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This paper presents an analysis of the long‐term (1982–2015) variability of aerosol optical properties, as well as aerosol and greenhouse gases (GHG) direct radiative forcing (RF) in central Europe on the basis of MERRA‐2 reanalysis and ground‐based observation. Calculations of longwave (LW) and shortwave (SW) RF were made with the use of the off‐line Fu‐Liou radiative transfer model and were preceded by the sensitivity study of the code's input parameters. Then, the long‐term mean as well as the annual variability for selected regions of aerosol optical properties and radiative forcing were analysed. The mean AOD trend was −0.056 ± 9% per decade and AOD was reduced by 48% between 1982 and 2015. While for 1982–1990 the trend per decade was −0.12 ± 20%, for 1991–2000 it was −0.17 ± 17% and only −0.02 ± 31% in the last 15 years (2001–2015). The trend of the aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) was 1.52 ± 0.12 W·m−2/10 year and 1.21 ± 0.19 W·m−2/10 year at top of the atmosphere (TOA) and at Earth's surface, respectively. The trend for GHG was significantly smaller and it equalled 0.27 ± 0.01 W·m−2/10 year at TOA and 0.17 ± 0.01 W·m−2/10 year at the surface. Changes in GHG and aerosol direct effect produced additional 3.2 ± 0.2 W·m−2 at TOA, which could be associated with the observed regional climate warming. The change of the direct aerosol effect was about 4 times the GHG RF. The influence of aerosol loading reduction on the radiation budget was significantly higher in the 1990s of the 20th century in comparison to the first decades of the 21st. The effect of aerosol reduction has significant impact on air temperature changes during warm season and negligible during winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results and conclusions of dynamic load tests that were conducted on a road bridge over the Mokrzyca river in Wroclaw (Poland) made of galvanized corrugated steel plates (CSP). The critical speed magnitudes, velocity vibration, vibration frequency were determined in the paper. The dynamic analysis is extremely important, because such studies of soil-steel bridges in the range of dynamic loads are relatively seldom conducted. Conclusions drawn from the tests can be most helpful in the assessment of behaviour of this type of corrugated plate bridge with soil. In consideration of application of this type of structure in the case of small-to-medium span bridges, the conclusions from the research will not be yet generalized to all types of such solutions. The detailed reference to all type of such bridge structures would be requiring additional analysis (field tests and calculations) on the other types of soil-steel bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Poland-AOD aerosol research network was established in 2011 to improve aerosol–climate interaction knowledge and provide a real-time and historical, comprehensive, and quantitative database for the aerosol optical properties distribution over Poland. The network consists of research institutions and private owners operating 10 measurement stations and an organization responsible for aerosol model transport simulations. Poland-AOD collaboration provides observations of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångstrom Exponent (AE), incoming shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiation fluxes, vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties and surface aerosol scattering and absorption coefficient, as well as microphysical particle properties. Based on the radiative transfer model (RTM), the aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) and the heating rate are simulated. In addition, results from GEM-AQ and WRF-Chem models (e.g., aerosol mass mixing ratio and optical properties for several particle chemical components), and HYSPLIT back-trajectories are used to interpret the results of observation and to describe the 3D aerosol optical properties distribution. Results of Poland-AOD research indicate progressive improvement of air quality and at mospheric turbidity during the last decade. The AOD was reduced by about 0.02/10 yr (at 550 nm), which corresponds to positive trends in ARF. The estimated clear-sky ARF trend is 0.34 W/m2/10 yr and 0.68 W/m2/10 yr, respectively, at TOA and at Earth's surface. Therefore, reduction in aerosol load observed in Poland can significantly contribute to climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a new arch road bridge made from structural corrugated plates, over the Plawna Stream on a local road between Bystrzyca Klodzka and Ladek Zdroj in Stary Waliszow, Poland. The bridge replaced the old stone arch bridge destroyed during the flood of 1997. The steel bridge is founded on two continuous footings made of reinforced concrete. Its effective span is 10.00 m and clear height is 4.02 m. The results of tests carried out on the bridge under three static load schemes after 4 years of service are presented. The average values of the measured displacements and strains in selected points and elements of the steel shell structure were found to be considerably lower than the ones calculated for the same load. Since designs of this type are now commonly used for small and medium-size bridges, the conclusions drawn from the presented tests can be generalized to the whole class of such bridge structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way in which a new road bridge made from Super Cor steel plates was tested is described and the test results for three static load schemes in which one ballasting vehicle (a Scania truck) was used as the load are presented. The tested bridge has a box structure and it is located on the Gimån River in Gimån, Sweden on the Bräcke-Holm road. The bridge has an effective span of 12.315 m and a clear height of 3.555 m. The span’s steel shell is founded on two reinforced concrete continuous footings. The average measured displacements and strains (normal stresses) in selected points and elements of the steel shell structure were found to be much smaller than the ones calculated for the same load. The conclusions drawn from this research can be useful for assessing the performance of such steel shells and their interaction with the surrounding backfill. Since such steel–soil designs are used more and more often for small and medium-sized bridges on road and railway lines in Poland and in the world, the conclusions from the static load tests can be generalized to a whole class of similar bridge designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way in which a new road bridge made of steel corrugated plates Super Cor type was tested during the three stages of its construction is described and the test results are presented. Backfill in construction Stage I and two ballasting vehicles in Stages II and III constituted the loads. The box bridge spans the Bystrzyca Dusznicka River in Polanica Zdroj, Poland. The span’s effective length is 12.27 m and its vertical inside diameter is 3.85 m. The steel span is founded on two reinforced concrete strip foundations. The average values of the displacements and strains (normal stresses) measured in selected points and on selected elements of the steel shell structure were much smaller than the ones computed for the same load. The conclusions drawn from this research can be helpful in determining the interaction between the steel shell and the backfill. Since this type of steel–soil structure is increasingly used in Poland and in the world, the conclusions can be generalized to a whole class of similar bridge designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the validation results of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) retrieved from the Spinning Enhanced Visible Infrared Radiometer (SEVIRI) data using the near-real-time algorithm further developed in the frame of the Satellite-based Monitoring Initiative for Regional Air quality (SAMIRA) project. The SEVIRI AOD was compared against multiple data sources: six stations of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) in Romania and Poland, three stations of the Aerosol Research Network in Poland (Poland–AOD) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data overlapping Romania, Czech Republic and Poland. The correlation values between a four-month dataset (June–September 2014) from SEVIRI and the closest temporally available data for both ground-based and satellite products were identified. The comparison of the SEVIRI AOD with the AERONET AOD observations generally shows a good correlation (r = 0.48–0.83). The mean bias is 0.10–0.14 and the root mean square error RMSE is between 0.11 and 0.15 for all six stations cases. For the comparison with Poland–AOD correlation values are 0.55 to 0.71. The mean bias is 0.04–0.13 and RMSE is between 0.10 and 0.14. As for the intercomparison to MODIS AOD, correlations values were generally lower (r = 0.33–0.39). Biases of −0.06 to 0.24 and RMSE of 0.04 to 0.28 were in good agreement with the ground–stations retrievals. The validation of SEVIRI AOD with AERONET results in the best correlations followed by the Poland–AOD network and MODIS retrievals. The average uncertainty estimates are evaluated resulting in most of the AOD values falling above the expected error range. A revised uncertainty estimate is proposed by including the observed bias form the AERONET validation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the framework of the Satellite-based Monitoring Initiative for Regional Air quality (SAMIRA) project, the near-real-time (NRT) operation has been documented for an in-house developed algorithm used for the retrieval of aerosol optical depth (AOD) maps from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) sensor onboard the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG). With the frequency of 15 min at a spatial resolution of roughly 5.5 × 5.5 km the AOD maps are provided for the country domains of Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Southern Norway. A significant improvement has been reported in terms of modification of the existing prototype algorithm that it suits the operational NRT AOD retrieval for an extended area. This is mainly due to the application of the optimal interpolation method for the AOD estimation on reference days with the use of ground-based measurements of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and the Aerosol Research Network (PolandAOD-NET) as well as simulations of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The main issues that have been addressed regarding surface reflectance estimation, cloud screening and uncertainty calculation. Exemplary maps of the NRT retrieval have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keratinolytic fungi were examined in soil heavily contaminated with petroleum waste during long-term bioremediation in a biopile at the Czechowice Oil Refinery located in Southern Poland. Soil chemistry and associated microbiological parameters were monitored for 39 months to assess the bioremediation process at this site. These fungi were found to occur relatively frequently in the biopile, with the geophilic dermatophyte, Trichophyton ajelloi (teleomorph Arthroderma uncinatum) as the predominant fungal species. Fungal growth was found to depend on the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons and their polar derivatives in soil. Results demonstrate that the keratinolytic fungi are a potential tool for assessment of soil petroleum hydrocarbon contamination and associated bioremediation progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study estimated outcomes in 509 elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with different treatment approaches depending on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Patients were stratified into fit (ECOG 0-2 and CCI 0-2) or frail (ECOG>2 and/or CCI>2) groups. Fit patients with CCI 0 received intensive chemotherapy whilst reduced-intensive chemotherapy (R-IC) was given to those with CCI 1-2. Frail patients received best supportive therapy. Fit patients presented a longer overall survival (OS) than frail subjects, but 8-week mortality rates were similar. The complete response (CR) rate between fit CCI 0 and CCI 1-2 subgroups was significantly different. Both of the fit subgroups showed similar 8-week mortality rates and OS probabilities. Allocating fit patients with CCI 1-2 to R-IC enabled an increase in the group of elderly patients who could be treated with the intention of inducing remission.