The article presents a proof of one of the elementary theorems of mathematical cartography, pertaining to the issues of optimization of distribution of deformations in cartographic projections of a limited area. The Chebyshev theorem provides a basis for prospecting and determination of projecting formulas enabling minimization of oscillation of local length scale in a conformal projection of a given area.

Repellent usage against rodents is almost not provided anymore. Permission to use many rodent repellent substances under European Union (EU) plant protection regulations has not been renewed in recent years. Some approval for chemical substances have not been renewed due to their toxicological properties, and for some biorational approvals have also not been renewed due to lack of financial support together with other concerns. Some other rodent repellent substances possessing accurate properties in a secondary way have also been withdrawn. Thus, the use of almost ten active substances is now illegal. The lack of support and the resultant orphan use may be explained by the relatively small market and possible business together with the expectations of modern substance application requirements. As a result, the opportunity to consider new biorational substances as candidates is therefore open. Plant based food substances are preferred candidates for plant protection considering their favourable toxicological characteristics. Capsicum oleoresin, a mixture obtained from two spice species (Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens), is one of them with appropriate repellent properties. An application under EU Plant Protection Product regulation has recently been submitted and may become a new repellent for biological control agent against seed predators.

On a certain illusory strategy for survival.

Will intellectual dignity and the ideal of knowledge ever lose their importance as values?

The hustle-and-bustle of our everyday lives generally prevents us from noticing the fierce, life-and-death battles quietly paying out around us, as incoming "invaders" ruthlessly conquer native species of plants and animals. Can we cope with this problem?

Memories of fear are essentially records of the causative relationship between specific stimuli that induce emotions. Is eliminating memories of learned fear the only effective method of treating anxiety?

Prof. Mario Molina, a Nobel Prize winner, talks about his experience in making the harmful effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) known to scientists, the general public, manufacturers and politicians.

Turning conflict into cooperation.

The latest Polish research shows that Internet users have greater life satisfaction, more friends, and stronger social bonds than those who do not use the medium.

The megaliths of Nabta Playa are an expression of an elaborate Late and Final Neolithic ceremonialism unprecedented in Africa. The ceremonial center of Nabta Playa supplies evidence that at least some of the roots of Ancient Egyptian beliefs, magic and religion lie buried in the sands of the South Western Desert.

One of the most astonishing discoveries of the 20th century was Hubble's discovery of the expansion of the Universe.

Straw, particularly cereal straw, is a valuable by-product of crop production, which can be used for various purposes, e.g. as livestock feed and bedding or for making fuels, however it should primarily be retained on farmland in order to prevent soil organic matter (SOM) losses and thus to maintain or improve soil quality. The aim of this study was to analyze effects of the frequency of crop residues (straw) incorporation into the soil on the content of soil organic matter and on crop yields. There were the following experimental treatments: SR – straw of all crop in the rotation removed, S1 – straw of one crop per rotation incorporated, S2 – straw of two crops in the rotation incorporated, and S3 – straw of three crops incorporated into the soil (loamy sand). After 21 years of crop rotation with straw removal (SR) the SOM level in the soil slightly decreased to 14.4 g∙kg ^–1 soil DM, compared to that in 1997 (14.6 g∙kg ^–1). However, when straw of one crop (rape) per rotation was incorporated (S1) the content of SOM increased to 15.0 g∙kg ^-1 soil DM, and to 15.6 and 16.0 g∙kg ^–1 in S2 and S3 treatments respectively. Straw retention had also a beneficial effect on the content of labile fractions of SOM (hot water extractable C and N). Grain yields and yield components of wheat and triticale, and seed yields of rape in the SR treatment were not significantly different from those obtained in S1, S2 and S3 treatments.

Carbonic anhydrase is an important enzyme that can play a significant role in the processes of lowering carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. The aim of the work was to investigate the extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) production by the bacteria Pseudomonas fragi. In the research, we focused on the evaluation of the phase of bacterial growth correlated with carbonic anhydrase production and on the evaluation of induction of CA production by calcium carbonate concentration in the nutrient medium. Presented data indicated that calcium carbonate can serve as the only carbon source for Pseudomonas fragi, inducing carbonic anhydrase secretion to culture broth. The enzyme was produced mainly in the adaptation growth phase reaching the maximal activity at the end of this phase or at the beginning of the growth phase. The maximal enzyme activity detected in all batches was at a similar level. The enzyme activity was constant but lower in the exponential phase growth. Therefore, the enzyme production is not growth-dependent, but it is correlated with bacteria adaptation to cultivation conditions.

This paper presents the results of seismostratigraphic interpretation of the Upper Cretaceous sedimentary succession preserved within two synclines flanking the Szamotuły diapir in northwestern Poland. This succession is characterized by a complex Santonian–Campanian internal geometry characteristic of contourites – that is, deposits formed by contour (bottom) currents. The aim of the present paper is to document these contourites using 2D seismic reflection profiles calibrated by the Obrzycko 1 well. The contourite drifts in the immediate vicinity of the Szamotuły structure exhibit elongated mounded shapes, with adjacent concave moats. At greater distances from the diapir, gradual aggradational patterns are observed. The formation of these Santonian– Campanian contourites was associated with growth of the Szamotuły diapir during regional compression and Polish Basin inversion. These contour currents and associated contourites formed an integral part of a regional axial depositional system developed within the flanks of the Mid-Polish Anticlinorium. Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential role of contourites as palaeomorphological indicators of palaeoslopes in varied geodynamics settings, such as inverting sedimentary basins, as opposed to the passive margins upon which they have been most commonly documented.

A dual-wavelength optical polarimetric approach has been proposed as a means of elimination of the systematic errors and estimation of the optical anisotropy parameters for a single DKDP crystal. Our HAUP-related polarimeter uses two semiconductor lasers with the neighbouring wavelengths of 635 nm and 650 nm. Based on the temperature dependence analysis of small characteristic azimuths of light polarization with respect to the axis of the sample, we found the parameters of imperfections of polarization system. We acquired eigen waves ellipticities in a DKDP crystal and found perpendicular to the optic axis value of the optical rotatory power. Our results correlate positively with previously measured data for KDP crystals.

Urban agriculture and horticulture, although accompanying cities since the dawn of history, has become a newly defined issue of their development in the last quarter century. This applies to the development of the economic as well as social and spatial sphere. In Poland, urban agriculture, treated as a conscious activity of entrepreneurs and private individuals, as well as the subject of the authorities’ interest, has not yet acquired full citizenship. It still remains in the sphere of considerations of scientists who are thinking about how to define the phenomenon in Polish conditions, as well as the possibilities and limitations of introducing this type of enterprise into the economic, social and spatial structures of the city. The purpose of the article is to identify problems and issues related to the possibility of introducing urban agriculture issues to urban spatial planning.