With the Act on the Polish Card Poland followed the pattern of some European states (mostly Central and Eastern European ones) of enacting specific domestic legislation conferring special treatment and benefits to persons who are recognized as its kin-minorities. The most important analysis of this phenomenon from the perspective of international law was the 2001 Venice Commission’s report entitled “Report on the Protection of National Minorities by their Kin-State.” The Polish legislation was adopted in 2007, so for obvious reasons it was not considered by the Venice Commission. However, a rather unexpected and unusual examination of the Polish kin-state legislation from the perspective of international law came from Belarus. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus (CCRB) conducted a comprehensive examination of the Act on the Polish Card in 2011. The main aim of this article is to present and comment on the reasoning of the CCRB. Beginning with the broader context, this article starts with a presentation of the origins and a short description of the Act on the Polish Card, followed by a discussion of why the Polish Card and other kin-state legislation instruments are topics of concern in international law. The main part of the article is devoted to the presentation and assessment of the 2011 CCRB decision on the Act on the Polish Card. The author’s assessment confirms at least some of the concerns put forward by the CCRB, i.e., that both the Act on the Polish Card and the practice based on it contradict some norms and principles of international law, namely the principle of territorial sovereignty, the norms of consular law, and several bilateral treaties in force between these two states. Bearing in mind that despite those concerns more than a quarter-million Polish Cards (also sometimes called Pole’s Cards) have been issued so far by the Polish authorities, the article ends with a discussion of why such a prolonged nonconformity with international law is possible.

The accession of Poland to the European Union involved the need or regional air quality assessment and brought radical change in requirements towards the sottware tools used for assessment purposes. According to Polish law, a zone is an agglomeration o rover 250 000 inhabitants, or a poviat (second level or local government administration in Poland), or a group of poviats, and assessment should consider both global and regional inllow or pollutants as well as the impact of local emission sources and significant sources in a voivodeship. These requirements have imposed a model range of over 250 km. Following an analysis or different models operating all over the world, the CALPUFF model together with the CALMET meteorological processor was chosen to be implemented in air quality assessment systems in Polish zones. This paper presents the results or model calculations performed within the air quality assessment in Mazowieckie voivodeship as well as compares them with the measurements obtained at automatic air monitoring stations.

The paper presents a detailed theoretical background for coordinate measurement uncertainty evaluation by means of Type B evaluation method, taking into account information on accuracy of a coordinate measuring system given with the formula for maximum permissible errors of length measurement and verification test results. A proposal for evaluation of the verification test results is made. A measurement model based on the point-plane distance equation is presented. A detailed analysis of the partial derivatives (sensitivity factors in an uncertainty budget) of the measurement model is presented. The analyses of measurement uncertainty for different geometrical characteristicswere conducted using this measurement model. Examples of uncertainty evaluation for geometrical deviations are presented: position of a point related to a datum plane and flatness in the case of convex or concave surfaces. The examples include detailed uncertainty budgets.

The mid-Ludfordian pronounced, positive carbon isotope excursion (CIE), coincident with the Lau/kozlowskii extinction event, has been widely studied so far in shallow-water, carbonate successions, whereas its deep-water record remains insufficiently known. The aim of this research is to reconstruct the sedimentary environments and the palaeoredox conditions in the axial part of the Baltic-Podolian Basin during the event. For these purposes, the Pasłęk IG-1 core section has been examined using microfacies analysis, framboid pyrite diameter and carbon isotope measurements. The prelude to the event records an increased influx of detrital dolomite interpreted as eolian dust, coupled with a pronounced decrease in the diameter of the pyrite framboids, indicating persistent euxinic conditions across the event. The event climax is recorded as the Reda Member and consists of calcisiltites, composed of calcite microcrystals (‘sparoids’), which are interpreted as suspensoids induced by phytoplankton blooms in the hipersaturation conditions present in the epipelagic layer of the basin. Both the prelude and climax facies show lamination, interpreted as having resulted from periodical settling of marine snow, combined with hydraulic sorting within a ‘benthic flocculent layer’, which additionally may be responsible for a low organic matter preservation rate due to methanogenic decomposition. Contrary to the observed basinward CIE decline in the benthic carbonates in the basin, the Reda Member records an extremely positive CIE (up to 8.25‰). Given the pelagic origin of the sparoids, the CIE seems to record surface-water carbon isotope ratios. This points to a large carbon isotope gradient and kinetic fractionation between surface and bottom waters during the mid-Ludfordian event in a strongly stratified basin. The Reda facies-isotope anomaly is regarded as undoubtedly globally triggered, but amplified by the stratified and euxinic conditions in the partly isolated, Baltic-Podolian basin. Hence, the common interpretation of the basin record as representative for the global ocean needs to be treated with great caution.

The time period of a jet engines full acceleration (from idle run rotating speed to full thrust) is a very important operational parameter. Minimization of this period is an important problem to be solved during the design of the fuel supply and control system. There are many methods of acceleration process control, especially in the case of engines with complicated design configurations. This work presents the problem of acceleration of a simple, single spool turbine jet engine with a so-called stable geometry, in which only one input (control) signal exists - fuel flow rate. Two methods of acceleration control consisting of limitation of the maximum allowable temperature of working medium in front of and behind the turbine in transient states were analyzed. In order to avoid difficulties associated with the direct measurement of actual temperatures, the so-called nonlinear engine observer was applied. With the use of the computer simulation method it was proven that the control algorithm with the limited maximum temperature in front of the turbine makes it possible the shortening of the acceleration time period significantly in comparison with a similar algorithm, that realizes the limitation of temperature behind the turbine.

The present-day methods of supervising the operational use of jet engines are based, among other things, on computerised procedures of monitoring and recording various failure modes, including the surge. This dangerous mode of operation of a turbojet engine occurs quite commonly while operating it. In some cases, it could result even in the engine destruction. What has been presented in this study is the way of applying a non-linear observer of a one-spool single-flow turbojet to generate a computer algorithm to detect the surging. An exemplary application of such an algorithm to monitor the surging that occurs in the K-15 engine has also been shown.

The effect of processes of accumulating mass and enthalpy of the working medium on the dynamics of transient processes thereof is often discussed in scientific publications on the mathematical modelling of turbine engines (treated as systems that undergo control and automatic adjustment). The paper is intended to make a comparison between findings gained from simulation carried out with two alternative models of an aircraft turbine engine (of the S0-3 type). The first model takes account of the dynamics of the processes of accumulating mass and energy of the working medium within the combustion-chamber volume and that of the convergent nozzle. The second, simplified model, neglects the dynamics of the processes of accumulating mass and energy of the working medium, since it has been assumed that it is the dynamics of the kinetic-energy accumulation in the rotor mass that predominates in various representations of transient processes. To conduct simulation-based experiments, each of the alternative models of an engine was connected to a special simulation unit, which simulated operation of fuel supply and control systems. Two rounds of experiments were carried out. The first one was intended to facilitate observations of transient processes effected with quick shifting of a control lever from the idle position to that of full thrust, and back. In the second round observed were processes resulting from changes in the critical jet area. The second, alternative model was used to investigate the effect of ever-greater hypothetical volumes of the nozzle on how the transient processes proceeded. It has been found that in the case of the S0-3 engine, low nozzle capacity remains of only slight effect on how the transient processes proceed. Hence, simplified modelling methodology is fully justified.

I assumed so far that the notion of historical thinking was a worthy and handy “sponsor” of meta‑historical enquiry. Therefore, I left both thinking and, in particular, historical thinking without even a quasi‑definition. In this paper I make an attempt to operationalize the notion of historical thinking using historical semiotics (semiotics of culture), a domain of humanities developed by the founding fathers of the Tartu–Moscow Semiotic School, Yuri Lotman and Boris Uspenskij. The association of cognition and communication not only enriches the study of language but also culture and historiography. Bearing in mind the meta‑historical contexts I found interesting, I significantly reorganized the lecture contents found in Uspenskiy’s Ego Loquens. This interpretation took the form of annotated diagrams, which represent and interpret key categories of Uspenskiy’s philosophy resultant from the semiotic concept of language and culture. Underlying it, there is the act of communication as both the act of anthropogenesis and the genesis of the subject of cognition. We point out the qualities of historical thinking which already flow from the qualities of thinking tout court. Along the way we introduce the problem of the status of the so‑called objective and virtual reality, typical of the philosophical aspects of historical semiotics and crucial for potential meta‑historical analyses.

Smoke control solutions are used to maintain tenable conditions in buildings, enabling evacuation process, rescue operations and reducing the thermal stress on the building structure. For last 50-years the design process of such solutions did not significantly change – a required volumetric capacity is calculated with theoretical and empirical models, and further, mechanical design is prepared to deliver this capacity. In this paper, a new approach – “smart smoke control” is introduced, as a system that adapts the performance parameters based on the momentary measurements of temperature in the building. The system follows the growth and decay of fire in the building, which allows optimization of its mechanical parameters, and provides substantial increase in the performance. This paper provides a discussion on traditional and new concepts in smoke control, and defines areas, in which a paradigm shift must occur, to enable widespread adoption new and more efficient solutions. The paper does also refer to previous proof of concept studies, presenting the preliminary assessment of the performance of a smart smoke control system.

Distribution and numbers of Lobodon carcinophagus and Leptonychotes weddelli were evaluated. Lobodon carcinophagus dominated on ice floes in offshore zone of Mirnyj Station and in regions of open pack ice close to the northern edge of ice fields. Leptonychotes weddelli dominated only on the shore-ice close to Leningradskaja Station in March 1979. A thesis of the lowered daily activity of Leptonychotes weddelli was confirmed by observations.

In the present paper several species of moss-mites (Acari, Oribatida), including a species new for science (Halozetes impeditus sp. nov.) caught in the vicinity of the Polish "H. Arctowski" Station on King George Island (South Shetlands) are discussed.

The presence of 31 species of birds was observed at sea sout of 50°S, out of this number 26 species were present also south of 60°S. The most numerous aggregations of birds were recorded in the regions of: Elephant Island, the South Orkneys and NE part of Bransfield Strait. The average number of birds during 10-minute observation was 74.5. In the areas under observations Daption capense predominated quantitatively. The following species were subdominant: Pygoscelidae, Oceanites oceanicus, Diomedea melanophris, Fulmarus glacialoides and Macronectes giganieus. In the total number of the birds observed krill-eaters contributed in 80.1% plankton-eaters — 7.8%, squid-eaters — 6.2% omnivores — 5.9% and fish-eaters — 0.1%. In comparison with the autumnal observations more than twice as many birds at sea were observed in the same area.

In the planktonie material collected using a Nansen net (vertical hauls) larvae of two euphausiid species were found. The dominant and occurring in all stations were larvae of Thysanoessa macrura. Following larval stages were encountered: nauplius, metanauplius, calyptopis I and calyptopis II. The most numerous and occurring in the widest depth spectrum were calyptopes I. Only twice furcilia VI of Euphausia superba were found. The distribution of euphausiid larvae was influenced by the stratification and circulation of water masses in the investigated area.

After several years of research, the foraminiferal fauna of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetland Islands) has become themost studied fiord in West Antarctica with respect to foraminifera. As such, it provides actualistic data for better understanding of paleoenvironmental records from this dynamically changing area. Over a few years, the bay was systematically sampled down to 520 m water depth, for multi−chambered and mono− thalamous benthic foraminifera, including soft−walled allogromiids often overlooked in for− mer studies. Altogether, 138 taxa were identified, and three new taxa described. This paper aims to integrate these results, put them into a broader perspective, and supplement them with information that was not presented to date. Most notably, a record of the vertical distribution of Rose Bengal stained foraminifera below the sediment surface and the proportions of soft and robustly−testate forms at different sites are described.

During the austral summer of 2002/2003 the author collected 38 marine and/or glacio-marine sediment samples from Admiralty Bay on King George Island (South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica). Recent “living” (Rose Bengal stained) and “dead” (subfossil) benthic foraminifera represented by 105 species belonging to 65 genera are recognized in samples from water depths of up to 520 m. They show large spatial variability. Four distinctive foraminiferal zones within the fjord of Admiralty Bay were recognized and analyzed in terms of environmental conditions. The zones are: restricted coves, open inlets, intermediate-, and deep-waters. The major environmental factors, which dictate foraminiferal distribution, are closely related to bathymetry and distance to open sea. Sediment composition and chlorophyll content appear to have minor influence on foraminiferal communities. Most diverse, deep-water faunas dominate water-depths below 200 m , which seems to be the lowest limit of atmospheric and meltwater influence. In waters shallower than 200 m , environmental features, affecting distribution of various benthic foraminiferal assemblages, appear to be sedimentation rate and hydrographic isolation. The results of this study gives promise to use the Admiralty Bay foraminiferal distribution pattern as a paleoenvironmental tool for shallow- to intermediate-water Quaternary marine research in fjord settings of the South Shetland Islands.

The observations carried out on Haswell Island on 20—24 January 1979 showed the occurrence of 7 species of nesting birds: Pygoscelis adeliae — about 36000 individuals including about 11300 young. Stercorarius skua maccormicki— 76 adults and 15 young, Daption capensis — 220+/- 10 nests, Fulmarlus glacialoides — 3150 +/- 200 nests, Thalassoica antarctica — 250 +/- 10 nests, Oceanites oceanicus — about 500 nests and Pagodroma nivea — about 10 nests. The time of hatching and moulting was found to be 15—20 days earlier, and the percentage of two-egg clutches in nests of Procellariidae was lower as compared with the literature data. More of the two-egg clutches were found for Stercorarius skua maccormicki. The krill dominated in the food of studied species of Procellariidae. Biometrical data for eggs of the majority of studied bird species were gathered.

This bibliography presents a list of 169 papers of Polish authors, treating on the Antarctic zooplankton. The majority of these papers (67%) concern Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana), mainly its biology, ecology and physiology. Quite numerous papers by Polish authors concerning the biochemistry of krill as well as its fishing technique and food - processing are here omitted.

About 1600 joint fractures were measured in tillites of the Upper Hecla Hoek Formation on the southern shore of Bellsund. Measurements were collected in 12 areas between the Renardbreen and Tjörndalen. Ray diagrams and contour diagrams of joint fractures, and contour diagrams of joint fractures after rotation to pre-folding position were made for each area. The preliminary analysis of diagrams indicates 2 conjugated joint sets: ca. 60°—120° and 0°—30°. This joint system is probably older than folding and was originated under ENE—WSW to NE—SW stress.

Geomorphic relationships characteristic of the region between the Billefjorden and Austfjorden display a high degree of complexity. The relationships result from palaeogeographical changes which took place during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. A topographic expression is the product of glacial, marine and lacustrine processes. In view of the gathered observational information and the 14C date of 8.120+60 ɣr BP (Gd-1900) provided in 1987 on marine shells found in glacial deposits between Hoglandvatnet and Alandvatnet, inferences can be made as to a large extent of marine processes in the study area during the maior part of the tarlier Holocene.

Contemporary cosmology poses fundamental questions on the nature and structure of the Universe, its evolution and future.

Floods play a predominant role among all disastrous natural occurrences. They have affected us in the past, they are a part of our present, and they will continue to occur in the future.