bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance-based Research Funding in Denmark: The Adoption and Translation of the Norwegian Model
Authors: Aagaard Kaare
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The main goal of this study is to outline and analyze the Danish adoption and translation of the Norwegian Publication Indicator.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes the form of a policy analysis mainly drawing on document analysis of policy papers, previously published studies and grey literature.

Findings

The study highlights a number of crucial factors that relate both to the Danish process and to the final Danish result underscoring that the Danish BFI model is indeed a quite different system than its Norwegian counterpart. One consequence of these process- and design differences is the fact that the broader legitimacy of the Danish BFI today appears to be quite poor. Reasons for this include: unclear and shifting objectives throughout the process; limited willingness to take ownership of the model among stakeholders; lack of communication throughout the implementation process and an apparent underestimation of the challenges associated with the use of bibliometric indicators.

Research limitation

The conclusions of the study are based on the authors’ interpretation of a long drawn and complex process with many different stakeholders involved. The format of this article does not allow for a detailed documentation of all elements, but further details can be provided upon request.

Practical implications

The analysis may feed into current policy discussions on the future of the Danish BFI.

Originality/value

Some elements of the present analysis have previously been published in Danish outlets, but this article represents the first publication on this issue targeting a broader international audience.
Applications of, and Experiences with, the Norwegian Model in Finland
Authors: Pölönen Janne
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this article is to describe the development, components and properties of a publication indicator that the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland uses for allocating direct core funding annually to universities. Since 2013, 13% of the core funding has been allocated on basis of publication indicator that, like the Norwegian model, is based on comprehensive national level publication data that is currently provided by the VIRTA publication information service. In 2015, the publication indicator was complemented with other components of the Norwegian model, namely, quality-weighted publication counts based on national Publication Forum authority list of the publication channels with ratings established by experts in the field. The funding model allocates around 1.6 billion euros annually to universities with the publication indicator annually distributing over 200 million euros. Besides the funding model, the indicator provides comparable data for monitoring the research performance of Finnish universities, fields and subunits. The indicator may also be used in the universities’ local funding models and research management systems, sometimes even at individual level evaluation. Positive and negative effects of the indicator have been extensively discussed and speculated. Since 2011, the Finnish universities’ productivity appears to have increased in terms of both quantity and quality of publications.
The Flemish Performance-based Research Funding System: A Unique Variant of the Norwegian Model
Authors: Engels Tim C. E. , Guns Raf
Published: December 2018

The BOF-key is the performance-based research funding system that is used in Flanders, Belgium. In this paper we describe the historical background of the system, its current design and organization, as well as its effects on the Flemish higher education landscape. The BOF-key in its current form relies on three bibliometric parameters: publications in Web of Science, citations in Web of Science, and publications in a comprehensive regional database for SSH publications. Taken together, the BOF-key forms a unique variant of the Norwegian model: while the system to a large extent relies on a commercial database, it avoids the problem of inadequate coverage of the SSH. Because the bibliometric parameters of the BOF-key are reused in other funding allocation schemes, their overall importance to the Flemish universities is substantial.
Redesigning the Model of Book Evaluation in the Polish Performance-based Research Funding System
Authors: Kulczycki Emanuel , Korytkowski Przemysław
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to present the key systemic changes in the Polish book evaluation model to focus on the publisher list, as inspired by the Norwegian Model.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study we reconstruct the framework of the 2010 and 2018 models of book evaluation in Poland within the performance-based research funding system.

Findings

For almost 20 years the book evaluation system in Poland has been based on the verification of various technical criteria (e.g. length of the book). The new 2018 model is based on the principle of prestige inheritance (a book is worth as much as its publisher is) and is inspired by the publisher list used in the Norwegian Model. In this paper, we argue that this solution may be a more balanced policy instrument than the previous 2010 model in which neither the quality of the publisher nor the quality of the book played any role in the evaluation.

Research limitations

We work from the framework of the 2018 model of book evaluation specified in the law on higher education and science from 20 July 2018, as implementation acts are not available yet.

Practical implications

This study may provide a valuable point of reference on how structural reforms in the research evaluation model were implemented on a country level. The results of this study may be interesting to policy makers, stakeholders and researchers focused on science policy.

Originality/value

This is the very first study that presents the new framework of the Polish research evaluation model and policy instruments for scholarly book evaluation. We describe what motivated policy makers to change the book evaluation model, and what arguments were explicitly raised to argue for the new solution.
A Local Adaptation in an Output-Based Research Support Scheme (OBRSS) at University College Dublin
Authors: Cleere Liam , Ma Lai
Published: December 2018

University College Dublin (UCD) has implemented the Output-Based Research Support Scheme (OBRSS) since 2016. Adapted from the Norwegian model, the OBRSS awards individual academic staff using a points system based on the number of publications and doctoral students. This article describes the design and implementation processes of the OBRSS, including the creation of the ranked publication list and points system and infrastructure requirements. Some results of the OBRSS will be presented, focusing on the coverage of publications reported in the OBRSS ranked publication list and Scopus, as well as information about spending patterns. Challenges such as the evaluation of the OBRSS in terms of fairness, transparency, and effectiveness will also be discussed.
Taking Comfort in Points: The Appeal of the Norwegian Model in Sweden
Authors: Hammarfelt Björn
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The “Norwegian model” has become widely used for assessment and resource allocation purposes. This paper investigates why this model has becomes so widespread and influential.

Approach

A theoretical background is outlined in which the reduction of “uncertainty” is highlighted as a key feature of performance measurement systems. These theories are then drawn upon when revisiting previous studies of the Norwegian model, its use, and reactions to it, in Sweden.

Findings

The empirical examples, which concern more formal use on the level of universities as well as responses from individual researchers, shows how particular parts—especially the “publication indicator”—are employed in Swedish academia. The discussion posits that the attractiveness of the Norwegian model largely can be explained by its ability to reduce complexity and uncertainty, even in fields where traditional bibliometric measurement is less applicable.

Research limitations

The findings presented should be regarded as examples that can be used for discussion, but one should be careful to interpret these as representative for broader sentiments and trends.

Implications

The sheer popularity of the Norwegian model, leading to its application in contexts for which it was not designed, can be seen as a major challenge for the future.

Originality

This paper offers a novel perspective on the Norwegian model by focusing on its general “appeal”, rather than on its design, use or (mis)-use.
Changes in Floodplain Vegetation Density and the Impact of Invasive Amorpha fruticosa on Flood Conveyance
Authors: Nagy Judit , Kiss Tímea , Fehérváry István , Vaszkó Csaba
Published: December 2018

Flood conveyance of floodplains is significantly influenced by the riparian vegetation cover, since vegetation affects flow velocity, therefore has a considerable impact on flood height and rate and pattern of sedimentation. However, climate change promotes the spread of invasive species, and their rapid growth results in dense vegetation stands, thus they have a significant impact on floodwater hydraulics. The aims of the present study are (1) to analyse the long-term changes in land-use and vegetation density on the Lower Tisza River, (2) to evaluate the role of the invasive Amorpha fruticosa in increasing vegetation density, and (3) to model the effect of dense floodplain vegetation on flood level and flood conveyance. Long-term (1784-2017) changes of land-use suggest that in natural conditions the study area was occupied by wetlands (92%), thus water covered the area for almost the whole year. In the 19th century, after levee constructions the wetlands were replaced by meadows and pastures (94%), then by the end of the 20th century planted and riparian forests replaced these land-covers. As a result, the mean roughness (0.14) of the floodplain has increased threefold until the early 21st century. Today forests are invaded by Amorpha fruticosa, which increases the vegetation density by 3% in riparian forests, by 23% in forest plantations, and by up to 100% in abandoned pastures and a rable lands. According to the results of HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System) and CES (Conveyance Estimation System) models, if floodplain vegetation was managed and Amorpha fruticosa was cleared from the floodplain, peak flood level would decrease by 15 cm. Due to dense vegetation, the flood conveyance decreased by 4-6%, and the presence of Amorpha fruticosa reduced the flood flow velocities by 0.014-0.016 m/s. Accordingly, clearance of the floodplain from Amorpha fruticosa would have positive effects on flood protection, since peak flood stages would decrease and flood waves would shorten.
Climate Change Impacts on the Water Resources in the Danube River Basin and Possibilities to Adapt – The Way to an Adaptation Strategy and its Update
Authors: Stolz Roswitha , Prasch Monika , Weber Michael , Koch Franziska , Weidinger Ruth , Ebner Manuel , Mauser Wolfram
Published: December 2018

As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported in 2013, climate change will have significant impacts on all water sectors. Since water is essential for live, culture, economy and ecosystems, climate change adaptation is crucial. Therefore, a legal and political framework was established by the commissions of the European Union, the United Nations and on national levels. For the Danube River Basin (DRB), the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River got the mandate to develop an adaptation strategy in 2012 and to update this strategy in 2018. The natural science basis on which the adaptation strategy and its update are based on are two studies, conducted in 2011/2012 and updated and revised in 2017/18. Numerous documents from actual research and development projects and studies dealing with climate change and its impacts on water related issues were analysed in detail and the results summarised. It is agreed that temperature will increase basin-wide. The precipitation trend shows a strong northwest-southeast gradient and significant changes in seasonality. Runoff patterns will change and extreme weather events will intensify. However, the magnitude of the results shows a strong spatial variability due to the heterogeneity of the DRB., It is assessed that these changes will have mostly negative impacts on all water related sectors. Based on the scientific findings an approach for an improved basin-wide strategy on adaptation to climate change is developed. It includes guiding principles and five categories of adaptation measures targeting different objectives.
Future Projections of Water Scarcity in the Danube River Basin Due to Land Use, Water Demand and Climate Change
Authors: Bisselink Berny , de Roo Ad , Bernhard Jeroen , Gelati Emiliano
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a state-of-the-art integrated model assessment to estimate the impacts of the 2°C global mean temperature increase and the 2061-2090 warming period on water scarcity in the Danube River Basin under the RCP8.5 scenario. The Water Exploitation Index Plus (WEI+) is used to calculate changes in both spatial extent and people exposed to water scarcity due to land use, water demand, population and climate change. Despite model and data uncertainties, the combined effects of projected land use, water demand and climate change show a decrease in the number of people exposed to water scarcity during the 2°C warming period and an increase in the 2061-2090 period in the Danube River Basin. However, the projected population change results in a decrease of exposed people in both warming periods. Regions with population growth, in the northwestern part of the Danube River Basin experience low water scarcity or a decrease in water scarcity. The largest number of people vulnerable to water scarcity within the Danube River Basin are living in the Great Morava, Bulgarian Danube and Romanian Danube. There, the combined effects of land use, water demand and climate change exacerbate already existing water scarce areas during the 2°C warming period and towards the end of the century new water scarce areas are created. Although less critical during the 2°C warming period, adjacent regions such as the Tisza, Middle Danube and Siret-Prut are susceptible to experience similar exposure to water scarcity within the 2061-2090 period. Climate change is the most important driver for the increase in water scarcity in these regions, but the strengthening effect of water demand (energy sector) and dampening effect of land use change (urbanization) does play a role as well. Therefore, while preparing for times of increased pressures on the water supply it would be advisable for several economic sectors to explore and implement water efficiency measures.
The Feasibility of Cooperation to Comply with Land Use Change Obligations in the Marosszög Area of South Hungary
Authors: Ungvári Gábor , Jolánkai Zsolt , Kis András , Kozma Zsolt
Published: December 2018

In many years excess water inundations generate a major obstacle to farming in the lowland part of Hungary, including the Marosszög area. Diverting water to large distances requires an infrastructure that is costly to develop and maintain. Alternatively, low-lying local land segments could be withdrawn from cultivation and utilized to collect the surplus water. The Ecological Focus Area (EFA) requirement of the EU points to the same direction: it requires that 5% of arable land is converted to other, ecologically more beneficial uses. During the research project it was tested if it is feasible to apply a novel economic policy instrument, an auction to trade land use change obligations, to achieve the EFA requirement in a cost effective way through the cooperation of farmers, while also creating a practical solution to manage the seasonal surplus water cover on land. The research was carried out in an interdisciplinary way: a dynamically coupled fully integrated hydrological model, including surface and subsurface modules, was applied by engineers to better understand the interconnections of land use, local hydrology and the role of the water diversion infrastructure; while a pilot auction exercise was conducted by economists with the participation of farmers to understand if cost reductions can be achieved through cooperation, as opposed to individual fulfilment of EFA obligations. The analysis also revealed which segments of the water diversion network are economic to maintain. It was confirmed that it is possible to improve local water management and satisfy the EFA requirements at a reduced cost if appropriate economic incentives are applied to trigger the cooperation of farmers.
Application of GIS for a Climate Change Prepared Disaster Management in Csongrád County, Hungary
Authors: Kitka Gergely , Kovács-Győri Anna , Tátrai János , Oroszi Viktor György
Published: December 2018

The work of disaster management can only properly be supported by data stored in certified databases, since correct decisions can be made on the base of such data. Nowadays these data can be found in databases managed by several organisations, or only a part of the necessary data is available through GIS services. The tasks of disaster management include prevention, i.e. the preparation for potential incidents and the elaboration of related scenarios and plans taking into consideration the altering risk landscape caused by climate change. The development of modelling processes and applications based on GIS databases and the integration of the results in work processes gain ground more and more in this work phase. Geoinformatics is able to provide support for decision-making in two ways: in strategic planning and in the operative task solution. The present study demonstrates a multi-hazard multi-scale GIS tool development in Csongrád County (Hungary) in accordance with the aims of the Sendai Framework. This geoinformatic tool is applicable to support the decision-making not only of the management board but the deployed rescue units in case of an evacuation through the optimized locations of the gathering places.
Modelling of Extreme Hydrological Events on a Tisza River Basin Pilot Area, Hungary
Authors: Vizi Dávid Béla , Fehér János , Lovas Attila , Kovács Sándor
Published: December 2018

Climate change takes more and more challenges to the water management. Future predictions show that the possibility of extreme floods and drought events are increasing, thus an additional task of the water management can be the fulfilment of the increasing water demands. These new extreme hydrological situations need to be properly handled in water management. The paper presents the first modelling results of the JOINTISZA project carried out on a selected sub-basin of the Tisza River, which is endangered by hydrological extremes. Our aim was to demonstrate the applicability of a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model to study the effects of the climate change. Future hydrological trends were introduced in the river basin and it was assessed how the results of climate models can be used for further hydrodynamic modelling. To address challenges of climate change and supply the stakeholders with an adequate amount of water, proper operation of the reservoir and the irrigation canals are needed. The use of hydrological modelling can be helpful to adequately distribute water resources.
Acquiring penmanship and writing skills from the first to fifth grade of primary school: Joined-up writing vs. Comenia Script
Authors: Kučerová Olga , Kucharská Anna
Published: December 2018

The project presented here deals with a typical human means of communication – writing. The aim of the project is to map the developmental dynamics of handwriting from the first to the fifth grade of primary school. The question remains topical because of the fact that several systems of writing have been used in the past few years. Our project focuses on comparing the systems of joined-up handwriting (the standard Latin alphabet) and the most widespread form of printed handwriting: Comenia Script. The research can be marked as sectional; pupils took a writing exam at the beginning and at the end of the 2015/2016 school year. The total number of respondents was 624 pupils, evenly distributed according to the school year, system of writing and gender. To evaluate handwriting, the evaluation scale of Veverková and Kucharská (2012) was adjusted to include a description of phenomena related to graphomotor and grammatical aspects of writing, including the overall error rate and work with errors. Each area that was observed included a series of indicators through which it was possible to create a comprehensive image of the form handwriting took in the given period. Each indicator was independently classified on a three-point scale. Thanks to that, a comprehensive image of the form of writing of a contemporary pupil emerged.
Self-reference in early speech of children speaking Slovak
Authors: Kesselová Jana
Published: December 2018

The study focuses on the process of being aware of own I in children acquiring Slovak language at an early age and living in a Slovak family. The aim of the research is to understand the process of acquiring the means by which children refer to themselves in the interaction with an adult person. The research uses the qualitative longitudinal method of individual case study. A child’s speech is researched from the very first occurrence of a self-reference mean in 16th month up to the upper limit of early age (36th month) and all that is based on audio-visual records transcripts. The following are researched: (a) succession of self-reference means acquisition in early childhood, (b) function of self-reference linguistic means, (c) process of child’s self-awareness. The results obtained based on the linguistic data in Slovak language are compared with the results of similarly focused researches in English, French, Polish, Russian and Bulgarian language. The research reveals some constants in the development of self-reference instruments that can be observed throughout various language-cultural environments. The research is a part of solutions within the grant project VEGA 1/0099/16 Personal and Social Deixis in Slovak Language.
Preschool attendance of very young children: Parents’ choice and outcome satisfaction
Authors: Wiegerová Adriana , Gavora Peter
Published: December 2018

This empirical study focused on parents who enrolled their two-year old children in preschools in the Czech Republic. Recent provision of the Ministry of Education recommended that preschools accept children who are as young as two years, in response to increased demands of mothers who want to re-enter the employment after maternity leave. The purpose of the study was to examine the reasons of parents to place their children in preschools as well as their satisfaction of the developmental progress of their children in this institution. A representative sample of parents who enrolled their children in preschool from age two was surveyed (N=520). Surprisingly, caring for the child while at work was not the most important reason. They rated it 3.66 on a five-point scale. Other reasons were rated higher: getting the child accustomed to interaction within groups of same-age children (M=4.01), acquiring cognitive skills and knowledge (M=3.89), and getting accustomed to a routine other than that found at home (M=3.75). When asked to assess the developmental progress of their children due to preschool attendance on a 3-point scale, the parents noted progress in communication ability (M=2.35), social skills (M=2.37) as well as overall progress (M=2.62). Concerning demographic characteristics, the estimate of the child’s overall progress in preschool was significantly related to the mother’s level of education and her marital status.
Effects of Using Musical Fairy Tales in the Classroom: Action Research in Poland
Authors: Rogalska-Marasińska Aneta
Published: December 2018

The paper concentrates on the problem of developing imagination understood as human trait and virtue. To realize the challenge educators have to face huge difficulties as a tendency to flatter the world and its inhabitants dominates and becomes more and more powerful. A musical fairy tale is presented as a valuable and effective school practice. From one side it refers to perennial human custom of listening, telling, and creating stories, fables, and sagas. They may base on real life or refer to imaginary situations. Thus creation may have various realizations, depending on personal knowledge, skills, life experience, cognitive horizon, individual interests and virtues. From the other side the idea of the fairy tale shown in the paper refers to the music and its uncountable possibilities of describing the world. Everything depends only on one’s imagination. The last part of the paper presents the effects of students’ work on musical fairy tales. Those students apart of being instrumentalists and vocalists of the Music Academy of Lodz, Poland plan to become music teachers in compulsory general education.
Sociocultural, intercultural and translation competence for engineering students
Authors: Anossova Oksana G. , Dmitrichenkowa Swetlana V.
Published: December 2018

Targeting at adequate translation while teaching translation to engineers any teacher should remember about social and cultural discrepancies between languages. The difference in mentality should not be reflected in the special target text. Engineering students are supposed not only to be able to find proper equivalents and render the terms appropriately but also to analyse the communicative situation and cultural peculiarities of the source text. Teaching professionally oriented translation depends on many factors including ontological and specialised cultural levels, technological progress and its incorporation into the national, international and global culture, linguistic diachrony and its role in terminological corpus formation as well as science and technology institutional role. Teaching translation at engineering academy has a long and fruitful history, which shows the efficiency of training intercultural and sociocultural competence in teaching translation. It allows to avoid serious drawbacks in translation when a translator confronts the other language culture images and concepts.
Conceptualization of negative emotions in modern linguistic consciousness (on the material of Russian, English and Slovak linguistic cultures: a contrastive analysis)
Authors: Grigorjanová Tatjana , Matytcina Marina
Published: December 2018

The article aims to provide cross-cultural insight into the examination of emotion “envy” through comparative description of the emotional worldviews in Slavic (Russian and Slovak) and non-Slavic (English) linguistic cultures represented in the form of the concept. The obtained results have allowed us to clarify some common and different features of Slavic and non-Slavic nations in the realm of display the emotion “envy” to explore cultural peculiarities of nations and to contribute to the professional training and practices of professional dealing with international communication. The article also seeks to enhance public awareness on the following important issues: how cognate are perceptions of Slavic and non-Slavic nations; what universal features and cross-cultural differences are in regulation, somatization, the degree of prototypically of a seemingly equivalent concept, and how cultural rules influence the shaping of meaning and the expression of the investigated emotion in discourse.
The Word Class Adjective in English Business Magazines Online
Authors: Marušić Borislav , Katavić-Čaušić Sanda
Published: December 2018

The aim of this paper is to research the word class adjective in one sequence of the ESP: Business English, more precisely English business magazines online. It is an empirical study on the corpus taken from a variety of business magazines online. The empirical analysis allows a comprehensive insight into the word class adjective in this variety of Business English and makes its contribution to English syntax, semantics and word formation. The syntactic part analyses the adjective position in the sentence. The semantic part of the study identifies the most common adjectives that appear in English business magazines online. Most of the analysis is devoted to the word formation of the adjectives found in the corpus. The corpus is analysed in such a way that it enables its division into compounds, derivatives and conversions. The results obtained in this way will give a comprehensive picture of the word class adjective in this type of Business English and can act as a starting point for further research of the word class adjective.
The involvement of neuro-linguistics and mind mapping in the development of a holistic perception of language education
Authors: Petrová Gabriela , Kozárová Nina
Published: December 2018

The majority of people who have experienced institutionalized education have found it extremely laborious, slow and a necessarily repetitive process. The authors of this paper focus on and present possibilities for making the teaching of a foreign language more effective through mind mapping: the implementation of neuro-linguistic knowledge and mind maps into the learning process.
Dark and literary: A tour to the Isle of the Dead
Authors: Xerri Daniel
Published: December 2018

Sites associated with the dark and literary aspects of tourism can prove beneficial to travellers since they can play an educational role while instigating an emotional and intellectual response. This article illustrates how a tour to the Isle of the Dead at Port Arthur in Tasmania provided the nescient traveller with insights into the literary and historical heritage of the place. The experience also acted as an inner journey in that it challenged the traveller to reassess his engagement with travel destinations.
Cytotoxicity of iron (III), molybdenum (III), and their mixtures in BALB/3T3 and HepG2 cells
Authors: Terpiłowska Sylwia , Siwicka-Gieroba Dorota , Siwicki Andrzej Krzysztof
Published: December 2018

Introduction: Iron and molybdenum are essential trace elements for cell metabolism. They are involved in maintaining proper functions of enzymes, cell proliferation, and metabolism of DNA.

Material and Methods: BALB/3T3 and HepG2 cells were incubated with iron chloride or molybdenum trioxide at concentrations from 100 to 1,400 µM. The cells were also incubated in mixtures of iron chloride at 200 μM plus molybdenum trioxide at 1,000 μM or iron chloride at 1,000 μM plus molybdenum trioxide at 200 μM. Cell viability was determined with MTT reduction, LHD release, and NRU tests.

Results: A decrease in cell viability was observed after incubating both cell lines with iron chloride or molybdenum trioxide. In cells incubated with mixtures of these trace elements, a decrease in cell viability was observed, assessed by all the used assays.

Conclusions: Iron (III) and molybdenum (III) decrease cell viability in normal and cancer cells. A synergistic effect of the mixture of these elements was observed.
Cell viability in normal fibroblasts and liver cancer cells after treatment with iron (III), nickel (II), and their mixture
Authors: Terpiłowska Sylwia , Siwicka-Gieroba Dorota , Siwicki Andrzej Krzysztof
Published: December 2018

Introduction: Nickel and iron are very commonly occurring metals. Nickel is used in industry, but nowadays it is also used in medical biomaterials. Iron is an element necessary for cell metabolism and is used in diet supplements and biomaterials, whence it may be released along with nickel.

Material and Methods: BALB/3T3 and HepG2 cells were incubated with iron chloride or nickel chloride at concentrations ranging from 100 to 1,400 µM. The following mixtures were used: iron chloride 200 µM plus nickel chloride 1,000 µM, or iron chloride 1,000 µM plus nickel chloride 200 µM. The cell viability was determined with MTT, LHD, and NRU tests.

Results: A decrease in cell viability was observed after incubating the BALB/3T3 and HepG2 cells with iron chloride or nickel chloride. A synergistic effect was observed after iron chloride 1,000 μM plus nickel chloride 200 μM treatment in all assays. Moreover, the same effect was observed in the pair iron chloride 200 μM plus nickel chloride 1,000 μM in the LDH and NRU assays.

Conclusions: Iron (III) and nickel (II) decrease cell viability. Iron chloride at a concentration of 200 µM protects mitochondria from nickel chloride toxicity.
Cytological evaluation of the influence of high and low doses of bisphenol A on an erythroblastic cell line of porcine bone marrow
Authors: Snarska Anna , Wysocka Dominika , Rytel Liliana , Makowska Krystyna , Gonkowski Sławomir
Published: December 2018

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a substance widely used in industry for the production of polycarbonates and epoxy resins used in packaging and containers for beverages, contact lenses, compact discs (CDs), window panes, and many other elements. This compound belongs to the group of polyphenols and xenoestrogens commonly found in the human environment. What we know about BPA is still insufficient to enable us to protect our health against its adverse effects, and current knowledge of the influence of BPA on erythroblastic cell lines in bone marrow is rather fragmentary. The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of two doses of BPA (0.05 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg b.w. per day) on myeloid haematopoiesis.

Material and Methods: During this experiment, the number of all types of cells in the erythroblastic cell line was evaluated in porcine bone marrow before and after BPA administration.

Results: The obtained results clearly indicate changes in haematopoietic activity of the bone marrow, which was demonstrated by a decrease in erythroblastic cell line production in both experimental groups. The haematological effects of the bone marrow changes were anaemia, caused by a number of erythrocytes which was depressed due to their immaturity, and a significant decrease in mean cellular volume in both groups.

Conclusion: The harmful effect of high and low doses of BPA on haematopoietic processes was proved.
Emergence of living language: ontogeny–phylogeny framework and other parallels of linguistics and biology
Authors: Zemková Michaela
Published: December 2018

Although language is something deeply embedded in our nature, the question of its origin is of the same order as the misty question of the origin of life. I point out that the core of the problem can be rooted in the dichotomy between language and speech, similar to the dichotomy of genotype and phenotype in biology. Following the ontogeny–phylogeny framework, I propose that studies of language ontogeny, especially its early stages, can bring a new understanding to language, same as the study of communication in non-human primates.
Use Of Hormonal and Ultrasonographic Examinations to Determine the Fetal Number in Bulgarian Local Goats
Authors: Karadaev Manol , Fasulkov Ivan , Vasileva Radina , Vasilev Nasko
Published: December 2018

The purpose of the present study was to determine the fetal number in goats by using hormonal and ultrasonographic examinations. The experiments were conducted with 106 clinically healthy Bulgarian local goats, 1.5 to 7 years of age, weighing 35-52 kg. Hormonal examinations were performed on 24 goats. Serum progesterone concentrations were measured during a 7 days interval, between 21-63 day of pregnancy, and during a 14 days interval until the 133rd day of pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations were performed on 82 goats with a multi-frequency linear transducer (5.0-12.0 MHz). All animals were studied once during an interval of 7 days transrectally (21-28 day, 29-35 day, 36-42 day) and transabdominally (43-49 day, 50-56 day, 57-63 day), respectively. The accuracy of determining the number of singleton and multiple pregnancies by hormonal analysis were 51%, 58%, 69% and 47%, 52%, 62%, respectively. The accuracy of ultrasonography to determine the number of fetuses is highest in singletons 76.18%, followed by twins 72.56% and the lowest in triplets and more fetuses 21.43%. Highest accuracy, sensitivity and positive predictive diagnosis were established in the period 43-49 day of pregnancy (P<0.05). The obtained results show that the most appropriate period is between 42 and 49 day of pregnancy for determination of the fetal number in Bulgarian local goats using ultrasonography.
Models of Landscape Units – Utopia or Necessity?
Authors: Ostaszewska Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

This paper is devoted to typology as the basic method of landscape research. The first part shows the cognitive, educational and practical roles of landscape typology models. Second part presents a new method of creating a universal model, independent of the charting scale. The results of the paper confirm the feasibility of creating a reference base of Earth’s landscapes and indicate the necessity to an international discussion on this topic.
Ladakh and Zanskar
Authors: Zgorzelski Marek
Published: December 2018

The Himalayan mountain chain is orographically fragmented, both in the east-west and in the north-south directions. The latter area is characterised by a greater landscape diversity, owing to its zonality and the vertical zonation of both climate and vegetation.

In terms of tectonics and orography, and taking into account the prevalent influence of the monsoon and continental climates, the Himalayan mountain system can be divided into two parts – the external arc (southern), that is the Higher (or Great) Himalayas and the internal arc (northern), that is the so-called Trans-Himalayas.

Similarly to the external arc of the Himalayas, the post-glacial relief in the Trans-Himalayas is marginal only. It is an area with a prevalence of denudation (nival, frost, gravitation and eolian) processes. Slopes of tectonic valleys or basins, covered with colourful surface deposits rising as high as even two thirds of their altitude, dominate the landscape.

The Zanskar ridges and the Ladakh range represent a transitional zone between the Trans-himalayas and Eastern Karakoram.
Warming and Cooling of The Earth’s Climate and Their Causes
Authors: Boryczka Jerzy
Published: December 2018

The progressing warming of the Earth’s climate is mainly caused by natural factors, that is, the increasing solar activity and the decreasing volcanic activity on the Earth. The aspects which testify to the predominance of natural factors include: synchronous changes in the average air temperature in the Northern Hemisphere in the years 1856-2002, the average consecutive 11-year Wolf numbers and the location of the mass centres of the four largest planets.

Natural causes of the climate warming are corroborated by the synchronicity of changes in the carbon dioxide concentration and paleotemperature in the last 450,000 years, revealed on the basis of an analysis of the ice core in Antarctica. Periods of climate warming occur every 100,000 years and are caused by an increased solar radiation in high latitudes, resulting from changes in the Earth’s orbit and the inclination of the Earth axis (according to the popular Milankovič theory).
Cyclic Temperature and Precipitation Fluctuations in Poland in the 19th-21st Centuries
Authors: Boryczka Jerzy , Stopa-Boryczka Maria
Published: December 2018

The objective of the work is to determine the periodicity and trends of change in air temperature and precipitation in Poland in the time period of the 18th-20th centuries, together with the forecast for the 21st century. There are interesting diagrams of the temporal changes of solar activity and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) indicator, with the forecast reaching the year 2100. The forecasts were obtained on the basis of interpretations of the Wolf number and NAO indicator cycles, determined with the method of “regression sinusoids”. The fluctuations of the air temperature and precipitations during winter in Warsaw and in Cracow are closely correlated.
Pressure Field Over Europe and North Atlantic Favourable for The Occurrence of Clear and Cloudy Days in Poland
Authors: Żmudzka Elwira
Published: December 2018

In this paper, results of research concerning circulation conditions favouring the occurrence of clear and cloudy days in Poland are presented. An analysis of the mean pressure field over North Atlantic and Europe on such days was performed, differences between the mean pressure on such days and the mean pressure from all the days of the period 1966-2000 were determined. The pressure field was characterised by mean daily values taken from grid nodes from the area with φ 30°–70°N and λ 40°W–60°E (NCEP/NCAR database). The relation between the amount of cloudiness over Poland and pressure was estimated by means of linear correlation coefficient.
Dangerous Weather Phenomena in Europe in The Year 2000 and their Dependence on Circulation
Authors: Grabowska Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

In the paper the influence of atmospheric circulation on selected dangerous weather phenomena in Europe in the year 2000 has been presented. Dangerous weather phenomena include: 30 days with thunderstorms in Poland and 26 examples of such phenomena in Europe (tornados, strong winds, thunderstorms, torrential rains, floods, etc.).

The NAO index (North Atlantic Oscillation) served to determine the character of the circulation that influenced the occurrence of catastrophic phenomena in Western, Central and Southern Europe. The J. Lityński classification of circulation types was used to thunderstorms occurring in Poland only. Most catastrophic phenomena during the positive NAO phase (predominance of zonal circulation) happened in Western and Central Europe. During the negative NAO phase (predominance of meridional circulation) the regions of the Mediterranean Basin were more frequently affected. In the case of thunderstorms in Poland in the year under investigation (2000) their occurrence was related to the inflow of air masses from the northern sector.
The Influence of The North Atlantic Oscillations (NAO) on The Climate of Warsaw and Lviv
Authors: Boryczka Jerzy , Mucha Bohdan , Stopa-Boryczka Maria , Wawer Jolanta
Published: December 2018

The objective of the work is to determine the periodicity and trends of change in air temperature in Warsaw and in Lviv during the 18th-20th centuries, together with the forecast for the years 2000-2100. There are interesting diagrams of temporal changes of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) indicator and air temperature, with the forecast reaching the year 2100. The forecasts were obtained on the basis of interpretations of the Sun activity and the NAO indicator cycles, determined with the method of “regression sinusoids”. The fluctuations of air temperature and North Atlantic Oscillation during winter in Warsaw and in Lviv are closely correlated.
Dependence of Air Quality Conditions in Cities in North-Western Poland on the Direction of Air Inflow
Authors: Kicińska Bożena
Published: December 2018

This paper presents the dependence of air pollution with sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide on wind direction in Szczecin, Łeba, Elbląg and Zielona Góra in the period 1993-1999. It has been shown that the most disadvantageous air quality conditions in the cities listed above are on the days with air inflow from south-east, and the most advantageous on the days with advection from north-west. This dependence is particularly evident in the case of pollution with sulphur dioxide, especially in the cold half-year.
The Sedimentation Processes in Włocławek Reservoir
Authors: Bogucka Małgorzata , Magnuszewski Artur
Published: December 2018

The study discusses accumulation and erosion processes which occurred in the bowl of Włocławek Reservoir in the period 1971-1992, and were analysed using digital batimetric maps. It also provides the results of the work of other authors concerning the assessment of the river sediments accumulated in the reservoir.

Analysis of digital batimetric maps has shown that the material deposited in Włocławek Reservoir in the years 1971-1992 totalled about 18.3 million m3, which corresponds to approximately 0.87 million m3 of sediments per annum, and means a 4.5% loss of the reservoir’s storage capacity. The volume of accumulation and erosion, assessed in this manner, approximates the earlier calculations performed using different research methods; it corroborates the fact that accumulation prevails in the balance of the sediments.
The Role of Morphogenetic and Anthropogenic Processes in The Development of Gullies and Methods of Their Prevention (On The Example of The Vicinity of Kazimierz Dolny)
Authors: Kalińska Edyta
Published: December 2018

The vicinity of Kazimierz Dolny is characterised by the occurrence of large denivelations and thick loess covers. Due to that, as well as to the characteristic properties of loess and frequent occurrences of torrential rains, the region is marked by numerous dissections by valleys. Not without importance is agriculture, whose intensification brought about the creation of new relief forms. Gully erosion is a serious threat for the inhabitants of the region; on the other hand, it is impossible to eliminate it. For that reason it is necessary to use modern anti-erosion measures.
Methods of Examining The Nature-Man Relationship in Warsaw Regional Geography
Authors: Walewski Andrzej
Published: December 2018

Several methods applied in the Department of Regional Geography of Warsaw University in research on the relationship between the natural environment and man were presented: chi-squared test, class diversification method, correlation methods, regression analysis. Their merits and limitations were described. The usefulness for research of different aspects of the nature-man relationship was discussed. New possibilities of applying thus obtained results (e.g. for delimitation of regions of the nature-man relationship) were identified.
Possibilities of Balancing of Anthropogenic Changes of Relief and Water Conditions in The Tatra Mountains
Authors: Radziewicz Tomasz
Published: December 2018

During its entire utilisation history – lasting several hundred years – the area of the Tatra Mountains underwent multidirectional anthropopressure. As the result, all components of their natural environment have been transformed, including relief and water conditions.The analysis of the literature on this topic conducted by the author, as well as his observations performed in the area, confirmed the assumption that transformations caused by human actions developed with varying intensity and admitted various forms depending on the area of action and the magnitude of means applied.

The transformation scale presented here estimates the influence of anthropopressure on the stability of the catchment area systems of larger Tatra streams, partial catchment areas of their confluents and selected slope surfaces.

In systems, where the limits of persistence were not exceeded, stability was ensured by natural processes compensating for the consequences of anthropopressure. In systems where stability was disturbed, planned preventive measures are necessary.
City Parks in Europe
Authors: Szumacher Iwona
Published: December 2018

The goal of this paper is to present European parks form the point of view of their natural environment and ecological functions which they fulfill in the city. Parks situated in valley landscapes have been used as the object of study, since these types of parks predominate in Europe. These are: Hyde Park in London, Clara Zetkin Park in Leipzig, Tiergarten in Berlin and Łazienki in Warsaw.
The Natural Environment and Changes in Population Distribution
Authors: Skotnicki Maksymilian
Published: December 2018

A search for interrelations between natural conditions and changes in population distribution may be a significant subject of regional geography research. It is especially promising to explore this issue as exemplified by France, where we have specific statistical data from censuses carried out in administrative units which have remained unchanged for years. The paper discusses methods of searching for such interrelations on the basis of chosen examples.