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Gdańsk University of Technology

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  • Informal Workplace Learning and Employee Development. Growing in the Organizational New Normal
    • Małgorzata Rozkwitalska-Welenc
    • Beata Basińska
    • Alicja Dettlaff
    2024

    The new paradigm in employee development assumes that employees should proactively direct their learning and growth. Most workplace learning is basically informal and occurs through daily work routines, peer-to-peer interactions, networking, and typically brings about significant positive outcomes to both individuals and organizations. Yet, workplace learning always occurs in a pre-defined context and this context has recently changed, and hereafter many people have been delegated to work from home or any other remote locations. Many employees would like to maintain remote or hybrid work design in the future, as well. In this research monograph, the authors explore an unexplored topic in social science research concerning proactive employee development through informal learning in new ways of working (NWW). The authors are esteemed experts in organizational studies, organizational psychology, and human resource management. The monograph will be of interest to students and researchers in organizational studies, organizational behavior, organizational psychology and organizational learning, as well as human resource professionals concerned with employee development and the changing nature of work.

  • Injectable bone cement based on magnesium potassium phosphate and cross-linked alginate hydrogel designed for minimally invasive orthopedic procedures
    • Marcin Wekwejt
    • Rafał Jesiołkiewicz
    • Aleksandra Mielewczyk-Gryń
    • Dawid Kozień
    • Anna Ronowska
    • Justyna Kozłowska
    • Uwe Gbureck
    2024 Scientific Reports

    Bone cement based on magnesium phosphate has extremely favorable properties for its application as a bioactive bone substitute. However, further improvement is still expected due to difficult injectability and high brittleness. This paper reported the preparation of novel biocomposite cement, classified as dual-setting, obtained through ceramic hydration reaction and polymer cross-linking. Cement was composed of magnesium potassium phosphate and sodium alginate cross-linked with calcium carbonate and gluconolactone. The properties of the obtained composite material and the influence of sodium alginate modification on cement reaction were investigated. Our results indicated that proposed cements have several advantages compared to ceramic cement, like shortened curing time, diverse microstructure, increased wettability and biodegradability and improved paste cohesion and injectability. The magnesium phosphate cement with 1.50% sodium alginate obtained using a powder-to-liquid ratio of 2.5 g/mL and cross-linking ratio 90/120 of GDL/CC showed the most favorable properties, with no adverse effect on mechanical strength and osteoblasts cytocompatibility. Overall, our research suggested that this novel cement might have promising medical application prospects, especially in minimally invasive procedures.

  • Innovative strategies: Combining treatments for advanced wastewater purification
    • Roberta Anjos de Jesus
    • Natalia Łukasik
    • Ajay Kumar
    • Luiz Fernando Romanholo Ferreira
    2024

    Water scarcity is a pressing global challenge, driving the urgent need for effective wastewater treatment solutions. With untreated wastewater extensively employed, particularly in agriculture, the significance of proper treatment becomes evident, as it presents a more practical and ecologically responsible alternative. This chapter explores the diverse treatment approaches encompassing chemical, physical, and biological methods, shedding light on the processing steps within an effluent treatment station. Additionally, the study examines the promising potential of hybrid technologies in wastewater treatment, highlighting their efficiency and effectiveness as viable solutions. This chapter addresses these crucial aspects and contributes to a deeper understanding of wastewater treatment's pivotal role in alleviating water scarcity and promoting sustainable practices.

  • Inorganic membrane: a game changer for gas separation and purification
    • Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
    • Mamoona Riaz
    • Ayesha Mohyuddin
    • Ahtisham Haider
    • Shahnoor Ali
    • G. Abdulkareem-Alsultan
    • Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
    • Hui Hwang Goh
    • Abdelkader Anouzla
    • Hussein Al-Hazmi
    • Faissal Aziz
    • Yusuf Wibisono
    • Tutuk Djoko Kusworo
    • Sadeq Abdullah Abdo Alkhadher
    • Md. Rajibur Rahaman Khan
    2024 CHEMICAL PAPERS

    This review explores the advancements and remaining challenges in inorganic membrane science, particularly focusing on their potential for industrial applications. It delves into the fundamental principles of inorganic membrane design, fabrication, and characterization techniques. The review also critically analyzes key challenges faced by inorganic membranes, such as physical aging, plasticization, defective formation, and fouling. Strategies for overcoming the limitations to enhance permeability and long-term stability are discussed. Specific examples are provided to illustrate the applications of inorganic membranes in gas separation and wastewater treatment, emphasizing their high chemical stability, as compared to conventional polymeric membranes. The energy efficiency of inorganic membranes for volatile organic compound (VOC) removal at ambient temperatures is highlighted with PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) serving as an example for removing toluene, xylene, and acetone from gas streams. Finally, the review assesses future research directions to further enhance the engineering applicability of inorganic membranes for wastewater treatment and gas separation, solidifying their position as a promising technology for diverse industrial processes.

  • Insights in microbiotechnology: 2022.Editorial
    • Muhammad Bilal
    2024 Full text Frontiers in Microbiology

    This Research Topic serves as an invaluable resource for readers interested in staying updated with the latest progress and developments in the field of microbiotechnology. It spotlights the innovative research conducted by up-and-coming experts in the field, specifically emphasizing the transforming abilities of microorganisms that greatly influence the scientific community. The advent of multi-omic technologies has revolutionized microbiotechnology, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the molecular landscape. Additional research is required to explore artificial intelligence, machine learning, multidimensional statistical techniques, and user-friendly analytical tools for uncovering the correlation between microbial metabolites and the host, as well as gaining a deeper comprehension of microbial interaction with environmental pollutants.

  • Instalacje fotowoltaiczne w budownictwie wielorodzinnym
    • Konrad Seklecki
    • Leszek Litzbarski
    • Kuba Wójcik
    • Zuzanna Cieślikowska
    • Mirosław Włas
    • Jacek Grochowski
    2024 Full text Przegląd Elektrotechniczny

    Artykuł opisuje wpływ instalacji fotowoltaicznych na bezpieczeństwo eksploatacji budynków wielorodzinnych. W oparciu o projekty rzeczywistych obiektów przeprowadzono analizę zwiększenia ryzyka strat odgromowych, zmiany obciążenia konstrukcji dachu i wzrostu zagrożenia pożarowego na skutek montażu systemu fotowoltaicznego. Przeprowadzone obliczenia wskazują na konieczność kompleksowego podejścia do projektowania instalacji fotowoltaicznych. Dodatkowo oszacowano opłacalność takiej inwestycji w przypadku budynków wielorodzinnych.

  • Integration of electric vehicle into smart grid: a meta heuristic algorithm for energy management between V2G and G2V
    • G. Srihari
    • R. S. R. Krishnam Naidu
    • Przemysław Falkowski-Gilski
    • Parameshachari Bidare Divakarachari
    • Ravi Kiran Varma Penmatsa
    2024 Full text Frontiers in Energy Research

    Recently, Electric Vehicles (EV) have been providing fast response and substantial progress in the power generation model. Further, EVs are exploited as adaptable Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) and show a promising performance in ancillary service markets to increase the demand of Smart Grid (SG) integration. The expansion of Vehicle-to-Grid concept has created an extra power source when renewable energy sources are not available. Yet, numerous operational problems still are required to be considered for EV implementation to turn out to be extensive. Even the development of Photo-Voltaic (PV) technology creates a problem in SGs when used for EV charging. Because of this, the Energy Management System (EMS) is required to handle charging requirements and deal with the intermittent generation. Here, in this research, an Improved Honey Badger algorithm (IHBA) is proposed for integrating SGs with EV parking lot, solar panels, and dynamic loads at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). The proposed IHBA uses a dynamic programming method to optimize the charging Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) or discharging Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) profiles of the EVs using the forecasts of PV generation. This algorithm considers user preferences while also lowering reliance on the grid and maximizing SG effectiveness. The study’s findings show that the Honey Badger method is efficient in resolving issues involving large search spaces. The developed method is used to optimize charging and discharging of EV which is tested in MATLAB to obtain a stable load profile. From the evaluation of obtained results, it is evident that the IHBA controller outperforms the WOA and EHO controllers in terms of total harmonic distortion voltage (3.12%), power loss (0.197 kW) and efficiency (98.47%).

  • Interventions reducing car usage: Systematic review and meta-analysis
    • Romanika Okraszewska
    • Aleksandra Romanowska
    • Dana Clarissa Laetsch
    • Anna Gobis
    • Lucia Reisch
    • Carlijn B.M. Kamphuis
    • Jeroen Lakerveld
    • Piotr Krajewski
    • Anna Banik
    • Nicolette R. Den Braver
    • Sarah Forberger
    • Hermann Brenner
    • Joanna Żukowska
    2024 Full text TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT

    This systematic literature review aimed to investigate the extent to which transport-related interventions induced a reduction in car use. Both qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis were employed. The synthesis included 31 original studies, while the meta-analysis included 21. Of the qualitatively synthesised studies, 74 % demonstrated that interventions were effective in reducing car use. The pooled estimates of the effects showed a significant reduction in car usage with a mean effect size of Hedges’ g = -0.117 (p = 0.024). The effect strongly varies across the studies due to considerable heterogeneity (I2 = .98, with a 95 % prediction interval from −0.589 to 0.355). At the moderator level, no significant differences were identified in the mean effect sizes for any subgroups, and the key factors could not be distinguished. The current body of evidence highlights that transport-related interventions can significantly influence car usage reduction, while literature suggests that this may benefit environment and society.

  • Introduction to the RSC Advances themed collection on nano and microscale modifications of biomaterials
    • Andrzej Zieliński
    • Beata Majkowska-Marzec
    2024 Full text RSC Advances

    The dramatically increasing development of novel biomaterials, their manufacturing techniques, and surface modications, as well as their application in in vivo tests and clinical trials, is evident. It is interesting to note in what a relatively short time the well-known long-term implants have become medical standard: titanium dental implants started in 1965, and total hip arthroplasty (not very successful) was rst attempted in 1961. Even aer about y years of research, real progress can be noticed recently thanks to composite materials and coatings, the development of their fabrication such as 3D printing, and, last but not least, the appearance of sophisticated instruments to characterize surfaces, e.g. atomic force microscopy. For implants and materials for bone repair, the role of an interface between any materials is key. The bulk properties are important to assess the durability of the implant as a whole construct, and the interface dictates the corrosion rate, hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, bioactivity, antibacterial properties, and the lack of cytotoxicity. All these surface properties determine the function and lifetime of long-term implants. And, all of them are modeled at the nano and microscale.

  • Investigating BiMeVOx compounds as potential photoelectrochemical and electrochemical materials for renewable hydrogen production
    • Mariusz Szkoda
    • Malgorzata Skorupska
    • Patrycja Grabowska
    • Marta Gajewska
    • Anna Ilnicka
    2024 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY

    In this study, BiMeVOx compounds (where Me: Co, Mo, Ce, Zr) were synthesized and characterized as potential photoelectrochemical materials for solar water splitting, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The analysis confirmed the successful formation of phase BiMeVOx compounds with the desired crystal structure. Among the tested materials, BiCoVOx(800) showed the highest photocurrent density (674 μA cm−2) and HER/OER activity (Tafel slope: HER = 100 mV dec−1 and OER = 75 mV dec−1), followed by BiMoVOx(800), BiCeVOx(800), and BiZrVOx(800). The superior photoelectrochemical performance of BiCoVOx(800) can be attributed to its unique electronic structure and optimized band alignment, which promote efficient charge separation and facilitate the water splitting and hydrogen evolution processes. The findings of this study highlight the promising potential of the synthesized BiMeVOx materials, particularly BiCoVOx, as efficient photoelectrochemical catalysts for water splitting. These results contribute to the advancement of renewable energy technologies and provide valuable insights for the design and development of novel photoactive materials.

  • Investigating COVID-19 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) degradation using Peroxydisulfate/FeMnOx binary metal oxide/Ultrasound System
    • Amin Bagheri
    • Akram Fallah
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Akbar Eslami
    • Amir Mohammad Sheikh Asadi
    • Grzegorz Boczkaj
    2024 Full text Water Resources and Industry

    Degradation of Favipiravir using a hybrid system of peroxydisulfate, FeMnOx binary metal oxide, and ultrasound irradiation was studied. A novel catalyst was synthesized with deep eutectic solvent (DES). The effects of DES type on catalytic performance was evaluated and the catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM, BET, XPS, and EDS. DES-based catalysts exhibited higher efficiency due to structure change, surface area enhancement and significantly improved Favipiravir adsorption. The DES-based catalyst exhibited a 30 % increase in surface area and a 20-fold increase in Mn content. Additionally, XRD and XPS analyses suggested the reduction of Fe3+ ions, possibly to Fe3O4. Optimal operational parameters (pH = 10, catalyst dose = 500 mg/L, and rox = 20) provide removal efficiency of 70.1 % after 3 h. The catalyst showed stable activity after three cycles, indicating reusability. This study presents a promising approach for the sustainable degradation of COVID-19 APIs, with implications for the pharmaceutical industry.

  • Investigating Fuel Injection Strategies to Enhance Ship Energy Efficiency in Wave Conditions
    • Mohammad Ghaemi
    • Hamid Zeraatgar
    • Mojtaba Barjasteh
    2024 Full text Polish Maritime Research

    The prediction of fuel consumption and resulting transportation costs is a crucial stage in ship design, particularly for conditions involving motion in waves. This study investigates the real-time fuel consumption of a container ship when sailing in waves. The overall ship performance is evaluated using a novel non-linear coupled hull-engine-propeller interaction model. A series of towing tank experiments for hull resistance in waves and propeller performance are conducted. The ship engine is mathematically modelled by a quasi-steady-state model equipped with a linear Proportional-Integrator (PI) governor. Various scenarios of shipping transportation are studied, and the resulting instantaneous fuel consumptions and their correlation to other dynamic particulars are demonstrated. Additionally, daily fuel consumption and fuel cost per voyage distance are presented. It is also shown that the controller can effectively adjust the fuel rate, resulting in minimum fuel consumption. The study concludes that there is no correlation between fuel consumption and the frequency of fuel rates. The present framework and mathematical model can also be employed for ship design and existing ships to predict the total required energy per voyage.

  • Investigating the sustainability, utilisation, consumption and conservation of sea mammals – A systematic review
    • Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
    • Sunayana Baruah
    • Yuan Seng Wu
    • Sunrixon Carmando Yuansah
    • Roberto Castro Munoz
    • Andrzej Szymkowiak
    • Piotr Kulawik
    2024 Full text Sustainable Production and Consumption

    Almost 80 % of the oceans, especially the Arctic and Subarctic are primarily inhabited by marine mammals. Marine species depend mostly on sea ice for food, raising their young ones and safeguarding themselves from predators. Consumption of marine mammals has always been recommended as healthy, but the truth is that it can be detrimental for human health because of sea water pollution from trash and chemicals. This systematic review provides an in-depth examination of sea mammals, their complex relationship with humans, and their sustainability in the face of various threats such as overexploitation and climate change. Through analysis of various aspects regarding human-sea mammal interactions - including consumption, cultural and religious beliefs, use in traditional medicine, and negative impacts from, e.g. by-catch and overfishing - the significant pressures exerted on these species are highlighted in this systematic review. Despite conservation efforts, certain sea mammal populations continue to decline, necessitating more robust research and policy action. The need for further research into the sustainable utilisation of sea mammals, considering health, ecological, economic, ethical and cultural aspects, as well as the accumulation of pollutants in sea mammals, is underscored. Additionally, a comprehensive list of knowledge gaps and future research directions are provided to enhance our understanding and conservation of these unique marine creatures.

  • Investigating trip and parking characteristics of hospitals: A case study from Tri-City, Poland
    • Marta Sochacka
    • Aleksandra Romanowska
    • Wojciech Kustra
    2024 Journal of Transport & Health

    This research aims to investigate public hospitals’ trip and parking characteristics based on the study conducted in Poland in September 2021 on the example of the Tri-City agglomeration. The main objective of the research was to build models of the relationship between the number of trips during peak transport hours and the number of beds. The second research element was the analysis of transport behavior in these areas. The research included measuring vehicle and pedestrian flow on the road network for four hospitals (2 in Gdansk and 2 in Gdynia) and analyzing data from two parking systems. Research data has shown that hospitals are large traffic generators and can negatively affect the road network’s capacity around them. This accounts for hundreds to over two thousand vehicle trips per hour generated by a single development. Traffic related to hospitals is structured with distinct peaks which partially overlap the peak hours of surrounding traffic. The results showed that trip generation rates by hospitals range from 1.25 to 2.9 per bed in the AM peak hour and 1.01 to 2.78 in the PM peak hour, and 54–68% of these trips are made by car, depending on the location of the hospital or the availability of public transport. An important element of the transport service for these facilities is the possibility of parking the vehicle in the immediate vicinity of the hospital. Parking characteristics strongly depend on parking users, with different distributions of parking times and arrival/departure times. The results may be used to predict and assess the traffic impact of existing and new developments, which is valuable knowledge for urban planners and transport engineers.

  • Investigation of antifungal and antibacterial potential of green extracts of propolis
    • Jeslin Cheruvathoor Jenny
    • Piotr Kuś
    • Piotr Szweda
    2024 Full text Scientific Reports

    Propolis extracts have been used in traditional medicines since ages due to its advantageous complex chemical composition. However, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of poplar propolis extracts prepared in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) are seldom studied. This study investigates suitable alternate for ethanol as a solvent for extraction for Polish poplar propolis. It also attempts to identify suitable extraction condition for the efficient transfer of compounds from propolis to the solvents. The extraction efficiency of NADES extracts was assessed in terms of total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity. The chemical composition of the extracts was analysed using UHPLC-DAD-QqTOF-MS. Four extracts, prepared in Propylene Glycol, Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:3), Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:4) and Choline Chloride:Glycerol (1:2), demonstrated activity and properties similar to ethanolic extract and extraction at 50 °C was found the most suitable for propolis. HPLC analysis confirmed that the chemical cocktail extracted by these solvents from propolis were identical with minor variations in their concentration as compared to its ethanolic extract. Thus, extracts of propolis at 50 °C in Propylene Glycol, Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:3) and Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:4) can be alternates for ethanolic extracts.

  • Investigation of RH effect on uncommon limonene ozonolysis products and SOA formation in indoor air with real time measurement techniques
    • Klaudia Pytel
    • Bożena Zabiegała
    2024 Full text CHEMOSPHERE

    Scientific interest in SOA influence on indoor air quality increases since last 20 years. It is well known, that particles of nano-sized diameter pose a threat for human health causing, among others: eye, upper airway irritation, inflammatory response in cells, worsening asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and central nervous dysfunction. Terpenes are reactive VOCs, commonly emitted in indoor air and considered to be SOA precursors by oxidation reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative humidity influence on i) formation of limonene ozonolysis products and ii) SOA formation process – especially the first steps of it. We managed to determine 4 uncommon limonene ozonolysis products (m/z: 43, 83, 99 and 110) appearing in the PTR-TOF-MS mass spectra with the same frequency as well-known formaldehyde, acetone, acetic acid and formic acid. We also detected m/z 75 and m/z 115 formed under dry conditions and m/z 111 and m/z 125 formed under humid conditions. Detected masses formula is proposed with probability >70 % and the probability is derived from the deviation of the exact mass to the measured one and the isotope distribution. SMPS data analysis allowed us to conclude that RH around 40% increases particle mass concentration, regardless initial limonene concentration. Unfortunately, conclusions about RH influence on particle number concentration are inconsistent. Under low initial terpene concentration, RH around 40% decreases particle number concentration. However, for high initial limonene concentration, RH around 40% caused increase in particle number concentration. Obtained results allowed to conclude, that i) RH influences both particle number and particle mass concentration, ii) initial substrate concentration influences SOA formation altering the RH effect, iii) comparison of results and drawing conclusions is difficult due to different experimental protocols in the literature and due to the number of factors influencing SOA formation initiated by terpene oxidation.

  • Investigation of the antimicrobial potential and microbiota of bee pollen and bee bread derived from Polish apiaries
    • Karolina Matejczuk
    2024 Full text

    The phenomenon of resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics is becoming one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. At the same time, the number of new antibiotics introduced into clinical practice is decreasing. This creates the need to search for new, effective, non-antibiotic methods of combating and preventing infectious diseases. Over the last two decades, there has been renewed interest in the antimicrobial potential of natural products, including bee products. The object of my interest were two less known bee products – bee pollen and bee bread, mainly the antimicrobial activity of these products. The results I obtained are very promising. The high activity of ethanolic extracts of bee pollen and bee bread, as well as the products themselves, has been demonstrated to combat dangerous pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) of humans and animals. The important role of proteinaceous substances (mainly bee-derived peptides and enzymes) in the antimicrobial activity of these products has been confirmed. It was also found that a significant percentage of bacterial strains isolated from pollen and bee bread (mainly Bacillus spp.) have a high probiotic potential and the ability to synthesize metabolites that effectively inhibit the development of pathogenic bacteria. The results of the research were presented in the form of four scientific publications.

  • Investigation of use of hydrophilic/hydrophobic NADESs for selective extraction of As(III) and Sb(III) ions in vegetable samples: Air assisted liquid phase microextraction and chemometric optimization
    • Adil Elik
    • Bünyamin Doğan
    • Ahmet Demirbas
    • Hameed Haq
    • Khan Sanaullah
    • Nail Altunay
    2024 FOOD CHEMISTRY

    In this paper, a green, cost-effective sample preparation method based on air assisted liquid phase microextraction (AA-LPME) was developed for the simultaneous extraction of As(III) and Sb(III) ions from vegetable samples using hydrophilic/hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs). Central composite design was used for the optimization of extraction factors including NADES volume, extraction cycle, pH, and curcumin concentration. Limits of detection for As(III) and Sb(III) were 1.5 ng L−1 and 0.06 ng L−1, respectively. Working ranges for As(III) and Sb(III) were 0.2–300 ng L−1 (coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9978) and 5–400 ng L−1 (R2 = 0.9996), respectively. Relative standard deviations for As(III) and Sb(III) were 2.2–2.8% and 2.9–3.2%, respectively. Enrichment factor of the method was 184 for As(III) and 172 for Sb(III). The accuracy and precision of the AA-NADES-LPME method were investigated by intraday/interday studies and standard reference material analysis, respectively. Finally, the AA-NADES-LPME method was successfully applied to microwave digested vegetable samples using the standard addition approach and acceptable recoveries were achieved.

  • Investigation of vortex assisted magnetic deep eutectic solvent based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for separation and determination of vanadium from water and food matrices: Multivariate analysis
    • Nail Altunay
    • Muhammad Farooque Lanjwani
    • Mustafa Tuzen
    • Grzegorz Boczkaj
    2024 JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS

    A new and simple vortex assisted magnetic deep eutectic solvent dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure (VA-MDES-DLLME) was developed for the determination of vanadium (V) in food and water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the extraction medium, a bis(acetylpivalylmethane) ethylenediimine (H2APM2en) was used for the complexation of V(V) in sample solution at pH 6. The VA-MDES-DLLME was optimized by different operation parameters, pH level of solution, MDESs volume, vortex time, concentration of complexing agent and samples volume. The accuracy of VA-MDES-DLLME was confirmed by analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs) and standard additional method in respect to real samples. The detection limit, quantification limit and enhancement factor were found 0.3, 1.0 ng mL−1 and 120, respectively. The linearity was confirmed for wide concentration range from 1 to 600 ng mL−1 and relative standard deviation (RSD) is 2.8 %. The multivariate statistical analysis was used for factorial design to explore the effects of extraction parameters on recovery of V(V) and also significant level of variables.

  • Investigations of Energy Conversion and Surface Effect for Laser-Illuminated Gold Nanorod Platforms
    • Piotr Radomski
    • Paweł Ziółkowski
    • Aimad Koulali
    • Dariusz Mikielewicz
    • Federica Zaccagnini
    • Francesca Petronella
    • Luciano de Sio
    2024 Full text ENERGIES

    Achieving a quick temperature increase is a burning issue for biophysical applications, like germ inactivation and tumor ablation, and for energy performances, like solar collectors and steam generators. Based on the plasmon resonance phenomenon, noble metallic nanoparticles have emerged as promising weapons due to their very high biocompatibility, optical properties, and high surface-to-volume ratio, increasing energy conversion and allowing the maximum temperature to be reached faster. This work examines the energy conversion in sandwiched glassy platforms with gold nanorods. The platforms are kept vertically in the air and illuminated by a 0.5 W near-infrared laser (808 nm). To describe this aspect theoretically, the size and conversion efficiency of the electromagnetic properties are compromised between the proposed model and the stability of the nanorods. As a research approach, our model of cross-sections and polarizability for the surface effect is proposed, coupled with classical CFD numerical calculations. The results of the proposed model, validated by a thermal camera and spectroscopy measurements, indicate that as long as the energy conversion is visible with relatively low-power lasers (ΔT = 18.5 °C), the platforms do not offer fast heat dissipation. The results indicate that, despite the flow forcing by the air inflow, the entropy generation due to heat conduction is more than three orders higher than the dynamic entropy production. Flow forcing corresponds to the value of the velocity for classical convective motions. Therefore, the delivered heat flux must be distributed via convective transport or the associated high-conductive materials.

  • iPP/HDPE blends compatibilized by a polyester: An unconventional concept to valuable products
    • Lidia Jasińska-Walc
    • Jakub Kruszyński
    • Weronika Nowicka
    • Rob Duchateau
    • Miloud Bouyahyi
    • Lanti Yang
    • Artur Różański
    • Liu Yingxin
    • Daniele Parisi
    • Ahmad Farhan
    2024 Full text Science Advances

    Polyolefins are the most widely used plastics accounting for a large fraction of the polymer waste stream. Although reusing polyolefins seems to be a logical choice, their recycling level remains disappointingly low. This is mainly due to the lack of large-scale availability of efficient and inexpensive compatibilizers for mixed polyolefin waste, typically consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) that, despite their similar chemical hydrocarbon structure, are immiscible. Here, we describe an unconventional approach of using polypentadecalactone, a straightforward and simple-to-produce aliphatic polyester, as a compatibilizer for iPP/HDPE blends, especially the brittle iPP-rich ones. The unexpectedly effective compatibilizer transforms brittle iPP/HDPE blends into unexpectedly tough materials that even outperform the reference HDPE and iPP materials. This simple approach creates opportunities for upcycling polymer waste into valuable products.

  • IS SMALLER BETTER? THE VALUATION OF SOCIAL IMPACTS OF DIFFERENTLY SIZED SPORTING EVENTS. THE CASE OF GDAŃSK
    • Krystian Zawadzki
    2024 Full text Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism

    Introduction. There is a discourse in the international literature regarding the impact of large sporting events on the place where they are held. In the last few years, particular emphasis has been laid on intangible effects, including social impacts that may occur not only in the case of mega sporting events but also in smaller sporting events. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to estimate the monetary value of intangible social benefits of differently sized sporting events held in two sporting arenas in Gdańsk, Poland, using the contingent valuation method. Material and methods. The research concerns four sporting events of various sizes organised in Gdańsk in 2012-2023. In each case, a hypothetical event scenario was used to determine the willingness to pay among the surveyed inhabitants of Gdańsk. A tobit model was used to determine the statistical relationship between the proposed monetary offers and social impacts. Results. It was found that sporting events, regardless of their size, determine the occurrence of social impacts among host city residents. Even though aggregated values are lower in the case of smaller events, when added together, they constitute a higher percentage of actual public expenditure incurred on the construction of sports facilities. Conclusions. By valuing intangible effects, it is possible, at least partially, to justify the spending of public funds for the organisation of sporting events. At the same time, smaller sporting events have more significant potential for host city residents than mega sporting events.

  • Is the Concept of Zero Waste Possible to Implement in Construction?
    • Bogumiła Kapica
    • Wojciech Targowski
    • Andrzej Kulowski
    2024 Full text Buildings

    The scientifically treated problem of reusing building materials appeared in the literature more than 50 years ago. This paper includes an analysis of the characteristics of recycled building materials, which is a prerequisite for rational recycling. The analysis and simulation of building stocks at different scales has led to the conclusion that the most important link in the transformation of the construction industry towards the widespread use of reused materials is the unification of the demolition, storage, and redistribution systems. System solutions based on policy studies for each of the first three phases of a building’s life cycle assessment (LCA), i.e., design, legislation, and construction, were proposed. It was also recognised that the socially widespread habit of reusing building materials requires a properly conducted educational process and legalisation at the state level. This article presents proposals for educational activities along with the definition of the in-dividual stages of the process of recycling building materials. The expected results are the decar-bonisation of the building industry and communities, the growth of sustainable systems, and low-ering the environmental impacts of buildings.

  • Isolation of Human Progenitor Epidermal Cells on Collagen Type IV and Analysis of Their Markers with Flow Cytometry and PCR Methods
    • Milena Deptula
    • Małgorzata Zawrzykraj
    • Paulina Słonimska
    • Michał Pikuła
    2024

    Epidermal stem cells, located in the skin, together with keratinocytes are transplanted in regenerative therapies, e.g., for the treatment of burns or other wounds. Here, we describe the protocol of their enzymatic isolation from human skin. It includes separation of the epidermis form the dermis by incubation with dispase followed by cell isolation for epidermis by digestion with trypsin. Cell isolated with this method can be seeded on collagen IV-coated dishes. The methods of analysis of epidermal stem cells markers (e.g., CD71, CD29) with flow cytometry and RT-PCR are also included.

  • Isothermal turbines − New challenges. Numerical and experimental investigations into isothermal expansion in turbine power plants
    • Krzysztof Kosowski
    • Marian Piwowarski
    • Marcin Richert
    • Robert Stępień
    • Wojciech Włodarski
    2024 ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT

    The efficiency of power plants with steam or gas turbines depends on the efficiencies of a thermodynamic cycle and devices implementing this cycle. In the case of high power outputs, we cannot expect a significant increase in the efficiency of individual devices. Therefore, what remains is to increase the efficiency of the implemented thermodynamic cycle - the complex Rankine cycle in the case of steam turbines or the extended Brayton cycle in gas turbine units. The efficiencies of these cycles depend on the hot reservoir temperatures, limited by the materials used. The solution seems to be the thermodynamic cycles with the highest efficiency within given temperature limits, the „generalized Carnot cycles”. About gas turbines, such a cycle is the Ericsson cycle. The most difficult element of this cycle is carrying out high-temperature expansion. So far, there is no literature data on a technical device implementing this process. In this article, we present a method for designing turbine nozzles for isothermal expansion and the results of experimental tests of the first isothermal turbine. In the case of gas microturbines with a regenerator, isothermal expansion can increase efficiency from 24%-28% up to 36%. An increase in efficiency of several to a dozen percentage points is expected for organic rankine cycle (ORC) turbines. Due to such significant increases in energy generation efficiency, an isothermal turbine may become a future solution for energy systems.

  • Italy, an Extraordinary Commonplace? Stereotypes and Imaginaries of Italianness in Online Communication by Fashion Brands
    • Flavia Piancazzo
    • Alice Noris
    • Nadzeya Sabatini
    • Lorenzo Cantoni
    2024 Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture

    The paper explores the use of country-related stereotypes associated with Italian identity in the social media communication of 21 Italian fashion brands on Instagram. Focusing on the concept of “made in Italy”, the research employs image content analysis to identify how the selected sample of brands communicates Italian identity globally. The theoretical framework emphasizes the importance of the Country of Origin (COO) concept, indicating that “made in Italy” extends beyond a manufacturing label to encompass cultural, historical, and esthetic dimensions. The analysis reveals Italian fashion brands’ deliberate use of stereotypes, iconic objects, and cultural references to shape and reinforce Italian identity in their digital communication. It highlights the intertwining of these elements, contributing to a multifaceted narrative that extends beyond product promotion. Moreover, it underscores the role of social media, particularly Instagram, in enabling brands to project their Italian identity globally, perpetuating esthetics associated with the concept of “dolce vita”. The study emphasizes the importance of holistic brand communication and the powerful role of Instagram in shaping and reinforcing the global image of “made in Italy”. It also offers insights on utilizing stereotypes and cultural symbols to enhance brand identity, aligning with perceptions associated with Italian culture.

  • Iterative‐recursive estimation of parameters of regression models with resistance to outliers on practical examples
    • Janusz Kozłowski
    • Zdzisław Kowalczuk
    2024 Full text IET Control Theory and Applications

    Here, identification of processes and systems in the sense of the least sum of absolute values is taken into consideration. The respective absolute value estimators are recognised as exceptionally insensitive to large measurement faults or other defects in the processed data, whereas the classical least squares procedure appears to be completely impractical for processing the data contaminated with such parasitic distortions. Since the absolute value quality index cannot be minimised analytically, an iterative solution is used to find optimal estimates of the parameters of the underlying regression model. In addition, an approximate recursive estimator is proposed and implemented for on-line evaluation of system parameters. The convergence (basic property) of the iterative estimator is show to be proven and some aspects related to the absolute value criterion are explained. This allows for the formulation of practical conclusions and indication of directions for further research. In addition, the effectiveness of the described iterative-recursive estimation procedures is practically verified by appropriate numerical experiments.

  • Jak przystąpić do wdrażania inteligentnych rozwiązań w mieście?
    • Aleksander Orłowski
    • Szymon Ciupa
    • Piotr Hołubowicz
    2024 Full text Wspólnota. Pismo Samorządu Terytorialnego

    Nowa kadencja władz lokalnych to wyjątkowa okazja do wprowadzenia zmian, które mogą przekształcić miasta w inteligentne, zrównoważone i przyjazne do życia. Wdrażanie idei smart city nie tylko poprawia jakość życia, ale również sprzyja rozwojowi gospodarczemu i ochronie środowiska. W artykule przedstawiamy kluczowe rekomendacje dla nowych władz, które pomogą w skutecznej transformacji miast w smart cities.

  • KEMR-Net: A Knowledge-Enhanced Mask Refinement Network for Chromosome Instance Segmentation
    • Ding Chen
    • Haoxi Zhang
    • Edward Szczerbicki
    2024 Full text CYBERNETICS AND SYSTEMS

    This article proposes a mask refinement method for chromosome instance segmentation. The proposed method exploits the knowledge representation capability of Neural Knowledge DNA (NK-DNA) to capture the semantics of the chromosome’s shape, texture, and key points, and then it uses the captured knowledge to improve the accuracy and smoothness of the masks. We validate the method’s effectiveness on our latest high-resolution chromosome image dataset. The experimental results show that our proposed method’s mask average precision (MaskAP) is 3.66% higher than Mask R-CNN and outperforms advanced Cascade Mask R-CNN by 1.35%.

  • Keratinocyte-derived small extracellular vesicles supply antigens for CD1a-resticted T cells and promote their type 2 bias in the context of filaggrin insufficiency
    • Adrian Kobiela
    • Weronika Hewelt-Belka
    • Joanna Frackowiak
    • Natalia Kordulewska
    • Lilit Hovhannisyan
    • Aleksandra Bogucka
    • Rachel Etherington
    • Artur Piróg
    • Irena Dapic
    • Susanne Gabrielsson
    • Sara Brown
    • Graham Ogg
    • Danuta Gutowska-Owsiak
    2024 Full text Frontiers in Immunology

    Introduction: Exosome-enriched small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are nanosized organelles known to participate in long distance communication between cells, including in the skin. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease for which filaggrin (FLG) gene mutations are the strongest genetic risk factor. Filaggrin insufficiency affects multiple cellular function, but it is unclear if sEV-mediated cellular communication originating from the affected keratinocytes is also altered, and if this influences peptide and lipid antigen presentation to T cells in the skin. Methods: Available mRNA and protein expression datasets from filaggrin-insufficient keratinocytes (shFLG), organotypic models and AD skin were used for gene ontology analysis with FunRich tool. sEVs secreted by shFLG and control shC cells were isolated from conditioned media by differential centrifugation. Mass spectrometry was carried out for lipidomic and proteomic profiling of the cells and sEVs. T cell responses to protein, peptide, CD1a lipid antigens, as well as phospholipase A2-digested or intact sEVs were measured by ELISpot and ELISA. Results: Data analysis revealed extensive remodeling of the sEV compartment in filaggrin insufficient keratinocytes, 3D models and the AD skin. Lipidomic profiles of shFLGsEV showed a reduction in the long chain (LCFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; permissive CD1a ligands) and increased content of the bulky headgroup sphingolipids (non-permissive ligands). This resulted in a reduction of CD1a-mediated interferon-γ T cell responses to the lipids liberated from shFLG-generated sEVs in comparison to those induced by sEVs from control cells, and an increase in interleukin 13 secretion. The altered sEV lipidome reflected a generalized alteration in the cellular lipidome in filaggrin-insufficient cells and the skin of AD patients, resulting from a downregulation of key enzymes implicated in fatty acid elongation and desaturation, i.e., enzymes of the ACSL, ELOVL and FADS family. Discussion: We determined that sEVs constitute a source of antigens suitable for CD1a-mediated presentation to T cells. Lipids enclosed within the sEVs secreted on the background of filaggrin insufficiency contribute to allergic inflammation by reducing type 1 responses and inducing a type 2 bias from CD1a-restricted T cells, thus likely perpetuating allergic inflammation in the skin.

  • Key success factors for small design offices in the bidding process
    • Magdalena Apollo
    • Daniel Burkacki
    2024 Full text Architectural Engineering and Design Management

    Competition in the design office market is high, therefore it is important to be aware of the conditions determining the competitive advantage, thus increasing the bidding effectiveness. For this reason, the aim of the article is to identify key success factors (KSF) increasing successful bidding of a small design office. The factors were identified and then analysed based on a literature review, expert interviews and using Group Consensus Cluster Analysis (GCCA) – the module of the AHP method clustering a group of decision makers into smaller subgroups with higher consensus. To examine the managerial implications, a KSF analysis was conducted from the perspective of the bidding effectiveness of the selected small design office. The results indicate that ‘technical skills and experience’ is the factor most influencing the potential of a small design office. Nevertheless, the entire proposed procedure provides important guidelines on how to use the organisation's strengths for its development and what needs to be improved in its operation.

  • Kluczowe kompetencje jako narzędzie do tworzenia nowych modeli biznesu w przedsiębiorstwach
    • Kamila Siwak
    2024 Full text

    Koncepcja kluczowych kompetencji wywodzi się z nurtu zasobowego, który zakłada, iż o efektywności i konkurencyjności każdego podmiotu decydują odpowiednio dobrane zasoby i umiejętności ich optymalnego wykorzystania. Model biznesu to narzędzie do realizacji strategii organizacji, które wspomaga rozwój oraz zarządzanie strategiczne w przedsiębiorstwie. Dysertacja wypełnia lukę, jaką było wskazanie na zależność pomiędzy kluczowymi kompetencjami przedsiębiorstwa, a możliwościami kreowania przy ich zastosowaniu nowych modeli biznesu. Główny obszar badań stanowiły zasoby niematerialne przedsiębiorstwa stanowiące źródła pochodzenia kluczowych kompetencji. Kolejny obszar badań to określenie struktury modelu biznesu oraz wskazanie wpływu kluczowych kompetencji na strukturę danego modelu. W badaniu zastosowano metodę gromadzenia danych w postaci wywiadu z perspektywy biograficznej w powiązaniu z obserwacją uczestnicząca badaczki oraz netnografię. Efektem badań było opracowanie zbioru dziewięciu kluczowych kompetencji organizacji oraz zestawu wskaźników finansowych i niefinansowych pozwalających ocenić funkcje kluczowych kompetencji, określono istotę modelu biznesu oraz wskazano oddziaływanie kluczowych kompetencji na jego strukturę. Praktycznym wkładem dysertacji są opracowane schematy, mogące stanowić wsparcie dla liderów przedsiębiorstw w ocenie prowadzonej działalności biznesowej.

  • Kłamliwe, udane i błędne metafory sztucznej inteligencji chatbotów
    • Jan Kreft
    • Barbara Cyrek
    2024 Full text Roczniki Kulturoznawcze

    W czasach, gdy tzw. sztuczna inteligencja staje się integralną częścią dużych modeli języ-kowych, osobistych asystentów czy np. tzw. inteligentnego domu, coraz ważniejsze staje się po-znanie czynników postaw wobec niej i jej narzędzi. Obserwowany świt nowych możliwości identyfikowanych ze sztuczną inteligencją skłania do lepszego poznania metafor, którymi jest opisywana. Metafory stanowią bowiem nie tylko klucz do wyjaśniania nieznanego, ale mają znaczącą wartość heurystyczną, są fundamentem nowoczesnej racjonalności i mogą wypierać ludzki osąd oraz minimalizować uprzedzenia i krytyczną refleksję. Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja metafor oraz rozpoznanie ich performatywnej roli w dysku-sji o sztucznej inteligencji i jej narzędziach. Przedmiotem badania są występujące w opisach me-diów i nowych technologii metafory dominujące oraz mniej znane metafory chatbotów obecne w tekstach dziennikarskich, na przykładzie artykułów opublikowanych w opiniotwórczym The New York Times. W ramach badania identyfikujemy i analizujemy m.in. metafory „platformy”, „sieci”, „umy-słu jako maszyny” oraz ożywione i nieżywione metafory towarzyszące sztucznej inteligencji i jej aktorów. Badamy ich perswazyjny charakter i cele tej perswazji.

  • Knowledge economics and the demand for higher education
    • Franciszek Kutrzeba
    2024 Full text Journal of Modern Science

    This article suggests that the decreased demand for higher education in Poland is partially caused due to the changes in consumer preferences. The appearance of a cheap and highly accessible form of knowledge offered by the massive open online courses is presumed here to have an effect on the demand for formal higher education. This article proposes an additional perspective to the research on knowledge consumption, especially in the context of different versions of knowledge. A simple supply and demand framework is used. It suggests, that the appearance of a cheaper substitute to knowledge leads to the increase of its consumption. This article also argues that knowledge, in terms of ideas and innovations, is misleadingly called to be non-rival and non-excludable. Overall, the article calls for a broader understanding of the knowledge market, emphasizing the need for higher education institutions to adapt to the evolving landscape of knowledge production and consumption. The rise of imperfect informational capitalism requires us to rethink the importance of knowledge quality to the modern society.

  • Knowledge Management and Resilience in SMEs Sector
    • Krzysztof Zięba
    2024

    Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of resilience in surviving major disruptions, such as pandemic or war. This problem is especially vital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as they often lack both resources needed for survival during prolonged economic hardship and knowledge management (KM) practices which are useful for developing the necessary business resilience. Methodology: The paper uses literature review approach to investigate the current knowledge on resilience and its dimensions as well as the links between KM, resilience and operational efficiency. Systems Thinking approach is proposed to be used to show the complexity of mechanisms behind those phenomena and the impact they have on business competitiveness in the SMEs sector. Findings: Because of their nature, SMEs were particularly severely hit by the COVID-19 crisis. SMEs now have to adjust to the new reality of the post-crisis phase by developing their business resilience. KM practices prove to offer high potential in resilience creation and resilience maintenance. Specific features of SMEs, if combined with operational agility and resilience, may allow them to successfully face challenges of their turbulent environment.. Research limitations: This paper is of a preliminary, conceptual nature. Its further development includes investigation of various aspects of KM relevant to strengthening business resilience in SMEs. More data is still needed to develop and test full Systems Thinking model based on the framework proposed here. Practical implications: SMEs owners and managers may benefit from this paper, as they may use it as a guidance in the process of developing business resilience in their organisations. The insights provided in this paper may be useful for decision makers and also for businesses offering knowledge-based services, offering them a deeper understanding of the presented phenomena and relations between them.. Originality/value: The paper is focused on SMEs, which are rarely investigated when it comes resilience creation and benefits it offers. The framework presented here provides important insights, which can be useful to numerous stakeholders.

  • Knowledge Sharing and Dynamic Capabilities: Does Gender Matter?
    • Elżbieta Karwowska
    • Wioleta Kucharska
    2024

    Knowledge sharing in organizations is a focal process leading to organizational adaptability and sustainable growth. Dynamic capabilities development is critical for this. Diversity, inclusive culture, and gender balance are seen as factors that also support organizations' development. The question of the role of gender in sharing and using knowledge to initiate change in organizations remains open. This study aims to fill this gap. Based on a survey targeted to Polish knowledge workers (495 cases), our data was analyzed using OLS regression (SPSS PROCESS software ver. 3.4). Our research shows that for a manager position, gender matters for the reconfiguring dynamic capability (DCR) building in the organization, thanks to tacitknowledge sharing (TKS). The results show that female managers support DCR in the organization even if TKS does not support their efforts. If supported, their positive influence on DCR grows but not as fast as observed for men with lower starting skills. So, when holding managerial positions, women lose motivation to support changes. The question that arises is "why"? There are some hypothetical assumptions: it might be that since women worked so hard to earn their managerial positions, they want to secure them and avoid any risks connected to changes. In the particular case presented, women managers' lower willingness to support changes may be also caused by their lower level of self-confidence. However, it might be that the reasons are quite different, thus solving this issue requiresfurther studies. The critical value of the presented research is that it delivers one more proof, this time from the knowledge management (TKS) and change implementation (DCR) perspective, that gender inequality in workplaces has negative consequences for organization.

  • Kriging-assisted hybrid reliability design and optimization of offshore wind turbine support structure based on a portfolio allocation strategy
    • Debiao Meng
    • Hengfei Yang
    • Shiyuan Yang
    • Yuting Zhang
    • Abílio M.P. De Jesus
    • José A.F.O. Correia
    • Tiago Fazeres-Ferradosa
    • Wojciech Macek
    • Ricardo Branco
    • Shun-Peng Zhu
    2024 OCEAN ENGINEERING

    In recent years, offshore wind power generation technology has developed rapidly around the world, making important contributions to the further development of renewable energy. When designing an Offshore Wind Turbine (OWT) system, the uncertainties in parameters and different types of constraints need to be considered to find the optimal design of these systems. Therefore, the Reliability-Based Design Optimization (RBDO) method is usually adopted to ensure the stability and reliability of the design scheme. However, the calculation cost is huge in the RBDO problem considering mixed uncertainties. The Kriging model is a widely used approximation technique to reduce the computational cost in RBDO. However, establishing a sufficiently accurate Kriging model for a complex engineering system often requires the collection of more sample data and more time-consuming performance evaluation. In order to solve this problem, this study proposes a hybrid RBDO method based on a Portfolio allocation strategy. Based on ensuring the accuracy of the Kriging model, this method requires fewer iterations than the previous method of iteratively establishing the Kriging model using the same learning function. Furthermore, the optimal design of the system can be completed in a shorter time. This has great application potential to reduce the time labor and material costs spent in the design process of OWT. Two mathematical examples and two engineering examples are used to verify the accuracy of the method. Then, the proposed method is used in the design and optimization of a typical OWT support structure, showing the method's feasibility and superiority.

  • Lab-in-syringe as a practical technique for automatic microextraction: Evaluation by Blue Applicability Grade Index
    • Natalia Manousi
    • Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
    • Erwin Rosenberg
    • Aristidis Anthemidis
    2024 TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

    Lab-in-syringe (LIS) is a powerful automatic technique that is derived from sequential injection analysis. In LIS, a computer-controlled syringe pump is employed, and its syringe barrel serves as a mixing, reaction, and/or extraction chamber. Until now, the LIS concept has been efficiently employed for the automation of solid-phase microextraction and liquid-phase microextraction protocols as a front-end to a plethora of chromatographic and spectrometric techniques. In this work, the applicability of LIS systems was examined using the Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI), a recently introduced metric tool that is used to examine the applicability of an analytical method. For this purpose, the sample preparation procedure and the instrumental method are thoroughly evaluated. The attained BAGI scores ranged between 60.0 and 77.5 for all the examined methods, while the average score was 71.3. As derived from the BAGI evaluation, good practicality can be attributed to the reviewed systems and protocols.

  • Landscape, EIA and decision-making. A case study of the Vistula Spit Canal, Poland
    • Aleksandra Sas-Bojarska
    • Iwona Orzechowska-Szajda
    • Krystian Puzdrakiewicz
    • Magdalena Kiejzik-Głowińska
    2024 Full text Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

    Although landscapes are often considered public goods, they frequently receive inadequate attention in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), particularly in Poland. This neglect often leads to visible degradation during investment processes. This article examines the case of the Vistula Spit Canal, currently the largest engineering project under construction in Poland. We analysed whether the conclusions drawn in the EIA report, particularly those concerning landscape changes, influenced the decision to proceed with the construction. Although the EIA report described potential landscape changes as both significant and irreversible, the authorities nonetheless approved the project, citing moderate environmental impacts in other areas. This case underscores the tendency to overlook landscape considerations when greenlighting large-scale investments.

  • Large‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Over the European Sector During the Geomagnetic Storm on March 23–24, 2023: Energy Deposition in the Source Regions and the Propagation Characteristics
    • Grzegorz Nykiel
    • Arthur Amaral Ferreira
    • Florian Günzkofer
    • Pelin Iochem
    • Samira Tasnim
    • Hiroatsu Sato
    2024 Full text JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS

    Multiple Large-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) are observed in the European sector in both day-time and night-time during the magnetic storm on March 23–24, 2023. The Total Electron Content (TEC) observation from a network of GNSS receivers shows the propagation of LSTIDs with amplitudes between around 0.5 and 1 TECU originating from auroral and polar cusp regions down to southern Europe (35°N) with velocities between around 500 and 1,600 [m/s]. We study the energy deposition to the LSTIDs in the source regions and the resulting horizontal propagation over storm-time background density by using continuous measurements of EISCAT incoherent scatter radars in northern Norway and Svalbard that allow for estimating the source energy to the thermosphere-ionosphere system via Joule heating and particle precipitation. Both EISCAT and GNSS TEC data show that the electron density decreased to 50% in the auroral zone after the storm onset. The ionospheric heating caused a nearly 250% increase in the electron temperature above 200 km altitude and the ion temperature above 100 km altitude. We find that Joule Heating acts as a primary energy source for the night-time LSTIDs triggered in the auroral region, while the day-time LSTIDs can be also driven by precipitating particles in the polar cusp. We also find that a significant background density decrease over the whole European sector is caused by this storm for the following day, during which almost no clear LSTIDs are observed.

  • Laser-textured cross-hatched surface topography analysis with evaluation of high-frequency measurement noise
    • Przemysław Podulka
    • Wojciech Macek
    • Ricardo Branco
    • Andrzej Kubit
    2024 Full text MEASUREMENT

    The precision of surface roughness determination using ISO 25178 parameters relies on various factors that directly impact the measurement process. In industry applications, the contactless roughness measurement reduces data collection time. However, it introduces several potential errors, including those stemming from the environment. One of the main types of errors encountered during topography analysis is measurement noise, which arises from different external disturbances. High-frequency noise is particularly studied as a result of vibration. In the present study, the laser-texture cross-hatched surface topographies were analysed using the results obtained from white light interference measurements. Measurement noise was defined based on noisy data, also called noise surface, which is the result of filter decomposition methods. This data separation technique was supported with power spectral analysis, autocorrelation function applications and texture direction characterisation. It was suggested to conduct a comprehensive study of the noisy data to enhance the understanding of texturing direction. Various data filtration techniques were studied, namely robust Gaussian, spline, fast Fourier transform and morphological closing-opening filters. The results of the proposed procedure were validated against variations in the values of ISO 25178 surface texture parameters. Validating the proposed approach, the variations of noise-sensitive surface texture parameters were compared to the variations of the same parameters but received by averaging three repeated measurements, as proposed by international standards. The main advantage of the proposed method against standards procedure was reducing the time of data collection when the measurement must be repeated and averaged. In conclusion, a method for reducing high-frequency measurement noise was introduced through the application of the proposed procedure.

  • Lattice-commensurate skyrmion texture in a centrosymmetric breathing kagome magnet
    • Max Hirschberger
    • Bertalan G. Szigeti
    • Mamoun Hemmida
    • Moritz M. Hirschmann
    • Sebastian Esser
    • Hiroyuki Ohsumi
    • Yoshikazu Tanaka
    • Leonie Spitz
    • Shang Gao
    • Kamil Kolincio
    • Hajime Sagayama
    • Hironori Nakao
    • Yuichi Yamasaki
    • László Forró
    • Hans-Albrecht Krug von Nidda
    • Istvan Kezsmarki
    • Taka-hisa Arima
    • Yoshinori Tokura
    2024 Full text npj Quantum Materials

    Skyrmion lattices (SkL) in centrosymmetric materials typically have a magnetic period on the nanometer-scale, so that the coupling between magnetic superstructures and the underlying crystal lattice cannot be neglected. We reveal the commensurate locking of a SkL to the atomic lattice in Gd3Ru4Al12 via high-resolution resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS). Weak easy-plane magnetic anisotropy, demonstrated here by a combination of ferromagnetic resonance and REXS, penalizes placing a skyrmion core on a site of the atomic lattice. Under these conditions, a commensurate SkL, locked to the crystal lattice, is stable at finite temperatures – but gives way to a competing incommensurate ground state upon cooling.Wediscuss the role of Umklapp-terms in theHamiltonian for the formation of this lattice-locked state, its magnetic space group, and the role of slight discommensurations, or (line) defects in the magnetic texture. We also contrast our findings with the case of SkLs in noncentrosymmetric material platforms.

  • LCF behavior of 2024AA under uni- and biaxial loading taking into account creep pre-deformation
    • Adam Tomczyk
    • Andrzej Seweryn
    2024 ENGINEERING FRACTURE MECHANICS

    This study presents the results of experimental low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests of aluminum 2024 alloy T3511 temper in uni- and biaxial loading states. Tests were carried out on both the as-received material (hardened extruded rods) and material with different pre-deformation histories. These deformations were carried out in the creep process at 200 °C and 300 °C for two different levels of at each temperature. The pre-deformed material’s basic fatigue characteristics were determined and compared with the appropriate characteristics of the as-received material. In-depth macro- and microscopic analysis (SEM) of fracture surfaces was done. The effect of preliminary creep on LCF behavior of investigated alloy was characterized for both uni- and biaxial loading. An increase of fatigue life occurs for large plastic strains in the case of cyclic tension/compression. For in-phase biaxial loading, improvement of life is observed only for material with pre-deformation at 300 °C. Crack initiates in the plane of maximum shear strains for both biaxial loading and pure torsion. For tension/compression – in the plane of maximum principal stress (strain).

  • Leading with Understanding: Cultivating Positive Relationships between Neurotypical Leaders and Neurodivergent Employees
    • Joanna Szulc
    2024 Full text Employee Relations

    Neurodivergent employees have atypical needs that require distinctive leadership approaches. In this study, the specific nature of a relationship between neurodivergent employees and their neurotypical leaders is explored through the lens of the Leader-Member-Exchange (LMX) theory. This two-phased qualitative study builds on 12 semi-structured interviews with neurodivergent employees and an unstructured focus group with 15 individuals with professional and/or personal interest in neurodiversity. The researcher spent almost 13 hours listening to the lived experiences of research participants concerning neurodiversity and leadership. Leaders who exhibit empathy and understanding were noted to provide greater support. The findings also highlight the complexity of neuro-inclusion in the workplace. Specifically, the delicate balance between accommodation and avoiding stigmatization is emphasized, addressing the concerns raised regarding the legal risks associated with neurodivergent inclusion. Additionally, the findings underscore the necessity for leaders to avoid patronizing behaviours while catering to the diverse needs of neurodivergent employees. This underscores the importance of supporting both neurodivergent employees but also leaders navigating such challenges. The findings help to establish inclusive and accommodating employee relations practices that conscientiously address the requirements of neurodivergent employees while providing support for those in leadership roles. This study constitutes a direct answer to recent calls to develop more nuanced understanding of workplace neurodiversity with a specific focus on neuro-inclusive leadership. Acknowledging that we still use inappropriate, old tools in new situations that require novel approaches to leadership, it helps to set the agenda for future research in this area.

  • Learning sperm cells part segmentation with class-specific data augmentation
    • Marcin Jankowski
    • Emilia Lewandowska
    • Hugues Talbot
    • Daniel Węsierski
    • Anna Węsierska
    2024

    Infertility affects around 15% of couples worldwide. Male fertility problems include poor sperm quality and low sperm count. The advanced fertility treatment methods like ICSI are nowadays supported by vision systems to assist embryologists in selecting good quality sperm. Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) provides quantitative and qualitative sperm analysis concerning concentration, motility, morphology, vitality, and fragmentation. However, fertility assessment algorithms often neglect individual spermatozoon tail and its beating patterns because recognizing the tails in blurry microscopic images reliably is challenging. In this article, we propose that models trained with head and tail part classes can better localize parts and segment the whole spermatozoon objects. Usually, the training of segmentation sperm models is supported by image-level augmentation. We argue that models guided by class-specific data augmentation attend to less discriminative sperm parts. To demonstrate this, we decouple the augmentation into object-level and background augmentation for the sperm part segmentation problem. Our proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods on the SegSperm dataset. Moreover, our ablation studies confirm the effectiveness of the proposed part-based object representation and augmentation.

  • Lessons learned in a decade: Medical‐toxicological view of tattooing
    • Michael Giulbudagian
    • Beatrice Battisini
    • Wolfgang Bäumler
    • Ana M Rico Blass
    • Beatrice Bocca
    • Corinna Brungs
    • Marco Famele
    • Milena Foerster
    • Birgit Gutsche
    • Veit Houben
    • Urs Hauri
    • Katarzyna Karpienko
    • Uwe Karst
    • Linda M. Katz
    • Nicolas Kluger
    • Jørgen Serup
    • Steffen Schubert
    • Ines Schreiver
    • Sebastiaan A. S. van der Bent
    • Carina Wolf
    • Andreas Luch
    • Peter Laux
    2024 Full text JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY

    Tattooing has been part of the human culture for thousands of years, yet only in the past decades has it entered the mainstream of the society. With the rise in popularity, tattoos also gained attention among researchers, with the aim to better understand the health risks posed by their application. 'A medical-toxicological view of tattooing'-a work published in The Lancet almost a decade ago, resulted from the international collaboration of various experts in the field. Since then, much understanding has been achieved regarding adverse effects, treatment of complications, as well as their regulation for improving public health. Yet major knowledge gaps remain. This review article results from the Second International Conference on Tattoo Safety hosted by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and provides a glimpse from the medical-toxicological perspective, regulatory strategies and advances in the analysis of tattoo inks.

  • Leveraging food waste for electricity: A low-carbon approach in energy sector for mitigating climate change and achieving net zero emission in Hong Kong (China)
    • Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
    • Xue Liang
    • Hui Hwang Goh
    • Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
    • Abdelkader Anouzla
    • Hussein Al-Hazmi
    • Kit Wayne Chew
    • Faissal Aziz
    • Imran Ali
    2024 JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

    In recent years, food waste has been a global concern that contributes to climate change. To deal with the rising impacts of climate change, in Hong Kong, food waste is converted into electricity in the framework of low-carbon approach. This work provides an overview of the conversion of food waste into electricity to achieve carbon neutrality. The production of methane and electricity from waste-to-energy (WTE) conversion are determined. Potential income from its sale and environmental benefits are also assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. It was found that the electricity generation from the food waste could reach 4.33 109 kWh annually, avoiding equivalent electricity charge worth USD 3.46 109 annually (based on US' 8/kWh). An equivalent CO2 mitigation of 9.9 108 kg annually was attained. The revenue from its electricity sale in market was 1.44 in the 1st year and USD 4.24 in the 15th year, respectively, according to the projected CH4 and electricity generation. The modelling study indicated that the electricity production is 0.8 kWh/kg of landfilled waste. The food waste could produce electricity as low as US' 8 per kW h. In spite of its promising results, there are techno-economic bottlenecks in commercial scale production and its application at comparable costs to conventional fossil fuels. Issues such as high GHG emissions and high production costs have been determined to be resolved later. Overall, this work not only leads to GHG avoidance, but also diversifies energy supply in providing power for homes in the future.

  • Leveraging Generative AI Tools for UX Design in Lean and Agile Projects
    • Marcin Sikorski
    2024

    Recent advancements in Generative AI (GenAI) open new opportunities to improve User Experience (UX) practitioners’ efficiency in their projects. Due to intensive teamwork caused by time pressure and readiness for rapid changes, Lean and Agile project management seems particularly predestined for easy adoption of GenAI-supported UX design methods. However, precipitate and spontaneous leveraging of GenAI tools to UX design bears the risk that results may differ from what is expected and cause delays that harm a speedy IT project management. This paper identifies issues relevant to UX practitioners' dilemmas when considering GenAI tools for user interface projects, and proposes a fast-and-fugal decision-making framework for IT project managers and UX professionals on whether to use (or not) GenAI tools in Agile and Lean IT projects.

  • Light formed through urban morphology and different organism groups: First findings from a systematic review
    • Seren Dincel
    • Ute Besenecker
    • Daniel Koch
    • Karolina Zielińska-Dąbkowska
    2024 Full text IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

    The prevailing implementation and usage of contemporary lighting technologies and design practices in cities have created over-illuminated built environments. Recent studies indicate that exposure to electric lighting effects formed through spatial characteristics has visual, physiological, and behavioural effects on both humans and non-humans, such as wildlife. In order to gain a better understanding of the impact that electric lighting has on space and different organism groups, a comprehensive literature review was conducted applying PRISMA 2020 systematic review guidelines. Results of the searches from various databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus, identified 5260 related studies. A total of 55 papers connected to four themes: (1) urban morphology; (2) human visual impressions; (3) ecological impacts; and (4) design approaches and methods were analysed with a focus on urban morphology. The review provided the following general findings: lighting properties alone are inadequate to depict visual impressions of pedestrians, patterns formed through light interacting with spatial characteristics can contribute to understanding how spaces are visually perceived and help characterising the exposure of wildlife organisms to potential disturbances.

  • Lignocellulosic waste biosorbents infused with deep eutectic solvents for biogas desulfurization
    • Patrycja Makoś-Chełstowska
    • Dominika Sikorska
    • Patrycja Janicka
    • Edyta Słupek
    • Aleksandra Mielewczyk-Gryń
    • Jacek Gębicki
    2024 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL

    This paper introduces an innovative method for treating biogas streams, employing lignocellulosic biosorbents infused with environmentally friendly solvents known as deep eutectic solvents (DES). The primary focus of this study was the elimination of volatile organosulfur compounds (VSCs) from model biogas. Biosorbents, including energetic poplar wood, antipka tree, corncobs, and beech wood, were used, each with varying levels of lignin and hemicellulose content. The selection of the DES with the greatest potential for VSC removal was carried out using COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Realistic Solvents (COSMO-RS) modeling. The chosen DES consisted of quaternary ammonium salts and glycols, specifically, tetrapropylammonium bromide and 1,2-hexanediol (1:3). The physicochemical properties of the new DES, such as the viscosity, density, and melting point, were evaluated. The biosorbents were treated with the selected DES after shredding, purifying, and sieving. Comprehensive analysis techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, were employed on the modified biosorbents both before and after modification. The subsequent step involved the adsorption of VSCs from biogas. The results of this study demonstrated the superior performance of a novel sorbent based on corn cob modified by DES compared to commercially available alternatives. The sorption capacity ranged from 103.8 to 112.1 mg/g for various VSCs. The adsorption process using the new biosorbent can be described by the pseudo second order kinetic model, as well as the Yoon-Nelson and Adams-Bohart models. The high efficacy of the VSCs removal was attributed to the concurrent operation of the absorption and adsorption processes. The resulting sorbent was also characterized by its ability to regenerate repeatedly without significant loss of sorption capacity of the new sorbents.