Acta Innovations

5-11

Authors: Dariusz Włóka, Agnieszka Placek

The aim of this research was to compare the effectiveness of highly-selective chromatographic PAHs determination method with the new, simpler, non-selective spectrophotometric method, designed for the rapid monitoring of PAHs contamination level in soil. The conducted experiment includes the 2 series of PAHs content determinations, in 4 types of soils, with use of HPLC and spectrophotometric techniques. The obtained results, showed that the developed, PAHs content in soil determination method, can be used for quick and non-specific environmental monitoring of soil. However the effectiveness of this method is dependent on the content of organic matter in the analyzed soil samples.

22-29

Authors: Natalia Pragłowska-Ryłko

Buck-Converters belong to DC/DC converters group. One of the main problems during the design stage of DC/DC converter is the proper component selection. The aim of this article is to describe selection of the optimal inductor for the Buck-Converter, enabling to minimize the device output overvoltage, while getting possibly high device efficiency. In order to verify the quality parameters, author made an efficiency comparison of the buck converter, depending on used inductor. Conclusions from this paper allow for optimal selection of coils for the Buck-Converter depending on given criteria.

41-47

Authors: Igor Yu. Matyushenko, Ivan Yu. Buntov

The article reviews modern trends in bio-economy development on the basis of biotechnologies application in environmental safety and agriculture including the genetically modified and other agricultural crops. The article demonstrates that in the implementation of converging NBIC-technologies in agricultural-industrial system is achieved a synergy effect for the development of the bio-economy in the World and Ukraine in following directions: industrial biotechnology (food biotechnology; biotechnology of sea products; biotechnology to increase oil recovery); environmental biotechnology (cleaning soil from pollution; environmentally friendly biocides to protect materials from bio-damage and oxidation; waste water treatment from toxic metals and radio-nuclides; air cleaning, including also cleaning of enterprises’ vent emissions from volatile organic components, etc.); biotechnology in power engineering (modular biotechnological equipment, including bio-reactors and biodiesel).

56-64

Authors: Pavel Pronoza

The article is devoted to applying the concept of early detection of pathological crisis processes to analyze the dynamics of Ukrainian agriculture development in 2003-2011. The analysis is based on time series of the export, import, production volume, export and import prices for agricultural products, volume of loans and investments. Despite the fact that the only branch that demonstrated the growth of output in 2008-2009 was agriculture, there were observed four years of crisis in agriculture during the period under consideration. The built signal panel and structural and logical model of pathological crisis processes detection in agriculture of Ukraine showed that the leading role was played by the investment balance deficit, reduction of the technological level of exports compared to imports and growth of domestic production credit bubble.

5-11

Authors: Marzena Smol, Maria Włodarczyk-­‐Makuła

An integrated system combining volumetric coagulation and nanofiltration (NF) was proposed as the high-­‐ efficiency wastewater treatment technology. In this study, biologically treated coke wastewater (after denitrifi-­‐ cation and nitrification processes) coming from a coke plant located in Silesia (southern Poland) was used. The results indicate that the use of integrated membrane processes allows to achieve high efficiency of wastewater treatment. The treated wastewater can be converted back and used as technical water in the coke plant, in accordance to ‘zero waste’ strategy.

20-28

Authors: Łukasz Bakuła

The article deals with genesis of rating agencies, their development and influence on the state of the local economy. This knowledge is crucial while conducting financial operations on any market. The article treats also about the most important issues related to the rating agencies. Article researches historical data based on financial reports published by Polish financial institutions. Conclusions of this research will help to understand the significance of rating agencies acting on financial markets, to judge rules of their operations and the quality of delivered ratings.

39-47

Authors: Adam Gnatowski, Mateusz Chyra

This study presents a comparative analysis of specimens before and after photochemical and electrochemical ageing processes. The specimens were cut out of the pipes obtained through extrusion. The examinations were carried out for two commercial grades of polyethylene. Ageing with UV radiation was carried out using a gas discharge lamp, whereas simulation of electrochemical ageing was performed in a water solution of NaCl. Ten-­‐ sile strength testing, differential scanning calorimetry, colour and gloss measurements and hardness testing using the method of ball indentation were carried out for both types of specimens (after ageing and without ageing). Analysis of the results of the examinations revealed that ageing caused significant changes in proper-­‐ ties of the specimens. In the samples after ageing was observed decrease in tensile strength. Found a decrease in the degree of crystallinity and changing temperatures physical changes. In the samples after ageing was observed different values of the parameters describing the colour. In samples after ageing also reported a reduction in gloss and hardness.

5-12

Authors: Mieczysław Grzesik, Zdzisława Romanowska Duda, Regina Janas

Lavatera thuringiaca ‘Uleko’ is a perennial plant little-known in Poland, although it has a very high potential for multi directional use in several areas of economy. However , very low seed germination harvested in the harvest ripening (maturity) phase (5-20%) makes commercial production of these plants difficult and reduces the economic efficiency of crops. The aim of this study was to develop effective methods of breaking seed dormancy using scarification. The study indicated the possibility of increasing the germination of seeds up to over 40% with mechanical scarification, and up to 85% after exposure to sulfuric acid. Application of these methods positively influenced the physiological activity, health and germination of seeds, as well as emergence and growth of plants, which can facilitate the production of this species on large acreages.

24-34

Authors: Błażej Kmieciak

Human rights are one of the cornerstones of a democratic state. They have character: natural and inalienable. Human rights also apply to specific moments in which is a specific person, which is: a child, employee, patient and a person with a disability. The last two categories have a special character. They relate to moments in human life, in which he experiences pain and suffering. In Poland, for nearly thirty years operating office of the Ombudsman. Thanks to the work of successive ombudsmen, society was (and still is) learned in the field of human rights and freedoms. I In recent years, it can be seen changes in the Polish system of human rights protection. There are new types of ombudsmen. With regard to persons with disabilities, there is new, innovative form of action. It is a method of training the skills of being a "spokesman own rights". How work the above, still forming the Polish system of ombudsmen? How individual spokesmen work? Are their initiatives effective?

45-50

Authors: Monika Staniszewska

The author of the diffusion theory of innovation is Everett Rogers - an American sociologist, who in 1962 published a book entitled "Diffusions of innovations", presenting the issues related to the dissemination of a new solution within the market. The presented concept of diffusion of innovation is still current and can be applied to almost every sector that brings a new product to market.

5-16

Authors: Robert Cichowicz, Marta Bratkowska

Environmental monitoring involves environm ental quality studies, observation and assessment of the environment's condition , and the changes taking place within it. The analysis account s for s ources of linear, surface, and point emission that have an adverse impact on the environment through pollut ants. Point source emissions mainly represented by power plants spread harmful substances even for several dozen kilometers. Dispersion modeling is used to track atmospheric pollutants and to plan future emission sources, minimizing their impact on the env ironment. One of the newest modeling methods is the Lagrange model, currently used in Germany in AustalView software. The article presents the stages of the calculation of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants, according to German standards based on the exa mple of the Schkopau power plant in Germany. This makes it possible to analyze the degree of air pollution depending on the distance from the source, and the information obtained may be useful for locating newly designed power plants through the location s ystem, where the highest pollutant concentrations are recorded.

26-32

Authors: Wojciech Wodo

In this paper I focus on innovation management in a very specific environment – the start - up companies. That means there are many constraints: restricted resources in the sense of money, people and equipment. The aim is to share some approaches towards creating innovative solutions using other people’s money. My study is based on detailed observation of opportunities that surround small companies, the power of networking, and ability of benefiting from both of them. I present how to stimulate the growth of an enterprise an d prepare it to be a credible partner in the future. It is examined how to start an innovation process within a small company getting the stakeholders involved and supports it from external sources of labor and insights. A few techniques and methodologies of marketing and sales are analyzed and commended on. The large part of the paper elabo- rates on binding partnerships with universities and through these getting funds or services within a field of research and development. The extended model of open innova tion is introduced here, including not only technology, but also other resources. Results are derived from case studies of real operating companies, of which I was a consultant. The key takeaway of the paper may be stated as a clause that the proper innova tion management process needs a mix of different techniques and approaches applied at each level of product or service development with a respect to surrounding operating and market conditions. And these above men- tioned issues are discussed in the paper as well.

50-57

Authors: Anna Oniszk - Popławska

Finding new locations for environmentally friendly infrastructural facilities (such as renewable energy sources or waste processing plants) is not an easy task. NIMBY (not in my backyard) effects usually accompany them: everybody wants to live in high quality place but nobody wants to bear costs. In this article trade - off proce- dures are described for the stipulation of protection zones around anaerobic digestion (biogas) plants. For facilities processing organic material odour nuisance has been identified as the biggest social acceptance prob- lem. Therefore, legally binding solutions in other countries are outlined to exemplify how to deal with NIMBYism. Both a simplified procedure and dispersion modelling have been applied for two case studies in Poland. The aim of this article is to outline guidelines for spatial planners, environmen tal experts in Poland and other actors of the investment process.