Determination of orbits of comets: P/Kearns-Kwee, P/Gunn, including nongravitational effects in the comets' motion

To improve the orbits, all the positional observations of the comets were collected. The observations were selected and weighted according to objective mathematical criteria and the mean residuals a priori were calculated for both comets. We took into account nongravitational effects in the comets' motion using Marsden's method applied in two ways: either determining the three constant parameters, A(sub 1), A(sub 2), A(sub 3) or the four parameters A, eta, I, phi connected with the rotating nucleus of the comet. To link successfully all the observations, we had to assume for both comets that A(t) = A(sub O)exp(-B x t) where B was an additional nongravitational parameter

The level of international competitiveness of poland’s wood and furniture industry

The study assesses international competitiveness of Poland’s wood and furniture sector which is an important segment of national economy, since the value of production accounts for approx. It was assumed that the competitive position of wood and furniture industry would be defined on the basis of indices being most often applied in such researches, namely: foreign trade balance, Export Propensity Index (EPI), Export / Import Ratio (EIR), Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Standard Grubel-Lloyd Index (GL). Both the results of an analysis of the index-based assessment of competitiveness of wood and furniture industry, and outcomes of foreign trade, indicate a strong position thereof on foreign markets. The highest competitive position as measured using that index was recorded for producers of furniture for sitting and sleeping, and entities involved in production of wood manufactures, and of mattresses and articles of bedding

Where do long-period comets come from? 26 comets from the non-gravitational Oort spike

The apparent source region (or regions) of long-period comets as well as the definition of the dynamically new comet are still open questions.The aim of this investigation is to look for the apparent source of selected long period comets and to refine the definition of dynamically new comets. We show that incorporation of the non-gravitational forces into the orbit determination process significantly changes the situation. We determined precise non-gravitational orbits of all investigated comets and next followed numerically their past and future motion during one orbital period. Applying ingenious Sitarski's method of creating swarms of virtual comets compatible with observations, we were able to derive the uncertainties of original and future orbital elements, as well as the uncertainties of the previous and next perihelion distances. We concluded that the past and future evolution of cometary orbits under the Galactic tide perturbations is the only way to find which comets are really dynamically new. We also have shown that a significant percentage of long-period comets can visit the zone of visibility during at least two or three consecutive perihelion passages.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Female Fabry disease patients and X-chromosome inactivation

Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding α- galactosidase A (GLA). Once it was thought to affect only hemizygous males. Over the last fifteen years, research has shown that most females carrying mutated allele also develop symptoms, demonstrating a wide range of disease severity, from a virtually asymptomatic to more classical profile, with cardiac, renal, and cerebrovascular manifestations. This variable expression in females is thought to be influenced by the process of X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). The aim of this study was to assess severity of the clinical phenotype, to analyze XCI patterns, and to estimate their effect on disease manifestation in twelve female Fabry disease patients from five unrelated Polish families. Our analyses revealed that patients presented with the broad range of disease expression - from mild to severe, and their clinical involvement did not correlate with XCI profiles. Female carriers of the mutation in the GLA gene with the random XCI may present with the wide range of disease signs and symptoms. Thus, XCI is not a main factor in the phenotype variability of Fabry disease manifestation in heterozygous females

An analysis of external finance availability on SMEs’ decision making:a case study of the emerging market of Poland.

This article explores an understanding of the entrepreneurial behavior of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Poland, one of the emerging markets of the European Union, during the recent period of economic slowdown. It considers the role of accessibility to external financial resources in shaping decisions undertaken by such enterprises. The hypothesis is that, in a period of economic slowdown, SMEs that have difficulty in accessing external sources of financing adopt different strategies than those that have free access to those resources. The findings indicate that access to the external sources of financing is a statistically significant factor determining decisions of SMEs in relation to employment reduction, price reductions on goods/services, suspension of previously planned investments, and an increase in the level of salaries. Consequently, the study is important as it considers factors that impact the success and survival of SMEs in the emerging market; it is also unique, as it investigates these aspects in the recent period of the global economic downturn. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

The principle of fiscal local autonomy in the light of Polish Constitution

In modern times, the difficult financial situation of municipalities, which are heavily indebted, highlights problem of fiscal local autonomy more than before. It is obvious that for the implementation of the principle of autonomy (principle of independence) of local government is necessary to ensure the financial autonomy (fiscal local autonomy, tax autonomy, proportionality and adequacy of funds) of municipalities. There should be no doubt, that local governments should have enough own funds that can implement the tasks and functions set out in the law. Author of the chapter presents the regulatory and legal problems in terms of the Polish Constitution

Aynuna: A Case Study of the Changing Functions of a Hijazi Coastal Settlement from the Nabatean to the Early Islamic Period

A recent study proved that Aynuna has been settled since at least the Hellenistic period and was the major settlement on the Arabian coast of the northern Red Sea in the Nabatean/Roman period, serving as the port of Petra. Scientific literature is mostly concerned with the identification of Aynuna with ancient Leuke Kome, leaving aside the later history of the site. In the late Roman/Byzantine period its significance as a trade centre slowly diminished, although it might have remained a tax collection point. In the early Islamic period, Aynuna served as a local agricultural centre and war port for the Arabian forces conquering the Eastern Desert. Later on, accessibility of fresh water made it a stop on the Egyptian Hajj Route, and antique Aynuna/Leuke Kome finally became Islamic ‘Aynūna. This paper aims to present a diachronic analysis of the changing functions of the site using published archaeological reports and Arabic written sources.A recent study proved that Aynuna has been settled since at least the Hellenistic period and was the major settlement on the Arabian coast of the northern Red Sea in the Nabatean/Roman period, serving as the port of Petra. Scientific literature is mostly concerned with the identification of Aynuna with ancient Leuke Kome, leaving aside the later history of the site. In the late Roman/Byzantine period its significance as a trade centre slowly diminished, although it might have remained a tax collection point. In the early Islamic period, Aynuna served as a local agricultural centre and war port for the Arabian forces conquering the Eastern Desert. Later on, accessibility of fresh water made it a stop on the Egyptian Hajj Route, and antique Aynuna/Leuke Kome finally became Islamic ‘Aynūna. This paper aims to present a diachronic analysis of the changing functions of the site using published archaeological reports and Arabic written sources

Towards (Unilateral) Recognition of “the Technological Other”​ – Vulnerability, Resistance and Adequate Regard

The aim of the article is to answer the question of whether the theory of recognition can be applied to research on the human-technology relationship and, if so, to what extent. The article assumes that the theory of recognition is a normative theory, and therefore, its moral consequences can certainly be applied to human persons. To use this theory for studying the relationship between humans and technology, shifts in the theory are necessary. These shifts have been reduced to the concept of solidarity with technological artifacts (especially with robots). However, the article constructs an argument that the concepts of vulnerability and resistance may be helpful in justifying the development of recognition in the relationship between humans and technology. The model of recognition discussed in this case is not, however, a model based on mutual relations but rather on unilateral recognition, which is introduced into the theory through the concept of adequate regard