The poor energy situation in most African countries manifests itself in very low access to energy and high energy poverty. To address these problems, and drive towards achieving universal energy access, African nations have, in recent time, directed attention to governance issues in energy resource development through building relevant institutions, strengthening legal frameworks, designing policies, ensuring cooperation, and harnessing investments. The concern for a governance approach to energy development is partly due to the submission that the core reason for poor energy delivery is ineffective energy governance. This study is based on Southern Africa and intends to examine the current energy access situation and explore the existing energy governance initiatives. The study used three measures of energy access (national, rural and urban) and energy consumption in order to examine the existing energy situation. The governance actions were examined by looking at national energy policies, energy partnerships (private sector, development partners), and sub-regional power pools. The study observes that the generally poor energy situation in Africa is evident in the Southern African countries. Governance actions are found to be multisource and multilevel. While these actions confirm the seriousness of the stakeholders in addressing the poor energy situation; results have been minimal. Thus, there is a need for more vigorous efforts in implementing the energy policies, engaging the private sector and creating productive cooperation among energy delivery stakeholders.

This article critically evaluates the summary procedure introduced by Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted within the reform of the European Court of Human Rights system. The summary procedure, now set out in Art. 28(1)b of the Convention, was instituted in order to facilitate expediency and to reduce the case load of the Court. This article argues that while judicial economy is a legitimate goal, the summary procedure under Art. 28(1)b has considerable deficiencies that undermine some of the systemic goals and core values of ECHR law. There is a manifest lack of remedies vis-à-vis the choice of the procedure, choice of applicable law, and no appeals against final decisions rendered in the course of the summary procedure. Notably, the concept of “well-established case-law” seems to be neither clear nor reliable, as evidenced in the cases analysed in the article. These cases, which involve the issue of socially- owned property in Serbia, serve to demonstrate some of the significant errors in interpretation and decision-making which can result from application of the summary procedure.

In its history, Poland was usually more oriented to land than to the sea. For many centuries we have not been able to see the opportunities and potential created by the coastal location of our country. In the current strategic documents in Poland, there are also no proper references to the maritime security of the state, although we are a member of both NATO and the European Union. The article presents the creation process in 2015–2017 and the content of a unique document devoted to this issue: Poland’s Strategic Concept for Maritime Security, which was born thanks to the efforts of “enthusiasts” of maritime affairs from the Naval Academy, Shipbuilding Council and the Institute of General Józef Haller under the leadership of the National Security Bureau. In the authors opinion, the document is to form the basis for work on the future maritime security strategy of our country, and also become the “engine” of public discussion in Poland on maritime security issues and the effective use of the coastal position of the state for economic development.

Artykuł poświęcony jest zjawisku porzucania marynarzy przez ich pracodawców morskich. Kwestia ta od kilku lat jest przedmiotem zainteresowania dwóch organizacji międzynarodowych: Międzynarodowej Organizacji Pracy (ILO) i Międzynarodowej Organizacji Morskiej (IMO). Wydały one w tej materii wspólne wytyczne - ponieważ nie mają one jednak charakteru wiążącego, armatorzy nadal naruszają prawa marynarzy. Spektakularnym przykładem takiego naruszenia jest przedstawiona w artykule sprawa statku “Olga J ”. Przypadek ten jest charakterystyczny dla współczesnej żeglugi, gdyż statek był własnością spółki zarejestrowanej w Belize, czarterowany był przez armatora cypryjskiego, a podnosił banderę Hondurasu. Załoga międzynarodowa: kapitan Grek, marynarze z Ghany, Wysp Zielonego Przylądka i Senegalu. Statek zatrzymany w bułgarskim porcie Burgas, początkowo przez PSC, następnie aresztowany przez władze bułgarskie. Kapitan porzucił załogę, zostawiając ją bez środków do życia, doszło do incydentów z władzami bułgarskimi. Członkowie załogi przez kilka lat starali się o pomoc w różnych organizacjach, w tym w związkach zawodowych. Wreszcie próbowali wykorzystać przepisy o ochronie praw człowieka. Autor przedstawia reperkusje prawne z tym związane.

We study an elegant snap system with only one nonlinear term, which is a quadratic nonlinearity. The snap systemdisplays chaotic attractors,which are controlled easily by changing a system parameter. By using analysis, simulations and a real circuit, the dynamics of such a snap system has been investigated. We also investigate backstepping based adaptive control schemes for the new snap system with unknown parameters.

The geodetic law defines fundamentals of the prospective land information system. Construction of an information system may be based upon difTerent designing assumptions. The purpose of this article is to outline the problems connected with the construction of information systems and presentation of the basis of land information systems designing using object bases. The article presents the elementary characteristics of systems currently in use and the advantages of object solutions. The suggested application of object bases to the construction of land information systems will be backed up by simple examples connected with the construction of an object model.

In last years, accurate spatial data from high resolution satellite images are getting more and more frequently used for modelling topography and other surveying purposes. To extract accurate spatial information, a sensor's mathematical models are needed. Those models classified to two branches: rigorous (parameirical or physical) models and non-rigorous models. In the paper a dynamic sensor model is proposed to extract spatial information from geo-rectified images named the geo-images which their geometry at the time of imaging have been lost. The developed model has been reconstructed basing on a transformation of central-perspective projection into a parallel one.

On 16 July 2019, another significant amendment to the provisions of the Act on the transformation of the right of perpetual usufruct to land built-up for residential purposes into the ownership title to that land was introduced. The purpose of this research paper is to analyse the influence of the amendments to the regulations on the scope of the real properties subject to the transformation of perpetual usufruct into ownership, to identify the problems and to assess the status of the implementation of the transformation process in practice. The conducted research has resulted in the presentation of the structure of land on the example of a selected city, in particular with reference to real estate let into perpetual usufruct for residential purposes. The author has also determined the status of the implementation of the transformation process in practice as well as the problems hindering the issuance of certificates for all transformed properties within the statutory period. The progress of the transformation process in a given area depends, inter alia, on the scope of real properties subject to this transformation, the requirement to perform additional analyses, including those regarding non-compliance of the legal and factual state of the property, and the assessment of the existence of public aid and related payments. This study is a continuation of the earlier research, extended by the effects of the regulations introduced in July 2019, as well as by the assessment of the progress in the transformation process in practice.

This paper addresses the issue of the historical development of for fear (that) in English – a prepositional subordinator ushering in fi nite clauses of purpose in which negation is inherently coded, i.e. the content of the subordinate clause is negated by the complementiser which does not contain a negative particle in itself. The rise of this construction is studied within the theory of grammaticalization and it turns out to be a regular case of grammaticalization following the mechanisms of grammaticalization such as desemanticisation, extension and decategorialisation.

The present article demonstrates that languages tend to contain dispersals – a subtype of conative calls used to chase animals – that are built around voiceless sibilants. This tendency is both quantitative (i.e., voiceless-sibilant dispersals are common across languages and in a single language) and qualitative (i.e., sibilants contribute very significantly to the phonetic substance of such dispersals). This fact, together with a range of formal similarities exhibited by voiceless-sibilant dispersals encapsulated by the pattern [kI/Uʃ] suggests that the presence of voiceless sibilants in dispersals is not arbitrary. Overall, voiceless-sibilant dispersals tend to comply with the general phonetic profile associated with the prototype of CACs and dispersals, postulated recently in scholarship, thus corroborating the validity of this prototype.

This paper argues that it is the causative structuration of the motion situation that seems to be the crucial factor determining the status of intransitive verbs of locomotion and their potential to enter into a certain set of syntactical configurations. More specifically, the paper attempts to provide arguments against the commonly held view that locomotion verbs in directed motion constructions are unaccusative (this applies to both intransitive structures and transitive causative structures). If the subject argument of an intransitive manner of locomotion verb displays reduced agentivity (i.e. if it displays properties of both an agent and a patient), it is not admitted into transitive causative structures, in spite of the alleged unaccusativity of verbs that are admitted into them. The inability of path verbs to causativize is explained by appealing to the fact that these types of verbs render motion as not forming part of an energetic (i.e. a causal) chain. Related to this is the fact that the subject argument of these verbs falls outside the agent vs. patient classifi cation, which is commonly claimed to be directly related to the verb’s unergative vs. the unaccusative status, respectively.

This paper draws on an anthropological perspective on social security to explore the complex ways in which Czech- and Slovak-speaking migrants living in Glasgow negotiated their healthcare concerns and built security in the city and beyond. It is based on 12 months of ethnographic research conducted in 2012 with migrants who moved to Glasgow after 2004. Inquiring into healthcare issues and the re-sulting insecurities from the migrants’ perspective and in their everyday lives, the paper demonstrates how these issues were largely informed by migrants’ experiences of ‘uncaring care’ in Glasgow, rather than due to their lack of knowledge or understanding of the Scottish/UK health system. Furthermore, the findings reveal how these migrants drew on multiple resources and forms of support and care – both locally and transnationally – in order to mitigate and overcome their health problems. At the same time, the analysis also highlights constraints and limitations to the actors’ care negotiations, thus going be-yond a functional approach to social security, which tends to overlook instances of ‘unsuccessful’ or unrealised care arrangements. In conclusion, I propose that migrants’ care negotiations can be best understood as an ongoing process of exploring potentialities of care by actively and creatively opening up, probing, rearranging and trying out sources of support and care in their efforts to deal with per-ceived risks and insecurities in their everyday lives.

Ukraine has been going through a series of political and economic crises, notably the Euromaidan revolution and the Russian aggression and subsequent economic downturn. These events triggered fresh transnational diaspora-led activities such as the ‘London Euromaidan’ and the ‘Warsaw Euromaidan’. This paper analyses Ukrainian diaspora volunteerism in the UK and Poland and explores how the Ukrainian diaspora engages and contributes economically, socially, politically and culturally to the development of Ukraine. Drawing on fieldwork in both countries, three main findings were identified. First, due to the events in Ukraine, the Ukrainian diaspora has mobilised, grown stronger and became more united, whilst transforming from a more inward-looking to a more outward-looking community which, as a result, is now more and critically engaging with Ukrainian affairs. Second, the Ukrainian diaspora has the willingness, power and resources to contribute to the development of the home country, claiming to be recognised as an important stakeholder in the development of Ukraine. Thirdly, the Ukrainian government’s lack of recognition of the contribution of the Ukrainian diaspora is one of the most significant barriers to more comprehensive diaspora involvement in development.

In early 2021, over 5 million European Union (EU) citizens had applied for settled status to secure their right to continue to live, work and study in the United Kingdom (UK) after the country’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). In 2018, the Home Office launched a Statement of Intent to implement an application process for EU citizens through its EU Settlement Scheme. In the period leading up to Brexit, the UK gov-ernment assured EU migrants that their existing rights under EU law would remain essentially un-changed and that applying for settled status would be smooth, transparent and simple. However, the application process has resulted in some long-term residents failing to obtain settled status, despite providing the required information. Based on qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 EU migrants living in two major metropolitan areas in Northern England, this article discusses the significant barriers which EU citizens face in the application process. This situation particularly affects the most vulnerable EU mi-grants with limited English-language skills and/or low literacy levels as well as those who are digitally excluded. The study contributes to the growing body of research on the consequences of Brexit for vulner-able EU migrants in the UK, focusing specifically on Central and Eastern European migrants.

In result of a lew years' investigations or silting of small water reservoirs located in South Poland, intensity ofthe silting process as well as the granulometrie and chemical composition ofbottorn sediments were evaluated. The content of heavy metals i.e. copper, lead and cadmium was determined in samples collected in various parts or five small water reservoirs. The content of heavy metals was appraised according to the regulation of the Minister of Environment, according to the criteria or Polish Geological Institute, of Inspection lor Environmental Protection, of Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, and according to the Muller's method. The obtained results or determination of the examined heavy metals concentrations were compared with the values or reservoir and river sediment concentrations determined by other authors in Europe. Appraisal or sill quality, respectively to the adopted criteria, showed only an insignificant degree of pollution. Concentrations ofmicroclemcnts do not exceed the toxic concentrations for soils and environment bul may have a harmful influence on living organisms. Recording of changes or heavy metal pollution during many years' operation or small water reservoirs, considering changes occurring in the basins, requires continuation of investigations. It will enable to record changes or pollution during a longer period or operation or reservoirs, also against the background 01· changes occurring in river basins.

The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of use of synchronous culture of Chlorella vulgaris algae as a biotest in water quality control. In the experiment the samples of water collected from seven sampling points in Goczałkowice Reservoir were used. The criterion of changes was the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, from 24'" hour of the cell life cycle, separated by HPLC technique. On the basis of changes taking place in the cells of the algae cultures it was possible to establish the timing of the flood period and autumnal changes in a water quality. It was also proved that the water quality in the main water current that fall into the western part of reservoir carried by the Wisła River after the flood period significantly differed from the water quality in the other parts of the reservoir, particularly in its eastern section.

Phenol degradation efficiency or Pscndontonas putida PCM2 l 53 free cel ls was experimentally studied. Bacterial cells were acclimatized to phenol what relied on gradually increasing the phenol concentration in the medium. The highest phenol degradation rate was calculated as approximately 15.2 mgdmŁh'. Investigated strain degraded the phenol at the concentration or 400 111g-d111·-' in 24 h. The result or toxicity analysis showed that acclimatized cells orP putida PCM2 l 53 arc able to survive even al as high concentration or phenol as 3000 rng.dm'. The obtained result suggests that the analyzed strain can be used lor cflcciivc treating of high strength phenolic wastewater. Due to resistance of the strain to high phenol concentration it may be applied in biorcmcdiation of exceedingly contaminated sites, especially where dilution or pollutants cannot be implemented.

Genetic-environmental controls of the tolerance of forest trees to industrial pollution arc discussed on the example of the Scots pine. Within the pine population under study, various responses to man-made stress were observed in individual specimens, which gave rise to the hypothesis about a genetic origin of the phenomenon. The research procedure was preceded by an assessment of the environmental conditions which focused especially on the pollution of the atmosphere and pedosphere as a background for estimating the level of variation and examining the genetic structure of specimens sensitive to, or tolerant of, the pollution. The analysis covered a pine population coming from natural forest regeneration growing in the zone of direct impact of pollution from the Miasteczko Śląskie Zinc Works. Two groups of trees were distinguished: S (sensitive) and T (tolerant), characterized by different genetic parameters. The observed tendencies (slower cell division rates, lower values of the mitotic index than in the control group, a high level of chromosomal aberrations) indicate a direct effect of the pollution on the genetic material of the trees.

The area of the Coastal Landscape Park (CLP) due to its location is extremely attractive touristi carea. In the summer season, a significant increase in population density is observed, which influences surface water quality. Large numbers of tourists generate an increased amount of municipal wastewater, being treated in local treatment plants and discharged into rivers and streams. The paper presents preliminary research from summer 2016 on three watercourses ending in the Baltic Sea: Piaśnica, Karwianka and Czarna Wda rivers. It is a part of a long-term project conducted in CLP to assess surface waters quality. The scope of research included measurements of in situ parameters (temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen). Chemical Oxygen Demand was determined using a spectrophotometer. Ion chromatography was used to determine ions concentrations (including biogenic compounds). Sanitary state of watercourses was assessed based on fecal coliforms abundance, which number was determined by the cultivation method. The determination of microbiological parameters such as: prokaryotic cell abundance expressed as total cells number (TCN), prokaryotic cell biovolume expressed as average cell volume (ACV), the prokaryotic biomass (PB) and prokaryotic cell morphotype diversity was determined using epifluorescence microscopy method. Results showed that water quality of Piaśnica and Czarna Wda rivers were affected by discharged treated wastewater. In the case of Karwianka River, the main pollution source could be surface runoff from fields and unregulated sewage management in this area. The conducted research confirmed the urgent need for better protection of this area to conserve both its ecosystem and value for tourism.

Technologia przepuszczalnych reaktywnych barier (PRB) należy do metod remediacji wód gruntowych. W technologii tej zanieczyszczenia usuwane są bezpośrednio w warstwie wodonośnej poprzez przepływ skażonego strumienia wód gruntowych przez wypełnioną odpowiednim materiałem (aktywnym) barierę aktywną. W artykule przedstawiono problemy związane z tworzeniem się osadów w żelazie metalicznym stosowanymjako material aktywny technologii PRB. Osady te mogą zmniejszać aktywność materiału i jego zdolność filtracyjną. Tworzeniu się osadów mogą towarzyszyć zmiany pH, potencjału redox oraz stężenia tlenu. Zmiany te były obserwowane w badaniach laboratoryjnych przedstawionych w artykule. Ponadto w artykule przedstawiono i udowodniono następującą zasadę: aby zwiększyć skuteczność działania typu Funnel-and-Gate technologii PRB przez zwiększenie szerokości strefy oczyszczania, stosunek współczynnika filtracji materiału aktywnego do współczynnika filtracji warstwy wodonośnej (k,,,/k,ą) powinien przyjąć wartość 6. Ze względu na tworzenie się osadów w żelazie metalicznym, które mogą zmniejszyć jego zdolność filtracyjną, założono jednak, iż stosunek ten powinien wynosić I O. Wartość ta daje pewność, że zmniejszenie się wartości współczynnika filtracji materiału aktywnego na skutek tworzenia się osadów, nie wpłynie w znaczący sposób na szerokość strefy oczyszczania. Przedstawione rozwiązanie może zapewnić skuteczne i długotrwale oczyszczanie wód gruntowych w typie Funnel-and-Gate technologii PRB.

The likelihood nr phosphorus release from lake bottom sediments inio bulk water as a result or changes in the physicochcmical conditions in the lake has been analyzed by the method or sequential extraction proposed by Tessier et al. The procedure developed for estimation of the threat to waler ecosystems posed by heavy metals accumulated in the bottom sediments, can be successfully applied in estimation of the release or other substances, including biogenie ones, as the subsequent states of extraction simulate the abioric conditions and processes that can naturally take place in the near-bottom water layer and in the bottom sediment.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to detect and analyze phenolic compounds in the surface waters of four urban lakes in Xi’an – Hancheng Lake, Xingqing Lake, Nanhu Lake, and Taohuatan Lake. A total of 5 phenolic compounds were detected from the water samples, with a concentration range of ND-100.32 ng/L, of which bisphenol A (BPA) and nonyl phenol (NP) were the main types of phenolic compounds pollution in the four lakes. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the concentration of phenolic compounds in the lake waters of Xi’an City and the water quality indicators COD, TP, NH3-N, DO, and pH during the same period. It was found that there was a significant positive relationship between the concentration of BPA and COD, the concentration of estradiol (17-beta-E2), estrone (E1) and TP and TN, the concentration of octylphenol (4-t-OP) and pH. The ecological risk assessment (ERA) shows that the concentration of BPA, 4-t-OP and NP in the lakes is at a medium risk level( is between 0.1–1), and that of E1 is at a high risk level (is greater than 1). Female cells (breast cancer cells) and male germ cells (testis cells) of mice were used as research objects to explore BPA and NP Toxic effect on mouse germ cells. BPA and NP at a concentration of 10-8 mol/L were found to have the most value-inducing effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells positive for estrogen receptor. Obviously, both BPA and NP can induce the proliferation of testicular Sertoli cells