Environmental factors shaping ungulate abundances in Poland

Population densities of large herbivores are determined by the diverse effects of density-dependent and independent environmental factors. In this study, we used the official 1998–2003 inventory data on ungulate numbers from 462 forest districts and 23 national parks across Poland to determine the roles of various environmental factors in shaping country-wide spatial patterns of ungulate abundances. Spatially explicit generalized additive mixed models showed that different sets of environmental variables explained 39 to 50 % of the variation in red deer Cervus elaphus, wild boar Sus scrofa, and roe deer Capreolus capreolus abundances. For all of the studied species, low forest cover and the mean January temperature were the most important factors limiting their numbers. Woodland cover above 40–50 % held the highest densities for these species. Wild boar and roe deer were more numerous in deciduous or mixed woodlands within a matrix of arable land. Furthermore, we found significant positive effects of marshes and water bodies on wild boar abundances. A juxtaposition of obtained results with ongoing environmental changes (global warming, increase in forest cover) may indicate future growth in ungulate distributions and numbers

Application of Wedge Splitting Test for Evaluation of the Bond Strength in Repair System Alumina Cement Concrete Vs. PCC Mortar

abstractEN: There are several key factors, which are considered, when selecting methods and systemsfor concrete repair. Good bonding between repair material and concrete substrate is a crucial andsimultaneously complex phenomenon. This paper shortly presents methods used for the bondstrength evaluation with different ways of loading of bonded joints. A systems consisting of highperformance concrete substrate and two types of repair materials are investigated. The main goal ofthe work is to compare a polymer-cement modified mortar (PCC) and a rapidly setting repairconcrete (based on alumina cement). Technical characteristic of the materials as well as their bondstrength to concrete substrate are presented. Surface of concrete substrate is prepared by usingdifferent roughening techniques commonly applicable on site. Bond strength is measured bystandard pull-of test and by the wedge splitting test (WST). WST test adaptation for that purposeallows to extend the description of adhesion using fracture mechanics parameters such a work ofadhesion and fracture energyscore: 7collation: 401-40

Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and muscles of some fish

In this study we examined superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration in liver and muscles of four fish species: the carp, the brown trout, the white cod and the flounder. Higher SOD activity and higher TBARS concentration was revealed in the tissues of marine fish in comparison to freshwater fish. The highest SOD activity was observed in the cod while the highest TBARS concentration was in the flounder. The observed differences are probably an effect of the different living mode of the compared fish