2021 - Repozytorium publikacji - Politechnika Gdańska

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The law of the Iterated Logarithm for random interval homeomorphisms
- Klaudiusz Czudek
- Tomasz Szarek
- Hanna Wojewódka-Ściążko
2021 Pełny tekst ISRAEL JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICS
A proof of the law of the iterated logarithm for random homeomorphisms of the interval is given.
The Many Faces of Enterococcus spp.—Commensal, Probiotic and Opportunistic Pathogen
- Beata Krawczyk
- Paweł Wityk
- Mirosława Gałęcka
- Michał Michalik
2021 Pełny tekst Microorganisms
Enterococcus spp. are Gram-positive, facultative, anaerobic cocci, which are found in the intestinal flora and, less frequently, in the vagina or mouth. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are the most common species found in humans. As commensals, enterococci colonize the digestive system and participate in the modulation of the immune system in humans and animals. For many years reference enterococcal strains have been used as probiotic food additives or have been recommended as supplements for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis and other conditions. The use of Enterococcus strains as probiotics has recently become controversial due to the ease of acquiring different virulence factors and resistance to various classes of antibiotics. Enterococci are also seen as opportunistic pathogens. This problem is especially relevant in hospital environments, where enterococcal outbreaks often occur. Their ability to translocate from the gastro-intestinal tract to various tissues and organs as well as their virulence and antibiotic resistance are risk factors that hinder eradication. Due to numerous reports on the plasticity of the enterococcal genome and the acquisition of pathogenic microbial features, we ask ourselves, how far is this commensal genus from acquiring pathogenicity? This paper discusses both the beneficial properties of these micro-organisms and the risk factors related to their evolution towards pathogenicity.
The Matter of Decision-Making Control Over Operation Processes of Marine Power Plant Systems with the Use of their Models in the form of Semi-Markov Decision-Making Processes
- Jerzy Girtler
- Jacek Rudnicki
2021 Pełny tekst Polish Maritime Research
The article presents the possibility to control the real operation process of an arbitrary device installed in the marine power plant based on the four-state semi-Markov process, being the model of the process, which describes the transition process of operational states of the device and the transition process of its technical states. All these states are precisely defined for the ship main engine (SG). A hypothesis is proposed which justifies the use of this model to examine real state transitions in marine power plant device operation processes. The article shows the possibility to make operating decisions ensuring a rational course of the device operation process when the proposed model of this process and the dynamic programming method based on the Bellman’s principle of optimality are applied. The optimisation criterion adopted when making operating decisions is the expected profit to be gained as a result of functioning of the device in the time interval , being the sum of the expected profit gained in interval and to be gained in interval.
The microbial community, its biochemical potential, and the antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus spp. in Arctic lakes under natural and anthropogenic impact (West Spitsbergen)
- Agnieszka Kalinowska
- Katarzyna Jankowska
- Sylwia Fudala-Książek
- Mattia Pierpaoli
- Aneta Łuczkiewicz
2021 Pełny tekst SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
The sustainable management of small human communities in the Arctic is challenging. In this study, both a water supply system (Lake 1) under the natural impact of a bird-nesting area, and a wastewater receiver (Lake 2) were analysed in the vicinity of the Polish Polar Station on West Spitsbergen. Microbial community composition, abundance and activity were assessed in samples of the treated wastewater, lake water and sediments using next-generation sequencing and direct microscope counts. Special attention was given to the faecal indicator, Enterococcus spp., whose occurrence and antimicrobial resistance were tested in water and wastewater samples. The results indicate that Lake 1, at a tundra stream discharge (L-TS) and at a water supply point (L-WS) were dominated by three phyla: Proteobacteria (57–58%) Bacteroidetes (27–29%) and Actinobacteria (9–10%) showing similar microbial composition up to the genus level. This suggests that nutrient-rich runoff from the bird colony was retained by surrounding tundra vegetation and reached Lake 1 at L-TS to a limited extent. Lake 2, being the wastewater recipient (WW-R), mirrors to some extent the core phyla of treated wastewater (WW-E), but in different shares. This suggests the possible washout of wastewater-related bacteria with activated sludge flocs, which was also supported by the microscopic observations. Compared to Lake 1, in WW-R an increase in all tested parameters was noted: total prokaryotic cell number, average cell volume, prokaryotic biomass and live cell percentage. The presence of Enterococcus spp. antibiotic resistance patterns highlights the importance of human associated microbiome and resistome dissemination via wastewater discharge. Additionally, it can be expected that temperature-related biochemical processes (e.g. nutrient cycling) may be accelerated by the ongoing climate change. Thus, proper wastewater treatment requires locally adapted solutions in increasingly visited and inhabited polar regions. Additionally, microbial community discharged to the environment with the treated wastewater, requires critical attention.
The Modernist Centre of Gdynia. Management Plan for the Nominated Property for the Years 2022-2027. Attachment to: Nomination Dossier on the inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List of a part of Gdynia City Centre, Poland
- Robert Hirsch
- Celina Łozowska
- Anna Orchowska-Smolińska
- Katarzyna Piotrowska
- Maria Sołtysik
2021
The Management Plan is a document that helps in managing the Nominated Property and follows the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention. The Plan is intended as a management tool to ensure the protection and maintenance of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and the features that determine the integrity and authenticity of the place.
The non-invasive evaluation of heart function in patients with an acute myocardial infarction: The role of impedance cardiography
- Łukasz Lewicki
- Maria Fijałkowska
- Maciej Karwowski
- Konrad Siebert
- Grzegorz Redlarski
- Aleksander Pałkowski
- Radosław Targoński
- Janusz Siebert
2021 Pełny tekst Cardiology Journal
Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze hemodynamic changes in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at an early stage of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and at one-month follow-up. Methods: Patients with AMI (n = 27) who underwent PCI were analyzed using impedance cardiography (ICG). ICG data were collected continuously (beat by beat) during the whole PCI procedure and thereafter at every 60 s for the next 24 h. Blood pressure was taken every 10 min and stored for analysis. Additionally the following parameters were measured: cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVi), left cardiac work index (LCWi), contractility index (CTi), ventricular ejection time (VET), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRi), thoracic fluid content index (TFCi) and heart rate (HR). Results: In the first 24 h after PCI all the contractility parameters including CI, SVi, LCWi, CTi and VET significantly decreased, whereas HR, SVRi and TFCi increased compared to baseline. All of the parameters examined got normalized at one month. The CI, SVi, LCWi, CTi, SVRi did not significantly differ from baseline, however the HR and VET were significantly lower compared to first day after PCI. Conclusions: 1. Cardiac performance deteriorates early after PCI and normalizes after one month in patients with an AMI. 2. ICG is useful for hemodynamic monitoring of AMI patients during and after invasive therapy.
The Opening of Central and Eastern European Countries to Free Trade: A Critical Assessment
- Marta Kuc-Czarnecka
- Andrea Saltelli,
- Magdalena Olczyk
- Erik, S. Reinert
2021 Pełny tekst Structural Change and Economic Dynamics
Three decades after the fall of the Berlin wall and one and a half decades after the Big Bang enlargement of the European Union (2004-2007), we revisit contrasting narratives about the benefit of both free trade and the EU enlargement for Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. We distinguish old, pre-2004 EU countries from CEE countries that joined the EU in 2004-2007, as well as from the CEE countries that have not become part of the EU, in particular Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. Our analysis looks at two temporal windows: one from 1991 – the demise of the Eastern European free trade zone (COMECON) – to today, and the second zooming on the period following the enlargement process of 2004-2007. Our analysis points to an unfavourable turn of events for CEE countries, which appear to have experienced significant losses in their process of rapid integration in the world and EU economies. We are comparing these events in Central and Eastern Europe with the patterns of de-industrialisation and migration that took place in Latin America after a similar free trade shock starting in the 1970s.
The Optical Coherence Tomography and Raman Spectroscopy for Sensing of the Bone Demineralization Process
- Maciej Jerzy Głowacki
- Aleksandra Kamińska
- Marcin Gnyba
- Jerzy Pluciński
- Marcin Strąkowski
2021 Pełny tekst SENSORS
The presented research was intended to seek new optical methods to investigate the demineralization process of bones. Optical examination of the bone condition could facilitate clinical trials and improve the safety of patients. The authors used a set of complementary methods: polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) and Raman spectroscopy. Chicken bone samples were used in this research. To stimulate in laboratory conditions the process of demineralization and gradual removal of the hydroxyapatite, the test samples of bones were placed into 10% acetic acid. Measurements were carried out in two series. The first one took two weeks with data acquired every day. In the second series, the measurements were made during one day at an hourly interval (after 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 24 h). The relation between the content of hydroxyapatite and images recorded using OCT was analyzed and discussed. Moreover, the polarization properties of the bones, including retardation angles of the bones, were evaluated. Raman measurement confirmed the disappearance of the hydroxyapatite and the speed of this process. This work presents the results of the preliminary study on the possibility of measuring changes in bone mineralization by means of the proposed methods and confirms their potential for practical use in the future.
The Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Chitosan-Based Materials Modified with Phenolic Acids Irradiated by UVC Light
- Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska
- Marcin Wekwejt
- Olha Mazur
- Lidia Zasada
- Anna Pałubicka
- Ewa Olewnik‐Kruszkowska
2021 Pełny tekst INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
This paper concerns the physicochemical properties of chitosan/phenolic acid thin films irradiated by ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 200 and 290 nm (UVC) light. We investigated the preparation and characterization of thin films based on chitosan (CTS) with tannic (TA), caffeic (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) addition as potential food‐packaging materials. Such materials were then exposed to the UVC light (254 nm) for 1 and 2 h to perform the sterilization process. Different properties of thin films before and after irradiation were determined by various methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), mechanical properties and by the surface free energy determination. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the films and their potential to reduce the risk of contamination was assessed. The results showed that the phenolic acid improving properties of chitosan‐based films, short UVC radiation may be used as sterilization method for those films, and also that the addition of ferulic acid obtains effective antimicrobial activity, which have great benefit for food packing applications.
The Polish adaptation of the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-PL) by W. Schaufeli et al.
- Beata Basińska
- Ewa Gruszczyńska
- Wilmar B. Schaufeli
2021 Pełny tekst Psychiatria Polska
Aim. The study aimed to present the Polish version of the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-PL) by Schaufeli et al. and to assess its validity and reliability. The tool measures the core symptoms of burnout (BAT-C): exhaustion, mental distance, cognitive and emotional impairment, and its secondary symptoms (BAT-S): psychosomatic complaints and psychological distress. Method. The participants were 255 nursing staff members. The construct validity was assessed with a one-point job satisfaction scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3) by Schaufeli et al. and the Job-related Affective Well-being Scale (JAWS) by van Katwyk et al. Results. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported an assumed bi-factor structure. This applies to both BAT-C as the four core symptoms and a general factor (metatrait) representing burnout and BAT-S as a set of two secondary symptoms and a general factor. Both scales were strongly correlated with one another and differed from other measures of jobrelated well-being (job satisfaction, work engagement and negative emotions). The values of Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability indicated BAT-PL as a reliable measurement tool. Conclusions. BAT-PL by Schaufeli et al. has good psychometric characteristics to be used in research on burnout and further validated in clinical practice.
The potential of web awareness as a determinant of dually defined customer value
- Wiesława Caputa
- Izabela Krawczyk-Sokolowska
- Agata Pierścieniak
2021 TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
In the conditions of increasing demand barrier, the enterprise’s basic capital is customers. From an enterprise point of view, this means the need to create a dual perceived and defined customer value which remains related to market value (income and development potential) and customer resource value (reference, information and cooperative potential). The progressing digitisation process transfers business processes, and thus relationships, into virtual space. We identify customers consumers’ behaviour in virtual space and the goals they connect with participation in relational networks. We believe that the use of the potential of the virtual space in which the customer moves is determined by the awareness of the potential of the web, which is related to its readiness and ability to use it. This factor determining customer value (customer equity) exerts and will exert a significant impact on the process of creating value for the customer in the future, strengthening its position as a partner in the process of creating value.
The Prospects of Retail Payment Developments in the Metaverse
- Oleksandr Melnychenko
2021 Pełny tekst Virtual Economics
In the age of technological development, rapid technological progress, and the metaverse development in which humans interact with each other and with the environment using virtual real-world metaphors, payment systems may also need to be re-considered. The study aims to find an answer to the question of what should be retail payments in the metaverse and to begin interdisciplinary discussions about their implementation in this environment. The author reviews the literature which shows that i) socio-economic relations are being implemented in the metaverse, but they still require the money to participate in the exchange relationships, as well as to support such a system; ii) it is impossible to abandon all forms of physical exchange, which is the basis of modern society; iii) the metaverse is an environment usually of anonymous users, who do not have the right to make significant purchases without their identification; iv) accounting of transactions remains the basis of payments in the metaverse as well
The protective properties of graphene oxide coatings functionalized with phosphorus atoms.
- Karolina Grajewska
- Marek Lieder
2021
Recently, electrophoretically deposited graphene oxide coatings are commonly applied as an anti-corrosion layer. However, improper adjustment of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) parameters as well as the hydrophilic nature of graphene oxide contribute to the formation of defects in the coatings and the increase in the wetting properties, respectively, and thus lead to a reduction of protective properties. The growth of wetting performance can be eliminated by a modification of graphene oxide with other chemical compounds. Phosphorus functionalized graphene oxide (P-rGO) coatings as anti-corrosion layers have not been reported yet. As a result of hydrothermal treatment in the presence of orthophosphoric acid, P-rGO samples were obtained. The formation of phosphorus precursors of coatings was confirmed by numerous structural studies. FTIR spectra indicated two peaks, which can be assigned to P-C and P-O bonds. The foreign atoms were introduced into graphene oxide structure in the content of 5%, which was proved based on XPS analysis. The stable and uniform suspension of precursors of coatings allows the production of coatings on the copper substrate by EPD. The uniform and hydrophobic surface of coatings enhanced the anti-corrosion performance compared to nonmodified graphene oxide coatings.
The Reactivity of the Imine Bond within Polynuclear Nickel(II) Complexes
- Magdalena Siedzielnik
- Dimitrios A. Pantazis
- Jakub Bruniecki
- Kinga Kaniewska-Laskowska
- Anna Dołęga
2021 Pełny tekst Crystals
Three novel Ni complexes with the Schiff base ligand 2-methoxy-6-(E-2-pyridyliminomethyl)-phenol (L1) are described. In comparison with the similar 2-(pyridine-2-ylimino-methyl)phenol (pymp), the mode of coordination of L1 is altered due to the presence of methoxy substituent introducing the sterical hindrance. During the synthesis of the complexes, partial hydrolysis of the ligand was observed. Since such immediate hydrolysis of L1 was not detected during the reactions of Zn(II) and Cu(II) salts with L1, the DFT calculated structures of a series of similar Zn, Cu, Ni, and Co complexes with L1 are compared to account for the phenomenon
THE RISE OF FISCAL OPACITY IN POLAND IN THE ERA OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
- Maria Jastrzębska
2021
Research background: The quality of information provided by the fiscal authorities and the correct flow of this information between them and the society are very important especially in times of crisis, when there is an imbalance in public finances and an increasing public debt. Ensuring fiscal transparency (transparency of public finances) reduces fiscal risk and corruption and supports public acceptance of fiscal reforms. Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to assess the transparency of public finances in Poland in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in the system of public finances, which cause an increase in the opacity of public finances, were analysed. It also recommends necessary actions to be taken in order to increase transparency of public finances. Research methods: Qualitative analysis, deductive and inductive reasoning were used. Findings and added value: Poland lacks a transparent message about public finances with a particular focus on the state budget, which would allow citizens to control the government's fiscal policy actions. In 2020, a number of solutions were introduced, which meant that a significant part of public expenditure is made outside the control of the parliament. In addition, a significant source of their financing is the issue of debt securities issued by the State Treasury, or guaranteed by the State Treasury. It is difficult to reliably assess the condition of public finances due to differences in the methodology of calculating the level of public sector deficit and debt in terms of national and EU legal regulations.
THE ROLE OF INFERENCE IN MOBILE MEDICAL APPLICATION DESIGN
- Tomasz Kocejko
2021
In the early 21st century, artificial intelligence began to be used to process medical information. However, before this happened, predictive models used in healthcare could only consider a limited number of variables, and only in properly structured and organised medical data. Today, advanced tools based on machine learning techniques - which, using artificial neural networks, can explore extremely complex relationships - and deep learning technologies effectively support the user in performing parts of healthcare tasks, often resulting in better results that cannot be achieved by humans. AI systems are designed to cope with the complex data generated within modern healthcare. Although deep learning algorithms proved to provide reliable results on variety of data types most common algorithms performs best when applied on images. Therefor in this chapter, the step-by-step process of building the medical application that utilizes the neural network model for image based diagnosis is presented
THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN TAXATION. POLISH TAX POLICY AFTER 2015
- Piotr Kasprzak
2021
This article is an attempt to present and evaluate tax policy Polish of the years 2015-2020, i.e. the period which resulted in formulating the new government. These time was a period of tax reforms, the introduction of new taxes and public tributes, as well as new mechanisms to control tax collection. Moreover, the policies introduced also concern changes in the level of fiscalism and tax redistribution. The research methods adopted in the paper include, in particular, the evaluation and analysis of secondary statistics, legal acts, literature review and specialized industry reports analyses.
The room above the porte cochere of the Kwidzyn castle in the times of Pomesanian chapter
- Aleksander Piwek
- Tomasz Jażdżewski
2021 Pełny tekst Architectus
Artykuł przedstawia historię budowlaną pomieszczenia nad przejazdem bramnym w skrzydle północnym zamku w Kwidzynie w czasach kapituły pomezańskiej. Prezentowane ustalenia uzyskano na podstawie wyników badań architektonicznych, stratygraficznych oraz analizy materiałów archiwalnych, które przeprowadzono w 2017 roku. Według nich pomieszczenie powstało w pierwszym etapie wznoszenia zamku. W kolejnych wiekach podlegało architektonicznym zmianom odpowiadającym nowym potrzebom mieszkańców zamku. Zachowane ślady świadczą, że od XIV do XVI wieku pełniło ono kilka następujących po sobie funkcji, dotąd nie w pełni rozpoznanych i umotywowanych: strażnicy, kancelarii bądź izby sądowej, a nawet kaplicy. Znaczną część wiedzy o nich zawarto w rozwarstwieniu ścian i rekonstrukcjach historycznych przekształceń z okresu średniowiecza. W późniejszych czasach wnętrze uniknęło znacznych zniszczeń i do dziś stanowi cenne źródło wiedzy o historii zamku.
The Self-employment of Women in Azerbaijan
- Krystyna Gomółka
2021 Pełny tekst STUDIA EUROPEJSKIE
Azerbaijan has a population of more than 10 million, of which women accounted for 50% in 2020. At the same time, 93% of Azerbaijan’s citizens describe themselves as Muslims. Since the beginning of independence, Azerbaijan has been a secular state by virtue of Article 48 of the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of worship, choice, or non-practice of religion and the freedom of expression of one’s own views on religion. This article aims to assess the changes in the self-employment of women in Azerbaijan through a deductive analysis of data and observation of changes in the structure of resources based on generally available macroeconomic data. This study focuses on the situation of women on the Azerbaijani labour market over the two decades of the 21st century. The numbers of economically active women, including those in employment and the unemployed, and economically inactive women are specifi ed. Further, the government’s legal and fi nancial policy in respect of women’s self-employment is analysed. The author determines what percentage of companies were set up by women and in which sectors and locations.
The share of investments in gold and oil using the example of selected European stock exchanges– A comparative analysis
- Marcin Potrykus
2021 Pełny tekst Cogent Economics & Finance
In this article, optimal investment portfolios with minimal risk and maximum efficiency were calculated. The portfolios were designated for ten selected European stock exchanges, based on the listings of the twenty largest companies in each of those markets. All calculations were made based on company shares only, company shares and investments in gold, shares of companies and investments in crude oil as well as shares of companies and investments in gold and crude oil. The research hypothesis tested in the study is: The share of alternative investments in the investment portfolio does not depend on the stock exchange, but it differs depending on the length of the estimation window used. The study showed that for most exchanges there were statistically significant differences for the distribution of the determined weight for alternative investments. However, it was noted that the longer the estimation window, the greater the number of exchanges with no differences in the distributions of that weight. In addition, for portfolios with minimal risk, there were larger differences between the designated weights of alternative investments than for the same portfolios, which were determined based on maximizing efficiency. It was also found that the longer the estimation window, the higher the efficiency of the designated portfolios. Moreover, the investment in gold had an average weight, in four-element portfolios with a minimum risk, greater than 60%. Oil investment in the same portfolios had an average weight of 28%.