Properties of Particulate Matter in the Air of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Related Health Benefits for Tourists

This study aimed to evaluate the mass concentration of size-resolved (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, PM100) particulate matter (PM) in the Wieliczka Salt Mine located in southern Poland, compare them with the concentrations of the same PM fractions in the atmospheric air, and estimate the dose of dry salt aerosol inhaled by the mine visitors. Measurements were conducted for 2 hours a day, simultaneously inside (tourist route, passage to the health resort, health resort) and outside the mine (duty-room), for three days in the summer of 2017 using DustTrak DRX devices (optical method). The highest average PM concentrations were recorded on the tourist route (54–81 µg/m3), while the lowest was in the passage to the health resort (49–62 µg/m3). At the same time, the mean outdoor PM concentrations were 14–20 µg/m3. Fine particles constituting the majority of PM mass (68–80%) in the mine originated from internal sources, while the presence of coarse particles was associated with tourist traffic. High PM deposition factors in the respiratory tract of children and adults estimated for particular mine chambers (0.58–0.70), the predominance of respirable particles in PM mass, and the high content of NaCl in PM composition indicate high health benefits for mine visitors.

MICROSCOPE: systematic errors

The MICROSCOPE mission aims to test the Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP) in orbit with an unprecendented precision of 10-15 on the Eövös parameter thanks to electrostatic accelerometers on board a drag-free microsatellite. The precision of the test is determined by statistical errors, due to the environment and instrument noises, and by systematic errors to which this paper is devoted. Sytematic error sources can be divided into three categories: external perturbations, such as the residual atmospheric drag or the gravity gradient at the satellite altitude, perturbations linked to the satellite design, such as thermal or magnetic perturbations, and perturbations from the instrument internal sources. Each systematic error is evaluated or bounded in order to set a reliable upper bound on the WEP parameter estimation uncertainty.

Blockchain networks as constitutional and competitive polycentric orders

Institutional economists have analyzed permissionless blockchains as a novel institutional building block for voluntary economic exchange and distributed governance, with their unique protocol features such as automated contract execution, high levels of network and process transparency, and uniquely distributed governance. But such institutional analysis needs to be complemented by polycentric analysis of how blockchains change. We characterize such change as resulting from internal sources and external sources. Internal sources include constitutional (protocol) design and collective-choice processes for updating protocols, which help coordinate network participants and users. External sources include competitive pressure from other cryptocurrency networks. By studying two leading networks, Bitcoin and Ethereum, we illustrate how conceptualizing blockchains as competing and constitutional polycentric enterprises clarifies their processes of change.

Mapping Physical Parameters in Orion KL at High Spatial Resolution

The Orion Kleinmann-Low nebula (Orion KL) is notoriously complex and exhibits a range of physical and chemical components. We conducted high-angular-resolution (subarcsecond) observations of 13CH3OH ν = 0 (∼0.″3 and ∼0.″7) and CH3CN ν 8 = 1 (∼0.″2 and ∼0.″9) line emission with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to investigate Orion KL’s structure on small spatial scales (≤350 au). Gas kinematics, excitation temperatures, and column densities were derived from the molecular emission via a pixel-by-pixel spectral line fitting of the image cubes, enabling us to examine the small-scale variation of these parameters. Subregions of the Hot Core have a higher excitation temperature in a 0.″2 beam than in a 0.″9 beam, indicative of possible internal sources of heating. Furthermore, the velocity field includes a bipolar ∼7–8 km s−1 feature with a southeast–northwest orientation against the surrounding ∼4–5 km s−1 velocity field, which may be due to an outflow. We also find evidence of a possible source of internal heating toward the Northwest Clump, since the excitation temperature there is higher in a smaller beam versus a larger beam. Finally, the region southwest of the Hot Core (Hot Core-SW) presents itself as a particularly heterogeneous region bridging the Hot Core and Compact Ridge. Additional studies to identify the (hidden) sources of luminosity and heating within Orion KL are necessary to better understand the nebula and its chemistry.

Protection of Whistleblowers by the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights

Whistleblower protection in the European Union is undergoing significant developments. The new Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons reporting breaches of Union law sets a minimum standard for the protection of whistleblowers. It is awaiting implementation in Member States' national law by December 2021. However, a certain level of protection is also guaranteed by the European Court of Human Rights case law principles. Reports of illegal activities provided from close internal sources can strengthen the protection of the EU's financial interests. Adequate protection is needed to prevent retaliation against whistleblowers. As the deadline for transposing this directive approaches, the article aims to analyse the Directive 2019/1973 and compare it with the protection guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Concentration, Distribution, and Potential Sources of Heavy Metals in Households Dust in Al-Fallujah, Iraq

Household dust pollution with heavy metals attracted the attention of researchers and environmental managers due to the risk of the health of these metals. The study aims are to determine heavy metals concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), their spatial distribution, and their potential sources in the household dust of Al-Fallujah City, Iraq. The dust was sampled from 50 houses. The heavy metals levels in the dust were measured using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. The mean concentration of heavy metal was ordered as following: Zn (292.85 mg/kg) > Cr (289.45 mg/kg) > Ni (105.72 mg/kg) > Pb (75.57 mg/kg) > Cu (65.03 mg/kg) > Cd (14.77 mg/kg). The mean concentration of these metals exceeded the reference values. The areal distribution of the reported heavy metals showed specific and non-specific patterns indicating point and non-point pollution sources. The heavy metals potential sources in house dust in the study area were characterized using correlation, Principle components and cluster analyses. The potential sources for Cd, Cu and Pb were interior and exterior sources, while the Ni and Cr were derived from internal sources. This study provides the environmental protection managers and decision-makers with important information about heavy metals concentrations and their sources in indoor environments.

Dyfuzja wiedzy technicznej w państwach autorytarnych — casus Białorusi

The paper refers to the problem of knowledge diffusion and innovative activity of entities operating within the structures of authoritarian states. It is extremely important because it points to a specific paradox. On the one hand, authoritarian states try to participate in the global technology race; on the other, their strategy is based on the fundamental assumptions of authoritarianism, which automatically eliminates their chance of success in the area. Closure to external influences, monopolization of the economy, shaping the habits of imitative task performance, subordination to the superior interests of the state, and suppressing competition-based entrepreneurship reduce the innovative potential of authoritarian countries. This has a real impact on their low ranking in this area. The paper focuses on two aspects; firstly, its purpose is to determine to what extent Belarusian active innovative entities use the previously available technical knowledge in the solutions they have developed. Secondly, the article aims at identifying the scope and type of cooperation undertaken in the course of the innovation process they implement. In order to pursue the objectives, qualitative and quantitative research was carried out on the technical invention documentation, using the method of analysing the so-called patent citations. The conclusions of the research indicate that although the dynamics of the developing modern technology impose abandoning the traditional approach towards an ever wider opening of the inventive process to external sources, Belarus’ innovation policy forces innovators to focus primarily on internal sources of knowledge and their own, strongly individualized resources.

Innovation immunity of Russian economy

Introduction. The article examines the general immunity of the Russian economy to innovation, which is inherent in it at the present stage. It is caused by a number of macro and microeconomic, as well as institutional factors. This was an important reason that did not allow us to achieve a number of ambitious economic goals set by the country’s leaders. Theoretical analysis. The review of empirical and statistical material confirms the negative trends that exist in Russian economy, associated with a decrease in the innovative activity of enterprises and organizations. Among the macroeconomic factors of innovation immunity of the Russian economy, the following are distinguished: a one-sided developed economic structure with a hypertrophied predominance of raw materials and energy-producing industries with a low added value of the final product; insufficient aggregate demand for innovation on the part of the state, firms and households, as well as the lack of investment resources for enterprises and organizations to implement innovation activities. Microeconomic factors of the Russian economy’s immunity to innovation are: lack of internal sources of financing from enterprises; the high cost of credit resources; lack of tax incentives and the lack of effective state support for innovation, especially at the level of small and medium-sized businesses. support for innovation, especially at the level of small and medium-sized businesses. Results. It is concluded that the support of innovation activity requires the protection of property rights, a fair tax and judicial system, the absence of administrative barriers and excessive regulation, the presumption of innocence of the entrepreneur, and general political and economic stability. At the present stage, it is necessary to develop a unified state strategy for innovative development, focused on increasing labor productivity and achieving sustainable economic growth, support innovation, especially at the level of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Energy Mechanisms of Free Vibrations and Resonance in Elastic Bodies

The scientific novelty of this work is determined by the rationale for the participation in transformations, along with the kinetic energy of particles, of four types of elastic energy, identified by the peculiarities of their phase changes in the oscillation process. Two types are converted into kinetic energy, while the other two types change the deformed state of particles in accordance with the equations of motion due to internal sources. The result is obtained based on the use of the superposition principle in the space of Lagrange variables with the imposition of forced and free oscillations, as well as a new model of mechanics based on the concepts of space, time, and energy with a new scale of average stresses that takes into account the energy of particles in the initial state. In such a model of mechanics, a generalized measure of the elastic energy of particles is a quadratic invariant of asymmetric tensor whose components are partial derivatives of Euler variables with respect to Lagrange variables. The concept of kinematic energy parameters is introduced, which differ from the corresponding volumetric energy densities by a multiplier equal to the modulus of elasticity, which is directly proportional to the density and heat capacity of the material, and inversely proportional to the volumetric compression coefficient. Comparison of the values of kinematic parameters shows that most of the energy required for oscillations is associated with the deformation of particles and comes from internal sources. The mechanisms of transformation of forced vibrations into their own for transverse, torsional, and longitudinal vibrations are considered, as well as the occurrence of resonance when free and forced vibrations are superimposed with the same or a similar frequency. The formation of a new free wave after each cycle of external influences with an increase in amplitude, which occurs mainly due to internal, and not external, energy sources is justified.

The Unique Cytoarchitecture and Wiring of the Human Default Mode Network

It is challenging to specify the role of the default mode network (DMN) in human behaviour. Contemporary theories, based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), suggest that the DMN is insulated from the external world, which allows it to support perceptually-decoupled states and to integrate external and internal information in the construction of abstract meanings. To date, the neuronal architecture of the DMN has received relatively little attention. Understanding the cytoarchitectural composition and connectional layout of the DMN will provide novel insights into its role in brain function. We mapped cytoarchitectural variation within the DMN using a cortical type atlas and a histological model of the entire human brain. Next, we used MRI acquired in healthy young adults to explicate structural wiring and effective connectivity. We discovered profound diversity of DMN cytoarchitecture. Connectivity is organised along the most dominant cytoarchitectural axis. One side of the axis is the prominent receiver, whereas the other side remains more insulated, especially from sensory areas. The structural heterogeneity of the DMN engenders a network-level balance in communication with external and internal sources, which is distinctive, relative to other functional communities. The neuronal architecture of the DMN suggests it is a protuberance from the core cortical processing hierarchy and holds a unique role in information integration.