Accordingly to recommendations set out by standards, degradation curves which will serve as a tool facilitating decision-making regarding renovation works ought to be developed. The article presents the proposal of a model for predicting the aging of a residential building. The proposed PRRD (Prediction of Reliability According to Rayleigh Distribution) model determines the performance characteristics of a building over the full period of its use. PRRD accounts for the life spans of individual building components. Additionally introduced in the model were supplements accounting for the intensity of changes in the building and its surroundings. The developed method of the non-linear degradation process of a building accounts for the role and weights of individual building components as well as the intensity of significant factors influencing the aging process. The presented methodology of the description of changes in the performance characteristics over the course of using a building will be a diagnostic process of predicting the technical state of a building. The proposed predictions can serve as the basis for making the right strategic decisions when planning renovation works in residential buildings.

Tubercle disease or a bacterial pocket disease of sugar beets are names used to describe one of the gall-malformed diseases of sugar beet roots. Xanthomonas beticola is the historical name of the pathogen supposedly causing bacterial pocket disease. There were no isolates deposited in any collection corresponding to the originally isolated bacteria, except two strains from the NCPPB (National Collection of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, UK). However, both isolates were identified as related to Bacillus pumilus, which raised doubts about their pathogenicity. In our laboratory, greenhouse, and preliminary field experiments, we demonstrated that such strains are not pathogenic to sugar beets. Furthermore, both strains promoted their growth, improved their yield quality, and partly protected them against Rhizoctonia solani in a field experiment.

This paper presents a method of optical fluorescence analysis for the evaluation of homogeneity of multicomponent grain mixtures. This method is based on the evaluation of the content of fluorescent marker. Maize with two degrees of fineness d1 = 1:25 mm and d2 = 2:00 mm was used as a tracer. Maize was covered with Rhodamine B, which emits red light under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. The tracer was introduced into the mixture before the mixing process began. Nine multicomponent grain mixtures were used. The proportion of fluorescent maize was evaluated on the basis of computer image analysis. Additionally, the fraction of the tracer was evaluated using a control method (validation of the accuracy of the proposed method). The results indicate that the degree of the tracer’s fineness influences the results obtained. The use of fluorescent maize with particle size d2 = 2:00 mm allowed to obtain results which differed less from the control method. The average size of the difference in results ranged from 0.20–0.38 for the 2.00 mm tracer and 0.38–1.34 for the 1.25 mm tracer.

The article presents the results of the research on thermal actions on the materials occurring in the cross section along the depth of the bridge deck and bituminous pavement during its construction. The impulse to curried out the research was the need to explain the causes of the blistering of bituminous waterproofing membranes and asphalt pavements often observed on the bridge decks. The paper presents the examples of such failures and the analyses of possible mechanisms of the phenomenon. Research indicates a significant influence of all technological processes on the temperature of materials in the cross section as well as daily temperature changes. The probability of initiation of reactions between concrete components with gaseous products has been confirmed in such conditions. The susceptibility of bituminous materials to gas emission and blistering is the subject of a separate study. The research was part of a research project carried out under the contract INNOTECHK3/IN3/50/229332/NCBR /14 [13].

The article presents the most frequent surname in Lithuania — Kazlauskas. Referring to the article “Mysterious Lewandowski” by K. Skowronek (2000), an attempt has been made to account for this frequency in three various ways. First, the principles behind the quantitative structure of anthroponomasticons (Zipf’s law) and the loss of surnames (genetic drift) are discussed. Then the Slavic origin of the surname under consideration has been highlighted as a typical trait of the majority of surnames in Lithuania. In connection with this fact, it has been stressed that caution must be exercised in proposing a thesis on its origin as a translation from Lithuanian on a mass scale, since this thesis requires plentiful empirical evidence. Finally, the etymology of the name is analyzed. Morphologically it is a typical surname derived from a toponym. This supposition is additionally supported by the existence in Poland of numerous localities called Kozłów, Kozłowo or similar name; these in turn are most likely to have been derived from appellative-based personal names of their owners or inhabitants, such as Kozieł.

Jednymi z najważniejszych kryteriów dla oceny budynków jest stan klimatu wewnętrznego i zużycie energii. Silne tendencje do oszczędzania energii skutkują nie tylko stosowaniem lepszych przegród, ale również elementów budowlanych, takich jak okna, charakteryzujących się dużą szczelnością. Jednocześnie, w budynkach nowych oraz istniejących i modernizowanych, stosowane są tradycyjne rozwiązania wentylacji. W takich przypadkach działanie wentylacji staje się istotnym czynnikiem dla realizacji wymagań energetycznych i środowiskowych. Poniżej przedstawiono wybrane wyniki wieloletnich badań. Wyniki te uzyskano drogą badań ankietowych, kompleksowych pomiarów w jednorodzinnych, wielorodzinnych i biurowych budynkach istniejących oraz symulacji komputerowej procesów wentylacyjnych. Celem opracowania jest zaprezentowanie i podsumowanie dużej liczby badań opisujących wpływ wentylacji naturalnej i szczelności przegród na stan środowiska wewnętrznego.

Recently, Google Earth Engine (GEE) provides a new way to effectively classify land cover utilizing available in-built classifiers. However, there have a few studies on the applications of the GEE so far. Therefore, the goal of this study is to explore the capacity of the GEE platform in terms of land cover classification in Dien Bien Province of Vietnam. Land cover classification in the year of 2003 and 2010 were performed using multiple-temporal Landsat images. Two algorithms – GMO Max Entropy and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) integrated into the Google Earth Engine (GEE) plat-form – were applied for this classification. The results indicated that the CART algorithm performed better in terms of mapping land use. The overall accuracy of this algorithm in the year of 2003 and 2010 were 80.0% and 81.6%, respective-ly. Significant changes between 2003 and 2010 were found as an increase in barren land and a reduction in forest land. This is likely due to the slash-and-burn agricultural practice of ethnic minorities in the province. Barren land seems to occur more at locations near water sources, reflecting the local people’s unsuitable farming practice. This study may provide use-ful information in land cover change in Dien Bien Province, as well as analysis mechanisms of this change, supporting en-vironmental and natural resource management for the local authorities.

Article presents results of laser overlaying welding of metal powder Inconel 625. Laser metal deposition by laser engineered net shaping (LENS) is modern manufacturing process for low scale production series. High alloy materials such as Inconel 625 nickel based super alloy have high thermal resistant and good mechanical properties, nevertheless it's hard to machining. Plastic forming of high alloy materials such as Inconel 625 are difficult. Due to high strength characteristic performing components made from Inconel alloy are complex, selective melting of metallic powder using laser beam are alternative method for Inconel tooling. Paper present research of additive deposition of spatial structure made from Inconel 625 metallic powder with CO2 laser and integrated powder feeder. Microstructure analysis as well as strength characteristic in normal condition and at elevated temperature was performed. Possibility of using LENS technology for manufacturing components dedicated for work in high temperature conditions are presented.

Blastocystis spp. is a parasite that causes intestinal infection in humans and other animals. A few studies have been performed in Turkey on the distribution of Blastocystis in cattle. In this study, fecal samples were collected from 100 calves and subjected to analysis based on an SSU rRNA gene fragment. The overall prevalence of the disease was determined as 15% (15/100). This rate was 14.04% for females and 16.28% for males. In addition, three Blastocystis subtypes were identified: ST10, ST14, and novel subtypes ST25. To our knowledge, the ST25 subtype was reported with this study for the first time in Turkey. The nucleotide sequences (OM920832-OM920839) obtained in this study were deposited in GenBank. The results obtained will be useful for a better understanding of the epidemiology of Blastocystis spp., and its effects on public health.

This paper describes a fiber-based model proposed for computing the nonlinear longitudinal shear distribution in composite steel-concrete beams. The presented method incorporates the accurate stress-strain relationship with strain softening for concrete and bi-linear constitutive relation for structural steel, both in agreement with Eurocodes, however any one-dimensional constitutive relation can be used. The numerical solution for a simply supported beams loaded with the uniform load, concentrated force and both was presented. The results indicate that the highest value of the shear flow for a beam under an uniform load is at the ends and in the one third of the span length and for the point load, the maximum shear is in the proximity of the concentrated force.

The article presents the results of research, the aim of which was to determine the qualitative and quantitative structure of the causes of accidents that were a result of falling from scaffolding. An original methodology for the classification of accidents with regards to their causes was developed and was based on cluster analysis. An example of using the proposed methodology is provided. 187 post-accident protocols of occupational accidents involving construction scaffolding, which occurred between 2010 and 2017 in selected Polish voivodeships, were analyzed. Afterwards, the matrix of accident causes, for which the calculations were made, was created. Five subsets of accidents were obtained and the accidents were classified to a subset with similar causes.

The paper presents numerical and experimental research on glulam delamination in a double lap connection with predominant shear stresses. Laboratory tests and wide literature survey enabled to determine timber and glue joint parameters. Cohesive zone theory, generally used for epoxy matrix and fiber reinforced composites, was adopted to modelling glue layer delamination in glulam elements. Numerical models were validated with laboratory tests.

Amendment of VS juice agar and soil leachate with grapefruit extract resulted in the inhibition of colony growth and sporulation of Phytophthora ramorum. Zoosporangia were more susceptible to the extract than pathogen hyphae and chlamydospores. Spraying of rhododendron inoculated with P. ramorum with grapefruit extract at cone. 165 μglcm' inhibited 2-3 times the spread of necrosis on stems and leaves.

This article discusses an unknown tradition from the Malay Archipelago, namely the island of Lombok. The article describes a spirit possession ceremony, as it was practised in East Lombok before being subject to a ban in 1984. It also explains the reasons for prohibition and explores a recent revival of the tradition. The discussion draws a parallel with similar traditions from late colonial Malaysia. Aside from similar functions as healing rites, the traditions many times use the same ceremonial equipment during the ceremonies and have identical symbols. This encourages us to look for connections between the Sasaks in Lombok and the Malays in Malaysia and Sumatra. The article suggests some direct connections between the two, but also takes indirect connections into consideration, for example, the rule of the Bugis-Makassarese people, who played an important role in both of these corners of the archipelago.

Amendment of potato-dextrose agar with grapefruit extract at dose 40μg/cm3 inhibited linear growth of Phytophthora cryptogea about 50%. At such concentration of the product in soil leachate formation of zoosporangia was inhibited about 95%. Application of grapefruit extract as peat drench reduced population density of the pathogen about 80% and this high activity was observed at least 30 days.

Phoma exigua var. inoxydabilis var. nov. predominated among fungal isolates obtained from diseased stem runners and leaves of periwinkle ( Vinca minor). The growth of the fungus was observed at temperature ranges from 7.5 to 30°C with optimum at 25°C. Abundant formation of picnidia was noticed mainly on malt extract agar at temp. I 5-25°C. On potato-dextrose agar picnidia were observed 3-5 days later. On inoculated leaves of periwinkle, development of necrosis was observed at temperature I0-25°C with optimum 20°C. On field grown periwinkle the first necrosis on the base of stem runners was observed 2 weeks after inoculation and during the next I O weeks discoloration of tissues occurred on about 1/2 of their length.

Phytoplankton samples were collected at 141 stations in the Norwegian, Greenland, Barents and Baltic seas, in July-August 1992 and July-August 1993. In fifteen of these stations 22 unarmoured dinoflagellate species from the order Gymnodiniales belonging to the genera Amphidinium, Cochlodinium, Gymnodinium, Gyrodinium, Torodinium and Polykrikos have been found. Data on 16 species are given here, including synonyms, size or size variation, localities and environmental factors (temperature and salinity at the surface). 14 species are illustrated.

Eight samples of the ice algae were collected from the annual ice in Tikhaia Bay, Hooker Island, Franz Josef Land. Species composition included 58 diatoms (and some Navicula, Nitzschia and other Pennatophyceae unidentified species), 2 dinoflagellates, 2 chrysophyceans, 1 chlorophycean, 1 cyanophycean and possible dinoflagellate and chrysophycean cysts. The maximum quantity was 132300 cells/l. In 4 samples Aulacoseira granulatu prevailed, in other samples Nitzschia frigida, N. cylindrus, Rhizoclonium sp. and dinoflagellate cysts dominated. Xanthiopyxis polaris found by Gran (1904) in Arctic sea ice and referred to the diatoms is, possibly, the dinoflagellate cyst. On the whole, the ice community consisted of benthic and planktonic-benthic species of mainly marine and brackishwater-marine pennate diatoms, their resting stages, freshwater unicellular algae and marine chlorophycean.

Phytoplankton samples were collected at 62 stations in the European Arctic Seas and the Faroe — Shetland Islands area. Over 30 species of dinoflagellates were found. 22 species are illustrated by original drawings. The data on synonyms, size or size variability on the distribution and environmental factors (temperature and salinity) are given.

Phytoplankton samples were collected at 74 stations in the European Arctic seas, 28 species of the armoured din oft age Hates being found. Thirteen dinoflagellates are illustrated by original drawings. The data on synonyms, size or size variation, localities and environmental factors (temperature and salinity) at the surface are given.

Using gas chromatography methods the content of DDT residues was determined in the tissues of 4 species of Antarctic birds: Oceanites oceanicus, Catharacta skua, Sterna vittata and Larus dominicanus, and in the eggs of Macronectes giganleus and Larus dominicanus. Samples were collected on King George Island, in February and October 1978. The highest level of DDT and its metabolites concentration was observed in the tissues of Oceanites oceanicus and the lowest in the tissues of Sterna vittata and in the eggs of M. giganteus and L. dominicanus. The differences in DDT content between different species and within one species are associated with their food composition and winter migrations to the regions with higher degree of DDT pollution.

Eggs and samples of the fat (blubber), muscles, and liver from three species of penguins: Pygoscelis adeliae, P. antarctica and P. papua were collected on King George Island in 1978. DDT residues were determined in the samples with the gas chromatography method. In the tissues pp'DDE and traces of pp'DDT were found, in the eggs merely pp'DDE. The highest DDT content (wet weight) was recorded in the fat of penguins, the lowest in the eggs. The differences between species in the mean values of the content of DDT residues in the tissues and eggs are not statistically significant. An increase in the level of pp'DDE concentration in the tissues and eggs of penguins was observed, as compared with earlier studies of other authors, as well as a tendency toward dippearance of the active form, i.e. pp'DDT, in the samples.