bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodology of Moisture Measurement in Porous Materials Using Time Domain Reflectometry / Metodyka Prowadzenia Badań Wilgotności W Ośrodkach Porowatych Za Pomocą Reflektometrii W Domenie Czasu
Authors: Suchorab Zbigniew , Widomski Marcin K. , Łagód Grzegorz , Barnat-Hunek Danuta , Smarzewski Piotr
Published: May 2015

The article presents the description of measurement methodology of moisture transport in unsaturated porous materials using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technique on the example of measurement of capillary uptake phenomenon in the sample of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). In the paper there are presented basic principles of the TDR method as a technique applied in metrology, its potential for measurement of moisture in porous materials like soils and porous building materials. Second part of the article presents the experiment of capillary rise process in the sample of AAC. Within the experiment moisture content was monitored in the sample exposed on water influence. Monitoring was conducted using TDR FP/mts probes. Preparation of the measuring setup was presented in detail. The TDR readouts post-processing, graphical presentations of the obtained results, short discussion and comparison of TDR readouts to gravimetric measurement were also presented.
Floods in the Upper Part of Vistula and Odra River Basins in the 19th and 20th Centuries / Powodzie W Górnej Części Dorzeczy Wisły I Odry W XIX I XX Wieku
Authors: Czaja Stanisław W. , Machowski Robert , Rzętała Mariusz
Published: May 2015

The discussion of floods in this paper covers the section of the Odra River basin from its source down to the mouth of the Nysa Klodzka River and the section of the Vistula River basin down to the Krakow profile. The area of the upper part of Odra River basin is 13,455 km2 and the length of the river bed in this section is ca. 273.0 km. In the reach examined, the Vistula River is 184.8 km long and has a catchment area of approximately 8,101 km2. Geographical and environmental conditions in the upper part of the Vistula and Odra Rivers basins are conducive to floods both in the summer and winter seasons. The analyses conducted for the 19th and 20th centuries demonstrate that two main types of floods can be distinguished. Floods with a single flood wave peak occurred in the following years in the upper Odra River basin: 1813, 1831, 1879, 1889, 1890 and 1896, and on the Vistula River they were recorded in 1805, 1813, 1816, 1818, 1826, 1830, 1834, 1844 and 1845. In the 20th century, similar phenomena were recorded on the Odra River in 1903, 1909, 1911, 1915, 1925, 1960, 1970 and 1985, and on the Vistula River they occurred in 1903, 1908, 1925, 1931, 1934, 1939, 1948, 1951, 1970, 1972, 1991, 1996, 1997 and 1999. The second category includes floods with two, three or more flood wave peaks. These are caused by successive episodes of high rainfall separated by dry periods that last for a few days, a fortnight or even several weeks. Such floods occurred on the upper Odra River in 1847, 1854, 1880, 1888, 1892, 1897 and 1899; while on the Vistula River only two (1839 and 1843) floods featured two flood wave peaks. In the 20th century on the upper Odra River, floods of this type occurred in 1902, 1926, 1939, 1940, 1972, 1977 and 1997; on the upper Vistula River, they were recorded in 1906, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1940, 1958, 1960 and 1987.
Canonical Variate Analysis of Chlorophyll Content in Plants Exposed to Different Lead Concentrations in Ambient Air Conditions/ Analiza Zmiennych Kanonicznych Zawatości Chlorofilu W Roślinach Eksponowanych Na Różne Stężenia Ołowiu W Powietrzu Atmosferycznym
Authors: Budka Anna , Kayzer Dariusz , Zbierska Janina , Borowiak Klaudia , Barałkiewicz Danuta , Hanć Anetta
Published: May 2015

This paper presents the results of biomonitoring of Pb in ambient air. For this purpose Italian ryegrass was used to evaluate Pb level. Additionally chlorophyll forms (a+b, a and b) were measured in leaves. Plants were exposed at 5 sites varying in environmental characteristics in the 2011 growing season. A similar set of plants was conducted in control conditions. Three 28-day long exposure series were performed. The aim of this study was to analyse the relation between Pb level and chlorophyll content in various exposure sites and series using multivariate analysis of variance. The analysis revealed variability of Pb and all chlorophyll forms contents in different exposure sites and series. The lowest level of Pb concentrations was noted at a sub-urban site together with the highest level of all chlorophyll forms contents. Canonical variate analysis could be a proper tool for a graphical data presentation of Pb level in plants exposed to various environmental conditions.
Experimental Study on Steel Tank Model Using Shaking Table/ Badania Eksperymentalne Modelu Zbiornika Stalowego Na Stole Sejsmicznym
Authors: Burkacki Daniel , Jankowski Robert
Published: May 2015

Cylindrical steel tanks are very popular structures used for storage of products of chemical and petroleum industries. Earthquakes are the most dangerous and also the most unpredictable dynamic loads acting on such structures. On the other hand, mining tremors are usually considered to be less severe due to lower acceleration levels observed. The aim of the present paper is to show the results of the experimental study which has been conducted on a scaled model of a real tank located in Poland. The investigation has been carried out under different dynamic excitations (earthquakes and mining tremors) using the shaking table. The results of the study indicate that stored product may significantly influence the values of dynamic parameters and confirm that the level of liquid filling is really essential in the structural analysis. The comparison of the response under moderate earthquakes and mining tremors indicate that the second excitation may be more severe in some cases.
Non-Steroid Anti-Infflamatory Drugs in Municipal Wastewater and Surface Waters/ Niesteroidowe Leki Przeciwzaplane W Ściekach Mieskich I Wodach Powierzchniowych
Authors: Płuciennik-Koropczuk Ewelina
Published: May 2015

Increased production and consumption of drugs influences the pollution pharmaceuticals. Recent years have seen a significant increase in the consumption of non-prescription medicines, among which, are a large group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Research conducted in Poland and abroad showed the presence of NSAIDs, both in treated wastewater in surface waters and drinking waters. One of the most frequently detected drugs in the environment is diclofenac, belongs to NSAID. Its concentration in surface waters range from 9 to 3363 ng/L. Traditional wastewater treatment plants are not specialized enough in removing the pharmaceuticals and their metabolites, and with purified wastewater are introduced into surface waters. Diclofenac concentrations in treated wastewater range from 0.29 to 2.5 μg/L, the average removal efficiency is about 40%.
The Experimental Study of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Bundles of Rectangular Steel Sections/ Badania Eksperymentalne Efektywnej Przewodności Cieplnej Wiązek Stalowych Profili Prostokątnych
Authors: Wyczółkowski Rafał , Benduch Agnieszka
Published: May 2015

Bundles of rectangular steel sections are examples of the porous charge. Due to the voids within the sections, this type of charge is characterized by porosity even exceeding 85%. This makes the thermal properties of these elements, expressed by the effective thermal conductivity kef, totally different from the thermal conductivity of steel. The value of the kef coefficient depends on many factors such as: the ratio of the thermal conductivity of steel to that of gas, the structure of the solid matrix and its porosity and the lack of the continuity of the steel phase. The paper describes experimental investigations concerning the measurements of the effective thermal conductivity of a steel sections bundles.
A Numerical Analysis of the Resistance and Stiffness of the Aluminium and Concrete Composite Beam
Authors: Polus Łukasz , Szumigała Maciej
Published: May 2015

In this paper a numerical analysis of the resistance and stiffness of the aluminium and concrete composite beam is presented. Composite aluminium and concrete structures are quite new and they have not been thoroughly tested. Composite structures have a lot of advantages. The composite aluminium and concrete beam is more corrosion-resistant, fire-resistant and stiff than the aluminium beam. The contemporary idea of sustainable buildings relies on new solutions which are more environmentally friendly. Aluminium is lighter and more resistant to corrosion than steel, which is often used in composite structures.
Structural Aspects of Railway Truss Bridges Affecting Transverse Shear Forces in Steel-Concrete Composite Decks
Authors: Siekierski Wojciech
Published: May 2015

At the steel-concrete interface, the horizontal shear forces that are transverse to cross beams occur due to joint action of the steel-concrete composite deck and the truss girders. Numerical analysis showed that values of the forces are big in comparison to the longitudinal shear forces. In both cases extreme force values occur near side edges of a slab. The paper studies possibilities of reduction of these shear forces by structural alterations of the following: rigidity of a concrete slab, arrangement of a wind bracing, arrangement of concrete slab expansion joints. An existing railway truss bridge span has been analysed. Numerical analysis shows that it is possible to reduce the values of shear forces transverse to cross beams. It may reach 20% near the side edges of slabs and 23% in the centre of slab width.
A Numerical Analysis of the Resistance and Stiffness of the Timber and Concrete Composite Beam
Authors: Szumigała Ewa , Szumigała Maciej , Polus Łukasz
Published: May 2015

The article presents the results of a numerical analysis of the load capacity and stiffness of the composite timber and concrete beam. Timber and concrete structures are relatively new, they have not been thoroughly tested and they are rarely used because of technological constraints. One of the obstacles to using them is difficulty with finding a method which would allow successful cooperation between concrete and timber, which has been proposed by the authors of the present article. The modern idea of sustainable construction design requires the use of new more environmentally-friendly solutions. Wood as an ecological material is easily accessible, less energy-consuming, and under certain conditions more corrosion-resistant than steel. The analysis presented in the article showed that cooperation between a wooden beam and a concrete slab on profiled steel sheeting is possible. The analysed composite beam has a greater load capacity and stiffness than the wooden beam.
Biodiversity As An Ecological Safety Condition. The European Dimension
Authors: Rzeńca Agnieszka
Published: May 2015

Contemporary research concerning the benefits (services) of the ecosystems (environment) confirm the rank and significance of the natural environment and its resources for shaping humanity’s well-being. Particularly highlighted is the need to protection of live natural resources to preserve biodiversity, which is essential for retaining the basic ecological processes and providing the sustainability of usage of these resources. Consequently, protection of biodiversity is not only an environmental issue, but also an economic and social issue involving the well-being and quality of life of society. Thus, biological diversity is an essential condition for providing ecological safety, retaining the continuity of natural processes, and conditions the quality of life and economic potential. The main purpose of the paper is to indicate the theoretical bases of biodiversity protection from the perspective of the natural and economic sciences, and to describe the diversity of biodiversity protection levels in the EU states. A specific aim is to indicate the forms and instruments of nature conservation involved in biodiversity protection, and to carry out an overview of established nature conservation programmes in selected EU countries. In order to accomplish such a complex aim, this article presents an overview of literature found in the natural, economic and legal sciences and popular magazines presenting scientific research within the field of biodiversity. Then a comparative analysis is presented based on the statistical data coming from various international statistics resources (OECD, EUROSTAT, EEA).
Modeling Drying Characteristics of Terebinth Fruit Under Infrared Fluidized Bed Condition
Authors: Kaveh M. , Chayjan R. Amiri
Published: May 2015

Advantages of infrared fluid bed drying include high heat and mass transfer coefficients, short process time, high quality and low energy consumption. Since heat and mass transfer and quality changes during drying of terebinth fruit with infrared fluid bed method is not described in the literature. Goals of this research were study the effects of different infrared drying conditions on the drying kinetic and physical parameters of terebinth fruit. To predict moisture during drying process, five mathematical models were used. Experiments were conducted at different levels of hot air velocity (0.93, 1.76 and 2.6 m/s), temperature (40, 55, and 70°C) and infrared radiation power (500, 1000 and 1500 W). Results showed that Demir et al. model had the best performance for predicting of moisture ratio. Effective moisture diffusivity for terebinth samples (6.2×10-11 to 7.3×10-10 m2/s) was achieved. Activation energy of the samples (44.4 to 59.13 kJ/mol) was computed. Maximum rupture force (118.4 N) was calculated at air velocity of 2.6 m/s, infrared power of 1500 W and air temperature of 70°C. The results proved that in addition to short process time, monitoring of terebinth fruit characteristics such as mechanical properties during drying process can be achieved.
Characteristics of the Baseline Climate of the Cotnari (Romania) Wine Growing Region
Authors: Irimi L.M. , Patriche Cr.V. , Quénol H. , Planchon O. , Sfâcă L.
Published: May 2015

The paper presents the baseline climate of the Cotnari wine growing region, the climate under whose influence were set up the wine grape varieties, wine types and grapevine training systems of this vineyard. It is also presented the baseline climate suitability for wine grape growing and its spatial variation in the vineyard area. The study is based on the climate data for the 1961 to 1980 time period, previous to the beginning of the climate warming and, therefore, considered to be representative for the baseline climate time period. According to study results, the baseline climate of the Cotnari wine growing region was cool, with annual average temperatures by 8.5...,10.0°C, with a sum of the effective temperatures by 1081...,1382°C, with freezing phenomena at the beginning and towards the end of the growing season, and with very cool nights during the month of September (CI+2). Elements that generate the baseline climate suitability for wine grape growing were: high average temperatures for the month of July (19...21.1°C), long growing season up to 190 days, and high values for the global radiation, up to 93 kcal/cm2/April 1st - September 30th on the sunny slopes within the vineyard area. According to the multicriteria evaluation of the suitability for wine grape growing, 87.9% (1792 ha) of the vineyard surface was characterized by a baseline climate suitable for white quality wines and 11.9% (241.0 ha) by a baseline climate suitable for white table wines, sparkling wines and wines for distillates.
Moisture-Dependent Physical Properties of Seedless and Seeded Raisin (Vitis Vinifera L.) Varieties
Authors: Karimi N.
Published: May 2015

Some physical properties of seedless and seeded raisin berries varieties were evaluated as a function of moisture content, varying from 16.12% to 35.63% (d.b.) for seedless berries and from 17.33 to 34.41% (d.b.) for seeded raisin berries. The average dimensions, shape, and mass of the both raisin berries increased as moisture content increased. The mass of 1000 berries increased linearly. Besides, in seedless berries, the bulk density increased, the true density and porosity decreased, while in seeded berries the bulk and true density decreased, but porosity increased. The Weibull distribution model statistically characterized raisins on the basis of berries dimensions for classifying and separating targets. The results indicate that classifying raisin berries by means of bivariate Weibull distribution in terms of the length and width is useful in describing the process under study and designing or calibrating the hole sizes of classifiers machinery.
Water Use Efficiency and Rain Water Productivity of Wheat under Various Tillage-Glyphosate Interactive Systems
Authors: Zahoor F. , Malik M.A. , Anser R. , Shehzad M. , Saleem A. , Anser M. , Siddiqui M.H. , Mubeen K. , Raza S.H.
Published: May 2015

Rainfed wheat is generally grown in rotation with summer fallow in medium to high rainfall zone of Pothwar plateau of Pakistan. The present study was, therefore, conducted to investigate the impact of shallow and deep tillage practices, with and without herbicide (glyphosate) application, on moisture conservation and subsequent wheat yields. The study also aimed to examine the feasibility of substituting intensive shallow tillage with single application of glyphosate. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates and net plot size of 14 m x 10 m, during 2007 and 2008 at two locations i.e high and medium rainfall. Wheat cultivar “GA-2002” was planted as a test crop. The data showed the superiority of conservation tillage in terms of conservation of moisture and increasing grain yields. Results also elaborated that tillage cannot be completely eliminated for profitable fallow management. However, deep ploughing with moldboard followed by single application of glyphosate proved potential option for substituting shallow tillage carried out during summer (kharif). The additional benefits under this tillage system included saving in fuel, labour and lower depreciation and maintenance costs for tillage machinery in addition to unquantifiable environmental benefits.
Nitrogen Deficiency Stress Indices of Seed Yield in Rapeseed (Brassica Napus L.) Genotypes
Authors: Rameeh V.
Published: May 2015

Most of investigations showed that nitrogen fertilizers gave substantial rapeseed yield increases even in diverse and contradicting conditions but in a few studies were focused on nitrogen deficiency stress effects. Some of important seed yield stress indices based on application and non application of nitrogen (N+ and N0) was studied using six spring rapeseed varieties and their 15 F2 progenies. Significant mean squares of genotypes effects were observed for potential yield (Yp), stress yield (Ys), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), tolerance index (TOL), stress tolerance index (STI) and stress susceptibility index (SSI), indicating significant genetic differences of the genotypes for the stress indices. The genotypes including PF7045/91 and RGS003 had the high mean values of MP and GMP and STI, therefore considered as high potential parents in both nitrogen application conditions. On the basis of low mean value of TOL and SSI indices, PF7045/91 and 19H were considered as tolerant to nitrogen deficiency stress. Most of the crosses with high mean values of MP, GMP and STI had at least one parent with high mean values of these stress indices. Significant positive correlation of Yp and Ys with MP, GMP and STI, indicating selection based on these stress indices will increase the Yp and Ys of the genotypes. Heterozygosity had important role for stability of traits in different conditions, therefore in compare to parents their F2 progenies had low mean values of SSI and TOL indices.
Comparative Study Regarding in Vitro Infections with Erwinia Amylovora and Pseudomonas Syringae Pv. Syringae on Pomaceae Species
Authors: Chiriac Irina Paraschiva , Lipşa Fl. D. , Ulea E.
Published: May 2015

The knowledge about pome fruit trees bacterioses and their evolution in orchards is a major objective for plant protection. Erwinia amylovora and Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae cause on attacked organs of Pomaceae species similar dieback symptoms in vegetative and flowering shoots of quince, pear and apple in spring. Both bacteria can produce disastrous diseases in orchards and are therefore of great economic importance. Biological materials represented by vegetative shoots, leaves and fruits of Pyrus spp., Malus spp., Cydonia spp. were used after isolation of different E. amylovora and Ps. syringae pv. syringae strains for in vitro infections. Results presented in this study established that for in vitro inoculation of Pomaceae species similar symptoms in case of leaves and, respectively different symptoms for vegetative shoots and fruits occurred. The occurrence time was the only difference, because Ps. syringae pv. syringae spread faster than E. amylovora. The vegetative shoots inoculated with E. amylovora, in comparison to Ps. syringae pv. syringae, were more damaged and for both bacteria the highest values for attack degree were recorded in case of pear species, followed by quince and apples, respectively.
Proline, Protein, Rwc and Msi Contents Affected by Paclobutrazol and Water Deficit Treatments in Strawberry Cv. Paros
Authors: Parvin S. , Javadi T. , Ghaderi N.
Published: May 2015

Drought is one of the critical environmental stresses that affect growth and development of plants. Plants are damaged directly and indirectly under drought stress. Increasing water stress tolerance in plants is crucial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different water stress levels (-1, -5, and -10 bars) and paclobutrazol application (0 and 50 mg-1) on strawberry cv. Paros. According to analyses of variance there were significant effects of drought stress and paclobutrazol application on leaf area, leaf dry weight, leaf relative water content (RWC), cell membrane stability index (MSI), proline and protein content of leaves. Leaf area, leaf dry weight, leaf relative water content and cell membrane stability index decreased in drought stress, especially at -10 bars. Proline and protein contents were enhanced by increasing water stress levels. Paclobutrazol application increased leaf relative water content and cell membrane stability index, proline and protein contents of leaves. Leaf relative water content was 68.77% in -10 bars drought stress that increased to 79% in paclobutrazol treatment. Also, cell membrane stability index was 69.65% in severe drought stress and reached to 77% in paclobutrazol treatment. According to the results pacloburazol is a benefit substance to ameliorate drought stress effects in strawberry cv. Paros.
The Process of Institutionalization of the EU’s CFSP in the Western Balkan Countries during the Ukraine Crisis
Authors: Đukanović Dragan
Published: May 2015

This paper analyses the Western Balkan countries’ relationship towards the instrument of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union in the context of the measures undertaken by Brussels against the Russian Federation due to its involvement in the Ukrainian crisis. In this regard, the author first points out to what extent the countries of the Western Balkans over the past few years, that is, after the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, harmonized their foreign policies with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. Certainly, the most important foreign policy challenges for the Western Balkan countries in 2014 are imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation. Some Western Balkan countries (above all, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia), according to the author’s assessment, are stretched between their intentions to join the EU and thus harmonize their foreign policy with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union on one hand, and on the other, to avoid disruption of existing relations with the Russian Federation
CFD Numerical Simulation of Biodiesel Synthesis in a Spinning Disc Reactor
Authors: Wen Zhuqing , Petera Jerzy
Published: May 2015

In this paper a two-disc spinning disc reactor for intensified biodiesel synthesis is described and numerically simulated. The reactor consists of two flat discs, located coaxially and parallel to each other with a gap of 0.2 mm between the discs. The upper disc is located on a rotating shaft while the lower disc is stationary. The feed liquids, triglycerides (TG) and methanol are introduced coaxially along the centre line of rotating disc and stationary disc. Fluid hydrodynamics in the reactor for synthesis of biodiesel from TG and methanol in the presence of a sodium hydroxide catalyst are simulated, using convection-diffusion-reaction species transport model by the CFD software ANSYS©Fluent v. 13.0. The effect of the upper disc’s spinning speed is evaluated. The results show that the rotational speed increase causes an increase of TG conversion despite the fact that the residence time decreases. Compared to data obtained from adequate experiments, the model shows a satisfactory agreement.
Analysis of the Transition Time From Air to Oxy-Combustion
Authors: Lasek Janusz , Lajnert Radosław , Głód Krzysztof , Zuwała Jarosław
Published: May 2015

In this paper some issues of the transition process from air- to oxy-combustion were investigated. Advantages of flexible combustion were described. Flexible combustion tests carried out at four European plants and five plants outside Europe of different scales of process and test parameters were presented. An analysis of the transition time from air to oxy-combustion of different laboratory and pilot scale processes was carried out. The “first-order + dead time” approach was used as a model to describe transition process. Transitional periods between combustion modes and characteristic parameters of the process were determined. The transition time depends not only on the facility’s capacity but also it is impacted by specific operational parameters.
Fabianism political doctrine in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century/ Doktryna polityczna fabianizmu przełomu XIX i XX wieku
Authors: Ziętara Wojciech
Published: May 2015

The Fabian Society is socialist organization established in London in 1884. Five years later, the Fabians presented the publication Fabian Essays which contained the key assumptions of political doctrine, called fabianism. The key ideas of fabianism include a collectivist economy, municipalization, the socialist state and the idea of democracy. The Fabians agreed that changes should be gradual and peace, with respect for the law and the presentation of the importance of British tradition in shaping the national community. At the same time the Fabians rejected solutions that promote individualism and capitalism, revolutionary and utopian changes in the social and political system. However, the Fabian doctrine was not found particular interest in political and social life in Europe due to its local and pragmatic character.
Feminist geopolitics: main problems/ Geopolityka feministyczna: główne problemy
Authors: Macała Jarosław
Published: May 2015

Critical geopolitics deals with the deconstruction and analysis of texts and speeches associated with elites of international politics. It shows us how the world and its geographies are formed and shaped by discourse, as well as how discourse is shaped by the world. Feminist geopolitics goes further. It derives from critical geopolitics, but the most apparent difference is that it completely changes the scales of political analysis, away from the masculine discourse of states and international relations. Feminist geopolitics shifts the focus of international politics from state security to human security, and renders traditionally marginalised groups political actors, for example on discriminated women, refugees, social movements.
The Lifting-Extension Problem for Duchain Complexes of Dwyer and Kan
Authors: Spaliński Jan
Published: May 2015

A duchain complex of W. Dwyer and D. Kan is a common extension of the notions of a chain complex and a cochain complex.

Given a square commutative diagram of duchain complexes, the lifting-extension problem asks whether there exists a diagonal map making the two resulting triangles commute. Duchain complexes have a model category structure, and hence a lift exists if the left vertical map is a cofibration, the right vertical map is a fibration, and one of them is a weak equivalence.

We show that it is possible to replace the two conditions above, by a countably infinite, bigraded, family of conditions which guarantee the existence of a lift.
The Monomial Difference Majorized by Single Variable Function
Authors: Budzik Dorota
Published: May 2015

We deal with the monomial difference n!F(y) - △n
y F(x) assuming that its norm is majorized by some function depending upon the variable y.
A Generalized Common Fixed Point Theorem under an Implicit Relation
Authors: Surekha D. , Phaneendra T.
Published: May 2015

An extended generalization of recent result of Kikina and Kikina (2011) has been established through the notions of weak compatibility and the property E.A., under an implicit-type relation and restricted orbital completeness of the space. The result of this paper also extends and generalizes that of Imdad and Ali (2007).
Managers’ Consideration about Behavioural Factors that Influence their Decision Making in Liquidity Management
Authors: Korzeniowska Dominika
Published: May 2015

The paper presents selected fragment of the outcomes of qualitative research led by the author. It concerned factors influencing decision-making in liquidity management, associated with human traits (human as an acting person of such choices) both in terms of mental processes’ characteristics peculiar to the entire human species (features of human mind) as well as the specific attributes of individual decisionmakers. The aim of the study was to discover how managers perceive determinants of liquidity decision-making process, basing on their professional experience, and whether in their consideration on the subject had ever appeared the determinants related to the person of the decision-maker.
Efficiency of Using Research and Development Expenditures at Voivodship Level
Authors: Kucharski Adam
Published: May 2015

One of the most important criteria dividing countries on developed and developing is technological level of the economy which is a derivative of R&D. We showed in the article, that only a rather small group of voivodships was characterized by a full efficiency of converting the expenditure into effects. Low values of efficiency indices pay attention for all ineffective provinces. It won’t be possible to say about none of them, that it found near the efficiency border which accompanied by large differences between decision making units.

The non-radial DEA model showed that both the internal expenditures (in converting into the thousand residents) and the personnel employed in the R+D work are not used efficiently and what’s more in the considerable degree wherein a first of said inputs research units managed by a little more effectively.
Facility Management as a Concept to Support Real Estate Management
Authors: Sitek Marcin
Published: May 2015

The focus of the study is on contemporary concept of Facility Management (FM) that supports processes of management, especially real estate management. The study attempted to analyse the assumptions of standardization of real estate management within the FM concept. Analysis of the situation in the real estate market in Poland in 2013 showed the necessity of implementation of effective management, which concerns not only investment projects, but, particularly, the area of management of facilities and innovations, and taking measures aimed at increasing the value of real estate.

The role and opportunities offered by certain contemporary methods of real estate management (benchmarking and outsourcing) have been discussed, particularly in terms of management of auxiliary processes.

The study presented situation in the local construction sector and developer enterprises in Poland, particularly in terms of taking measures concerning formation of demand and customer preferences in the real estate market.

The results obtained in the study were used to analyse situation in the market of real estate in Częstochowa, Poland, stimulated directly by tendencies observed in this local market and suggest the necessity of proper management of auxiliary processes, which will substantially contribute to improvement of enterprises’ operation.
Management – Forecasting the Future Cognitive Challenges in Management Science 3
Authors: Sułkowski Łukasz
Published: May 2015

This paper is the third publication from the series of three articles about cognitive challenges in management science. It is the result of the further discussions and reflections concerning the cognitive problems of management after publication of the books about epistemology of management. The paper is a trial to forecast the main cognitive trends and tendencies on the basis of the diagnosis made in two papers in series “Cognitive challenges in management science”. The chosen trends in development of management sciences are: expansion of natural sciences, growing inter-disciplinarity of research, growing specialization, net-marketing in management discourse, challenge of cultural relativism, growing criticism and reflexivity. Response of management sciences to the challenges connected to: interdisciplinary nature, growing specialization, and expansion of natural history can lead to further development of our discipline, but the possibility of disintegration also should not be ruled out. Deepening specialization, lack of long-range theory, and growing significance of natural history could lead to disintegration of our discipline, whose fields would be incorporated by other domains. I think that in order to avoid this possibility it would be desirable to uphold the cohesion of management sciences through deepening the cognitive reflection and openness to inspirations originating in other areas of science. But future is difficult to predict and maybe other trends that are not too visible now will change management sciences in future.
Application of Finance Management Instruments in Business Entities for example of PGE and Tauron Companies
Authors: Trippner Paweł
Published: May 2015

Running a business involves the risk borne by the owners. They are most often identified with failure to achieve expected rates of return by investors. The same mechanisms apply to business entities whose one of the main objectives is to maximize the profits level.

Equally important task, and according to the larger group of professional literature authors the most important is the increase of the company’s market value. Both purposes have common ground, involving the selection of indicators and instruments for the assessment of the financial condition and the value added of analyzed business entity.

The objective of this paper is to compare mechanisms used to assess the financial condition of enterprises and indicate imperfections of measures based solely on bookkeeping data derived from an annual financial report. Characteristic features and the more objective nature of economic measures, in particular such as the Economic Value Added (EVA), are presented.
Long-Term Borrowing and Intergenerational Redistribution of Public Debt. The Case of Central and Eastern EU Member States
Authors: Uryszek Tomasz
Published: May 2015

The paper analyses the burden on the future generation resulting from the need to repay public debt in Central and Eastern EU Member States. The main theme is accompanied by the following research hypothesis: imbalance in public finances makes public authorities use long-term government securities more intensely. The hypothesis was verified based on the analysis of statistical data from Eurostat, European Central Bank and the OECD.
A Comparative Study of Attitudes towards Entrepreneurship between Polish and British Students
Authors: Chmielecki Michał , Seliga Robert
Published: May 2015

Background

Entrepreneurship continues to gain momentum as a significant and relevant field of research. Policy makers in the rush to stimulate entrepreneurship in various countries, often rely on the success stories and prescriptions documented in the entrepreneurship literature in which most studies are set in the United States.

Research aims

The article present exploratory study addresses the subject of cross-cultural differences in attitudes towards entrepreneurship by focusing attention on two particular types of cultures of entrepreneurship British and Polish.

Method

The quantitative research (survey) was conducted in May 2014 among 153 Polish and 94 British graduate and postgraduate management students.

Key findings

The findings have some distinctive implications for government, policy makers and educators through determining the attitudes towards entrepreneurship among students.
Battery Equalization Control Based on the Shunt Transistor Method
Authors: Gallardo-Lozano Javier , Romero-Cadaval Enrique , Milanés-Montero María Isabel , Guerrero-Martinez Miguel A.
Published: May 2015

Electric Vehicle (EV) researches are currently becoming of special importance and the EV battery system is particularly relevant in the EV design. In these applications, series connected batteries are necessary since a single battery cannot achieve the voltage requirements. Internal and external sources lead the batteries string to become unbalanced, which is an important factor to be taken into account, as premature cells degradation, safety hazards, and reduced capacity will occur for unbalanced systems. The different balancing methods are presented and compared in this paper, and finally the switch capacitor and the double-tiered switching capacitor are considered the best option. However, their speed depends on the voltage difference between the batteries in the string, and when their voltage difference is low, the equalization speed decreases significantly, leading the battery pack to be unbalanced for longer. A novel equalization method is presented, that improves the aforementioned methods performance by applying a new control to a shunt transistor method. Low cost, size, and complexity, together with higher speed and efficiency are obtained. A prototype has been built, and experimental results are presented.
Traffic Route Modelling and Assignment with Intelligent Transport System
Authors: Kunicina Nadezhda , Galkina Alina , Zabasta Anatolijs , Patlins Antons , Kondratjevs Kaspars
Published: May 2015

The development of signal transmitting environment for multimodal traffic control will enhance the integration of emergency and specialized transport routing tools in usual traffic control paradigms - it is one of the opportunities offered by modern intelligent traffic control systems. The improvement of effective electric power use in public transport system is an advantage of Intelligent Transport System (ITS). The research is connected with the improvement of on-line traffic control and adaptation of special traffic lighting alternatives by ITS. The assignment of the nearest appropriate transport will be done by passenger request, but unlike information system, the transport planning is done on demand. The task can be solved with the help of modern technical methods and equipment, as well as by applying control paradigms of the distributed systems. The problem is solved with the help of calculations hyper-graph and scheduling theory. The goal of the research is to develop methods, which support scheduling of the emergency transport, using high performance computing.
Distributed Multi-Sensor Real-Time Building Environmental Parameters Monitoring System with Remote Data Access
Authors: Beinarts Ivars , Grunde Uldis , Jakovics Andris
Published: May 2015

In this paper the advanced monitoring system of multiple environmental parameters is presented. The purpose of the system is a long-term estimation of energy efficiency and sustainability for the research test stands which are made of different building materials. Construction of test stands, and placement of main sensors are presented in the first chapter. The structure of data acquisition system includes a real-time interface with sensors and a data logger that allows to acquire and log data from all sensors with fixed rate. The data logging system provides a remote access to the processing of the acquired data and carries out periodical saving at a remote FTP server using an Internet connection. The system architecture and the usage of sensors are explained in the second chapter. In the third chapter implementation of the system, different interfaces of sensors and energy measuring devices are discussed and several examples of data logger program are presented. Each data logger is reading data from analog and digital channels. Measurements can be displayed directly on a screen using WEB access or using data from FTP server. Measurements and acquired data graphical results are presented in the fourth chapter in the selected diagrams. The benefits of the developed system are presented in the conclusion.
New Synchronization Method for Transmission Systems with Variable Length of Bits
Authors: Godek Juliusz , Golański Ryszard , Kołodziej Jacek , Stępień Jacek
Published: May 2015

Based on the Spartan 3E evaluation module, a flexible platform for the implementation of different algorithms for A/D conversion was developed. The aim of presented work was to improve the concept of the sampling rate adaptation to the input signal rate of change in terms of practical issues including synchronization of delta codecs. The new, original synchronization method, useful in systems dedicated for transmission of variable duration of bits was proposed and experimentally verified. Performed measures and observations have shown elimination of the synchronization lose phenomenon
From Planning to Management of Cultural Heritage Sites: Controversies and Conflicts Between Unesco WHL Management Plans and Local Spatial Planning in South-Eastern Sicily
Authors: Piccolo Francesco Lo , Todaro Vincenzo
Published: May 2015

The paper investigates the relationship between the preservation of cultural heritage and planning in UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL) sites, with special reference to the relation between Management Plans and other (local and regional) planning instruments and policies able to influence the promotion of sustainable and responsible development. This will be explored through a case study related to South-Eastern Sicilian UNESCO sites (in particular Syracuse). The analysis of this case study will point out the challenge of integrating different management and planning regimes - which mainly refer to a performative model - in a (still) very conformative planning system. The paper will show how supranational protection tools and models often lose their efficacy in relation to local planning systems.
Towards Governance or the Management of Cultural Landscapes
Authors: Kurz Peter , Ruland Gisa , Zech Sibylla
Published: May 2015

Many (World Heritage) cultural landscapes are a living environment for thousands of inhabitants, visitors, entrepreneurs, farmers and other land users. In order to manage such landscapes we have to consider the legal framework and the reality of the regional planning culture. The ‘landscape of regional players’ consists of a wide range of stakeholders. How should regions tackle natural and cultural heritage as an integrated part of regional development? The discussion of Austria’s Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut World Heritage region involves vertical and horizontal dimensions of governance, including politics, administration, private businesses and civil society.
Conzenian Tradition in Polish Urban Historical Morphology
Authors: Kulesza Mariusz
Published: May 2015

The scientific heritage of M. R. G. Conzen, who is considered one of the most outstanding historical geographers and urban morphologists in the world, has made a huge impact on the contemporary urban historic morphology. Nowadays it would be very hard to imagine this scientific discipline without his achievements. He created a new point of view on the city, first within the Anglo-Saxon, and afterwards within European and world geography. Morphogenetic methods, the conceptualisation of historic development, terminological precision as well as cartographic analysis that were typical of his approach, more and more often were considered essential for the development and the role of research on historic urban landscape. This resulted in the increasing interest in morphological studies on an international scale. In Poland, M. R. G. Conzen’s opinions have become recognizable since 1960, finding permanent place in urban historic morphology and providing stimuli for its significant development in the following decades.
Reinventing rural femininities in the post-productivist Finnish countryside
Authors: Sireni Maarit
Published: May 2015

This paper examines how Finnish farm women interpret their own position as women on family farms. Following the poststructuralist approach in rural gender studies, the analysis focuses on the meanings which women produce regarding agrarian femininity. For this purpose, interview material on their everyday life stories are compared with the discourses on rural femininities in the Koti magazine, which is published by the most important organization representing farm women in Finland. It is concluded that the positions in which farm women present themselves are in accordance with the discourses on rural femininity produced and mediated by this magazine. Farm women present themselves, and they are expected to be, economically active agents in the post-productivist countryside
Localised gastrointestinal diffuse large B cell lymphomas; Does surgical approach still exist?
Authors: Ibrahim Abeer , Zedan Ali , Attia Alia M. A.
Published: May 2015

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the commonest pathological type of gastrointestinal lymphoma and its management was changed from surgery to combined chemoimmunotherapy in the last decade; however, this strategy is questionable, especially if rituximab is not available.

Methods: Seventy-nine files were reviewed retrospectively. We divided the patients into two groups; group 1 included 37 patients who underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy and group 2 included 42 patients who received chemotherapy. The indication of surgery was mainly due to obstruction/perforation. We compared the outcomes of PFS and OS between the two groups and according to primary anatomical site. Results:

We found that the outcomes for the surgery group before chemotherapy was superior to chemotherapy alone in terms of DFS, p = 0.012 and OS p = 0.037. But in the anatomical subgroups analysis, it did not show any significant difference in primary gastric lymphoma (PGL) regarding DFS and OS, p = 0.706, p = 0.858, respectively; On the contrary, we found significant improvement in PFS and OS, p = 0.032, p = 0.025, respectively, in primary intestinal lymphoma (PIL) favouring the use of the surgical approach. Conclusion Surgery is still an important strategy in the case of DLBCL in PIL intestinal lymphoma; however, in the case of PGL, the use of chemotherapy even without rituximab achieves similar results. Our conclusions are limited by the small numbers of the study