Noise Control is the most important international acoustics conference regularly organized in Poland. The XV International Conference Noise Control 2010 is taking place between June 6 and 9, 2010, in Ksi?? in Wa?brzych. It is organized by the Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, the Committee on Acoustics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Polish Acoustical Society, with the cooperation of the Department of Mechanics and Vibroacoustics of the AGH University of Science and Technology, the Department of Acoustics of the Building Research Institute and the Chair of Acoustics of the Wroc?aw University of Technology.

This paper investigates the linkages between economic growth and fiscal policy under perfect capital mobility. The model incorporates wide range of fiscal policy instruments: the budget deficit, the structure of public debt, public expenditures on education, public consumption, and four tax rates. We prove that two tax rates - on consumption and interest on government bonds held by domestic lenders - are neutral for economic growth: both for the balanced growth path (BGP), and for transitory dynamics. All other parameters of fiscal policy are not neutral. Theoretical results are illustrated with an empirical analysis for Poland based on post-global financial crisis data for the Polish economy (2009-2018). Numerical simulations show that if fiscal policy remains unchanged, Polish economy will converge to the BGP with GDP growing at 2.3%. The best way to accelerate growth is to increase public investment in education. The other budgetary policy instruments are less effective in shaping economic growth.

This article examines the idea of cross-currents in international law, which was proposed almost a century ago by Ludwik Ehrlich. First the theoretical background of this idea is provided, with the focus on Albert Venn Dicey’s assumption that there are fundamental differences in public opinion influencing the legislative process. The development of the crosscurrents concept is given through the prism of the evolution of Ehrlich’s ideas. The article illustrates some aspects of his legal philosophy, which describe the scholar as broad-minded, innovative, and deep-thinking. Four dimensions of cross-currents in international law are discussed: (1) the existence of norms originating from different periods; (2) variations between states in their recognition and interpretation of them; (3) fulfillment of abstract norms; and (4) inconsistencies of theory and practice. They contribute to approximating a fully coherent international law serving as the ideal in comparison to a heterogeneous, contradictory, fragmented one, as is frequently observed at the present time. The idea of cross-currents might be helpful in accepting the view that some of the incompatibilities between the rules and principles of international law are inevitable and do not cause harm to international legality.

Healthcare services differ from other public goods due to the characteristics of their demand and supply. As a public good, its provision might allow for a free rider effect. This study aimed at checking whether a patient's overall tendency to free ride impacts the Willingness to Pay for public healthcare access. The study demonstrates that besides the experience level with the valued good, free riding tendency also influenced the valuation. The results indicate that not only past decisions about free riding but also readiness to free ride in the future might change the willingness to pay for the public good.

The ecological environment is significantly vulnerable to coal-mining activities in western China due to the cold and arid climate. The evaluation of land reclamation is therefore a key process that has to be known for the sustainable use of coal resources. A Bayes discriminant analysis method to evaluate the suitability level of land reclamation for coal mine lands in cold and arid regions of western China is presented. Ten factors influencing the suitability of land reclamation were selected as discriminant indexes in the suitability analysis. The data of eighty-four land reclamation units from sixteen coal-mining areas was used as training samples to develop a discriminant analysis model to evaluate the suitability level of land reclamation. The results show that the discriminant analysis model has high precision and the misdiscriminant ratio is 0.02 in the resubstitution process.The suitability levels of land reclamation for eleven sites in two coal mine lands were evaluated by using the model and the evaluation results are identical with that of the practical situation. Our method and findings are significant for decision makers in similar regions who want to prepare for possible strategies for land reclamation in the future.

SEM Automated Mineralogy (SEM-AM) is an analytical system based on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with backscattered electron detector and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). This automated tool enables to quantify mineralogy, size and geometry of solid matter components. The paper presents a SEM-AM application in detection of mineralogical and textural sediment sorting on the example of a submarine gravity flow record from the Cergowa sandstones (Lower Oligocene) in the Polish Outer Carpathians. Analysis of high quality backscattered electron (BSE) imagery in combination with EDX spectra discriminates mineral phases in polished samples. These data are then processed by the mineral liberation analysis (MLA) software in order to extract size and shape information, and combine, compare and group components for further examination. Automated data extraction provides highly representative measurement statistics devoid of manual work bias. The Cergowa sandstones were prepared for the analysis as non-granular samples in coated thin sections and granular samples in epoxy mounts. The former samples provide mineralogical data whereas the latter additionally generate textural parameters, both essential in interpretation of variability of flow competence. Comparisons between samples from an individual bed and between different beds of the measured sections give insights into the spatial and temporal flow development at a given locality. On the other hand, a comparison of different sections and regions of the formation will provide basis for the reconstruction of submarine flow events throughout the sedimentary basin and contribute to the characterisation of the provenance areas. Highly detailed quantitative data generated by this procedure have great potential in helping to recognise complex relationships between mineralogical and textural sorting by depositional processes.

In order to achieve accurate identification and segmentation of ore under complex working conditions, machine vision and neural network technology are used to carry out intelligent detection research on ore, an improved Mask RCNN instance segmentation algorithm is proposed. Aiming at the problem of misidentification of stacked ores caused by the loss of deep feature details during the feature extraction process of ore images, an improved Multipath Feature Pyramid Network (MFPN) was proposed. The network firstly adds a single bottom-up feature fusion path, and then adds with the top-down feature fusion path of the original algorithm, which can enrich the deep feature details and strengthen the fusion of the network to the feature layer, and improve the accuracy of the network to the ore recognition. The experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper has a recognition accuracy of 96.5% for ore under complex working conditions, and the recall rate and recall rate function values reach 97.4% and 97.0% respectively, and the AP75 value is 6.84% higher than the original algorithm. The detection results of the ore in the actual scene show that the mask size segmented by the network is close to the actual size of the ore, indicating that the improved network model proposed in this paper has achieved a good performance in the detection of ore under different illumination, pose and background. Therefore, the method proposed in this paper has a good application prospect for stacked ore identification under complex working conditions.

Based on a review of scholarly literature and statements of IAEA and Ukrainian institutions, we try to attempt to analyze the current problems in nuclear energy of Ukraine during the war based on the example of the seized Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which demonstrates the impact of this situation over global nuclear safety. Our study also outlines some solutions to this ongoing crisis and highlights that there is an urgent need for a new strategic vision at the global level with regard to nuclear safety and environmental protection. The “trial and error” approach is not the desired practice of ensuring nuclear safety in the world and therefore the world must today apply the lessons learned during the war in Ukraine to better protect people and the environment. The current situation in the world is complex and requires reasonable considerations, taking into account social, economic, environmental and geopolitical aspects. The introduction of minimum International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety standards that are illegally enforceable, the revision of the provisions of the IAEA statute and its amendment by providing the organization with the function of maintaining the harmonization of nuclear requirements, the need to improve the existing IAEA standards in terms of taking measures during the construction of nuclear power plants to protect them from missile attacks, as well as during the operation of NPPs are all analyzed as necessary steps required to solve the issues of improving nuclear safety in Ukraine, Europe, and the world. The cooperation of Ukraine with such states as the USA, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom, and the creation of the coalition could help to put pressure on United Nations and IAEA at the international level to withdraw all troops and ammunition supplies from Zaporizhzhia NPP.

In this paper, the issues of today's maritime hydrography and its state are discussed. The substance of maritime hydrography and its state of development are presented. The maritime hydrography is shown and discussed from three different points of view: as the kind of maritime human activity and special maritime service; as the maritime profession and field of undergraduate and graduate education, and as the branch of science.

The paper presents the method of robust estimation of variance coefficient. The concept of YRestimation presented in (6] is generalised in case of dependent observations. The basis of the method is usage of reinforcement matrix which guarantees the robustness of the estimate. The reinforcement matrix which is closely connected with the weight function of M-estimation, gives a possibility to perform robust adjustment. Thus such a method is also presented. At last, an example is shown too.

A number of new satellite-only Global Gravity Models (GGMs) become progressively available based on the CHAMP and GRACE satellite mission data. These models promise higher (compared to older GGMs) accuracy in the determination of the low and medium harmonics of the Earth's gravity field. In the present study, the latest GGMs generated from CHAMP and GRACE data (namely EIGEN2, EIGEN3p, GGM0IC, GGM0IS and GRACED IS) have been studied with respect ro their accuracy and performance when used in gravity field approximation. A spectral analysis of the new models has been carried out, employing their degree and error-degree variances. In this way, their performance against each other and with respect to EGM96 was assessed, and the parts of the gravity field spectrum that each model describes more accurately have been identified. The results of the analysis led to the development of a combined geopotential model, complete to degree and order 360, whose coefficients were those of CHAMP until degree 5, then GRACE until degree 116, and EGM96 for the rest of the spectrum. Finally, a validation of all models (the combined included) has been performed by comparing their estimates against GPS/levelling data in land areas and TOPEX/Poseidon sea surface heights in marine regions. All rests have taken place over Greece and the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. From the results obtained it was concluded that the combined GGM developed provides more accurate results (compared to EGM96), in terms of the differences with the control datasets, at the level of 1-2 cm geoid and 1-2 mGal for gravity (ICT). Furthermore, the absolute geoid accuracy that the combined GGM offers is 12.9 cm (ICT) for 11 = 120, 25 cm for 11 = 200 and 33 cm for n = 360, compared to 29 cm, 36 cm and 42 cm for EGM96, respectively.

The paper presents estimation of positional accuracy of digital maps using statistical analysis. Investigations have been performed for four large-scale digital maps made using different methods of producing digital map data: new total station survey (object A), re-calculation of previous direct measurements (orthogonal and polar surveys) (object B), manual vectorisation of a raster orthophotomap image (object C) and graphical-and-digital processing of analogue maps (object D). Analysis has been performed for large statistical samples of sets of vectors of shift t: L of control points and their components, i.e. true errors t: x, t: r of increments of co-ordinates. In the case of a map produced by means of new survey with an electronic tacheometer, the true errors were represented by differences between co-ordinates of control points obtained from two separate set outs. In the case of other methods of data collection for digital map production true errors were represented by differences of co-ordinates acquired from an investigated map and co-ordinates calculated from new direct surveys.

The paper discusses the global algorithm of broken line simplification, that: does not depend on parameters set by a map editor and maintains the accuracy of the 0-1 Instruction (General principles of surveying practice) of the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography, Poland, for each map scale (smaller than the source map scale). In the discussed process of line simplification parameters depend on the map scale and on the smallest length of an elementary triangle (this length is a measure of the ability of the drawing recognition). In the process of simplification performed with the use of the discussed algorithm, the same shape of a line is ensured (maintaining the ability of the drawing recognition), since generalised data differ with the bigger or smaller range of scales from the source data. Besides, limits of intervals of generalisation thresholds have been specified, which are required for the process of automated selection of cartographic presentation methods exhibiting the results of line simplification.

While most traffic signs in Europe are purely pictorial, some also employ text. The article discusses two-code (image plus text) traffic signs on examples from a few countries: the UK, Germany, the US, the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Poland. Special emphasis is placed on various possible sense relations between text and image in such signs. In some of these relations (such as intersemiotic translation or emphasis) the text does not modify the meaning of the image, whereas in others (such as restriction, complementation or elaboration) it does. Drivers who do not know the local language, however, are neither able to understand the text nor to determine its function towards image. Therefore, the text is always prone to affect them negatively.

A handful of studies have used Facebook’s advertisement platform – Facebook Ads Manager – to recruit migrants to online surveys. The main challenge facing migration scholars in designing effective advertisements has been to identify and accurately target migrants on Facebook. Researchers have used proxies, such as users’ previous residence abroad, language(s) or interests, to infer their migration status. Despite some progress, there remains a need to better document and reflect critically on the accuracy of targeting migrants using such proxies. Contrary to studies which relied on users’ previous residence abroad, this study used migrants’ language (Polish) to target and recruit survey participants from among Polish migrants in Norway, Sweden and the UK. Focusing on a single migrant group across three countries, the goal of this article is to assess the accuracy of a targeting strategy which relied primarily on users’ command of a language as an indicator of their migration background. Comparing the results against official migration statistics and the results reported in similar studies, the article provides a compelling case for researchers to prioritise users’ language, rather than previous residence abroad, as the proxy for migration background for migrants whose language, such as Polish, is confined to the borders of a single nation state.

Most of the Indian cities and towns have been facing serious traffic noise pollution due to urbanization, substantial growth of new vehicles, inadequate road network, etc. Automotive traffic, railroads, and air traffic are the most common sources of noise pollution in cities, with vehicular traffic accounting for around 55% of overall metropolitan noise. Prolonged exposure to such loud noise causes anger, stress, mental diseases, discomfort, hypertension, concentration problems, and sleeplessness. This study aims to investigate the effects of COVID-19 societal lockdown on changes in the noise pollution levels before, during, and after the lockdown period in various industrial, commercial, residential, and silence zones in Bengaluru, India, in light of the recent imposition of COVID-19 societal lockdown. According to data acquired from the KSPCB (Karnataka State Pollution Control Board) online portal, the average noise levels before and during lockdown were determined to be in the range of 59.4 dB to 70.9 dB and 58.2 dB to 62.7 dB for different zones. During the lockdown, all commercial, industrial and educational activities were closed to limit the spread of infection, resulting in usage of private and commercial transportation declining dramatically. Reduction in the noise level was observed during the lockdown in all monitoring stations of Bengaluru, except for Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, where the noise level didn’t decline because of a COVID emergency. Maximum reduction was observed in the commercial area (11.56%) followed by industrial areas (8.34%). The result further indicated that only the industrial area experienced an increase of 8.41% in noise level, while other areas experienced a reduction in a noise level during the early post-lockdown. During the mid and late post-lockdown periods, most locations experienced a rapid spike in the noise intensity.

The present study aimed at a determination of the formula allowing water content to be calculated for model degraded soil enriched with Biona-312 ion exchange substrate. To this end a mixture of sand and Biona- 312 was prepared which was monitored for water content changes. Moisture was determined both gravimetrically and reflectometrically (TOR method). To improve the reliability of the TOR method individual calibration was made. The specific calibration formula as polynomial of the third degree was found for water content determination in sand supplemented with Biona-312. The results confirmed the high potential of the TOR method in moisture monitoring, especially when individual calibration is done.

The aim of this study was an assessment of feasibility of conversion of sewage holding (SH) tanks to rainwater harvesting (RWH) tanks in Poland. Such a conversion may partly solve the problem of water scarcity for irrigation of plants in individual small gardens and reduce tap water consumption. Seven methods of RWH tanks sizing were applied to an example of a small harvesting system of the roof area equal to the garden irrigation area of 100 m² for three different irrigation doses. A new criterion was introduced to optimize the tank capacity. Economic optimization was provided for new RWH tanks and for the tanks adapted from abandoned SH tanks. Results obtained for a system sited in west-central Poland in an average year have shown that design capacity of RWH tanks varied markedly between sizing methods. The conversion of SH tanks to RWH tanks is profitable, especially for irrigation due to scarcity of water in relatively dry west-central regions. Conversion of individual SH tanks in a good technical state to RWH tanks is relatively simple and cheap. The potential increase in storage volume due to the conversion of individual SH tanks to RWH tanks could reach all over Poland 215–350 dam³ per year, and individually can save up to 18–25% of total annual water use.

The miner fly Liriomyza sativae (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is an insect of economic importance for tomato culture. The conventional control with insecticides is complex due to the mining eating habit that provides protection to the larvae inside the leaves. Therefore, farmers can opt for biological control agents, or substances that provide protection to the plant. Thus, the objective of our research was to evaluate the use of silicon to induce resistance in tomato plants against L. sativae. The results showed that in tomato plants treated with SiO2/F and K2SiO3/F there was a reduction in the net reproduction rate (Ro), in the intrinsic rate of increase in number (rm), in the finite rate of increase (λ), in the average interval between generations (IMG), in the doubling time (TD), in the number of eggs/ female/day and the accumulated egg laying of F1 females of L. sativae. The products SiO2/F and K2SiO3/F gave the tomato a protective effect against injuries caused by L. sativae.

The smart grid concept is predicated upon the pervasive With the construction and development of distribution automation, distributed power supply needs to be comprehensively considered in reactive power optimization as a supplement to reactive power. The traditional reactive power optimization of a distribution network cannot meet the requirements of an active distribution network (ADN), so the Improved Grey Wolf Optimizer (IGWO) is proposed to solve the reactive power optimization problem of the ADN, which can improve the convergence speed of the conventional GWO by changing the level of exploration and development. In addition, a weighted distance strategy is employed in the proposed IGWO to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional GWO. Aiming at the problem that reactive power optimization of an ADN is non-linear and non-convex optimization, a convex model of reactive power optimization of the ADN is proposed, and tested on IEEE33 nodes and IEEE69 nodes, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed model. Finally, the experimental results verify that the proposed IGWO runs faster and converges more accurately than the GWO.

The effect of modifications in epi-side (top) gold metallization on a thermal performance and on power roll-over of blue-vio- let III-N-based p-up edge-emitting ridge-waveguide laser diode (RW EEL) was explored in this paper. The calculations were carried out using a two-dimensional self-consistent electrical-thermal model combined with a simplified optical model tuned to a RW EEL fabricated in the Institute of High Pressure Physics (Unipress). Our results suggest that with proper modifica- tions in the III-N-based RW EEL, excluding modifications in its inner structure, it is possible to considerably improve the thermal performance and, thus, increase the maximal output power.