Leasing, który owocuje

W ciągu ostatnich kilku lat zdążyliśmy się przyzwyczaić do dynamicznego wzrostu w branży leasingu urządzeń medycznych. W latach 2005-2006 wzrost w tej branży (w stosunku do roku ubiegłego), jeżeli chodzi o wartość zawieranych umów leasingu, wyniósł 60%, natomiast w latach 2007-2008 już tylko połowę tej wartości, tj. po 30%. Jeżeli chodzi natomiast o liczbę zawieranych transakcji, wzrosty te są dużo niższe, co oznacza, że firmy działające w sektorze medycznym inwestują w coraz lepszy i droższy sprzęt

Scories métallurgiques du cuivre : minéralogie, processus d'altération biologique et biolixiviation des métaux

Problem statement: Copper pyrometallurgical slags are inevitable waste by-products of Cu smelting operations. These waste are considered to be important due to their production volume and high residual metal content that are inefficiently recovered during industrial process. Due to the lack of sustainable practices in the past, tremendous volumes of Cu-slags have been disposed in many industrial districts, regardless of the weathering and associated environmental risk. Consequently, there are many areas where slags have been proven to be a source of metallic pollution for the surrounding environment. At the present time, the outstanding contradiction between the sustainable development and environmental pollution encourages to undertake the action regarding this aspect. For this reason, slags are currently being used as supplementary materials for civil engineering purposes (e.g. cement and concrete additives, road bed filling materials, hydraulic construction materials) rather than disposed. Additionally, modern-day management strategies require slags to be thoroughly evaluated with respect to their environmental stability prior undertaking any reuse action. Main objectives were to evaluate environmental stability of Cu-metallurgical slags resulting from different periods of industrial activities and different smelting technologies. Those included: historical crystalline slag (HS) as well as modern: shaft furnace slag (SFS), granulated slag (GS) and lead slag (LS). Different approaches undertaken in this PhD work considered: i) chemical and mineral phase compositions of slags, ii) leaching susceptibility of slags under exposure to different pH-stat conditions, iii) slags weathering under exposure to organic acids commonly found in soil environment, iv) bacterially (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) mediated weathering of slags and v) future application of studied slags for metal recovery by implementing the bioleaching method. Crucial results: The results of the pH-dependent leaching tests showed a higher metal release in strong acidic conditions (pH 2 and 4), whereas leachability at alkaline conditions (pH 10.5) revealed a lower importance for all the slags analyzed. The study considering soil weathering scenario demonstrated that Cu-slags are susceptible to dissolution in the presence of artificial root exudates (ARE), humic (HA) and fulvic acids (FA), whereby ARE were found to have stronger contribution than HA and FA. According to data collected, the different behavior of individual slags is strictly related to their characteristics (chemical and phase composition) reflecting various susceptibilities to dissolution under the investigated conditions. The study considering bio-weathering scenario revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa considerably enhances the release of major (Si and Fe) and metallic (Cu, Zn, Pb) elements compared to the effects of abiotic factors, regardless of the slags chemistry and structure. Furthermore, a high gain (up to 90%) of metals (Cu, Zn, Fe) could be credited to bioleaching with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans under laboratory conditions. General conclusions: The environmental stability of slags depends on both, their bulk chemistry and mineralogy. However, mineral phases harbouring the metals are the key players in metal leachability intensity. For, this reason consideration of individual slags behaviour is important for preventing environmental contamination and should be regarded as priority branch of sustainable slag management. Optimization of operating parameters for bioleaching following development of industrial scale technology is an incentive scheme for future management of Cu-metallurgical slagsLes principaux objectifs étaient d'évaluer la stabilité de l'environnement des scories métallurgiques de Cu résultant de différentes périodes d'activités industrielles et de différentes technologies de fusion. Parmi les scories étudiées, on retrouve: les scories historiques cristallines (SH) ainsi que modernes: les scories de four vertical (SFS), les scories granulées (GS) et les scories de plomb (LS). Les différentes approches adoptées dans ce travail de thèse ont tenu compte de: i) la composition chimique et la phase minérale des scories, ii) la sensibilité à la lixiviation des scories sous l’exposition à différentes conditions de pH en mode statique, iii) l’altération des scories sous exposition aux acides organiques couramment trouvés dans l'environnement du sol, iv ) la bio-altération des scories par les bactéries (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) et v) l’application future de la récupération des métaux provenant des scories étudiées en mettant en œuvre la méthode de lixiviation biologique. Résultats cruciaux: Les résultats des tests de lixiviation dépendant du pH ont montré une libération de métal plus élevée dans des conditions fortement acides (pH 2 et 4), alors que la lixiviation dans des conditions alcalines (pH 10.5) était moins importante pour toutes les scories analysées. L'effet de l’altération par le sol a été démontré, la dissolution des scories est notamment sensible à la présence d'exsudats racinaires artificiels (ARE), d’acides humiques (HA) et d’acides fulviques (FA), la contribution des ARE étant la plus forte. Selon les données recueillies, la dissolution relative des scories est strictement liée à leurs caractéristiques (composition chimique et minéralogique) en fonction des différentes conditions étudiées. L'étude concernant l’effet de l’altération biologique a révélé que Pseudomonas aeruginosa améliore considérablement la libération des éléments majeurs (Si et Fe) et métalliques (Cu, Zn, Pb) par rapport aux effets des facteurs abiotiques, indépendamment de la chimie et de la structure des scories. En outre, une récupération élevée (jusqu'à 90%) des métaux (Cu, Zn, Fe) pourrait être obtenue grâce à la lixiviation avec Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans dans des conditions de laboratoire. Conclusions générales : La stabilité des scories dans l'environnement dépend à la fois des caractéristiques chimiques et de la minéralogie. Cependant, les phases minérales hébergeant les métaux sont les facteurs les plus déterminants concernant l'intensité de la lixiviation des métaux. Pour cette raison, l'examen individuel du comportement des scories est important pour empêcher la contamination de l'environnement et devrait être considéré comme une priorité pour la gestion durable des scories. L’optimisation des paramètres de fonctionnement pour le biolessivage et le développement de la technologie à l'échelle industrielle pourrait permettre une bien meilleure gestion (voir l’exploitation) des scories métallurgiques de C

Referendum on the dismissal of a village mayor

Celem mojej pracy jest przedstawienie procedury przeprowadzania referendum w sprawie odwołania wójta, burmistrza, prezydenta miasta. Moje opracowanie składa się z sześciu rozdziałów.Swoją pracę rozpoczynam od krótkiej historii instytucji referendum oraz przedstawienia go, jako pojęcia prawnego i prawniczego.Następnie ukazuję referendum, jako najwyższą władzę w gminie oraz przybliżam status mieszkańców, jako wspólnoty samorządowej. Dalej piszę o instytucji wójta, jego statusie, zadaniach i kompetencjach. Później przedstawiam relacje pomiędzy organami (stanowiącym i wykonawczym) w gminie oraz opisuję procedurę organizacji i przeprowadzania poszczególnych etapów referendum na wniosek rady gminy, a także na wniosek mieszkańców.Moją pracę kończy rozdział poświęcony krótkiemu podsumowaniu oraz wnioskom na temat skuteczności referendum, jako formy demokracji bezpośredniej.The aim of this MA thesis is illustration of the procedures for holding a referendum on the dismissal of a village mayor, a town mayor and a city mayor. This work consists of six chapters.In the beginning of this dissertation, I provide a historical background of the institution of referendum and show this phenomenon as a legal and juridical notion. Afterwards, I present referendum as a form of the highest power in a borough and describe the status of inhabitants as a self-governing community. Then, I write about the institution of village mayor explaining his status, province and duties. Furthermore, I elucidate relations between the legislative and executive organs in a borough and give a detail description of the procedures for planning and holding the particular stages of a referendum held on the motion of a borough council as well as on the motion of inhabitants.The last chapter of this thesis includes a brief summary and conclusions on the effectiveness of referendum as a form of direct democracy

Prospective (Bio)leaching of Historical Copper Slags as an Alternative to Their Disposal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of (bio)hydrometallurgical methods for metal extraction from historical copper slags. Two types of slags (amorphous slag—AS, and crystalline slag—CS) were subjected to 24 to 48 h of leaching with: (i) Sulfuric acid at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 M concentrations at 1%, 5%, and 10% pulp densities (PDs); and (ii) normality equivalent (2 N) acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, citric, and oxalic) at pulp densities ranging from 1% to 2%. Bioleaching experiments were performed within 21 days with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans accompanied by an abiotic control (sterile growth medium). The results demonstrated that the most efficient treatment for amorphous and crystalline slag was bioleaching at 1% PD over 21 days, which led to extraction of Cu at rates of 98.7% and 52.1% for AS and CS, respectively. Among the chemical agents, hydrochloric acid was the most efficient and enabled 30.5% of Cu to be extracted from CS (1% PD, 48 h) and 98.8% of Cu to be extracted from AS (1% PD, 24 h). Slag residues after leaching were characterized by strong alteration features demonstrated by the complete dissolution of fayalite in the case of CS and the transformation of AS to amorphous silica and secondary gypsum. Based on this study, we conclude that amorphous slag is a more suitable candidate for potential metal recovery because of its generally high susceptibility to leaching and due to the generation of residue significantly depleted in metals as the end product. The inventory of economically relevant metals showed that 1 ton of historical copper slag contains metals valued at $47 and$135 for crystalline and amorphous slag, respectively, suggesting that secondary processing of such materials can potentially be both economically and environmentally viable

Dark Triad of Personality and Relationship Satisfaction - based on study of students' cohabiting couples.

The research presented in this work focused on relations between relationship satisfaction in cohabiting couples and partners’ personality, known as the Dark triad (Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy – Sensation Seeking). 31 students’ couples from Cracow (31 women and 31 men) took part in the research. Their average age was 24 and relationships had usually lasted for 2,5 year. 4 questionnaires (NPI, MACH – IV, SSS – IV, KKM) and author’s survey were used in the research. After statistical analysis, 5 hypothesis had been verified. Features connected with the Dark triad were middle or weakly, but significantly correlated. Machiavellianism and Sensation Seeking were connected with relationship satisfaction, but Narcissism was not. Men tended to score higher in: Tactic, Tas, Partner’s depreciative behavior and lower in Depreciation. Their manipulations were more effective and they more frequently engage in dangerous activities then women. Correlations between the Dark triad and components of KKM were not clear. Partners, who had high level of Tactic were less supportive, those, who had high Tas and G – general score of SSS – IV – less engaged in the relationship. Narcissistic people had a tendency to depreciate others. On the other hand, some scales of the Dark triad correlated positively with relationship satisfaction: Bs (highly emotionally engaged), Independency (help in problems solving) and I – need for intellectual stimulation (support and commitment – on both sides – person and his/her partner). Relationship duration (1 to 7 years) was not connected with relationship satisfaction, but maybe if more couples with longer relationship duration had been investigated, differences would have been significant.Zagadnieniem rozpatrywanym w niniejszej pracy jest związek pomiędzy poczuciem jakości relacji partnerskiej a osobowością studentów, którzy relację tę tworzą. Dokładniej przyjrzałam się trzem cechom osobowości – Narcyzmowi, Makiawelizmowi oraz Psychopatii (Poszukiwaniu wrażeń), nazwanych Czarną triadą osobowości. W badaniu wzięło udział 31 par (31 mężczyzn i 31 kobiet) – kohabitujących studentów z Krakowa. Przeciętny wiek badanych wynosił 24 lata, a staż w związku 2,5 roku. Wykorzystane narzędzia badawcze obejmowały 4 kwestionariusze: NPI, MACH – IV, SSS – IV i KKM oraz ankietę stworzoną przez autorkę pracy. Po dokonaniu analizy zebranych danych zweryfikowano pięć postawionych hipotez. Cechy z Czarnej triady okazały się być ze sobą umiarkowanie lub słabo, ale istotnie powiązane. Z poczucie satysfakcji z relacji wiążą się Makiawelizm i Poszukiwanie wrażeń¸ natomiast poziom Narcyzmu nie różnicuje badanych pod względem tej zmiennej. Mężczyźni osiągają przeciętnie wyższe wyniki niż kobiety na skalach: Taktyka, Tas, Deprecjacja ze strony partnera, a niższe w skali Deprecjacji. Potrafią skuteczniej dobierać strategie manipulacyjne, częściej angażują się w zachowania dostarczające dużej dawki emocji (np. sporty ekstremalne). Kobiety częściej zachowują się agresywnie wobec partnerów i kontrolują ich. Niejednoznaczne okazały się związki cech Czarnej triady z poszczególnymi komponentami KKM. Negatywnie na jakość związku wpływają działania badanych, którzy osiągali wysokie wyniki w skalach: Taktyka (są mniej wspierający), Tas i G – skala ogólna Poszukiwania wrażeń (mniej zaangażowani w związek) oraz Narcyzm – wynik ogólny (większa deprecjacja partnera). Z drugiej strony pozytywnie korelują z Satysfakcją ze związku następujące wysokie wyniki: Bs (duże zaangażowanie emocjonalne), Samowystarczalność (wsparcie zorientowane na rozwiązywanie problemów) oraz I – zapotrzebowanie na stymulację intelektualną (wsparcie i zaangażowanie w związek – zarówno po stronie badanych, jak i ich partnerów). Ponadto, osoby łatwo wpadające w nudę (Bs) są bardziej narażone na doświadczenie deprecjacji ze strony partnera/partnerki, zaś poszukiwacze stymulacji intelektualnej (I) – mniej. Długość stażu w związku (1 – 7 lat) nie różnicowała par pod względem jakości relacji, choć być może przy zbadaniu par o znaczniej dłuższym stażu takie różnice miałyby miejsce

(Bio)dissolution of Glassy and Diopside-Bearing Metallurgical Slags: Experimental and Economic Aspects

Dissolution of diopside-bearing slag and its amorphous counterpart was investigated to decipher recovery potential of these slags. The contribution of direct slag phase dissolution was investigated using a biotic solution with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans versus sterile growth medium, whereas citric acid was applied to demonstrate slags dissolution in organic medium. Potential metal donor slag phases and easily released elements were identified by comparing theoretical and experimental dissolution ratios. It was shown that K and Na were the most mobile elements leaching from glassy and diopside slag (up to 99%). Recovery targeted metals were released in the quantities of 56% (Cu)–96% (Zn) from glassy slag and 27% (Cu)–98% (Zn) from diopside slag. Results demonstrated that studied slags are good candidates for Zn recovery during short-term treatment, whereas extension of time would be required for efficient Cu extraction. Abiotic growth medium had little effect on metal leaching (up to 53% versus only 3% for the glassy and diopside slags, respectively). Glassy slag revealed greater susceptibility to dissolution as compared to diopside slag. Further studies improving recovery conditions are expected to improve environmental soundness of proposed treatments and to generate residues depleted in toxic elements. This study highlights the importance of evaluation of individual slags in terms of metal and major elements leachability

(Bio)dissolution of Glassy and Diopside-Bearing Metallurgical Slags: Experimental and Economic Aspects

Dissolution of diopside-bearing slag and its amorphous counterpart was investigated to decipher recovery potential of these slags. The contribution of direct slag phase dissolution was investigated using a biotic solution with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans versus sterile growth medium, whereas citric acid was applied to demonstrate slags dissolution in organic medium. Potential metal donor slag phases and easily released elements were identified by comparing theoretical and experimental dissolution ratios. It was shown that K and Na were the most mobile elements leaching from glassy and diopside slag (up to 99%). Recovery targeted metals were released in the quantities of 56% (Cu)–96% (Zn) from glassy slag and 27% (Cu)–98% (Zn) from diopside slag. Results demonstrated that studied slags are good candidates for Zn recovery during short-term treatment, whereas extension of time would be required for efficient Cu extraction. Abiotic growth medium had little effect on metal leaching (up to 53% versus only 3% for the glassy and diopside slags, respectively). Glassy slag revealed greater susceptibility to dissolution as compared to diopside slag. Further studies improving recovery conditions are expected to improve environmental soundness of proposed treatments and to generate residues depleted in toxic elements. This study highlights the importance of evaluation of individual slags in terms of metal and major elements leachability

Bioleaching and toxicity of metallurgical wastes

Metallurgical wastes contain metals that are unrecovered during industrial processing. The disposal of these wastes is technically difficult due to the potential release of metals through weathering. Therefore, alternative management methods are currently sought. The high leaching susceptibility of these wastes combined with the need for alternative sources of rare and critical metals creates a need for residual element recovery. This study evaluated the leaching potential of lead matte and copper slag through chemical mineral acid leaching as well as indirect bioleaching with organic acids and direct bioleaching using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The leaching efficiency of these acids was compared based on different normality equivalents. Additionally, the effects of pulp density (1-10%) and extraction time (24-48 h) were assessed. Slag toxicity was assessed with a germination test in concentrated and diluted leachates using Brassica juncea. The results demonstrated that copper slag is particularly suitable for chemical treatment because as much as 91 wt.% Cu and 85 wt.% Zn or 70 wt.% Cu and 81 wt.% Zn were extracted using HNO3 or bacterial leaching, respectively. The residual slag was characterized by significant metal depletion and the presence of gypsum, rendering it more suitable for further use or disposal. Lead matte released 65 wt.% Cu and 8 wt.% Zn using mineral acid leaching while 70 wt.% Cu and 12 wt.% Zn were released using bacterial leaching. Further process optimization is needed for lead matte to generate residue depletion in toxic metals. Toxicity assessment showed toxic characteristics in metal-loaded leachates originating from waste treatment that inhibited germination rates and root development.</p

Populus nigra Italica Leaves as a Valuable Tool for Mineralogical and Geochemical Interpretation of Inorganic Atmospheric Aerosols’ Genesis

The Olmaliq industrial area in Uzbekistan is believed to represent a risk to the environment and to human health due to the dispersal of contaminants into the air and soil. This study was undertaken to delineate the track of airborne contaminants&rsquo; migration and to assess the distribution of such particles deposited on Populus nigra L. cv Italica leaves and soils. Particles were identified using scanning electron microscopy&ndash;energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), while bulk soil composition was quantified by applying inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results of this study confirmed the research hypothesis, indicating the industrial center as a source of pollution and human exposure to metallic contaminants. The Olmaliq area in particular is strongly influenced by atmospheric pollutants from local industries. The spread of ultra-fine particles is mainly governed by the industrial output and the direction of prevailing winds