Luminescence dating is based mainly on the dosimetric properties of quartz and feldspar. These minerals are among the most popular found on Earth, resulting in the possibility of using luminescence methods in practically any environment. Currently, quartz remains the best recognized mineral in terms of dosimetric properties, particularly with regards to results obtained for quartz grains, which are regarded as being the most reliable in luminescence dating. Supporters of luminescence methods are constantly growing, however, these groups do not always have sufficient knowledge to avoid even the most basic of issues that may be encountered overall – from the process of sampling through to the awareness of what a single luminescence result represents. The present paper provides an overview of several practical aspects of luminescence dating such as correct sampling procedures and all necessary information regarding the calculation of the dose rate and equivalent dose with particular reference to potential problems that occur when the age of the sample is being determined. All these aspects are crucial for obtaining a reliable dating result, on the other hand, they remain a potential source of uncertainty.

The site at Orłowo Cliff was used to analyse the stratigraphic position and palaeogeographic interpretations of the properties and depositional conditions of two basal tills from the Late Pleistocene. A multi-proxy approach involved lithofacies, petrographic analysis of the fine gravel fraction, analyses of indicator erratics and till fabric. TL dating of intra-moraine deposits was used to determine depositional time frames of tills. The sediment profile at Orłowo Cliff shows a distinct reduction in number of Pleistocene units. Obtained dating results suggest the presence of Middle and Late Pleistocene fluvial units. The main issue discussed is the stratigraphic position of the older till (Unit O-4). It can be assumed that this till was deposited probably during the Middle Weichselian (MIS4). At Orłowo Horn the till of Unit O-4 reveals incorporation of the erratic material derived from an older till in the surrounded area (according to petrographic composition – probably from MIS 8). The younger till (Unit O-6) was deposited in the Late Weichselian (MIS 2). Moreover, the till of Unit O-6 is characterised by a significant shift towards the south-west in terms of the erratic origin in Unit O-4.

Radiometric and geochemical studies were carried out at Red Hill in the southern part of King George Island (South Shetland Islands, northern Antarctic Peninsula) on the Bransfield Strait coast. The rock succession at Red Hill has been determined to represent the Baranowski Glacier Group that was previously assigned a Late Cretaceous age. Two formations were distinguished within this succession: the lower Llano Point Formation and the upper Zamek Formation. These formations have stratotypes defined further to the north on the western coast of Admiralty Bay. On Red Hill the Llano Point Formation consists of terrestrial lavas and pyroclastic breccia; the Zamek Formation consist predominantly of fine to coarse tuff, pyroclastic breccia, lavas, tuffaceous mud− , silt−, and sandstone, locally conglomeratic. The lower part of the Zamek Formation contains plant detritus (Nothofagus , dicotyledonous, thermophilous ferns) and numerous coal seams (vitrinitic composition) that confirm the abundance of vegetation on stratovolcanic slopes and surrounding lowlands at that time. Selected basic to intermediate igneous rocks from the succession have been analysed for the whole−rock K−Ar age determination. The obtained results indicate that the Red Hill succession was formed in two stages: (1) from about 51–50 Ma; and (2) 46–42 Ma, i.e. during the Early to Middle Eocene. This, in combination with other data obtained from other Baranowski Glacier Group exposures on western coast of Admiralty Bay, confirms the recently defined position of the volcano−clastic succession in the stratigraphic scheme of King George Island. The new stratigraphic position and lithofacies development of the Red Hill succession strongly suggest its correlation with other Eocene formations containing fossil plants and coal seams that commonly occur on King George Island.

A new composite adsorbent was prepared by modifying low cost local adsorbent (LCL) using MgFe layered double hydroxide (LDH). This low cost local adsorbent was also prepared from the activation of date palm leaf derived from agricultural waste. In comparison to the low LCL, the adsorption capacity of the new composite adsorbent (LCL/MgFe-LDH) was improved. This was measured in terms of its ability to remove lead from wastewater. The Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the specific surface area by the (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) theory (BET) tests were conducted for the characterisation of LCL and LCL/MgFe-LDH. The behaviour of the lead adsorption processes by using LCL/MgFe-LDH as adsorbent was investigated in batch experiments by examining different values of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and initial Pb2+ concentration. High removal efficiency was exhibited by LCL/MgFe-LDH, a value almost double that of LCL. This was attributed to the increase in surface area of LCL/MgFe-LDH (79.7 m2·g–1) in contrast to the surface area of LCL (24.5 m2·g–1). The Freundlich equations and pseudo-second-order kinetics model were appropriate for the provision of adsorption equilibrium data for Pb2+ on adsorbents. These results reveal the great potential of the new composite adsorbent (LCL/MgFe-LDH) if applied to the absorption of heavy metal ions.

Simplifications used in simulation program codes require the use of substitute parameters in the material databases (also called apparent or substitutive). On the one hand, they formally fit into the records used in the heat flow model, porosity, properties etc. and on the other hand they should be determined in conditions most similar to the real casting-mould system.

The article presents results of a research on thermophysical parameters of gypsum mould used for precision casting moulds. Experiments were carried out on a cylindrical mould made of Plasticast gypsum, in which the heat source was a cylinder filled with liquid aluminium alloy of the temperature of 655°C. Energetic validation was carried out by using the NovaFlow&Solid ver. 6.3 simulation code. As a result of validation tests, substitute thermophysical parameters of gypsum were determined. For determined parameters, best-fit of solidification time from the experiment and simulation was obtained and the curves of gypsum mass heating were satisfactorily recreate.

In the heart of Moroccan oases, date palm trees stand as the lifeblood of local communities, serving as both a livelihood cornerstone and a dietary treasure trove. Morocco has long been a leading date fruit producer. Yet, amidst the palm groves, several environmental, technical, and socio-economic challenges have threatened the sustainability of this ancient crop. This study assesses the constraints and limitations of the date palm production system in Tafilalet oases that have kept this crop from reaching its full potential. A total of 56 producers were interviewed using an open- closed survey, illuminating interviews with key informants, dynamic focus group discussions, and direct observations in palm groves. The findings reveal that primary restrictions and barriers impeding the progress of this sector are: producers’ moderate education level and the limited adoption of technological innovation, few opportunities given to young producers, palm groves’ fragmentation, poor management of date fruits, low imports of the necessary inputs (fertilisers, irrigation, etc.), and the poor organisation of the marketing circuit (storage and packaging). Advocate renewed commitment to preserve and modernise palm groves, blending heritage with modern practices for thriving, sustainable date palm production. It is entirely conceivable to produce organic dates in the region since producers use a few quantities of chemical products, notably fertilisers and phytosanitary products.

The coastal regions of southwest India which falls in the tropical regime, have witnessed many transgression-regression events and climatic extremes in the Quaternary Period. A core, 15 m long, was recovered from the floodplains associated with a typical backwater body (lake) in the southwestern coast of India. The granulometric analysis proved dominance of sand and silt fractions and extremely high energy conditions over the entire core. The TOC/TN ratio indicated a domination of the C4-type over the C3-type plants in the lower half of the core, suggesting a warm climate. The C3-type plants prevail in the upper part of the core, thus reflecting cool and wet environments. Extremely low values of TOC/TN ratio (0.33% to 10%) of the core indicate short periods of very high rainfall events and the rapid influx of nutrients to the basin and the eutrophication of the basin. The presence of slightly brackish, brackish/marine and marine benthic foraminifers at 12.5–9 m depth indicates episodes of transgression and regression. The derived AMS radiocarbon dates suggest the Marine Isotope Stage 3 for the lower part of the core.

Results of a geomorphologic study as well as radiocarbon and pollen analyses of sediments in small basins of the Jasło-Sanok Depression (Western Carpathians) are summarised. Floors of these basins, carved in soft shale-sandstone Krosno Beds, are covered with channel fluvial deposits and oxbow-lake sediments with lake chalk and peat accumulated in the Late Vistulian and Holocene. Since the early Atlantic Phase (ca 8,400–7,900 BP) the apparent acceleration of overbank (flood) deposition intermitting the peat accumulation is observed. The plant succession includes the Late Glacial (pre-Allerød, Allerød and Younger Dryas) with coniferous park forests, through mixed deciduous forests of the Holocene with elm, hazel, oak and lime as well as spruce-elm forests with alder in wetlands, up to present-day hornbeam forests (Tilio-Carpinetum of various types) and extra-zonal Carpathian beech forests (Dentario-Glandulosae- Fagetum). Abies alba (fir) is frequent in both these association types. First evidences of synanthropic plants that prove presence of prehistoric man appeared in the Subboreal Phase. The oldest radiocarbon date 13,550±100 BP (Gd-7355) [16,710–16,085 b2k], from a bottom part of the Humniska section is probably overestimated. This is indicated by palynological data, which suggest attribution of this section to the older Allerød. Small thickness of gravel blanket from the Plenivistulian termination and the beginning of the Late Vistulian, as well as large areas devoid of weathering and solifluction covers indicate that during the Plenivistulian weathering processes and removal of silt-clay material predominated in the basins. In that time the deflation was among important processes, which is proved by deflation troughs, faceted cobbles and thick covers of the Carpathian type of loess. The Besko Basin has pre-Vistulian tectonic foundation, while landforms of its floor are of erosion-degradation origin and formed during the last Scandinavian glaciation. In the Holocene the basin floors were overbuilt with fluvial deposits up to 8 m thick.

The paper presents results of studies focused on occurrence and correlation of four main horizons of Younger Loesses: Lowest Younger Loess (LMn – after Maruszczak, 2001), Lower Younger Loess (LMd), Middle Younger Loess (LMs), and Upper Younger Loess (LMg) recorded in five sections (Politów, Wąchock, Nietulisko Małe, Komorniki and Bodzechów) in the Holy Cross Mountains area. All analysed loesses were accumulated during the Vistulian Glaciation (Weichselian). The horizons were distinguished based on separating interstadial tundra soils, coupled with thermoluminescence dating, and correlated with marine oxygen-isotope stages MIS 5d−2. The Lowermost Younger Loess (LMn) covers the Nietulisko I soil complex (Jersak, 1973), developed on deposits of the Odranian Glaciation (MIS 6) and representing a forest soil of the Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) and the Brørup warming (MIS 5c). A thin horizon of the Oldest Younger Loess and a thin sandy horizon, both probably corresponding to the Herning cooling phase (MIS 5d) at the boundary with the Eemian Interglacial, were distinguished within this complex. Based on previously performed grain-size and heavy mineral analysis of the Upper Younger Loess (LMg) and a topographic position of the loesses in four loessy islands of diverse regional extent, accumulation of this loess in the Holy Cross Mountains area is found to have been stimulated by the western winds. The proposed model of loess accumulation takes into account the influence of the topography of the area and its geological structure.

The present study is an attempt to utilise the uranium-thorium dates ofspeleothems as a source ofpalaeoclimatic data. The clue is that the changing climate influenced intensity of speleothem deposition, which is reflected in clustering of U-Series dates of speleothems in certain time intervals. This work discusses and improves various methods of combined presentation of dates, with a special attention to the presentation in form of growth frequency ('pdf) curves. Using the 'bootstrap' method the confidence intervals of the 'pdf' curves could be determined. Also the algorithm, originally developed to determine parameters of arbitrarily chosen maxima in the curve, has been modified. Due to that an assessment of number of maxima has been possible. This method enables objective distinction of phases of speleothem growth, which cannot be done 'by eye' when the 'pdf' curve is smooth. The statistical tests show that the reliable 'pdf' curve should contain more than 150 dates. Basing on 308 U-series dates of cave speleothems from southern Poland and other regions of central Europe, the growth frequency curves for the Carpathians and Uplands have been constructed. Comparison of phases of speleothem growth, distinguished by various authors for several regions of Europe, indicates that the climatic changes were synchronous over the whole region. However, different shapes of the 'pdf' curves reflect increasing continuity ofspeleothem growth in the N-S transect southwards. This may be connected with the N-S climatic gradient in Europe. Using the 'pdf' curves from caves of Tatra and Low Tatra Mountains the most probable timing of development phases of mountain glaciers has been delimited.

This study reports on the accumulation rates and ²¹⁰Pb fluxes in Spitsbergen, Svalbard archipelago, wetlands. Six peat cores were collected in the Hornsund region, SW Spitsbergen (77°N) in 2007. The ages of peat layers were obtained with the Constant Flux/Constant Sedimentation and Constant Rate of Supply models based on the ²¹⁰Pb-dating technique. The obtained ²¹⁰Pb flux values ranged from 28 to 50 Bq m ^–2 y ^–1, which was consistent with the level of 222Rn emanation estimated for northern latitudes. The values of vertical and mass accumulation rates were slightly lower than reference data for peatlands of 50°−70°N. Furthermore, the vertical variations of peat accumulation rates exhibited the highest values in the upper part of the examined cores. The increasing tendency may be due in part to low compaction and low decomposition in the youngest peat layers. The analysis of the peat accumulation rate as a function of organic matter content and bulk density revealed positive and negative correlations, respectively, rather strong in both cases. The air temperature and precipitation gradients in the last few decades may have affected peat growth rates, which should be thoroughly investigated in future projects. Undoubtedly, the reported findings have provided a valuable addition to the relatively sparse dataset on recent peat deposits in Spitsbergen.

Basing of fieldworks geomorphologic and geologic setting of 14 raised marine beaches in northern Hornsund Region was presented. Their age is approximated by radiocarbon and thermoluminescence datings of sediments. The latter indicated that the four highest but mostly questionable marine beaches (220—230,200—205,180—190 and 100—120 m a.s.l.) should be referred to the Wedel Jarlsberg Land (Saalian) Glaciation. The four lower beaches (80—95, 70—75, 50—60 and 40—46 m a.s.1.) are connected with the Bogstranda (Eemian) Interglacial and the pre-maximum part of the Sorkapp Land (Vistulian) Glaciation. The post-maximum part of this glaciation, including Lisbetdalen Stage (50—40 ka) and Slaklidalen Stage (30—20 ka), was the time when the three still lower marine beaches (32—35, 22—25,16—18 m a.s.l.) were formed. Three lowermost marine beaches (8—12,4.5—6,2 m a.s.l.) are of the Holocene age.

The Blue Dyke and Jardine Peak are subvertical hypabyssal intrusions cutting a stratiform volcanic sequence in the Admiralty Bay area on King George Island (South Shetlands, Antarctica ). The rocks are porphyritic, crystal-rich basaltic andesites. Tiny zircon crystals were used for single grain SHRIMP U-Pb dating. The mean ages calculated for the zircon populations from both intrusions indicates Late Oligocene (Chattian) formations. Zircon grains from the Blue Dyke gave the mean age of 27.9±0.3 Ma, whereas those from the Jardine Peak are slightly younger displaying the mean age of 25.4 ± 0.4 Ma: a Late Oligocene (Chattian) crystallization age the inferred of both these intrusions. These are much younger than previous Eocene K-Ar and Ar-Ar ages for such rocks and suggest that formation of the King George Island intrusions can be related to tectonic processes that accompanied the opening of the Drake Passage.

Charnockites – i.e., orthopyroxene-bearing felsic rocks – were formed in a deep-seated dry environment, either under plutonic or high-grade metamorphic conditions. Most charnockites known from the crystalline basement of Poland appear to be of Mesoproterozoic age (1.50–1.54 Ga), cogenetic with the Suwałki Anorthosite Massif, and associated with mangerite and granite members forming the AMCG suite of the Mazury Complex. Genetically distinct rocks, characterised by the presence of anhydrous minerals, e.g., orthopyroxene and garnet, were also recognised along 592 m of the Łanowicze PIG-1 borehole section, within the AMCG suite. U-Pb geochronology by sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) was used to date the complexly zoned zircons. The ages of crystallisation of the charnockite protoliths from various depths at 1837±7, 1850±9, 1842±6, and 1881±16 Ma makes these rocks the oldest dated crust within this part of the Polish basement. The Łanowicze PIG-1 borehole section bears components from neighbouring tectonic domains known from Lithuania: the West and Middle Lithuanian (WL/MLD) domains considered as a continental margin at 1.84–1.86 Ga and the fragmented Latvia-East Lithuania (LEL) domain, where the oldest continental crust was generated at c. 1.89– 1.87 Ga. The metamorphic zircon overgrowths document a high-grade event at 1.79 Ga and then constrained at 1.5 Ga. Dating of pre-Mesoproterozoic crust cryptic within the AMCG Mazury Complex provides valuable information on the nature of the pre-existing blocks formed during the long lasting Svecofennian orogeny.

This paper aims to develop new highly efficient PSC-algorithms (algorithms that contain a polynomial-time sub-algorithm with sufficient conditions for the optimality of the solutions obtained) for several interrelated problems involving identical parallel machine scheduling. These problems share common basic theoretical positions and common principles of their solving. Two main intractable scheduling problems are considered: (“Minimization of the total tardiness of jobs on parallel machines with machine release times and a common due date” (TTPR) and “Minimising the total tardiness of parallel machines completion times with respect to the common due date with machine release times” (TTCR)) and an auxiliary one (“Minimising the difference between the maximal and the minimal completion times of the machines” (MDMM)). The latter is used to efficiently solve the first two ones. For the TTPR problem and its generalisation in the case when there are machines with release times that extend past the common due date (TTPRE problem), new theoretical properties are given, which were obtained on the basis of the previously published ones. Based on the new theoretical results and computational experiments the PSC-algorithm solving these two problems is modified (sub-algorithms A1, A2). Then the auxiliary problem MDMM is considered and Algorithm A0 is proposed for its solving. Based on the analysis of computational experiments, A0 is included in the PSC-algorithm for solving the problems TTPR, TTPRE as its polynomial component for constructing a schedule with zero tardiness of jobs if such a schedule exists (a new third sufficient condition of optimality). Next, the second intractable combinatorial optimization problem TTCR is considered, deducing its sufficient conditions of optimality, and it is shown that Algorithm A0 is also an efficient polynomial component of the PSC-algorithm solving the TTCR problem. Next, the case of a schedule structure is analysed (partially tardy), in which the functionals of the TTPR and TTCR problems become identical. This facilitates the use of Algorithm A1 for the TTPR problem in this case of the TTCR problem. For Algorithm A1, in addition to the possibility of obtaining a better solution, there exists a theoretically proven estimate of the deviation of the solution from the optimum. Thus, the second PSC-algorithm solving the TTCR problem finds an exact solution or an approximate solution with a strict upper bound for its deviation from the optimum. The practicability of solving the problems under consideration is substantiated.

The objective of this paper is a review of data on reconstruction of the Pleistocene palaeogeography (environment) and stratigraphy based on studies of karst sites in the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains. Although the number of known Pleistocene karst sites in this region is small, the investigations of them have played a crucial role in a research of the Pleistocene. The study of the Kozi Grzbiet site provided the first evidences for new climatostratigraphy and classification of glaciations in Poland. The explanation of genesis of cryogenic calcite crystals discovered in Chelosiowa Jama-Jaskinia Jaworznicka cave system started a new direction of palaeoenvironmental reconstructions of the last glacial period. Kadzielnia palaeontological site was one of the first Early Pleistocene fossil assemblages in karst studied in Poland, whereas Raj cave provided abundant palaeontological and archaeological material from the Last Glacial. Other sites are of less scientific importance, however some of them can be used in education and popularisation of geosciences. Small number of already studied sites does not exclude discoveries of next sites of high scientific importance.

The Epistle of Barnabas, usually included in the works of the Apostolic Fathers, is an anonymous text written in koiné Greek. It was probably composed between the end of the First and the beginning of the Second Century in an Egyptian or Syro-Palestinian setting. The text is made up of two parts: the first one has an anti-Judaic apologetic nature; the second one is instructive and paraenetical. The Latin version of the Epistle (L), which is useful in the constitutio textus of the original too, concerns the first of the two parts. An analysis of the language and of the technique of translation allows asserting that L was probably compiled in Rome between the end of the Second and the beginning of the Third Century. Moreover, its main features may be identified in the literality and in the linguistic and stylistic popularity. The literality is both quantitative and distributional: the changes are usually narrow (except expressions which introduce Biblical quotations) and concern parts which may be considered accessory by a semantic point of view. The popular style is due to the attention the translator pays to the needs of the sociocultural situation of the readers and is confirmed by the presence of rhetorical figures as alliteration. These two characteristics, which are typical of Latin translations of Greek Patristic texts compiled between the end of the Second and the beginning of the Third Century, are due to stylistic choices which are homogeneously and congruently applied. Moreover, in L these characteristics are strictly bound, because the sermo humilis characterizes the Greek text too.

Stacks of the Pleistocene tills and associated airfall/slopewash/colluvial sediment abound on East African Mountains but few localities exist where thick deposits of middle to Late Pleistocene age can be studied to bedrock with topography the main soil-forming agent over <0.8 Ma. Two tills form the main structure of the catena, the oldest buried in the crest, backslope and footslope of the deposit, the youngest forming the crest and upper backslope, with massive colluvial infill forming a still younger sediment mass superposed on older sediment in the lower backslope, footslope and toeslope, the latter all radiocarbon dated to within the last glaciation (Liki on Mt. Kenya; Weichselian in Europe, Wisconsin in North America). The moraine stack, first identified by J.W. Gregory in the late 19th century, as belonging to the ‘Older Glaciation’ (Illinoian in North America; Teleki on Mt. Kenya), is much older than originally thought with tills and other paraglacial sediment extending to saprolitic bedrock, paleomagnetic assessment and relative weathering indices placing the mass in the Brunhes Chron. These results demonstrate that despite erosion and weathering, paleosols in toposequences near the margins of successive glaciations retain properties allowing reconstruction of environmental changes over long periods of time.