bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of cycloheximide and growth regulators on the senescence of cut leaves in Hosta sp. and Zantedeschia aethiopica
Authors: Skutnik Ewa , Rabiza-Świder Julita , Jędrzejuk Agata , Musiał Diana 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The leaves of Zantedeschia and Hosta are used as florist greens in different floral arrangements. The most efficient postharvest treatment for cut foliage is the use of growth regulators, which prolong their vase life by delaying degradative changes occurring in leaves, especially proteolysis. Cycloheximide (CHI) is one of the protein synthesis inhibitors, blocking the enzymes responsible for decreasing membrane integrity, a phenomenon hastening senescence. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of CHI and benzyladenine (BA) or gibberellic acid (GA3) on the longevity of cut foliage in hosta (Hosta sp.) cultivars and Ethiopian calla (Zantedeschia aethiopica) and to follow the changes in certain proteolytic processes occurring during senescence. Generally, 24 h conditioning with cycloheximide shortened the longevity of cut calla leaves while having no effect on hosta vase life. In ageing leaves of ‘Minima Glauca’ hosta and calla, the total proteolytic activity increased, including that of cysteine protease. Due to the application of BA or GA3 in hosta and calla, respectively, this activity was limited. On the contrary, the use of CHI either did not affect the activity of cysteine protease or increased it several-fold relative to the control, in hosta and calla, respectively. Leaves treated with growth regulators had many more soluble proteins and fewer free amino acids, including free proline, than leaves from other treatments. The highest free proline level was determined in calla leaves conditioned with CHI, where it increased 18-fold relative to the initial level.
Tax incentives as an instrument attracting investors to Special Economic Zones
Authors: Jasiniak Magdalena , Koziński Jakub 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Special Economic Zones have been operating in Poland since 1994 and are still growing. Tax incentives being offered in these Zones, as good infrastructure and administration support, are supposed to be attractions for newly established companies. The purpose of this article is to investigate whether tax incentives have an impact on the decision process of locating the investments in Special Economic Zones in Poland. The article presents a preliminary study, based on results of a questionnaire survey conducted among companies located in SEZ in Poland and presents subjective opinions of the investors about tax policy in SEZs. Results show that tax incentives are an important instrument attracting investors to Special Economic Zones. As the following analysis presents, tax reliefs seem to be an important investment incentive, however, the importance of income taxes is greater than the local costs to doing business. There are also some differences in evaluating tax support depending on a company’s size and the level of support in a particular region.
Evaluation of the Fourth Millennium Development Goal Realisation using Robust and Nonparametric Tools offered by a Data Depth Concept
Authors: Kosiorowska Ewa , Kosiorowski Daniel , Zawadzki Zygmunt 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
We briefly communicate the results of nonparametric and robust evaluation of the effects of the Fourth Millennium Development Goal of the United Nations. The main aim of the goal was reducing by two thirds, from 1990-2015, under five month’s child mortality. Our novel analysis was conducted by means of very powerful and user friendly tools offered by the Data Depth Concept being a collection of multivariate techniques basing on multivariate generalizations of quintiles, ranges and order statistics. The results of our analysis are more convincing than the results obtained using classical statistical tools.
Duration Models in Loan Management
Authors: Vasilev Julian A. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to estimate the future duration of a loan contract on the basis of several factors. The main methodology consists of a brief explanation of a survival analysis and a thorough application of a survival analysis in loan management. A real dataset from a credit institution (situated in Varna) is used. All contracts were signed for 30 days but some contracts were ended earlier, others - later. The main research question concerns the following statement. We may try to predict future loan duration by making an econometric model describing the dependency between the loan duration (as a dependent variable) and several independent variables. The dataset is analysed by calculating life tables, applying the Kaplan-Maier method and using Cox regression within SPSS. It is has been proved that the main covariates affecting loan duration are the variables: born in the region, month of birth and age. The formulated conclusions are valid for the analysed credit institution. This work provides a methodology for adapting duration models in credit institutions. The presented methodology (in this paper) may be applied over the dataset of other credit institutions (including banks) for loan duration prediction.
Radioactive contamination of dietary components of the roe deer in the forests of Zhytomirske Polesie of Ukraine
Authors: Krasnov Volodymyr , Shelest Zoia , Boiko Sergii , Gulik Igor , Sieniawski Waldemar 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This paper presents a study on radioactive contamination of dietary components of the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Zhytomirske Polesie (Ukraine). Studies were conducted on two research plots in forests with similar levels of radioactive contamination, 29 ± 8 kBq/m2 - 55 ± 17 kBq/m2, in mixed coniferous forests and mixed broadleaved forests, which are the dominant forest types of the area. The highest level of radionuclide accumulation was observed in young oak seedlings.
The dynamics for oak sprouts indicate that the accumulation coefficient reaches a maximum in September and August in the mixed coniferous and mixed broadleaved forests respectively. A comparison of mean values of the 137Cs accumulation coefficients in the shoots of undergrowth plants confirms that an increase in soil fertility leads to a reduction of radionuclides in plant phytomass. In the mixed broadleaved forests, average values of the coefficient of 137Cs accumulation in phytomass of blackberry was 26% and of raspberries 58% lower compared to mixed coniferous forests. The maximum contamination of phytomass was observed in August for oak, in October for aspen, and in July for birch. The highest specific activity of 137Cs in raspberry shoots occurs during the three summer months, whereas the peak in blackberry occurs from August to September. The dynamics of the specific activity of 137Cs in blueberry, cranberry and heather show an increase in radioactive contamination of phytomass towards the end of the growth period. The maximum concentration of 137Cs in shoots of heather and bilberry was recorded in October and for blueberry in August. Mushrooms in mixed coniferous forests can be ranked as follows according to the degree of 137Cs contamination: Cantharellus < Boletus edulis < Russula < Leccinum < Xerocomus badius < Paxillus involutus. In mixed broadleaved forests the ranking is Cantharellus < Boletus edulis < Russula < Xerocomus badius < Leccinum < Paxillus involutus. Within one habitat type, we observed fairly significant variations in 137Cs accumulation in fruit bodies of fungi species.
Are we narrowing genetic variability in seed orchards? An attempt to answer, based on the analysis of microsatellite DNA of grafts growing in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seed orchard in the Forest District Susz
Authors: Przybylski Paweł 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most common species in Poland’s forest stands. The mode of pine stands renovation requires that silviculture practitioners have continuous access to seed banks. Orchard-grown seeds are predicted to constitute an increasingly larger part of the average demand for pine seeds in Poland. Seed orchards, due to a limited number of maternal trees as well as the irregularity of their blooming and pollination, enhance the risk of genetic diversity reduction in planted forest stands. This is of particular importance in the context of dynamic climate change. Markers based on microsatellite DNA fragments are effective tools for monitoring genetic variability. In the present study, three different microsatellite DNA fragments were used: SPAC 12.5, SPAG 7.14 and SPAC 11.4. The main objective of this research was to study genetic variability in one of the biggest seed orchards in Poland, located in the Forest District Susz. The obtained results indicated heterozygosity loss within the orchard, proving the existence of specimen selection effects on genetic variability. Hence, it seems quite important to take account of molecular genetic variability of maternal trees in future breeding strategies.
Forest communities with Hacquetia epipactis (Scop.) DC. in the Cieszyńskie Foothills
Authors: Mijal Magdalena 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The strictly protected Hacquetia epipactis, which natural range has its north-eastern limit in the area of the Cieszyńskie Foothills, is one of the most interesting rarities of Polish flora. For one and a half centuries H. epipactis was popular with scientists resulting in a relatively high number of papers addressing this plant. Usually, however, the characteristics of sites where H. epipactis occurs have been overlooked by the researchers. The aim of this work was to fill this gap, at least partly, by determining plant associations that are preferred by this species. Based on previous phytosociological records and by implementing numerical classification methods, it was found that the Hacquetio-Fraxinetum excelsioris Marinček 1990, which is divided into two subassociations (typicum and allietosum with other variants), is the main association in which this plant species occurs. In isolated sites, mostly outside the Cieszyńskie Foothills, it also appears in fragments of Galio sylvatici-Carpinetum betuli Oberd. 1957 and Tilio cordatae-Carpinetum betuli Tracz. 1962 associations.
Genetic variation of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) preserved in the Katowice Forest District
Authors: Masternak Katarzyna , Niebrzydowska Barbara , Głębocka Katarzyna 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Environmental pollution greatly decreases a tree’s health and results in dieback of forest stands. Owing to increasing industrial activity in the 20th century, silver fir became almost totally extinct in the Katowice Forest District. Only 19 individuals have survived to this day. The aim of the present study is to analyse growth characteristics and polymorphisms of 25 inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) of the preserved trees.
The mean height of the inventoried silver firs was 19 m with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 29 cm. Flowers were observed on few trees only. However, all trees were of high vitality without signs of fungal pathogen infections or insect outbreaks. Parameters of genetic variability, including mean effective number of alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity, were higher than that described in the literature so far and they amounted to 1.659 and 0.396, respectively.
Wettability and interception in relationship with the seasonal changes on the Fagus sylvatica leaf surface
Authors: Anna Klamerus-Iwan , Wojciech Kraj 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Interception is the amount of water held on the canopy at the end of a rainfall event. Rainfall interception and contact angle of raindrops on the surface of plants has a significant meaning in ecohydrology. Leaves are the plant organs in which during development, changes in the composition of the epicuticular wax can be observed. These differences can be explained by phenological changes.
In the present study, there was a hypothesis that seasonal phenological changes of leaf surface can highly affect the amount of rainwater retained by plants (interception) and the angle of contact between the droplets and leaf’s surface.
This above-mentioned hypothesis was assessed based on the designed measurement series, combining:
1) direct leaves spraying in various stages of growth with water at a constant temperature
2) images obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to analyse changes in the structure of the epicuticular wax
3) photographic methods, images acquired in the light box
4) measurement and analysis of the angle of contact by using simulated raindrops.
The leaves of Fagus sylvatica L. were analysed. Samples were taken in the Niepołomice Forest District (southern Poland) from well-developed crown trees.
The result of the experiments conducted makes a database of changes in wettability of raindrops on beech leaves throughout the whole vegetative season. The internal slope of drops ranged from 110°–150° in April up to 20°–40° at the beginning of November.
Based on the obtained results, we can classify the degrees of leaf wettability and interception under the influence of morphological changes occurring during the vegetative season.
Bibliometric analysis in the evaluation of journals published by the Forest Research Institute: Forest Research Papers and Folia Forestalia Polonica Series A – Forestry
Authors: Szewczykiewicz Joanna , Skrzecz Iwona , Materska Katarzyna 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in publishing articles in journals recorded by global databases, in particular the Web of Science ™ Core Collection, which indexes journals found in the Journal Citation Reports. The publication of results in these journals has a significant impact on the assessment of the achievements of researchers and scientific institutions.
Our study focused on the bibliometric analysis of two journals published by the Forest Research Institute: Forest Research Papers (Leśne Prace Badawcze) and Folia Forestalia Polonica Series A – Forestry. The results of these analyses were used to develop theoretical indices for the editorial boards of these journals in terms of requirements for including both periodicals in the Journal Citation Reports.
The analysis covered the volumes published in 2000–2015 and the publication activity of the journals was evaluated on the basis of the numbers of articles, references, authors and journal citations. Bibliometric indicators such as the predicted Impact Factor, the Hirsch index, the Scimago Journal Rank and the Index Copernicus Value were used to evaluate the rank of the journals within the databases.
In the examined period, 65 volumes of Forest Research Papers were published, with an average of 31 articles per year containing about 14,000 references and almost 900 contributing authors. During the same time frame, 30 volumes of Folia Forestalia Polonica Series A – Forestry were published, with an average of 14 articles per year. These articles included approximately 5,000 references and 600 authors. An increase in the bibliometric indicators for both journals was observed with the Impact Factor predicted to rise to 0.192 (Forest Research Papers) and 0.178 (Folia Forestalia Polonica Series A – Forestry).
In order for the two examined journals to be included in the Journal Citation Reports the following requirements need to be met: (1) an increased number of articles published by authors with significant international authority in their field, (2) a greater number of researchers, especially from developed countries, in advisory boards, (3) more articles published in individual volumes to reach higher citation numbers in databases, and (4) promotion of the most cited articles.
Species composition, elevation, and former management type affect browsing pressure on forest regeneration in the Tatra National Park
Authors: Bodziarczyk Jan , Zwijacz-Kozica Tomasz , Gazda Anna , Szewczyk Janusz , Frączek Magdalena , Zięba Antoni , Szwagrzyk Jerzy 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Effects of ungulate pressure on the development of young generation of trees is one of the most important issues in ecology and forestry. Ungulate pressure influence on the development of natural regeneration has been also reported from several national parks. Our study on the effects of ungulate browsing on the young generation of trees was conducted on more than 500 sample plots controlled during one growing season.
The overall browsing pressure ranged from 7.6% in seedlings to 20.3% in low saplings. The pressure of ungulates on the regeneration of Picea abies, the dominant species in the Tatra National Park, was by and large below 1%. Broadleaved species were browsed more frequently. The relationship between the plot altitudes and browsing intensity was statistically significant for seedlings and low saplings; at the higher altitudes, the browsing pressure was greater. There was also observed a statistically significant relationship between the type of former management and the browsing degree in seedlings; in the areas subjected to “landscape protection”, the intensity of browsing was higher when compared to strictly protected areas. Pressure exerted by ungulates on tree regeneration was very unevenly distributed, i.e. some plots were heavily browsed and many others - not browsed at all. The most affected tree species were Salix caprea and Sorbus aucuparia, although the percentage of browsed individuals rarely exceeded 50%. Other species favored by ungulates was Acer pseudoplatanus; despite the high browsing pressure, this species was present among seedlings and tall saplings, suggesting that it would be able to recruit to the tree layer. Abies alba was browsed less frequently than the deciduous trees; however, among the tall saplings it was the third most browsed species.
Carbon sequestration potential of nitrogen-fixing tree stands
Authors: Sheikh Mehraj Ahamd , Kumar Munesh , Todaria Nagendra Prasad 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
We compared the C storage of two nitrogen-fixing trees in mixed and monospecific plantations to investigate the C sequestration potential after 10 years of their establishment. The study was carried out in three types of plantation, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC. pure (P1DS), Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit pure (P2LL) and mixed plantation of D. sissoo and L. leucocephala (P3DS.LL). The results of the study indicated that, P3DS.LL sequestered 34.30 ± 0.24 t yr-1 ha-1 CO2 compared to 27.35 ± 0.19 t yr-1 ha-1 in P1DS and 19.81 ± 0.44 t yr-1 ha-1 in P2LL. Total carbon storage was also maximum in P3DS.LL (93.47 ± 0.67 t ha-1) followed by P1DS (74.54 ± 0.53 t ha-1) and P2LL (53.98 ± 1.21 t ha-1). This indicates that L. leucocephala has synergetic effect with D. sissoo to enhance the carbon sequestration potential when interplanted together. The study revealed that mixed plantation of N-fixer trees have potential to sequester more carbon than same species in monoculture. The study concluded that in reforestation or afforestation program the synergic effect of N-fixer trees can be helpful projects to offset more C emissions.
The influence of forest management and timber use options on carbon sequestration and the consequences on biodiversity
Authors: Rosenvald Raul , Rosenvald Katrin 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The results of scientific studies dealing with the influence of forest management on carbon dynamics are often controversial. Substituting fossil fuels with wood is not always a climate-friendly solution, and besides, it has often a negative impact on biodiversity. The current paper reviews the literature about the influence of different forest management and timber use options on climate change and brings out the accompanying consequences on biodiversity in temperate and boreal climate zones. The forest’s ability to sequestrate and store carbon can be enlarged by appropriate forest management planning and practices. Generally, for mitigation of climate change, the moderate (not intensive) forest management is most favourable, but intensification of management enhances global warming, since forest carbon storage in tree biomass and soil decreases. The mitigation of climate change is just one of the many roles of forest, and climate policy actions cannot come at the expense of species diversity. The complex studies dealing with several forest goals conclude that high carbon store and biodiversity protection do not contradict each other, but the achievement of maximum economic profit at the same time is not possible. The mitigation of climate change and wildlife protection is most effective when it is first of all the forests with a high biodiversity that are managed less intensively. Concerning climate change, the most negative forest biomass use is wood combustion. It is reasonable to burn only such biomass (cut and industrial residues) which cannot be used for producing goods holding carbon for a long time.
Rat Spinal Cord Injury Experimental Model
Authors: Šulla I. , Balik V. , Petrovičová J. , Almášiová V. , Holovská K. , Oroszová Z. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) with their tragic consequences belong to the most serious pathological conditions. That is why they have stimulated basic research workers, as well as health care practitioners, to search for an effective treatment for decades. Animal experimental models have been essential in these efforts. We have jointly decided to test and standardize one of the spinal cord injury compression models in rats. Twentythree adult female Wistar rats weighing 250-320 g were utilized. Employing general anaesthesia along with a mixture of sevoflurane with O2, 2 rats (sham controls) had their vertebral arch of either Th8 or Th9 vertebra removed (laminectomy). The other 21 experimental rats with similar laminectomies were divided into 3 subgroups (n = 7) which received compression impact forces of 30, 40 or 50 g (subgroups-1, -2, and -3, respectively) applied on their exposed spinal medulla for 15 minutes. All rats were observed for 28 days after the experimental procedure and their motor functions were assessed by the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) test 6 hours, 7, 21 and 28 days after the simulated SCI. All 23 rats survived the surgical procedures. The control rats were without any neurological deficits. There were, in every experimental subgroup, 1 or 2 rats with extreme BBB scores. So the rats with the maximum and minimum BBB values were excluded. Then, the results acquired in the residual 5 rats in each group were averaged and statistically analysed by the Tukey multiple comparisons test. Statistically significant intersubgroup differences were found at all survival times equal to or longer than 7 post SCI days. The goal of the SCI experiment was to generate a reproducible and reliable, submaximal spinal cord trauma model. The statistical analyses demonstrated that this objective was best achieved in the subgroup-2 with the 40 g compression.
Water quality in hard rocks of the Karkonosze National Park (Western Sudetes, SW Poland)
Authors: Marszałek Henryk , Rysiukiewicz Michał 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Long-term regional emissions of air pollutants in the second half of the twentieth century led to strong changes in the quality of surface and groundwater in the Karkonosze Mts. As a result, in the most valuable natural parts of these mountains, protected in the area of the Karkonosze National Park, there was strong deforestation, which assumed the size of an ecological disaster. The various protective activities introduced at the beginning of the 1990s led to the improvement not only of the water quality, but also other ecosystems. Based on the chemical analyses of water sampled in 40 points located in the whole Park, the current state of water quality was assessed. Concentrations of some microelements were higher only in few points compared to the drinking water quality standards, which indicates a significant improvement in water quality.