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: Population & Luminescence. 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.

Can soda ash dumping grounds provide replacement habitats for digger wasps (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Spheciformes)?

Abstract: BACKGROUND Published sources document a loss of biodiversity at an extreme rate, mainly because natural and semi-natural ecosystems are becoming fragmented and isolated, thus losing their biological functions. These changes significantly influence biological diversity, which is a complex phenomenon that changes over time. Contemporary ecologists must therefore draw attention to anthropogenic replacement habitats and increase their conservation status. In our studies we show the positive role of soda ash dumping grounds as an alternative habitat for digger wasps, especially the thermophilic species. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the years 2007-2010 we carried out investigations in postindustrial soda ash dumping grounds located in Central Poland. We demonstrated that these areas serve as replacement habitats for thermophilic species of Spheciformes and, indirectly, for their potential prey. The studies were conducted in three microhabitat types, varying in soil moisture, salinity and alkalinity, that were changing in the course of ecological succession. We trapped 2571 specimens belonging to 64 species of digger wasps. Species typical of open sunny spaces comprised 73% of the whole inventory. The obtained results suggest that the stage of succession determines the richness, abundance and diversity of Spheciformes. The most favorable conditions for digger wasps were observed in habitats at late successional stages. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results clearly showed that these habitats were replacement habitats for thermophilous Spheciformes, including rare taxa that require genetic, species and ecosystem protection, according to the Biodiversity Convention. We showed that some types of industry might play a positive role in the preservation of taxa in the landscape, and that even degraded industrial wasteland can replace habitats under anthropopressure, serving as refugia of biological diversity, especially for disturbance-dependent species.

[Dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness among a group of individuals with Graves-Basedow's disease].

Abstract: Introduction: Dispositional optimism is a general tendency to positively perceive the world and one’s own future. We can consider what kind of connection with ability to cope with difficulties. One situation which is very stressful for an individual is an illness, particularly a chronic one. The aim of the paper was to define the connection between dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness among the group with Graves-Basedow disease. This is autoimmunizational illness and diseases of this kind are particularly sensitive to the influence of psychological factors, as there are many connections between the immune system and the human psyche. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 59 individuals with Graves-Basedow disease, 50 women and 9 men and 55 of healthy ones, 49 women and 6 men according to age, sex and a level of education. The patients filled out three psychological questionnaires: The Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and The Personal Questionnaire. Results: of the study in question indicate a lack of differences between individuals with Graves-Basedow disease and healthy ones concerning the level of dispositional optimism. There no differences in the level of dispositional optimism as regards of criterions of health: by the levels of hormones TSH, fT3 and fT4, complications and a time of duration of disease. Instead, if they suffer additionally from others diseases, they have a lower level of dispositional optimism. There exist a connection between intensification of level of dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness among testing group. Conclusions: The dispositional optimism as a supply of individual helps her or his in adaptation to difficulty situation, which is a chronic disease. It is a reason way it is worth to help of patients to grow it stronger. Pol J Endocrinol 2008; 59 (1): 23-28

The axiology of sustainable development: an attempt at typologization

Abstract: The axiology of sustainable development has been addressed in many works, taking a wide variety of approaches. Differences concern the interpretation of sustainable development, the set of values considered and methods of constructing such a set. The present paper aims to systematize discussion concerning the axiology of sustainable development, by developing a typology. Two types of axiology are distinguished: the holistic-altruistic type and the individualistic-egoistic type. The second of these is depicted in categories of the alienation of the idea of sustainable development in the process of its exteriorization. Aksjologia rozwoju zrownowazonego to temat podejmowany w wielu pracach, przyjmujących jednak rozne zalozenia. Roznice odnoszą sie do interpretacji pojecia rozwoju zrownowazonego, zbioru rozwazanych wartości i metodyki konstruowania takiego zbioru. Celem niniejszego artykulu jest usystematyzowanie dyskusji dotyczącej aksjologii rozwoju zrownowazonego poprzez dokonanie jego typologizacji. Wyrozniono dwa typy aksjologii: holistyczno-altruistyczna i indywidualistyczno-egoistyczna. Drugą z nich przedstawiono w kategoriach alienacji idei zrownowazonego rozwoju w procesie jej eksterioryzacji.