Floristic diversity of swamp meadows affected by the process of murshing

Research involved 3 swamp meadows affected by murshing process: Czarnocin III and Lubczyńskie Łęgi located in Goleniowski district and Pucka Island situated within the borders of Szczecin. There were recognized, in total, 42 species of herbaceous plants representing 7 phytosocjological classes. Particular areas differednot only in the number of species (from 8 on Pucka Island to 24 in Czarnocin III), but also in their percentage composition. The species recognized belong to 17 families. The most numerous one proved to be grasses (Poaceae) – including as many as 13 species On the examined meadows there dominate species from Molinio–Arrhenatheretea class. Environmental requirements of these species were quite similar

Site-specific art and its avant-garde solutions in a historic city’s cultural space

Site-specific art is a term referring to works of art created with a view to functioning strictly in a particular place for a particular location, environment, landscape, a specific and peculiar space. It is deeply contextual, so in regard to the issue of the protection of a historic city, one can ask about its role and scope of creation as a condition for its sustainable development. What is meant by sustainable development? And how to perceive the thought of the great Aquinas, referring to the concept of Creatio (gr.), an act of creative action, bringing some existence to life and keeping it alive – the basic principle of conservation. Let us try to confront the experimental language of contemporary artists with Gombrich’s theory of time-cultural relativism, the meaning of the genius loci of the place, based on sources and our own educational and artistic experience

Organization of public space in ancient cites. Case of Pula

This paper presents the historical development of ancient towns exemplified by Pula. It analyzes political, social and geographical relations which play the dominating role in urban life. It also characterizes the impact of these factors on the formation of the spatial and visual structure of a given town

Archaeological research as a benefit for the local community : southern Jordan in the preliminary socioarchaeological study

Starting an archaeological research is not only the beginning of gathering new scientific data for academic analysis. The role of a scientist is not only to build the ‘tower of knowledge,’ but also to make it beneficial to people. Therefore, archaeological projects should also vastly contribute to the promotion of the heritage of the region and its modern value and to the development of tourism, education and local community activities. Understanding the local community and its view on the historical heritage, as well as on archaeological research seems to be a very important aspect of this type of activity. It will not only allow to identify potential risks and create a plan of regular research, excavations, as well as future maintenance. As a benefit of the sociological study, the future revitalization of the area will occur. This outcome may be an important extension of theoretical and practical principles of global heritage protection and may become a standard solution based on the belief that cultural heritage can be a factor of local community development and prosperity

Variability of the runoff coefficient for selected catchments in the upper Vistula river catchment

The runoff coefficient is one of the basic hydrological characteristics of the catchment. It can be determined using multiannual, periodic, or annual data measurement sequences. The variability of the runoff coefficient can be influenced by the terrain, the land cover, and the land-use in the catchment, among other things. The present study is an attempt to analyse changes in the runoff coefficient over a period of 30 years (1984–2013) for 49 gauging sections located in the Carpathian part of the Upper Vistula catchment. An additional analysis was carried out to study the impact of changes in the land cover and land-use of the catchment on the value of the runoff coefficient. Rainfall and daily flows data was made available by IMGW-PIB, whereas land cover and land-use data of the catchment come from the CORINE Land Cover system (1990, 2000, 2000, and 2012)

Bacterial associates of Orthezia urticae, Matsucoccus pini, and Steingelia gorodetskia - scale insects of archaeoccoid families Ortheziidae, Matsucoccidae, and Steingeliidae (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha)

The biological nature, ultrastructure, distribution, and mode of transmission between generations of the microorganisms associated with three species (Orthezia urticae, Matsucoccus pini, Steingelia gorodetskia) of primitive families (archaeococcoids = Orthezioidea) of scale insects were investigated by means of microscopic and molecular methods. In all the specimens of Orthezia urticae and Matsucoccus pini examined, bacteria Wolbachia were identified. In some examined specimens of O. urticae, apart from Wolbachia, bacteria Sodalis were detected. In Steingelia gorodetskia, the bacteria of the genus Sphingomonas were found. In contrast to most plant sap-sucking hemipterans, the bacterial associates of O. urticae, M. pini, and S. gorodetskia are not harbored in specialized bacteriocytes, but are dispersed in the cells of different organs. Ultrastructural observations have shown that bacteria Wolbachia in O. urticae and M. pini, Sodalis in O. urticae, and Sphingomonas in S. gorodetskia are transovarially transmitted from mother to progeny

Molecular characterization, ultrastructure, and transovarial transmission of Tremblaya phenacola in six mealybugs of the Phenacoccinae subfamily (Insecta, Hemiptera, Coccomorpha)

Mealybugs (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) are plant sap-sucking insects which require close association with nutritional microorganisms for their proper development and reproduction. Here, we present the results of histological, ultrastructural, and molecular analyses of symbiotic systems of six mealybugs belonging to the Phenacoccinae subfamily: Phenacoccus aceris, Rhodania porifera, Coccura comari, Mirococcus clarus, Peliococcus calluneti, and Ceroputo pilosellae.Molecular analyses based on bacterial 16S rRNA genes have revealed that all the investigated species of Phenacoccinae are host to only one type of symbiotic bacteria—a large pleomorphic betaproteobacteria—Tremblaya phenacola. In all the species examined, bacteria are localized in the specialized cells of the host-insect termed bacteriocytes and are transovarially transmitted between generations. The mode of transovarial transmission is similar in all of the species investigated. Infection takes place in the neck region of the ovariole, between the tropharium and vitellarium. The co-phylogeny between mealybugs and bacteria Tremblaya has been also analyzed

Application of Shumann and Joosten classification in fen peatland degradation stage assessment – A case study from southern Poland

The aim of this paper was to assess the degradation stage of fen peatland located in the north-western part of the Opolskie voivodeship in accordance with “peatland degradation stages” classification. Understanding of the current state of peatland will be helpful in the future management and possible restoration. Field survey including vegetation and soil research were carried out in May 2013, soil material for laboratory analysis were collected by using “Instorf” peat sampler from four sampling points. Obtained results allowed to classify the study area (located within a larger peatland complex along the Prosna river valley) to minor stage of degrada- tion, with spontaneous changes in vegetation community and soil cover. Only few species of plants typical for fen peatlands were recorded. Moreover, soil cover research did not confirm mursh forming process, typical for strongly degraded peatland areas. Obtained results may indicate that possible future restoration will bring the expected effect. It is very likely, that fen peatland vegetation will regenerate spontaneously, provided that diaspores of the key peat-forming plant species are available in the soil

Abnormalities in lung volumes and airflow in children with newly diagnosed connective tissue disease

Introduction: Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) of childhood are rare inflammatory disorders, involving various organs and tissues including respiratory system. Pulmonary involvement in patients with CTDs is uncommon but may cause functional impairment. Data on prevalence and type of lung function abnormalities in children with CTDs are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to asses pulmonary functional status in children with newly diagnosed CTD and follow the results after two years of the disease course. Material and methods: There were 98 children (mean age: 13 ± 3; 76 girls), treated in Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw and 80 aged-matched, healthy controls (mean age 12.7 ± 2.4; 50 girls) included into the study. Study procedures included medical history, physical examination, chest radiograph and PFT (spirometry and whole body-plethysmography). Then, the assessment of PFT was performed after 24 months. Results: FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MEF50 were significantly lower in CTD as compared to control group, there was no difference in FVC and TLC. The proportion of patients with abnormal lung function was significantly higher in the study group, 41 (42%) vs 9 (11%). 24-months observation didn’t reveal progression in lung function impairment. Conclusions: Lung function impairment is relatively common in children with CTDs. Although restrictive ventilatory pattern is considered typical feature of lung involvement in CTDs, airflow limitation could also be an initial abnormality.