bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No Aggression, Only Teasing: The Pragmatics of Teasing and Banter
Authors: Dynel Marta
Published: May 2008

No Aggression, Only Teasing: The Pragmatics of Teasing and Banter

A bone of contention among researchers is whether the primary function of humour is the expression of aggression against the hearer or the promotion of solidarity between the interlocutors. It is commonly averred that teasing boasts a dichotomous nature, i.e. malignant and benevolent. The former coincides with the potential for criticising, mocking and ostracising the interlocutor, whereas the latter accounts for playfulness and bonding capacity.

The overriding goal of the paper is to expound the rapport-building function, which is here postulated to be inherent to teasing. First and foremost, I will determine the scope of interest differentiating between putdown humour and teases, which may assume the form of retorts and develop into multi-turn teases, i.e. banter. Subtypes of teasing will be discussed with a view to proving that it is inherently devoid of genuine aggressiveness. The underlying premise is that teases, even if ostensibly aggressive, i.e. face-threatening, are geared towards solidarity, in conformity with the framework of politeness, including mock impoliteness, holding between intimates. Also, teases fulfil a few subordinate functions such as defunctionalisation or mitigation of face-threatening messages they may carry.
Overview and Performance of the Ukrainian SLR Station "Lviv-1831"
Authors: Blagodyr Ja. , Bilinsky A. , Martynyuk-Lototsky K. , Lohvynenko O. , Virun N.
Published: May 2008

Overview and Performance of the Ukrainian SLR Station "Lviv-1831"

The paper presents the current status and performance of the SLR station "Lviv-1831". The present equipment allows ranging of satellite not lower than 900 km with a single shot precision about 50 mm. The team works over system upgrade and performance improvement. It includes: neutral filters wheel developing for equilibration of the amplitude of reflected pulses from different satellites, building up the shutter in the face of PMT for the spurious light pulses blocking. Also the new adjusting of the telescope optical mechanical systems was made. After that investigation the new telescope error model was built with an accuracy 20arcsec that allowed at the first time test ranging of the "shadowed" satellite passes. In the near future the team will finish installation and testing of the new PMT Hamamatsu H6780. Maiden upgrades should better the performance and ranging accuracy by the factor of 2-3.
Local Orbital Derivatives of the Earth Potential Expressed in Terms of the Satellite Cartesian Coordinates and Velocity
Authors: Petrovskaya M. , Vershkov A.
Published: May 2008

Local Orbital Derivatives of the Earth Potential Expressed in Terms of the Satellite Cartesian Coordinates and Velocity

In a satellite gradiometry mission the observables will be the second order derivatives of the Earth potential in the local orbital reference frame. The conventional expansions for these derivatives contain singular factors. They depend on the functions of the orbit inclination I and their first and second order derivatives. If the orbit eccentricity is taken into account then the functions of the eccentricity also involve these expressions. In the present paper more simple alternative expansions for the orbital derivatives are constructed, depending on the spherical coordinates and cos I. They have only two sums and do not have singular factors. These expansions depend on the Legendre functions of the latitude but do not depend on their derivatives. As compared to the earlier expressions of the authors the present ones have the form which is more convenient for computations. Besides, these expressions can be applied not only for the case when the satellite orbit is circular and π / 2 ≤ I ≤ π but for the arbitrary eccentricity (0 ≤ e < 1) and inclination (0 ≤ I ≤ π). After additional transformations the final expansions for the orbital derivatives represent, for the first time, simple functions of the cartesian coordinates of the satellite and the components of its velocity. These expressions may be convenient for inverting a huge amount of the GOCE data in the geopotential coefficients.
Environmental Influences on Gravimetric Earth Tides Observations
Authors: Bogusz J.
Published: May 2008

Environmental Influences on Gravimetric Earth Tides Observations

The following article presents the results of the adjustment (by means of the classical least squares method) of 3-year series of gravimetric Earth tides observations recorded in Observatory at Jozefoslaw (Józefosław - Poland) using LaCoste&Romberg model ET-26 gravimeter. The set of atmospheric data (pressure, temperature and humidity) has been taken into account in the analysis. Several models of ocean's tides were compared to find out how large the indirect effect in Jozefoslaw is. Hydrological observations were made parallel to the gravity storage (soil moisture, water table changes, and rainfalls) to specify its influence to the gravity. Joint adjustment allowed us to determine reliable and precise model of gravimetric Earth tides for Jozefoslaw, which is an indispensable element for every geodynamical observatory. From 3-year data series we were able to obtain parameters (amplitude factor and phase shift) for 31 tidal components. The accuracy of single observation after adjustment (4.2 nm/s^2) and the drift (-4.5 nm/s^2 per month) are acceptable for this type of equipment. It is worth indicating that these observations are one of the most accurate that have ever been carried out in Poland.
Geodetic Rotation of the Solar System Bodies
Authors: Eroshkin G. , Pashkevich V.
Published: May 2008

Geodetic Rotation of the Solar System Bodies

The problem of the geodetic (relativistic) rotation of the major planets, the Moon, and the Sun is studied by using DE404/LE404 ephemeris. For each body the files of the ecliptical components of the vectors of the angular velocity of the geodetic rotation are determined over the time span from AD1000 to AD3000 with one day spacing. The most essential terms of the geodetic rotation are found by means of the least squares method and spectral analysis methods.
Basal cell carcinoma on the left cheek
Authors: Jančar Boris
Published: May 2008

Basal cell carcinoma on the left cheek
Case report from Mayo Clinic: Locally advanced Bartholin gland carcinoma
Authors: Pinn Melva , Austin Laura , Schomas David , Miller Robert
Published: May 2008

Case report from Mayo Clinic: Locally advanced Bartholin gland carcinoma

Tumors of the Bartholin gland are rare, comprising less than 5% of all vulvar malignancies. Treatment is largely based on that of vulvar and anal squamous cell carcinomas. A case of invasive, grade 4, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the Bartholin gland is presented. Our patient, a 47-year-old woman, had a history significant for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia treated with conization, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and tobacco use. The course of treatment included preoperative radiotherapy plus 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin chemotherapy, followed by restaging and posterior exenteration in combination with vaginal reconstruction.
Mb. Bowen and squamous-cell carcinoma on the eczematous skin
Authors: Jančar Boris
Published: May 2008

Mb. Bowen and squamous-cell carcinoma on the eczematous skin
Planocellular carcinoma of the right cheek
Authors: Jančar Boris
Published: May 2008

Planocellular carcinoma of the right cheek
Practices, Norms and Recognition
Authors: Stahl Titus
Published: May 2008

Practices, Norms and Recognition

The problem of the social foundations of normativity can be illuminated by discussing the narrower question whether rule-following is necessarily a social matter. The problems with individualistic theories of rule-following seem to make such a conclusion unavoidable. Social theories of rule-following, however, seem to only push back one level the dilemma of having to choose either an infinite regress of interpretations or a collapse into non-normative descriptions. The most plausible of these models, Haugeland's conformism, can avoid these objections if it is supplemented with an ontologically reasonable concept of the collective attitude of a group. Groups of individuals who are bound to shared norms by recognizing each other as equipped with a standard authority of criticism have the necessary properties for ascribing to those groups such collective attitudes. Given such a weak notion of a collective attitude, there is hope for a plausible collectivist theory of rule-following.
Rationality, Norms and Institutions: In Search of a Realistic Utopia
Authors: Engelen Bart
Published: May 2008

Rationality, Norms and Institutions: In Search of a Realistic Utopia

The main goal of political philosophers is to search for a realistic utopia by taking individuals as they are and institutions, rules and laws as they might be. Instead of trying to change either individuals or institutions in order to improve society, this article argues that both strategies should be combined, since there are causal connections running both ways. Because individuals ultimately devise and uphold institutions, one should be optimistic about the possibilities of deliberately improving society through institutional reforms. However, one should adequately model the influences that these reforms have on individuals, their identities and their motivations. From the fact that individuals can actually turn into egoists if they are treated as such, this article stresses the need to detect and maintain non-egoistic motivations. Since informal norms, for example, motivate individuals to socially desirable action, it is important to devise formal institutions that support rather than erode norm-guided behavior.
Globalization and a Normative Framework of Freedom
Authors: Hohoš Ladislav
Published: May 2008

Globalization and a Normative Framework of Freedom

The author considers the question of whether or even what normative structure of social order is able to encourage the advancement of the measure of positive liberty in the process of globalization. Related to this is the issue of the insufficiency of guarantees provided by orthodox liberalism for human self-determination. The author considers possible scenarios as to the way in which an elite cosmopolitan minority, profiting from globalization and feeling no responsibility for the majority left to its own fate, would pursue its own interests. The ideas of Ralf Dahrendorf concerning the global rule of law in the name of freedom and the need for international law are referred to. Globalization is occurring just as Marx intuitively predicted: capitalism becomes the bearer of hidden immanent self-destructive mechanisms. In conclusion, the author's hypothesis is that the new era of law in the 21st century will ensure that certain civilization legal norms become natural or customary.
Introduction
Authors: Schatzki Theodore
Published: May 2008

Introduction
Detachment, Involvement, and Rationality: are we Essentially Rational Animals?
Authors: Dreyfus Hubert
Published: May 2008

Detachment, Involvement, and Rationality: are we Essentially Rational Animals?

Philosophers have long thought that what differentiates humans from mere animals is that humans are essentially rational. The rational nature of human beings lies in their ability to detach themselves from ongoing involvement and to ask for as well as give reasons for activity. According to the philosophical tradition, human action and perception generally should be understood in light of this ability. This essay examines a contemporary version of this conviction, one promulgated by John McDowell. McDowell follows the tradition in suggesting that people are always able to step back and to ask as well as answer why questions about what they are doing, i.e., they always have reasons for their actions. This essay shows that people have no reasons for many of the things they do. They often, instead, simply respond to shifting situational fields of attraction and repulsion. These attractions and repulsions cannot be captured in propositional form—any attempt to describe, or even just name, them turns them into objects and robs them of their motivational force. The demands of the situation are not available as reasons, but exist only as embodied in actions. McDowell, consequently, errs in claiming that conceptual capacities are inextricably implicated in human activity. Nor is the detached, rational way of being any more essential to human life than is involved coping.
Practice Then and Now
Authors: Turner Stephen
Published: May 2008

Practice Then and Now

"Practice theory" has a long history in philosophy, under various names, but current practice theory is a response to failures of projects of modernity or enlightenment which attempt to reduce science or politics to formulae. Heidegger, Oakeshott, and MacIntyre are each examples of philosophers who turned to practice conceptions. Foucault and Bourdieu made similar turns. Practice accounts come in different forms: some emphasize skill-like individual accomplishments, others emphasize the social character or presupposition-like character of the tacit conditions of activities. The Social Theory of Practices problematized the idea of sameness, the idea that participants in an activity had the same tacit possessions, which undermined the idea that practices were collective objects in which individuals participated. Later critics, such as Schatzki and Rouse, emphasized the normative coherence and character of practice, which has a collective aspect. Pickering and others suggested a notion of practices that was de-mentalized and focused on the objects that were part of the practical activity, which provided for the continuity and sociality of practice without collectivizing its mental content. The discovery of mirror neurons suggested a non-collective mode of transmission of practices. The implications of these developments can be seen in connection with ethics, where the conflict between the ethical and the practical can be understood in terms of the intrinsic conflict between the need to behave successfully and our learned ethical intuitions.
Choreography and Ceremony: The Artful Side of Action
Authors: James Wendy
Published: May 2008

Choreography and Ceremony: The Artful Side of Action

"Actions" are normally thought of as taken by individuals. But to understand their quality, it is not enough to classify them from the perspective of individual psychology (rational vs. emotional, technical vs. artistic, etc.). We need to grasp their relation to those forms of collective life which have a historical existence independent of specific individual action (institutions, the conventions of social gathering, the organizing principles of games, architecture, music, ritual, etc.). This paper focuses on what characteristics such forms of collective life share, not what seems to separate them (eg. into sacred vs secular, technology vs creative art). The main features emphasized are their choreography, that is their enactment within commonly understood patterns of a spatial and temporal kind, as well as rules of interactive movement; and their ceremonial character, something which can be found in simple situations such as a conversation or a meal, though much more intensely in major religious ritual. A particularly resonant image for these enactments of social life is the dance. Because there is a ceremonial aspect to all social interaction, the paper argues that individual action, necessarily oriented to the social context, always has an "artful" side (however habitual or technical). The paper draws on the writings of Wittgenstein on action, and those of Collingwood on language and art, to shape the argument. Illustrations are provided of the "artful" employment of language (especially by actors on the stage), the "artful" side of material culture, and from the author's own ethnographic studies, the significance of dance among Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia.
Participation of the Public in Science: Towards a New Kind of Scientific Practice
Authors: Peschard Isabelle
Published: May 2008

Participation of the Public in Science: Towards a New Kind of Scientific Practice

Participation of the public in science has been the object of an increasing number of social and political philosophical studies, but there is still hardly any epistemological study of the topic. While it has been objected that involvement of the public is a threat to the integrity of science, the apparent indifference of philosophers of science seems to testify to its lack of relevance to conceptions of scientific activity. I argue both that it is not a threat to science and that it is relevant to philosophy of science by showing that it constitutes a new kind of epistemic practice. Two main objections to the idea that the involvement of non-scientists, with their situated perspective and contextual values, can form an epistemic practice will be addressed: the first bears on the epistemic potentialities of the cooperation between scientist and non-scientists; the second on the possibility that this cooperation takes the form of a practice.
Practice, Spatiality and Embodied Emotions: An Outline of a Geography of Practice
Authors: Simonsen Kirsten
Published: May 2008

Practice, Spatiality and Embodied Emotions: An Outline of a Geography of Practice

The paper outlines an approach to social analysis/human geography taking off from a social ontology of practice. This means a focus of attention to embodied or practical knowledges and their formation in people's everyday lives, to the world of experiences and emotions, and to the infinitude of encounters through which we make the world and are made by it in turn. The paper proceeds in three parts. First, considering the way in which subjectivity and identity are created in and through practices sets the ground. The two following sections are extensions from that discussing "embodiment and spatiality" and "affectivity and emotion" respectively. The purpose is threefold; to develop the sensuous character of practice, to consider the spatialities involved in that character, and to discuss possible developments including power and the social differentiation of bodies. The paper is concluded by a short discussion of the geographies following from the suggested account.
Myth, Utopia, and Political Action
Authors: Mendel Iris
Published: May 2008

Myth, Utopia, and Political Action

Starting from the premise that some form of "reality transcendence", i.e. the ability to imagine a different reality and reach out for the (un)thinkable, is necessary for political action, the aim of this paper is to analyse the concepts of myth and utopia elaborated by Georges Sorel and Karl Mannheim and to examine their possible contributions to a theory of political action and social change. By comparing the role the authors assign to rationality and irrationality in human affairs, methodological and conceptual differences between Sorel's and Mannheim's approaches to the political are illustrated. It turns out that due to its immunity to critique Sorel's concept of the social myth is highly problematic. Mannheim's concept of utopia, on the other hand, culminates in a technocratic understanding of the political. Though both approaches emphasise the collective dimension of political action, they ultimately exhibit elitist understandings of the political.
Impact of the WFD on agriculture in the Netherlands and possible effect-specific hydrological measures: the Dutch approach
Authors: van Bakel Jan
Published: May 2008

Impact of the WFD on agriculture in the Netherlands and possible effect-specific hydrological measures: the Dutch approach

The European Water Framework Directive can have enormous consequences for agriculture in the Netherlands. In parts of the country agriculture should be taken out of production because the nutrient loads to the surface water system are far too high. This doom scenario is of course undesired and a number of source-specific and effect-specific measures are necessary. The fate of nutrients in the soil is strongly interrelated with its hydrology. Directly, because nutrients are transported by water and the distribution of the residence time of drainage water is a good measure for the time behaviour of the nutrient loads to the surface water system. Longer residence time in the soil means more of nutrients applied by farmers but also a longer recovery period, after applying source-specific measures. In this paper three promising effect-specific hydrological measures are described buffer strips, retention strips, and controlled drainage.
Measures for soil water control in Poland
Authors: Pierzgalski Edward , Jeznach Jerzy
Published: May 2008

Measures for soil water control in Poland

Polish water resources depend on precipitations, which are variable in time and space. In dry years the water balance is negative in central parts of Poland but sudden thaws and downfalls may result in periodical water excess and dangerous floods almost in the entire country. The retention capacity of artificial reservoirs in Poland permits to store only 6% of the average annual runoff, which is commonly considered insufficient. Another method to increase retention is soil water control. About fifty percent of soils in Poland consist of light and very light sandy soils with low water capacity. Loams and organogenic soils cover approximately 25% and 8.5% area of the country, respectively. Almost half of agricultural lands (48%) have relatively good water conditions, but the rest requires soil water control measures. An increase of the soil water content could be achieved by changes of soil properties, water table control and soil water management. Modernization and reconstruction of drainage and irrigation systems, which were built mainly in the period 1960-1980, is needed.
Change in the number of ponds in the Wyskoć catchment basin in the years 1980-2003 and characteristics of the newly excavated ponds
Authors: Juszczak Radosław , Kędziora Andrzej , Leśny Jacek , Olejnik Janusz
Published: May 2008

Change in the number of ponds in the Wyskoć catchment basin in the years 1980-2003 and characteristics of the newly excavated ponds

The article presents the results of analyses of changes in the number of ponds in the Wyskoć catchment basin carried out in the years 1980-2003 and the characteristics of ponds excavated in that period. Only water reservoirs of an area less than 2 ha were considered. Analyses were based on topographic maps in the scale of 1:10 000 and aerial photographs taken in 1996. The results indicated that the number of filled ponds increased, especially those located in fields and grasslands. However, forest and wetland ponds were the most resistant to the processes of quantitative degradation because not even a single pond was filled during the analysed period. Over 70% newly excavated water bodies were made as an effect of exploitation of mineral and peat resources. However, nowadays ponds are more often created as a result of intentional human activities and are used for fish farming, recreation and as water retention reservoirs used in irrigation of small agricultural and gardening areas.
Concentrations and loads of N-NO3, N-NH4, PO4 and BOD5 in waters of the upper Dunajec (in the years 1985-1998)
Authors: Smoroń Sylwester , Twardy Stanisław
Published: May 2008

Concentrations and loads of N-NO3, N-NH4, PO4 and BOD5 in waters of the upper Dunajec (in the years 1985-1998)

Loads of N-NO3, N-NH4, PO4 and BOD5 carried in surface waters of the upper Dunajec catchment basin (at the section in Krościenko) in the years 1985-1998 are presented in this paper. Water quality of the Biały Dunajec (in Szaflary), Czarny Dunajec (in Ludźmierz) and Dunajec (in Krościenko) was characterised. Annual loads discharged from the area per km2 of the catchment were calculated from mean annual flows (SQ) and concentrations of studied components in river waters. Concentration of N-NO3 in waters of the Biały Dunajec was more than two times higher and that of phosphates - over seven times higher than the respective concentrations in the Czarny Dunajec and Dunajec. Different population density, numerous tourists and low level of water and sewage infrastructure were responsible for these differences.
Assessment of water pollution by nitrates in the Middle Odra Basin
Authors: Kolanek Agnieszka , Korol Rafalina , Strońska Marzenna , Szyjkowska Urszula
Published: May 2008

Assessment of water pollution by nitrates in the Middle Odra Basin

The objective of the study was to characterise the quality of surface waters in order to determine their vulnerability to pollution by nitrogen compounds from agricultural activity, as well as to specify the areas with increased exposure, where nitrogen runoff from agricultural sources has to be reduced. It was necessary to determine surface waters liable to pollution by these compounds due to the fact that agricultural production should be carried out in the way which limits and prevents water pollution by nitrogen compounds of agricultural origin. The study addressed the following issues: the concentration of nitrogen compounds in the surface waters of the Middle Odra Basin, and the extent of eutrophication in flowing inland waters (with nitrogen as the main nutrient). The results have been plotted in figures and gathered in tables.
The influence of iron compounds in the sulfuric acid catalyst on the SO2 oxidation process
Authors: Grobela Marcin , Grzesiak Piotr
Published: May 2008

The influence of iron compounds in the sulfuric acid catalyst on the SO2 oxidation process

The catalytic oxidation process of SO2 to SO3 is the main stage of sulfuric (VI) acid production. The process run could be disordered by reason of the increased inactivation of sulfuric acid catalyst during SO2 oxidation process. This paper includes the influence study of the iron quantity and forms, which is introduced into the catalyst active phase, on the reaction rate of the SO2 oxidation process.
Structured catalytic reactor for VOC combustion
Authors: Kołodziej Andrzej , Łojewska Joanna , Kleszcz Tadeusz
Published: May 2008

Structured catalytic reactor for VOC combustion

VOC emission has recently become a challenge for environmental protection. Catalytic combustion seems a promising method of VOC removal, however, there are still more specific demands concerning the process. The reactor design has to assure enhanced transfer properties accompanied by low flow resistance to reduce the pumping costs. Neither the packed beds nor the classic ceramic monoliths are able to fulfil the requirements.

To solve the problem we propose a wire gauze structure composed of several gauze sheets staked. A number of mass transfer and flow resistance experiments were performed for two gauze types and correlations were derived for the Sherwood number and the friction factor. The results were found to be in a reasonable agreement with the literature available.

The studied gauze structures were compared with a classic monolith for the assumed case study. The calculated length of the gauze structured reactor was significantly shorter, up to ten times, when compared with a classic ceramic monolith, but the pressure drop was higher.
Promoted cobalt oxide catalyst on the metallic structured reactor filling for VOC combustion as an alternative to noble metal catalysts
Authors: Łojewska Joanna , Kołodziej Andrzej , Żak Jerzy
Published: May 2008

Promoted cobalt oxide catalyst on the metallic structured reactor filling for VOC combustion as an alternative to noble metal catalysts

VOC combustion is a demanding process for both the reactor and the catalyst design. As we have proved in recent papers the diffusional limitation of reaction rate that occurs during combustion may be overcome by designing the metallic microstructures used as reactor internals. Their application on an industrial scale depends on the development of an efficient method of catalyst layering on metallic supports and the optimisation of a fine catalyst structure which would not change the elaborated microstructure geometry. In this study we propose the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film method to deposit various metals (Al, Co) in the form of catalyst organic precursors. The film forming abilities of the precursors were checked by surface pressure measurements upon film compression, Brewster Angle Microscopy and by the monolayers stability measurements. The amount of the deposited materials was controlled by the LB parameters and verified by the TG measurements. The catalyst obtained in this way were characterized at various stages of the preparation by SEM/XFS, XPS, AFM and RM methods and tested in n-hexane combustion. Oxidation of the Al washcoat precursor led to the formation of γ-Al2O3 improving the properties of the Al2O3 layer (α phase) developed on the pre-calcined CrAl carrier. Oxidation of cobalt stearate deposited on the CrAl produced dispersed Co3O4 spinel. The cobalt catalysts were active in combustion showing resistance to sintering. Compared to standard Pt supported catalyst it demonstrated twice as low activation energy (50 kJ/mol).
Oxidation of hexafluoropropylene with molecular oxygen
Authors: Meissner Egbert , Wróblewska Agnieszka
Published: May 2008

Oxidation of hexafluoropropylene with molecular oxygen

The results of the oxidation of hexafluoropropylene (HFP) to hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) have been presented. The oxidation was carried out in an autoclave within the range of temperatures of 120 - 170°C and in the presence of an organic solvent (carbon tetrachloride). Molecular oxygen was used here as an oxidizing agent. The influence of: the molar ratio of HFP/O from 13.4 to 4.09:1, the process temperature, the addition of inert gas (nitrogen) from 4 to 18 atm and the periodical dosing of oxygen were investigated. The functions describing the process were: the conversion of HFP and the yield of HFPO in relation to HFP consumed. The presented process is very interesting owing to a wide application of HFPO.
Structural and textural characterisation of NiMo catalysts supported on various zeolites
Authors: Sarbak Zenon , Fabiś Grażyna , Binkowski Sławomir
Published: May 2008

Structural and textural characterisation of NiMo catalysts supported on various zeolites

Structural and textural properties of nickel-molybdenum catalysts supported on four various type of zeolites of different chemical composition and porous structure have been studied by the methods of IR, XRD and the low-temperature sorption of nitrogen. The catalysts have been obtained by the two-stage impregnation of the supports with the solutions of nickel and molybdenum salts by the method of incipient wetness. The catalysts have been shown to preserve the structure characteristic of the appropriate zeolite supports.
A quick method to determine the content of sulfates in silicic and aluminosilicate fillers
Authors: Sołtysik Barbara
Published: May 2008

A quick method to determine the content of sulfates in silicic and aluminosilicate fillers

The paper presents the possibility of using barium-selective electrode to a potentiometric determination of sulfates in silicic and aluminosilicate fillers. The results of sulfates potentiometric titration in silicic and aluminosilicate fillers are described. A statistical interpretation of the results was carried out. The recommended method is based on the end-point detection of sulfates potentiometric titration in hydro-alcoholic medium by means of barium chlorate(VII) titrant. The potentiometric titration, which uses an ion-selective electrode as the indicator for the end-point was applied as the analytical technique. The parameter ranges for accurate sulfates determination in model solutions and the method of samples' preparation for analysis were investigated.
Cold plasma in the nanotechnology of catalysts
Authors: Tyczkowski Jacek , Kapica Ryszard
Published: May 2008

Cold plasma in the nanotechnology of catalysts

In the paper the preparation of catalysts with the use of cold plasmas is discussed. A special attention is focused on nanocatalysts. In general, there are three main trends in this field: (1) plasma enhanced preparation of "classical" catalysts, (2) plasma sputtering of catalytically active compounds, especially metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, and (3) plasma-enhanced metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (PEMOCVD) of very thin metal and metal oxide films with specific nanostructure. It is shown that the cold plasma techniques are very effective methods for designing the nanocatalysts with distinct and tunable chemical activity, specificity and selectivity. Finally, our preliminary investigations concerning CoOX catalytic films fabricated by the PEMOCVD method are presented.
Preparation of the TiO2 photocatalyst using pressurized ammonia
Authors: Wawrzyniak Beata , Janus Magdalena , Grzmil Barbara , Morawski Antoni
Published: May 2008

Preparation of the TiO2 photocatalyst using pressurized ammonia

The industrial hydrated amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2ċ xH2O) was modified by treatment inside a chemical reactor under elevated pressure at low temperatures for 4 hours in an ammonia atmosphere. On the basis of the FTIR/DRS analysis the presence of nitrogen was confirmed. The XRD patterns of all of the catalysts exhibit mainly the diffraction lines of anatase phases. The photocatalytic activity of the modified photocatalysts was determined and compared to TiO2-P25 (Degussa, Germany). The high rate of phenol and dye degradation was obtained for the catalysts modified at 180°/15atm. TiO2-P25 showed similar activity in phenol decomposition like TiO2-15bar, whereas it was more active in dye decomposition.
Concentration of FeSO4 spent solutions by membrane distillation
Authors: Gryta Marek
Published: May 2008

Concentration of FeSO4 spent solutions by membrane distillation

The possibility of potential application of membrane distillation for the concentration of waste salt solutions has been presented in this work. It was found that the oxidation of iron compounds takes place during the process that was associated with the formation of a layer of oxides on the membrane surface. A fast decline of the permeate flux was observed due to the scaling phenomena. The problem of scaling was eliminated by the acidification with H2SO4 of the feed to the pH value of 2.
Application of sulphuric(VI) acid leaching for magnesium removal from zinc concentrate
Authors: Jarosiński Andrzej , Fela Katarzyna
Published: May 2008

Application of sulphuric(VI) acid leaching for magnesium removal from zinc concentrate

In this paper the results of investigation of magnesium removal from raw zinc concentrate have been presented. The raw materials derive from ZG Trzebionka and ZGH Bolesław. The differences in zinc and magnesium contents are characteristic of these materials. The experiments were carried out in the periodical reactor at 25°C using the H2SO4 solution of 20, 50, and 70%(v/v) concentration. The weight ratio of the solid phase to the liquid phase was 1:10 and 1:2. On the basis of the experimental results it can be stated that the application of sulphuric(VI) acid leaching permits to increase the zinc yield in Zn-Pb ore processing. This method permits to obtain zinc concentrate containing more than 60% Zn and MgO below 0.3% and CaO about 1.4%.
Pigments precipitated from chromate post-galvanic solutions in emulsion systems
Authors: Klapiszewska Beata , Krysztafkiewicz Andrzej , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: May 2008

Pigments precipitated from chromate post-galvanic solutions in emulsion systems

Studies were conducted on the production of chromium(III) silicates, the green pro-ecological pigments. The pigments were precipitated from sodium silicate and chromium(III) sulphate solutions in the system of two emulsions prepared in hexane in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant as an emulsifier. The chromium(III) sulphate represented a reduction product of chromate(VI) compounds present in post-galvanic wastes. The reduction agent involved metanal in an acidic medium. The obtained products were subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical analysis, their dispersive and morphological properties were determined. The precipitated green products exhibiting intense colour, were uniform and their particles manifested a low tendency to form agglomerate structures.
Adsorption of 1,2-dichloropropane from aqueous solution
Authors: Pełech Robert , Milchert Eugeniusz
Published: May 2008

Adsorption of 1,2-dichloropropane from aqueous solution

In this study dependences of the adsorption equilibrium of 1,2-dichloropropane in aqueous solution for six activated carbons (A, AG, AG5, DTO, WD-ekstra, CWZ-22) and four polymeric adsorbents (XE-563, XE-572, XE-340, XE-348) were presented. All the adsorption isotherms onto activated carbons were described by the Freundlich equation. To analyze the isotherms on the polymeric adsorbents the Langmuir-Freundlich equation was used. It was found that in the low range of the concentrations the adsorptive properties of the activated carbons are reduced in the following direction DTO>WD-ekstra>CWZ-22>AG>A>AG5. Reducing the adsorptive properties of the polymeric adsorbents states was carried out in the following order: XE-340> XE-572>XE-563>XE-348. The adsorbents XE-340, XE-572 and XE-563 have much more higher adsorptive properties than the applied activated carbons. Lower adsorptive properties of XE-348 are the result of its high surface polarity.
Methods of regeneration of spent pickling solutions from steel treatment plants
Authors: Regel-Rosocka Magdalena , Cieszyńska Anna , Wiśniewski Maciej
Published: May 2008

Methods of regeneration of spent pickling solutions from steel treatment plants

Facing the still growing demand for metals, particularly for zinc, the recovery of metals from secondary sources should be considered. Spent pickling solutions can be the source of valuable products such as hydrochloric acid, zinc or iron salts or even metallic zinc. The selection of an efficient, selective and economical method for the regeneration of such solutions is a key issue for hot dip galvanizing plants, especially in reference to strict environmental protection regulations.
The mercury analysis in airborne particles emitted from coal-combustion processes
Authors: Szynkowska Małgorzata , Leśniewska Ewa , Pawlaczyk Aleksandra , Albińska Jadwiga , Bawolak Katarzyna , Paryjczak Tadeusz
Published: May 2008

The mercury analysis in airborne particles emitted from coal-combustion processes

Determination of trace elements in combusted materials has always been an interesting field of environmental studies. Particulate matter, in particular, is a serious problem which, can lead to air pollution especially by heavy metals emissions in urban and industrial areas. There is a considerable concern about the elevated level of mercury released during combustion and the proportion of anthropogenic mercury in the environment. Nowadays, small-scale installations have been identified as a significant source-pathway for mercury pollution, particularly those that use coal. A total amount of mercury was determined using Mercury Analyzer. The investigated material consists of bottom ash, fly ash, slag, soot or dust. The obtained results varied according to the type of the material and plant. The developed methodology was checked by carrying out the analysis of certificate material of Soil NCS ZC 73001 and the reference material of Soil-7.
Phosphorus recovery from waste - methods review
Authors: Wzorek Zbigniew , Gorazda Katarzyna
Published: May 2008

Phosphorus recovery from waste - methods review

According to sustainable development principles, searching for alternative phosphorus sources, especially possible ways of its recycling from waste, should be treated as a preferential problem of the phosphorus industry. The ways admitted as most important are:

- phosphorus recovery from municipal and industrial sewage and from sewage sludge,

- utilization of phosphorus from manure

- management of waste from meat industry

The forecasts elaborated at the end of the last century, indicate that over 50% of the world phosphorus resources in use today will be depleted during the next 60 - 70 years. That fact contributes to increase of market prices of phosphorus products.

This work presents possible directions for the recovery and management of sewage sludge, meat meal and manure as a phosphorus source for chemical industry.
Application of recycled natural aluminasilicate doped with vanadium for the decontamination of the air
Authors: Marcewicz-Kuba Agnieszka , Olszewska Danuta
Published: May 2008

Application of recycled natural aluminasilicate doped with vanadium for the decontamination of the air

This paper reports studies on the influence of vanadium concentration on the catalytic activity of DESONOX catalysts (in DESOX reaction) based on modified montmorillonite from Jelsovy Potok. The investigation of the influence on the physicochemical properties of the catalysts on their behaviour has also been studied.
Evaluation of the enzymatic activity of selected bacterial strains
Authors: Wierzba Sławomir , Latała Adam
Published: May 2008

Evaluation of the enzymatic activity of selected bacterial strains

In these studies we attempted to evaluate the lipolytic, proteolytic and cellulolytic activity of bacterial strains isolated from water and the bottom sediments of Turawa Lake. The following bacterial genera prevailed among the isolated strains: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Cellulomonas and Cytophaga. The lipolytic activity was determined using a titrimetric method, the proteolytic activity — using a modified Anson method, and the cellulolytic activity - on the basis of mass decrement of a cellulose disk after 14 days of bacterial culture. The cultures were maintained at 28°C, pH 7.0 with the following substrates: olive oil, albumin and cellulose disk. Among the analysed microorganisms, Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains showed the highest lipolytic and proteolytic activity. In the cellulolytic assay Cytophaga bacteria showed about twofold higher activity than that of Celulomonas.
Biodegradation of bottom sediments of Turawa Lake
Authors: Latała Adam , Wierzba Sławomir
Published: May 2008

Biodegradation of bottom sediments of Turawa Lake

In this work we tested biopreparations developed in our laboratory for their ability to degrade the organic matter of the bottom sediments of Turawa Lake. The biodegradation was conducted under laboratory conditions for 6 weeks. For the testing purposes, there were three variants of biopreparations that contained autochthonous strains originating from our own collection and their mixture. The testing showed that the introduction of the biopreparations to the bottom sediment resulted in a significant increase of the number of bacteria, which consequently brought about the reduction of organic compounds in the sediment. In the case of all the variants, the number of bacteria increased by order of 102 - 104 CFU/g after 42 days of biodegradation. Among the tested biopreparations, the most effective one was the mixture of the autochthonous strains and those originating from the collection. After biopreparation was applied, a drop of content of carbohydrates by 66.94%, fatty matter by 83.33% and proteins by 74.42% was noted.
Studies on the treatment of waste slurries containing heavy metal
Authors: Paszek Andrzej
Published: May 2008

Studies on the treatment of waste slurries containing heavy metal

Immobilization of heavy metals in the waste with the use of cement matrix has been investigated. The quality of the obtained granulated products has been assessed and the possible areas of application have been indicated.
Agrochemical use of waste elemental sulphur in growing white mustard
Authors: Ryant Pavel , Hlušek Jaroslav
Published: May 2008

Agrochemical use of waste elemental sulphur in growing white mustard

In a one-year pot experiment the effect of waste elementary sulphur on the following parameters was observed: 1. on the chemical composition of mustard plants during the growing season, 2. on the yield of seeds, straw and oil, 3. on the chemical composition of seeds and 4. on the content of the water-soluble sulphur in the soil after the harvest.

Elemental sulphur was obtained as a waste material of petroleum refining and was incorporated into a 15-15-15 NPK fertiliser where it comprised 4%. The experiment had the following variants: 1) control (unfertilised); 2) NPK 1; 3) NPK 2; 4) NPKS 1; 5) NPKS 2. The smaller dose amounted to 3.3 g, the higher one to 6.7 g of the fertiliser per pot (6 kg of soil). Moreover all variants were performed in 2 different soils - a medium soil with neutral pH value and a heavy one with alkali pH value.

At the stage of 6 true leaves, the content of nitrogen in plants increased in accordance with its dose. Simultaneously, sulphur applied in the NPKS fertiliser improved nitrogen utilization. The difference between the variants fertilised with NPK and the variants with NPKS amounted to 38.9% in the neutral medium soil, whereas in the alkali heavy soil it was as low as 1.4%.

The yield of both seed and straw in the fertilised variants was statistically significantly higher than in the unfertilised control variant. However, there were observed no statistically significant differences between the variants with sulphur and the variants without sulphur although both the yield of the seed and straw in the variants with NPKS was higher than in the variants with NPK.

The application of elemental sulphur into the neutral medium soil increased the concentration of both nitrogen and sulphur in the mustard seed in comparison with the variants fertilised with NPK only. The difference between them comprises 1.8% and 9.0% in variants with the small and high dose, respectively. In the heavy soil, the trend was opposite.

The application of sulphur into both soils resulted in the increase of the oil content in comparison with the NPK variants.

Sulphur addition to NPK had a positive impact on the augmentation of the available sulphur content in the soil which can positively affect, particularly the following crops. Still, a drop in the pH value was not confirmed.
The utilization of sorbents obtained from miscanthus using steam as the activation agent for wastewaters treatment
Authors: Bratek Krystyna , Bratek Wiesław , Kułażyński Marek
Published: May 2008

The utilization of sorbents obtained from miscanthus using steam as the activation agent for wastewaters treatment

The possibility of obtaining sorbents with a good sorption capacity from miscanthus has been investigated. The chars and the activation products were obtained from the miscanthus in a rotary furnace. The activation process of miscanthus was carried out by water vapour at 700-800°C and at the activation time of 30-90 min. We found that the optimum conditions for the activation process were: the activation temperature of 750°C (activation time of 60 and 90 min) and 800°C (activation time of 45 or 60 min). For these conditions the sorbents with the best sorption capacity for p-chlorophenol, toluene, methylene blue and Congo red were obtained.
Pressure swing absorption of carbon dioxide in n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solutions
Authors: Kierzkowska-Pawlak Hanna
Published: May 2008

Pressure swing absorption of carbon dioxide in n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solutions

The mass transfer rates during CO2 absorption and desorption from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solutions were measured at 293.15 K in a baffled agitated reactor with a flat gas-liquid interface. Based on the measured values of pressure changes, the desorption rate was determined and compared to the absorption rate at the same driving force. Two distinct mechanisms of desorption were observed. The transition from bubbling to the diffusive desorption is found to be a function of the supersaturation ratio, pressure and the stirring speed.