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  • 1,3-Propanediol-Based Supported Deep Eutectic Liquid Membranes as an Efficient Material for Carbon Dioxide Separation
    • Bartosz Nowosielski
    • Dorota Warmińska
    • Iwona Cichowska-Kopczyńska
    2025 INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH

    In this study, new polypropylene-based supported liquid membranes (SLMs) with a liquid phase composed of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) containing choline chloride, acetylcholine chloride, or tetrabutylammonium chloride and 1,3-propanediol were introduced. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to verify DES formation, and the thermal stability was assessed using thermogravimetric analysis. The physicochemical properties, namely, density, refractive index, and viscosity, of DESs and their carbon dioxide capacities were measured across a temperature range of 293.15–313.15 K. The study examined how the structure of the hydrogen bond acceptor and the molar ratio of acceptor to donor influenced the properties and potential for CO2 separation. The permeability of CO2 and N2 through DES-based SLMs was measured, and the ideal selectivity for CO2 over N2 was evaluated. Results indicated that the permeability of CO2 through SLMs containing 1,3-propanediol-based DES ranged from 89 to 123 barrer at 293.15 K, with an ideal CO2/N2 selectivity between 22 and 32. The performance of the studied DES-SLMs demonstrates that they are a viable alternative to commercially used CO2 separation methods due to their environmentally friendly nature and comparable gas separation capabilities.

  • A comparative analysis of numerically simulated and experimentally measured static responses of a floating dock
    • Jianan Zhang
    • Xueliang Wen
    • Aleksander Kniat
    • Muk Chen Ong
    2025 Ships and Offshore Structures

    Two numerical methods, dynamic and static analyses, are proposed to calculate the static responses of a floating dock under different ballast water distributions. Model-scale experimental tests were conducted to compare with these numerical methods. The dynamic analysis includes a 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) model, a hydrostatic force model and a hydrodynamic force model to simulate the dock's freely floating processes. The dock's equilibrium position is identified when the difference in the dock’s motions between two successive time steps is below a specified tolerance value. In the static analysis, the static equilibrium equations in draught, heel, and trim are solved using the Newton-Raphson method. Both dynamic and static results of the draughts at the four corners, heel, and trim are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results, which shows the reliability of the proposed numerical methods. Moreover, the static analysis exhibits quicker convergence, requiring fewer iteration steps than the dynamic analysis.

  • A facile synthesis by spark plasma sintering of mobile lithium ions into oxynitride glass-ceramic matrix: Insight and perspective
    • Sharafat Ali
    • Abbas Saeed Hakeem
    • Hussain Alslman
    • Natalia Wójcik
    2025 Journal of Materials Research and Technology-JMR&T

    The quest for efficient energy storage solutions has led to the development of solid-state Li-on batteries (SSBs), which utilize solid-state electrolyte (SSE) materials instead of organic liquid electrolytes. This study investigates the effect of increasing Li content in a Ca11Al14Si16O49N10 glass-ceramic material on its structural, thermal, physical, and electrical properties. Spark Plasma Sintered (SPS) glass-ceramic samples with varying Li content (6–21 wt% of Li₂O) were analyzed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis exhibited amorphous patterns for both the oxynitride parent glass and the same undoped glass which was sintered via SPS. Furthermore, the XRD analysis revealed changes in the crystalline phases with varying Li content, indicating a complex relationship between Li concentration and crystallinity. With increase in Li content, the crystallinity in the samples decreases. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies demonstrate alterations in microstructural features, notably an increase in the number of Li-rich phases. Thermal analysis reveals fluctuating thermal expansion and conductivity trends, with significant increases observed up to a certain Li content threshold. Ionic conductivity studies indicate a complex relationship between Li content, activation energy, and conduction mechanisms, with optimal conductivity observed at specific Li concentrations. These findings provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of SSE materials for next-generation energy storage applications.

  • A Highly Compact Low-Profile Beam Switching Transmitarray Antenna for ISM-Band Applications
    • Seyed Hashem Ramazannia Tuloti
    • Adam Lamęcki
    • Michał Mrozowski
    2025 IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters

    This paper presents a novel, very low-profile transmitarray antenna (TA) designed specifically for applications in the 24 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. The design innovation lies in embedding the switchable feed antenna into the beam-focusing surface and adding a reflector, which effectively halves the antenna’s size in the boresight direction. This compact antenna allows for easy beam switching through the use of microswitches, making it well-suited for vehicular radar applications. A TA consisting of 829 units with an F/D ratio of 0.5 has been successfully engineered and fabricated for operation at 24.125 GHz. Notably, the antenna exhibits beam-switching capabilities at various angles, including 8, 16, and 24 degrees in the negative X-axis direction and 8, 16, 24, and 32 degrees in the positive X-axis direction, in addition to the boresight direction. The maximum measured gain of the antenna is 19.85 dBi, and it can achieve a tilt of 32 degrees with a gain reduction of approximately 3.52 dB compared to the boresight direction.

  • A Miniaturized and High Optically Transparent Frequency Selective Surface for RF Shielding using Double-Glazed Glass Windows for Green Building Applications
    • Muhammad Nasir
    • Sławomir Kozieł
    • Adnan Iftikhar
    2025 Pełny tekst IEEE Access

    This research presents a miniaturized and high optically transparent (OT) frequency selective surface (FSS) for achieving RF shielding through glass window panels. The proposed FSS consists of a single-layered copper pattern sandwiched between two ordinary glass substrates to suppress the dual bands of sub-6 fifth generation (5G). In particular, the design effectively shields n65-downlink (2.1 GHz) and a portion of n78-band (3.5 GHz). The unit cell (UC) design consists of square and butterfly rings with a maximum copper width of 0.1 mm. The dimensions of FSS unit cell (UC) are optimized to 0.0714λ_0 × 0.07146λ_0, where λ_0 is the wavelength at 2.1 GHz resonant frequency. Full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulations, equivalent circuit modeling (ECM), and experimental testing are performed to validate the FSS performance. The design miniaturization and 0.1 mm copper trace width offered a maximum OT of 91.6 % and angular stability up to 85^° for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarized waves.

  • A Non-PCM-Based 2 × 2 MIMO Antenna Array With Low Radar Cross-Section Using Characteristic Mode Analysis
    • Manzoor Elahi
    • Sławomir Kozieł
    • Leifur Leifsson
    2025 Pełny tekst IEEE Access

    In this paper, we introduced a 2×2 multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array using a non-polarization conversion metasurface (NPCM) with reduced radar cross section (RCS). To achieve a low RCS, a chess-board configuration is typically adopted. However, in conventional NPCM designs, subarrays with 180◦ phase shifts apart exhibit radiating modes at different resonance frequencies due to varied unit cell sizes and spacing. To address this, a characteristic mode analysis (CMA) has been performed to investigate the radiation mechanism of each subarray, ensuring they resonate within the same frequency band. Through this analysis, the feeding structure was optimized based on the slot-coupled patch antenna theory to align the radiating modes of the subarrays within the desired bandwidth. Specifically, the fundamental mode TM01 of one subarray and higher order mode TM03 of the other were successfully excited to operate within the same frequency range. This configuration enables the low-RCS NPCM surface to implement a MIMO system in which each subarray radiates independently within the same frequency band. Full-wave simulations and measurements have been carried out to verify the performance of the proposed antenna array. The results indicate that the MIMO antenna maintains good isolation, ranging from 22 to 50 dB among ports within the operating band from 9.6 to 10.7 GHz, and exhibits RCS reduction under different polarization ranging from 9 to 19 dB across the band from 8.5 to 12 GHz. Moreover, the RCS under oblique incidence also demonstrate good performance, making it suitable for radar applications.

  • A Probe into the Corrosion Behavior of a WE43B Magnesium Alloy in a Simulated Body Fluid using Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
    • Husnu Gerengi
    • Sergio Lorenzi
    • Moses Solomon
    • Paweł Ślepski
    • Marina Cabrini
    2025 JOURNAL OF MATERIALS ENGINEERING AND PERFORMANCE

    WE43B is one of the newest Mg alloys with practical application in biomedical implant technology. This work attempts to scrutinize the corrosion characteristics of WE43B alloy in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at a typical body temperature. The dynamic-electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with the capacity to track changes on surfaces in a dynamic corrosive system is used in combination with other classical techniques namely, linear polarization, EIS, and hydrogen evolution to track the corrosion pattern of the alloy in SBF for 24 h. The electrochemical results reveal a steady increase in the corrosion resistance of the alloy with immersion time reaching 1398 Ω cm2 at 24 h. This corroborates the hydrogen evolution results in which a declining trend in the corrosion rate with immersion time is observed. The corrosion rate of the alloy is in the range of 1.326-1.338 mm y−1 at 24 h. The results from the applied techniques are comparable. The surface analysis (scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy AFM) results conform with the results obtained from applied methods.

  • A random field-based simulational identification of possible levels of material imperfections of adhesive-bonded joints
    • Karol Winkelmann
    • Faizullah Jan
    • Łukasz Smakosz
    • Violetta Konopińska-Zmysłowska
    • Victor Eremeyev
    • Marcin Kujawa
    2025 Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences-Technical Sciences

    Recently, structural adhesives have become significant in the shaping of structural elements, especially in thin-walled structures, where they replace or supplement traditional connection methods. However, adhesive-bonded joints are highly susceptible to internal structural imperfections due to their application technique and the nature of the adhesive. These material inconsistencies impact the strength parameters and the mechanical behavior of the entire connection. This study proposes a simplified method for the probabilistic numerical modeling of structural imperfections in an adhesive layer. The adhesive is modeled as an uncorrelated random field with weakened elements representing structural imperfections randomly scattered throughout its entire volume. The percentage of these imperfections (in relation to the total volume) is adopted a random variable.By conducting experimental tests on dogbone specimens of a selected adhesive and comparing them to adequate numerical tests with varying volumes of weakened elements, the determination of the representative imperfection volume of the investigated adhesive was possible. Based on these tests, the calibration of the probability density function to describe the volume of the imperfections may be performed. Furthermore, the application of the random model for an adhesive-bonded single lap-joint is shown to be viable. Finally, the calculation of a probability-based mechanical response (in this case, the normal force at critical elongation) of the single lap-joint with structural imperfections is performed, and its resultant reliability is assessed and evaluated.

  • A review on hydrophobic electrospun nanofibers-based materials and membranes for water treatment: Challenges, outlook, and stability
    • Farooque Janjhi
    • Imamdin Chandio
    • Dahar Janwery
    • Vahid Vatanpour
    • Roberto Castro Munoz
    2025 SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY

    Membrane technology is well recognized as a dependable means of supplementing the availability of potable water through processes such as water purification and desalination. Electrospun nanofiber membranes have garnered significant attention because of their advantageous features, including a greater specific surface area, increased porosity, reduced thickness, and popularity. Consequently, ENMs have emerged as an up-and-coming contender in several applications. The various methods employed for fabrication involve inorganic deposition, polymer coating, and interfacial polymerization. Electrospun nanofiber membranes’ efficacy in removing diverse water pollutants, including heavy metals, dyes, and antibiotics, has been exceptional. The enhancement of polymer membrane performance can be achieved through the precise adjustment of polymer structure, manipulation of surface properties, and reinforcement of total membrane porosity. The study investigates the fundamentals of electrospun nanofibers and their utilization in electrospun nanofibrous membranes and composites for environmental remediation applications. The final section discusses the opportunities and significant challenges concerning the application of engineered nanomaterials in the water treatment sector. The advancement of engineered nanomaterials is anticipated to facilitate the growth and application of multiple industries, including water treatment and sustainability.

  • Acceleration deforms exponential decays into generalized Zipf-Mandelbrot laws
    • Marek Czachor
    2025 PHYSICS LETTERS A

    An exponentially decaying system looks as if its decay was a generalized power or double-exponential law, provided one takes into account the relativistic time dilation in a detector, the delay of the emitted signal, and the accelerations of both the source and the detector. The same mathematical formula can be found in generalizations of the Zipf-Mandelbrot law in quantitative linguistics and in the dynamics of ligand binding in heme proteins. The effect is purely kinematic and is not related to the various dynamic phenomena that can accompany accelerated motion of sources or detectors. The procedure used can also be seen as a form of clock synchronization near an event horizon.

  • Activation of small molecules by ambiphilic NHC-stabilized phosphinoborenium cation: formation of boreniums with B–O–C, B–O–B, and B–O–P structural motifs
    • Tomasz Wojnowski
    • Anna Ordyszewska
    • Hanna Halenka
    • Iwona Anusiewicz
    • Jarosław Chojnacki
    • Kinga Kaniewska-Laskowska
    • Rafał Grubba
    2025 Pełny tekst DALTON TRANSACTIONS

    The reactivity of the phosphinoborenium cation supported by a 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene ligand toward small molecules was explored. The phosphinoborenium cation exhibited dual Lewis acid–base properties due to the presence of the Lewis acidic boron center and the Lewis basic phosphido ligand connected by a covalent bond. The reaction of the title cation with CO2 led to the insertion of a CO2 molecule into the P–B bond. The obtained borenium CO2-adduct underwent hydrolysis, forming an N-heterocyclic carbene stabilized diborenium dication bearing a B–O–B functionality. The activation of N2O proceeded via the insertion of an oxygen atom into the B–P bond of the parent cation, yielding a borenium cation with a phosphinite moiety. An alternative synthetic pathway to borenium cations with a B–O–P skeleton was achieved via the activation of secondary phosphine oxides by the phosphinoborenium cation. Furthermore, borenium cations and diborenium dications with B–O–C structural motifs were obtained from the reaction of the title compound with perfluorinated tert-butyl alcohol and hydroquinone, respectively. The structure of the obtained borenium cations is discussed based on multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and density functional theory calculations.

  • Active learning on stacked machine learning techniques for predicting compressive strength of alkali-activated ultra-high-performance concrete
    • Farzin Kazemi
    • Torkan Shafighfard
    • Robert Jankowski
    • Doo-Yeol Yoo
    2025 Pełny tekst Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

    Conventional ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has excellent development potential. However, a significant quantity of CO2 is produced throughout the cement-making process, which is in contrary to the current worldwide trend of lowering emissions and conserving energy, thus restricting the further advancement of UHPC. Considering climate change and sustainability concerns, cementless, eco-friendly, alkali-activated UHPC (AA-UHPC) materials have recently received considerable attention. Following the emergence of advanced prediction techniques aimed at reducing experimental tools and labor costs, this study provides a comparative study of different methods based on machine learning (ML) algorithms to propose an active learning-based ML model (AL-Stacked ML) for predicting the compressive strength of AA-UHPC. A data-rich framework containing 284 experimental datasets and 18 input parameters was collected. A comprehensive evaluation of the significance of input features that may affect compressive strength of AA-UHPC was performed. Results confirm that AL-Stacked ML-3 with accuracy of 98.9% can be used for different general experimental specimens, which have been tested in this research. Active learning can improve the accuracy up to 4.1% and further enhance the Stacked ML models. In addition, graphical user interface (GUI) was introduced and validated by experimental tests to facilitate comparable prospective studies and predictions.

  • Active Polylactide-poly(ethylene glycol) Films Loaded with Olive Leaf Extract for Food Packaging—Antibacterial Activity, Surface, Thermal and Mechanical Evaluation
    • Sylwia Grabska-Zielińska
    • Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska
    • Magdalena Gierszewska
    • Mohamed Bouaziz
    • Marcin Wekwejt
    • Anna Pałubicka
    • Anna Żywicka
    • Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska
    2025 Polymers

    As the demand for sustainable and innovative solutions in food packaging continues to grow, this study endeavors to introduce a comprehensive exploration of novel active materials. Specifically, we focus on characterizing polylactide-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA/PEG) films filled with olive leaf extract (OLE; Olea europaea) obtained via solvent evaporation. Examined properties include surface structure, thermal degradation and mechanical attributes, as well as antibacterial activity. The results indicated a significant impact of the incorporation of OLE into this polymeric matrix, increasing hydrophobicity, decreasing surface free energy, and enhancing surface roughness, albeit with slight reductions in mechanical properties. Notably, these modified materials exhibited significant bacteriostatic, bactericidal and anti-adhesive activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Consequently, PLA/PEG/OLE films demonstrated considerable potential for advanced food packaging, facilitating interactions between products and their environment. This capability ensures the preservation and extension of food shelf life, safeguards against microbial contamination, and maintains the overall quality, safety, and integrity of the packaged food. These findings suggest potential pathways for developing more sustainable and effective food packaging films.

  • Advanced genetic algorithm-based signal processing for multi-degradation detection in steam turbines
    • Marta Drosińska-Komor
    • Jerzy Głuch
    • Łukasz Breńkacz
    • Michał Piotrowicz
    • Paweł Ziółkowski
    • Natalia Ziółkowska
    2025 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING

    This research contributes to the field of reliability engineering and system safety by introducing an innovative diagnostic method to enhance the reliability and safety of complex technological systems. Steam turbines are specifically referred to. This study focuses on the integration of advanced signal processing techniques and engineering dynamics in addressing critical issues in the monitoring and maintenance of mechanical systems. By utilizing genetic algorithms, we improve the capability to detect, localize, and ascertain the causes of both singular and intricate degradations, including three-fold and four-fold faults, within steam turbine operations. We can detect degradation with accuracies of 72.6% for three-fold faults and 62.2% for four-fold faults. This significant advancement emphasizes the potential for improved machine and structural health monitoring, especially where non-stationary and random vibrations are common, such as in powertrain and drivetrain systems. This methodology is vital for the maintenance and oper- ational strategies of critical infrastructures like nuclear power plants, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities where steam turbines play a crucial role. The novelty of this approach lies in the use of genetic algorithms for thermal-flow diagnostics of steam turbines, which had been unaddressed in literature. Moreover, the merger of theoretical and experimental aspects in this study underscores its relevance to practical applications, thereby demonstrating an original contribution to engineering knowledge and showcasing significant advancements over estab- lished methods. The research underscores the method’s potential as a universal tool for diag- nosing complex systems, representing an advance in reliability engineering practices. By applying genetic algorithms, a noticeable link to improving the safety and reliability of technological systems is established, offering valuable insights into the design, maintenance, and extension of the lifespan of critical infrastructure.

  • AI-Driven Sustainability in Agriculture and Farming
    • Julian Szymański
    • Karolina Nurzyńska
    • Paweł Weichbroth
    2025

    In this chapter, we discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in promoting sustainable agriculture and farming. Three main themes run through the chapter. First, we review the state of the art of smart farming and explore the transformative impact of AI on modern agricultural practices, focusing on its contribution to sustainability. With this in mind, our analysis focuses on topics such as data collection and storage, AI algorithms in agriculture, and optimization areas. We also present recent advances in agricultural technology and equipment used to develop a wide range of production methods used by modern farmers. We discuss agri-environmental monitoring, which refers to the real-time or periodic monitoring and assessment of environmental components in agricultural production. Specifically, five types of environmental monitoring are presented, viz: air quality monitoring, water sampling and analysis, noise level testing, soil quality testing, and microbial monitoring. We also discuss weather forecasting, one of the most challenging scientific endeavors. The chapter concludes with applications for monitoring and managing environmental impacts and explores future trends and innovations based on cutting-edge research and emerging technologies.

  • Alternative approach for damping coefficient estimation in instrumented first-mode dominant steel frame buildings
    • Tomasz Falborski
    2025 MEASUREMENT

    An alternative approach geared towards estimating damping coefficients in steel frame buildings is presented and assessed. The proposed methodology is conceptually intuitive and its implementation is straightforward. It arises from fundamental principles of structural dynamics and utilizes actual seismic recordings from instrumented buildings. The presented approach is most suitable for low- and mid-rise shear-type structures, wherein the first mode is predominant. The performance of this method is firstly validated against experimental measurements retrieved from a shake table investigation conducted on a single- and a two-story steel frame models subjected to a suite of various low-amplitude ground motions. Then, the estimated values of damping coefficients are implemented into numerical analyses, wherein the single- and the two-story steel frame models are idealized as a 1-DOF and 2-DOF systems, respectively. In the next step, the methodology is applied for estimating damping coefficients in an instrumented three-story office building located in Richmond, California. Overall, the results indicate that the proposed approach is effective and well-suited for damping coefficient identification in the first-mode dominant steel frame structures under low-amplitude seismic excitations (i.e., in the linear elastic range). Lastly, limitations of the present investigation are critically discussed.

  • An 8–18 GHz ultrawideband gap waveguide folded bandpass filter for radar applications
    • Abdullah J. Alazemi
    • Davood Zarifi
    • Ali Farahbakhsh
    2025 AEU-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS

    The present work introduces a compact ultrawideband filter based on folded ridge gap waveguide. The design and fabrication of a ninth-order bandpass filter demonstrates its capabilities, achieving a 75 % fractional bandwidth, a return loss (RL) of 17.6 dB, and an insertion loss (IL) of 0.52 dB within the 8.22 to 18.15 GHz frequency range. The fabricated prototype shows excellent agreement between simulations and measurements. The designed filter offers reduced size and wider frequency bandwidth in comparison with similar bandpass filters based on gap waveguide and exhibits significant potential for X- and Ku-bands radar systems

  • An All-Metal Broadband Low SLL slot array antenna for use in 5G Sub-6 GHz networks
    • Davood Zarifi
    • Ali Farahbakhsh
    • Michał Mrozowski
    2025 Scientific Reports

    This paper describes the design and implementation of an all-metal wideband cavity-backed slot array antenna specifically optimized for 5G sub-6GHz networks. The antenna is engineered to feature low sidelobe levels (SLL), which enhance signal clarity and reduce interference. The proposed antenna utilizes a novel approach, directly exciting all radiating slots through the cavity layer, thus eliminating the need for a complex and lossy power dividing network. The antenna’s performance is validated through full-wave simulations and measurements. The results demonstrate antenna’s ability to achieve wideband operation from 3.1 to 4GHz with −19 dB SLL, peak gain of 20.2 dBi, and more than 90% total efficiency. The main advantages provided by the proposed slot arrays are wide bandwidth, high radiation efficiency, high gain, low sidelobe levels. The all-metal construction ensures robust power handling, and the simplified design contributes to its low complexity. These characteristics make the antenna a promising candidate for 5G deployments.

  • An experimental EEG study of brain activities underlying the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
    • Ali Mohammadi
    • Sahar Seifzadeh
    • Fatemeh Torkamani
    • Sina Salehi
    2025 IBRO Neuroscience Reports

    Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is an audio-visual phenomenon that has recently become popular. Many people have reported experiencing a tingling-like sensation through their body while watching audio/video clips known as ASMR clips. People capable of having such experiences have also reported improved overall well-being and feeling relaxed. However, the neural activity underlying this phenomenon is not yet well-studied. The present study aims to investigate this issue using electroencephalography (EEG) employing an exploratory approach. We recorded resting-state EEGs from twelve participants before and after watching an ASMR clip and a control video clip. We divided the participants into two groups capable of experiencing ASMR tingling (ASMR group) and not capable of experiencing ASMR tingling (Non-ASMR group), by performing “Jenks Natural Breaks” clustering method on the results of a self-report questionnaire. We calculated the spectral power of EEG recording and compared the resulting values between the groups and sessions. We demonstrated a decline in the power of EEG activities in the delta frequency band in all regions of the brain and an increase in alpha activity in the occipital area of the brain and increases in beta oscillations was noted over the left fronto-temporal region of the brain among ASMR group. We did not observe similar results among the Non-ASMRs participants or among ASMRs in the control group.

  • An optimal nonlinear fractional order controller for passive/active base isolation building equipped with friction-tuned mass dampers
    • Morteza Akbari
    • Abbas-Ali Zamani
    • Mohammad Seifi
    • Bartolomeo Pantò
    • Tomasz Falborski
    • Robert Jankowski
    2025 Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation

    This paper presents an optimal nonlinear fractional-order controller (ONFOC) designed to reduce the seismic responses of tall buildings equipped with a base-isolation (BI) system and friction-tuned mass dampers (FTMDs). The parameters for the BI and FTMD systems, as well as their combinations (BI-FTMD and active BI-FTMD or ABI-FTMD), were optimized separately using a multi-objective quantum-inspired seagull optimization algorithm (MOQSOA). The seismic performances of the BI, FTMD, BI-FTMD, and ABI-FTMD systems for a 15-storey building subjected to two far-field (Loma Prieta and Landers) and two near-fields (Tabas and Northridge) earthquakes were evaluated. The results indicated that structures with BI, FTMD, BI-FTMD, and ABI-FTMD systems outperformed the uncontrolled structure in reducing structural responses during the design earthquakes (Loma Prieta and Tabas). However, under validation earthquakes (Landers and Northridge), the peak acceleration of the building with the FTMD system was worse than that of the uncontrolled structure during the near-field Northridge earthquake. To address this issue, we proposed a combination of the active BI system and the FTMD system. Time history analysis results demonstrated that for the building equipped with the ABI-FTMD system, the peak displacement, peak acceleration, and peak inter-storey drift were reduced by approximately 60%, 64%, and 78%, respectively, as compared to the uncontrolled structure.

  • An ultrawideband monopulse feed with slant polarization for tracking radar systems
    • Davood Zarifi
    • Ali Farahbakhsh
    • Michał Mrozowski
    2025 Scientific Reports

    An ultrawideband slant-polarized monopulse feed is designed and fabricated for microwave applications. The proposed configuration features four end-launched diagonal horns allowing for the production of sum and difference channels in two principal planes. The key advantage of this proposed monopulse antenna over traditional monopulse feeds is its ability to combine the benefits of ultrawideband performance with slant polarization while maintaining acceptable side lobe level. The design is validated by fabricating a prototype of the proposed feed antenna. Measurement results are in a reasonable agreement with the simulations. The measured ratio bandwidth is 2.5:1 from 8 to 18 GHz with a peak gain of 17.92 dBi. The null depth in the difference patterns is approximately − 32 dB. Given these characteristics, the proposed monopulse feed is a suitable choice for use in commercial tracking radar systems that require wide bandwidth and slant polarization, such as those found in satellite-based applications.

  • Analysis of "green methanol" production from carbon dioxide acquired from negative emission power plants using CFD approach for catalytic reactor
    • Sylwia Oleś
    • Paweł Ziółkowski
    • Dariusz Mikielewicz
    2025 RENEWABLE ENERGY

    The growing global demand for energy, coupled with the urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, has led to the development of innovative energy cycles such as the negative CO₂ gas power plant (nCO2PP). Carbon dioxide storage and reuse in current industries is therefore becoming an important issue. The answer to this is the process of synthesizing methanol, commonly used in many industries from captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen from electrolysis. Methanol synthesis, a key process in such systems, relies heavily on the use of catalysts, offering significant research opportunities not only in catalyst chemistry, but also in optimizing reactor design and process parameters such as temperature, feed velocity and operating pressure. In this study, the effect of process parameters, in particular pressure and velocity, on the production of green methanol from CO₂ captured in a negative cycle CO₂ power plant was investigated. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed, incorporating a user-defined function (UDF) into commercial CFD software, a novel approach in this context. Simulation results showed a methanol yield of 4–10 % at the reactor outlet, which compares favourably with existing literature, indicating the potential for further optimisation and application in industrial methanol production.

  • Analysis of heat transfer and AuNPs-mediated photo-thermal inactivation of E. coli at varying laser powers using single-phase CFD modeling
    • Aimad Koulali
    • Paweł Ziółkowski
    • Piotr Radomski
    • Luciano Sio De
    • Zieliński Jacek
    • Cristina María Nevárez Martínez
    • Dariusz Mikielewicz
    2025 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NUMERICAL METHODS FOR HEAT & FLUID FLOW

    Purpose In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemics, the demand for innovative and effective methods of bacterial inactivation has become a critical area of research, providing the impetus for this study. The purpose of this research is to analyze the AuNPs-mediated photothermal inactivation of E. coli. Gold nanoparticles irradiated by laser represent a promising technique for combating bacterial infection that combines high-tech and scientific progress. The intermediate aim of the work was to present the calibration of the model with respect to the gold nanorods experiment. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of initial concentration of E. coli bacteria, the design of the chamber and the laser power on heat transfer and inactivation of E. coli bacteria. Design/methodology/approach Using the CFD simulation, the work combines three main concepts. 1. The conversion of laser light to heat has been described by a combination of three distinctive approximations: a- Discrete particle integration to take into account every nanoparticle within the system, b- Rayleigh-Drude approximation to determine the scattering and extinction coefficients and c- Lambert–Beer–Bourger law to describe the decrease in laser intensity across the AuNPs. 2. The contribution of the presence of E. coli bacteria to the thermal and fluid-dynamic fields in the microdevice was modeled by single-phase approach by determining the effective thermophysical properties of the water-bacteria mixture. 3. An approach based on a temperature threshold attained at which bacteria will be inactivated, has been used to predict bacterial response to temperature increases. Findings The comparison of the thermal fields and temporal temperature changes obtained by the CFD simulation with those obtained experimentally confirms the accuracy of the light-heat conversion model derived from the aforementioned approximations. The results show a linear relationship between maximum temperature and variation in laser power over the range studied, which is in line with previous experimental results. It was also found that the temperature inside the microchamber can exceed 55 °C only when a laser power higher than 0.8 W is used, so bacterial inactivation begins.

  • Analysis of Instantaneous Ship Resistance-Increase in Waves with CFD URANS
    • Hamid Zeraatgar
    • Mohammad Ghaemi
    • Mohamad Sadeghi
    2025 Polish Maritime Research

    To comply with the requirements set out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, recent efforts have focused on investigating the parameters that affect the increase in ship resistance, with the aim of developing effective reduction methods. This research examines both the time-varying instantaneous characteristics of a ship’s resistance in waves, referred to as resistance-increase, and the mean resistance-increase, known as added resistance, using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The accuracy of the CFD method in predicting the instantaneous resistance-increase in waves is evaluated by comparing it with the experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) method. Overall, the CFD method is found to give reasonable predictions for the amplitude of resistanceincrease; however, for waves with multiple oscillation frequencies, the CFD method predominantly captures a single frequency, called the encounter frequency, whereas the EFD method gives multiple frequencies. In addition, a parametric study of resistance-increase is conducted, which shows that the wavelength ratio significantly influences the pattern of resistance-increase, with a transition from a pure sine curve to a more irregular curve as the wavelength ratio shortens. Furthermore, with regard to the proportionality of the added resistance to the wave height, it is observed that the added resistance may be either much greater than or (sometimes) less than the square of the wave height. Finally, as the ship’s speed increases, the positive oscillation amplitude of the resistance-increase rises, while the negative amplitude tends to decrease, resulting in a significant increase in time-averaged added resistance. In summary, the wavelength ratio primarily governs both the added resistance and the resistance-increase in waves.

  • Analysis of the correlation between instantaneous resistance-increase in waves and ship motion for reducing fuel consumption
    • Mohammad Ghaemi
    • Hamid Zeraatgar
    • Arash Bozorgmehr
    2025 Ships and Offshore Structures

    Reducing fuel consumption is crucial for greening water transport. Wind, waves and currents affect fuel usage, with wave-induced resistance being significant. Typically, added resistance is estimated as the time average of resistance increase in waves over calm water. However, this average lacks real-time utility for engine adjustments. This study analyses time-series correlations between wave-induced resistance-increase and ship motions. Experiments using a KCS model show resistance oscillations can reach up to five times calm-water values. These oscillations are the first harmonic of the encounter frequency in long waves but exhibit multiple frequencies in short waves. Their amplitude follows a nonlinear trend: small in short waves, often large in medium waves and sometimes large in long waves. No clear amplitude trend emerges with wave height. A correlation between resistance increase and pitch motion is found in medium and long waves, underscoring the need for real-time control. These findings can guide strategies to optimise fuel use.

  • Anterior prefrontal EEG theta activities indicate memory and executive functions in epilepsy patients
    • Nastaran Hamedisheihani
    • Jesus Garcia Salinas
    • Brent Berry
    • Gregory Worrell
    • Michał Kucewicz
    2025 Pełny tekst EPILEPSIA

    Objective: Cognitive deficits are one of the most debilitating comorbidities in epilepsy and other neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, and neurodevelopmental brain disorders. Current diagnostic and therapeutic options are limited and lack objective measures of the underlying neural activities. In this study, electrophysiological biomarkers that reflect cognitive functions in clinically validated batteries were determined to aid diagnosis and treatment in specific brain regions. Methods: We employed a CANTAB battery of neuropsychological tasks probing memory and executive functions in 86 epilepsy patients undergoing clinical EEG monitoring. EEG electrode signals during performance of particular battery tasks were decomposed to identify specific frequency bands and cortical areas that differentiated patients with impaired, normal, and good standardized performance according to their age and gender. Results: The anterior prefrontal cortical EEG power in the theta frequency band was consistently lower in patients with impaired memory and executive function performance (z-score < -1). This effect was evident in all four behavioral measures of executive, visual, spatial, and working memory functions and was confined to the cortical area of all four frontal pole electrodes (Nz, Fpz, Fp1, Fp2). Significance: Theta EEG power in the anterior prefrontal cortex provides simple, accessible, and objective electrophysiological measure of memory and executive functions in epilepsy. Our results suggest a feasible clinical biomarker for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of cognitive deficits with emerging targeted neuromodulation approaches.

  • Applications of nanosorbents in dispersive solid phase extraction/microextraction approaches for monitoring of synthetic dyes in various types of samples: A review
    • Wajid Ali Khan
    • Pakorn Varanusupakul
    • Hameed Haq
    • Muhammad Balal Arain
    • Grzegorz Boczkaj
    2025 MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL

    Nanosorbents are frequently used in analytical chemistry for their various applications, including extraction and microextraction of synthetic dyes. Synthetic dyes pose a threat to living organisms, particularly humans, due to their worldwide use in a variety of industries. The removal and quantification of synthetic dyes from various matrices is becoming increasingly important. The use of nanosorbents in dispersive solid phase extraction/microextraction (DSPE/DSPME) based approaches are considered the most sensitive and effective techniques for the preconcentration of synthetic dyes due to its high sample clean-up capability, low usage of solvents, high enrichment (preconcentration) factors assuring low detection limits (LOD) of the overall analytical procedures. This review describes widely used nanosorbents, their key properties, and sorption capability, as well as progress and challenges in popular DSPE/DSPME methods and their types, including magnetic solid phase extraction/microextraction (MSPE/MSPME), dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-µ-SPE), and ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid phase extraction/microextraction (UA-DSPE/UA-DSPME) for extraction and quantification of dyes. Nanomaterials synthesis methods are typically divided into bottom-up and top-down methods. Bottom-up techniques include hydrothermal, sol–gel, laser pyrolysis, sonochemical, chemical reduction, inert gas condensation (IGC), co-precipitation, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Hydrothermal and CVD are the most commonly used. These methods have several advantages, including low cost, the ability to synthesize with a more controlled design, and the release of low waste. However, suffers from ensuring reproducibility and large-scale production. Top-down techniques involve reducing the size of the bulk material to create nanomaterials. The top-down approaches include electrospinning, laser ablation, etching, mechanical milling, thermal decomposition, and sputtering. The analytical instrumental technique is used to perform the final quantitative analysis step in these microextraction-based methods. The most common analytical instruments used with these sorbent-based microextraction techniques are UV–visible spectrophotometers, HPLC with UV/DAD , and LC-MS. Among the available methods, dedicated procedures for analysis of popular dyes such as Sudan dyes, sunset yellow, malachite green, methylene blue, crystal violet, tartrazine, and azo dye were developed.

  • Assessing Metal Distribution in Diverse Incineration Ashes: Implications for Sustainable Waste Management in Case of Different Incineration Facilities
    • Bartłomiej Cieślik
    • Joachim Emeka Arikibe
    2025 WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION

    Incineration contributes about 10% of metals emission in Europe and leaching of metals from reuse or landfilling of incineration products remains a global concern. Thus, evaluating metal distribution in incineration residues is critical. The present study highlights the distribution of selected metals, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, Al, Cu, and Pb, in incineration ashes in relation to incinerator capacities/sizes. Al was most distributed and Cd the least. Statistical evaluation with 2-factor ANOVA revealed significant variations (F > Fcrit, α = 0.05) were observed except in fluidised bed (FB) residues for Zn and Co. Also, except Co for samples of similar features from one location, and Pb in FB residues with no significant difference (p > 0.05), other metals varied statistically (p < 0.05). The degree of contamination (mCd), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) revealed all matrices had PLI > 1. Igeo revealed moderate to strong accumulation of Zn and Cu in all matrices except in 3 matrices for Cu while IMSW-BA showed strong Pb accumulation. Al, Mn and Fe showed low enrichment in all matrices except in 2 matrices for Cu. Zn and Pb were extremely enriched in IMSWA-BA. PERI placed FB-Gd and FB-Lz as ecologically low-risk, IMSW-BA and IMSW-APC as considerable ecological risk and other matrices were ecologically moderate risk. The study found that the content of metals in the incineration residues requires more sustainable ways of management and disposal of incineration products in Poland and elsewhere.

  • ASSESSMENT OF THE GREENNESS OF MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS USED IN SAMPLE PREPARATION
    • Mariusz Marć
    • Atnonio Martin-Esteban
    2025 Pełny tekst Advances in Sample Preparation

    It is now widely accepted that the incorporation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) into sample preparation techniques has enabled unprecedented selectivity performance of analytical methods for the determination of a wide range of analytes in biological, food and environmental samples. However, according to the Principles of Green Chemistry and the subsequent Principles of Green Sample Preparation, it is clear that MIPs are far from being considered green materials, both due to the common harmful reagents and the experimental conditions used for their synthesis. Accordingly, new greener routes for MIP synthesis have been proposed in recent years. However, although the titles of some of the published papers include terms such as 'green MIP' or 'sustainable MIP', such improved properties have only been assessed intuitively and it is therefore unclear whether such claimed green or sustainable MIPs are actually so. Therefore, in the present review, published papers using apparently green MIPs in sample preparation were evaluated using the recently developed metric tool AGREEMIP. Such a tool is based on the assessment of 12 criteria related to the greenness of the different reagents used, energy requirements and other aspects of MIP synthesis procedures. The final values of performed AGREEMIP assessment ranged from 0.28 to 0.80. The scores obtained after the AGREEMIP assessment clearly show that, although slight improvements have been achieved in terms of greenness, there is an abuse of the use of green-related terms and further development is needed. In this context, some guidelines for greening MIPs are provided.

  • Automatic Cleaning of Time Series Data in Rural Internet of Things Ecosystems That Use Nomadic Gateways
    • Jerzy Dembski
    • Agata Kołakowska
    • Bogdan Wiszniewski
    2025 Pełny tekst SENSORS

    A serious limitation to the deployment of IoT solutions in rural areas may be the lack of available telecommunications infrastructure enabling the continuous collection of measurement data. A nomadic computing system, using a UAV carrying an on-board gateway, can handle this; it leads, however, to a number of technical challenges. One is the intermittent collection of data from ground sensors governed by weather conditions for the UAV measurement missions. Therefore, each sensor should be equipped with software that allows for the cleaning of collected data before transmission to the fly-over nomadic gateway from erroneous, misleading, or otherwise redundant data—to minimize their volume and fit them in the limited transmission window. This task, however, may be a barrier for end devices constrained in several ways, such as limited energy reserve, insufficient computational capability of their MCUs, and short transmission range of their RAT modules. In this paper, a comprehensive approach to these problems is proposed, which enables the implementation of an anomaly detector in time series data with low computational demand. The proposed solution uses the analysis of the physics of the measured signals and is based on a simple anomaly model whose parameters can be optimized using popular AI techniques. It was validated during a full 10-month vegetation period in a real Rural IoT system deployed by Gdańsk Tech.

  • Badania wpływu wielkości mikroziaren ściernych w paście na intensywność docierania wybranych materiałów
    • Adam Barylski
    2025 Inżynieria Materiałowa

    Przedstawiono wyniki badań intensywności docierania próbek płaskich z miedzi beztlenowej i tellurowej oraz stali konstrukcyjnej 40H. Badano wpływ okresowego dawkowania elektrokorundowej pasty ściernej i wielkości mikroziaren ściernych oraz nacisku jednostkowego na ubytek masowy docieranych elementów.

  • Beyond the field: How pesticide drift endangers biodiversity
    • Saeed S. Albaseer
    • Veerle L.B. Jaspers
    • Luisa Orsini
    • Penny Vlahos
    • Hussein Al-Hazmi
    • Henner Hollert
    2025 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

    Airborne pesticide drift poses a substantial environmental threat in agriculture, affecting ecosystems far from the application sites. This process, in which up to 25% of applied pesticides are carried by air currents, can transport chemicals over hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. Drift rates peak during the summer months, reaching as high as 60%, and are influenced by various factors, including wind speed, temperature, humidity, and soil type. Pesticide volatilization is a significant concern, occurring 25 times more frequently than surface runoff. Under certain conditions, it can result in chemical losses of compounds like metolachlor and atrazine that are up to 150 times higher. These drifting pesticides have profound impacts on biodiversity, harming non-target plants, insects, fungi, and other organisms both near application sites and in distant ecosystems. Pesticide drift has been linked to over 50% reductions in wild plant diversity within 500 m of fields, reducing floral resources for pollinators. Despite growing evidence of these effects, the long-term consequences of airborne pesticides on biodiversity remain poorly understood, especially in complex field conditions with multiple pesticide applications. Addressing this requires urgent measures, such as improved meteorological tracking during applications, adoption of biopesticides, and integrated pest management strategies. This review highlights the pressing need for research to quantify airborne pesticides' ecological impacts, advocating for sustainable practices to mitigate environmental damage.

  • Born Twice: The Role of Social Media in Identity Redefinition after Sudden Disability
    • Lena Cavusoglu
    • Russell Belk
    • Francesca Bonetti
    • Stefania Borghini
    • Nadzeya Sabatini
    2025 Pełny tekst

    From being attacked by a shark to being stricken by illness, people who acquire disabilities later in life have unique lived experiences. There is, however, a commonality that binds them: the loss of a former identity and a rebirth into another life. They may also struggle with self-acceptance as they shun societal stigmas and perceived deviance from cultural norms. Through a netnographic study, we examine how identities are redefined with the help of social media. We trace the journey of athletes, influencers, and others experiencing sudden disabilities as they transition from medical facilities to the comfort of their homes. We present the four critical phases toward acceptance of a disabled identity and show the role of social media as a transformative tool for navigating social exclusion and prejudice, as well as being a conduit for self-expression.

  • Calculations of Cross-Sections for Positron Scattering on Benzene
    • Małgorzata Franz
    • Anna Pastuszko
    • Jan Franz
    2025 Pełny tekst Applied Sciences-Basel

    In this work, we present a theoretical study on positron scattering by benzene molecules over a broad energy range (1–1000 eV). The aim of this work is to provide missing data from partial cross-sections for specific processes. In particular, calculations of cross-sections for direct ionization and electronic excitation were carried out for benzene molecules in the gas phase. An estimate for the cross-section for positronium formation is obtained from a comparison with the total cross-section from experiments. Theoretical methodologies used in the study for partial ionization cross-section calculations are based on the binary-encounter Bethe model and take into account an extension of the Wannier theory. The total cross-section shows good agreement with experimental data.

  • CeO2/La2O3/MWCNTs as an efficient nano-electrocatalyst for use in the anode of alcohol fuel cells
    • Mohammad Bagher Akari
    • Parisa Salarizadeh
    • Mohammad Taghi Tourchi Moghadam
    • Sadegh Azizi
    2025 DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS

    One of the most important challenges in commercializing Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells (DAFCs) is the significant expense of advanced catalysts used in their anodes and cathodes and the CO poisoning of these catalysts with alcohol oxidation by-products. Alcohols oxidation reaction occurred in the anode of DAFCs. Within this study, a tripartite catalyst, comprising cerium oxide (CeO2) and lanthanum oxide (La2O3) integrated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), was synthesized through the one-step hydrothermal. The lattice configuration and form of CeO2/La2O3/MWCNTs and CeO2/La2O3 catalysts were scrutinized, alongside their efficacy in facilitating alcohol oxidation. In the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) processes, the CeO2/La2O3/MWCNTs nanocatalyst demonstrated an oxidation current density of 74.4 mA/cm2 at 0.55 V and 52.1 mA/cm2 at 0.64 V in scan rate of 60 mV/s, respectively. CeO2/La2O3/MWCNTs also demonstrated 98.6 % and 97.7 % stability in current density after 2000 CV cycles in the MOR and EOR processes. The inclusion of MWCNTs bolstered the catalytic reaction of the catalyst in terms of stability and current density. This proposed nano-electrocatalyst offers a novel, cost-effective, and stable alternative in contrast to methanol and ethanol oxidation.

  • Cervical spine injuries during car collisions with three types of roadside barriers
    • Dawid Bruski
    • Łukasz Pachocki
    • Jovan Trajkovski
    • Howie Fang
    • Krzysztof Wilde
    2025 ADVANCES IN ENGINEERING SOFTWARE

    Traditional methods for assessing vehicle passenger safety in crash tests involving roadside barriers rely on safety indices derived from vehicle kinematic responses. However, this approach may not accurately capture the complex biomechanical stresses exerted on the human body during a collision, raising concerns about the validity and reliability of these indices in accurately evaluating passenger safety. This study investigates the effects of three different types of roadside barriers on vehicle passenger safety using three approaches: (1) assessing compliance with the EN1317 standard based on vehicle kinematics; (2) utilizing the Finite Element (FE) Human Body Model (HBM) dummy and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 208 criteria; and (3) conducting detailed examinations of cervical spine biomechanics. FE simulations, incorporating a biofidelic FE-HBM, are used to evaluate vehicle passenger safety under TB32 impact conditions as specified by the EN1317 standard. The findings reveal that while all barriers effectively contain and redirect the vehicle, the concrete barrier poses the highest risk of occupant injuries, with the highest safety indices and stress levels in the cervical spine, exceeding safe thresholds due to its high lateral stiffness. In contrast, the cable barrier provides the most favorable conditions for vehicle passengers, exhibiting the lowest stress levels and ensuring superior safety performance. The W-beam barrier demonstrates intermediate performance. The analysis also highlights the significance of the tension–flexion loading condition in passenger neck injuries. This condition accounts for 70% of the neck loading intensity for the concrete barrier and 90% for the cable and W-beam barriers, lasting the longest among all neck loading modes. While current safety standards indicate a low risk of occupant injury, detailed FE analysis and cervical spine stress values suggest potential neck injuries, especially with the concrete barrier. These findings emphasize the need to revise current safety standards to include more comprehensive biomechanical evaluations, potentially leading to enhanced road barrier designs and improved road safety standards.

  • Challenges and Current Trends in Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance in EU Water Law Context
    • Justyna Rogowska
    • Grażyna Gałęzowska
    • Agnieszka Zimmermann
    2025 Antibiotics-Basel

    The increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, and their improper disposal have resulted in both pharmaceuticals and their metabolites being released into the environment, where they pose a risk to both ecosystems and human health. One of the most serious threats to public health associated with the presence of antibiotics in the environment is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In order to combat AMR, the legal aspect of water protection becomes a critical area of action. This article analyzes the current challenges and legislative developments in the European Union (EU) aimed at mitigating pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic environments, particularly with regard to AMR. It traces the evolution of EU water protection policies from the initial surface and groundwater directives to the recent updates of the Water Framework Directive, Groundwater Directive and Environmental Quality Standards Directive, focusing on the integration of pharmaceutical contaminants into the regulatory framework. In addition, these changes include the update of the Watch List system for monitoring emerging contaminants, the adoption of effects-based methods (EBMs) in the assessment of water status and the streamlining of the legislative process to respond more quickly to emerging threats in the aquatic environment. The EU’s strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment is emphasized as a key framework for harmonizing the environmental standards and addressing the problem of AMR through more sustainable pharmaceutical practices. This study advocates for a proactive, integrated approach to water policy that aligns regulatory actions with scientific advancements to protect public health and ecosystem integrity.

  • Changes in Enterprise Markets in Poland and Ukraine during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    • Krystyna Gomółka
    • Piotr Kasprzak
    2025

    This chapter also evaluates the effectiveness of government assistance provided in 2020 and 2021 to business owners and employees. Our study was conducted to determine how many companies failed, what industries these companies operated in, and where business growth occurred.

  • Chemical insight into pros and cons of coffees from different regions
    • Elżbieta Grządka
    • Agnieszka Starek-Wójcicka
    • Marta Krajewska
    • Jakub Matusiak
    • Jolanta Orzeł
    • Marek Studziński
    • Michał Bonczyk
    • Izabela Chmielewska
    • Aleksandra Mieczkowska
    • Oskar Ronda
    • Bartłomiej Cieślik
    2025 Pełny tekst Scientific Reports

    The main aim of this work was to study the chemical composition of eighteen ground coffees from different countries and continents with regard to the content of hazardous substances as radioactive elements (40K, 226Ra, 228Ra, 234U, 238U and 137Cs), metals, including heavy metals, aluminum and some microelements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) as well as substances that have a positive effect on human health and well-being (polyphenols, proteins, fats and caffeine). The tests were carried out before and after the brewing process using the following techniques: gamma and beta spectrometry, a microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometer (MIP-OES), gravimetric method, UV–Vis spectrophotometry as well as thin-layer chromatography. The leaching percentage of certain elements/compounds in coffee infusions was also measured. The research showed clear differences between Arabica and Robusta coffees, and also allowed for identifying some differences between Arabica coffees depending on the place of their origin. The results presented can raise consumer awareness and help them make better food choices.

  • Chemical Origins of Optically Addressable Spin States in Eu2(P2S6) and Eu2(P2Se6)
    • Uchenna V. Chinaegbomkpa
    • Xudong Huai
    • Michał Winiarski
    • Hugo Sanabria
    • Thao Tran
    2025 ACS Materials Au

    Lanthanide materials with a 4f7 electron configuration (8S7/2) offer an exciting system for realizing multiple addressable spin states for qubit design. While the 8S7/2 ground state of 4f7 free ions displays an isotropic character, breaking degeneracy of this ground state and excited states can be achieved through local symmetry of the lanthanide and the choice of ligands. This makes Eu2+ attractive as it mirrors Gd3+ in exhibiting the 8S7/2 ground state, capable of seven spin-allowed transitions. In this work, we identify Eu2(P2S6) and Eu2(P2Se6) as viable candidates for optically addressable spin states. The materials feature paramagnetic behavior at 2.0 ≤ T ≤ 400 K and μ0H = 0.01 and 7 T. The field-dependent magnetization M(H) curve reveals a single-ion spin with effective magnetic moments comparable to the expected magnetic moment of Eu2+. Seven well-defined narrow peaks in the excitation and emission spectra of Eu2+ are resolved. Phonon contributions to the Eu2+ spin environment are evaluated through heat capacity measurements. Insights into how the spin-polarized band structure and density of states of the materials influence the physical properties are described by using density functional theory calculations. These results present a foundational study of Eu2(P2S6) and Eu2(P2Se6) as a feasible platform for harnessing the spin, charge, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom of Eu2+ for qubit design.

  • Chitosan-coated coconut shell composite: A solution for treatment of Cr(III)-contaminated tannery wastewater
    • Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
    • Fatima Batool
    • Ayesha Mohyuddin
    • Hui Hwang Goh
    • Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
    • Faissal Aziz
    • Abdelkader Anouzla
    • Hussein Al-Hazmi
    • Kit Wayne Chew
    2025 Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers

    Tannery industry generates a large amount of Cr(III)-contaminated wastewater daily. Unless properly treated, not only this effluent contaminates the water body, but also damages the environment and threatens public health. This batch study investigates the feasibility of chitosan-coated coconut shells as a low-cost material for removing Cr(III) from tannery wastewater. Both chitosan and coconut shell (CS) waste are abundantly available from local agricultural and fishery industries. To enhance its treatment performance for Cr(III) removal, the CS was coated with chitosan as a composite. To sustain its cost-effectiveness, the saturated composite was regenerated with HNO3. Its performance for Cr(III) removal was evaluated and compared to other low-cost adsorbents in previous work. At the same initial concentration of 20 mg/L, it was found that the composite had a higher Cr(III) removal (97%) than the chitosan alone under the optimized conditions of 4 g/L of dose, pH 6.5, 200 rpm of agitation speed, and 1 h of reaction time. The isotherm of Cr(III) removal by the adsorbents followed the Langmuir model, while the pseudo-second order reaction was representative to simulate the adsorption data. The Cr(III) removal by the composite was based on attractive columbic forces between the negative charge of the adsorbent's surface and the positive charge of the metal cation. The negative value of ΔG thermodynamic parameter suggests the spontaneous nature of adsorption. The efficiency of machine learning regression (MLR) model was assessed in predicting the experimental data of adsorption. In spite of promising results, treated effluents still could not comply with the required limit of discharge standards of less than 0.5 mg/L mandated by local legislation. Therefore, a subsequent treatment using activated sludge is required. Overall, this work reveals a contribution of unused resources from the coconut and shrimp industries in the form of composite for protecting the aquatic environment.

  • Circular economy dynamics and country clusters: evidence for European countries
    • Ewa Lechman
    • Magdalena Popowska
    2025

    This study examines trends in circular economy (CE) adoption across 27 European nations from 2012 to 2021. Two key objectives are explored: the evolution of cross-country disparities in CE practices and the identification of clusters with similar CE adoption patterns. Our analysis reveals a gradual convergence in CE adoption, which did not always lead to positive outcomes. Some countries improved recycling rates but saw increased waste generation. Notable shifts toward uniformity were observed in circular material use, packaging waste, and recycling rates. However, private investment in CE sectors remained stagnant. Simultaneously, we identified six country clusters with consistent CE adoption patterns. This highlights the effectiveness of national efforts and the need for tailored policies. Policymakers should incentivize slower-progressing sectors, introduce stringent waste management regulations, and encourage knowledge sharing. To address private investment stagnation, policymakers should foster green innovation ecosystems and promote collaboration among companies, governments, and knowledge institutions. Incentives like funding programs and tax incentives for collaborative CE projects should be considered. In summary, dynamic, context-specific policies are vital for advancing CE practices in European nations. Policymakers should adapt strategies to each country's needs while fostering regional stakeholder collaboration and knowledge exchange.

  • Circular economy in Poland: Good practices and recommendations – case study
    • Krzysztof Czerwionka
    • Katarzyna Kołecka
    • Magda Kasprzyk
    • Karolina Fitobór
    • Anna Wilińska-Lisowska
    • Magdalena Gajewska
    2025 Journal of Ecological Engineering

    This review paper explores circular economy (CE) initiatives and Green Public Procurement (GPP) practices in Poland, focusing on practical implementation and regulatory frameworks. The concept of CE is explored in depth, focusing on its potential to mitigate climate change and resource depletion by extending product lifecycles and reducing waste generation. Transitioning to a CE model offers numerous environmental and economic benefits, including decreased greenhouse gas emissions, enhanced resource efficiency, and job creation. The transition to a circular economy aligns with sustainable development goals. GPP drives demand for eco-friendly products and services, evolving to include environmental and social considerations. The Sztum Circular Economy (SCE) project, funded under the “Environment, Energy, and Climate Change” program, serves as a case study to illustrate the practical application of CE principles locally through initiatives like selective waste collection and educational campaigns. This review highlights the synergy between CE and GPP, offering guidance for policymakers, municipalities, and stakeholders seeking to advance sustainability agendas at the local and national levels. By embracing CE and GPP, countries can accelerate the transition to sustainability while addressing environmental and social challenges.

  • c-Myc inhibition and p21 modulation contribute to unsymmetrical bisacridines-induced apoptosis and senescence in pancreatic cancer cells
    • Agnieszka Kurdyn
    • Monika Pawłowska
    • Ewa Paluszkiewicz
    • Miroslawa Cichorek
    • Ewa Augustin
    2025 Pharmacological Reports

    Background Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive cancers and is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. PC is characterized by rapid progression and resistance to conventional treatments. Mutations in KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, SMAD4/DPC4, and MYC are major genetic alterations associated with poor treatment outcomes in patients with PC. Therefore, optimizing PC therapy is a tremendous challenge. Unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs), synthesized by our group, are new promising compounds that have exhibited high cytotoxicity and antitumor activity against several solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer. Methods The cellular effects induced by UAs in PC cells were evaluated by MTT assay (cell growth inhibition), flow cytometry, and fluorescence and light microscopy (cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and senescence detection). Analysis of the effects of UAs on the levels of proteins (c-Myc, p53, SMAD4, p21, and p16) was performed by Western blotting. Results Apoptosis was the main triggered mechanism of death after UAs treatment, and induction of the SMAD4 protein can facilitate this process. c-Myc, which is one of the molecular targets of UAs, can participate in the induction of cell death in a p53-independent manner. Moreover, UAs can also induce accelerated senescence through the upregulation of p21. Notably, senescent cells can die via apoptosis after prolonged exposure to UAs. Conclusions UAs have emerged as potent anticancer agents that induce apoptosis by inhibiting c-Myc protein and triggering cellular senescence in a dose-dependent manner by increasing p21 levels. Thus, UAs exhibit desirable features as promising candidates for future pancreatic anticancer therapies.

  • Company culture matters! Knowledge-driven companies' way to innovations and sustainability
    • Wioleta Kucharska
    • Elżbieta Karwowska
    2025 Pełny tekst Social Sciences & Humanities Open

    Companies today aim to adapt to rapidly changing business environments by acquiring knowledge, developing dynamic capabilities, fostering market innovations, and ensuring sustainability. Achieving these goals requires a supportive company culture aligned with its structure and strategy. This study proves the critical role of company culture in sustainability based on a sample of 496 Polish knowledge workers, using structural equation modeling and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis methods. The results showed that KLC culture synergy fosters knowledge sharing (both tacit and explicit), which is vital for dynamic capabilities development and, in turn, influences organizational intelligence, innovativeness, and, f inally, sustainability. The given evidence that collective organizational intelligence is rooted in company culture and strengthened by the KLC approach changes the perception of company culture, transforms its apprehension into a precious organizational resource, and prioritizes new study paths regarding its implementation.

  • Comparative study of bisphenols in e-cigarette liquids: evaluating fabric phase sorptive extraction, ultrasound-assisted membrane extraction, and solid phase extraction techniques
    • Paweł Kubica
    • Dominika Osiecka
    • Abuzar Kabir
    • Natasa Kalogiouri
    • Victoria F. Samanidou
    2025 TALANTA.The International Journal of Pure and Applied Analytical Chemistry

    To address the under-researched risk of bisphenols (BPs) in e-cigarette liquids, comprehensive studies have been conducted to propose optimum sample preparation and analysis methods. To determine twelve BPs in refill liquids for e-cigarettes, three sample preparation methods based on distinct operational and working principles were employed. These included fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE), ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of porous membrane-packed samples (UASE-PMS) and solid phase extraction (SPE) utilizing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) technology. Each extraction method was combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLS-MS/MS). Key parameters of FPSE and UASE-PMS procedures were optimized. This optimization included selection of the FPSE membrane types, durations of extraction and the choice solvents. Comprehensive validation was conducted, demonstrating linearity across a range from 2 to 60 ng/mL for all BPs (BPS, BPA, BPF, BPE, BPB, BPC, BPZ, BPFL, BPBP, BPP, BPG and BPM). Determination coefficients were above 0.9913, signifying linear relationship. The limits of detection (LODs) were established below 0.90 ng/mL, while the limits of quantification (LOQs) were lower than 2.5 ng/mL. Notably, the method based on UASE-PMS was successfully applied to the analysis of refill liquids for e-cigarettes samples. A comparative analysis of the methods highlighted variances in precision, accuracy, and applicable aspects, such as adjustment of parameters, sample preparation time, cost, handling, availability and possible limitations. Three methods have been identified as suitable for analysing BPs in e-cigarette refill liquids, highlighting the necessity to examine their presence in these products.

  • Compressive and tensile properties of polyurethane foam mimicking trabecular tissue in artificial femoral head bones
    • Krzysztof Żerdzicki
    • Aleksander Znaczko
    • Aleksandra Kondrusik
    • Wiktoria Korbut
    2025 Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

    The presented study aimed to examine the compressive and tensile behavior of the polyurethane foams mimicking trabecular tissue in the artificial human femurs and assess their potential to replicate osteoporotic type of human bone tissue. Two types of Synbone femur models: one of the normal density (model 2350) and one of the lower density (model LD2350), and three types of Sawbones femur models (model 1130-21-8, 1130-21-3, 1130-192) were investigated. Polyurethane foams were extracted in the form of slices cut in coronal plane from the femoral head. Cuboid samples were cut in three different directions and tested uniaxial for identification of compressive and tensile properties including elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, yield limit, and ultimate strength. The ANOVA test revealed that only SYNBONE LD2350 trabecular tissue exhibits anisotropy properties (p<0.001). In most cases, the tensile properties were greater than compressive ones (t-test, p<0.001). The obtained results are within the ranges suggested by other authors for mimicking the osteoporotic type of human tissue. The presented data broadens the range of data on mechanical properties provided by the producers. These data can serve as a reference for researches using composite femurs made of these particular polyurethane foams for conducting biomechanical studies and validation of accompanying numerical simulations.

  • Concept and Implementation of Innovative Scalable Wind Turbine Emulator with Doubly Fed Asynchronous Machine
    • Robert Rink
    • Robert Małkowski
    • Bartłomiej Gawin
    • Klara Janiga
    2025 ENERGIES

    This paper presents the design of an innovative scalable wind turbine emulator. The system’s hardware and software components are described in detail including test results, demonstrating the research potential of the proposed design. The uniqueness of the proposed solution lies in its scalability, achieved despite the use of physical devices with fixed parameters. This scalability allows for the flexible shaping of the system’s structure and parameters, allowing it to emulate both individual wind turbines with a capacity ranging from kilowatts to megawatts as well as aggregated models of entire wind farms. The emulator was developed using the hardware-in-the loop (HIL) concept and consists of a digital part including aerodynamic and mechanical models (wind, rotor, shaft models, disturbances, etc.) and control systems for mechanical and electrical devices within the wind turbine. The digital component has a modular structure, which allows for the replacement of any module of the native control system with the user’s custom designed one and testing its properties over a broad range of parameters. The test results presented in the article demonstrate a satisfactory level of accuracy of the developed emulator.

  • Coordination of planning regulations at the edge of water and land. Conflicts within planning policy for urban blue space in small and medium-sized Polish port cities and possible directions of change
    • Justyna Breś
    2025 MARINE POLICY

    Land-sea integration is crucial for effective marine spatial planning and coastal zone management. Coordination of marine and land planning should ensure ecological sustainability of the coastal area, enable cross-coast investments and promote well-being of the society. A critical element for achieving sustainable development of marine and coastal area is the integration of marine and land planning on the verge of sea waters and the coast. In Poland, the spatial planning system consists of separate legal documents for land and sea, which falls under the competence of various authorities on different administrative levels. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the state of planning coordination within public spaces at the interface of sea and land in the context of current legal status. Planning provisions for chosen public spaces were analyzed in six small port cities in Poland, for which marine spatial plans are being developed. The research confirm, that in case of Polish port cities, the coordination of MSP and LZP is not satisfactory. Conducted analysis regarding coordination of planning documents at sea-land interface in six small port cities in Poland highlighted some significant problems. Some possible directions of changes towards achieving holistic planning approach within coastal area were indicated. The proposed solutions focus on: enhancing the cooperation between marine and municipal authorities, increasing the effectiveness of the planning procedure through public consultations and expert meetings, unifying establishment of the plans’ boundaries and rethinking the functional catalogue applied to marine and land spatial plans.

  • Corrosion Resistance and Structure of Cr−O−N Coatings Formed in Vacuum Arc Plasma Fluxes With PIIID
    • Alexandr Kuprin
    • Hanna Rostova
    • Elena Reshetnyak
    • Bogdan Warcholiński
    • Adam Gilewicz
    • Ilya Klimenko
    • Konrad Trzciński
    • Maria Gazda
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Sawczak Mirosław
    2025 MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION

    Cr−O−N-based vacuum arc coatings are very promising for the wear and corrosion protection of various steel parts. The aim of the work was to determine the effect of frequency and amplitude of the pulsed bias voltage (UB) on the elemental and phase composition, mechanical, and corrosion properties of Cr−O−N coatings. They have an amorphous structure with embedded nanosized solid solution crystallites based on CrN with a cubic structure and Cr2O3 with a rhombohedral structure. The increase in the bias voltage results in a reduction in the grain size of the Cr2O3 and CrN phases by about four times to about 5 nm, as well as a change in the CrN phase content in the coating. The lattice parameter increases slightly for the Cr2O3 phase but decreases for the CrN phase. The increase in the pulse frequency results in an increase in the CrN phase content in the coating and the lattice constant of both phases and a slight decrease in the crystallite size. The hardness of Cr−O−N coatings slightly increased with the UB from 26 ± 1 GPa (DC) to 28 ± 1 GPa (−300 V, pulsed), and the elastic modulus ranges from 290 to 310 GPa. The greatest changes were observed in corrosion resistance. With an increase in the bias voltage and pulse frequency, the corrosion current of Cr−O−N coatings on steel in 3% NaCl solution decreased by three orders of magnitude compared to coatings deposited at DC voltage and by five orders of magnitude compared to the base steel. Therefore, the use of a pulsed bias voltage with a frequency of at least 10 kHz and an amplitude of 700 V can significantly increase the corrosion resistance of Cr−O−N coatings on steel substrates.