Staging the new romantic hero in the old cynical theatre: On managers,roles and change in Poland

Poland is undergoing a major systemic shift from a centrally-planned toward a market economy. All dimensions of societal life are involved in the change. The paper discusses the current role of Polish managers against the background of what it used to be like under communism from a social constructivist perspective. The role is considered from the point of view of the actors; how they construct their role.     

Chemoecological studies of the exocrine glandular larval secretions of two chrysomelid species (Coleoptera):Phaedon cochleariae andChrysomela lapponica

Summary The exocrine glandular secretions of larvae of the subfamily Chrysomelinae are known to repel conspecific adults, other competitive phytophagous insects and natural enemies. InPhaedon cochleariae, the intraspecific activity of tlc fractions of the larval secretion was tested in order to examine the ecological significance of two fractions containing minor components and a fraction containing the major compound, the cyclopentanoid monoterpene (epi)chrysomelidial. InChrysomela lapponica, the defensive activity of the larval secretion against ants is known from specimens feeding upon willow or birch. The feeding preferences of larvae and adults ofC. lapponica from a Finnish and a Czech population were tested. The Finnish individuals significantly preferred feeding uponSalix borealis, whereas they hardly fed upon birch. The Czech specimens clearly preferred birch (Betula pubescens) to willow species. Application of salicin onto leaves of a willow species free of this phenolglycoside revealed that the Finnish individuals preferred feeding upon leaves with salicin. On the other hand, the Czech individuals avoided feeding upon leaves ofB. pubescens treated with salicin. The chemical composition of the glandular secretion of the Finnish larvae differed from the one of the Czech larvae. GC-MS-analyses of the secretions revealed that salicylaldehyde was the only major component of the secretion of Finnish larvae feeding upon the salicin-containing willowS. borealis. The glandular secretion of the Czech larvae feeding upon birch contained numerous esters of isobutyric acid and 2-methylbutyric acid. When Czech larvae had fed upon a salicin-containing willow (S. fragilis), the major compounds of their secretion were benzoic acid, salicylalcohol and benzoic acid esters; salicylaldehyde was only detected in traces. Thus,C. lapponica individuals from the Finland population adapted so closely to a salicincontaining willow that they clearly prefer this plant for food and that they obviously derive their main larval defensive compound (salicylaldehyde) from their host-plant.     

Humic acids from oxidized coals I. Elemental composition, titration curves, heavy metals in HA samples, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of HAs and infrared spectroscopy

The formation of humic acids (HAs) from bituminous coal was verified by laboratory oxidation. In a relatively short time the oxidation by air at temperature above 150 degrees C led to the formation of HAs. These HAs were compared with those isolated from oxidized bituminous coal from the vicinity of red bed bodies, from weathered bituminous coal, oxihumolite and lignite. For this the organic and inorganic elemental composition of HAs, apparent dissociation constants, metal-binding capacities, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectra were determined and evaluated. With increasing temperature of laboratory oxidation of bituminous coal the percentage of aromaticity of HAs increases. HAs prepared from coal oxidized at 150 degrees C are characterized by an aromaticity index 78% while for HAs prepared at 250 and 300 degrees C by 95% aromaticity. The same index for HAs isolated from naturally oxidized bituminous coals is of about 87% whereas it is of about 50% for oxihumolite and lignite. The apparent dissociation constants (Kapp) are much higher in HAs isolated from oxihumolite and lignite (pKapp from 3.35 to 3.80) than those from oxidized bituminous coal samples (pKapp from 4.47 to 4.85). There is a good negative correlation between Pb-binding capacity and pKapp of all samples suggesting that metallic ions are bonded to acidic groups of HAs. Also contents of inorganic elements like Fe, Al, Si are much higher in HAs isolated from lignite and oxihumolite than those in HAs from oxidized bituminous coal. Thus, it seems that the temperatures below 150 degrees C and the long oxidation time are necessary conditions for the formation of HAs in oxidative altered bituminous coal deposited deeply under the earth surface.     

Indirect interactions between a phytopathogenic and an entomopathogenic fungus

Slow growth in herbivores may lead to higher mortality, due to prolonged exposure to natural enemies. A number of studies has tested the 'slow-growth, high-mortality' hypothesis using predators or parasitoids as natural enemies of the herbivore, but the possible role of pathogens is poorly documented. We provide evidence that phytopathogenic infection of a plant enhances the susceptibility of herbivore larvae to a generalist entomopathogen. Larvae of the mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae grow more slowly when feeding on Chinese cabbage leaves infected by the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria brassicae than larvae feeding on healthy leaves. Treatment of such larvae feeding on diseased plants with an LD₅₀ of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae resulted in 100% mortality, compared with a mortality rate of 54% in the control larvae feeding on uninfected leaves. This is the first demonstration of an interaction between a phyto- and an entomopathogenic fungus.     

Shell colour,temperature, (micro)habitat structure and predator pressure affect the behaviour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cepaea nemoralis</Emphasis>

Although shell colour polymorphism of the land snail Cepaea nemoralis is a well-known phenomenon, proximate and ultimate factors driving its evolution remain uncertain. Polymorphic species show variation in behavioural responses to selective forces. Therefore, we estimated effects of various environmental factors (temperature, humidity, food availability, (micro)habitat structure and predatory pressure) on behavioural response (frequency of locomotion, climbing and hiding) of C. nemoralis morphs, in experimental and natural conditions. In the experimental part of study, the frequency of locomotion was negatively affected by temperature and the presence of food and positively influenced by the presence of light. Morphs significantly differed in behavioural responses to environmental variability. Pink mid-banded and yellow five-banded morphs climbed less often and hide in shelter more often than yellow and pink unbanded individuals when temperature was low and food was absent. Snails fed most often at moderate temperature compared to low and high temperatures. Field investigations partially confirmed differences among morphs in frequency of climbing, but not in terms of probability of hiding in sheltered sites. In natural colonies, temperature and (micro)habitat structure significantly affected frequency of climbing as well as hiding in shelter. Snails more often hid in sheltered sites where thrushes preyed on Cepaea. Tendency of unbanded morphs to climb trees may have evolved under avian predatory pressure as thrushes forage on a ground. Tendency of banded morphs to hide in sheltered sites may reflect prey preferences for cryptic background. The results implicate that differential behaviour of C. nemoralis morphs compensate for their morphological and physiological limitations of adaptation to habitat.     

Abschätzung des umweltchemischen und ökotoxikologischen Verhaltens von Stoffen durch computergestützte Analyse von Struktur und Verhalten sowie von Struktur und Wirkung

Risk assessment of chemicals requires comprehensive data material, which often is not available. To provide substitutes for the lacking experimental ecotoxicological and physico-chemical data, a software-system (SAR-System) has been developed comprising more than 90 estimation models for relevant endpoints. The approach is based on quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR). Two major aspects characterize the SAR-System:

1. The implemented models were tested for their validity and application range.
2. The QSARs are accessible by a menu-driven programme package.

The following endpoints are included: Thysico-Chemical Data: 1-Octanol/water-partition-coefficient log P_ow, vapour pressure, water solubility, pK_a-value, boiling point Biological Data: Toxicity towards fish, daphnia, tetrahymenae, algae, bacteria and mammals, mutagenicity. Distribution: soil sorption, bioconcentration, Henry-Constant, Mackay (Level I). Degradation: photodegradation, biodegradability.     

Organic acid profile and phenolic and sugar content in Salix purpurea × viminalis L. cultivated with different spent mushroom substrate and copper additions

The aim of the study was to determine the response of Salix purpurea?×?viminalis L. growing on Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom substrate (SMS) with different copper (Cu) addition. The content of Cu in roots, leaves and shoots was reduced by SMS addition. A decrease of biomass was observed with simultaneous Cu concentration increase. SMS induced leaf and root elongation of Cu-treated plants. Variation in the profile of low molecular weight organic acids with the domination of oxalic and acetic acids was observed. The total phenolic content significantly increased for plants cultivated with SMS, while the biosynthesis of salicylic acid was considerably weakened. The content of sugars was generally reduced by SMS. Alteration in the level of the stress-related molecules suggests mitigation of the harmful effect of Cu on Salix hybrid metabolism by SMS addition. This pointed to the possibility of using SMS in contaminated soil to reduce the toxic effect of metals on plants used in phytoextraction.     

Epidemiological studies on bicycle manufacturing industrial workers

Studies involving health status of bicycle manufacturing industrial workers exposed to chemicals and unexposed workers of the same industry who formed control were conducted at Sonepatin Haryana State, India. Negligence of industrial hygiene and personal protection affected the health of exposed workers adversely Epidemiological spectrum of exposed subjects showed much variation from control. Some unique disorders, such as nail impairments, nasal septum perforation and metal fume fever were observed in exposed workers against their absence in unexposed workers. Data showed occurrence of following diseases in the order of asthma>skin disorders>allergic disorders>bronchitis>all other respiratory diseases>nail disorders and acute pharyngitis>pulmonary tuberculosis and loss of smell and hearing>nasal septum perforation showing high risk factor for 'all other respiratory diseases' and skin disorders. Importance of occupational health surveillance has been highlighted.     

Discourses of Place: Environmental Interpretation about Vermont Forests

Motivated by a lack of scholarly attention to the substance of interpretive messages and materials, this study examines discursive aspects of interpretative brochures available at forest recreation and tourism sites in Vermont, United States. Directive statements that instruct and guide visitor experiences—and the discourses to which they contribute—were analyzed for content, form, and meaning. Across the interpretive brochures, four broad discourses were identified: the natural forest, the recreational forest, the productive forest, and the dependent forest. Consideration of intertextuality revealed a fifth, hybrid discourse that linked forests to meanings of Vermont as a distinctive place. The convergence of these discourses across the set of brochures gives insight into the ways interpretation serves to both direct individual visitor experiences at particular sites, and to influence the development of larger-scale place meanings.