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.

Does hydrological connectivity determine the benthic macroinvertebrate structure in oxbow lakes

Abstract: In this study, we analyse the qualitative and quantitative structure of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in three oxbow lakes differing in hydrological connectivity, located along the lowland Łyna River (NE Poland). The lakes differed in the extent of surface contact with the main river channel and represented lotic, semi-lotic, and lentic types of water bodies. Mean benthofauna density ranged from 0.9 · 103 (lentic) to 2.0 · 103 indiv. m−2 (semi-lotic) and mean biomass ranged from 16 (lentic) to 202 gww m−2 (semi-lotic); these differences were not statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). The diversity (Shannon's index) was highest in the lotic and lowest in the lentic ecosystem. It was predominated by Oligochaeta and Chironomidae larvae. The highest, statistically significant differences were observed between the densities of Ephemeroptera larvae (P ≤ 0.05), Megaloptera larvae (P ≤ 0.05) and Arachnida (P ≤ 0.01). In terms of biomass, gastropods prevailed in the semi-lotic, bivalves in the lotic and Chironomidae larvae in the lentic ecosystems. Amongst gastropods, Viviparus viviparus L. dominated in oxbows connected with the river. Our results, supported by the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis showed a significant effect of hydrological connectivity, which in a direct or indirect way influenced the macroinvertebrate structure in oxbow lakes. As shown by CCA, a free exchange of water between oxbows and the river channel promotes favourable conditions for the development of hydrobionts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The evolutionary heritage and ecological uniqueness of Scots pine in the Caucasus ecoregion is at risk of climate changes.

Abstract: Scots pine is one of the most widely occurring pines, but future projections suggest a large reduction in its range, mostly at the southern European limits. A significant part of its range is located in the Caucasus, a global hot-spot of diversity. Pine forests are an important reservoir of biodiversity and endemism in this region. We explored demographic and biogeographical processes that shaped the genetic diversity of Scots pine in the Caucasus ecoregion and its probable future distribution under different climate scenarios. We found that the high genetic variability of the Caucasian populations mirrors a complex glacial and postglacial history that had a unique evolutionary trajectory compared to the main range in Europe. Scots pine currently grows under a broad spectrum of climatic conditions in the Caucasus, which implies high adaptive potential in the past. However, the current genetic resources of Scots pine are under high pressure from climate change. From our predictions, over 90% of the current distribution of Scots pine may be lost in this century. By threatening the stability of the forest ecosystems, this would dramatically affect the biodiversity of the Caucasus hot-spot.

Ontogeny of morphological traits in Phenopelopidae (Acari: Oribatida)

Abstract: In this study, the complete ontogenetic development of morphological traits in Phenopelopidae was investigated on the base of juvenile and adult specimens of Eupelops hirtus (Berlese, 1916) and Peloptulus phaenotus (CL Koch, 1844) and literature. The juveniles of Eupelops Ewing, 1917, Peloptulus Berlese, 1908 and Propelops Jacot, 1937 show plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, which seem to be typical of Phenopelopidae. However, the juveniles of Eupelops and Peloptulus have some or all marginal setae on the gastronotum longer and thicker than other setae, at least one setal pair on the posterior part of gastronotum (h1 in larva and h3 in nymphs), whereas those of Propelops have these setae long or short. The juveniles and adults of Eupelops and Peloptulus differ distinctly from those of Propelops in the type of subcapitulum and chelicerae; the two former genera have the subcapitulum secondarily anarthric and the chelicera...

Computational gait analysis using fuzzy logic for everyday clinical purposes – preliminary findings

Abstract: Abstract Background: Proper, early, and exact identification of gait impairments and their causes is regarded as a prerequisite for specific therapy and a useful control tool to assess efficacy of rehabilitation. There is a need for simple tools allowing for quickly detecting general tendencies. Objective: The aim of this paper is to present the outcomes of traditional and fuzzy-based analysis of the outcomes of post-stroke gait reeducation using the NeuroDevelopmental Treatment-Bobath (NDT-Bobath) method. Materials and methods: The research was conducted among 40 adult people: 20 of them after ischemic stroke constituted the study group, and 20 healthy people constituted the reference group. Study group members were treated through 2 weeks (10 therapeutic sessions) using the NDT-Bobath method. Spatio-temporal gait parameters were assessed before and after therapy and compared using novel fuzzy-based assessment tool. Results: Achieved results of rehabilitation, observed as changes of gait parameters, were statistically relevant and reflected recovery. One-number outcomes from the proposed fuzzy-based estimator proved moderate to high consistency with the results of the traditional gait assessment. Conclusions: Observed statistically significant and favorable changes in the health status of patients, described by gait parameters, were reflected also in outcomes of fuzzy-based analysis. Proposed fuzzy-based measure increases possibility of the clinical gait assessment toward more objective clinical reasoning based on common use of the mHealth solutions.