bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTENSITY AND STRUCTURE OF INTRA-INDUSTRY TRADE IN AGRI-FOOD PRODUCTS OBSERVED IN POLISH AND EU FOREIGN TRADE WITH THE US
Authors: Pawlak Karolina
Published: December 2019

The aim of this paper was to investigate the intensity and determine the type of intra-industry trade in agri-food products of Poland and the EU with the US. Analysis was based on data coming from the Comext-Eurostat database applying the 6-digit HS classification in 2007 and 2018. The intensity of intra-industry trade was established using the Grubel-Lloyd index, taking the diversification of intra-industry trade into horizontal, high-quality vertical, and low-quality vertical trade into consideration. The individual types were determined applying the criteria of similarity in unit values in exports and imports, proposed by David Greenaway et al. [1994]. Analysis showed that trade in agri-food products of Poland and the EU with the US developed mainly following a model of inter-industry specialisation. Intra-industry trade was observed primarily in trade in highly processed products. Analyses of EU trade with the US indicate the greatest role of intra-industry trade in high quality differentiated products, which may hardly be supplemented by other goods, while in Polish trade with the US it was vertical trade in low quality goods, which may be relatively readily replaced by products coming from other countries, in turn potentially leading to the loss of Poland’s share in the target market.
BARRIERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC FARMING
Authors: Kołoszko-Chomentowska Zofia , Stalgiene Aldona
Published: December 2019

The goal of this research was to review the literature dedicated to barriers to the development of the organic production system. As an agricultural system combining economic and environmental objectives, organic farming has gained social acceptance. The growth of consumer interest in organic food is indicative of this. Public funds play an important role in the development of organic farming, encouraging the transition from a traditional to an organic system of farming. However, a reduced rate of growth of the number of organic farms and even a return to conventional production methods is being observed. Such farmer behavior is taking place in many EU countries. Analysis was conducted based on the results of studies conducted until now and mass statistical data. The results of analysis indicate that organic farming is encountering numerous development barriers. These are barriers related to management, market and cultural barriers, as well as barriers linked to national policy and technology. Social support for the development of organic production is also significant. There is, therefore, a need to identify barriers and adopt a strategy to support organic farming. Limiting these barriers will contribute to broadening the food offer that contains high nutritional values and encompasses the concept of environmental protection.
INEQUALITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME IN THE HOUSEHOLDS OF FARMERS IN POLAND
Authors: Raczkowska Małgorzata , Gruziel Kinga
Published: December 2019

The purpose of the study was to identify and assess the level of income inequality in farm households. The research methods applied were literature studies and analysis of statistical data provided by the Central Statistical Office for the period 2012-2017. The subject of the study was the disposable income of a farm household per capita. A research hypothesis was adopted whereby, over the years 2010-2017, a systematic increase in income inequality in farm households took place. It was found that during the analysed years, there was an increase in disposable income per capita in farm households. When assessing the level of income inequality in this group of households, a decrease in income stratification measured by the level of the Gini coefficient, by the Schutz-Pietra measure, was noticed, although these changes were very small. Comparing the level of the Gini coefficient among all groups of households distinguished with regard to the main source of income, it was the group of farms that was characterised by the highest level of income inequality. In addition, income inequalities among farmers were characterised by the highest variation compared to other professional groups. This situation may be caused by the nature of farm income, which is conditioned, among others, by the size and productivity of the farm, its degree of specialisation, as well as weather conditions.
CAN STRUCTURAL GENOTYPES OF AGRICULTURE BE DISTINGUISHED IN INDIVIDUAL REGIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION?
Authors: Staniszewski Jakub
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study is to verify the hypothesis that structural genotypes exist in EU agriculture. To verify the hypothesis, CSO data from the 2010 and 2016 Farm Structure Survey for 258 NUTS 2 regions were used. 21 structural variables were calculated on the basis of the data and then they were used to carry out a latent profile analysis. At the last stage of the research, the influence of structural genotypes on the productivity of production factors was verified using the MANOVA method. The obtained results confirm the existence of 5 structural genotypes: (1) small farms and a polarized agrarian structure, (2) very small, non-specialized, labour-intensive farms and a polarized agrarian structure, (3) large farms and non-polarized agrarian structure, (4) average farms, (5) very large farms – outliers. What differed the most among farms was the concentration of production. Additionally, the relative stability of the adherence of the regions to a given genotype was confirmed, as well as the influence of this relation on the productivity, in particular on labour productivity. Any transitions between clusters concerned, in the vast majority, those regions where the scale of production was higher.
DEANIMALISATION PROCESSES IN THE POLISH CARPATHIANS – PRODUCTION, ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS
Authors: Musiał Wiesław , Musiał Kamila
Published: December 2019

This paper addresses a current issue regarding the increasing problem of a decreasing cattle population in the Polish Carpathians. The problem exacerbated after 1990, as a result of changes in prices of the means of production and agricultural products. It intensified even further after Poland joined the EU. The decrease in cattle population is observed in all districts in the Carpathians. This article includes a diagnosis of four such districts: two with the highest decrease (Łańcut: -67.0% and Sucha: -52.6%) and two with the smallest decrease in cattle population (Bieszczdy: -8.1% and Wadowice: -11.5%). Expert assessments were used to this end. The article includes a definition and analysis of the deanimalisation process and an indication of the consequences of this process in agriculture, in the local environment and in the broadly understood ecological context. It follows from the research that favourable natural conditions, good for breeding ruminants, largely determine high cattle density but, at the same time, these conditions do not impact the decrease in the cattle population to such an extent. The decrease is related to the low concentration of herds, generational changes and the disappearance of local dairy markets. As a result of progressing deanimalisation, abandoned meadows and pastures, as well as part of arable lands, are being permanently lost. Instead, these lands become overgrown with invasive plant species and shrubbery.
INCLINATIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL ATTITUDES FROM A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Bieńkowska-Gołasa Wioletta
Published: December 2019

The main objective of the research was to identify the level of entrepreneurship in Polish voivodships, understood as being active in creating new entities of the national economy. Moreover, the author ran her own study aimed at finding out the respondents’ inclinations for entrepreneurial attitudes. To achieve the assumed goals, the author used mass statistics figures entered into the system of full reporting – REGON and the diagnostic survey method by carrying out a questionnaire. The questionnaire was done in 2017 and 1,189 young people (up to 30 years old) took part in it. Studies show that the phenomenon of entrepreneurship is diverse in different regions. In general, one can claim that this index increased in 10 voivodships and remained the same in one. In Mazovia, in the investigated period, the highest growth of the ratio of newly set up businesses was noted – by 34%. Studies prove that, at least as far as declarations are concerned, most respondents (57%) intend to set up their own business.
LOCAL PRODUCT WITHIN SHORT FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS IN HUNGARY
Authors: Kacz Károly
Published: December 2019

In recent decades, there has been increasing interest in local products which are a major field of short supply chains. A considerable amount of literature has been published on SFSCs, which mainly deal with the benefits and detriments of this kind of cooperation. Being regarded as the aim and focal point of this current scrutiny, SFSCs are especially studied in the context of producing and selling local products and whether they can be viewed as the most favorable way of distributing locally generated (food) products. Within that category major emphasis should be placed on farmer markets and community supported agriculture systems considering both consumers and producers. It has been put forth that the number of such organizations would indicate an increasing tendency in Hungary in line with their growing role in the trade of local products. Relying on data from multiple databases, both traditional and neo-traditional forms of SFSCs have been shown to be viable in Hungary, although, as in other Central and Eastern European countries in terms of numbers, traditional SFSC types play a decisive role, in particular local farmer markets. As a result of the study, besides these forms, the formation and aid of neo-traditional organizations is considered to be useful for stakeholders in order to exploit the potential of short supply chains.
SPATIAL DIVERSITY OF COUNTIES OF THE WARSAW CAPITAL REGION IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT DEGREE OF THE TOURISM FUNCTION IN 2005-2017
Authors: Pomianek Iwona
Published: December 2019

The purpose of the article was an attempt to identify spatial diversity of counties in the Warsaw capital region in terms of the degree of development of the tourism function in the period of 2005-2017. Measuring the tourist function of a county requires the use of indicators that enable comparisons with other administration units. Therefore, some indicators based on the number of tourists accommodated, the number of overnight stays and the number of beds in relation to the number of inhabitants and the area of a county were applied. Although single indicators carry a certain load of information, a more comprehensive description of counties in relation to the degree of development of the tourism function was made possible by the construction of a synthetic measure. Using Hellwig’s development measure, three rankings were constructed: using variables from 2005 and 2017 as well as using average values of variables of the whole analysed period. In the years 2005-2017, the capital city of Warsaw was a theoretical model for other counties and subregions in terms of the degree of tourism function development. An in-depth analysis of the value of indicators of each analysed year indicates that, while trends in each county were increasing in the analysed period, there were some minor fluctuations and decreases. The strongest position in the Warsaw capital region, apart from the capital city, was observed in the following counties: Pruszkowski, Legionowski and Otwocki. On the other hand, the most visible positive changes took place in West Warsaw and Grodziski counties.
REGIONAL DIFFERENTIATION AND POSSIBILITIES OF REDUCING AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM AGRICULTURE IN POLAND
Authors: Jędrejek Anna
Published: December 2019

The main purpose of this paper was to present ammonia (NH3) emissions from agriculture, on a regional scale, in 2017, and identify recommendable agricultural practices limiting ammonia emissions. The methodology used to estimate emissions was based on the approach of the National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE). Analyses were based on statistical data of Statistics Poland (GUS), from 2017. The results of the conducted study showed significant spatial differentiation of ammonia emissions from agriculture. The region of Wielkopolska had the highest NH3 emissions at a level of 34.5 kg NH3 per ha UAA. Lower ammonia emissions were identified in the following regions: Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Łódzkie, Mazowieckie, Podlaskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie, between 20.3-24.7 kg NH3/ha UAA. In total ammonia emissions from agriculture, in Poland, 76.8% constituted emissions from the management of natural fertilisers. The Wielkopolskie and Podlaskie voivodships have a majority share in the emissions of ammonia from animal production – 29.1 and 21.3 kg NH3/ha UAA, respectively. Whereas, ammonia emissions from plant production in 2017 was 66 Gg, which equals 4.6 kg NH3/ha UAA. The highest emission of ammonia from plant production was detected in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Opolskie and Dolnośląskie voivodships, in regions characterized by the most intensive crop production. Estimated emissions were 6.9, 6.2 and 6.0 kg NH3/ha UAA, respectively. A reduction of ammonia emissions from agriculture can be obtained through the proper maintenance of livestock and natural fertilisers, and the implementation of low-carbon methods of the application of mineral nitrogen fertilizer.
SOFT FRUIT PAYMENT AS AN INSTRUMENT OF THE EU’S COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND CHANGES IN PRODUCTION AND PURCHASE PRICES OF RASPBERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES IN POLAND
Authors: Kierczyńska Sylwia
Published: December 2019

The article presents the instruments of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy for the fruit and vegetable market. It provides a detailed analysis of the mechanism of support for soft fruit producers, which was introduced in Poland in 2008. Changes in the area of plantations of raspberries and strawberries, the yield of these fruits and the variability of purchase prices for processing were examined in two periods: 2008-2014 and an equal period before the introduction of this instrument (2001-2007). The index of changes and coefficient of variation were calculated to determine changes in the traits under analysis. The significance of differences in the mean values of the analysed parameters (area, yield, prices) in selected periods was determined by means of the test of significance of differences for dependent samples. Analysis showed that the area of plantations, yield and average purchase prices of raspberries had increased significantly (p < 0.05). There were minimal changes in the plantation area and yield of strawberries. The average purchase prices of strawberries increased, but these changes were not statistically significant. The coefficients of variation in the purchase prices of strawberries and raspberries for processing decreased after the introduction of soft fruit subsidies (2008-2014), in comparison with the period before the introduction of the payments, indicating a stabilisation of prices. However, it is not possible to make a clear association between the introduction of soft fruit subsidies and the stabilisation of purchase prices of strawberries and raspberries for processing.
THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN POLAND AGAINST A EUROPEAN UNION BACKGROUND
Authors: Dominiak Natalia , Oleszczyk Natalia
Published: December 2019

The purpose of the analysis was to determine the degree of use of renewable energy sources in Poland in comparison to other EU countries. The article presents the degree of use of renewable energy sources in Poland against a background of European Union countries together with the quantitative use of renewable energy sources in Poland, since 2010. Poland, like other EU countries, aims at meeting its obligations towards the energy union policy and achieving the target for energy from renewable sources by 2020, in accordance with the adopted EU strategy “Europe 2020”. The results and ways of achieving the goal by Poland were presented, as well as the breakdown of Member State contributions, which are the sum of EU-level goals by 2030. Research was based on secondary data obtained from the EU statistical agency Eurostat. The publication uses, among others: analysis of domestic and foreign literature sources and analysis of secondary data expressed in real values, the results of which are presented in tabular form. For the purposes of this publication, a method of targeted selection of quantitative parameters was used, which will allow an analysis and comparison of the degree of renewable energy development in Poland and the EU. The analyzes covered the years 2010-2017. The analyzes carried out indicate that the slowdown or growth in achieving the goal is largely influenced by current economic development or slowdown, expenditure on supporting renewable energy policy, administrative procedures and current country policy. Trends in the use of renewable energy depend on, among others the above factors.
EVALUATION OF RURAL COMMUNES IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Adamska Hanna , Minta Stanisław
Published: December 2019

The aim of the study is to determine whether the development of selected communes entirely located in rural areas is progressing towards achieving integrated order in line with the concept of sustainable development. Detailed research covered typically rural communes located in the Lower Silesian Voivodship. Research was carried out according to 5 functional regions of rural areas of the voivodship. The research period covered the years 2011-2017. The research takes into account three orders: social, economic and environmental. Sustainable development indicators and the linear normalization method in the form of zeroed unitarization were used. In the analyzed rural communes of the Lower Silesian Voivodship, the indicator of striving for environmental order (E) ranged from 0.403 to 0.571, the indicator of striving for economic order (G) from 0.403 to 0.571, and the indicator of striving for social order (S) from 0.320 to 0.459. Finally, a synthetic indicator (SI) was calculated to determine the level of integrated order, which ranged between 0.370-0.452 (the lowest values were recorded for the 2nd functional region, and the highest for the 4th functional region of Lower Silesia). The synthetic indicator of the pursuit of integrated order grew, with the exception of the 5th region. Changes should be assessed as positive.
POLISH AND ROMANIAN DAIRY FARMS USING EU INVESTMENT SUPPORT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: Czubak Wawrzyniec , Pawłowski Krzysztof , Wiza Paulina , Arion Felix
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this paper was to compare the investment amounts and efficiency of productive input between Polish and Romanian dairy farms depending on whether they access funds under the second pillar of EU’s CAP. The study covered the particularities of farms who access investment funds under the 2nd pillar of EU’s CAP, which allowed to identify the differences between beneficiaries and the control group (i.e. non-beneficiary farms). This paper relies on unpublished 2004–2015 microdata at a farm level, as retrieved from the FADN of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI-C.3; data source: EU-FADN – DG AGRI). The analysis period starts from the moment the two countries joined the EU and launched the FADN system (which is 2004 for Poland and 2007 for Romania) and ends in 2015. The research task defined for Polish and Romanian dairy farms was performed with the use of Propensity Score Matching, a counterfactual method. The calculations were carried out using STATA. As shown by the analysis, in Poland, no considerable differences existed between dairy farms run by the beneficiaries of EU investment funds and the control group. Conversely, in Romania, investment aid was accessed by farms demonstrating a more efficient use of productive input.
Place of comeniology in contemporary humanities
Authors: Sztobryn Sławomir
Published: December 2019

I treat comeniological research as belonging to the broadly understood humanities. Due to the factual diversity of Comenius' creative output which is the subject of many scientific specialties, I include them in transdisciplinary research. Comeniology is capable of con-structing genetic sequences thanks to which Comenius' legacy and heritage is not only of a historical nature, but belongs to the valuable components of contemporary humanistic culture. The affiliation of comeniology to the humanities also has a darker side, because from the scientific and methodological point of view generalizations within it are not nomothetic.
Educational reality in Comenius' views – the content aspect of comeniology
Authors: Florczykiewicz Janina
Published: December 2019

The text proposes an approach to comeniology in the subjective perspective focusing on the content dimension of the research process. The considerations were based on the approach to science presented in Polish literature as a system of theorems about reality developed in the course of research. Comenius' work is considered from the perspective of the description of educational reality contained in it, which is composed of his concept of education. The intention was to present truths about the world, man and relations between them, objectively recognized by the author. The views on the concept of man, teacher and upbringing were reconstructed. A description of the educational reality outlined by the author was presented, taking into account the three elements constituting it - the concept of man, upbringing and teacher. The intention was only to mention the most relevant content, because an exhaustive discussion goes beyond the scope of the article.
Komeński a Ramus i ramizm – czyli o nowych tropach badań komeniologicznych
Authors: Fijałkowski Adam
Published: December 2019

Celem niniejszego tekstu jest ukazanie wspólnych elementów poglądów Jana Amosa Komeńskiego, Wolfganga Ratkego i innych autorów ruchu dydaktycznego z poglądami filozoficznymi i pedagogicznymi Piotra Ramusa. Był on francuskim profesorem Uniwersytetu Paryskiego w XVI wieku, humanistą, logikiem i propagatorem znacznego uproszczenia treści i metod nauczania sztuk wyzwolonych. Jego traktaty były często omawiane i wydawane oraz komentowane na niemieckich uniwersytetach protestanckich w XVI-XVII wieku. Wyższa Szkoła w Herborn, gdzie Komeński studiował w latach 1611-1613, była jednym z ważniejszych cen-trów recepcji tak zwanej drugiej fali ramizmu (Hotson). Młody Komeński cytował wielokrotnie pisma Ramusa w swych debatach szkolnych w Herborn (1612, 1613). Profesor miał duży wpływ na formowanie poglądów encyklopedycznych i dydaktycznych Komeńskiego. Również Wolfgang Ratke, twórca niemieckiego protestanckiego ruchu dydaktycznego w drugiej dekadzie XVII wieku, pozostawał pod wpływem ramizmu.
Orbis Pictus: od świata w obrazach do wyjaśniania świata obrazami – Jan Amos Komeński (1658) a Otto Neurath (1936)
Authors: Kalita Cezary
Published: December 2019

Książka Comeniusa Orbis Pictus będąca opisem świata za pomocą obrazów jest nośnikiem idei edukacji wizualnej. Jej przełomowy charakter polega na tym, że zastosowano schematyczny obraz, który wymusza zaciekawienie i koncentrację ucznia. Powoduje to zwiększenie skuteczności pomocniczego języka wizualnego. Otto Neurath z ideą Isotype i lingwistycznymi pomysłami Charlesa Kaya Ogdena (English Basic) wpisuje się w realizację przesłania Comeniusa. Orbis Pictus staje się dziełem przełomowym w przejściu od kultury piśmiennej do kultury obrazkowej. Komeniologia – teza normatywna – powinna, oprócz analizy spuścizny Comeniusa, również aktualizować jego ideę do wymogów współczesnego świata. A tym wyzwaniem jest realizacja hasła programowego Neuratha „Obrazy łączą, słowa dzielą”.
Komeński oraz literatura i kultura baroku wobec zjawiska starości w kontekście badań interdyscyplinarnych
Authors: Borkowski Andrzej
Published: December 2019

Artykuł jest poświęcony problemowi starości w dziełach Jana Amosa Komeńskie-go w kontekście literatury i kultury barokowej. Obiektem badań stały się dzieła: Labirynt świata i raj serca, Jedyne konieczne, Pampaedia, Wielka dydaktyka. Refleksja Jana Amosa na temat staro-ści ma swoje źródła biblijne, jak też wyrasta z dociekań i opinii grecko-rzymskich myślicieli. Dla Komeńskiego wysnuty z tradycji obraz starości jest wciąż żywy i aktualny.
Principle of evidence of John Amos Comenius as a basis for development of pedagogical research techniques and instruments
Authors: Maksimović Jelena , Sretić Sanja
Published: December 2019

The methodology of pedagogy belongs to the youngest group of pedagogical disci-plines. The first thoughts about the basic postulates of the methodology of pedagogy were rec-ognized long ago, even in the pedagogical paradigm of John Amos Comenius (1592-1670), who created support for the methodology of pedagogy as an integral component of pedagogical science. After the presentation of the basic concepts of the pedagogical theory of this Moravian thinker, the principle of evidence in his pedagogical theory is considered in this paper. A review was made of the influence Comenius left on his followers Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) and Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827), especially from the point of view of further devel-opment of the principles of evidence in their education theories. In this paper, we have con-firmed our hypothesis about the compatibility of the principle of evidence with research tech-niques and instruments. Proactively action by Comenius represents a turning point not only in the field of pedagogy development as a science and its disciplines, but also in the field of human development in general. Regarding that, there is a need for a new pedagogical discipline, Comeniology, which will give a new perspective to this pedagogical doctrine and will foster a critical review in relation to his pedagogical theory. According with our research subject, we have presented some of our dilemmas and questions to which the Comeniology as a new scien-tific discipline could give an answer, and therefore a kind of scientific contribution. Based on the previous methodological achievements, Comeniology remains committed to discovering the origins of other research techniques and methods in the pedagogical postulates of Comenius, to determine the applicability of the Comenius pedagogical principles with regard to the changes and challenges facing the contemporary teaching process, to open the issue of pedagogical psy-chological competencies of teachers for the application of the golden rule of Comenius and its other principles, to continue engagement of Comenius in the qualitative educational function of a modern school, but also to consider the influence of other factors (family environment) that may influence the choice of teaching principles and methods.
Egalitaryzm w oświacie jako jeden z obszarów dziedziny nauki w zakresie komeniologii
Authors: Tyluś Urszula
Published: December 2019

Niniejszy artykuł zwraca uwagę na problem egalitaryzmu w oświacie jako jeden z proponowanych obszarów dziedziny nauki komeniologii. Zaprezentowany problem omawiany jest w trzech tematycznych aspektach: Zarys warunków społecznych kształtujących egalitary-styczne poglądy Jana Amosa Komeńskiego; Naprawa świata w egalitarystycznych poglądach J.A. Komeńskiego; Problem egalitaryzmu w oświacie jako obszaru nauki w zakresie komeniolo-gii. Podjęte rozważania skłaniają do uogólnień, aby komeniologia stała się dziedziną nauki, którą należy zgłębiać i interpretować oraz wyciągać wnioski, poszerzając jej płaszczyznę dociekań naukowych, interpretacyjnych i ustaleń pragmatycznych.
Kurzer Abbriss der Comeniologie in Deutschland bis zum Ende des „langen“ 19. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Lischewski Andreas
Published: December 2019

Die Leistungen der deutschen Comenius-Rezeption des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts werden im Allgemeinen unterschätzt. Aus der Tatsache, dass diese Rezep-tion überwiegend von Lehrern ausging, wird häufig gefolgert, dass Comenius hier nur didaktisch verkürzt und sein pansophisches Erbe – mehr oder weniger bewusst – verleugnet worden sei. Dieses Urteil lässt sich in dieser Pauschalität aber nicht aufrechterhalten. Bereits im 18. Jahrhundert wird Comenius von August Hermann Francke im Horizont seiner Weltreform-pläne rezipiert, wie man denn überhaupt in Halle ein großes Interesse an seinen Schriften hatte. Im 19. Jahrhundert werden dann die Opera Didactica Omnia – und mit ihnen auch die pan-sophischen Programmschriften – wiederentdeckt. Die biographische Erforschung schreitet genauso voran wie die Beschäftigung mit theologischen und pansophischen Fragen, wobei die Interpretationen keinesfalls nur rein affirmativ ausfallen, sondern durchaus auch abwägend-kritische Urteile zu finden sind. Und so hat die Comeniusforschung bis zum Ende des ›langen‹ 19. Jahrhunderts viele Einsichten hervorgebracht, deren umfassende Würdigung noch aussteht.
Из истории украинской комениологии: Андроник Степович (1856-1935)
Authors: Mnich Ludmiła
Published: December 2019

Статья посвящена анализу текста Андроника Степовича (1856-1935) Ян Амос Коменский, славянский педагог и мыслитель в контексте российской и украинской комениологии. Автор статьи приходит к выводу, что доклад Степовича является важным звеном украинской комениологии конца XIX века, в которой нашли свое отражение основные тенденции русской комениологии того времени (славянофильский акцент), а также черты украинской комениологии (отсутствие антикатолического пафоса). В статье также отмечается прогрессивный «целостный» подход Степовича к изучению наследия Коменского.
Historyczne spojrzenie Komeńskiego na dziejowe losy Czech i jego kościoła (zwłaszcza Jednoty Braci Czeskich – Unitas Fratrum)
Authors: Hampl Lubomír
Published: December 2019

Niniejszy artykuł koncentruje się na książce Jana Amosa Komeńskiego pt. Historie o těžkých protivenstvích církve české – v jazyce 21. století. Oryginalny, siedemnastowieczny tekst zostal uwspółcześniony, napisany językiem 21 wieku (zdecydowanie ułatwia to odbiór i lepsze zrozumienie staroczeskich tekstów literackich). Żeby lepiej poznać twórczość „nauczyciela narodów”, zdecydowałem się dla polskojęzycznego czytelnika przetłumaczyć wybiórczo dwa rozdziały. Skupiłem się na okresie przed- i pobiałogórskim, czyli chcę słowami Jana Amosa Komeńskiego jako naocznego świadka tamtych wydarzeń pokazać, jak żyło się w Czechach ewangelikom za Rudolfa i Maksymiliana II oraz jaki los spotkał naród czeski w początkowej fazie hegemonii Habsburgów podczas wojny trzydziestoletniej. Jest to próba ujęcia aspektów kome-niologii z punktu widzenia historycznego postrzegania ważnych wydarzeń dziejów Czech w ujęciu i myśleniu koncepcyjnym Jana Amosa Komeńskiego. Tekst, oprócz wymiaru historycz-nego, ma również wymiar społeczny i teologiczny. Dzięki temu interdyscyplinarnemu tłumacze-niu, polski czytelnik ma lepszą możliwość zrozumienia trudnych czasami dylematów, jakie przeżywał naród czeski w tamtym okresie. W niektórych przypadkach konkretne wydarzenia mogą wydawać się dyskusyjne, a nawet kontrowersyjne, lecz takie świadectwo zostało spisane, by dalsze pokolenia wiedziały, jaki był prawdziwy los czeskich ewangelików.
Alojzy Konior – an outline of a comeniologist’s portrait
Authors: Szymańska Kamila
Published: December 2019

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Profesor Tadeusz Bieńkowski – filolog klasyczny, historyk nauki i oświaty – szkic do portretu komeniologa
Authors: Fijałkowski Adam
Published: December 2019

Prof. Tadeusz Bieńkowski był wybitnym polskim komeniologiem, filologiem klasycznym, historykiem nauki. Ukończył filologię klasyczną na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim, gdzie także obronił pracę doktorską pisaną pod kierunkiem prof. Kazimierza Kumanieckiego. Przez całe swe życie zawodowe związany był z Polską Akademią Nauk w Warszawie - najpierw z Instytutem Badań Literackich, a następnie z Instytutem Historii Nauki, Techniki i Oświaty (obecnie: Instytutem Historii Nauki im. L. i A. Birkemajerów). Jego znajomość języków starożyt-nych umożliwiała mu lekturę i analizę wszystkich łacińskojęzycznych tekstów Jana Amosa Ko-meńskiego. Jego wieloletnia współpraca z komeniologami z Czechosłowacji, w szczególności z Czechosłowackiej Akademii Nauk w Pradze, ułatwiała wpisanie się w ówczesne światowe kierunki badań nad życiem i dziełem Jana Amosa Komeńskiego i jego recepcją w krajach Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej - także w szerszym kontekście historii nauki i kultury humanistycznej XVI-XVII wieku w całej Europie. Prof. Bieńkowski pisał zwięzłe, ale bardzo erudycyjne, krytycz-ne i oryginalne opracowania o charakterze syntetycznym, które do naszych czasów mogą być punktem wyjścia i inspiracją dla kolejnych pokoleń badaczy.
Robotic Nudges for Moral Improvement through Stoic Practice
Authors: Klincewicz Michał ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2019

This article offers a theoretical framework that can be used to derive viable engineering strategies for the design and development of robots that can nudge people towards moral improvement. The framework relies on research in developmental psychology and insights from Stoic ethics. Stoicism recommends contemplative practices that over time help one develop dispositions to behave in ways that improve the functioning of mechanisms that are constitutive of moral cognition. Robots can nudge individuals towards these practices and can therefore help develop the dispositions to, for example, extend concern to others, avoid parochialism, etc.
The Radioactive Dirt: An Analysis of the Role Information has Played Throughout Hanford’s History
Authors: Bowman Spencer
Published: December 2019

This paper will explore how information played an important role in the history of the Hanford site. Looking closely at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE), and other government agency publications and documents will bring more insight into the effects on the environment and how the government has handled the situation throughout its operations. This paper will also add non-governmental perspectives on the issues presenting news reports and evidence that call attention to the problems.
Privately-Held Companies: Legislation, Regulation, and Limited Dissemination of Financial Information
Authors: Mayhook Zoeanna
Published: December 2019

Publicly-traded companies have reporting and disclosure requirements set by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which includes the public disclosure of financial statements and an annual 10-K report. In contrast, privately-held companies most often do not meet the SEC filing requirements, and therefore, are not required to disclose financial information. For investors and business researchers, this can provide clear challenges for researching privately-held companies. This paper first highlights a sample of the significant legislation and rules affecting disclosure requirements of public and private companies. Then, it offers other government sources for company and industry financial information. Finally, it suggests further resources to educate business owners, investors, and business researchers.
Geografia Urbana critica. Teoria e método.
Authors: Zanotelli Claudio
Published: December 2019

Resenha do livro Geografia Urbana critica. Teoria e método.
Bio-fortification of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) with Beta Carotene
Authors: Ibirinde D. O. , Balogun K. , Uloko J. E. , Adetunji A. S.
Published: December 2019

Alike other cereals, maize is deficient in certain essential amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan. While lysine is critical in protein synthesis for the growth of tissues and important in the absorption of calcium from the intestinal mucosa, tryptophan is the biological precursor of B-vitamin and niacin. Increasing protein quality alone may have a displacement effect on the efficiency of provitamin A, carotenoid bio-conversion and utilization. The research was designed to improve the quality protein maize with beta carotene in order to further enhance its nutritional content by hybridization, through the conventional method of breeding, using randomize complete block design (RCBD). Materials used were quality protein maize (white endosperm) genotype and yellow (rich in beta carotene) maize. Pollination was manually conducted and controlled, to exclude the possibility of unwanted pollination. Harvested seeds indicated a successful cross of both varieties as seen in the pigmentation of the hybridized maize seeds, which appeared pale yellow. However, the two varieties and their hybrid seeds harvested were subjected to laboratory analysis to compare their nutritional content. All the data collected were subject to statistical analysis using SPSS and mean separated by DMRT at 5% probability level. The result shows that individual varieties were higher in crude protein (13.5%) for yellow maize and Quality protein maize (12.9%), than the hybrid QYM (11.9%). Similarly, hybrid maize seed had higher percentage of lysine (1.37%), tryptophan (0.54%) and methionine (0.85%) than the individual varieties. Also the ear diameter correlated positively to 100 seeds weight.
Urban Self-employed Social Health Insurance Program as an Option in Financing Health Care within the Informal Sector? An Insight into the Acceptability of the Scheme by the Self-employed in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: E. Anderson Ikeokwu , O. Adeniji Foluke
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Health care financing in the Nigerian health sector has been a major impediment within the sector due to increasing healthcare costs. Various forms of financing mechanisms are employed within the country with majority tilting to out-of-pocket payment, which led to the launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2005. The National Health Insurance Scheme has the ambition to provide universal coverage to the population in 15-20 years, but the scheme had its limitations in achieving universal health coverage because it is limited to federal government civil servants neglecting the informal sector, which includes self-employed individuals. Although other forms of social health insurance scheme are being implemented within the country such as the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme. There is no sufficient evidence on the actualization of a health insurance program specifically for the self-employed despite its presence in the health insurance package known as Urban Self-Employed Social Health Insurance Program. This study aims to ascertain the perceived impact and acceptability of the Urban Self-employed Social Health Insurance Program as a viable option in financing healthcare among the self-employed.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 204 self-employed individuals who were selected from seven different trade associations in Port Harcourt using semi-structured interviewer-administered pre-tested questionnaires. A Socio-Economic Status index was used to divide the households into quintile. The respondents rated their perception about the possible benefits of health insurance from 1 (none) to 4 (high) and the willingness of respondents to enrol in a community-based health insurance scheme (elicited as a binary ‘yes’ or ‘no’ variable) was also used as a proxy of acceptability data collected were analysed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS), version 23 software.

Result: A majority 201 (98.5%) of the respondents perceived that having any form of insurance has the potential to improve access to health care and affordable. Respondents gave responses rated with an average mean of 3, which translates to medium impact on financial protection, improved access to healthcare, affordability and improving quality of treatment. Most respondents 183 (89.7%) accepted the urban self-employed health insurance scheme as a strategy for financing healthcare.

Conclusion: Urban Self-Employed Social Health Insurance Program appears to be a viable and acceptable method of paying for healthcare among the self-employed in Port Harcourt city of Rivers State, Nigeria.
Protein Uptake and Utilization of Moringa olifera Leaves and Seeds Fed to Rats as a Dietary Supplement
Authors: Umerah N. N. , Asouzu A. I. , Okoye J. I.
Published: December 2019

Background/Objective: Protein malnutrition is detrimental at any point in life. Protein malnutrition prenatally has also been shown to have significant lifelong effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein uptake and utilization of Moringa olifera leaves and seeds fed to rats as a dietary supplement.

Materials and Methods: The leaves and seeds were harvested from the forest. The leaves were washed, drained and divided into three portions. The first portion was processed raw, the sun and shade dried samples were the second and third portion. The seeds were cracked and divided into six portions. The other five portions were fermented for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h respectively. The blends of the shade dried leaves (SHDL) and 69 h fermented seed (FMS) provided 10% protein for two groups of rats. The diets were fed to twenty (20) adult albino rats in a 12-day N and mineral balance study. Casein was used as control. The result generated were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results: The result showed that over 70% of the nitrogen consumed by all the two groups of rats fed the test diets were absorbed and retained. Among the test diet group, the FMS diet had the highest absorbed nitrogen (0.94 g), retained nitrogen (0.55 g), biological value (76%) and net protein utilization (52%) which was significantly different from the other groups. The SHDL had the most digested nitrogen (94%), highest maintenance food intake (74.09%) and weight gain (34.28%) that were comparable with the reference protein casein at (p>0.05). The FMS group had the highest liver, small intestine and lung weight.  The mineral metabolism of all the rats fed the test diets were absorbed and retained.

Conclusion: Generally, both the leaves and the seeds of Moringa olifera have good nutrient profile which could promote growth, they should be consumed to diversify diet and reduced micronutrient deficiency.
Plankton Composition in Relation to Water Quality in the Coastal Waters of Nigeria
Authors: Ajibare A. O. , Ayeku P. O. , Akinola J. O. , Adewale A. H.
Published: December 2019

Coastal waters of Ondo State, Nigeria have diverse assemblage of fish, yet there is dearth of information on its plankton composition. This study investigates plankton components in relation to physicochemical characteristics of the coastal waters bordering Olotu, Ayetoro and Bijimi in providing baseline information that can be used for planning and implementation of policies for monitoring, impacts assessment and conservation. Surface water samples were collected on monthly basis from March to June 2015 to analyze physicochemical parameters while plankton net of 55μm mesh size was used for collection of plankton using standard methods prescribed by APHA. The light and dark bottle method was used to determine primary productivity. Shannon-wiener, Margalef and Equitability Indices were used for diversity. Values of the physicochemical parameters observed ranged as follows: temperature, 27.47±2.06-29.27±0.31ºC; turbidity, 43.43±0.91-65.33±2.52NTU; pH, 5.54±0.31-6.12±0.30; BOD, 2.20±0.29-5.43±0.54 mg/l; COD, 6.08±2.71-6.66±1.52 mg/l; dissolved oxygen, 6.39±0.39-7.78±0.19 mg/l and salinity, 2.03±0.06-3.77±0.04 mg/l. Fifteen species of phytoplankton and three developmental stages of zooplankton were recorded. Phytoplankton accounted for 83.3% as against 16.7% zooplankton. Diatoms (93.3%) and dinoflagellates (6.7%) represented phytoplankton whereas 66.7% of zooplankton belonged to the phylum Arthropoda. Primary productivity ranged between 132.194±13.48m-3hr-1 and 134.48±15.27m-3hr-1. Some dominant species recorded were Coscinodiscus, Biddulphia, Copepod, Skeletonema and Ditylum. pH and Temperature were major determinant of the composition, diversity and abundance of plankton. The observed plankton group indicates the suitability of the creeks as habitat and breeding ground for diverse aquatic species. The water quality falls within acceptable range hence the environment can be classified as healthy ecosystem.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Adults with Sickle Cell Anaemia: A Prevalence Study in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: Mbakamma A. N. , Alikor C. A.
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a lifelong multisystem disease endemic in sub Saharan Africa. As the population of patients living with SCA into adulthood continues to increase, pulmonary hypertension has emerged as one of the foremost complications with severe implications on the quality of life and a risk factor for premature mortality.

Aims: The present investigation is a prevalence study in the Niger Delta region regarding pulmonary hypertension in adults with sickle cell anaemia.

Methods: One hundred and six adults were recruite; fifty-three sickle cell anaemia patients recruited from the outpatient clinic of the haematology department of the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Port Harcourt and 53 genotype AA adults recruited as control. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on all 106 subjects. The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was assessed based on tricuspid regurgitation jet of velocity ≥2.5 m/s (estimated SPAP≥30 mmHg). 

Results: The mean age of the SCA patients was 25.94±6.47 years, (range 18-45 years) while the age group with the highest representation was those within 18–27 years. The proportion of males (52.8%) was slightly higher than that of the females. Pulmonary hypertension was observed in 5.7% while high normal pulmonary artery pressure was observed in 1.9% of the SCA patients studied.

Conclusion: The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in adults living with Sickle Cell Anaemia in this study is 5.7% and it is significantly influenced by the age of the study cohort and the method used in assessing this parameter.
Outcome of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Services at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Paul Nsirimobu Ichendu , Ugwu Rosemary Ogochukwu
Published: December 2019

Background: Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV causes over 90% of Paediatric HIV and its prevention must be targeted to curb this scourge.

Objective: To determine the associated risk factors and outcome (HIV status) of HIV-exposed babies at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

Methodology: This was a prospective study carried out at the Paediatric HIV clinic of UPTH. Information on sociodemographic data of the babies, age at referral, when the mother’s HIV status was diagnosed, HAART use status of the mother, place of ANC and delivery, method of delivery, feeding option, duration of breast feeding and HIV status of the babies were obtained. Obtained data was analysed and a p- value of < 0.05 was considered significant at 95% confidence interval.

Result: A total of two hundred and sixty HIV exposed children were seen over the study period, with a male: female ratio of 1.4:1. The overall MTCT rate was 6.2%. Among the mothers that had the complete PMTCT intervention, an MTCT rate of 1.1% was observed, while it was 28.6% among mothers who had no form of PMTCT.  Identified statistically significant risk factors to MTCT include; lack of use of HAART (χ2 =116.2, p=0.0001); No infant ARV prophylaxis (p=0.0001); Mixed feeding (p=0.0001); Prolonged breast feeding (χ 2 = 7.09, P= 0.0287); TBA supervised pregnancy (χ2 =31.9, P= 0.0001) and delivery (χ2 =61.47, P= 0.0001).

Conclusion: PMTCT interventions in the control of MTCT of HIV is effective. To eliminate MTCT of HIV, promoting PMTCT services must be encouraged.