Unfulfilled Promise: Electrification and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad

During the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century electricity made inroads into American life. Industry used electricity to power machines. Homemakers utilized electric appliances such as irons and washing machines to perform household chores. Electric lighting was used in homes, factories, railroad stations, advertising, and on city streets. The promise of electricity transformed everyday life. Electricity also held the promise of making it easier to transport freight and passengers on steam railroads. Despite electricity\u27s superiority to steam, a few railroads decided to electrify because it was necessary. Only one railroad, the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul, electrified a major portion of its lines for economic reasons

A Diagnosis of Russia’s Military Capability in a Situation of an Escalation of Hostility in Ukraine and Possible Implications for the Safety of the Eastern NATO Flank

The paper presents the results of research, whose main goal is to evaluate the aviation and rocket capability of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and Ukraine in terms of a possible launch of regular warfare. The authors primarily focus on changes in the military doctrine of the Russian Federation, which have created legal determinants of the use of armed forces outside the country’s territory in defense of national minorities, illustrated by taking control of Crimea. The authors also stress Russia’s military plans, including the development directions of the potential of armed forces as well as a possible threat to the security of the eastern NATO’s flank in the event of a conflict in Ukraine. In this respect, the capabilities of the air defense of countries on the eastern NATO flank, particularly Poland’s capability, were analyzed.The paper presents the results of research, whose main goal is to evaluate the aviation and rocket capability of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and Ukraine in terms of a possible launch of regular warfare. The authors primarily focus on changes in the military doctrine of the Russian Federation, which have created legal determinants of the use of armed forces outside the country’s territory in defense of national minorities, illustrated by taking control of Crimea. The authors also stress Russia’s military plans, including the development directions of the potential of armed forces as well as a possible threat to the security of the eastern NATO’s flank in the event of a conflict in Ukraine. In this respect, the capabilities of the air defense of countries on the eastern NATO flank, particularly Poland’s capability, were analyzed

European Insurance Markets in Face of Financial Crisis: Application of Learning Curve Concept as a Tool of Insurance Products Innovation – Discussion

The paper aims to present the results of an assessment of development of insurance sector in chosen European countries like Poland, UK, Germany and France over the financial crisis especially from product's innovation point of view. The comparison between the level of taxonomic measures in two points in time let the Authors to write main conclusion that insurance markets have been not so innovative in chosen countries. The level of innovations have been especially law in terms of insurance offer (Products). The first part of the paper ends with a short description of so called new risks that impose a level of innovations within an insurance sector. The second part contains a discussion about possibility of using learning curve concept for the process of insurance product innovation especially products “without claims historyâ€

Review of Counter-Terrorism Systems during Summer Olympic Games in the 21st Century

The research results presented in the article pertain to the organization of security systems by the host countries during the Summer Olympic Games in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), London (2012), and Rio de Janeiro (2016). The central part of the considerations focuses on the complex issue of searching for methods and tools to effectively protect participants of such large mass sports events, not only against terrorists. Taking into account the identified problem situation, it was agreed that the aim of the article will be to characterize the security methods and tools employed by the organizers of the Summer Olympic Games. The research was conducted with the use of selected theoretical scientific methods, including analysis, synthesis, comparison, analogy, generalization, and inference. These methods were applied in a structured way to a research process that focused on case studies of selected Summer Olympic Games that were considered representative samples. The results of the carried out research clearly indicate a high complexity of the security systems created for the needs of the Olympic Games. In every analyzed case, the need occurred to integrate state institutions and international organizations, including various agencies dealing with security issues, including terrorism. Additionally, based on the obtained results, it was also determined that properly forecasting threats is crucial in ensuring the safety of participants in the Olympic Games. It should be further emphasized that in each analyzed case study, the organizers of these large sports events fulfilled their role as hosts very well. They should, therefore, be recognized as a good example for other countries that will apply for organizing this type of mass sports events in the future. They must also be aware that each sporting event of this type requires a significant organizational and financial effort and that the threats are not limited to terrorism but can be posed by various external and internal factors. This article is one of the first attempts to assess the justification of implementing various methods and tools to the security systems of mass international sporting events through the prism of their effectiveness. In addition, the proposed solutions, including the threat forecasting methodology, may be useful to both practitioners and theoreticians in creating more effective solutions in the field of national and international security.The research results presented in this article refer to the organization of security systems by the host countries during the Summer Olympics in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016). The main part of the considerations in this article focuses on the complex issues related to the proper protection of mass sports events of this type against terrorist attacks. Taking this research approach, the authors characterize and evaluate the safety systems prepared by the organizers of the listed Summer Olympics. The case studies presented in the article include, first of all, the characteristics of the security systems of the Olympic Games through the prism of their organization and the intensity of the means used to protect against terrorism on land, water and in the air. The role and importance of international cooperation during the preparation of security systems for this type of international sports events was also highlighted

Innovations in Risk Management as Exemplified by the Polish Insurance Market

The era of knowledge based economy, which the world is dynamically entering, reveals many new factors and necessities which a modern company needs to consider and cope with if it wishes to stay on in business. The innovativeness of business activity, in a broad meaning of the word, is an area of significant factors. Holistically, one may ask about the borders of innovation applied in business. Are they determined by: the actual needs of end consumers and as a consequence the needs of companies participating in the chain of value delivered to these customers or primarily the actual needs to earn on corporate investments on the customer value chain?This paper analyses the problem of management of innovation programmes and projects introduced by companies from the microeconomic perspective. Its main aim is to show a new approach to innovation cost management and the innovation activity of the insurance sector in Poland. The paper consists of two sections. The first one describes innovation cost management. Innovative companies should be supported by the insurance sector. They should also apply knowledge and appropriately analyse and allocate costs within the algorithms of behaviour compliant with the risk management. The second section analyses the Polish insurance sector with the Multivariate Statistical Analysis. The paper ends with the conclusions with regard to the insurance sector. The examination of the sector shows that the insurance market in Poland in the analysed period was not innovative and it did not create innovation supporting services (and it is where the insurance risk appears due to the financial aspects of innovation)

Niewydolność serca — niekorzystne rokowanie u pacjenta ze współistnieniem wielu chorób

Niewydolność serca (HF) jest poważnym problemem współczesnej kardiologii ze względu na częstość występowania (w Polsce ok. 750 tys.) przy jednoczesnym krótkim czasie przeżycia (tylko ok. 50% pacjentów przeżywa 4 lata od rozpoznania). Przedstawiony przypadek kliniczny dotyczy pacjenta z HF obciążonego wieloma chorobami współistniejącymi, które znacząco utrudniają określenie rokowania. Ocena kliniczna jest kluczowa w ustaleniu właściwego postępowania i podjęciu ewentualnej decyzji o wdrożeniu leczenia paliatywnego. W opisywanym przypadku mimo optymalnej farmakoterapii HF stan pacjenta w ciągu 2 miesięcy znacząco się pogorszył — do tego stopnia, że trzeba było wdrożyć leczenie charakterystyczne dla schyłkowego okresu życia. Takie postępowanie znajduje potwierdzenie w aktualnych doniesieniach naukowych sugerujących stosowanie leczenia paliatywnego już na wcześniejszych etapach zaawansowania HF, a w szczególności gdy współistnieją ciężkie choroby towarzyszące

Niewydolność serca — niekorzystne rokowanie u pacjenta ze współistnieniem wielu chorób

Due to its incidence (approx. 750,000 patients in Poland) and simultaneous short survival time (only approx. 50% of patients survive 4 years after the diagnosis), heart failure (HF) poses a serious problem in contemporary cardiology. The clinical case presented below concerns a HF patient with multiple comorbidities which make prognosis significantly more difficult. Clinical assessment is of key importance with regard to the determination of treatment and the decision to implement palliative care. Despite the administration of optimal pharmacological treatment of HF, the condition of the patient in question deteriorated significantly within two months — to such extent that treatment characteristic of the end-of-life period had to be implemented. Such procedure is supported by the current scientific reports suggesting the implementation of palliative treatment already at earlier stages of HF advancement, particularly in patients with severe comorbidities.Niewydolność serca (HF) jest poważnym problemem współczesnej kardiologii ze względu na częstość występowania (w Polsce ok. 750 tys.) przy jednoczesnym krótkim czasie przeżycia (tylko ok. 50% pacjentów przeżywa 4 lata od rozpoznania). Przedstawiony przypadek kliniczny dotyczy pacjenta z HF obciążonego wieloma chorobami współistniejącymi, które znacząco utrudniają określenie rokowania. Ocena kliniczna jest kluczowa w ustaleniu właściwego postępowania i podjęciu ewentualnej decyzji o wdrożeniu leczenia paliatywnego. W opisywanym przypadku mimo optymalnej farmakoterapii HF stan pacjenta w ciągu 2 miesięcy znacząco się pogorszył — do tego stopnia, że trzeba było wdrożyć leczenie charakterystyczne dla schyłkowego okresu życia. Takie postępowanie znajduje potwierdzenie w aktualnych doniesieniach naukowych sugerujących stosowanie leczenia paliatywnego już na wcześniejszych etapach zaawansowania HF, a w szczególności gdy współistnieją ciężkie choroby towarzyszące

The impact of postglacial palaeoenvironmental changes on the properties of sediments in the ket tle hole at Jurki (NE Poland)

This research is focused on a small kettle hole located within the Morąg moraines (Iława Lake District, NE Poland). The study objective was to determine the impact of palaeoenvironmental changes on properties of sediments filling the bot tom of the kettle hole. Sedimentological, geochemical, and palaeobotanical studies enabled us to distinguish several development phases of the kettle hole, and cluster analysis performed on physicochemical data yielded seven local geochemical zones (JuI/I to JuI/VII). The beginning of biogenic sedimentation in the conditions of a small water body, functioning in the Late Glacial period (4.20–4.10 m), was determined on the basis of palaeobotanical research. Sediments deposited in the lake during its further evolution were rich in microelements such as Ca, Na, Mg, and K, and to a smaller extent – Fe and Mn (JuI/I–III local geochemical zones). The Late Glacial lacustrine period ended with the accumulation of very silty, pollen-free gyttja, with a stratigraphic hiatus (JuI/IV, 3.40–3.20 m). The sediments were enriched with SiO2ter, which indicates an increased rate of slope erosion, and concretions of Fe-Mn occurring below this layer (JuIII) provide evidence for lowering of the water level and even desiccation. In the Holocene, the lacustrine period ended with the accumulation of coarse detrital gyttja (3.20–2.60 m). Palaeobotanical data indicate that the next group of sediments were deposited in the Late Subboreal and Subatlantic periods (2.60–0.0 cm, JuI/V–VII; sedge peat). Their properties were varied and related to hydrologic conditions, limited denudation, and vegetation succession. There was also a significant change in the trophic conditions of the water and consequently in the sediments of the kettle hole, which changed during the lacustrine period from basic to acid, and strongly acid in the surface layer. This reaction may be related to a change in the water regime as well as to hu man impact in the environment, which led to the colonization of the peat bog by Sphagnum moss