In October 2018, local digital radio was launched to cover the agglomeration of Wroclaw. The implementation of this undertaking required many tests, including qualitative ones, that refer to both music and speech. This paper presents the results of subjective tests based on the evaluation of speech quality of signals recorded at various points in Wroclaw. Measurements were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union as well as in ordinary acoustic conditions in listeners’ flats. The rating was made for male and female voices. The most important conclusion is that for speech signal assessment in meaning of the quality the test conditions do not influence the obtained results. The other fact confirmed in the experiment was that the receiving place of DAB+ signal in the Single-Frequency Network also does not affect the perceived voice quality.

We discuss waste, fuels, and air quality with Prof. Czesława Rosik-Dulewska from the PAS Institute of Environmental Engineering and the Department of Land Protection at the University of Opole.

Air quality and climate change, as two crucial environmental emergencies confronting our societies, are still generally viewed as separate problems requiring different research and policy frameworks. However, they should rightfully be viewed as two sides of the same coin. What we truly need to seek, therefore, are “win-win” solutions.

This study presents the hydrochemical composition of groundwater under long-term irrigation of Wonji plain (Ethiopia) and its quality status for drinking purpose. Groundwater samples were collected from 30 groundwater monitoring tube wells installed at different parts of the sugarcane plantation and then analysed for the major physico-chemical quality parameters (pH, EC, major cations and anions) following standard test procedures. The status of groundwater for drinking was compared with WHO and other quality standards. Analytical analysis results indicated that majority of the considered quality parameters are rated above the prescribed tolerable limits for drinking set by WHO. About 97% of the water sample has water quality index in the range of very poor to unfit for drinking. The contamination index is in the ranges of low (–1.0) to high (3.6). In general, the groundwater of the area is unsuitable for human consumption without proper treatment such as boiling, chlorination, filtering, distillation, desalinaization, defluoridation, deionization, demineralization (ionexchange) and membrane processes. Since the TDS concentration is relatively small (<2000 ppm), demineralization process alone can be sufficient to bring the water to an acceptable level.

Quality assessment of shallow groundwater table is very important because it is the water that recharges deeper aquifers and constantly feeds the water levels of our surface streams and wetlands. Continuous monitoring of large number of quality parameters is essential for effective maintenance of water quality through appropriate control measures. However, it is very difficult and laborious task for regular monitoring of all the parameters even if adequate manpower and laboratory facilities are available. Therefore, this study presents the statistical analysis of physico- chemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO3, Cl, CO3, SO4, TH, B, F) using correlation and Principal Component Analysis. The statistical analysis of the groundwater quality variables indicated that most of the variables are highly correlated. The strong correlation is an opportunity to develop a regression equation and monitor using few parameters. This provides an easy and rapid method of continuous groundwater quality monitoring. Moreover, groundwater of the area showed significant compositional variation. The compositional variability has implications for the source and origin of groundwater quality in the study area.

Surface and groundwater resources are two important sources in meeting agricultural, urban, and industrial needs. Random supply of surface water resources has prevented these resources from being a reliable source of water supply at all times. Therefore, groundwater acts as insurance in case of water shortage, and maintaining the quality of these resources is very important. On the other hand, studying vulnerability and identifying areas prone to aquifer pollution seems necessary for the development and optimal management of these valuable resources. Identifying the vulnerabilities of the aquifer areas to pollution will lead to a greater focus on preserving those areas. Therefore, groundwater quality assessment was performed in this study using the groundwater quality index (GQI), and groundwater vulnerability to pollution was assessed using the DRASTIC index. GQI is developed based on the values of six quality parameters (Na ⁺, Mg ²⁺, Ca ²⁺, SO _{4^2–, Cl^–, and TDS). The DRASTIC index is developed based on the values of seven parameters (depth to the water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of vadose zone, hydraulic conductivity). The zoning of both indexes has been done using geographic information system (GIS) software. The results show that the GQI of the region was about 93, and its DRASTIC index was about 86. Therefore, the quality of aquifer groundwater is excellent, and its vulnerability to pollution is low.}

The aim of the article is to present an exemplary system for recording and analyzing quality costs and to demonstrate that it is helpful in planning and assessing the effectiveness of continuous improvement processes at the operational and strategic level. Various approaches to defining quality costs are described, followed by indicators for assessing effectiveness and tools to collect data on the values of individual groups of quality costs and compare them with financial indicators. The practical part presents a case study on the quality cost accounting system in a medical company and the possibility of using quality cost accounting to plan and evaluate continuous improvement processes and make managerial decisions.

This study investigates (1) the effect of quality information on quality performance through process control and (2) the moderating role of shop floor leadership on the relationship between quality information and quality performance in the context of manufacturing plants on a global basis. The moderated mediation analysis with a bootstrapping approach was employed to analyse data for hypotheses testing. The data is from the fourth-round dataset of the High- Performance Manufacturing Project, collected from manufacturing plants worldwide. The results indicate that (1) quality information is positively associated with quality performance through process control, and (2) shop floor leadership (i.e., supervisory interaction facilitation) positively moderates the indirect effect of quality information on quality performance; that is, the shop floor leadership practice strengthens the effect of quality information on quality performance through process control. This study also has a practical implication for top managers who should consider the vital role of leadership practices adopted by shop floor supervisors in implementing total quality management practices and should raise awareness that leadership practices are not only for the ‘C-suite’ but also for shop floor supervisors.

Paper presents the results of quality assessment of speech and music signals transmitted via DAB+ system with the use of Single Frequency Network (SFN). The musical signals were evaluated in overall quality domain. The subjective research was provided with the use of Absolute Category Rating procedure according to the ITU recommendation and the results have been presented as the MOS values for various bit rates. The speech signals were additionally examined with PESQ method. The results have shown that the assumed quality of 4 MOS, for this kind of broadcasting could be achieved at 48 kb/s for speech and 64 kb/s for music. This fact was confirmed by both: subjective and objective research. The comparison between the results obtained for SFN broadcasting with three emitters with singleemitter broadcast was presented.

The quality of coal has been analyzed basing on the data from geological exploration and chemical – geological analyses of coal carried out on the samples obtained from the boreholes and mining pits. The operated coal seams indexed as 382 and 385/2 reveals the changeable morphology due to the thickness of carbon shoals and stent intergrowths. The other parameters, such as the ash content or the calorific value are strongly linked with the non-coal rock interlayers, which presence causes the decrease in the calorific value and increase in the amount of after-burning ash. These parameters are less dependable on the sedimentation environment of the coal formation material. The content of total sulfur in the analyzed seams does not show any link with the values of the parameters analyzed before. The total sulfur is made up from sulphide gathered in coal and sulphates deriving from the decomposition of plants and supplied by deposit waters in different phases of coal seam formation. The obtained results could be useful in the reconnaissance of the prospective seams lying below the currently exploited ones (e.g. 389) and the seams in the neighboring areas.

O b j e c t i v e s: The aim of study was to investigate the association between anxiety, depression, stress and determinants of quality of life among Iranian students.

M e t h o d s: The questionnaires were completed by 275 students. The random sampling was conducted in two phases, the stratified sampling which some classes were selected among different classes of faculty of health and at the second phase, in each class the number of students who had the requirements to enter in the study were selected randomly. the logistic regression to find out the association between demographic characteristics with the quality of life was run and according to the normality status of the distribution of data the parametric or non-parametric tests were used.

R e s u l t s: In the univariable model, the students that were living in their own homes had the odds of 2.18 times more than the others to have a higher quality of life level (95% CI: 1.07–4.45). In the multi variable model the anxiety and stress were significantly related to the quality of life and for increasing each 1 unit in the amount of anxiety and stress the odds of a better quality of life decreases 0.19 and 0.03 respectively. Even after adjusting for other covariates – in the multivariable model – both anxiety and stress were associated with the quality of life.

C o n c l u s i o n: It is useful for the universities to understand different aspects of the students’ lives which are under the influence of stress, anxiety and depression, and also determining the resources from which they are originated.

In this paper, the applications of the multivariate data analysis and optimization on vibration signals from compressors have been tested on the assembly line to identify nonconforming products. The multivariate analysis has wide applicability in the optimization of weather forecasting, agricultural experiments, or, as in this case study, in quality control. The techniques of discriminant analysis and linear program were used to solve the problem. The acceleration and velocity signals used in this work were measured in twenty-five rotating compressors, of which eleven were classified as good baseline compressors and fourteen with manufacturing defects by the specialists in the final acoustic test of the production line. The results obtained with the discriminant analysis separated the conforming and nonconforming groups with a significance level of 0.01, which validated the proposed methodology.

The present work focuses on problems connected with the location and sampling method for pecton (biofilm) in sewage treatment plants. We also discuss the amount and quantity of pecton necessary to compose a representative sample. Comparisons of other selected contamination indicators in place of pecton sampling, are also presented. Research carried out at the WWTP "Hajdow" demonstrated that everything (starting from grid chambers), coming into contact with sewage surfaces is covered with biofilm This biological formation does not cause any significant changes in sewage quality due to its relatively small surface compared to the sewage flux. As presented in the following analysis, pecton can be used for bioindication of sewage quality. This is possible because the organisms forming these communities use substances contained in flowing sewage as nutritional substrates. In such cases the wastewater purification level in biological sewage treatment plants can, in a way similar to rivers, be determined based on bioindication methods using existing similarities between the prevailing processes and organisms.

According to the Nitrate Directive it is necessary to established a protective belt (ecotones) around lakes. Inside these belts, it is forbidden to use fertilize for agricultural purposes. It is believed that it is the most imported measure to protect water quality in the lake. The analysis were conducted to estimate the sources of nitrogen entering the waters of the lake. Some analysis were conducted to estimate the sources of nitrogen entering waters of the lake. It was proved that the biggest load (more than 80%) of contamination is entering the lake with water flowing in streams and ditches. Only 10% of the chemicals are entering the lake with the groundwater filtrating to the lake. It is very important to use a proper methods of agriculture with proper methods of fertilization in the whole area of river basin flowing to the lakes.

The objective of the study was to characterise the quality of surface waters in order to de-termine their vulnerability to pollution by nitrogen compounds from agricultural activity, as well as to specify the areas with increased exposure, where nitrogen runoff from agricultural sources has to be reduced. It was necessary to determine surface waters liable to pollution by these compounds due to the fact that agricultural production should be carried out in the way which limits and prevents water pollution by nitrogen compounds of agricultural origin. The study addressed the following is-sues: the concentration of nitrogen compounds in the surface waters of the Middle Odra Basin, and the extent of eutrophication in flowing inland waters (with nitrogen as the main nutrient). The results have been plotted in figures and gathered in tables.

Permanent grasslands – according to the Water Framework Directive – are typical water related ecosystems so they largely affect water quality, its cycling and balance and therefore deserve protection. They are an element of landscape structure (ecosystem function or service) commonly considered a factor stabilising environmental changes.

Most threats posed to waters in Poland originate from present cropland structure with its definite predominance of arable lands over grasslands. Agriculture should therefore focus on the improvement of land use structure in order to minimise environmental hazards and to guarantee at the same time optimum economic effects. This could be achieved by turning arable lands into grasslands (where justified e.g. on light soils) or at least by maintaining present grassland area (condition in negotiations with the EU) and management that would consider environmental protection.

Increasing the contribution of grasslands to cropland structure or at least maintaining their pre-sent status quo would help to achieve compromise between the goals of farmers and environmental protection. Purposeful utilisation of ecosystem services, particularly those of grasslands, allows to maintain more intensive farming without environmental hazard. Limited should be only such activi-ties whose intensity exceeds regenerative or buffering environmental capacity e.g. on grounds par-ticularly subjected to water pollution or those included into Natura 2000 network.

The present study aimed to assess groundwater quality according to the water quality index (WQI) in Ali Al- Gharbi district of the Maysan Governorate in eastern Iraq. For this purpose, 10 physical parameters such as pH, total hardness ( TH), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), sulphate (SO42–), chloride (Cl–), nitrate (NO3–), and total dissolved solids ( TDSs) were examined since 2019 from 16 different locations (viz. wells). The analysis results indicated that 18.75% of the water samples were of good quality, 56.25% of them had low quality, and 25% of such samples were very poor. The WQI also varied from 69.67 and 297.6. Therefore, prior to water use, there is a dire need for some treatments, as protecting this district from pollution is significant.

The rainfall irregularity in the Al-Hoceima area places the Ghis-Nekor coastal aquifer as a primary resource for water supply. However, it is of paramount priority to adopt management and optimization plans that can mitigate the effects of the irrational use of the resource and the deterioration of its quality in the region of our study. In order to study the alteration aspects of this aquifer, 26 wells were sampled and their suitability for irrigation was assessed. The sodium adsorption rate (SAR) values indicate that most groundwater samples fall into the risk classes of high salinity and low sodium (C3-S1) and high salinity and medium sodium (C3-S2). The results also show a medium to high alkalinity risk due to the high concentration of HCO3–. The excess of salts is largely due to the intensive exploitation of groundwater and to the phenomenon of salt-water intrusion into the coastal karst aquifer. As a result, the quality of groundwater is not adapted to sustainable agricultural production and soil balance, which requires controlled monitoring to ensure its rational use with a view to the sustainable development of the region.

In individual dogs, despite good quality of raw sperm, some parameters are significantly changed after thawing, which cannot be predicted. We therefore investigated whether motility parameters objectively obtained by CASA, membrane integrity (MI), cell morphology or a combination are suitable to improve the prediction of bad post-thaw quality. For this purpose 250 sperm analysis protocols from 141 healthy stud dogs, all patients introduced for sperm cryopreservation, were evaluated and a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) -analysis performed. The sperm was routinely collected, analysed, and frozen by using a modified Uppsala system. After thawing, data were routinely examined by using CASA, fluorescent microscopy for membrane integrity (MI) and Hancock’s fixation for evaluation of cell morphology. Samples were sorted by post-thaw progressive motility (P) in good (P > / = 50%, n=135) and bad freezers (P<50%, n=115). Among bad freezers, 73.9% showed in addition post-thaw total morphological abberations of >40% and/or MI <50%.

Bad freezers were significantly older than good freezers (p<0.05). Progressive motility (P), velocity curvilinear (VCL), mean coefficient (STR), and linear coefficient (LIN) were potential predictors for post-thaw sperm quality since specifity was best (85.8%) and sensitivity (75.4 %) and accuracy (80.4 %) good. For these objectively measured raw sperm parameters, cut-off values were calculated allowing prediction of bad post-thaw results with high accuracy: P = 83.1 % VCL = 161.3 µm/sec, STR = 0.83 %, and LIN = 0.48 %. Raw sperm samples with values below these cut off values will have below average post-thaw quality with a probability of 85.8%. We conclude that VCL, P, STR and LIN are potential predictors of the outcome of sperm cryopreservation, when combined.

This study analyzed the internal and external quality traits of eggs derived from hens of different breeds, including Silkie, Sultan, Cochin Bantam, Brahma and White Leghorn. The highest mean weight was noted for eggs originating from the White Leghorns breed, and the lowest was for eggs from the Cochin Bantams. Simultaneously, both a positive correlation between the egg weight and the percentage of albumen (r = 0.876) and a negative correlation between egg weight and the percentage of yolk (r = - 0.842) were found. The eggshell composition varied significantly in mean phosphorus amount, whereas the calcium content did not differ significantly. Despite this, eggshell strength varied significantly between breeds. Regarding cholesterol and fatty acid levels, the highest amount of cholesterol was noted in the Cochin Bantam breed, and the lowest was in the White Leghorn, although Leghorn was the breed characterized by the highest saturated fatty acid levels, and Cochin Bantam was the lowest. Regarding the polyunsaturated fatty acids (which have been proven to positively influence the cardiovascular system), the highest levels were obtained by Leghorn eggs, and the lowest were obtained by Silkie eggs. In conclusion, the study indicates that ornamental chicken breeds are a source of high-quality products, which could be attractive to consumers, additionally supporting traditional farming and animal genetic resources.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of betaine (Bet) and protected calcium butyrate (PCB) supplementation individually and together on the performance, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, and meat quality of growing Japanese quails ( Coturnix coturnix Japonica) from 1 to 42 days old. 144 one-day-old unsexed Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with six replicates each. All birds were fed a maize-soybean meal diet for 42 days. The control group received no feed additives, while the treatment groups received 1.2 g/kg Bet, 1.0 g/kg PCB, or a combination of both in their diets. The results indicated that Bet and PCB supplementation individually and together did not differ performance, relative weights of heart, gizzard, proventriculus, bursa of Fabricius and pancreas, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), blood biochemical values except for glucose and triglyceride. Bet supplementation significantly increased relative liver weights, while PCB supplementation decreased glucose levels in serum. Moreover, carcass yield was increased and triglyceride value in blood serum, malondialdehyde (MDA), and the pH levels of breast meats both on the 1st and 30st day of post-mortem were decreased in all treatment groups. Therefore, based on these results, the combination of betaine and butyrate improves both carcass yield and meat quality in growing Japanese quails. More research is needed to determine the impact of betaine and butyrate on the structure of amino acids in meat, antioxidant enzyme activity, and the immune system in poultry.

The connection of renewable energy sources with significant nominal power (in the order of MW) to the medium-voltage distribution grid affects the operating conditions of that grid. Due to the increasing number of installed renewable energy sources and the limited transmission capacity of medium-voltage networks, the cooperation of these energy sources is becoming increasingly important. This article presents the results of a six-year study on a 2 MW wind power plant and a 1 MW photovoltaic power plant in the province of Warmia and Mazury, which are located a few kilometers away from each other. In this study, active energy, currents, voltages as well as active, reactive, and apparent power and higher harmonics of currents and voltages were measured. The obtained results show the parameters determining the power quality at different load levels. Long-term analysis of the operation of these power plants in terms of the generated electricity and active power transmitted to the power grid facilitated estimating the repeatability of active energy production and the active power generated in individual months of the year and times of day by a wind power plant and a photovoltaic power plant. It also allowed us to assess the options of cooperation between these energy sources. It is important, not only from a technical but also from an economic point of view, to determine the nominal power of individual power plants connected to the same connection point. Therefore, the cooperation of two such power plants with the same nominal power of 2 MW was analyzed and the economic losses caused by a reduction in electricity production resulting from connection capacity were estimated.