Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz

About: Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz is a education organization based out in Bydgoszcz, Poland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Luminescence & Population. The organization has 1109 authors who have published 2923 publications receiving 19548 citations. The organization is also known as: Casimir the Great University & Uniwersytet Kazimierza Wielkiego w Bydgoszczy.

The Dalton quantum chemistry program system

Abstract: Dalton is a powerful general-purpose program system for the study of molecular electronic structure at the Hartree-Fock, Kohn-Sham, multiconfigurational self-consistent-field, MOller-Plesset, confi ...

Simultaneous Estimation of Null Alleles and Inbreeding Coefficients

Abstract: Although microsatellites are a very efficient tool for many population genetics applications, they may occasionally produce "null" alleles, which, when present in high proportion, may affect estimates of key parameters such as inbreeding and relatedness coefficients or measures of genetic differentiation. In order to account for the presence of null alleles, it is first necessary to estimate their frequency within studied populations. However, the commonly used null allele frequency estimators are not of general applicability because they can produce upwardly biased estimates when a population under study experiences some inbreeding. In such a case, 2 formerly described approaches, population inbreeding model and individual inbreeding model, can be applied for simultaneous estimation of null allele frequencies and of the inbreeding coefficient. In this study, we demonstrate the properties and utility of these 2 methods and show that they outperform the commonly used approaches in the estimation of null allele frequencies based on genotypic data. The methods are applied to empirical data from a natural population of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and results are briefly discussed. The methods presented in this paper are implemented in the Windows-based user-friendly INEST computer program (available free of charge at http://genetyka.ukw.edu.pl/INEst10_setup.exe).

Methods for the calculation of surface free energy of solids

Abstract: Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is the analysis of the most common methods for the calculation of the surface free energy (SFE) of solids, utilising the results of the contact angle measurements. The calculation deals also with the SFE at the interface, especially that at the surface of polymers and polymeric materials. The survey has been meant to ease the understanding of physical processes occurring at the solid-liquid interface and to help to find proper measuring methods with respect to various physical systems. Design/methodology/approach: The presented analysis has been based on the papers of the fundamental nature as well as on the specialised literature reports. The results of the experimental and theoretical studies of the author of this article are also considered. Findings: Different assumptions have been made in the individual methods for calculating the SFE of polymeric materials. Thus, the SFE values for a given material, obtained by various methods and with use of different measuring liquids, are not consistent. The method for the calculation of the SFE of porous or granulated materials, powders, and fibres, in which the Washburn equation is utilised, is very useful in practice. Currently, there is no appropriate alternative to this method. Research limitations/implications: The method for calculating the SFE with use of the equation of state requires further investigation, both experimental and theoretical. Further studies on the phenomena associated with penetration of the measuring liquids into the bulk of an examined material and on the relevant changes concerning this material, including the changes in its SFE, have also to be carried out. Practical implications: The presented results of the investigations may be applied in optimisation of the current and derivation of the new methods for calculating the SFE of solids and liquids, including mainly the SFE of polymers in the solid state. Originality/value: Because of differences in the assumptions made in most of the methods for the SFE calculation and of differences in the interactions between the individual measuring liquids and the examined material, the SFE values for various polymer materials may be compared with one another only when the contact angle measurements have been made using the same measuring liquids and when the SFE calculations have been performed by the same method.

The production and turnover of extramatrical mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest soils: role in carbon cycling

Abstract: There is growing evidence of the importance of extramatrical mycelium (EMM) of mycorrhizal fungi in carbon (C) cycling in ecosystems. However, our understanding has until recently been mainly based on laboratory experiments, and knowledge of such basic parameters as variations in mycelial production, standing biomass and turnover as well as the regulatory mechanisms behind such variations in forest soils is limited. Presently, the production of EMM by ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi has been estimated at similar to 140 different forest sites to be up to several hundreds of kg per ha per year, but the published data are biased towards Picea abies in Scandinavia. Little is known about the standing biomass and turnover of EMM in other systems, and its influence on the C stored or lost from soils. Here, focussing on ectomycorrhizas, we discuss the factors that regulate the production and turnover of EMM and its role in soil C dynamics, identifying important gaps in this knowledge. C availability seems to be the key factor determining EMM production and possibly its standing biomass in forests but direct effects of mineral nutrient availability on the EMM can be important. There is great uncertainty about the rate of turnover of EMM. There is increasing evidence that residues of EM fungi play a major role in the formation of stable N and C in SOM, which highlights the need to include mycorrhizal effects in models of global soil C stores.

Evaluation of methods to estimate production, biomass and turnover of ectomycorrhizal mycelium in forests soils : A review

Abstract: Mycorrhizal fungi constitute a considerable sink for carbon in most ecosystems. This carbon is used for building extensive mycelial networks in the soil as well as for metabolic activity related to nutrient uptake. A number of methods have been developed recently to quantify production, standing biomass and turnover of extramatrical mycorrhizal mycelia (EMM) in the field. These methods include minirhizotrons, in-growth mesh bags and cores, and indirect measurements of EMM based on classification of ectomycorrhizal fungi into exploration types. Here we review the state of the art of this methodology and discuss how it can be developed and applied most effectively in the field. Furthermore, we also discuss different ways to quantify fungal biomass based on biomarkers such as chitin, ergosterol and PLFAs, as well as molecular methods, such as qPCR. The evidence thus far indicates that mycorrhizal fungi are key components of microbial biomass in many ecosystems. We highlight the need to extend the application of current methods to focus on a greater range of habitats and mycorrhizal types enabling incorporation of mycorrhizal fungal biomass and turnover into biogeochemical cycling models.