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  • Total Completion Time Minimization for Scheduling with Incompatibility Cliques
    • Klaus Jansen
    • Alexandra Lassota
    • Marten Maack
    • Tytus Pikies
    2021

    This paper considers parallel machine scheduling with incompatibilities between jobs. The jobs form a graph equivalent to a collection of disjoint cliques. No two jobs in a clique are allowed to be assigned to the same machine. Scheduling with incompatibilities between jobs represents a well-established line of research in scheduling theory and the case of disjoint cliques has received increasing attention in recent years. While the research up to this point has been focused on the makespan objective, we broaden the scope and study the classical total completion time criterion. In the setting without incompatibilities, this objective is well-known to admit polynomial time algorithms even for unrelated machines via matching techniques. We show that the introduction of incompatibility cliques results in a richer, more interesting picture. We prove that scheduling on identical machines remains solvable in polynomial time, while scheduling on unrelated machines becomes APX-hard. Next, we study the problem under the paradigm of fixed-parameter tractable algorithms (FPT). In particular, we consider a problem variant with assignment restrictions for the cliques rather than the jobs. We prove that, despite still being APX-hard, it can be solved in FPT time with respect to the number of cliques. Moreover, we show that the problem on unrelated machines can be solved in FPT time for reasonable parameters, in particular, the parameter combination: maximum processing time, number of job kinds, and number of machines or maximum processing time, number of job kinds, and number of cliques. The latter results are extensions of known results for the case without incompatibilities, and can even be further extended to the case of total weighted completion time. All of the FPT results make use of n-fold Integer Programs that recently received great attention by proving their usefulness for scheduling problems.

  • Toward Intelligent Recommendations Using the Neural Knowledge DNA
    • Guangjian Ning
    • Chunwang Wu
    • Haoxi Zhang
    • Edward Szczerbicki
    2021 Pełny tekst CYBERNETICS AND SYSTEMS

    In this paper we propose a novel recommendation approach using past news click data and the Neural Knowledge DNA (NK-DNA). The Neural Knowledge DNA is a novel knowledge representation method designed to support discovering, storing, reusing, improving, and sharing knowledge among machines and computing systems. We examine our approach for news recommendation tasks on the MIND benchmark dataset. By taking advantages of NK-DNA, deep learning, and the SOEKS technologies, our approach can learn from users’ past behaviors to form reading preference of the user, and reuse learned knowledge for improving the recommendation performance.

  • Towards a classification of networks with asymmetric inputs
    • Manuela Aguiar
    • Ana Dias
    • Pedro Da Costa Soares
    2021 Pełny tekst NONLINEARITY

    Coupled cell systems associated with a coupled cell network are determined by (smooth) vector fields that are consistent with the network structure. Here, we follow the formalisms of Stewart et al (2003 SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst. 2, 609–646), Golubitsky et al (2005 SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst. 4, 78–100) and Field (2004 Dyn. Syst. 19, 217–243). It is known that two non-isomorphic n-cell coupled networks can determine the same sets of vector fields - these networks are said to be ordinary differential equation (ODE)-equivalent. The set of all n-cell coupled networks is so partitioned into classes of ODE-equivalent networks. With no further restrictions, the number of ODE-classes is not finite and each class has an infinite number of networks. Inside each ODE-class we can find a finite subclass of networks that minimize the number of edges in the class, called minimal networks. In this paper, we consider coupled cell networks with asymmetric inputs. That is, if k is the number of distinct edges types, these networks have the property that every cell receives k inputs, one of each type. Fixing the number n of cells, we prove that: the number of ODE-classes is finite; restricting to a maximum of n(n − 1) inputs, we can cover all the ODE-classes; all minimal n-cell networks with n(n − 1) asymmetric inputs are ODE-equivalent. We also give a simple criterion to test if a network is minimal and we conjecture lower estimates for the number of distinct ODE-classes of n-cell networks with any number k of asymmetric inputs. Moreover, we present a full list of representatives of the ODE-classes of networks with three cells and two asymmetric inputs.

  • Towards a modification of a regulatory framework aiming at bunker oil spill prevention from ships - A design aspect of bunker tanks vents location guided by CFD simulations
    • Przemysław Krata
    • Jacek Jachowski
    2021 RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY

    Although accidental bunker oil spills at seaway are relatively rare events, they can be pose real threat to the natural marine environment. One of the reasons for the bunker spill to occur is a design failure; one of the ways it can demonstrate is an improper location or height of vent heads, leading to a bunker oil discharge during heavy rolling, due to sloshing phenomenon. Design of a ship and her systems is guided by various formal conventions and ensuing requirements by classification societies, as a result of past experience and background knowledge. Nevertheless, the requirements are not always fully effective and up to date. An example of such situation is an accidental spill from a deep bunker tank, that has been arranged and designed according to the valid rules and regulations, however not accounting for dynamic physical phenomena that when occur lead to discharging the fuel through the vent. Therefore, the contemporary regulation of vent arrangement for some specific bunker tanks design options seems insufficient and requires scientific insight. To this end, we propose science-based regulatory framework modification. This is done through examining the location of the deep tank vent with regard to dynamics of the oil sloshing phenomenon, adopting CFD-based approach that is suitable for the purpose of onboard tank design. Moreover, an experimental validation of numerical simulations outcome is presented which makes the study credible. The proposed approach is both scientifically valid and practically feasible. Some CFD simulations of liquid sloshing need to be carried out for certain bunker tank design options. The additional burden at the design stage is not significantly time consuming thus remains justified, especially nowadays when CFD has become an industrial standard in some branches. The proposed solution attempts to improve the contemporary regulations in the area of bunker oil overflow prevention, reducing the negative impact of maritime transportation on the environmental safety.

  • Towards a multi-basin SWAT model for the migration of nutrients and pesticides to Puck Bay (Southern Baltic Sea)
    • Paweł Wielgat
    • Dominika Kalinowska
    • Adam Szymkiewicz
    • Piotr Zima
    • Beata Jaworska-Szulc
    • Ewa Wojciechowska
    • Nicole Nawrot
    • Karolina Matej-Łukowicz
    • Lidia Anita Dzierzbicka-Glowacka
    2021 Pełny tekst PeerJ

    Background This paper analyzes the impact of changes in fertilization on crop yields and the runoff of nutrients from a small agricultural catchment (176 km2) to a shallow bay, using the SWAT model. Puck Bay is part of the Gulf of Gdansk and belongs to the Baltic Sea. The whole area of Puck Bay (364 km2) is protected (Natura 2000) yet despite this it suffers from eutrophication problems due to the relatively minimal depth and difficult water exchange. Methods The paper presents a comparison of the calculated yields and the runoff of nutrients and pesticides in the SWAT model, for a small agricultural coastal catchment. Calculations were made for 13 crop scenarios with weather data from 2011 to 2019. For each crop, an agriculture calendar was made. Two variants of fertilization were considered (autofertilization mode and according to the calendar). The nutrient runoff was calculated depending on the adopted scenario. In addition, the fate of selected pesticides was simulated. Results Depending on the crop, the annual load of NO3into the stream ranged from 0.74 to 3.65 kg ha−1. The annual load of organic phosphorous into the stream was between 0.686 and 3.64 kg ha−1. This is lower than in the majority of EU or Baltic countries. The surface runoff of dissolved Glyphosate was equal to 286 mg ha−1. The annual loads of nutrients from the catchment area are equivalent in both fertilization modes. Regardless of the selected fertilization mode, in addition to the dosage, the form of nutrients is important for the model.

  • Towards Cancer Patients Classification Using Liquid Biopsy
    • Sebastian Cygert
    • Franciszek Górski
    • Piotr Juszczyk
    • Sebastian Lewalski
    • Krzysztof Pastuszak
    • Andrzej Czyżewski
    • Anna Supernat
    2021

    Liquid biopsy is a useful, minimally invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool for cancer disease. Yet, developing accurate methods, given the potentially large number of input features, and usually small datasets size remains very challenging. Recently, a novel feature parameterization based on the RNA-sequenced platelet data which uses the biological knowledge from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, combined with a classifier based on the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), allowed significantly improving the classification accuracy. In this work, we take a closer look at this approach and find that similar results can be obtained using significantly smaller models. Additionally, competitive results were achieved using gradient boosting. Since it has another advantage of adding interpretability to the model, we further analyze it in this work.

  • Towards Computer-Aided Graphene Covered TiO2-Cu/(CuxOy) Composite Design for the Purpose of Photoinduced Hydrogen Evolution
    • Łukasz Lewandowski
    • Agnieszka Gajewicz-Skretna
    • Tomasz Klimczuk
    • Grzegorz Trykowski
    • Kostiantyn Nikiforow
    • Wojciech Lisowski
    • Anna Gołąbiewska
    • Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
    2021 Pełny tekst Catalysts

    In search a hydrogen source, we synthesized TiO2-Cu-graphene composite photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. The catalyst is a new and unique material as it consists of copper-decorated TiO2 particles covered tightly in graphene and obtained in a fluidized bed reactor. Both, reduction of copper from Cu(CH3COO) at the surface of TiO2 particles and covering of TiO2-Cu in graphene thin layer by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) were performed subsequently in the flow reactor by manipulating the gas composition. Obtained photocatalysts were tested in regard to hydrogen generation from photo-induced water conversion with methanol as sacrificial agent. The hydrogen generation rate for the most active sample reached 2296.27 mol H2 h1 gcat 1. Combining experimental and computational approaches enabled to define the optimum combination of the synthesis parameters resulting in the highest photocatalytic activity for water splitting for green hydrogen production. The results indicate that the major factor affecting hydrogen production is temperature of the TiO2-Cu-graphene composite synthesis which in turn is inversely correlated to photoactivity.

  • TOWARDS EXPLAINABLE CLASSIFIERS USING THE COUNTERFACTUAL APPROACH - GLOBAL EXPLANATIONS FOR DISCOVERING BIAS IN DATA
    • Agnieszka Mikołajczyk
    • Michał Grochowski
    • Arkadiusz Kwasigroch
    2021 Pełny tekst Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing Research

    The paper proposes summarized attribution-based post-hoc explanations for the detection and identification of bias in data. A global explanation is proposed, and a step-by-step framework on how to detect and test bias is introduced. Since removing unwanted bias is often a complicated and tremendous task, it is automatically inserted, instead. Then, the bias is evaluated with the proposed counterfactual approach. The obtained results are validated on a sample skin lesion dataset. Using the proposed method, a number of possible bias-causing artifacts are successfully identified and confirmed in dermoscopy images. In particular, it is confirmed that black frames have a strong influence on Convolutional Neural Network’s prediction: 22% of them changed the prediction from benign to malignant.

  • Towards Rational Biosurfactant Design—Predicting Solubilization in Rhamnolipid Solutions
    • Ilona Kłosowska-Chomiczewska
    • Adrianna Kotewicz-Siudowska
    • Wojciech Artichowicz
    • Adam Macierzanka
    • Agnieszka Głowacz-Różyńska
    • Patrycja Szumała
    • Krystyna Mędrzycka
    • Elżbieta Hallmann
    • Elena Karpenko
    • Christian Jungnickel
    2021 Pełny tekst MOLECULES

    The efficiency of micellar solubilization is dictated inter alia by the properties of the solubilizate, the type of surfactant, and environmental conditions of the process. We, therefore, hypothesized that using the descriptors of the aforementioned features we can predict the solubilization efficiency, expressed as molar solubilization ratio (MSR). In other words, we aimed at creating a model to find the optimal surfactant and environmental conditions in order to solubilize the substance of interest (oil, drug, etc.). We focused specifically on the solubilization in biosurfactant solutions. We collected data from literature covering the last 38 years and supplemented them with our experimental data for different biosurfactant preparations. Evolutionary algorithm (EA) and kernel support vector machines (KSVM) were used to create predictive relationships. The descriptors of biosurfactant (logPBS, measure of purity), solubilizate (logPsol, molecular volume), and descriptors of conditions of the measurement (T and pH) were used for modelling. We have shown that the MSR can be successfully predicted using EAs, with a mean R2val of 0.773 ± 0.052. The parameters influencing the solubilization efficiency were ranked upon their significance. This represents the first attempt in literature to predict the MSR with the MSR calculator delivered as a result of our research.

  • Towards Scalable Simulation of Federated Learning
    • Tomasz Kołodziej
    • Paweł Rościszewski
    2021 Communications in Computer and Information Science

    Federated learning (FL) allows to train models on decentralized data while maintaining data privacy, which unlocks the availability of large and diverse datasets for many practical applications. The ongoing development of aggregation algorithms, distribution architectures and software implementations aims for enabling federated setups employing thousands of distributed devices, selected from millions. Since the availability of such computing infrastructure is a big barrier to experimenting with new approaches, we claim that efficient simulation of FL is necessary and propose the PaSSiFLora library for simulating FL clients in a cluster environment. In PaSSiFLora, the training algorithm is actually performed on real data, but each cluster node can simulate multiple FL clients. Because uniform random selection of clients results in poor simulation performance due to load imbalance, we propose to use uniform random selection of MultiClients. Each MultiClient runs on a single cluster node and in each training iteration is responsible for simulating several clients, selected from a set of local clients. Our experimental results based on the FEMNIST dataset show that PaSSiFLora is capable of simulating 1536 clients and has a good scalability on 48 cluster nodes, which reduces the average iteration time to 13.57 s, from 330.61 s in the case of one cluster node. The MultiClient architecture allows to improve the average performance by up to 75% while it does not cause significant differences in model accuracy during the training. Additionally, correctness of the training is verified against existing FL frameworks: LEAF and TFF.

  • Towards Understanding the Health Aspects of the Processing of Lignocellulosic Fillers
    • Aleksander Hejna
    • Mariusz Marć
    2021 Pełny tekst Proceedings

    Health and safety issues should be addressed during the development and investigation of the industrial processes. In order to develop a sustainable process and fully evaluate its benefits and drawbacks for its optimization, it is crucial to determine its impact on the surrounding environment. This study aimed to assess the emission of volatile organic compounds during the modification of lignocellulosic fillers with passive dosimetry. Two types of processes were investigated: diisocyanate treatment of commercial lignocellulosic fillers in a batch mixer and thermo-mechanical treatment of brewers’ spent grain using a twin-screw extruder. The presence of multiple terpenes and terpenoids was detected during the processing of fillers. The main compounds detected during modification were camphene, 3-carene, limonene, α-pinene, and cymenes. These compounds can show the irritating and allergic character, according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, as well as NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response. Some of them are also characterized by relatively low values of flash point, even below 40 °C. Therefore, their emissions during the modification of cellulose materials should be carefully monitored, and proper precautions need to be taken.

  • Towards Use of OntoClean for Ontology Contextualization
    • Wojciech Waloszek
    2021 Pełny tekst Procedia Computer Science

    Ontologies are formal systems of concepts used to describe numerous domains of interest. Ontologies are usually very expressive, but it comes at a price of computationally expensive reasoning over them. In our previous work we discussed the possible performance benefits that can be obtained by decomposing an ontology into contexts. While the benefits are appealing, we discovered that, in our case, the main obstacle against using contextual versions of ontologies was the necessity of performing the costly process of their decomposition with the participation of human experts. In this paper we discuss the possibility of using OntoClean method for streamlining and at least partial automation of suggesting a decomposition of an ontology into contexts. We present a hypothesis about how to build a structure of contexts, and verify this hypothesis against several ontologies used in state-of-the-art research. The ontologies have been obtained by us in the process that uses elements of Systematic Literature Review. The final assessment of the method has been performed by human experts, during interviews, and we present the details of their evaluation in the paper.

  • Toxinas de setas
    • Roman Kotłowski
    2021

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  • Trace Metal Contamination of Bottom Sediments: A Review of Assessment Measures and Geochemical Background Determination Methods
    • Nicole Nawrot
    • Ewa Wojciechowska
    • Muhammad Mohsin
    • Suvi Kuittinen
    • Ari Pappinen
    • Shahabaldin Rezania
    2021 Pełny tekst Minerals

    This paper provides an overview of different methods of assessing the trace metal (TM) contamination status of sediments affected by anthropogenic interference. The geochemical background determination methods are also described. A total of 25 papers covering rivers, lakes, and retention tanks sediments in areas subjected to anthropogenic pressure from the last three years (2019, 2020, and 2021) were analysed to support our examination of the assessment measures. Geochemical and ecotoxicological classifications are presented that may prove useful for sediment evaluation. Among the geochemical indices, several individual pollution indices (CF, Igeo, EF, Pi (SPI), PTT), complex pollution indices (PLI, Cdeg, mCdeg, Pisum, PIAvg, PIaAvg, PIN, PIProd, PIapProd, PIvectorM, PINemerow, IntPI, MPI), and geochemical classifications are compared. The ecotoxicological assessment includes an overview of Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) and classifications introduced nationally (as LAWA or modified LAWA). The ecotoxicological indices presented in this review cover individual (ERi) and complex indices (CSI, SPI, RAC, PERI, MERMQ). Biomonitoring of contaminated sites based on plant bioindicators is extensively explored as an indirect method for evaluating pollution sites. The most commonly used indices in the reviewed papers were Igeo, EF, and CF. Many authors referred to ecotoxicological assessment via SQG. Moreover, PERI, which includes the toxic response index, was just as popular. The most recognised bioindicators include the Phragmites and Salix species. Phragmites can be considered for Fe, Cu, Cd, and Ni bioindication in sites, while Salix hybrid cultivars such as Klara may be considered for phytostabilisation and rhizofiltration due to higher Cu, Zn, and Ni accumulation in roots. Vetiveria zizanoides demonstrated resistance to As stress and feasibility for the remediation of As. Moreover, bioindicators offer a feasible tool for recovering valuable elements for the development of a circular economy (e.g., rare earth elements).

  • Tracking Fluorescent Dye Dispersion from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
    • Paweł Burdziakowski
    • Piotr Zima
    • Paweł Wielgat
    • Dominika Kalinowska
    2021 Pełny tekst SENSORS

    Commercial unmanned aerial vehicles continue to gain popularity and their use for collecting image data and recording new phenomena is becoming more frequent. This study presents an effective method for measuring the concentration of fluorescent dyes (fluorescein and Rhodamine WT) for the purpose of providing a mathematical dispersion model. Image data obtained using a typical visible-light camera was used to measure the concentration of the dye floating on water. The reference measurement was taken using a laboratory fluorometer. The article presents the details of three extensive measurement sessions and presents elements of a newly developed method for measuring fluorescent tracer concentrations. The said method provides tracer concentration maps presented on the example of an orthophoto within a 2 × 2 m discrete grid.

  • Tradition and modernity in the structural art of steel-glass structures in Japan
    • Ewa Maria Kido
    • Zbigniew Cywiński
    • Hidetoshi Kawaguchi
    2021 STEEL CONSTRUCTION - DESIGN AND RESEARCH

    Tradition and modernity in the structural art of steel-glass structures in Japan

  • Transcriptomic landscape of blood platelets in healthy donors
    • Anna Supernat
    • Marta Popęda
    • Krzysztof Pastuszak
    • Myron G Best
    • Peter Gresner
    • Sjors In ‘t Veld
    • Bartłomiej Siek
    • Natalia Bednarz-Knoll
    • Matthew T. Rondina
    • Tomasz Stokowy
    • Thomas Würdinger
    • Jacek Jassem
    • Anna Żaczek
    2021 Pełny tekst Scientific Reports

    BACKGROUND Blood platelet RNA-sequencing is increasingly used among the scientific community. Aberrant platelet transcriptome is common in cancer or cardiovascular disease, but reference data on platelet RNA content in healthy individuals are scarce and merit complex investigation. METHODS We sought to explore the dynamics of platelet transcriptome. Datasets from 204 healthy donors were used for the analysis of splice variants, particularly with regard to age, sex, blood storage time, unit of collection or library size. RESULTS Genes B2M, PPBP, TMSB4X, ACTB, FTL, CLU, PF4, F13A1, GNAS, SPARC, PTMA, TAGLN2, OAZ1 and OST4 demonstrated the highest expression in the analysed cohort, remaining substantial transcription consistency. CSF3R gene was found upregulated in males (fold change 2.10, FDR q<0.05). Cohort dichotomisation according to the median age, showed upregulated KSR1 in the older donors (fold change 2.11, FDR q<0.05). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed two clusters which were irrespective of age, sex, storage time, collecting unit or library size. However, when donors are analysed globally (as vectors), sex, storage time, library size, the unit of blood collection as well as age impose a certain degree of between- and/or within-group variability. CONCLUSIONS Separately analysed platelet splice variants retain general consistency, with a few interesting deviating genes from these general trends. On the other hand, the multidimensional analysis revealed statistically significant variability between and within the analysed groups. Our work provides a reference for studies working both on healthy platelets and pathological conditions affecting platelet transcriptome.

  • Transformation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into a versatile and efficient adsorbent of Cu(II) cations and Cr(VI) anions through hydrothermal treatment and sulfonation
    • Xianbao Xu
    • Daan Zhu
    • Xiaonuan Wang
    • Liling Deng
    • Xinyun Fan
    • Zizhen Ding
    • Ai Zhang
    • Gang Xue
    • Yanbiao Liu
    • Weimin Xuan
    • Xiang Li
    • Jacek Mąkinia
    2021 Pełny tekst JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

    The reuse of waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has drawn much attention as it can reduce plastic waste and associated pollution, and provide valuable raw materials and products. In this study, sulfonated PVC-derived hydrochar (HS-PVC) was synthesized by two-stage hydrothermal treatment (HT) and sulfonation, and shown to be a versatile adsorbent. The reoval of Cu(II) cations and Cr(VI) anions using HS-PVC reached 81.2 ± 1.6% and 60.3 ± 3.8%, respectively. The first stage of HT was crucial for the dichlorination of PVC and the formation of an aromatic structure. This stage guaranteed the introduction of -SO3H onto PVC-derived hydrochar through subsequent sulfonation. HT intensities (i.e., temperature and time) and sulfonation intensity strongly determined the adsorption capacity of HS-PVC. Competitive adsorption between Cu(II) and Cr(VI) onto HS-PVC was demonstrated by binary and preloading adsorption. The proposed Cu(II) cations adsorption mechanism was electrostatic adsorption, while Cr(VI) were possibly complexed by the phenolic -OH and reduced to Cr(III) cations by C=C groups in HS-PVC. In addition, HS-PVC derived from PVC waste pipes performed better than PVC powder for Cu(II) and Cr(VI) removal (＞90%). This study provides an efficient method for recycling waste PVC and production of efficient adsorbents.

  • Transformation of the Odesa Waterfront
    • Piotr Lorens
    • Andrii Polishchuk
    2021 Pełny tekst Przestrzeń Ekonomia Społeczeństwo

    Odesa is a unique city: it is the third-largest city in Ukraine and the second in the Black sea region. During its short but eventful history, it gathered a variety of cultural layers within its boundaries, what had reflected in its architecture, urban life, and unique accent of its inhabitants. The city`s waterfront is considered to be the Pearl of the Black Sea. Starting with the receiving of the Porto Franco status in 1819, Odesa was the economic nexus and the symbol of entrepreneurship in the Russian Empire. During the Soviet period, city and port expanded to reach the goals of the communist era. The paradigm shift in economic realms related to the transformation of the economy at the beginning of the 1990s shed light on the city's weaknesses. Water and air pollution, large industrial zones in the sea façade of the city, and lack of high-level infrastructure for tourists had transformed the image of Odesa into a regular post-soviet town in the conditions of the market economy. On the other hand, the newborn post-soviet and postindustrial citizens of Odesa have different priorities and do not necessarily think about the spatial problems. A comprehensive study, using the observations, literature review, and interviews, was conducted to describe the influence of the social realm on an urban form of the Waterfront. The result of the analysis supports the hypothesis of the study: the trajectories of the social, economic, and spatial development of the Odesa waterfront are not correlating with each other. Within this paper the possible scenarios and prospects for transformation of the urban waterfront of Odesa are discussed on the basis of the wider perspective of reshaping the post-soviet waterfronts

  • Transforming a Traditional, Family-Run Car Dealership into a Digital-Era Modern Service Provider
    • Sławomir Ostrowski
    2021 Pełny tekst

    The automotive industry today faces multiple challenges. The automotive market is characterised by frequent changes and technological developments in comfort and safety of travel by all types of vehicles. The division between traditional and modern services is related to their susceptibility to technological progress. We should differentiate between two types of technology: technology used directly in vehicles and technology utilized in the delivery of products and services, which is transforming today’s automotive sales. It is the technological sphere that has contributed to numerous changes, the cumulative effect of which affects the perception of services as ‘modern’. Nowadays, customers expect a modern approach to sales, including the possibility of transferring the car sales process to the Internet, a virtual world in which, in the 21st century, state-of-the-art, immediately accessible solutions are expected. It is thus necessary to move traditional automotive sales online (always accessible location) in order to create a more convenient way of buying a car, regardless of restrictions such as those that emerged due to the outbreak of pandemic. This article presents a pilot study conducted in a family business specialising in the sale of new and second-hand cars. The study revealed a need to change car sales processes over the next few years and introduce modern automotive services. Purchasing a new or second-hand vehicle online no longer seems like a distant future.