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.

Pollinating insects (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Apiformes) as an example of changes in fauna

Abstract: Changes in the Apiformes fauna are discussed on the basis of the fauna of Poland and other European countries, starting from historical times. The presentation of contemporary changes accounts for different trends: (a) population decline or disappearance of some species (shrinking ranges), (b) population increases or expansion of other species. The fauna is described dynamically against the background of environmental change (fluctuation hypothesis). It is postulated that updated comprehensive studies of faunal resources need to be undertaken, concentrating on species diversity and density.

Genome dosage effect and colouration features in hybridogenetic water frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex

Abstract: There are three taxons of central European water frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex: two morphologically distinct species, Pelophylax lessonae (LL) and Pelophylax ridibundus (RR), and hybrids Pelophylax esculentus, which can be either diploid (RL) or triploid (LLR or RRL). The morphology of hybrids is supposed to follow genome dosage effect. We describe colouration of water frogs with genome composition verified by chromosome analysis. Typical colouration features in LL were: spots on the ventral side, brown limbs, “weak” femur spotting pattern, brown dorsal folds and yellow-green colour in “waist”. Typical RR had dark-green or olive-green limbs, “full” femur spotting pattern, no hip spot and no yellow colour in “waist”. For all hybrids the most typical features were strong spots on the ventral side and a mosaic of green and brown colour on limbs. Typical LLR had brown-greenish dorsal folds underlined by a partial black line, “weak” femur spotting pattern and yellow-greenish colour in “waist” and on femur. Typical RL had greenish hind limbs, green dorsal folds, no yellow colour in “waist”, and no hip spot. Typical RRL was similar to RL, but had a continuous black line under dorsal folds. There were, however, numerous exceptions to these trends, with the most prominent being much higher than expected variability of colouration of Pelophylax lessonae. Therefore caution must be advised when trying to estimate genome composition of water frogs solely on the basis of colouration.

Metastability of Mn 3 + in ZnO driven by strong d (Mn) intrashell Coulomb repulsion: Experiment and theory

Abstract: Depopulation of the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ state in ZnO:Mn upon illumination, monitored by quenching of the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ EPR signal intensity, was observed at temperatures below 80 K. ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ photoquenching is shown to result from the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{Mn}}^{3+}$ ionization transition, promoting one electron to the conduction band. Temperature dependence of this process indicates the existence of an energy barrier for electron recapture of the order of 1 meV. $\mathrm{GGA}+U$ calculations show that after ionization of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ a moderate breathing lattice relaxation in the 3+ charge state occurs, which increases energies of $d$(Mn) levels. At its equilibrium atomic configuration, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{3+}$ is metastable since the direct capture of photoelectron is not possible. The metastability is mainly driven by the strong intrashell Coulomb repulsion between $d$(Mn) electrons. Both the estimated barrier for electron capture and the photoionization energy are in good agreement with the experimental values.

The use of in vitro assays for the assessment of cytotoxicity on the example of MTT test

Abstract: In recent years, biological tests have been developed based on cell cultures and successfully used to the hygienic assess of a variety of samples. In vitro assays become the complement of conventional chemical methods. They do not narrow the results only to the quantitative and qualitative information on toxic substances, but also increase knowledge on the direct impact on the organism. They are also an alternative for animal testing, which are currently given up for ethical reasons. At present, the market is steadily increasing in the number of tests and bio-assay techniques. Based on our own studies we conclude that the MTT test is perfect as a diagnostic method for evaluating the cytotoxicity of materials of different composition such as mycotoxins, pesticides, bacterial cultures, moulds isolates, food, feed, as well as a vast spectrum of other environmental samples.

Assessment of suspended sediment dynamics in a small ungauged badland catchment in the Northern Apennines (Italy) using an in-situ laser diffraction method

Abstract: The volumes and dynamics of suspended sediments drained from a watershed are often unknown, especially in small creeks and tributaries where continuous discharge measurements are seldom available. The objective of this study was to assess in a qualitative and quantitative way the sediment dynamics of a small ungauged watershed in the Northern Apennines, Italy. We analysed and correlated the sediment volume concentration and grain-size distribution of the suspended sediments with the precipitation pattern. The study area is a small ungauged watershed (0.15 km2) that is dominated by intensive soil erosion processes and related landforms. The basin is oriented East-West with the south-facing slopes characterized by badland erosion processes. The north-facing slopes are cultivated and dominated by rill-interrill erosion phenomena. An morphometrical characterization of the basin was performed using a high-resolution DTM with a 1 × 1 m resolution. Subsequently, the physical characteristics of the topsoil were investigated based on grain size laboratory analysis. A detailed NDVI analysis of the vegetation was performed using Sentinel-2A images. Finally, we assessed the suspended sediments at the outlet of the basin using a laser diffraction technique. The Suspended Sediment Volume Concentration (SSC) and the Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) of the eroded sediments, provide insights into the morphogenetic processes and the sediment transport dynamics of the basin. The measurements were conducted in autumn 2018 after an intense precipitation period and in spring 2019 after a dry phase. The results show a direct relationship between precipitation and SSC with a delay of about 2 h after the most intense precipitation events. Moreover, we reveal that the SMD values are inversely related to the precipitation due to turbidity effects. The SSC and SMD measurements allow for a detailed assessment of the dynamics between precipitation and suspended sediment load even though discharge volumes were not measured directly.