The rapid surge of global oil prices, on account of the pent-up demand after COVID-19 and the Russian-Ukraine war, has significantly contributed to the cost-push inflation as well as twin deficits, predominantly in developing economies. Motivated by the intention to curb the inflation, governments of several oil-dependent economies have rolled out fiscal measures to provide immediate relief to households through subsidizing the fuel component of the consumption basket. This paper provides a case study of Pakistan, wherein the effectiveness of untargeted gasoline and diesel subsidies has been gauged against alternative direct disbursement mechanisms. The analysis reveals that under the price-control based indirect subsidy disbursement mechanism, only 11% of the total domestic subsidies were directed to the poorest 40% of the households, whereas approximately 55% of the total subsidies were allocated to the 20% of the most liquid household segment. The case study analyzes the performance of alternative direct subsidy disbursement mechanisms which transpires into the potential fiscal savings of PKR 74.63 billion, while providing coverage to 40% of the lowest household segment. The study also evaluates the implication of the pass-through of the true prices on the national consumption of gasoline and diesel in the short-term, which reveals the sharp reduction of petroleum consumption in the total bill from 37% to 23%, thereby providing substantial relief to the current account balance. The finding provides key insights for economies to institutionalize the necessary social protection system and progressively transit to the direct subsidy disbursement mechanism while striving to contain the cost-push-based inflation triggered through the rapid movement of global oil prices.

The article analyzes the present state of the phosphate raw material base to meet Ukrainian chemical enterprises’ needs. In Ukraine, a number of complex apatite and phosphorite deposits have been explored. Their exploitation can lead to a complete supply of Ukrainian chemical enterprises with raw materials and can partly reduce the amount of expensive imported phosphate mineral fertilizers. At present, the following deposits, where apatite is connected with other useful components, are prepared for exploitation: Stremyhorod, Fedorivka, Novopoltavka, Kropyvna and others. The advantage of the development of these deposits is the possibility to extract apatite along with the production of rare earth concentrates, ilmenite, titanomagnetite, as well as feldspars, olivine, pyroxenes, mica and others which will significantly increase the profitability of the deposits development.

The alternative to apatite-containing deposits in Ukraine can be sedimentary deposits of nodule, granular and mixed type phosphorites. Phosphorite deposits can be used mainly for the production of phosphorite and limestone flour. Considerable resources of granular phosphorites have been discovered in Volyn-Podillia and Dnieper-Donetsk which are considered to have a various agricultural effect. They are environmentally friendly ores without impurity which prevents plants from cesium, strontium and reduces nitrates in the soil. Arranging the exploration of phosphorite ores in certain parts of Volyn-Podillia basin and Dnieper-Donets Rift is recommended.

The world economy is constantly faced with crises that cause a significant negative impact. Each crisis poses new challenges to the economy and, on the one hand, inhibits economic growth, and on the other hand, can become a powerful stimulus for the development and rethinking of fundamental approaches to its construction. Conducting an analysis and establishing relationships between the economic situation and the state of the energy sector make it possible not only to predict the future but also to develop specific steps to prevent crises or reduce their negative impact. At the same time, establishing and evaluating the relationship between key economic and energy indicators, the main one of which is definitely the energy intensity of GDP, will provide an opportunity to understand how improving energy security will affect the economic situation in the country. The generalization of Ukraine’s experience in rebuilding and recovering the economy after the biggest crisis creates a basis for further research in the field of energy management, crisis management, economics, and the construction of investment policy. The reconstruction of Ukraine after the war has the potential to become the most significant stimulus for development and economic growth. During the crisis, it is very important to pay attention to the country’s energy security. In particular, it is necessary to ensure the diversification of energy resources, taking into account their rising cost. Energy markets are currently experiencing extreme volatility caused by geopolitical tensions, which requires additional attention in the development and implementation of strategic guidelines for sustainable economic recovery in Ukraine.

This article discusses regulations on the management of rock mass resources more broadly than previous literature in this area. Significant changes in the directions of globalization development as well as the transformations and disruptions of existing raw-material supply chains and changes in their structure call for verification of and changes in regulations on raw-material management in individual countries, not only in the UE. The article examines the current EU regulations and their amendments in Poland. The article presents problems that have arisen during works on the necessary regulatory reform of the following policies: development, spatial (land-use), raw material, geology and mining, environmental protection, and waste and water management. The article shows that strategies, policies, and regulations prepared simultaneously, which were to be correlated with the horizontally integrated National Development Concept, are not. This should effectively enhance the country’s raw-material security. Deficiencies have been highlighted both in assumptions and procedures adopted in developing said documents. The author also emphasizes the need to balance competing values and make necessary choices when specific solutions affect at least two competitive areas, e.g. mineral deposits vs. water, farmlands or woodlands, critical infrastructure, housing, investment in the defense sector. The need is highlighted to rationally and sustainably manage resources and country space, to protect and explore them, and plan their management. The author justifies the need for a new Act of the Code status –that comprehensively and consistently regulates both the management of rock mass resources and land and water resources, and the country space management.

The article analyzes trends in steam coal flows (exports and imports) linked to production and consumption volumes. The analysis carried out in the article took the years from 2000 to 2019 into consideration. Coal is the second most important energy carrier. Its share in the structure of global consumption amounts to 27% and its production has an upward trend despite its decreasing share. The overall global upward trend of steam coal flows was disrupted twice over the period 2000–2019: by the effects of the 2007–2009 global financial crisis and the ongoing uncertainty of the global economy, as well as by the significant slowdown in the economic growth of developing countries (2014–2016). The European Union has seen large decreases in coal consumption over recent years, reflecting an accelerating decarbonization policy. The main area of coal trade is the Asia-Pacific basin. The Atlantic market currently accounts for about 20% of global steam coal trade, with seaborne trade covering about 95%. The volume of world trade (exports, imports) in steam coal is approximately one billion (bn) tons per year. The analysis carried out showed the following trend: decreasing coal exports to economically developed countries (mainly concentrated in Europe) and increasing exports to economies of developing countries, concentrated in the Asian part of the world. International Energy Agency (IE A) projections show that by 2040 the global coal production will fall from 5.6bn tons of coal equivalent (3.9bn tons of oil equivalent in 2019) to 5bn tce (3.5bn toe) at an average annual rate of –1.1%. Steam coal production is expected to decline by 10% to 4bn tce (2.8bn toe). Due to the fact that China is the largest producer, user and importer of steam coal in the world, all economic and political decisions taken by its government have strongly influenced international coal trade for years. For the Asia-Pacific basin alone, the IE A’s long-term forecasts predict an increase in coal-fired power generation over 2019. Forecasts regarding the coal’s share in global demand are not optimistic for many regions of the world (Europe, Africa, the Americas), predicting a significant decline in its demand. Yet, new markets for coal are emerging, especially in Asia and the Mediterranean basin, which may contribute to maintaining at least the current level of coal trade.

Idea to travel faster and faster is as old as human civilization. Different ways were used to move from point to point over centuries. The railways, cars, air-plains and rockets were invented. Each of them have limitations and advantages. Therefore, people always look for other, better solutions. One of them is “vacuum rail” moving inside a tube, known also as a Hyperloop. The number of problems to be solved is extremely high. This paper is devoted to civil engineering problems only e.g. viaducts, tunnels, stations. It is necessary to consider the kind of sub- and superstructure supporting the tube, influence of changes of ambient temperature and solar radiation, the way to ensure safety and structural integrity of the structures in case of fire, decompression of a structural tube and air-tightening, occurrence of accidents etc. Taking into account the fact that bridge and tunnel standards do not include information relating to above mentioned problems it is interesting to determine rules for design, construction and maintenance of such structures.

The paper presents an overview of shaping of cable-stayed bridges. Historical background, basic static sketches and overview of selected bridges are included. Selected natural solutions and interesting unrealized projects were presented. Basic ideas and most important principals are discussed. The examples and sketches were given an author’s comment. Static diagrams of two pylon structures with three variants of the arrangement of cables are presented. The details important for the structure were discussed and the consequences of choosing the variant were indicated. Mono-pylon structures in asymmetric and symmetrical arrangements are shown. the solutions are discussed and the details important for the structure are indicated. An overviewof multi-pylon structures is also presented, paying attention to important details. All the discussed static diagrams were enriched with realized examples. The advantages and disadvantages of individual structural solutions are presented. The main ideas allowing to achieve the goal in the implementation of non-standard suspended structures were also indicated.

The paper highlights calculations of bioenergy indicators when growing corn for grain and vegetable crops in Ukraine. The research results indicate the economic benefit of growing these crops for all the variants studied. Our research established that an increase in the bioenergy efficiency of the production of these crops is achieved due to the use of different rates of fertilizer application. The increase in productivity that was obtained as a result of the implementation of farming practices exceeds additional costs associated with the use of fertilizers. This confirms the economic benefit of producing these types of crops due to the enhanced bioenergy efficiency achieved through the optimal application of fertilizer.
The conducted research confirms the high energy efficiency of the bio-organic fertilizer (digestate) and the energy-saving technology of growing crops which were studied. High values of the coefficients of energy efficiency were also observed in the variants with the simultaneous application of mineral fertilizers (N90P90K90) and digestate-based bio-organic fertilizer “Efluent” (55.0 t/ha) on experimental sites of corn grown for grain (3.05–3.07), carrot (1.41–1.45) and red beet (1.97–2.00), but the cost of these variants also appeared to be the highest. Scientific research has used new methods and technologies for the effective processing of livestock waste in order to obtain organic fertilizer, which can be used to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields on the one hand, and biogas production as an energy-efficient process that has significant potential for producing ecologically clean and renewable energy on the other. The proposed approach to achieving energy efficiency helps to increase crop yield without increasing fertilization costs.

In 2005 contiguous zones have been established by more than seventy states. Poland since 1932 has had three mile of the territorial sea and three mile of a contiguous zone which disappeared in 1978 when twelve mile territorial sea was proclaimed. First claims by coastal States to control rights in zones contiguous to their territorial seas, can be already found in XVIII century. In the first half of XX century the contiguous zone became a customary norm. In 1958 the I Geneva Convention determined its status providing that the coastal State in twelve mile zone of the high seas contiguous to its territorial seas may exercise the control necessary to prevent and punish infringement of customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary regulations. The Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 in articles 33 and 303 has changed the concept of the contiguous zone recognizing that it can be extended to twenty four miles and giving the coastal State in addition to rights recognized in the Geneva Convention the right to protect the undei*water cultural heritage. Polish specialists have argued on several occasions for the establishment of a contiguous zone. This idea has been recently supported by the Advisory Legal Committee by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commission of Maritime Law of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Several arguments may be presented in favour of the establishment of Polish contiguous zone. It can better protect Polish interests, gives additional rights which do not exist in the exclusive economic zone, enables better safeguarding of frontiers against terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, smuggling of migrants, drug trafficking and give the right to the protection of underwater archaeological finds. The Ministry of Infrastructure recognizing the importance of these arguments, has already undertaken first steps aimed at the change of Polish Bill of 1991 and establishment of the contiguous zone.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how Bertrand Russell depicts the relation of mysticism to three other areas of human activity: philosophy, science, and religion, and thus: its special role. In his essay Mysticism and Logic (1914), Russell defines mystical thinking as beliefs in (1) the existence of special insight, (2) the unity of all things, (3) the unreality of time, and (4) the effacement of the boundaries between good and evil. Although he considers full mysticism – as a belief about the ontic structure of the world – to be erroneous – as a life attitude he attributes to it an element of wisdom that is lacking in other areas of human intellectual activity. Mysticism proves wrong also at the epistemological level, i.e. as a certain test of truth. But in its spirit of inquiry, it contains something that science also benefits from, and from which, therefore, scientific philosophy should take its cue. What additionally gives mysticism its value is the claim of impartial contemplation which gives rise to an attitude of love towards the whole world. Significantly, it was the combination of the best features of mystical thinking with scientific thinking and method which gave rise to Russell’s advocacy of scientific philosophy. In light of this, I argue that according to Russell mysticism is not an exclusively religious phenomenon, which is demonstrated, among other things, by the fact that he attributes two aspects of mysticism to the field of mathematics.

In this paper, the semi-empirical model, formulated in the earlier paper [1], was used to control engine exhaust emission under steady-state conditions. The presented optimization method enables us to find the values of engine control parameters that lead to minimization of nitrogen oxide emission. Moreover, the presented method ensures proper engine operating parameters such as mean indicated pressure, thermal efficiency and maximum pressure in the cylinder. Results of numerical calculations are compared with experiment data. An acceptable accuracy was achieved.

Modern gas turbine systems operate in temperatures ranging from 1200°C to even 1500°C, which creates bigger problems related to the blade material thermal strength. In order to ensure appropriate protection of the turbine blades, a sophisticated cooling system is used. Current emphasis is placed on the application of non-stationary flow effects to improve cooling conditions, e.g., the unsteady-jet heat transfer or the heat transfer enhancement using high-amplitude oscillatory motion. The presented research follows a similar direction.

A new concept is proposed of intensification of the heat transfer in the cooling channels with the use of an acoustic wave generator. The acoustic wave is generated by an appropriately shaped fixed cavity or group of cavities. The phenomenon is related to the coupling mechanism between the vortex shedding generated at the leading edge and the acoustic waves generated within the cavity area. Strong instabilities can be observed within a certain range of the free flow velocities.

The presented study includes determination of the relationship between the amplitude of acoustic oscillations and the cooling conditions within the cavity. Different geometries of the acoustic generator are investigated. Calculations are also performed for variable flow conditions. The research presented in this paper is based on a numerical model prepared using the Ansys CFX-17.0 commercial CFD code.

The paper emphasizes the contemporary relevance of civility, understood as a respectful way of treating the other and recognition of people’s differences and sensibilities. It outlines the sociological importance of civility as being connected with its role as both a normative guidance orienting us towards prescriptive ideals and as an empirical concept with important social impact on identities and actions. The paper examines Adam Smith’s theory which roots civility in a commercial society, analyses Elias’s (1994) history of civility as the folding of the logic of the civilizing process, and it debates theories linking the idea of civility to civil society. In conclusion, emphases are put on the importance of civility, seen as the act of respectful engaging with people across deep divisions, for the quality of democracy.

Polish popular-science periodicals have not yet been researched in terms of their overall graphic design and layout. Undertaking an in-depth assessment of this particular aspect was intended to follow the development of graphic design in the periodicals published on the Polish lands throughout the period spanning 1758–1939, with a view to identifying the most characteristic components that stood for overall visual appeal of specific publications, whilst pondering overall aesthetic and educational value of diverse illustrative material they offered to their readership. The article presents an outline of research into the graphic design of fifty such periodicals, highly representative of a popular-science genre. Comprehensive research results along with the accompanying factual material and tabularised data, which might well prove of some consequence in further comparative research, are available in a book format.

Polish scholarly magazines Biblioteka Warszawska [Warsaw Library] (1841–1914) and Ateneum (1876– 1901) devoted a quite a lot of attention to recent discoveries in the field of ancient history, cultural history and descriptions of foreign countries. This article discusses materials on the ancient Middle East published in both of these periodicals.

Wolność i Lud [ Freedom and the People] was the press organ of the agrarian People’s Party Freedom (SL-W) published in London in 1948–1949 and 1953–1954. The periodical, which eventually appeared at monthly intervals, propagated the key ideas of the political programme of the SW-L, kept track of the life of the Polish émigré community and commented on world affairs. It provided regular coverage of the developments in Poland, especially with regard to in agriculture, social transformation processes and culture.