Progesterone (P4) is responsible for the main reproduction processes. Concentration of P4 varies widely among different determination methods, and interpretation of these values may be difficult. The objective of the current study was to assess the agreement of three different enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) in relation to radioimmunoassay (RIA) of P4 concentration assessment of beef cow serum samples. Samples were collected randomly considering high (pregnant cows) and low (non-pregnant cows) P4 concentrations. Depending on the P4 assessment method, four groups were created as follows: Group 1 – direct samples assessed by ELISA, Group 2 – extracted samples assessed by ELISA, Group 3 – samples assessed by automated ELISA, and Group 4 – samples assessed by RIA.

The mean progesterone concentration was 4.50 ng/mL, 1.24 ng/mL, 4.07 ng/mL and 4.39 ng/mL from Group 1 to Group 4, respectively. The mean difference (MD) between Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 individually compared with Group 4 was −0.10 ± 1.24 ng/mL, 3.15 ± 3.58 ng/mL and 0.33 ± 1.42 ng/mL, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the differences (s) was from −0.99 to 0.78 ng/mL, from 0.59 to 5.71 ng/mL, and from −0.69 to 1.34 ng/mL, respectively. The confidence interval for the lower and upper limit of the agreement ranged from −4.12 to −1.05 ng/mL and from 0.84 to 3.91 ng/mL between Group 1 and Group 4, from −8.45 to 0.42 ng/ mL and from 5.88 to 14.75 ng/mL between Group 2 and Group 4, from −4.29 to −0.76 ng/mL, and from 1.41 to 4.94 ng/mL between Group 3 and Group 4.

Our findings show that the best agreement with RIA was observed for Group 1 and Group 3, while the agreement in the extraction method was least accurate.

The article presents the methodology for selecting the optimal variant of the road on a regional level. The suggested methodology is based on a combination of criteria value normalization method and the variant assessment method. Based on survey studies conducted using the Delphi method, a starting list of criteria was designed and the significance of the individual groups of main criteria and sub-criteria was determined. The final assessments of the analysed variants are calculated based on the aggregation of the marks obtained for the normalization and assessment methods. The methodology can be divided into six stages: determining the variants for analysis, selecting the variant assessment criteria, creating the assessment matrix, normalizing criteria value, using the variant assessment method, variant ranking. The methodology was tested on the examples of planning a bypass of Mazury and Księżyno towns as a part of Regional Road 678 in Poland.

Groundwater is a vital resource for domestic, agricultural, and industrial activities, as well as for ecosystem services. Despite this, the resource is under significant threat, due to increasing contamination from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, to ensure its reliability for present and future use, effective management of groundwater is important not only in terms of quantity (i.e. abstraction) but also quality. This can be achieved by identifying areas that are more vulnerable to contamination and by implementing protective measures. To identify the risk and delineate areas that are more exposed to pollution, various groundwater vulnerability assessment techniques have been developed across the globe. This paper presents an overview of some of the commonly used groundwater vulnerability assessment models in terms of their unique features and their application. Special emphasis is placed on statistical methods and overlay-index techniques. The assessment of the literature shows that statistical methods are limited in application to the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution because they rely heavily on the availability of sufficient and quality data. However, in areas where extensive monitoring data are available, these methods estimate groundwater vulnerability more realistically in quantitative terms. Many works of research indicate that index-overlay methods are used extensively and frequently in groundwater vulnerability assessments. Due to the qualitative nature of these models, however, they are still subject to modification. This study offers an overview of a selection of relevant groundwater vulnerability assessment techniques under a specificset of hydro-climatic and hydrogeological conditions.

Stone arch bridge is an important type in the early bridge construction process because of its beautiful shape, material saving and economic rationality. However, stone material will deteriorate after long-term operation, which results in a decrease in strength and bearing capacity of stone arch bridge. The vehicle load is increasing at the same time. Therefore, accurate evaluation of bearing capacity of stone arch bridge is essential to ensure safety. In this article, a three-span open-spandrel stone arch bridge was taken as research object. Firstly, the bridge damages were investigated and analyzed in detail, and bridge service state was evaluated. Then, based on the evaluation results of disease damages and considering stone material deterioration, a refined finite element model of stone arch bridge was established to analyze bending moment, axial force, strain and deformation. Finally, static load test was carried out to test vertical deformation and stress of arch ring, horizontal displacement of pier, settlement of foundation and development of cracks. The results show that static load test is the most accurate method for evaluating bearing capacity of stone arch bridge. The evaluation accuracy of finite element model based on material correction is in the middle, and the evaluation accuracy of disease damage assessment is the worst. In practical work, bearing capacity of stone arch bridge can be evaluated by combining the three methods with high accuracy and comprehensive results.

This paper analyses multi-criteria methods for assessing sustainable buildings and their impact on the ecological quality of the built environment. The aim is to define assessment standards in multi-criteria methods and to demonstrate that civil structures designed and built in accordance with established standards and procedures increase the ecological value of the built environment and the comfort of the inhabitants within it. The methods chosen for the analysis were mainly those enjoying the greatest prestige among users, planners, designers and investors. Selected methods were analysed and verified to propose the author’s building assessment model and verification thereof in the design process on the example of the presented projects. The building assessment methods analysed were shown to have a positive impact on the design process and the environmental quality of the built environment. Quality improvement takes place through: pro-environmental land use, improved energy and water efficiency, improved efficiency in the use of materials and resources, preference for local materials and technologies, preference for eco-innovation, increased comfort for users and residents and their participation in the design and evaluation process of the built environment.
A complementary objective is to promote knowledge of sustainable design methodologies that can result in the creation of environmentally friendly architecture that influences the quality of the residential environment and the comfort of residents.