The evaluation of threats connected with the presence of methane in coal seams is based on our

knowledge of the total content of this gas in coal. The most important parameter determining the potential

of coal seams to accumulate methane is the sorption capacity of coal a. It is heavily influenced by the

degree of coalification of the coal substance, determined by the vitrinite reflectance R0 or the content of

volatile matter V daf. The relationship between the degree of coalification and the sorption capacity in the

area of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) has not been thoroughly investigated, which is due to the

zonation of methane accumulation in this area and the considerable changeability of methane content in

various localities of the Basin. Understanding this relationship call for in-depth investigation, especially

since it depends on the analyzed reflectance range. The present work attempts to explain the reasons for

which the sorption capacity changes along with the degree of coalification in the area of Jastrzębie (the

Zofiówka Monocline). The relationship between parameters R0 and V daf was investigated. The authors

also analyzed changes of the maceral composition, real density and the micropore volume. Furthermore,

coalification-dependent changes in the sorption capacity of the investigated coal seams were identified.

The conducted analyses have indicated a significant role of petrographic factors in relation to the accumulation

properties of the seams located in the investigated area of USCB.

The author, as a former pupil of the title figure of this paper, and as a leading his cooperator in numerous creative works, recalls memoires and presents an analysis of the personality of late professor of architectute, J. Tadeusz Gawłowski. The paper represents both – objective and official features of chronicle, hence also introduces readers into more personal secrets of the outstanding architect: creator, scholar and academic teacher – being simultaneously a picturesque and friendly person. He was connected mainly with Kraków University of Technology, but sharing also his activity in order to fulfill needs of three other, important academic schools.

The present article investigates theoretically the refection and transmission through a lossless dielectric slab embedded between two semi−infinite left−handed materials (LHMs) in which the electric permittivity and magnetic permeability are simultaneously negative. The LHM is assumed to be dispersive according to Lorentz as well as Drude medium model. The reflection and transmission coefficients are studied with the angle of incidence, frequency and slab thickness. The effect of the damping frequency is also investigated. It is found that the damping frequency has an insignificant effect on reflected, transmitted and loss powers. Band pass filter is one of the possible applications of the proposed structure.

We report on the absorption properties of polarization-insensitive transmissive and reflective metamaterial absorbers based on two planar aluminium periodic structures and SU-8 epoxy resist. These absorbers were investigated using numerical simulation and experimental methods in the terahertz range (below 2 THz). SU-8 is a very promising organic material for dielectric layers in planar metamaterials, because its application simplifies the process of fabricating these structures and significantly reduces the fabrication time. The experimental absorption of the metamaterial absorbers has narrowband characteristics that were consistent with the numerical simulations. Power flow analysis in the transmissive metamaterial unit cell shows that the absorption in the terahertz range occurs primarily in the SU-8 layer of the absorber.

Studies on the quality of bituminous coal are mainly focused on physico-chemical analysis, examining the ash content, sulphur content, volatile matter content, moisture content, and the Net Calorific Value of coal. Until now, the above mentioned parameters form the basis of the Polish Standard PN-82/87002, on the basis of which individual types of bituminous coal are determined. In addition, an elemental analysis, providing information about the content of primary elements in the organic matter of solids, i.e. coal, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur, is carried out for the selected samples. This issue has been studied by many authors, which undoubtedly provide invaluable knowledge due to the huge amount of data, but, as the authors themselves indicate, the knowledge of the petrography of coal, coking properties (Probierz et al. 2012) and finally the coke obtained from individual coal types (based on tests carried out using the Karbotest installation or the so-called „box tests” performed in the coke oven battery) is still very limited. The article discusses the impact of petrographic composition on the quality of metallurgical coke. The analysis was performed using samples of coking coal from the following mines: Pniówek, Zofiówka, Borynia, and Krupiński. The mentioned coal types are used to produce coke mixtures used for the production of coke in the Przyjaźń and Radlin coking plants. Based on the rank of coal and physicochemical parameters, the mentioned coal types were classified according to the Polish classification and the UN/ECE International Classification of In-Seam Coals (UN/ECE 1995). The prediction of thermomechanical properties of coke (CSR and CRI) performed according to the original CCP method were compared with the results obtained using the classical method of Nippon Steel Corporation.

Being reflective is one of the most paramount features that EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers need to be equipped with in the post-method era for their professional growth and development. The present study aimed to explore reflective teaching from a multi-dimensional perspective in terms of a) determinants that simulates teachers to reflect, b) consequences that teachers experience as a result of their reflective teaching, and c) obstacles that may arise and preclude teachers from reflective teaching. Qualitative data collection method was employed to gather data from 10 EFL teachers triangulating semi-structured interviews, diaries, journal, and observation. Data analysis via MAXQDA led to the emergence of three models for each dimension of the study. The results revealed that teachers not only reflect to respond to a problem, but also they reflect to diminish some negative factors like stress or anxiety on the part of both learners and themselves as well as improving, enhancing, or mending something in teaching or learning. The codes of determinants were also conceptualized into three broad categories of reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action, and reflection-for-action with the reflection-for-action used more frequently by the teachers. In the case of consequences, the codes were classified into two categories of internal and external consequences. It was also concluded that some of the consequences reinforce the reflective teaching and play the role of determinants motivating teachers to reflect again. Regarding the obstacles, after categorizing the codes into external and internal obstacles, it was observed that external factors are more robust.

Solar radiation reflectance was analysed to characterize Arctic ornithogenic tundra developing in the vicinity of large breeding colony of Brunnich‘s guillemots Uria lomvia and kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla at the foot of Gnĺlberget cliff (Hornsund, SW Spitsbergen). Radiometric method was found to be a useful tool for studying structure and functioning of plant formations. We measured reflectance of four wavelengths: 554 nm (YG), 655 nm (RED), 870 nm (NIR) and 1650 nm (SWIR) at 10 plots situated along the transect running from the colony to the sea. Moreover, data of plant community character, species quantitative composition as well as total biomass were collected to relate these parameters with the spectral values. The results showed that radiometric data characterized vegetation well enough to recognize the same plant communities on the basis of spectral reflectance as distinguished with traditional phytosociological methods.

In this study a metal clad waveguide sensor with a metamaterial guiding layer is analyzed. Sensitivity of the proposed sensor is derived using dispersion and Fresenal’s equations for waveguiding mode and reflection mode. While efficiently analyzing and comparing the results with the existing one, some interesting findings are achieved. It is observed that the proposed sensor shows larger cover layer sensitivity and larger adlayer sensitivity compared to the dielectric guiding layer sensor due to adsorbtive properties of metamaterial. Henceforth, it concludes that the proposed sensor shows sensitivity improvement over a dielectric guiding layer sensor.

Results of the studies of optical properties of anti-reflective glasses with various texturization patterns, which were used as a coating for crystalline silicon solar cells, are presented. It was found that glass samples sorted by their optical transmittance demonstrated the same order as when sorted by their solar-cell short-circuit current enhancement parameter. The value of the latter depended on the parameters of texturization, such as the surface density of inclusions and their profile, and the depth of etching pits. A 2% relative increase of the solar cell efficiency was obtained for the best glass sample for null degree angle of incidence, proving enhanced light trapping properties of the studied glass.

The aim of this study was to identify thoroughly the geological structure of the Choszczno Anticline for potential CO2 storage. The paper presents the interpretation of seismic materials for a selected seismic profile reprocessed into a section of reflection coefficients characterized by increased recording resolution as compared to the wave image. Particular attention was paid to the geological complexes associated with the Jurassic reservoir formations suitable for carbon dioxide storage within the anticline. The correlation of the identified layers reflects the lithology and structure of the rock series. It allows determination of the thicknesses of the series and changes within them, and enables linking the individual layers with the lithologic units, based on geological data. The study refers to the whole Zechstein-Mesozoic succession of the Choszczno Anticline, with special emphasis on these series, in which there are potential reservoir formations for CO2 storage. The interpretation has significantly expanded the amount of data provided in standard seismic documentations. While assessing the suitability of the formations for CO2 storage, special attention should be paid to the tectonic disturbances within the Komorowo Formation, especially in the top part of the Choszczno structure. The Reed Sandstone bed is more continuous in this respect. The obtained results seem to suggest wider application of reprocessing of seismic materials into effective reflection coefficients to study the geological structure, also for other structures.

Effective use of energy in various branches of economy is one of world trends in development of power engineering. Relevant energy consumption occurs during exploitation of buildings, so there is still potential to diminish it as far as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are concerned. Particularly in summer season, the choice of respective roofing colour can play a decisive role for the heat flux transferred to the inside of the object. Decrease of heat flux causes a lower heat burden to the building and lower power consumption by the air conditioning systems. In winter, on the contrary, heat flux transferred to building’s interior should be higher, as a result, demand of energy for heating will be lower. However, calculations of the heat flux require that energy balance must be made for the object. Unfortunately, not all producers of roofing covers inform about the values of reflectivity and thermal emissivity of their products, which is, in turn, necessary for calculations. In the present paper, research methodology elaborated by authors is proposed for determination of thermal emissivity of roofing covers. The paper presents test stand, methodology, and research results for roofing paper in blue colour (as an example) for which the thermal emissivity is an unknown parameter.

Sub-bottom profiler (SBP) is an acoustic instrument commonly used to survey underwater shallow geological structure and embedded objects whose most important performance parameter is the actual vertical resolution. This paper presented a methodology to measure and evaluate the actual vertical resolution of SBP based on an experiment in an anechoic tank, which was divided into three components: building of artificial geological model, measurement of acoustic parameters, and determination of actual vertical resolution of the acoustic profiles. First, the wedge-shaped geological model, whose thickness could be accurately controlled, was designed and built in an anechoic tank to try to directly measure the vertical resolution of SBP. Then, the acoustic pulse width of SBP was measured to calculate the theoretical general vertical resolution and extreme vertical resolution. Finally, based on the acoustic profiles obtained in the experiment, the method which was used to evaluate the actual vertical resolution by measuring the duration of reflection event was put forward. Due to comparing measurement data of different parameter settings of the SBP, the study has revealed that the SBP had the lowest resolution in the 4 kHz–500 µs setting, which was 226.5 µs, or 36.2 cm, and the highest resolution in the 15 kHz–67 µs setting, which was 72.7 µs, or 11.6 cm. The vertical resolution decreased with the increase of the pulse width. The results also showed that the actual resolution was close to the theoretical general resolution and far from the extreme resolution.

One of the main issues of design process of HVAC systems and ventilation ducts in particular is correct modelling of coupling of the flow field and acoustic field of the air flowing in such systems. Such a coupling can be modelled in many ways, one of them is using linearised Euler equations (LEE). In this paper, the method of solving these equations using finite element method and open source tools is decribed. Equations were transformed into functional and solved using Python language and FEniCS software. The non-reflective boundary condition called buffer layer was also implemented into equations, which allowed modelling of unbounded domains. The issue, influence of flow on wave propagation, could be adressed using LEE equations, as they take non-uniform mean flow into account. The developed tool was verified and results of simulations were compared with analytical solutions, both in one- and two-dimensional cases. The obtained numerical results are very consistent with analytical ones. Furthermore, this paper describes the use of the developed tool for analysing a more complex model. Acoustic wave propagation for the backward-facing step in the presence of flow calculated using Navier-Stokes equations was studied.