Human-planted alder trees as a protection against debris flows (a dendrochronological study from the Moxi Basin, Southwestern China)

Large debris flows have destroyed the infrastructure and caused the death of people living in the Moxi Basin (Sichuan Province, Southwestern China). Inhabitants of the Moxi Basin live on the flat surfaces of debris-flow fans, which are also attractive for farming. During the monsoon season debris flows are being formed above the fans. Debris flows can destroy the houses of any people living within the fan surfaces. In order to prevent the adverse effects of flows, people plant alder trees (Alnus nepalensis) at the mouths of debris flow gullies running above debris flow fans. Alders are able to capture the debris transported during flow events. Trees are well adapted to surviving in conditions of environmental stress connected with abrupt transport and deposition of sediment from debris flows. Numerous wounds, tilting and bending of alder trees caused by debris flows only very rarely cause the death of trees. By dating scars and dating the time of alder tilting (through the analysis of annual rings), we have determined the frequency of debris flows occurring at the mouth of the Daozhao valley. In 1980–2012 within the studied debris-flow fan and the Daozhao gully, 2 large debris flow events occurred (1996, 2005) and some smaller events were probably recorded every 2–3 years.     

Beeswax remnants,phase and major element chemical composition of the bronze age mould from Gaj Oławski (SW Poland)

The recently found metal casting mould from Gaj O?awski (SW Poland) was designed for the production of socketed axes typical for later stages of the Bronze Age in Poland (ca. 1100–900 bc). This unique artefact is a half of a durable, two-piece wedge-shaped mould and measures 17.5?×?7.2?×?4.0 cm. The surface of the mould is covered copper oxides and carbonates, and the remnant of beeswax was found on its inner surface. The metal forming mould consists of cored dendrites of Cu-dominated (Cu >96.5 wt%, up to 2.2 wt% Sn) and Cu impoverished (Cu ~86.0 wt%, Sn ~9.4 wt%, some Sb, As and Ag) end compositions and volumetrically subordinate α?+?δ eutectoid. The “as cast” structure of the metal shows that the mould was never used for molten metal casting. Since this kind of moulds was used for mass casting of metal, the Gaj O?awski one was probably never used, and the beeswax is the remain of its coating. This is the first remain of the Bronze Age beeswax described in metallurgical context in Europe.     

Cooperation and Forming Networks of Creative Cities: Polish Experiences

The goal of this article is to draw attention to one of the currently observed trends in the geography of cities in the context of the networking of cities of similar development profiles. In that context, the most important examples of the urban networks were analysed, including the following networks: the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and Eurocities as well known side-network initiatives of the European Capital of Culture. Each network was analysed in the context of business objectives and the conditions for participation. In addition to that, the article describes the idea of cluster forming with particular emphasis on creative industries clusters. Moreover, this article is devoted to Polish experiences connected with the participation of the Polish cities in international networks of creative cities, establishing creative clusters in Poland and with cluster initiatives.     

Prêcher sur le prêche. La réflexion de Maurice de Sully sur l’importance et la nature de la prédication

The paper presents an analysis of the work of Maurice de Sully, bishop of Paris (1160–96) and the author of one of the earliest complete collections of sermons for lay people. The focus of the analysis is the idea of the preaching as it was understood by the preachers themselves. The importance and the nature of this pastoral activity are quite often presented in the sermons. They also seem to be alluded to through the structure of the sermons and vocabulary used by the preacher.     

利用电子束固化甘油甲基丙烯酸酯加固剂保护秦俑彩绘

考古出土物的长期保存是一项研究主题,保护的问题在于考古出土物的内部结构在失去稳定性前得到处理：秦俑彩绘保护是一个典型例子,因为彩绘底层容易从基体脱离。解决问题的方法是：让HEMA（羟乙基甲基丙烯酸酯）单体渗透到内部并利用电子束辐照聚合。这样,就会得到牢固的加固层。表面的聚合过程会由于空气氧化作用而停止,并形成自然加固表面。然而,缓慢的扩散作用会导致保护处理后出现亮瘫。在加入了甘油甲基丙烯酸酯后,整个电子束加固过程得到有效控制;这种单体的有效合成为加固的先决条件。恰当的GMA和HEMA配比以及电子束辐照处理,可形成具有一定弹性、不玄光、不发粘的加固表面,并具有长期的稳定性。另外,其加入可以有效降低辐照剂量至之前的一半。其极性加固材料可使考古出土物在高湿条件下也具有长期的稳定性。因而对解决其他考古问题也有一定借鉴意义。     

Spain's and Poland's Road to NATO: the problem of continuity and change in the foreign policy of a democratising state

The aim of this article is to compare the Spanish and Polish road to NATO from the perspective of the shape of the foreign policy and its possible restructuring in states undergoing the process of democratic transformation. The study of both cases shows that the reorientation of the foreign policy of a democratising state results to a large extent from external conditions at the global and regional levels although the internal conditions may hinder or accelerate the reorientation. The example of Spain demonstrates that in a firm and stable international system (the bipolar system) it is extremely difficult to change the direction of foreign policy, even if there are internal premises such as democratisation, well-organised opposition supporting the change and social support. In the case of Poland, the flexible and unstable international system made it possible to radically change the direction of its foreign policy. The existing internal premises without the appropriate external context would not have been enough to generate the reorientation of foreign policy. The comparative study of Spanish and Polish cases should be treated as an introduction to the broader analysis on the subject of the restructuring of foreign policy in the democratising state. Democratic transformation processes which took place in Europe from the mid-1970s provide broad empirical material for further scientific work in this area.