2018 - Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

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Publications from the year 2018

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The mechanisms of technological innovation in SMEs: a Bayesian Network Analysis of EU regional policy impact on Polish firms.
- Massimo Florio
- Aleksandra Parteka
- Emanuela Sirtori
2018 Full text Technological and Economic Development of Economy
We study the underlying mechanisms of technological innovation in SMEs in the context of ex-post evaluation of European Union’s regional policy. Our aim is to explain the observed change in firms’ innovativeness after receiving EU support for technological investment. To do so, we take an approach that is novel in innovation studies: a Bayesian Network Analysis to assess the effectiveness of EU policy instrument for technological innovation and to determine the mechanisms by which the policy works within firms. Our data draw from a unique survey of 200 Polish firms that received “Technological Credit” during the 2007−2013 programming period. First, we confirm the short-term positive impact of the EU innovation policy (i.e. a wider range of products/services offered, increased sales and exports). More importantly, we determine the causal chain between economically quantifiable outcomes and behavioural change in the firm, which is an important node in the network of effects generated. We find that only the financially sounder and more internationalised firms managed to take advantage of the policy. These findings suggest that programmes based on technological credits are not well suited to foster innovation in more fragile and domestically oriented SMEs, which may require different policy instruments.
The Mediation Function of Job Satisfaction's between Organizational Culture Dimensions and Knowledge Sharing
- Wioleta Kucharska
- Anna Wildowicz-Giegiel
- Denise A. D. Bedford
2018
It is commonly acknowledged that organizational culture is a valuable element of intellectual capital and as a hidden source of competitive advantage can considerably affect the achieving of strategic business goals. The axiological dimension of organizational culture is mostly identified with a set of shared assumptions and values, while work practices mainly define its behavioral dimension. Both these dimensions influence, among others, the individual propensity to share knowledge which is crucial for the improvement of company performance. Both organizational and individual factors determine knowledge sharing as a dynamic social process characterized by profound human interactions. The links between them are worth exploring because of their importance for knowledge sharing. Knowledge sharing behavior is shaped by an organizational culture which creates an organizational context for social interactions. Among the individual factors, in turn, job satisfaction plays a vital role. The willingness to share knowledge indeed depends on subjective well-being that influences employees’ commitment, loyalty, and trust necessary to achieve organizational goals. The aim of the article isto examine how job satisfaction influences the relationship between organizational culture, perceived through the prism of its dimensions, and knowledge sharing. For this purpose, a study of 910 Polish employees with different roles and experiences and across different industries has been conducted. The data were analyzed with a structural equation modeling method (SEM).
The metagenomic approach to characterization of the microbial community shift during the long-term cultivation of anammox-enriched granular sludge
- Slawomir Ciesielski
- Krzysztof Czerwionka
- Dominika Sobotka
- Tomasz Dulski
- Jacek Mąkinia
2018 Full text JOURNAL OF APPLIED GENETICS
A metagenomic approach was used to investigate how the microbial community composition changes when an anammox-based granular sludge reactor is seeded with nitritation-anammox biomass from a wastewater treatment plant. In the seed sample, the abundance of Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis was similar to Candidatus Jettenia caeni (12.63 vs. 11.68%). This biomass was typical in terms of microbial nitrogen conversion; both ammonia (Nitrosomonas sp.) and nitrite (Nitrospira sp.) oxidizing bacteria were detected. In the lab-scale reactor, Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis and Candidatus Jettenia caeni bacteria were also present in equal proportions (18.57 vs. 20.89%). On the contrary, Candidatus Nitrospira defluvii bacteria were highly abundant in this reactor, but no known ammonia-oxidizing bacteria were detected. In light of recent studies showing that Nitrospira sp. are capable of complete nitrification, the results presented here may well indicate that both stages of nitrification in the anammox-based granular sludge reactor were performed by this bacteria.
THE METHOD OF ENERGY-EFFICIENCY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE NEWLY PRODUCED MARINE FUELS THROUGH AN APPLICATION OF THE LABORATORY DIESEL ENGINE
- Zbigniew Korczewski
2018 Full text New Trends in Production Engineering
The article deals with one of the scientific issue solved within frames of the research project financed by Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Gdansk, namely, in particular, the method of energy investigations of the self-ignition engine in conditions of its supply with a non-standard (modified) marine fuel. The representative results of engine tests worked out on the especially built laboratory test bed have been presented. They aimed to elaborate energy profiles of a single-cylinder four-stroke Diesel engine in the form of Sankey diagrams of energy flows representing the most efficient and effective manner for the verification of a different kind of the modified marine fuels introduced on market. It is expected that the final results of the project will be interesting for their producers as well as the ship-owners of the operated ships, and also for the offices of sea administration as well as the inspectorates of environment protection.
The methodology for determining of the value of cutting power for cross cutting on optimizing sawing machine
- Daniel Chuchała
- Kazimierz Orłowski
- Przemysław Dudek
2018 Annals of WULS, Forestry and Wood Technology
In the article the methodology of forecasting the energy effects of the cross-cutting process using the classical method, which takes into account the specific cutting resistance, is presented. The values of cutting power for the cross-cutting process of two types of wood (softwood and hardwood) were forecasted for the optimizing sawing machine with using presented methodology. The cross-cutting process with high values of feed speed was analyzed. The presented methodology allowed us to determine dimensions of the cut workpieces limited by the applied electric motor for both soft and hard wood.
The migration policy of Armenia
- Krystyna Gomółka
2018 Przegląd Politologiczny
Abstract: The aim of this study is to describe the legal bases of the migration policy of Armenia and its practical implementation in 1995–2013. The author examined the international and national documents that provide the legal bases of Armenia’s migration policy, as well as the balance between departures and arrivals in the period 1995–2013, Armenian citizens’ reasons for emigrating and the occupations of emigrants. The study was based on the following research methods: content, system and quantitative analysis. The results of the analyses performed indicate that the objectives of Armenia’s migration policy were not completely fulfilled. Between 1995 and 2013, the number of emigrants declined, but Armenia’s overall migration balance was negative. The majority of those leaving the country went to Russia, followed by the other states of the CIS.
The new diphosphanylphosphido complexes of tungsten(VI) and molybdenum(VI). Their synthesis, structures and properties
- Aleksandra Wiśniewska
- Rafał Grubba
- Łukasz Ponikiewski
- Mateusz Zauliczny
- Jerzy Pikies
2018 DALTON TRANSACTIONS
We report on the reactivity of R2P–P(Li)–PR’2 (R = tBu, iPr, R’ = NEt2, iPr) towards diimido complexes [(dippN)2MCl2·dme] (M = Mo, W and dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3). A series of new complexes with diphosphanylphosphido ligands R2P–P–PR’2 were isolated. The solid-state structures of [(dippN)2M(Cl)(1,2-η-iPr2P–P– PiPr2)] (2Mo and 2W) and [(dippN)2M(Cl){1,2-η-tBu2P–P–P(NEt2)2}] (3Mo and 3W) were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and indicate a side-on geometry of the R2P–P–PR’2 moiety. 3W and 3Mo are the first triphosphorus complexes with the amido ligand NEt2 on the P atom. [(dippN)2M(Cl) (1,2-η-tBu2P–P–PtBu2)] (1Mo and 1W) and 3Mo and 3W display similar side-on geometry in solution and in the solid state. By contrast, 2Mo and 2W reveal a dynamic behavior in solution. For the first time, the reactivity of diphosphanylphosphido complexes towards different nucleophiles was studied. The complexes react with the phosphorus nucleophile Ph2PLi, yielding phosphanylphosphinidene complexes [(dippN)2M(Cl)(η2-P-PR2)]− Li+ (M = Mo, W) together with related diphosphanes R’2P–PPh2. Carbon nucleophile MeLi does not yield [(dippN)2M(Cl)(η2-P-PR2)]− Li+ but substitutes a Cl ligand at the metal center. Moreover, we compare the coordination of the R2P–P–PR’2 moiety to different metal centers based on DFT methods.
The Optimum Dataset method – examples of the application
- Wioleta Błaszczak-bąk
- Anna Sobieraj-Żłobińska
- Beata Wieczorek
2018
Data reduction is a procedure to decrease the dataset in order to make their analysis more effective and easier. Reduction of the dataset is an issue that requires proper planning, so after reduction it meets all the user’s expectations. Evidently, it is better if the result is an optimal solution in terms of adopted criteria. Within reduction methods, which provide the optimal solution there is the Optimum Dataset method (OptD) proposed by Błaszczak-Bąk (2016). The paper presents the application of this method for different datasets from LiDAR and the possibility of using the method for various purposes of the study. The following reduced datasets were presented: (a) measurement of Sielska street in Olsztyn (Airbrone Laser Scanning data – ALS data), (b) measurement of the bas-relief that is on the building in Gdańsk (Terrestrial Laser Scanning data – TLS data), (c) dataset from Biebrza river measurment (TLS data).
The passive operating mode of the linear optical gesture sensor
- Krzysztof Czuszyński
- Jacek Rumiński
- Jerzy Wtorek
2018 Advances in Electrical and Computer Engineering
The study evaluates the influence of natural light conditions on the effectiveness of the linear optical gesture sensor, working in the presence of ambient light only (passive mode). The orientations of the device in reference to the light source were modified in order to verify the sensitivity of the sensor. A criterion for the differentiation between two states - "possible gesture" and "no gesture" - was proposed. Additionally, different light conditions and possible features were investigated, relevant for the decision of switching between the passive and active modes of the device. The criterion was evaluated based on the specificity and sensitivity analysis of the binary ambient light condition classifier. The elaborated classifier predicts ambient light conditions with the accuracy of 85.15%. Understanding the light conditions, the hand pose can be detected. The achieved accuracy of the hand poses classifier trained on the data obtained in the passive mode in favorable light conditions was 98.76%. It was also shown that the passive operating mode of the linear gesture sensor reduces the total energy consumption by 93.34%, resulting in 0.132 mA. It was concluded that optical linear sensor could be efficiently used in various lighting conditions.
The Perception of an Entrepreneur’s Structural, Relational and Cognitive Social Capital among Young People in Poland - An Exploratory Study
- Paweł Ziemiański
2018 Full text Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation
The goal of the current paper is to verify how an entrepreneur’s structural, relational and cognitive social capital levels are perceived by young people in Poland. The research involved a group of 374 undergraduate business students from a Polish university as participants. Participants completed a survey on entrepreneurial cognitions. It was found that participants assess the level of an entrepreneur’s social capital as relatively low. Due to the fact that social capital, and its different dimensions, serve different purposes in the process of venture creation, the result obtained can be considered alarming. Its practical implications are related to the necessity to review and design activities facilitating the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Poland. The value and the originality of the paper lie in the approach that allowed us to investigate which dimensions of an entrepreneur’s social capital are seen as particularly weak by people for whom launching a new business is a viable option in the near future.
The possibility of the application of a potentiometric sensor with all-solid-state electrodes for the quality control of different natural waters
- Wojciech Szpakowski
- Elwira Brodnicka
- Maria Szpakowska
2018 Desalination and Water Treatment
The quality of various natural waters was examined by a new potentiometric sensor with six all solid state electrodes containing an appropriate lipophilic compound in a polymer membrane. Physicochemical parameters such as conductivity and acidity of tested waters were also tested. All waters were neutral or slightly alkaline and contained different ions (e.g., Cl–) due to the place of their sampling (a coastal zone and a moraine plateau). They differed significantly in conductivity values. The results obtained by potentiometric sensor, elaborated by chemometric methods showed that tested waters (surface, subsurface, mix subsurface, mix groundwater, rain, and tap) could be grouped in terms of their conductivity values. It means that this sensor is capable of discriminating between waters of low, middle, and high conductivity and may be a good tool for the quality analysis of natural waters.
The potential of raw sewage sludge in construction industry – A review
- Lesław Świerczek
- Bartłomiej Cieślik
- Piotr Konieczka
2018 Full text JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
Excess sewage sludge produced in any municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant becomes a serious problem due to its increasing amount. This increase is related to the improvement of treatment technologies, expansion of sewage systems and the development of new industrial plants. The implementation and development of new technologies related to the utilization of sewage sludge is currently based on treating it as a substrate. Construction is an industry branch where sewage sludge, as well as other waste materials, can be used. The use of sewage sludge in building materials eliminates some of the expensive and energy-intensive stages of utilization, and the final product obtained is often stable and safe. This is confirmed, among other research regarding strength properties, water resistance, frost resistance and heavy metal leaching, especially when the amount of sewage sludge in solidified samples is low. The main purpose of the article is to present the latest methods of using sewage sludge (dried, dehydrated, and raw) in building and construction materials. Methods of producing low-strength materials for landfilling purposes have also been described. The stabilization of sewage sludge with binding additives improves the end product's durability compared to standard solutions (dewatering). The use of sludge in concrete and mortars mixes is usually associated with a reduction in their strength compared to mixtures without sludge. The binder in the mixture is responsible for the strength of concrete or mortar. Sintering sewage sludge to make ceramic products (bricks, tiles) and lightweight aggregates is a promising approach, but in comparison to other methods such solutions require more energy expenditure. Nevertheless, the obtained products are stable and their durability, while lower than that of the control samples, still qualifies them for applications in construction. Due to the different physicochemical properties of sludge, the methods of its management should be designed separately. It is therefore difficult to select one general and the most optimal method of management of sludge in building materials, but on the basis of the presented review, the authors indicate that one of the best methods of management is sintering sewage sludge into lightweight aggregates.
The problem of infections associated with implants – an overview
- Marcin Wekwejt
- Magda Dziaduszewska
- Anna Pałubicka
2018 Full text European Journal of Medical Technologies
Implant-associated infections are serious and relatively common complication that leads to implant loss. The purpose of this paper is to gather knowledge about this issue. A literature review of the epidemiology, risk factors and pathogenesis of infections related to implants was carried out. This position collects data on commonly used implants and infections associated with them from various fields of medicine and contains classifications of the main factors that predispose to this infection, frequency hierarchy and categorization of bacteria strain that cause them. The risk factors are grouped into four basic groups dependent on: the implant, the patient, the local environment and the surgical technique. It was found that this infections are the most common in the case of: ventricular assist devices, catheters, bone substitutes, dental and breast implants. The conclusion was made that implant-associated infections are usually caused by multiple strains of bacterial species, mainly by Staphylococci, especially Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The most important aspect of minimizing implant-associated infections is prevention. Summarize, besides of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, sterility of treatment and hygiene, the crucial aspect is also the design of implants.
The propagation of the waves in the CTO S.A. towing tank
- Marcin Drzewiecki
2018 Full text Polish Maritime Research
The paper presents the results of research focused on the wave propagation in the CTO S.A. deepwater towing tank. In the scope of paper, the wavemaker transfer function was determined for regular waves, based on the Biésel Transfer Function and further for irregular waves, based on Hasselman model of nonlinear energy transfer. The phenomena: wave damping, wave breakdown and wave reflection, were measured, analyzed and mathematically modeled. Developed mathematical models allow to calculate the impact of mentioned phenomena on the wave propagation and furthermore to calculate the wave characteristics along the whole measurement area in the CTO S.A. deepwater towing tank, based on wavemaker flap motion control.
The psychrotrophic yeast Sporobolomyces roseus LOCK 1119 as a source of a highly active aspartic protease for the in vitro production of antioxidant peptides
- Aneta Białkowska
- Joanna Krysiak
- Tomasz Florczak
- Katarzyna Szulczewska
- Marta Wanarska
- Marianna Turkiewicz
2018 BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY
A psychrotrophic yeast strain producing a cold-adapted protease at low temperature was classiﬁed as Sporobolomyces roseus. In standard YPG medium, S. roseus LOCK 1119 synthesized an extracellular protease with an activity of approximately 560 U/L. Optimization of medium composition and process temperature considerably enhanced enzyme biosynthesis; an approximate 70% increase in activity (2060 U/L). The native enzyme was puriﬁed to homogeneity by cation exchange chromatography followed by a size exclusion step, resulting in a 103-fold increase in speciﬁc activity (660 U/mg) with 25% recovery. The enzyme displayed 10%–30% of its maximum activity at 0–25 C, with the optimum temperature being 50 C. Protease G8 was strongly inactivated by pepstatin A, an aspartic protease inhibitor. The enzyme was used to hydrolyze four natural substrates, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The highest antioxidant activity (69%) was recorded for beef casein.
The Relation Between Art and Physical Activity in the Public Space of the Contemporary City
- Małgorzata Kostrzewska
2018
Art has always been and still is a mirror in which human activity is reflected. One of the basic human activities is physical activity, thanks to which humans are able to satisfy their needs, improve health and also function in society. Therefore, there are different relationships between physical activity and art. Both of them are present in the public space of cities and this aspect of connection is addressed in the article. The first research question addresses how the presence of art in public space can contribute to increasing physical activity or bring attention to the importance of its undertaking. The second question, as the reversal of the first, addresses whether physical activity - in itself or its various manifestations - can be a carrier of art. Can the manifestations of physical activity in urban public space have artistic significance and be an object of art? The research methodology was based on the analysis of case studies (both field and literature studies) of various public spaces in which art installations, sculptures and other forms of art are present. Physical activities that take place in public spaces and street sports such as skateboarding were also analysed. Research results indicate that the relation of art and physical activity in public space usually commemorate a meaningful event (e.g. art created on the occasion of the Olympic Games), activate (e.g. interactive sculptures and installations), aestheticize a particular place and surroundings, and identify users (e.g. art and sport as a determinant of belonging to a subculture). While art is clearly the carrier of knowledge and information about activities, the reverse relation (activity as art) is not so obvious because it is associated with the recognition of forms of physical activities in public space as an art in itself. This view is shared mainly by those involved representatives of urban cultures, subcultures, and enthusiasts of sports and street activities for whom the manifestations of their activity is simply art.
The relationship between standard reduction potentials of catechins and biological activities involved in redox control
- Monika Baranowska
- Klaudia Suliborska
- Wojciech Chrzanowski
- Barbara Kusznierewicz
- Jacek Namieśnik
- Agnieszka Bartoszek-Pączkowska
2018 Full text Redox Biology
Redox homeostasis involves factors that ensure proper function of cells. The excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to oxidative stress and increased risk of oxidative damage to cellular components. In contrast, upon reductive stress, insufficient ROS abundance may result in faulty cell signalling. It may be expected that dietary antioxidants, depending on their standard reduction potentials (E°), will affect both scenarios. In our study, for the first time, we systematically tested the relationship among E°, chemical properties, and biological effects in HT29 cells for a series of structurally different catechins and a major endogenous antioxidant - glutathione (GSH), at both physiological and dietary concentrations. Among chemical antioxidant activity tests, the strongest correlation with E° was seen using a DPPH assay. The values of E° were also highly correlated with cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) values determined in HT29 cells. Our results indicated that physiological concentrations (1-10 µM) of tested catechins stabilized the redox status of cells, which was not exhibited at higher concentrations. This stabilization of redox homeostasis was mirrored by constant, dose and E° independent CAA values, uninhibited growth of HT29 cells, modulation of hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage, as well as effects at the genomic level, where either up-regulation of three redox-related genes (ALB, CCL5, and HSPA1A) out of 84 in the array (1 µM) or no effect (10 µM) was observed for catechins. Higher catechin concentrations (over 10 µM) increased CAA values in a dose- and E°-dependent manner, caused cell growth inhibition, but surprisingly did not protect HT29 cells against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, dose-dependent effects of dietary antioxidants and biological functions potentially modulated by them may become deregulated upon exposure to excessive doses.
The rigid and flexible road pavements in terms of life cycle costs
- Adam Kristowski
- Beata Grzyl
- Marzena Kurpińska
- Marek Pszczoła
2018 Full text
The cost of road pavement construction, its durability and reliability depends on many factors, including: the scope and detail of the technical design, quality of work but also the scope of works related to its maintenance, conservation and operation. Determining the amount of rational expenses, in terms of the life cycle cost of the pavement, requires determination and consideration of the above issues, already at the planning and design stage. In many cases, the ordering party analyzes only the initial investment costs, omitting the operating expenses for the pavement in the long term. The article points out the link between decisions taken at the planning and design stages and expenses incurred at the stage of maintenance and use of road pavement. The authors analyse and compare life cycle costs for two technologies of making road pavement - flexible (asphalt pavement) and rigid (portland cement concrete - PCC) and three categories of road traffic. Referring to the methodology included in [1], the authors present an example of the LCC analysis and determine the individual cost components: construction, renovation and maintenance during the period of 30 years. The analysed costs were determined based on the expert knowledge and current price publications. The authors draw attention to the fact that low costs incurred by the ordering party at the stage of investment implementation, in the course of use and maintenance of the pavement, entail significant expenses in the long-term. The authors also indicate difficulties related to the estimation of the cost of the road pavements life cycle. The main reasons include the lack of designers' knowledge about the technology of pavement repairs and related costs, as well as the lack of a simple model for calculating life cycle costs, which is a tool for supporting investment decisions and indicating the optimal solution already at the design stage.
The risk of corporate bankruptcy - the conceptual model
- Tomasz Korol
2018 International Journal of Management and Applied Science (IJMAS)
This article concerns the assessment of different types of risks influencing the corporate bankruptcy risk. The author has developed conceptual model that explains the causes and the trajectories of the collapse of enterprises. In the analyses such factors as demographic, financial, market, political and operational factors influencing the risk of failure were taken into account.
The Role of a Software Product Manager in Various Business Environments
- Olga Springer
- Jakub Miler
2018 Full text Annals of Computer Science and Information Systems
The aim of the paper is to identify the role of the software product manager depending on the size of the company and the characteristics of the product they are working on. This has been achieved in cooperation with 15 experts from the IT industry. The companies were divided into 4 levels of size: micro-enterprises, small businesses, medium businesses and large enterprises. The characteristics of the products were divided into business-business (B2B) and business-customer (B2C). This way, 8 personas of software product managers have been developed. Differences in this role were mainly related to the staffing, its scope of responsibility, tools and techniques used as well as the mode of work with the target customers. Many common aspects of this role have also been identified that made it possible to define archetype persona of a software product manager. All personas have been validated by experts who offered their improvements.