bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of the Chief Engineers Experience to Prioritize Operational Tasks in the Ship Engine Room
Authors: Kaminski Piotr
Published: December 2018

The frequent causes of ships’ detentions by port authorities are abnormalities of marine power plant functioning. Each extended ship lay time in port results in a waste of ship operating time thus costs rise to ship owners. This is connected with improper marine power plant management. In order to avoid this, a ship engineer should have at his disposal computer aided system supporting him in the managing of the marine power plant. One element of the decision making process in managing the marine engine room is to determine how important is each of the tasks which the operators have to do. This estimation is the base to choose the most important tasks and make optimal schedule with them using AHP method. Based on practice, a hierarchic structure of factors influencing a tasks validity in the engine room operating process was made. Next a preliminary questionnaire was conducted, which put questions to the experts as chief engineers next. This enabled to define numerical values of suitable coefficients influencing on the validity of operating tasks, show results of calculations in form of mileage parameters of engine as a function of crank angle.
The Impact of the Route of Transport on Price Formation in Road Freight Transport
Authors: Jaśkiewicz Marek , Hammer Juraj , Poliak Miloš
Published: December 2018

In general, transport companies have an unimportant role in the business market, in order to achieve the required sales and the related profit. Competition in road transport is great and enforcement from a large number of carriers is considerable. It is the price for the transport of goods that plays the most important role how to get the carrier and the customer who wants the lowest transport price. On the contrary, the carrier would like to get the highest amount for the shipment. A compromise between these two requirements should form the required shipping price. Pricing involves a factor other than costs, the attractiveness of the transport destination, in terms of the possibility of return utilization the vehicle. The aim of the paper is to verify the hypothesis, that the cost of transport is affected not only by the carrier’s costs, but also the target destination of the ordered shipment.
Grid Type Impact on the Results of the Volume of Fluid Method in the Free Surface Flow Calculations Around Ship Hull
Authors: Sugalski Karol , Skrúcaný Tomáš
Published: December 2018

This article presents results of the free surface flow around ship hull on two different types of computational grid. Each type of mentioned grid has its own advantages and disadvantages in particular cases, mostly in one phase simulation. Omitting cases with capitation, there is no free surface involved in one phase simulation. Multiphase simulations are crucial in the ship design process and optimization. Recreating free surface on the triangular mesh causes difficulties, in contrast to the hexahedral meshes, where calculated surface is more aligned to the physical border of the fluids. In this paper, results from the triangular mesh were compared to results from hexahedral mesh. Conclusions about triangular meshes in two phase simulation are presented. The computational fluid dynamic toolbox OpenFOAM is used to perform calculations of the total resistance of work boat in calm water.
Intensity of Dangerous Phones from Waves on Selected Oceanic Routes
Authors: Szelangiewicz Tadeusz , Żelazny Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

Ocean routes are recommended for ships based on economic criteria. Under the influence of waves. during sailing of the ship. various dangerous phenomena arise which can lead to marine crashes. Although weather sites are known to provide short-term weather forecasts (wave and wind parameters). this information is not used to calculate corrections of ocean-route guidelines. A captain based on his knowledge and experience can make such adjustments. The article presents the results of calculations of the values of dangerous parameters of phenomena which may occur during a cruise on example ocean routes. For the calculation of dangerous phenomena. the average statistical long-term (seasonal) parameters contained in weather atlas were used.
Dangerous Phones Arising from the Waves During the Oceanic Route Ship
Authors: Szelangiewicz Tadeusz , Żelazny Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

Ocean routes are recommended for ships based on economic criteria. Under the influence of waves, during the cruise of the ship, dangerous phenomena are created, the intensity of which depends on the speed of the ship and its course in relation to the direction of the waves, the state of the sea, the size of the ship, the state of loading. Although weather services are known, waves parameters are not used to calculate the value of parameters that characterize dangerous phenomena. The article presents the most frequently analysed dangerous phenomena, how they are calculated, the criteria for their evaluation, and the results of calculations for the selected vessel.
Reimbursement of Excise Duty on Minerals Oils
Authors: Jaśkiewicz Marek , Hammer Juraj , Poliak Miloš , Więckowski Dariusz
Published: December 2018

Enterprise in the EU is currently a single market business, but on which the conditions are not completely unified. In the case of mineral oil excise duty a minimum level of taxation is set by EU rules, but individual states do not strictly prescribe a specific rate of tax. It is a fact for international road transport, that there are states on the route of transport, where it is preferable to pump fuel. Because the mineral oil tax is an income of state budget in concrete state, is good for the state, if the carrier pumps fuel on the territory of that state. For carriers who only drive within the country the higher tax rate is more advantageous in terms of choice. For this reason, some EU countries apply for the selected group of entrepreneurs, the refund of excise duty due to the use of carriers in their territory and to achieve higher tax deduction in cumulative terms. The purpose of this contribution is to identify the possibilities for refunding excise duty in the Slovak Republic and to propose a procedure for assessing the effects of the refund of excise duty on mineral oils.
Application of Steam Jet Injector for Latent Heat Recovery of Marine Steam Turbine Propulsion Plant
Authors: Grzesiak Szymon , Adamkiewicz Andrzej
Published: December 2018

This paper presents the results of previously carried out analyses regarding efficiency and criteria evaluation of various propulsion plants of modern LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) carriers. The results of previous identification and quality assessment of waste heat energy sources of a CST (Conventional Steam Turbine) plant are presente. In this paper the possibility of use a steam jet injector in order to recover the latent heat is analysed. Calculations were carried out for an injector equipped with a de Laval nozzle, determining the thermodynamic state parameters of the mixture of drive steam and sucked in steam as well as the steam on the outlet of the injector for the various ejection ratios. On the basis of the results of the injector calculation, the heat balance of a simple regenerative Clausius – Rankine steam cycle (with one regenerative heater – deaerator) was carried out. The degree of regeneration (increase of the thermal efficiency) for cycle using the regenerative injector was determined. Based on results the further research directions for complex plants using a steam jets are indicated.
Experimental Research on the Concept of Using an Autonomous Transport Module for Transport From the Seabed
Authors: Filipek Wiktor , Broda Krzysztof
Published: December 2018

The great interest in the exploitation of sea deposits has in recent years resulted in the creation of many consortia conducting research on various methods of mining and transport to the surface. Exploitation of the shelf areas of crude oil and gas as well as solid minerals is successfully carried out in many places around the world using various methods. More and more often, however, we want to obtain natural resources found at great depths such as polymetallic nodules and massive polymetallic sulphides. This puts much greater demands on scientists and engineers. Unfortunately, solutions developed so far are characterized by high energy consumption. For several years, the authors have been researching new concepts of transport from the seabed. In previous years the authors presented theoretical research results of using a new method involving the use of pyrotechnic materials as a source of energy in transport from the seabed from large depths and experimental ones with the use of potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate in a controlled pyrotechnic reaction and they compared three conceptions of transport of dredge spoil from the point of view of energy demand. This publication presents the results of the continuation of research, this time on the concept of building an autonomous transport module and its operating principles. The construction of the laboratory stand and the way of conducting experiments are discussed. The results of experimental research are presented, which confirm the possibility of using the discussed concept in transport from the seabed.
Ways of Adjusting the Two-Stroke Diesel Engine to be Run on Liquefied Natural Gas
Authors: Giernalczyk Mariusz , Łoński Filip , Kaniak Wojciech
Published: December 2018

This article attempts at assessing the feasibility and validity of adjusting the two-stroke diesel engine to be fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). It discusses a set of modifications introduced onto one of the ships carrying liquefied natural gas. These changes consisted in adjusting the engines of the main drive so that they can be fuelled by gas. This has been achieved by the modification of the cylinder head and fuel supply installation. Parameter results of the modified engines obtained during sea trials have been presented. Both advantages and disadvantages resulting from gas combustion have been pointed out. Ultimately, the authors of this article assess the applicability of this solution to other LNG carriers.
Analysis of the Topology of „Shore to Ship” Systems – Power Electronic Connection of Ships with Land
Authors: Tarnapowicz Dariusz , German-Galkin Sergei
Published: December 2018

The possibility of building efficient and universal systems for the use of electricity land network by ships berthed in the port appeared along with the development of power electronic technologies. The need to connect ships to the land network is primarily related to ecological reasons. The choice of the appropriate topology by the investor (usually port authorities) is mainly connected with ensuring high quality of electricity provided to the ship and local conditions. The article reviews topologies of power electronic system (possible to use) for connection of ships with the land network – their disadvantages and advantages.
Calculation of Operational Indicator EEOI for Ships Designed to Other Purpose Than Transport Based on A Research – Training Vessel
Authors: Prill Katarzyna , Igielski Karol
Published: December 2018

Applying the Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator as a tool for monitoring the energy efficiency of ships performing other functions or tasks than transport is a problem in the proper assessment of the CO2 emitted by the vessel during its operation. The analysis of 30 voyages of the research-training vessel showed that the vessel Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator is higher than for transport vessels in the world fleet. The authors suggest that the term „performed transport work” in the indicator calculation method recommended by the International Maritime Organization needs to be modified in terms of operational parameters of this type of ships.
FEA-Analysis of Shaft and Supports Deformations for Huge Precise Lathe. Statics and Resonances
Authors: Dounar Stanislau , Lakimovitch Alexandre , Ausiyevich Andrei , Jakubowski Andrzej
Published: December 2018

Load bearing system simulation is provided for a huge lathe to be renovated. Static and modal analyses are done by FEM. Focus was centerline rising, needed for larger rotor shaft machining. Forces between shaft and three supports were applied. Shaft static stiffness is lowered at 1.15 times only for 600 mm centerline rising. Supports have lost its rigidity at 1.42 times. Concrete pouring into bed cavities is recommended for supports flexibility limitation such as tailstock reinforcement. Robustness of bottom resonances is revealed both for rotor shaft (14.5–18.2 Hz) and supports (42.7–55.4 Hz). Centerline rising is allowed on 300 mm at least. It gives possibility to machine extremely large (up to ø2750 mm) shafts.
The Influence of Temperature on Changes in the Distinguishing Features of the Usable Quality of Soybean Meal
Authors: Drzewieniecka Beata , Drzewieniecki Jan , Blatnický Miroslav
Published: December 2018

Soybean meal is one of the fodder components. It is a by-product of the production of soybean oil. Soybean meal is a specific cargo due to changes that may occur in it during transport processes. These changes are subject to many distinguishing features of usable quality inter alia fat and fatty acid content. The temperature and size of the soybean meal particles are among the factors influencing the transformations. The article presents the results of research on soybean meal and its individual fractions and the impact of selected indicators on the quality changes of this cargo. The results depend on the conditions corresponding to those that occur during the storage, handling and transport processes. The dependencies between them have been determined. The performed research allowed to determine the type and scope of changes taking place in this cargo under the influence of temperature. The results of the study showed that as the temperature rises, the fatty acid content in the soybean meal decreased during storage for a given period of 30 days.
Equipment Exploitation in Power to Gas Installation
Authors: Kotowicz Janusz , Jurczyk Michał , Węcel Daniel
Published: December 2018

The article presents idea of installation to energy storage in the form of hydrogen – Power to Gas (P2G). The results of laboratory tests carried out at the Silesian University of Technology in the Institute of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery (IMiUE), covering selected aspects of hydrogen generators most frequently used in these types of installations are presented. The influence of water conductivity and temperature during continuous operation of the electrolyzer at constant current value and in operation at variable current on the efficiency of the tested devices are shown. A hydrogen generator equipped with two AEM electrolyzers with a performance of 0.5 Nm3H2/h and a generator containing four PEM electrolyzers connected in series, with a maximum performance of 1.58 Ndm3/min were tested. The efficiency characteristics of the electrolysis process, efficiency of the electrolyzers and changes in the resistance values for both types of electrolyzers were presented. Calculations to estimate effect of temperature change on the efficiency characteristic of AEM electrolyzers were also made.
The Emission and Combustion Characteristics of Marine Diesel Engine with Extreme Throttled of Air or Exhaust Ducts
Authors: Kowalski Jerzy
Published: December 2018

Presented paper shows the results of the laboratory tests on the relationship between the extreme throttling of both air intake duct and exhaust gas duct and gaseous emission from the marine engine. The object of research is a laboratory, 4-stroke, DI diesel engine, operated at loads from 50 kW to 250 kW at a constant speed equal to 750 rpm. During the laboratory tests the thermodynamic and exhaust gas emission characteristics of the engine were measured with technical condition recognized as “working properly” and with simulated throttling of both air intake duct and exhaust gas duct. Air intake duct throttling by 60% causes visible changes at both gas temperature and pressure behind the intercooler. The study results show significant changes of NOx and CO2 emission for considered air intake duct throttling. The best indicator of exhaust gas duct throttling among considered thermodynamic parameters of the engine is mean in-cylinder pressure. In the case of measuring the composition of exhaust gas, the throttling of the exhaust gas duct causes visible changes in CO2 and NOx emission. The conclusion is that the results of measurements of the composition of the exhaust gas may contain valuable diagnostic information about the technical condition of air intake and exhaust gas duct of the marine engine.
The Use of a Mathematical Model of Marine Diesel Engine in a Computer Program
Authors: Bogdanowicz Artur , Kniaziewicz Tomasz , Zacharewicz Marcin
Published: December 2018

The paper describes the application of the author’s mathematical model of gas-dynamic processes for a marine piston engine based on a computer program. The developed mathematical and numerical model is designed to conduct simulation diagnostics. Therefore, it is possible to carry out calculations for motors in different technical conditions and observing influence of changes in technical condition on selected parameters of its work. Simulation of changes in technical condition is carried out by modifying parameters of structure’s model object. The article contains a detailed description of each options of the computer program. From the main program window, user can select type of engine model (supercharging method, cylinder number, work order, stroke and piston diameter and a number of other parameters). Through a window of simulation of known and recognizable damages such as: change in fuel dose for each cylinder, change in intake and outlet valves, leakage of piston-ring-cylinder system, change of injector hole cross section. Final windows show results of calculations in form of mileage parameters of engine as a function of crank angle.
Assessment of Selected On-Board Ballast Water Treatment Systems in Terms of Technical and Operational Parameters
Authors: Szczepanek Marcin , Behrendt Cezary
Published: December 2018

The BWM Convention (Ballast Water Management Convention) will enter into force on 8 September 2017. This document is a response to a very significant problem such as sea water pollution. Due to the Convention, a huge number of companies will be forced to analyze the matter and implement the required provisions. They shall also assess the technologies applied and the fixed systems for ballast water treatment as well as set the requirements in relation to the selection and installation of same at ships. The paper presents the currently applicable regulations and the review of the technologies used for ballast water treatment. There are 5 ballast water treatment systems described herein that are offered by the top producers. The paper includes also the technical and operational parameters of the systems in question. The analysis shall allow for an assessment that may be valuable during the selection process.
Impact of Waves on Dangerous Stability of Vessels on the Oceanic Route
Authors: Szelangiewicz Tadeusz , Żelazny Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

Stability is one of the most important properties of the ship. The greatest influence on stability and thus on the possibility of loss of stability have the rolling of the ship on the wave. Mathematical models describing rolling on wave are complicated, and their solution, especially in the irregular wave, is only possible with numerical methods in the time domain. Large rolling, until the ship capsize, formation not only on the beam wave, but also on the following wave. Various models describing rolling (linear and nonlinear, regular and irregular wave, and constant or variable restoring moment) are presented. The predicted level hazard of stability of the ship depends on the direction of the wave and the cases where the level of hazard will be greatest.
Analysis of Marine Piston Engine Injectors Dynamic State for the Non-Invasive Diagnostics Purpose
Authors: Dudziński Marek , Kluczyk Marcin
Published: December 2018

The paper presents results of measurements conducted during multi-stage studies on injectors of WOLA 72H6 engine. The research was conducted to determine the technical condition of the injectors during their operation. As a result of the injector modeling in the CAD environment, the resonant frequencies of the examined element were obtained. The next stage of the study was a stand-alone tests with the simultaneous recording of vibration parameters. The aim of records was to link the vibration parameters with the technical condition of the tested injectors. The study series was finished with measurements on a real object test stand.
Theoretical Research on the Stability of the Transport Module Intended for Transport from the Seabed
Authors: Filipek Wiktor , Broda Krzysztof
Published: December 2018

The interest in sea mining has resulted in the recent years in the creation of many new methods for the exploitation of marine deposits as well as the transport from the seabed to the. For several years, the authors have been trying to develop new concepts of transport from the seabed. In previous publications, the authors presented the concept of an autonomous transport module for transport from the seabed. The research so far has focused on the development of the module’s operation principles, determination of the energy source in the transport process and changes in the average density of the transport module. In this publication, the authors focused on the stability problem of the transport module during deployment and ascent. This is a very important issue, because the stability of the module will determine its practical suitability for transport from the seabed.
Audit as a Tool to Control the Functionality of Ships Safety Management Systems
Authors: Wojniłko Elżbieta
Published: December 2018

The aim of this paper is to assess whether audit may be recognised as the evaluation tool for management systems in terms of their functioning and ensuring constant improvement. The paper content refers to the role of both internal and external audit. It also includes a characteristic of an internal auditor as a person directly responsible for efficient and effective audit. A correlation between the management system and the management process based on the guidelines is a subject of the analysis, too. The paper includes also the presentation of the safety management system and ship energy efficiency management systems the implementation of which is obligatory at ships. However, they differ in the methodology of the efficiency assessment. The author analysed the data previously collected and the information obtained during interviews with individuals to whom were delegated the duties in the scope of the both management schemes. The possibility of the using audit as a tool to improve the energy efficiency of ships is also considered hereunder. A proposed solution that may be applied to develop detailed standards in terms of the ship energy efficiency management process is also included.
Simulation of the Process of Metal Hardness Measurement by the Rockwell Method
Authors: Berczyński Stefan , Grochała Daniel , Grządziel Zenon
Published: December 2018

The article presents a simulation of metal hardness determination by the Rockwell method. The authors describe a physical model of an indenter and the examined sample built by means of the Nastran FX 2010 program using the finite elements method. The modelling included subsequent stages of indenter loads that follow the procedure used in the method. The verifying calculations were made for the results of C45 steel hardness of approx. 20 HRC. Two methods of hardness measurements were analyzed. A diamond cone was used as an indenting tool in one method, a steel ball in the other. As a result of calculations, spatial maps of elastic and plastic strains and stresses were obtained throughout the process. The hardness results obtained from computer simulations and those from experiments involving C45 steel are similar.
Contemporary Computer Support Design Solutions for Industrial Infrastructure
Authors: Kostrzewa Waldemar , Kałkowska Elwira , Nozdrzykowski Krzysztof
Published: December 2018

This article is an proposition to the use of contemporary CAD (Computer Aided Design) solutions for industrial infrastructure design, and to showing the many benefits of their practical use, avoiding many mistakes during the investment process, thereby increasing the quality of the creating products while reducing the costs associated with their production. The paper proposes a method of inventory of the current state and methods of spatial layout analysis of planned investment using smart databases to configure the individual manufacture slots. Presented is method of material flow analysis in the virtual model of the production line, tools for line analysis with particular focus on collision identification, job scheduling and parametric analysis of the planned installations.
Bulk Modulus of Copper Alloys in Context of Modern Metal Theory
Authors: Chrzanowski Janusz , Bieg Bohdan
Published: December 2018

The authors used a modern quantum theory allowing to determine the energy levels of electrons in real metal. Based on that analytical equations have been presented by means of which the bulk modulus for chosen metals were calculated. It should be emphasized that all values obtained directly from the derived equation are in perfect conformity with the experimental data, a few percentage differences are comparable with the potential measurement error. Subsequently a simple mathematical model has been proposed which allows to calculate the bulk modulus of copper alloys depending on their percentage composition. The authors performed numerical calculations for the typical copper alloys and the results are presented in the form of graphs.
Results of a Study on the Quality of Conical Picks for Public Procurement Purposes
Authors: Bołoz Łukasz
Published: December 2018

The article presents the results of a study on the quality of conical picks for the purposes of tender procedures in accordance with the public procurement law in Poland. The pick studies presented here are one of the few that in practice allow the selection of an offer based on objectively determined numerical indicators defining the quality of the product and not only on the basis of price. Thanks to this, the contracting party can decide the relevance of price and quality in their evaluation of a pick. The geometrical and material parameters required in a tender, if not met, are the basis for rejecting a given offer of picks. The numerical parameter influencing the final evaluation of the offer is the picks’ rate of wear. Conical picks are tools for mining minerals, rocks, asphalt or concrete. They are used in many industries, especially in mining, construction and road engineering. In difficult working conditions, the durability of knives is limited to as little as several hours. Several dozen picks work on a cutting unit at the same time, and taking into account the price of a knife which oscillates around several dozen euros, significant operating costs are incurred. Therefore, the selection of tools with an optimum price-quality ratio is crucial. The article presents the results of studies on geometric parameters, material parameters and the rate of wear of 48 sets of picks conducted for a tender consisting of 14 tasks. The tender was conducted for 6 underground mines of a coal company. Five producers submitted their offers for selected tasks in the tender.
Modification of 316L Steel Surface in Ozone Atmosphere
Authors: Kłonica Mariusz , Kuczmaszewski Józef
Published: December 2018

The study reported in this paper was undertaken to assess whether certain ecologically-disastrous surface treatments, such as chemical and electrochemical treatment could be replaced with ozonation. The proposed technology is both ecologically-sound and relatively inexpensive. The research works were conducted on 316L steel substrates and involved photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The band positions on the review spectrum provide the basis for the qualitative identification of the atoms forming the surface layer, whereas their intensity – data for the calculation of the total concentration of these atoms in the analysed layer. High resolution spectra are used to determine the type of chemical bonds – based on the characteristic numbers of chemical shift. The results of tests on the state of surface layer energy of 316L steel substrate following ozone treatment are also presented. The conducted tests and the analysis of the obtained results indicate that ozone treatment effectively removes atmospheric carbon contaminants off the specimen surface. The test results show a decrease in atmospheric carbon on samples after ozone treatment compared to untreated samples. Moreover, results show an increase in the value of the free surface energy in specimens subjected to ozone treatment.
Inter-parliamentary Cooperation in the EU and outside the Union: Distinctive Features and Limits of the European Experience
Authors: Griglio Elena , Lupo Nicola
Published: December 2018

The article draws comparisons between inter-parliamentary cooperation in the European Union and at the international level. It recognises that, notwithstanding a strong international imprint, inter-parliamentary relations in the EU have gradually experienced somewhat distinctive pushes, deeply embedded in the unique constitutional arrangement of the Union. On the one hand, the composite nature of EU constitutionalism, and its impact on parliaments’ relationship with the democratic oversight rationale, have exercised a major influence on the aims and scope of inter-parliamentary cooperation. On the other hand, from the organisational point of view, the distinctive structure of parliamentary representation in the EU has pushed inter-parliamentary arrangements into a multi-layered design, consisting of a large variety of vertical formats. The article argues that inter-parliamentary cooperation in the EU is expected to act as a sui generis practice when compared to apparently similar forms of transnational dialogue amongst parliaments. In theory, at least, the EU sets ideal conditions for fulfilling an authentic collective parliamentary dimension, instrumental to the democratic oversight of the executives. Instead, focusing on the practice, the full potential of EU inter-parliamentarism is not yet fulfilled, for two set of reasons: the unresolved ambiguities over its contribution to parliamentary democracy and the lack of a real capacity to depart from the formats of international parliamentary institutions.
From procedural disagreement to joint scrutiny? The Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance
Authors: Kreilinger Valentin
Published: December 2018

The provision of Article 13 TSCG to create an Interparliamentary Conference was the starting point for long discussions after which national parliaments and the European Parliament eventually reached a compromise. This article pursues a two-fold objective: It first examines the different phases of interparliamentary negotiations from 2012 to 2015. On the basis of a distinction between three competing models for interparliamentary cooperation, the article shows that the two models of EP-led scrutiny and creating a collective parliamentary counterweight did not prevail: Parliaments agreed that the new Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance (SECG) would follow the ‘standard’ interparliamentary conference (COSAC model). In terms of national parliaments’ actual participation, the lowest common denominator compromise has not changed the numbers of participating MPs: Attendance records are stable over time, the size of national delegations continues to vary and participating MPs are still twice as likely to be members of Budget or Finance committees than to be members of European affairs committees.
A New Form of Democratic Oversight in the EU: The Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group for Europol
Authors: Cooper Ian
Published: December 2018

In 2017, a new Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) was created to enable members of the national parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament to exercise joint oversight of the EU agency for police cooperation (Europol). This paper chronicles and explains the lengthy legal and political process leading up to the first meeting of the Europol JPSG in October 2017, and the establishment of its Rules of Procedure at its second meeting in March 2018. In addition, the Europol JPSG is compared to the three EU inter-parliamentary conferences (IPCs) which meet twice-yearly to discuss EU affairs, foreign policy and economic governance. While there are many similarities, the JPSG differs from these others in that it has an explicit mandate to scrutinize, and the target of its scrutiny is a specific EU agency rather than a whole policy field. The JPSG is also distinctive in a number of key respects, including a stronger legal basis, more restrictive membership and participation rules, greater continuity of membership, stronger access to EU officials and documents, a seat on the Europol Management Board and an explicit right to ask oral and written questions. Taken together, these attributes indicate that the JPSG is designed to be an oversight body, rather than merely a discussion forum. Finally, the paper considers the likely future UK role in relation to the Europol JPSG after Brexit.
Federalism and constitution: States’ participation in constitutional reform as a guarantee of the federalisation process. (A study of Spain’s unique model)
Authors: Alberdi María Reyes Pérez
Published: December 2018

The aim of involving state members in reforming federal constitutions is to guarantee them the autonomy that they have been constitutionally granted. It also prevents reform from being carried out unilaterally by the central government and means the structure of competences can be modified as necessary. In this study, we will consider how federations manage, to a greater or lesser extent, regional intervention in constitutional reform. However, we will see how recently, in Spain, the anticipated routes for territorial participation in the constitutional text have proved to be clearly insufficient, and have developed into the recent crisis in this ‘State of Autonomies’, which is now facing the breakdown of national unity.
Bi-Ethnic Federalism and the Question of Sovereignty: Understanding the Competitive Security Postures in Cyprus
Authors: Koktsidis Pavlos I.
Published: December 2018

When ethnic groups negotiate self-government arrangements, ‘ethnic sovereignty’ lies boldly at the heart of their security considerations. The constitutional nature of self-determination and the extent of territorial control can determine the degree of ethno-territorial sovereignty attributed to groups. However, in competitive contexts influenced by fear and mistrust, groups interpret these pillar elements in ways that increase their own sense of security. The present study argues that legal and political positions on sovereignty in Cyprus are largely built around the competitive security assumptions held by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaderships, and explains how the divergent viewpoints and understandings of sovereignty reflect the underlying security fears and suspicion of parties. The analysis finds that the two ethnic leaderships in Cyprus have sought to accumulate a distinct ‘sovereignty capital’ in an effort to safeguard their own and overpower each other’s perceived security intentions in the event of federal collapse, making thus the attainment of settlement in Cyprus particularly elusive.
Environmental subsidiarity in the EU: or halfway to green federalism?
Authors: de Melo Cartaxo Tiago
Published: December 2018

Environmental protection and sustainable development are competences that the EU is entitled to integrate into the definition and implementation of its policies. However, shared competences in these areas are still a reality, as a margin of discretion persists for Member States, aimed at maintaining a high level of decentralisation, particularly where issues related to national policies and more (nation) specific sectoral legislation are concerned. This paper intends to analyse the application of the principle of subsidiarity to environmental issues within the EU, to examine the characteristics of a possible path to the future of green federalism in Europe.
Paediatric Brain Monitoring with Information Technology (KidsBrainIT) - ERA-NET NEURON Grant
Authors: Apetrei C.A. , Gheorghita C. , Tascu A. , Iencean A.St. , Lo Tsz-Yan Milly , Piper Ian , Iencean St.M.
Published: December 2018

The complete name of this ERA-NET NEURON Grant is “Paediatric Brain Monitoring with Information Technology (KidsBrainIT). Using IT Innovations to Improve Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury Intensive Care Management, Outcome, and Patient Safety”. The Project Coordinators are Ms. Dr. Tsz-Yan Milly Lo (Consultant Paediatric Intensivist and Research Lead in Paediatric Critical Care Medicine ) and Ian Piper from University of Edinburgh, UK and the partners are: Prof. Bart Depreitere and his team from Neurosurgery & Intensive Care Research Group, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium; Prof. Juan Sahuquillo and his team from Department of Neurosurgery, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain and the Romanian team with doctors CA Apetrei, C Gheorghita and A Tascu as principal investigators in three different hospitals. This material is based on the scientific project proposal with the basic project data. The aim of this grant is to test two clinically relevant hypotheses: after sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI), paediatric patients with a longer period of measured cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) maintained within the calculated optimal CPP (CPPopt) have an improved global clinical outcome and better tolerance against raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Paediatric TBI patients requiring intensive care are recruited from more contributing centres in 4 different countries. Their anonymised routinely collected bedside physiological monitoring data in minute-resolutions linking with anonmyised clinical and outcome data are exported and archived in the central KidsBrainIT data-bank. CPPopt is calculated and ICP dose-response analyses are performed on the KidsBrainIT dataset and their correlations with global outcome at 6 months are determined. The final aim of this study is to improve the treatments of the abnormal physiology insults: increase pressure from brain swelling (raised ICP) and brain perfusion pressure (CPP).
Pituitary apoplexy in setting of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever with thrombocytopenia: case report and review of literature
Authors: Singh Abhay , Gupta Rahul , Gunjan Gangesh , Bhatoe Harjinder Singh , Sharm Dhawal
Published: December 2018

Pituitary apoplexy is an acute clinical syndrome. It may occur spontaneously or as a result of several precipitating factors; one such factor being thrombocytopenia. Acute febrile illness accompanying with bleeding tendency is the main clinical feature of dengue. If the diagnosis is made in time, urgent treatment in the form of decompression of optic nerves may help to save vision. According to literature, only seven cases have been reported with pituitary apoplexy in setting of Dengue hemorrhagic fever. We report eighth case of Pituitary apoplexy in patient having Dengue hemorrhagic fever with its management and review of literature.
Computational Fluid Dynamics in Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Matmusaev Maruf , Yamada Yasuhiro , Kawase Tsukasa , Tanaka Riki , Kyosuke Miyatani , Kato Yoko , Ansari Ahmed
Published: December 2018

Introduction and Objective: Intracranial aneurysm, also known as brain aneurysm, is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery causes a localized dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel. There is no objective way, device or tools, of predicting rupture of aneurysm so far. Computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) was proposed as a tool to identify the rupture risk. Purpose of study: To reveal the correlation of CFD findings with intraoperative microscopic findings and prove the relevance of CFDin the prediction of rupture risk and in the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Subjects and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted inNeurosurgery department of Fujita Health University Banbuntane Hotokukai Hospital, Nagoya, Japanduring a 3‑month period in 2018,from January to March, Ten patientswere diagnosed unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA). In diagnosis computed tomography (CT) angiogram, CFD and digital subtraction angiogram were included. Intraoperatively microscopic examination of the aneurysm wall was carried out and images recorded. The correlation between microscopic dome morphology and CFD information was performed. Results: Nine cases were found intraoperatively to have a higher risk of rupture based on the thinning of the wall. One cases had an atherosclerotic wall. All cases had low wall shear stress (WSS). In 90 % of cases Low WSS was able to predict the potency rupture risk in the near future. Conclusions: This study of CFD and its correlation with intraoperativefindings of the aneurysm suggested that low WSS of the aneurysm wall is associated with thin wall aneurysm and hence increased risk of aneurysm rupture. Thus CFD can be used to predict the risk of rupture of unruptured aneurysm and for planning of its treatment.
Referral Pattern to Neurosurgeons in a tertiary care teaching Hospital
Authors: Srinivas M. , Kumar S. Satish , Bola Venkata Ramya , Pal Ranabir , Gorantla Radhika , Jahnavi M. , Subramanyam B.V. , Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael , Kumar R. Lakshman , Ghosh Amrita , Agrawal Amit
Published: December 2018

Background: Due to lack of pre-hospital care, direct admission of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients to dedicated neurosurgical department remains difficult in many parts of world. Objective: The present pilot study was conducted to understand the referral pattern of patients to the neurosurgery department and to develop an algorithm to stratify the spectrum of cases as per the severity of condition and possibility of direct neurosurgical care. Materials and Methods: Details of referral patterns, demographic and clinical profile, management and outcome of consecutive TBI cases admitted in the Department of Neurosurgery were collected with predesigned proforma. Results: Of total 55 cases, 40 (73%) were males; 26 (47%) between 36-55 years age; 26 (47%) referred directly to the center; 24 (44%) self-referred; 34 (62%) referred from Emergency department; mostly (32, 58%) admitted after 12PM; 22 (40%) admitted for 16-30 days. In the analysis of investigations, 37(67%) cases had CT, 15 (27%) had MRI, 4 (7%) had X-ray, 1 (2%) undergone all three investigations, while 8 (15%) didn’t have any; mostly (42, 76%) cases were referred for the management of TBI and 38 (69%) required operative interventions. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest that referral of TBI cases need improvement in this part of country where hindrances delay TBI cases to reach dedicated neurological intensive care leading to delay of committed care and optimization of strategy for reduction of case fatality.
A descriptive study of cranio-cerebral injuries admitted in tertiary care center of coastal Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Sivakumar R. , Subrahmanyam B.V. , Phanindra S.V. , Munivenkatappa Ashok , Kumar S. Satish , Agrawal Amit
Published: December 2018

Introduction: Demographic and clinical profile of traumatic brain injury (TBI) of a particular place is very crucial for strengthening the guidelines. The details of same are scant from a tertiary institute, Nellore district. The present study aims to explore the demographic, injury and clinical aspects of cerebro-cranial injury patients from an institute setup. Methods: The study consists of two years retrospective data and one year prospective data. The study was approved by institute ethical committee. The patient data was entered on pre designed proforma that includes the desired variables. The data analysis was done using StatsDirect software. Both prospective and retrospective data was merged for analysis. Percentages for categorical data and mean values for continuous data were calculated. Results: There were total of 336 patients. Patients in age group of 21 to 50 years constituted 67% and males were four times higher than females. Nearly one fourth of patients were influenced by alcohol. Three fourth of accidents were due to road traffic accidents (RTAs) followed by falls (17%) and assault (6%). About one tenth of patients were pedestrians. One fourth of patients had associated injuries other than head and brain. On CT findings majority of patients had cerebral contusion (46%) followed by skull fracture (40%), SDH (28%) and EDH (23%). Twenty two patients died in the study period. Conclusion: Knowledge of injury and its later consequences to public is very important. Strict rules to consider safety precautions and compulsory family insurances should be encouraged. Rules to prevent paediatric drive.
Landscape valuation for planning ecotourism trails – case study
Authors: Fornal-Pieniak Beata , Długoński Andrzej
Published: December 2018

Landscape valuation for planning ecotourism trails - case study. Ecotourism is a type of tourism strictly connected with natural and cultural landscape values. This kind of idea of “green travel” is perfect option for people who want to relax and sightseeing rural municipalities. It is really important to design eco-tourism trails, which are very usefulness for tourists in this area. The paper is presented natural and cultural values of Piaseczno municipality. It was done landscape valorization, which are included natural and cultural elements of this area. The purpose was to distinguished the areas with the high natural and cultural landscape values for eco-tourism trail design. It was used bonitation points to assessment in scale from 1 point to 5 points. The results were presented on maps, including areas with high, medium, low and very low landscape values. It was distinguished areas with minimum 50% of the maximum number of points were considered attractive for design eco-tourism trails.
Phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity of soils in the area of liquidated pesticide-burial ground
Authors: Obidoska Grażyna , Karaczun Zbigniew M. , Konofalska Sara , Żarska Barbara
Published: December 2018

Phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity of soils in the area of liquidated pesticide-burial ground. First efforts to reduce the environmental risks caused by existing pesticide burial grounds were undertaken in Poland at the beginning of the 1990s. Work on their liquidation was accelerated after the adoption of the fi rst National Waste Management Plan 2006 and National Waste Management Plan 2010. In 2011 The Supreme Audit Offi ce carried out an assessment of the realisation of the plans, which revealed the negligence in monitoring of the areas of liquidated pesticide burial grounds, whilst even after the land reclamation process, the remaining contamination could still pose environmental risk. In such areas, to evaluate the impact of the mixture of potentially present toxic and genotoxic substances, higher plant bioassays are very useful. On the example of liquidated pesticide burial ground in Grójec we concluded, that after several years from the liquidation and land reclamation processes, environmental impact of this type of facility could still be perceptible. Phytogenotoxicity of soil samples, collected from the liquidated burial site and the immediate vicinity, was detected with Vicia faba Root Tip Assay.