An efficiency of the nonsingular meshless method (MLM) was analyzed in an acoustic indoor problem. The solution was assumed in the form of the series of radial bases functions (RBFs). Three representative kinds of RBF were chosen: the Hardy’s multiquadratic, inverse multiquadratic, Duchon’s functions. The room acoustic field with uniform, impedance walls was considered. To achieve the goal, relationships among physical parameters of the problem and parameters of the approximate solution were first found. Physical parameters constitute the sound absorption coefficient of the boundary and the frequency of acoustic vibrations. In turn, parameters of the solution are the kind of RBFs, the number of elements in the series of the solution and the number and distribution of influence points. Next, it was shown that the approximate acoustic field can be calculated using MLM with a priori error assumed. All approximate results, averaged over representative rectangular section of the room, were calculated and then compared to the corresponding accurate results. This way, it was proved that the MLM, based on RBFs, is efficient method in description of acoustic boundary problems with impedance boundary conditions and in all acoustic frequencies.

This paper presents a new concept of disinfection traditionally applied in water treatment systems. The new definition of this process results from the change in its functionality, aims and methods, which guarantee high quality of water supply. The literature review and technical practice demonstrate a demand for disinfection to act as a functional element of the integrated water distribution system and an active intermediate link between the technology of water treatment and the water distribution network. The presented concept of a disinfection process enables evaluation of water treatment, increases its effectiveness in integrated water treatment systems. Such defined disinfection addresses water conservation and its biological stability within the water supply network. The presented here new concept of disinfection assigns its new role and function in the integrated water distribution system. The controlling and diagnostic function of the disinfection defined in the paper provides a transparent and comprehensive method, with considerable application in experimental design, as well as practical solutions for integrated water distribution systems.

Single Frequency Networks (SFN) of transmitters are currently used in television and digital broadcasting to effectively cover large areas using minimal spectral resources and using transmitters with much lower power than if the same area were covered using one transmitter. It is therefore a very ecological solution. In this way, much better reception conditions are obtained in large city areas, as the signal reaches the receiving antenna from different directions, reducing the risk of shading. However, in this type of network one should take into account the loss of signal caused by signal interference. Using the appropriate propagation model, it is possible, with appropriate assumptions, to check how the operation of the third transmitter affects the distribution and size of the deepest fades in relation to the network in which there are two transmitters.

Prolonged exposure to stress may cause adverse effects on animal physiology. It is especially important during the gestation period as female physiology can affect the unborn offspring in the form of prenatal stress. Intensive pig farming industry developed gestation crates that enable to keep sows during gestation period in small stalls which do not allow animals to move freely for a maximum of 4 weeks after successful insemination (Council Directive 2008/120/EC). Although these crates have production advantages, many health and welfare issues have been raised recently. In this study we tested to what extent the lack of movement of sows kept in the gestation crates had an impact on some blood and saliva constituents of new-born piglets. In total, the samples were collected from 80 piglets when they were 3, 7 and 21 days of age and tested for cortisol levels in blood and saliva, acute phase proteins (amyloid A, C-reactive protein, haptoglobin) and lymphocytes proliferation index (in response to ConA, PHA and PWM). 40 piglets were from sows kept in free movement housing (FM group) from day 1 to day 100 of pregnancy and forty piglets were from sows in the movement restriction group (MR), in which the sows were kept in crates just allowing them to stand up and lie down from day 1 to day 100 of the pregnancy (research was conducted before the implementation Directive 2008/120/EC i.e. January 1,2013). The results of the study showed that the piglets delivered by sows kept under movement restriction conditions exhibited higher cortisol and acute phase protein levels as well as a lower lymphocytes proliferation index. This suggests that lack of movement in sows during the gestation period influences piglets’ physiology and indicates that the piglets are suffering from prenatal stress caused by insufficient housing conditions of their mothers potentially leading to poor health and welfare of their offspring.

Mountain soils derived from massive rocks were studied in the northwestern Wedel Jarlsberg Land. Main soil properties were examined for collected samples. Soils were classified as lithosols with common loamy and silty composition, and small amount of colloidal fraction. Soils were mostly alkaline due to high content of CaCO3. Much more organic substance occurred at westerly- than easterly-exposed hills and located close to a sea. Examined soils contained much soluble forms of Ca, Mg and occasionally Na, little of P and K. Density of plant cover corresponded to contents of organic substance.

The cyanobacteria bloom is one of typical manifestations of eutrophication, yet the effects of heavy metals entering water on cyanobacteria bloom remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of copper and zinc ions on the growth of Microcystic aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) and the production of microcystins (MCs) were investigated. The results showed that a Cu2+ concentration of 0.02 mg/L stimulated the growth of M. aeruginosa, while growth inhibition occurred at a Cu2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L. The maximum value of MC-LR (167.74 μg/L) occurred at a Cu2+ concentration of 0.02 mg/L. In contrast, a Zn2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L stimulated the growth of M. aeruginosa, whereas growth inhibition was observed at a Zn2+ concentration of 0.5 mg/L. The maximum MC-LR value of 130 μg/L appeared under control conditions. Moreover, the production of MC-LR increased as the growth of M. aeruginosa was inhibited with a Cu2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L, whereas the production of MC-LR decreased as the growth of M. aeruginosa was stimulated with a Zn2+ concentration of 0.1 mg/L, compared to their respective controls.

Basing on Polish experience of about 5 years (since the presence of the African swine fever (ASF) in this country, starting from February 17th, 2014) and in accordance with literature the importance of the disease in wild boar is charaterised. ASF belongs to the most dangerous, very contagious diseases occurring in domestic swine and wild boar in Eurasia. In Europe, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Belgium ASF is existing at present and was diagnosed for short time in the frame of the Eurasian pandemy. There is a serious concern of spreading of the virus of ASF (ASFV) to other countries of Europe, not only by wild boar. However the reservoir of ASFV in this animal is playing a very important role in the maintenance of the virus and infection of pigs. Long lasting existence of ASFV in the environmnent is connected with the very high resistance to antiviral environmental factors. Following the lack of an effective immunogenic vaccine against ASF the disease can only be controlled by administrative measures. Additionally the important and recommended procedure is the significant reduction of the wild boar population. Probability of eradication of ASFV from wild boar is increased after adding quick carcass removal simultaneously by respecting biosecurity rules. If effectively implemented, fencing is more useful to delineating zones rather than adding substantially to increased efficiency of ASF control. However, segments of fencing will be particularly usefull in theses areas, where carcasses removal or intensive hunting is difficult to implement.