Social Energy - A New Form of Perceiving Capital in Postmodern Economy

The presented paper deals with the issue of social creation of knowledge in the postmodern economic order. The concept of beneficients as a core idea of this conception in connection with thermodynamic analogy in interdisciplinary problem leads to the materialistic and intellectual dual analysis of sustainable phenomenon of development and creation of knowledge. The paper discusses the possibility of a new way of development of institutional economy in the direction of knowledge economy and the change in an approach to an organisation from the traditional systemic to a cooperating community. The presented considerations are a germ of intellectual infrastructure and supporting the process of structural learning and sustainable development with artificial intelligence. It has been suggested that social energy should be considered as an alternative way of perceiving development.entropy, social complex systems, postmodern economy, econophbysics, multiagent economy

Model of regional management instruments in economy based on innovation and communication

The following paper has been inspired by the main challenges that have been created for the regional development by the process of globalisation. The paper presents an attempt at creating a new model and instruments for regional development management in which regional character of knowledge creation, territorial interdependencies, sustainable development and both democratic and individual decision making processes have been taken into consideration. The problem of emerging notion of regional management and its relation to the knowledge management in the process of regional development has been discussed. The paper presents the concept of regional knowledge creation process as the essential method of description of a region's development and competitiveness. The model of management of an autopoiesis system as an essential method of description of development and knowledge creation in a local community has been presented. The process of knowledge development in a region is assisted by ICT, including the Internet portal and corporate knowledge base. The technique of analyse field and space of choice and its role in the regional process of knowledge creation as the tool serving the process of describing and diagnosing the ability of knowledge creation as well as individual and regional strategies. The description of development changes in a region have been presented in the categories of critical points focusing on the zones of degradation and development. The results obtained with the help of the proposed model of regional development can serve to develop the international standards of risk and critical points of regional management. The fact of using the knowledge management principles for the interpretation of regional processes changes considerably the role of regional development agencies. The introduction of the Internet portal and critical points analysis provides a new way of presenting the knowledge about a region. The solution proposed in the presented paper based on the corporate knowledge data bases creates contextual character of relations and connections between different measured parameters and therefore it unceasingly creates new knowledge in compliance with the spiral upward movement. The introduced indicators analysis serves to describe state of individual components (people, organisations, natural ecosystems) of the region in question, and first of all it determines their development abilities and adaptability to their environment. The territorial structure creates a complex spatial system of interrelations in which local community relates to its environment in the intensive process of communication that determines how the external components are used in the process of regional development. Such instruments as the regional Internet portal, regional communitces of practice, regional staff of knowledge management and leaders of local development become the most important tools of assistance in local development processes. The presented paper provides a coherent model of regional management which is in compliance with "regional standards" assuring predictable character of changes in the region and leading to stable economic development of the whole region.

Kartiranje krških formacija ispod povijesne zgrade u Szydłówu u Poljskoj pomoću georadara

The Mid-Poland Uplands Belt is a vast area characterized by the presence of carbonate and sulphate rocks. In some parts of this region karst forming and developing processes are dynamic in character. The studied area is the terrain around a historic church in a small village of Szydłów. The building is situated on a hill which is formed by Sarmatian detrital limestone undergoing karst processes. At the foot of the hill there is a number of small caves. Characteristic geological structure and land transformations that are present due to the karst processes prompted the authors to conduct a GPR survey. The aim of this study was to verify whether there is a continuation of caves in the area around the monument. An analysis was made to estimate the risk of damaging the historic building due to the ongoing karst processes. The authors obtained good quality results from GPR measurements. The results confirmed the existence of unknown voids and loosening in rock structure. On radargrams, the authors recorded stratum mapping which confirms the existence of gravitational loosening of the rock mass near the cave ceilings and walls. The results prove that the GPR is an appropriate instrument for mapping some of the karst structures and evaluation of the orogen stability.Brdski pojas u srednjoj Poljskoj veliko je područje u kojem prevladavaju karbonatne i sulfatne stijene. U nekim su dijelovima ove procesi okršavanja dinamičkog karaktera. Proučavan je teren oko povijesne crkve u Szydłówu. Građevina se nalazi na brdu koje je formirano procesima karstifikacije klastičnih vapnenaca sarmata. U podnožju brda ima nekoliko malih špilja. Karakteristične geološke strukture i transformacije terena koje su posljedica karstifikacije potaknule su autore da provedu istraživanja georadarom. Cilj je ove studije verificirati postojanje špilja i u prostoru oko spomenika. Napravljena je analiza rizika oštećenja spomenika krškim procesima. Mjerenjima georadarom dobijeni su dobri rezultati koji potvrđuju postojanje do sada nepoznatih šupljina i oslabljenih stijenskih struktura. Prema zabilježenim radarogramima autori su potvrdili da dolazi do gravitacijskig slabljenja stijenske mase u blizini stropa i zidova špilja. Rezultati dokazuju da je georadar prikladan instrument za kartiranje nekih krških struktura i procjenu stabilnosti stijena

The Relationship between Trabecular Bone Structure Modeling Methods and the Elastic Modulus as Calculated by FEM

Trabecular bone cores were collected from the femoral head at the time of surgery (hip arthroplasty). Investigated were 42 specimens, from patients with osteoporosis and coxarthrosis. The cores were scanned used computer microtomography (microCT) system at an isotropic spatial resolution of 36 microns. Image stacks were converted to finite element models via a bone voxel-to-element algorithm. The apparent modulus was calculated based on the assumptions that for the elastic properties, E = 10 MPa and ν = 0.3. The compressive deformation as calculated by finite elements (FE) analysis was 0.8%. The models were coarsened to effectively change the resolution or voxel size (from 72 microns to 288 microns or from 72 microns to 1080 microns). The aim of our study is to determine how an increase in the distance between scans changes the elastic properties as calculated by FE models. We tried to find a border value voxel size at which the module values were possible to calculate. As the voxel size increased, the mean voxel volume increased and the FEA-derived apparent modulus decreased. The slope of voxel size versus modulus relationship correlated with several architectural indices of trabecular bone

Microarchitecture Parameters Describe Bone Structure and Its Strength Better Than BMD

Introduction and Hypothesis. Some papers have shown that bone mineral density (BMD) may not be accurate in predicting fracture risk. Recently microarchitecture parameters have been reported to give information on bone characteristics. The aim of this study was to find out if the values of volume, fractal dimension, and bone mineral density are correlated with bone strength. Methods. Forty-two human bone samples harvested during total hip replacement surgery were cut to cylindrical samples. The geometrical mesh of layers of bone mass obtained from microCT investigation and the volumes of each layer and fractal dimension were calculated. The finite element method was applied to calculate the compression force F causing ε = 0.8% strain. Results. There were stronger correlations for microarchitecture parameters with strength than those for bone mineral density. The values of determination coefficient R2 for mean volume and force were 0.88 and 0.90 for mean fractal dimension and force, while for BMD and force the value was 0.53. The samples with bigger mean bone volume of layers and bigger mean fractal dimension of layers (more complex structure) presented higher strength. Conclusion. The volumetric and fractal dimension parameters better describe bone structure and strength than BMD

Ground Penetrating Radar investigation of limestone karst objects in the Botanical Garden in Kielce

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the most effective and rapid types of geophysical survey methods. The present study was carried out in the Botanical Garden in Kielce, which is currently undergoing a second stage of infrastructure development. This object is located in the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Region, characterized by large scale deformations in the development of karst origins. Those structures threaten existing buildings and can be obstacles to newly constructed ones. Radargrams presented in this paper show significant potential of the GPR method in mapping of karst phenomena. Proper acquisition parameters and optimal processing of raw data resulted in a clear image of the structure of rock mass under the Botanical Garden, along acquired profile lines. Additionally, precise GPS coordinate links and established researchers’ experience of conducting this type of surveys helped in the process of mapping the anomalies in the limestone. Under these conditions, the survey minimized the need for a second method and resulted in high quality data acquisition. The study provided information about underlying rock mass structure development and registered anomalies whose origins include voids or caves of karst genesis. The area studied covers a large part of the Botanical Garden. Described anomalies can be dynamic in origin

Studies on toxicity of selected Oomycetes

The MTT test is used to determine the cytotoxicity of species: Achlya americana, A. caroliniana, Leptomitus lacteus, Saprolegnia ferax and S. lapponica, which occurred in Lake Sitno in the Drawieński National Park (W Poland). It was stated that among five examined species of zoosporic fungi only one of them A. caroliniana, does not show cytotoxic effect. Low and mean toxicity of other tested water FLO, however, combined with the large-scale character of their appearance shows, that they can create serious threat for the spawn, fry, fish as well as the other organisms (including invertebrates) existing in water

Burial crypts in solid rock – a geophysical case study of a small church with a unique polychrome in Szydłów (S Poland)

Lesser Poland (Małopolska) is a historic region of Poland. The presented case study was undertaken in the All Saints’ Church in the town of Szydłów, in which conservation and restoration works were carried out to preserve Gothic wall paintings by identifying and eliminating the causes of their degradation, and these efforts were supported by geophysical surveying. The conducted studies constitute a step not only to determine the age of the construction of the Szydłów temple, but also to improve knowledge of medieval architecture and mural paintings in Lesser Poland. The geophysical research with application of GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) helped to locate previously unknown structures under the temple floor. This survey indicated four, possibly connected, structural objects clearly visible in GPR profiles. Carried out works confirmed that anomalies visible on radargrams mark two crypts. This discovery of the hidden construction elements emphasizes and strengthens the earlier suppositions of the unique character of this temple

The influence of tin ions on growth and enzymatic activity of entomopathogenic fungi

In this in vitro study, the influence of tin ions at concentrations of 1–1,000 ppm on the development and enzymatic activity of four entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Isaria fumosorosea, and Metarhizium robertsii), that are commonly used in biological plant protection, are examined. Each of the fungal species tested reacted differently to contact with the Sn2+ ions at the tested concentrations. Exposure to Sn2+ ions affected the rate of development, morphology, and enzymatic activity of fungi. Of the four fungal species studied, M. robertsii was the most resistant and showed complete growth inhibition at the highest Sn2+ concentration tested (1,000 ppm). For the other entomopathogenic fungi, the fungicidal effect of Sn2+ ions was noted at the concentration of 750 ppm. Exposure to Sn2+ ions (up to 500 ppm) resulted in enhanced biochemical activity; and all entomopathogens that were tested showed increased production of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) as well as several proteases. Moreover, B. brongniartii and M. roberstii showed increased lipases synthesis. These changes may increase the pathogenicity of the fungi, thereby making them more effective in limiting the population of pest insects. The exposure of the entomopathogenic fungi to a medium containing Sn2+ ions, at concentrations that were appropriate for each species, induced hyperproduction of hydrolases, which might be involved in aiding the survival of entomopathogenic fungi in the presence of heavy metals. This study shows that the fungistatic effect of Sn2+ on entomopathogenic fungi did not restrict their pathogenicity, as evidenced by the stimulation of the production of enzymes that are involved in the infection of insects

Risk factors of atrial fibrillation recurrence despite successful radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathway: At 11 years of follow-up

Background: Previous reports on patients with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of accessorypathway (AP) and atrial fibrillation (AF) include only short follow-up periods. The aim of this studywas to analyze predictors of recurrence of AF in patients after successful RFCA of APs over long termfollow-up periods.Methods: Of the 1,007 patients who underwent non-pharmacological treatment of APs (between theyears 1993–2008), data of 100 consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed (75 men, mean age43.6 ± 14.7), with the longest period of follow-up (mean 11.3 ± 3.5 years) after successful RFCA ofAP. In Group 1, there were 72 patients (54 men, mean age 40.66 ± 13.85 years) without documentedepisodes of AF after RFCA of AP. Group 2 consisted of 28 patients (21 men, mean age 50.79 ± 14.49years) with AF episodes despite successful elimination of AP.Results: In univariate analysis, patients from Group 1 were significantly younger at the time of ablationthan patients from Group 2 (40.66 ± 13.85 vs. 50.79 ± 14.49 years; p = 0.002), had shorter historyof AF episodes (4.11 ± 4.07 vs. 8.25 ± 7.50 years; p = 0.024) and had less frequently documentedatrial tachycardia (AT) prior to ablation (3.39 vs. 20.00%; p = 0.022). In multivariate analysis, thehistory of AF in years (p = 0.043), was an independent risk factor for AF recurrences.Conclusions: Older patient age, longer history of AF and AT prior to RFCA of APs identified a subgroupof patients who required additional treatment. In the multivariate analysis, the history of AF inyears (p = 0.043) was a risk factor for AF recurrence