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Gdańsk University of Technology

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  • Template chart detection for stoma telediagnosis
    • Mariusz Szwoch
    • Rafał Zawiślak
    • Grzegorz Granosik
    • Joanna Mik-Wojtczak
    • Michał Mik
    2022 Full text International Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science

    The paper presents the concept of using color template charts for the needs of telemedicine, particularly telediagnosis of the stoma. Although the concept is not new, the current popularity and level of development of digital cameras, especially those embedded in smartphones, allow common and reliable remote advice on various medical problems, which can be very important in the case of limitations in a physical contact with a doctor. The article focuses on the initial stages of photo processing for the needs of telemedicine, i.e., on the assumptions and the process of designing the appropriate template and detecting it in photos for stoma telediagnosis. Research on the developed algorithms for the location of fiducial markers and reference color fields, carried out on the basis of over 2,000 photos, showed a very high tolerance to scene exposure, lighting conditions and the camera used. The obtained results allowed the initial image intensity normalization of the stoma area as well as correct localization and measurement of changes detected on the skin and the mucosa, which, in the opinion of doctors, significantly increased the diagnostic value of the photographs.

  • Tensile failure study of 3D printed PLA using DIC technique and FEM analysis
    • Agnieszka Sabik
    • Magdalena Rucka
    • Angela Andrzejewska
    • Erwin Wojtczak
    2022 Full text MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

    The paper presents the experimental and numerical study of the failure behaviour of Fused Filament Fabricated (FFF) Polylactic Acid (PLA) samples subjected to tensile load. The examined samples are printed in flat orientation with 0◦, 45◦ and 90◦ raster angles. During the experiments the deformation of the specimens is continuously scanned with the 3D Aramis measuring system utilizing the digital imaging correlation technique, enabling the determination of strain and stress distribution. In the modelling, it is assumed that each printed layer is a homogeneous transversely isotropic medium with the raster direction treated as the favoured one. The finite element models are developed in the Abaqus-Standard package. A two-dimensional equivalent single-layer approach is utilized to describe the deformation and stress state of the samples. The failure progress of the material is simulated by making use of the Hashin damage algorithm with energy-based softening, whereas the non-linear in-plane shear behaviour is included.

  • Teoria i praktyka
    • Agnieszka Błażko
    2022 Full text Architektura-Murator

    Teoria i praktyka to pojęcia, których zdefiniowanie w odniesieniu do projektowania architektoniczno-urbanistycznego pozwala na określenie zależności pomiędzy przestrzeniami wymagającymi bezwzględnej równowagi.

  • Teoria i praktyka według Joanny Kabrońskiej
    • Joanna Kabrońska
    2022 Full text Architektura-Murator

    Architektura jest dziedziną, której wpływ na otaczający świat jest wyjątkowo wszechstronny i sięga daleko poza projektowanie budynków. Współdziałanie praktyki, teorii i edukacji architektonicznej daje naszej profesji narzędzia budowy scenariuszy dla nadchodzącego świata i umożliwia udział w jego rzeczywistej przemianie.

  • Teoria konserwatorska a dostępność zabytków /na przykładzie Zamku Wysokiego w Malborku/
    • Grzegorz Bukal
    • Agnieszka Kowalska
    2022 Full text Ochrona Dziedzictwa Kulturowego

    Obowiązująca Ustawa z dnia 19 lipca 2019 r. o zapewnianiu dostępności osobom ze szczególnymi potrzebami zawiera wymagania dotyczące wszystkich budynków, bez odniesień do obiektów zabytkowych. Celem tekstu jest skonfrontowanie podstawowych, współczesnych zasad postępowania konserwatorskiego z możliwościami pełnego udostępniania zabytków architektury. Przyjęty w tekście, ogólny podział budynków zabytkowych w aspekcie ich podatności na usuwanie barier zilustrowano przykładem Zamku Wysokiego w Malborku, stanowiącego część kompleksu zamkowego (Muzeum Zamkowego w Malborku), wpisanego na listę dziedzictwa światowego UNESCO.

  • Testing the Diagnostic Utility of Recombinant Toxoplasma Gondii Chimeric Antigens – Generated Datasets
    • Bartłomiej Ferra
    2022 Full text

    The datasets titled Toxoplasma gondii recombinant chimeric antigens – IgM and IgG ELISAs – mouse serum samples and Toxoplasma gondii recombinant chimeric antigens – IgG and IgM ELISAs – human serum samples contain absorbance measurements obtained during serological tests using mouse and human sera in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests based on recombinant chimeric antigens. The datasets allows a comparison of absorbance values obtained for individual recombinant chimeric antigens in relation to the whole Toxoplasma lysate antigens (TLA) used in commercial tests.

  • Testy terenowe prototypowego świdra DPDT do formowania pali i kolumn przemieszczeniowych wkręcanych
    • Andrzej Słabek
    • Adam Krasiński
    2022 Full text Inżynieria Morska i Geotechnika

    Przedstawienie prototypowej konstrukcji świdra do wykonywania pali i kolumn przemieszczeniowych wkręcanych. Analiza porównawcza wyników testów terenowych oporów wkręcania świdrów DPDT i SDP. Wnioski na temat efektywności działania i zasadności stosowania nowej konstrukcji świdra w praktyce wykonawczej.

  • Tetrahedrally modified MnMe0.1Co1.9O4 (Me = Zn, Mg, Li) spinels for non-enzymatic glucose sensing
    • Krystian Lankauf
    • Katarzyna Ostrowska
    • Karolina Górnicka
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Piotr Jasiński
    • Sebastian Molin
    2022 Full text MATERIALS LETTERS

    In this work, tetrahedrally modified MnMe0.1Co1.9O4 (Me = Zn, Mg, Li) spinels were prepared via the sol–gel synthesis method with subsequent ball-milling fragmentation. The prepared samples were evaluated as glucose–sensing catalyst. The reference MnCo2O4 spinel exhibited a sensitivity of 49 µA mM−1 cm−2 and a nonlinearity error of 5.2% in the response range from 0.02 to 1 mM. The partial substitution of cobalt in the reference spinel enhanced the glucose–sensing abilities, and the sample with Li was found to be the most active catalyst, exhibiting a sensitivity of 73.1 µA mM−1 cm−2. Finally, the proposed material was tested for selectivity in the presence of interfering sucrose.

  • Tetrahydroquinolinone derivatives exert antiproliferative effect on lung cancer cells through apoptosis induction
    • Małgorzata Ryczkowska
    • Natalia Maciejewska
    • Mateusz Olszewski
    • Milena Witkowska
    • Sławomir Makowiec
    2022 Full text Scientific Reports

    The anticancer properties of quinolones is a topic of interest among researchers in the scientific world. Because these compounds do not cause side effects, unlike the commonly used cytostatics, they are considered a promising source of new anticancer drugs. In this work, we designed a brief synthetic pathway and obtained a series of novel 8-phenyltetrahydroquinolinone derivatives functionalized with benzyl-type moieties at position 3. The compounds were synthesized via classical reactions such as nucleophilic substitution, solvent lysis, and condensation. Biological evaluation revealed that 3-(1-naphthylmethyl)-4-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-quinolin-2-one (4a) exhibited potent cytotoxicity toward colon (HTC-116) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines. Analysis of the mechanism of action of compounds showed that compound 4a induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/ M phase, leading to apoptotic cell death via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Taken together, the findings of the study suggest that tetrahydroquinolinone derivatives bearing a carbonyl group at position 2 could be potential lead compounds to develop anticancer agents for the treatment of lung cancers

  • The Application of a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Indication of Directions of the Development of Renewable Energy Sources in the Context of Energy Policy
    • Alicja Lenarczyk
    • Marcin Jaskólski
    • Paweł Bućko
    2022 Full text ENERGIES

    This paper presents the application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) for evaluating what technologies using renewable energy sources (RES) for electricity production have the chance to develop in Poland under the current socio-economic conditions. First, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used to determine the weights of the optimization criteria. Five main criteria and 30 sub-criteria were identified. Next, the authors modified numerical taxonomy (NT) to rank eight RES technologies (such as onshore and offshore wind farms, photovoltaics, or biogas plants). The results show that offshore wind farms are the RES technology with the greatest development opportunities in Poland. The following three technologies: distributed photovoltaic energy, biogas plants, and biomass power plants, respectively, received a similar rating in the ranking. Hydropower and geothermal were the lowest-ranked technologies. The ranking, which is the result of multi-criteria analysis, in several respects, is significantly different from the directions of activities indicated in the state energy policy.

  • The Application of Satellite Image Analysis in Oil Spill Detection
    • Paweł Tysiąc
    • Tatiana Strelets
    • Weronika Tuszyńska
    2022 Full text Applied Sciences-Basel

    In recent years, there has been an increasing use of satellite sensors to detect and track oil spills. The satellite bands, namely visible, short, medium infrared, and microwave radar bands, are used for this purpose. The use of satellite images is extremely valuable for oil spill analysis. With satellite images, we can identify the source of leakage and assess the extent of potential damage. However, it is not yet clear how to approach a specific leakage case methodologically. The aim of this study is the remote sensing analysis of environmental changes with the development of oil spill detection processing methods. Innovative elements of the work, in addition to methodological proposals, include the long‐term analysis of surface water changes. This is very important because oil is very likely to enter the soil when water levels change. The classification result was satisfactory and accurate by 85%. The study was carried out using images from Landsat 5, Landsat 7, Landsat 8, Sentinel‐1, and Sentinel‐2 satellites. The results of the classification of the oil stains in active and passive technologies differ. This difference affects the methodology for selecting processing methods in similar fields. In the case of this article, the oil spill that occurred on 29 May 2020 in Norilsk was investigated and compared with data from other years to determine the extent of biodegradation. Due to the tank failure that occurred at the Nornickel power plant on that day, a large amount of crude oil leaked into the environment, contaminating the waters and soil of local areas. Research shows that oil spills may be caused by human error or may be the effect of climate change, particularly global warming.

  • The Application of the Thermal Stabilization Prompted by the Ice Cover Expansion Considering the Energy Production Optimization in the Dam-Reservoir Coupled Systems on the Vistula River
    • Tomasz Kolerski
    • Parisa Radan
    2022 Full text ENERGIES

    In this study, the thermal stabilization of a water resource together with an energy production optimization in the power plant of the dam–reservoir coupled system is conducted. This coupled dam system is designed to consist of a primary (Włocławek) and secondary (Siarzewo) dam due to the erosion control aspect. The other beneficial aspect of this coupled dam design is to have an additional power plant, with the aim of achieving more efficient renewable energy production. One of the factors to be included in the conditions influencing the energy production is the ice formation in the reservoir and tailwater due to the hydrodynamic and meteorological conditions of the site location. Frazil formation and jam may reduce the power plant efficiency. The concept of thermal stabilization, based on the previous studies, refers to providing the ice cover in the reservoir section of a dam to isolate the water from thermal condition. In this research, the ice cover expansion is triggered by the discharge reduction over a specific time and the entire study site. The optimized discharge for stimulating the ice cover through the night was found based on the results, leading to the desired thermal stabilization. This power loss emerged by reduced water withdrawal in the specific time during the day (nighttime), and will be remedied by the more suitable hydrodynamic condition over winter.

  • The assessment of renewable energy in Poland on the background of the world renewable energy sector
    • Bartłomiej Igliński
    • Michał Bernard Pietrzak
    • Urszula Kiełkowska
    • Mateusz Skrzatek
    • Gopalakrishnan Kumar
    • Grzegorz Piechota
    2022 Full text ENERGY

    The issues of the article are associated with the development of the renewable energy source (RES) sector in the world and in Poland. The subject is undoubtedly connected with the problem of the energy transformation taking place in most countries nowadays. Energy transformation processes are mainly associated with an increase in the share of energy production from RES and increased awareness of energy use by end consumers. This means that the systematic development of the RES sector is a necessary condition for linking the effective course of energy transition processes with simultaneous socio-economic development. The main objective of this study is to present the status of the RES sector in Poland against the background of worldwide development tendencies. The implementation of the objective made it possible to indicate key trends in the production and use of energy from individual RES and to assess to what extent Poland follows global trends. Poland is one of the European countries where hard coal and lignite constitute the main source of energy. On the other hand Poland, as a Member State of the EU, is obliged to implement the energy strategy within the framework of the European Green Deal, where all Member States are to become climate neutral.

  • The atlas of inequality aversion: theory and empirical evidence on 55 countries from the Luxembourg Income Study database
    • Stanisław Kot
    • Piotr Paradowski
    2022 Full text EQUILIBRIUM Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy

    Research background: In the distributive analysis, the constant relative inequality aversion utility function is a standard tool for ethical judgements of income distributions. The sole parameter ε of this function expresses a society’s aversion to inequality. However, the profession has not committed to the range of ε. When assessing inequality and other welfare characteristics, analysts assume an arbitrary level of ε, common to all countries and years. This assumption seems unjustified. Purpose of the article: This paper aims to estimate the parameter ε for each country and year individually using datasets from the Luxembourg Income Study Database in all available years, which dates back to the 1970s. Methods: We utilise the method of estimating ε, which assumes the generalised beta of the second kind distribution of incomes. The estimator of ε is derived from the mathematical condition of the existence of the social welfare function. Findings & value added: We have elaborated an ‘atlas’ of 388 estimates of ε for 55 countries across time. Inequality aversion is country-year specific, with a minimum of 0.97 and a maximum of 3.8. Ninety per cent of all estimates are less than 2.5. Inequality aversion is negatively correlated with income inequality, but it is independent of economic development. Thus inequality aversion appears as an additional dimension of the classical inequality-development relationship. This article contributes to solving a fundamental problem of Welfare Economics: directly measuring the social utility of income (welfare) function. The estimates of ε for 55 countries imply a complete knowledge of these countries' constant relative inequality aversion utility functions.

  • The Bridge of Data Project Objectives
    • Anna Wałek
    • Michał Nowacki
    • Paweł Lubomski
    2022 Full text

    Open Research Data (ORD) is one of the emerging trends for researchers across the globe. However, it has to be stressed that the level of implementation and awareness of ORD varies between countries. Many initiatives have been created in Polish scientific institutions to support the process of opening publications. These are mainly Open Access (OA) repositories, implementing the so-called green road of OA. However, only a few universities in Poland offer their researchers essential tools and substantive support for opening research data. The Gdańsk University of Technology has created several tools and services supporting the open sharing of scientific research results, including scientific publications and research data. The Bridge of Data project was established to support researchers in their activities regarding different Open Science layers. The project is unique in this part of Central and Eastern Europe. It involves three Pomeranian universities: Gdańsk University of Technology (leader), the University of Gdańsk, and the Medical University of Gdańsk. The chapter aims to present the Bridge of Data project’s assumptions and results, which provides both an open data repository and a range of additional services for researchers who want to share their research results openly. Project assumptions will be presented along with their genesis and the result of their implementation. The technical aspects of creating IT tools (data repository, data analysis on a supercomputer, platforms for scientific journals and conferences) will be highlighted. The Open Science Competence Center, its tasks and the manner of their implementation will also be discussed. An important aspect discussed in the chapter will also be the cooperation of various university teams to create tailored tools and services. These groups include librarians who design technical solutions and support services, IT specialists building IT platforms and tools, and researchers representing various scientific disciplines. The last group enters data into the repository and helps adapt the functionality of the tools to users’ requirements. Based on an analysis of the functionality of the IT tools and based on reports on the activities of the Competence Center, a solution model will be drawn up that can be compared with other implementation cases of similar tools and services.

  • The Business Environment of Georgia and Ukraine: Approaches to a Comparative Analysis
    • Krystyna Gomółka
    • Petro Kurmaiev
    2022 Full text STUDIA EUROPEJSKIE

    The formation of a favourable business environment and the intensification of entrepreneurial activity on this basis is one of the priorities of economic policy of governments around the world. The aim of this article is to conduct a comparative analysis of some of the characteristics of the business environment of Georgia and Ukraine. The theoretical basis of the study is the understanding of the business environment as a necessary prerequisite for the implementation of entrepreneurial initiatives in a particular country. In the process of our research, the following methods were used: comparative analysis, generalisation, content analysis, correlation, and regression analysis. The authors studied the business environment of Georgia and Ukraine on the basis of an analysis of the following components; that of general economic, political and legal, financial, and fiscal. The results of the study show that Georgia’s business environment is more favourable than Ukraine’s. It is noted that between 2011–2020, Georgia made significant progress in the fight against corruption, in simplifying the procedures for starting a business, and bettering access to finance. Both countries are reforming their tax systems towards liberalisation and democratisation, and they declare the functioning of special tax regimes. According to the Paying Taxes indicator, which is calculated within the Doing Business rating, Georgia improved its result from 61st position in the ranking in 2011 to 14th position in 2020, while Ukraine improved its result from 181st place in 2011 to 65th place in 2020. It is indicated that between 2011–2020, Ukraine showed significant positive dynamics in inflation targeting. The authors note that the weakest elements of the business environment in Ukraine are its efforts to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the fi ght against corruption. In conclusion, the authors note that the policy of the governments of Georgia and Ukraine should be aimed at the further democratisation of relations with businesses in order to increase the level of a favourable business environment.

  • The Changing Nature of In‐Between Spaces in the Transformation Process of Cities
    • Magdalena Rembeza
    • Aleksandra Sas-Bojarska
    2022 Full text Urban Planning

    In the in‐between spaces of cities, there are many problems of various nature and scale: functional, spatial, economic, environmental, visual, and social. There are also some hidden potentials that can be activated. The aim of the article is to explore the possibilities of solving existing problems and to show the possibilities of using the potentials of in‐between spaces with regard to the changing nature of a city. The article, of a discursive character, aims to answer the questions of whether connecting a city with public spaces can be a catalyst of changes, and what tools should be used to facilitate the flux of material factors (like goods or natural resources) and immaterial matter (e.g., ideas or cultural patterns). The new approach is based on the assumption that this would be most effective when using landscape architecture, green/blue infrastructure, artistic strategies, and universal design in public spaces. The expected result of the research is to show the purposefulness and possibilities in creating attractive and safe public areas of in‐between spaces as an on‐going micro‐ or macro‐process of urban change on a wider scale. It was recognised that integrated actions combining the humanistic, eco‐ logical, and technical approaches could bring significant benefits to society, preventing existing problems, not only spatial and visual (changing the city directly), but above all social and environmental, having an impact on the functioning of the city from a much longer perspective. The results of the research show how the transformation process of public spaces may change the nature of the cities, improve the compactness of existing cities, and increase the quality of life. Selected case studies are presented to show the scale, scope, and benefits of possible actions.

  • The Chernobyl effect
    • Kacper Szulecki
    • Janusz Waluszko
    • Tomasz Borewicz
    2022

    The 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe was not only a human and ecological disaster, but also a political-ideological one, severely discrediting Soviet governance and galvanizing dissidents in the Eastern Bloc. In the case of Poland, what began as isolated protests against the Soviet nuclear site grew to encompass domestic nuclear projects in general, and in the process spread across the country and attracted new segments of society. This innovative study, combining scholarly analysis with oral histories and other accounts from participants, traces the growth and development of the Polish anti-nuclear movement, showing how it exemplified the broader generational and cultural changes in the nation’s opposition movements during the waning days of the state socialist era.

  • The community involvement of courts: an action research study in the context of the Polish justice system
    • Przemysław Banasik
    • Sylwia Morawska
    • Agata Austen
    2022 Full text Social Responsibility Journal

    Purpose – As a rule, common courts are hermetic organizations, separated from their stakeholders by procedures based on legal provisions. For these reasons, they are often perceived as unreliable and non-transparent, and as such, they do not inspire trust among stakeholders. The authors posit that the court’s community involvement may lead to the increased accountability and legitimacy of courts, which should in turn result in jurisprudence benefits. This paper discusses the concept of community involvement of courts, demonstrates how this ideamay be implemented and explains its benefits for courts. Design/methodology/approach – The results of an action research study undertaken between June 2013 and March 2018 at the Regional Court in Gdansk (Poland) are discussed. Findings – The results highlight factors underlying the implementation of the idea of community involvement, as well as the areas in which courts take these actions, and explain how it influences their accountability and legitimacy. This research describes the interests of different stakeholders and proposes a range of actions that may be taken by courts while cooperating with stakeholders to achieve the aims of community involvement. It also proposes a set of steps that enable courts to implement the idea of community involvement. Originality/value – This paper develops the idea of the community involvement of courts, which may be used as an operating rule for public institutions to increase their legitimacy and accountability and explain its introduction in the context of courts. It offers a universal framework for the community involvement of courts that can be used in the context of any court in both the continental and Anglo-Saxon systems.

  • The comparison of cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, and indoles
    • Dominik Kołodziejski
    • Izabela Koss-Mikołajczyk
    • Hansruedi Glatt
    • Agnieszka Bartoszek-Pączkowska
    2022 Full text Scientific Reports

    Chemopreventive properties of Brassica vegetables are attributed mainly to their characteristic compounds—glucosinolates (GLs) and their main hydrolysis products—isothiocyanates (ITCs) and indoles. In this study, we compared antiproliferative activity (MTT test in HT29 cells) and genotoxic effects (comet assay in HT29 cells and restriction analysis in a cell-free system) of three GLs (sinigrin (SIN), glucotropaeolin (GTL), and glucobrassicin (GLB)) with that of their major degradation products. Intact GLs did not exhibit cytotoxic activity, possibly due to their limited bioavailability. However, in the presence of myrosinase (MYR), GLs gained the ability to inhibit HT29 cells’ growth. The addition of MYR caused the hydrolysis of GLs to the corresponding ITCs or indoles, i.e. compounds that show stronger biological activity than parent GLs. Pure ITC/indole solutions showed the strongest antiproliferative activity. Based on the results of restriction analysis, it was found that GLs to a greater extent than ITCs caused DNA modification in a cell-free system. In the case of GLs, metabolic activation by the S9 fraction increased this effect, and at the same time changed the preferential binding site from the area of base pairs AT to GC base pairs. Of all compounds tested, only benzyl ITC caused DNA damage detectable in the comet assay, but it required relatively high concentrations.

  • The concept of a new two-stage fuse for high power pulse forming
    • Mikołaj Nowak
    2022 Full text Scientific Reports

    This manuscript introduces the concept, physical operating principle and studies on a new and unique two stage forming fuse (TSFF) with interstage spark gap commutation and presents its application for forming high power pulses of extreme parameters. The paper classifies TSFF performance and compares it with conventional single-stage forming fuses. The conclusions are supported by analytical and experimental studies in laboratory conditions. The design of the TSFF prototype as well as the applied measurement methods and test stands are also presented. The developed technology of the TSFF enables the achievement of unprecedented parameters of high-power pulses with overvoltages reaching 800 kV and pulse power of tens of GW in a very compact design. The unique properties of the TSFF enable its efficient integration with a wide range of energy sources, even with very limited current rising steepness or limited output voltage, which has not been possible so far with conventional single-stage forming fuses. The proposed system can be easily scaled, while ensuring much greater flexibility of applications.

  • The Concept of Using the Decision-Robustness Function in Integrated Navigation Systems
    • Krzysztof Czaplewski
    • Bartosz Czaplewski
    2022 Full text SENSORS

    The diversity and non-uniformity of the positioning systems available in maritime navigation systems often impede the watchkeeping officer in the selection of the appropriate positioning system, in particular, in restricted basins. Thus, it is necessary to introduce a mathematical apparatus to suggest, in an automated manner, which of the available systems should be used at the given moment of a sea trip. Proper selection of the positioning system is particularly important in integrated navigation systems, in which the excess of navigation information may impede the final determinations. In this article, the authors propose the use of the decision-robustness function to assist in the process of selecting the appropriate positioning system and reduce the impact of navigation observations encumbered with large errors in self-positioning accuracy. The authors present a mathematical apparatus describing the decision function (a priori object), with the determination of decision-assistance criteria, and the robustness function (a posteriori object), with different types of attenuation function. In addition, the authors present a computer application integrating both objects in the decision-robustness function. The study was concluded by a test showing the practical application of the decision-robustness function proposed in the title.

  • The Conference Report of Why R? Turkey 2022: The First R Conference with Call For Papers in Turkey
    • Mustafa Cavus
    • Olgun Aydin
    • Ozan Evkaya
    • Derya Turfan
    • Filiz Karadag
    • Ozancan Ozdemir
    • Ugur Dar
    • Deniz Bezer
    2022 Full text R Journal

    Why R? Turkey 2022 was a non-profit conference that aimed to bring Turkish R users together and encourage them to attend the R conferences. The targeted audience of the conference consisted of, data scientists, data analysts, and all R users from academia and industry. The three-day conference, which consisted of several events such as workshops, regular talks, lightning talks, short tutorials, and panels, was free of charge and fully online. This article describes the challenges and benefits, as well as providing an overview of the conference’s content and participants’ profile.

  • The content of biogenic amines in Rondo and Zweigelt wines and correlations between selected wine parameters
    • Anna Stój
    • Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
    • Vasil Simeonov
    • Magdalena Kapłan
    2022 Full text FOOD CHEMISTRY

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content of biogenic amines (BAs) in wines using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (DLLME-GC–MS). An additional objective was to assess the correlations between selected parameters characterizing the samples such as the content of BAs, sugars, and organic acids, pH, and total acidity. Wines produced from the same grape variety in which alcoholic fermentation (AF) was carried out by different yeast strains and in which malolactic fermentation (MLF) was spontaneous, differed in the content of biogenic amines. The concentrations of putrescine, cadaverine and tryptamine were higher in the Rondo wines (237–405, 34.04–61.11, <LOD-12.456 µg/L, respectively) and Zweigelt wines (416–489, 72.67–88.43, <LOD-13.083 µg/L, respectively) subjected to spontaneous MLF than in the wines subjected to induced MLF. Chemometric analysis allowed us to determine correlations between selected wine parameters. The wine samples are well separated into two patterns depending on the grape variety. Despite the fact that information on BAs is not included in databases of wine composition, information on their concentration as well as knowledge of existing correlations between BAs and other wine parameters is crucial and may be useful for the food industry, health professionals and consumers.

  • The contribution of Hans von Wartenberg to the development of the Czochralski method
    • Wiesław Wojnowski
    • Antoni Konitz
    • Wojciech Wojnowski
    2022 Full text JOURNAL OF CRYSTAL GROWTH

    The contribution of Hans von Wartenberg to the development of the Czochralski Method for pulling single crystals is often overlooked. He was its earliest adopter, having introduced the use of seed crystals, and his detailed description of the method was the basis for its subsequent dissemination.

  • The Course and the Effects of Agricultural Biomass Pyrolysis in the Production of High-Calorific Biochar
    • Paweł Kazimierski
    • Katarzyna Januszewicz
    • Wojciech Godlewski
    • Aleksander Fijuk
    • Tomasz Suchocki
    • Patryk Chaja
    • Beata Barczak
    • Dariusz Kardaś
    2022 Full text Materials

    The thermal pyrolysis of agriculture biomass has been studied in a fixed-bed reactor, wherethe pyrolysis was conducted at a steady temperature of 800◦C. This work analyses the pyrolysisproducts of six agricultural wastes: pistachio husks, walnut husks, sunflower hulls, buckwheat husks,corncobs and coconut shells. The conducted research compared examples of large waste biomassstreams from different parts of the world as a potential source of renewable energy. Additionally, thekinetics of the reaction with the activation energy were analyzed and calculated for all raw materialsin pyrolysis process. Biochars are characterised by higher combustion heat in comparison to the rawmaterial samples. The average value of the heat of combustion increased due to pyrolysis processfrom 10 MJ/kg, with minimal value of 2.7 MJ/kg (corncob) and maximum of 13.0 MJ/kg for coconut,which is also characterised by the maximal absolute combustion heating value (32.3 MJ/kg). Theincrease in calorific values varied from 15% to 172% (with 54% reference for wood chips), whichindicates that charring is an effective method for increasing the energy concentration. The obtainedbiochar were compared with wood chips, which are widely used solid fuel of organic origin. Thestudied biomass-derived fuels are characterised by lower ash contribution than wood. An analogousobservation was made for the obtained biochars, whose ash contribution was lower than for thechips in terms of both unit-mass and unit-combustion-heat. The main advantage of this method isthe production of solid fuel from biomass, which increases the calorific value and bulk density ofbiochar in comparison to raw material.

  • The Development of a Conceptual Framework for Knowledge Sharing in Agile IT Projects
    • Rodrigo Oliveira de Castro
    • Cesar Sanin
    • Andrew Levula
    • Edward Szczerbicki
    2022 Full text CYBERNETICS AND SYSTEMS

    Organizations must adapt their resources to meet the challenges associated with changes in the work environment in order to remain competitive in the information era. Several research findings identify knowledge sharing as a means for an organization to improve its competitiveness. Knowledge sharing can be defined in a variety of ways, but it essentially refers to the exchange of knowledge from an information giver to an information receiver. This is a purposeful activity that adds value to the client organization, particularly in IT system that employs Agile methodology. For the scope of this paper, we are going to consider only Agile knowledge transfer in IT projects that occurs in two angles: business knowledge transfers from client to consultant; and IT technical knowledge transfers from consultant to client. However, when interdisciplinary teams are involved in Agile IT projects, the knowledge transfer mentioned before remains inefficient once the knowledge loss persists throughout the project life cycle. The conversion of conceptual knowledge, which only exists in the brains and minds of individuals, into explicit knowledge is essential for organizations to gain and maintain competitive advantages over its competitor. This study proposes an alternative conceptual framework to address conceptual knowledge transfer in IT projects that use Agile methodology.

  • The Digital Tissue and Cell Atlas and the Virtual Microscope
    • Jarosław Skokowski
    • Marika Bolcewicz
    • Kamila Jendernalik
    • Thierry Vanelslander
    • Jacek Gulczyński
    • Anna Lewandowska
    • Leszek Kalinowski
    2022 Full text

    With the cooperation of the CI TASK (Center of lnformatics Tri-Citry Academic Supercomputer and network) and the Gdańsk University of Technology, the Medical University of Gdańsk undertook the creation of the Digital Tissue and Cell Atlas and the Virtual Microscope for the needs of the Bridge of Data project. In the beginning, an extensive collection of histological and cytological slides was carefully selected and prepared by pathomorphology experts. After processing and digitising, the specimens were sent to servers of the TRYTON Supercomputer, where storing, searching for and scrolling through the images in the Virtual Microscope was made available. The collection consists of twenty thousand high definition images of human tissues and cells accompanied by structurised clinical metadata. Creating a digital atlas and a virtual microscope is an answer to modern education challenges that shape digital competence and are open to modern technologies. The main idea behind the creation of the information tools and digital image data repositories is using them for the purpose of education and as a basis for the creation of new methods of long-distance education. Those resources are shared under the terms of the open Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA), making it possible for teachers, students, and entrepreneurs to use the images safely and process content included in the presented materials without intellectual property infringement.

  • The Distribution of Glucosinolates in Different Phenotypes of Lepidium peruvianum and Their Role as Acetyl- and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors—In Silico and In Vitro Studies
    • Dominik Tarabasz
    • Paweł Szczeblewski
    • Tomasz Laskowski
    • Wojciech Płaziński
    • Ewa Baranowska-Wójcik
    • Dominik Szwajgier
    • Wirginia Kukula-Koch
    • Henry O. Meissner
    2022 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES

    The aim of the study was to present the fingerprint of different Lepidium peruvianum tu- ber extracts showing glucosinolates-containing substances possibly playing an important role in preventinting dementia and other memory disorders. Different phenotypes of Lepidium peruvianum (Brassicaceae) tubers were analysed for their glucosinolate profile using a liquid chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometer (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS platform). Qualitative analysis in 50% ethanolic extracts confirmed the presence of ten compounds: aliphatic, indolyl, and aromatic glucosi- nolates, with glucotropaeolin being the leading one, detected at levels between 0–1.57% depending on phenotype, size, processing, and collection site. The PCA analysis showed important variations in glucosinolate content between the samples and different ratios of the detected compounds. Applied in vitro activity tests confirmed inhibitory properties of extracts and single glucosinolates against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (15.3–28.9% for the extracts and 55.95–57.60% for individual compounds) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) (71.3–77.2% for the extracts and 36.2–39.9% for individual com- pounds). The molecular basis for the activity of glucosinolates was explained through molecular docking studies showing that the tested metabolites interacted with tryptophan and histidine residues of the enzymes, most likely blocking their active catalytic side. Based on the obtained results and described mechanism of action, it could be concluded that glucosinolates exhibit inhibitory properties against two cholinesterases present in the synaptic cleft, which indicates that selected phenotypes of L. peruvianum tubers cultivated under well-defined environmental and ecological conditions may present a valuable plant material to be considered for the development of therapeutic products with memory-stimulating properties.

  • The Dream of Black
    • Krzysztof Wróblewski
    2022

    The Dream of Black Wystawa Sen o czerni to projekt pedagogów Uniwersytetu w Ostrawie i Fundacji Wyspa Progress a właściwie ich studentów, którzy są również dzisiaj pedagogami. W wielu przypadkach jest to już drugie pokolenie studentów. The Dream of Black oferuje szerokie spektrum form artystycznych. Autorska próbka stanowiąca trzon projektu wystawy (gość: Viktor Frešo i inni artyści związani z Gdańską sceną artystyczną) to tylko wycinek całej sceny artystycznej Ostrawy i Gdańska. Widz będzie miał niewątpliwie również możliwość osobistej konfrontacji ze stereotypem postrzegania relacji miedzy centrum i peryferiami, które dziś postrzega się jako część europejskiego kontekstu sztuki całości wyróżniających się regionalnych centrów sztuki. Sny nie rodzą się i nie znikają, pochodzą z powietrza i z popiołów, nie kończą się błyskawicznie, ale stopniową erozją.1. Rzeczywistość pojawia się przed nami jako skupisko rozproszonych wydarzeń o wątpliwych syntezach i zgrupowaniach. Niewątpliwie rozmawialiśmy o niej nie raz, rozmawiamy o niej, lub możemy powiedzieć o niej, że jest ciemna. Czas i przestrzeń określają stosunki między ontologią tworzenia obrazów a jego reprezentacją. Kultura i filozofia Zachodu odsuwa znikanie, pustkę czy nicość na plan dalszy, jako coś, co związane jest z przemijaniem, niszczeniem, tak samo jak z ukrywaniem. Wbrew wszelkim faktom odzwierciedlenie tej nicości ma przecież swoje znaczenie. Post-konceptualny dyskurs wciąż prowadzi walkę z reprezentacją widzianego, idea przesuwa się do obszaru doświadczeń formalnych w dziele sztuki i stawia granice między obrazem realności a jego wewnętrznym odbiciem.(...) Tak, to czarna Ostrawa... Stocznia Gdańska Ostrawa, czy historycznie Stocznia Gdańska, miejsca które dziś już nie czują czerni i szukają swego charyzmatu w takich barwnych konotacjach, które są naprawdę bardzo kolorowe, są dosłownie kolorowymi gejzerami, ale i czarnym snem, który leży u podstaw tego myślenia o śnie i który, w pewnych okolicznościach może być postrzegany jako koszmar, jako coś przerażającego i uciążliwego, jest przede wszystkim żywą platformą aktualnego i współczesnego dążenia do racjonalnego opisu, a także sztucznej egzystencjalnej odpowiedzi mitologii pochodzenia. Kuratorzy: Tomáš Koudela, František Kowolowski, Piotr Mosur, Grzegorz Klaman

  • The Dynamics of Trade Relations between Ukraine and Romania: Modelling and Forecasting
    • Oleksandr Melnychenko
    • Valerii Matskul
    • Tetiana Osadcha
    2022 Full text Virtual Economics

    The article examines the monthly dynamics of exports, imports and balance of trade between Ukraine and Romania in the period from 2005 to 2021. Time series from 2015 to 2021 were used for modelling and forecasting (since the date the European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement took effect). Adequate models of the dynamics series of the Box-Jenkins methodology were built: additive models with seasonal component ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) ARIMAS (or SARIMA) and Holt-Winters exponential smoothing with a dampened trend. Forecasting of exports, imports and trade balance for the fourth quarter of 2021 and first quarter of 2022 were completed. The forecast results showed a small relative error compared to the actual data. Thus, when forecasting the trade balance between countries using the Holt-Winters model, the relative prediction errors were: for October 2021 – 1.3%; for November 2021 – 2.6%; for December 2021 – 0.4%.

  • The Economic Legacy of Mega Sporting Events. The Impact of Hosting European Olympic Games on GDP Growth Through Infrastructure Development
    • Krystian Zawadzki
    2022 Full text Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism

    Introduction. The positive legacy of the Olympics is often cited by the International Olympic Committee and national or-ganizers. Some scholars, however, question an uncritical approach to an exclusively positive economic legacy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of hosting the Olympics on infrastructure development, with a potential impact on economic growth in the form of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in three phases of seven Olympic Games organised in Europe in recent years. Material and methods. The effect of a particular Olympic period on the GDP was analysed using a difference-in-differ-ence technique in which the difference between each of the analysed seven host countries’ GDPs and those of a reference set of countries was obtained. Each time, as part of the observation, an event time period was distinguished covering all three phases of the event: the preparatory phase, the event phase and the post-event phase. Results. For the Winter Olympic Games, no statistically significant positive results are observed in the long term, which may indicate a very limited importance of the economic legacy of these events for potential host countries. In the case of Summer Olympic Games, the positive impact of the organization of these events in the post-event phase is noticeable. Conclusions. The obtained results confirm the ambiguous impact of Olympic Games on the hosts’ economies and are in line with the attitude of many scholars to an uncritical approach to the only positive legacy of these events.

  • The effect of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) steaming process on the colour change versus depth of tested wood layer
    • Aleksandra Konopka
    • Daniel Chuchała
    • Kazimierz Orłowski
    • Vilkovska Tatiana
    • Ivan Klement
    2022 Full text Wood Material Science & Engineering

    The results of experimental research on the colour changes of beech wood at different depths of the tested layer are presented. Beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) dried in a conventional kiln was tested. Half of the wood samples were steamed prior to the drying process. Colour changes were measured at various depths after the face milling process was used to remove the material to expose to the deeper surface. The colour changes were measured based on the three-axis CIELAB system, recommended by CIE (Comission Internationale de l'Eclairage) and according to ISO 11664-2 and ISO 11664-4 standards. As a result of the analysis, four parameters were determined: the colour changes (ΔE), the colour chroma (Cab), the hue angle (h) and the colour saturation (Sab). The performed experimental research revealed that the surface of steamed wood is more susceptible to colour change. A significant colour change in both steamed and dried wood occurs only up to a depth of about 2 mm.

  • The effect of boron concentration on the electrical, morphological and optical properties of boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond sheets: Tuning the diamond-on-graphene vertical junction
    • Michał Rycewicz
    • Adrian Nosek
    • Dong Hoon Shin
    • Mateusz Ficek
    • Josephus G. Buijnsters
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    2022 Full text DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS

    In this paper, the effect of boron doping on the electrical, morphological and structural properties of free-standing nanocrystalline diamond sheets (thickness ~ 1 μm) was investigated. For this purpose, we used diamond films delaminated from a mirror-polished tantalum substrate following a microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition process, each grown with a different [B]/[C] ratio (up to 20,000 ppm) in the gas phase. The developed boron-doped diamond (BDD) films are a promising semiconducting material for sensing and high-power electronic devices due to band gap engineering and thermal management feasibility. The increased boron concentration in the gas phase induces a decrease in the average grain size, consequently resulting in lower surface roughness. The BDD sheets grown with [B]/[C] of 20,000 ppm reveal the metallic conductivity while the lower doped samples show p-type semiconductor character. The charge transport at room temperature is dominated by the thermally activated nearest-neighbor hopping between boron acceptors through impurity band conduction. At low temperatures (<300 K), the Arrhenius plot shows a non-linear temperature dependence of the logarithmic conductance pointing towards a crossover towards variable range hopping. The activation energy at high temperatures obtained for lowly-doped sheets is smaller than for nanocrystalline diamond bonded to silicon, while for highly-doped material it is similar. Developed sheets were utilized to fabricate two types of diamond-on-graphene heterojunctions, where boron doping is the key factor for tuning the shape of the current-voltage characteristics. The graphene heterojunction with the low boron concentration diamond sheet resembles a Schottky junction behavior, while an almost Ohmic contact response is recorded with the highly doped BDD sheet of metallic conductivity. The free-standing diamond sheets allow for integration with temperature-sensitive interfaces (i.e. 2D materials or polymers) and pave the way towards flexible electronics devices.

  • The effect of cable duct diameter on the ampacity of high-voltage power cables
    • Filip Ratkowski
    • Michał Kołtun
    • Stanisław Czapp
    2022 Full text Przegląd Elektrotechniczny

    The ampacity of power cables depends, among others, on the conditions of heat dissipation from the cable to the environment. Cables are usually laid directly in the ground, but in some sections, they may be placed in ducts, which adversely affects the ampacity of the cable line. The paper presents heat transfer phenomena for cables installed in pipe-type ducts filled with air. The effect of cable duct diameter on this ampacity is discussed. The results of the theoretical analysis have been validated by calculations performed with CYMCAP software. The comparison of the ampacity for air-filled vs. water- or bentonite-filled ducts is also included. The analyses and comparisons have shown that with an appropriate dimension of the duct, the simplest filling (with air) allows to obtain the ampacity not lower than when water or bentonite is used.

  • The effect of external load on ultrasonic wave attenuation in steel bars under bending stresses
    • Adam Ścięgaj
    • Erwin Wojtczak
    • Magdalena Rucka
    2022 Full text ULTRASONICS

    The stress state in deformed solids has a significant impact on the attenuation of an ultrasonic wave propagating through the medium. Measuring a signal with certain attenuation characteristics can therefore provide useful diagnostic information about the stress state in the structure. In this work, basic principles behind a novel attenuation-based diagnostic framework are introduced. An experimental study on steel bars under three-point bending was carried out, and finite element analyses were used to numerically model the experiments. Obtained test results showed a strong correlation between the external load and the ultrasonic signal energy, which decreases with increasing load. A similar but positive correlation appeared between the level of attenuation of longitudinal ultrasonic wave signals and the external load, which allowed for efficient estimation of the mid-span bending moment. Upon proper calibration of testing equipment, the change in ultrasonic signal energy can therefore be used as an indicator of the external load level. As a result, this effect has potential applications in non-destructive structural health monitoring frameworks.

  • The effect of freeze-drying and storage on lysozyme activity, lactoferrin content, superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity and fatty acid profile of freeze-dried human milk
    • Dorota Martysiak-Żurowska
    • Patrycja Rożek
    • Małgorzata Puta
    2022 Full text DRYING TECHNOLOGY

    Pooled human milk samples were freeze-dried and stored for 6 weeks at a temperature of 5 C and 25 C. Freeze-drying decreased the water content of milk by 86.5%, and the obtained lyophilizate was readily soluble in water. The freeze-drying process did not affect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, fatty acid (FA) profile or lactoferrin (LF) content, but it decreased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of human milk by 22.1% and induced a minor increase in lysozyme (LZ) activity, by approximately 9.8%. Storage of freeze-dried milk did not show significant influence on TAC, LF, FA and LZ levels, while after six weeks of storage SOD activity decreased by around 27% relative to the level noted immediately after lyophilization. These findings and the remaining state of knowledge imply, that freeze-drying can be a useful method of human milk storage.

  • The Effect of Openings’ Size and Location on Selected Dynamical Properties of Typical Wood Frame Walls
    • Marcin Szczepański
    • Ahmed Manguri
    • Najmadeen Saeed
    • Daniel Chuchała
    2022 Full text Polymers

    The wooden frame constructions are now popular in many developed countries of the world. Many of these locations where such buildings are constructed are exposed to seismic and other shocks which are generated by human activities. This paper discusses the effect of the size and location of openings in the wooden frame walls under dynamic loadings. Natural frequencies of such frames with and without openings have been determined. Three 14 m high walls with different widths, including 3, 6, and 12 m, have been considered. Dynamic analysis has been made using finite element method structural analysis software Dlubal RFEM 5.17. The results show that the effect of the size and location of the openings on the natural frequency is significant. Numerically speaking, the relative change of the natural frequencies of a wall without and with an opening in a specific place could be up to 30%. In addition, the change of the natural frequency for the location of the openings is more sensitive than that to the sizes. Furthermore, the appropriate sizes and locations of openings of the wooden frame walls have been suggested. The appropriate size and place were found to be small openings in the top of the walls.

  • The effect of paleo-environment on hydrocarbon generation potential: Example from Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina
    • Aleksandra Małachowska
    • Grzegorz Lis
    • Maria Mastalerz
    • Fariborz Goodarzi
    • Hamed Sanei
    2022 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

    A 137-m continuous core from the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous marine derived oil shale with the maturity Ro about 0.7 %, representing the oil window in the Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina, was examined using geological, mineralogical, petrographic, and geochemistry techniques. Three distinct intervals were identified within the core: the upper carbonate-rich section with intense bioturbation, indicating dysoxic to oxic conditions that resulted in poor organic matter preservation; a middle section with decreasing carbonate content, suboxic bottom conditions, and higher organic matter content; and a lower section with higher detrital input and low carbonate content, suboxic to anoxic water conditions, and enhanced preservation of organic matter. Based on the presence of indicator fossils and geochemical parameters, a general trend of increasing organic matter content with lower paleo-oxygen levels was observed. The proportion of solid bitumen within organic matter increases with decreasing oxygen content, suggesting that organic matter deposited in anoxic conditions is more prone to transformation and hydrocarbon generation. There is a negative impact of increasing paleo-oxygen levels on the quantity and quality of organic matter, represented by its potential to generate hydrocarbons.

  • The effect of shear deformations' rotary inertia on the vibrating response of multi-physic composite beam-like actuators
    • Mohammad Malikan
    • Victor Eremeev
    2022 Full text COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

    In consecutive studies on flexomagneticity (FM), this work investigates the flexomagnetic reaction of a vibrating squared multi-physic beam in finite dimensions. It is assumed that the bending and shear deformations cause rotary inertia. In the standard type of the Timoshenko beam the rotary inertia originated from shear deformations has been typically omitted. It means the rotary inertia resulting from shear deformation is a new concept considered here. Thus, the novelty in this work is that the effect of shear deformation's rotary inertia (SDRI) on the FM response will be considered in detail. When it comes to nanosize, the well-posed nonlocal elasticity assumption of Eringen can be worth choosing. In this study, the weak form of strain-driven nonlocal theory, which means differential form, is taken into hand for easiness. The procedure of solution will be in regard to the advantage of the Galerkin weighted residual technique based on an analytical flow for the meta beam located at simply-simply ends. Verifications of the mathematical model and solving steps come through macro and nanobeams concerning reputable literature. In pursuit of this step, several separate studies will show how SDRI and FM can influence each other. The observations give some new achievements in the series of studies on FM. It has been earned that the SDRI can directly impress the flexomagnetic feature of small-scale actuators.

  • The Effect of Sodium Tetrafluoroborate on the Properties of Conversion Coatings Formed on the AZ91D Magnesium Alloy by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation
    • Lukasz Florczak
    • Ginter Nawrat
    • Kazimierz Darowicki
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Jan Sieniawski
    • Małgorzata Wierzbińska
    • Krzysztof Raga
    • Andrzej Sobkowiak
    2022 Full text Processes

    Magnesium and its alloys are widely used in many areas because of their light weight, excellent dimensional stability, and high strength-to-weight ratio. However, the material exhibits poor wear and corrosion resistance, which limits its use. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is an effective surface modification method for producing ceramic oxide layers on Mg and their alloys. The influence of the additions of sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4) and sodium fluoride (NaF) into alkaline-silicate electrolyte on the properties of the conversion layers formed in the magnesium AZ91D alloy has been investigated. Surface morphology and chemical composition were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The anticorrosive properties of the layers were evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) methods in simulated body fluid (SBF). The presence of NaBF4 or NaF in the electrolyte increases the corrosion resistance of the protective layer. However, the best anticorrosive properties show the layers obtained in the presence of NaBF4. This is probably caused by the incorporation of boron and fluorine in the form of Mg (BF4)2 mainly in the barrier layer.

  • The effect of Sr and Mg substitutions on structure, mechanical properties and solubility of fluorapatite ceramics for biomedical applications
    • Mohammad Ghaemi
    • Sergiy Y. Sayenko
    • Volodymyr Shkuropatenko
    • Anna Zykova
    • Kateryna Ulybkina
    • Olena Bereznyak
    • Andrzej Krupa
    • Mirosław Sawczak
    2022 Full text Processing and Application of Ceramics

    Ionic substitutions play important role in the modifications of biological apatites. Recently, attention has been focused on the co-doping effects on the functional properties of apatite-based biomaterials. In this research work, the dense samples of fluorapatites, Ca10(PO4)6F2 and Ca8MgSr(PO4)6F2, were produced after sintering at 1250 °C for 6 h in air. Structural characterization carried out with XRD, IR, Raman and SEM, confirmed the formation of a dense and homogeneous structure with main fluorapatite and a small amount of Ca3(PO4)2 phase. The presented results also demonstrate the stability of structural and mechanical properties of fluorapatites after immersion tests in saline and buffer solutions. The durability of mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the Ca10(PO4)6F2 and Ca8MgSr(PO4)6F2 fluorapatites make these materials highly attractive for biomedical applications.

  • The Effectiveness of Rubber Bumpers in Reducing the Effects of Earthquake-Induced Pounding between Base-Isolated Buildings
    • Khatami Mohamma Seyed
    • Hosein Naderpour
    • Alireza Mortezaei
    • Alireza Sharbatdar
    • Natalia Lasowicz
    • Robert Jankowski
    2022 Full text Applied Sciences-Basel

    Th e methods for preventing earthquake-induced structural pounding between two adjacent buildings include ensuring a sufficient separation distance between them or decreasing their relative displacement during seismic excitation. Some equations or even specific values of such gap sizes between two buildings have been introduced so as to avoid collisions. Increasing the stiffness of buildings, using tuned mass dampers, applying liquid dampers, or decreasing the mass of the structures may reduce lateral displacements, and therefore pounding can be prevented. On the other hand, the application of base isolation systems may result in the elongation of the natural period of the building, thus increasing the probability of structural pounding. The aim of the present paper is to verify the effectiveness of using rubber bumpers to reduce the negative effects of earthquake- induced pounding between base-isolated buildings. The analysis was conducted for different gap sizes between buildings, as well as for various values of the thickness, number and stiffness of rubber bumpers. The results of the study show that the peak impact force decreases with increasing thickness, stiffness, and number of bumpers. Moreover, the peak impact forces are reduced with increasing gap size. The results of the investigation clearly indicate that the use of additional rubber bumpers can be considered an effective method for reducing the negative effects of earthquake-induced pounding between base-isolated buildings.

  • The Effects of Pin Profile on HDPE Thermomechanical Phenomena during FSW
    • Hassanein I. Khalaf
    • Raheem Al-Sabur
    • Murat Demiral
    • Jacek Tomków
    • Jerzy Łabanowski
    • Mahmoud E. Abdullah
    • Hamed Aghajani Derazkola
    2022 Full text Polymers

    Friction stir welding (FSW) of polymeric materials has recently attracted significant attention. Herein, we present the effect of the tool pin profile on the FSW of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) joints through joint experimental analysis and thermomechanical simulations. For analysis of pin profile effects on the thermomechanical properties of HDPE joints, frustum (FPT), cubic (CPT), and triangular (TPT) pin shapes were selected in this study. This research investigated the heat generation of the parts of the different tools as well as heat flux (internal and surface). The results revealed that the heat generation in pins with more edges (cubic (96 °C) and triangular (94 °C)) was greater than in pins with a smooth shape (frustum (91 °C)). The higher heat generation caused the heat flux on the surface of the HDPE from the cubic pin profile to be greater than for other joints. Due to the properties of HDPE, higher heat generation caused higher material velocity in the stirring zone, where the velocity of the materials in TPT, CPT, and FPT pins were 0.41 m/s, 0.42 m/s, and 0.4 m/s, respectively. The simulation results show sharp-edged pins, such as triangular and cubic, lead to over-stirring action and internal voids formed along the joint line. Furthermore, the simulation results indicated that the size of the stirred zones (SZs) of the FPT, TPT, and CPT samples were 17 mm2, 19 mm2, and 21 mm2, respectively, which is around three times the corresponding values in the HAZ.

  • The effects of relational and psychological capital on work engagement: the mediation of learning goal orientation
    • Malgorzata Rozkwitalska
    • Beata Basińska
    • Fevzi Okumus
    • Osman M. Karatepe
    2022 Full text JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT

    Purpose – This paper proposes a research model in which learning goal orientation (LGO) mediates the impacts of relational capital and psychological capital (PsyCap) on work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – Data obtained from 475 managers and employees in the manufacturing and service industries in Poland were utilized to assess the linkages given above. Common method variance was controlled by the unmeasured latent method factor technique. Findings – LGO mediates the impact of PsyCap on work engagement. More specifically, employees high on PsyCap are more learning goal-oriented, and therefore are work-engaged at elevated levels. Employees also exhibit higher work engagement as a result of their relational capital. Research limitations/implications – This study extends the research stream on the interrelationships of relational capital, PsyCap, LGO and work engagement to Poland. It fills a void in the relevant literature. Yet, the authors collected cross-sectional, self-report data in a single country. Practical implications – Manufacturing and service companies in Poland should create and maintain a work environment where managers and employees develop trust and high-quality relationships with their managers and coworkers and invest in their personal resources. In addition, management should arrange continuous training programs so that employees can continue developing themselves. Such practices are critical in an organization where employees’ work engagement is triggered by relational capital, PsyCap and LGO. Originality/value – This paper enhances the current literature by exploring relational capital, PsyCap and LGO simultaneously as the predictors of work engagement, which have been subjected to limited empirical inquiry. The paper also extends the research stream about the above-mentioned predictors of engagement to Poland, which is an underrepresented country in the field of human resource management.

  • The Efficacious Benefit of 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D to Prevent COVID-19: An In-Silico Study Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
    • Tomy Muringayil
    • Akshay M S
    • Debarshi Kar Mahapatra
    • Józef Haponiuk
    • Sabu Thomas
    2022 Full text Nutrients

    The environment has rapidly looked at proven specialist task forces in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to build public health policies and measures to mitigate the effects of emerging coronaviruses. According to the researchers, taking 10 μg of 25-hydroxy vitamin D daily is recommended to keep us safe. There have been several studies recently indicating that there is a reduced risk of contracting Coronavirus by 25-hydroxy vitamin D consumption, even though there is no scientific data to prove that one would not affect the COVID-19 viral infection by 25-hydroxy vitamin D consumption. In this regard, the present study investigates the important literature and the role of 25-hydroxy vitamin D to prevent COVID-19 infection by conducting an in-silico study with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as a target. Lopinavir, a previously reported drug candidate, served as a reference standard for the study. MD simulations were carried out to improve predictions of receptor-ligand complexes which offer novelty and strength to the current study. MD simulation protocols were explored and subjected to 25-hydroxy vitamin D and a known drug, Lopinavir. Comparison of ligands at refined models to the crystal structure led to promising results. Appropriate timescale simulations have been used to understand the activation mechanism, the role of water networks for receptor function, and the ligand binding process. Furthermore, MD simulations in combination with free energy calculations have also been carried out for lead optimization, evaluation of ligand binding modes, and assessment of ligand selectivity. From the results, 25-hydroxy vitamin D was discovered to have the vital interaction and highest potency in LBE, lower RMSD, and lower inhibition intensity similar to the standard. The findings from the current study suggested that 25-hydroxy vitamin D would be more effective in treating COVID-19. Compared with Lopinavir, 25-hydroxy vitamin D had the most potent interaction with the putative binding sites of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein of COVID-19.

  • The electrical, morphological and optical properties of heavily boron-doped diamond sheets as a function of methane concentration in the gas phase
    • Michał Rycewicz
    • Adrian Nosek
    • Mirosław Sawczak
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    2022 Proceedings of SPIE

    Boron-doped diamonds (BDD) are known for their excellent properties such as high thermal conductivity, high mobility, low absorption in visible light, and biocompatibility. In this work, we investigated the electrical, morphological and optical properties of heavily boron-doped diamond thin sheets as a function of methane concentration in the gas phase. Free-standing diamond sheets were fabricated using a microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition. The methane concentration was controlled by adding CH4 (up to 4%) to the gas phase, while the [B]/[C] ratio was 20,000 ppm. The samples grown with a higher methane concentration show more defects providing additional conduction paths. As a result, the lowest resistance was observed for the sample with a 4% methane concentration in the gas phase. Morphological studies suggest that a strong increase in the standard deviation of grain size and larger thickness of films is correlated with a higher sp2 phase. Moreover, an increase of disordered carbon content is accompanied by a lower transparency of the BDD sheets. This experiment could serve as a stepping stone in the future production of highly conductive large-area boron-doped diamond sheets.

  • The energy approach to fatigue crack growth of S355 steel welded specimens subjected to bending
    • Dariusz Rozumek
    • Janusz Lewandowski
    • Grzegorz Lesiuk
    • Zbigniew Marciniak
    • José A.F.O. Correia
    • Wojciech Macek
    2022 Full text THEORETICAL AND APPLIED FRACTURE MECHANICS

    The study presents the results of the research on the rate of fatigue crack growth subjected to bending in the ferritic-pearlitic structure. The studies were carried out at a constant amplitude of the moment and at various values ​​of the load ratios R and at the operating frequency of the machine of 28.4 Hz. Flat specimens made of S355 steel and with fillet welds and with double-sided blunt external notches as well as concave and convex welds were tested. The tests were performed on specimens without and after relief annealing. The study showed that the heat treatment had an influence on the dispersion of the test results described by the energy parameter. It was also observed that the effect of the applied treatment increased the rate of fatigue crack growth.

  • The Energy Potential of the Lower Vistula River in the Context of the Adaptation of Polish Inland Waterways to the Standards of Routes of International Importance
    • Krzysztof Woś
    • Krzystof Wrzosek
    • Tomasz Kolerski
    2022 Full text ENERGIES

    Based on new policies of the European Union, green technologies are to be mostly considered for power generation. Hydropower generation is one of the essential elements of sustainable energy production. Therefore, specific attention, both economically and technically, needs to be given to this sector of energy production. The Vistula River in Poland is considered an international waterway. The power production potential of the river has been taken into account over the years. However, further configurations are needed to obtain a more in-depth ecological knowledge-base and economic plans, which are socially approved. In an attempt to make the project environmentally friendly, specific attention was put into sustainable transport. Different methods of transport were researched to find the most renewable transport combination, mainly based on waterways. Having performed a cost–benefit analysis related to the economic aspects of the project, it was found that such an investment is highly profitable (B/C = 2.81).

  • The Environmental Benefits of Photovoltaic Systems: The Impact on the Environment in the Production of Photovoltaic Systems: With a Focus on Metal Recovery
    • Ewa Klugmann-Radziemska
    2022

    Greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, trap heat and energy, thus preventing solar radiation from escaping back into space. As the quantity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases so does the trapped heat and corresponding global temperature. As a result, storms become more violent, droughts more prevalent, glaciers melt, and sea levels rise, to name but a few effects of a rapidly changing climate. These unfavorable climate changes observed for many years have provided an incentive for the development of renewable energy sources, in particular those technologies, that serve the production of electricity. The use of photovoltaic modules to convert solar radiation into electricity results in a reduction of harmful GHGs, characteristic of traditional fossil fuel technologies, and furthermore, leads to economic benefits and independence of energy supplies. Analyzing the complete life cycle of photovoltaic modules: the process of production, operation, and the recycling of solar cell panels and ancillary components, one can demonstrate obvious environmental benefits, justifying not only the costs of photovoltaic technology development, but also government's actions in support of solar panels. Depending on the technology used, the production phase of photovoltaic modules does burden the environment to varying degrees, but overall there are incomparable gains to be made by exploiting photovoltaic systems for electricity production. Waste management and the re-use of valuable materials can also significantly improve the final environmental balance. As the photovoltaic market is still growing, it is important at this stage, to assess the long-term impact of PV technology on the natural environment. In this chapter, the impacts of using photovoltaic solar modules for energy production on the natural environment, are discussed.