help of algebraic operations and a lattice structure defined on OFN.

Topological structure of solution sets for impulsive differential inclusions in Fréchet spaces

Abstract: In this paper, we consider the existence of solutions as well as the topological and geometric structure of solution sets for first-order impulsive differential inclusions in some Frechet spaces. Both the initial and terminal problems are considered. Using ingredients from topology and homology, the topological structures of solution sets (closedness and compactness) as well as some geometric properties (contractibility, acyclicity, A R and R δ ) are investigated. Some of our existence results are obtained via the method of taking the inverse system limit on noncompact intervals.

Meshing Model in Gear with Timing Belt

Abstract: The work treats about problem of designing of gear with timing belt depending on expected character of exploitation. The work presents constructional features of transmission timing belts depending on materials used for their production. Design of composites and usage of new polymer materials allows for improvement of constructional properties of belts.

Different positions of tropomyosin isoforms on actin filament are determined by specific sequences of end-to-end overlaps.

Abstract: Tropomyosins are dimeric rod-like proteins which polymerize along actin filaments and regulate interactions with other actin-binding proteins. Homologous sequences responsible for the binding of tropomyosin to consecutive actin monomers repeat along tropomyosin and are called actin-binding periods. In this work, the localization of tropomyosin isoforms on actin alone and on actin–myosin complex was evaluated by measuring Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) distances between a donor (AEDANS) attached to either the N-terminal actin-binding period 1 or to the central actin-binding period 5 and an acceptor (DABMI) bound to actin's Cys374. The recombinant α-tropomyosin isoforms – TM2, TM5a, and TM1b9a, used in this study, had various amino acid sequences of the N- and C-termini forming the end-to-end overlap. Although the sequences of actin-binding period 5 of the three isoforms were identical, the donor–acceptor distances calculated for each isoform varied between 38.6 and 41.5 A. Differences in FRET distances between the three tropomyosin isoforms labeled in actin-binding period 1 varied between 34.8 and 40.2 A. Rigor binding of myosin heads to actin increased all measured distances. The degree and cooperativity of myosin-induced shift was different for each of the isoforms and actin-binding periods. The structural differences correlate with cooperative regulation of actin-activated S1 ATPase by the three tropomyosins. The results indicate that amino acid sequences of the end-to-end overlap determine specific orientation of tropomyosin isoform on actin. This can be important for steric and cooperative regulation of the actin filament and determine functional specificity of multiple tropomyosin isoforms present in eucaryotic cells. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Phase Velocity of Cancellous Bone: Negative Dispersion Arising from Fast and Slow Waves, Interference, Diffraction, and Phase Cancellation at Piezoelectric Receiving Elements

Abstract: Frequency-dependent phase velocity measurements may prove useful in bone quality assessment. However, the physical mechanisms of ultrasonic wave propagation in cancellous bone that govern phase velocity are not yet fully understood, particularly the phenomena that lead to the observed anomalous negative dispersion. This chapter provides an overview of phase velocity studies of cancellous bone, especially negative dispersion, and proposals for resolving the apparent conflict with the causality-imposed Kramers-Kronig relations.

Time-resolved spectroscopy of exciton-related states in single crystals and single crystalline films of Lu3Al5O12 and Lu3Al5O12:Ce

Abstract: Time-resolved excitation spectra were measured at the same conditions at 10 K in the 4-20 eV energy range for the luminescence of self-trapped and various localized excitons as well as of Ce 3+ -, Pb 2+ -, and Bi 3+ -related centers in single crystals and single crystalline films of Lu 3 Al 5 O 12 garnet. The decay kinetics of the intrinsic 4.9 and 3.65 eV luminescence of Lu 3 Al 5 O 12 crystals were studied at 4.2-300K in the 10 -9 -10 -3 s time range. The origin and structure of the exciton states as well as the luminescence, energy transfer, and recombination processes, taking place under excitation in the exciton absorption region, were discussed. The influence of various defects on the scintillation characteristics of Ce 3+ - and Pr 3+ -doped Lu 3 Al 5 O 12 crystals was considered.

Efficiency of neural transmission as a function of synaptic noise, threshold, and source characteristics.

Abstract: There has been a growing interest in the estimation of information carried by a single neuron and multiple single units or population of neurons to specific stimuli. In this paper we analyze, inspired by article of Levy and Baxter (2002), the efficiency of a neuronal communication by considering dendrosomatic summation as a Shannon-type channel (1948) and by considering such uncertain synaptic transmission as part of the dendrosomatic computation. Specifically, we study Mutual Information between input and output signals for different types of neuronal network architectures by applying efficient entropy estimators. We analyze the influence of the following quantities affecting transmission abilities of neurons: synaptic failure, activation threshold, firing rate and type of the input source. We observed a number of surprising non-intuitive effects. It turns out that, especially for lower activation thresholds, significant synaptic noise can lead even to twofold increase of the transmission efficiency. Moreover, the efficiency turns out to be a non-monotonic function of the activation threshold. We find a universal value of threshold for which a local maximum of Mutual Information is achieved for most of the neuronal architectures, regardless of the type of the source (correlated and non-correlated). Additionally, to reach the global maximum the optimal firing rates must increase with the threshold. This effect is particularly visible for lower firing rates. For higher firing rates the influence of synaptic noise on the transmission efficiency is more advantageous. Noise is an inherent component of communication in biological systems, hence, based on our analysis, we conjecture that the neuronal architecture was adjusted to make more effective use of this attribute.