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Politechniki Gdańskiej

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  • Application Of Generative Adversarial Network for Data Augmentation and Multiplication to Automated Cell Segmentation of the Corneal Endothelium
    • Karolina Nurzyńska
    • Krystian Jandy
    • Paweł Weichbroth
    2024 Pełny tekst

    Considering the automatic segmentation of the endothelial layer, the available data of the corneal endothelium is still limited to a few datasets, typically containing an average of only about 30 images. To fill this gap, this paper introduces the use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to augment and multiply data. By using the ``Alizarine'' dataset, we train a model to generate a new synthetic dataset with over 513k images. A portion of this artificial dataset is then used to train a semantic segmentation model for endothelial layer segmentation and its performance is evaluated showing that in average the mean intersection over union for all datasets is equal to 81\%. In our opinion, the images of the endothelial layer, together with the corresponding masks generated by the GAN, effectively represent the desired data. The obtained results seem optimistic after visual inspection, since the segmentation is very precise.

  • Application of human bile salts for in vitro digestion models
    • Dorota Dulko
    2024 Pełny tekst

    In this study, experimental in vitro models simulating the environment of the human gastrointestinal tract were used to assess the impact of physiological surfactants, such as bile salts, on the kinetics of digestion. Bile salts are biosurfactants synthesised in the liver and secreted together with bile into the small intestine. There are many reports on the role of bile salts in lipolysis, but the knowledge of their influence on other nutrients, such as proteins, is very limited. The experiments I conducted included the comparison of a model system (individual bile salts) with real human bile (containing different concentrations of bile salts, phospholipids, and other substances) during in vitro lipolysis and proteolysis. Human bile samples were obtained in cooperation with a clinical hospital. For the first time, a quantitative analysis of the effects of human bile on the digestion of a model food protein and lipid was performed. Moreover, for the first time, the currently used static in vitro digestion models were validated from the point of view of the physiological role of bile salts in the human digestive tract. In this respect, it has been demonstrated in vitro how the effect of human bile on the proteolysis and lipolysis can be reliably reproduced by applying mixtures of individual bile salt and phospholipids.

  • Application of multicriteria decision analysis to assess the greenness of molecularly imprinted polymers synthesis components
    • Mariusz Marć
    • Katarzyna Pokajewicz
    • Marek Tobiszewski
    2024 MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL

    The study applies multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to rank the components of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) synthesis according to their greenness. The components are taken from papers that are describing synthesis of MIPs for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) sorbents. Functional monomers (n = 14), target/surrogate molecules (n = 10), porogens (n = 8), cross-linking agents (n = 8) and initiators (n = 4) are described with 10 criteria referring to their safety of application, toxicity, environmental persistence and bioaccumulability. The rankings are performed according to three scenarios, with the application of different weights. The ranking results give a specific guide on the selection of green synthesis components for polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as representatives of POPs, by identification of problematic and recommended chemicals. The results are useful in designing MIP synthesis protocols.

  • Application of quartz crystal microbalance and dynamic impedance spectroscopy to the study of copper corrosion inhibitors
    • Dominika Parasińska
    • Hubert Kwiatkowski
    • Paweł Ślepski
    2024 Journal of Materials and Manufacturing

    The study investigates the application of Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (DEIS) and Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM) techniques to examine the corrosion inhibition of copper by Benzotriazole and Sodium Folate in a 0.1 M NaCl solution. DEIS, an advanced version of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), allows for real-time monitoring of non-stationary electrochemical systems, while EQCM enables the detection of minute mass changes during electrochemical reactions. Through 24-hour chronopotentiometric measurements, the study observed the effects of 5 mM Benzotriazole and 10 mM Sodium Folate on copper corrosion. Results indicated that Benzotriazole significantly enhances corrosion resistance by forming a protective layeron the copper surface, as evidenced by increased impedance and stable mass changes. Conversely, Sodium Folate exhibited a less effective, dynamic interaction with the copper surface. This research highlights the synergistic use of DEIS and EQCM in understanding corrosion mechanisms and inhibitor efficiency, providing insights into optimizing corrosion protection strategies. The findings suggest that whileboth inhibitors improve corrosion resistance, Benzotriazole demonstrates superior performance, underscoring its potential for more effective corrosion control in various industrial applications.

  • Application of Tensile Creep Test and Viscoelastic Method to the Analysis of Thermal Stresses at Low Temperatures
    • Marek Pszczoła
    • Mariusz Jaczewski
    2024

    The paper presents the viscoelastic method of thermal stresses calculation with utilization of results from tensile creep test (TCT) at a temperature range from −20 to +20 °C (in the case of asphalt concrete with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer-modified bitumen from −30 to +20 °C). Two types of neat road bitumen 35/50 and 50/70 and polymer SBS-modified bitumen 45/80–55 were tested for tensile creep properties at low temperatures. On the basis of laboratory results, the master curves of stiffness modulus were developed using Richards model. For calculation of thermal stresses, Burgers’ rheological model was used, and rheological parameters describing elastic and viscous properties of the asphalt mixtures were determined. Then the viscoelastic method was applied based on the assumption that asphalt layer is made of a linear viscoelastic material that responses under load at a constant temperature and can be mathematically described by the Burgers model. It was concluded that the laboratory TCT test provides reliable results for thermal stress calculations, and that the viscoelastic method of thermal stresses calculation allow to model different rates of temperature and provides good foundation for the calculation of the thermal stresses generated by the real winter thermal cycles.

  • Application of the Flipped Learning Methodology at a Business Process Modelling Course – A Case Study
    • Marzena Grzesiak
    • Marek Moszyński
    2024

    Flipped learning has been known for a long time, but its modern use dates back to 2012, with the publication of Bergmann and Saams. In the last decade, it has become an increasingly popular learning method. Every year, the number of publications on implementing flipped learning experiments is growing, just as the amount of research on the effectiveness of this educational method. The aim of the article is to analyze the possibilities of using the flip blended methodology for teaching in the area of BPM. The pilot flipped learning course was implemented as a Business Process Modeling course addressed to Gda´nsk University of Technology students and the feedback from the course participants has been collected. Among the pre-class resources, PDF files (containing descriptions and screenshots of the relevant issue) and videos were most often used. The aim of this research was to gather students’ opinions on flipped learning and, based on these insights, to design well-founded changes. Many students did not point out the disadvantages of flipped learning. Still, some believe this method may be less effective than the traditional one. Based on the research results, a course redesign will be prepared according to the flipped learning framework.

  • Application of the Heavy-Atom Effect for (Sub)microsecond Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence and an All-Organic Light-Emitting Device with Low-Efficiency Roll-off
    • Michał Mońka
    • Szymon Gogoc
    • Karol Kozakiewicz
    • Vladyslav Ievtukhov
    • Daria Grzywacz
    • Olga Ciupak
    • Aleksander Kubicki
    • Piotr Bojarski
    • Przemysław Data
    • Illia E. Serdiuk
    2024 Pełny tekst ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

    Thefeatureof abundantandenvironmentallyfriendlyheavyatoms(HAs)like bromineto acceleratespin-forbiddentransitionsin organicmoleculeshas beenknownforyears.In combinationwiththe easinessof incorporation,brominederivativesof organicemittersshowingthermallyactivateddelayedfluorescence(TADF)emergeas a cheapand efficientsolutionforthe slowreverseintersystemcrossing(rISC)problemin suchemittersand strongefficiencyroll-offof all-organiclight-emittingdiodes(OLEDs).Here,we presenta comprehensivephotophysicalstudyof atri-PXZ-TRZemitterreportedpreviouslyanditshexabromoderivativeshowinga remarkableenhancementof rISCof up to 9 timesand a shortlifetimeof delayedfluorescenceof 2μs. Analysisof the key molecularvibrationsand TADFmechanismindicatesalmostcompeteblockageof the spin-fliptransitionbetweenthe charge-transferstatesof differentmultiplicity3CT→1CT.In sucha case,rISCas well as its enhancementby the HA is realizedvia the3LE→1CT transition,where3LE is the tripletstatelocalizedon the samebrominatedphenoxazinedonorinvolvedin the formationof the1CT state.Interestingly,the spin−orbitcoupling(SOC)withtwo other3LE statesis negligiblebecausethey are localizedon differentdonorsand not involvedin1CT. Weconsiderthis as an exampleof an additional“localization”criterionthat completesthe well-knownEl Sayedrule on the differentnatureof statesfor nonzeroSOC.The applicativepotentialof sucha hexabromoemitteris testedin a “hyperfluorescent”systemcontaininga red fluorescentdopant(tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene,DBP)as an acceptorof Försterresonanceenergytransfer,affordinga narrow-bandred-emittingsystem,withmostof the emissionin the submicroseconddomain.In fact, the fabricatedredOLEDdevicesshowremarkableimprovementof efficiencyroll-offfrom2−4 timesdependingon the luminance,mostlybecauseofthe increaseof the rISCconstantrate and the decreaseof the overalldelayedfluorescencelifetimethanksto the HA effect.

  • APPLICATION OF VIBRATION SIGNALS IN RAILWAY TRACK DIAGNOSTICS USING A MOBILE RAILWAY PLATFORM
    • Roksana Licow
    • Franciszek Tomaszewski
    2024 Archives of Transport

    The article presents a comprehensive method for using vibration signals to diagnose railway tracks. The primary objective is to gather detailed information on track conditions through a passive experiment. This involves using mobile diagnostic tools and techniques to assess railway infrastructure. The article elaborates on the range of diagnostic activities conducted in accordance with detailed railway regulations and highlights the benefits and capabilities of mobile diagnostics in railway transport. The research includes mobile field measurements across the general railway manager’s network, employing vibration signals to detect and evaluate track conditions. The methodology section provides a thorough description of the mobile measurement rail platform, detailing the equipment used, the routes taken for measurements, and the processes of data acquisition and processing. The data obtained from these measurements is crucial for understanding the actual technical condition of the railway tracks. The method of obtaining and processing data is explained in relation to the real technical condition of the railway track. This involves using transducers with specific parameters and parametrically defined signal recording, along with dedicated analysis techniques in post-processing. Vibration signals serve as the primary carrier of information in this diagnostic method. The article details the step-by-step procedures for collecting and analyzing these signals to provide accurate assessments of track conditions. Based on the results from the mobile measurement rail platform, the article characterizes various areas of diagnostics where vibration signals are particularly effective for technical evaluation. These areas include identifying track defects, monitoring track surface and railway crossing and assessing the overall structural health of the railway infrastructure. The use of vibration signals offers a non-invasive and efficient means of track diagnostics, providing real-time data for maintenance and repair decisions. In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of mobile diagnostics in enhancing the safety and reliability of railway transport. By leveraging vibration signals and advanced data processing techniques, this method provides a framework for continuous monitoring and assessment of railway track conditions, ultimately contributing to improved maintenance strategies and operational efficiency.

  • Approaches Towards Better Immunosuppressive Agents
    • Juliusz Walczak
    • Dorota Iwaszkiewicz-Grześ
    • Grzegorz Cholewiński
    2024 Pełny tekst CURRENT TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY

    Several classes of compounds are applied in clinics due to their immunosuppressive properties in transplantology and the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Derivatives of mycophe-nolic acid, corticosteroids and chemotherapeutics bearing heterocyclic moieties like methotrexate, azathioprine, mizoribine, and ruxolitinib are active substances with investigated mechanisms of action. However, improved synthetic approaches of known drugs and novel derivatives are still being reported to attempt better accessibility and therapeutic properties. In this review article, we present the synthesis of the designed chemical structures based on recent literature reports con-cerning novel compounds as promising immunosuppressive drugs. Moreover, some of the dis-cussed derivers revealed also other types of activities with prospective medicinal potential.

  • Approximate and analytic flow models for leak detection and identification
    • Marek Tatara
    • Zdzisław Kowalczuk
    2024 Pełny tekst International Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science

    The article presents a comprehensive quantitative comparison of four analytical models that, in different ways, describe the flow process in transmission pipelines necessary in the task of detecting and isolating leaks. First, the analyzed models are briefly presented. Then, a novel model comparison framework was introduced along with a methodology for generating data and assessing diagnostic effectiveness. The study presents basic assumptions, experimental conditions and considered scenarios. Finally, the quality of the model-based diagnostic estimators is assessed, focusing on their bias, standard deviation, and computational complexity. Here, several optimality criteria are used as detailed indicators of the quality and performance of the estimators in a multi-criteria Pareto optimality assessment.

  • Approximation algorithms for job scheduling with block-type conflict graphs
    • Hanna Furmańczyk
    • Tytus Pikies
    • Inka Sokołowska
    • Krzysztof Turowski
    2024 COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH

    The problem of scheduling jobs on parallel machines (identical, uniform, or unrelated), under incompatibility relation modeled as a block graph, under the makespan optimality criterion, is considered in this paper. No two jobs that are in the relation (equivalently in the same block) may be scheduled on the same machine in this model. The presented model stems from a well-established line of research combining scheduling theory with methods relevant to graph coloring. Recently, cluster graphs and their extensions like block graphs were given additional attention. We complement hardness results provided by other researchers for block graphs by providing approximation algorithms. In particular, we provide a 2-approximation algorithm for and a PTAS for the case when the jobs are unit time in addition. In the case of uniform machines, we analyze two cases. The first one is when the number of blocks is bounded, i.e. . For this case, we provide a PTAS, improving upon results presented by D. Page and R. Solis-Oba. The improvement is two-fold: we allow richer graph structure, and we allow the number of machine speeds to be part of the input. Due to strong NP-hardness of , the result establishes the approximation status of . The PTAS might be of independent interest because the problem is tightly related to the NUMERICAL -DIMENSIONAL MATCHING WITH TARGET SUMS problem. The second case that we analyze is when the number of blocks is arbitrary, but the number of cut-vertices is bounded and jobs are of unit time. In this case, we present an exact algorithm. In addition, we present an FPTAS for graphs with bounded treewidth and a bounded number of unrelated machines. The paper ends with extensive tests of the selected algorithms.

  • Arabinoxylans: A review on protocols for their recovery, functionalities and roles in food formulations
    • Fernanda Jimena Hernández-Pinto
    • Juan Daniel Miranda-Medina
    • Abril Natera-Maldonado
    • Óscar Vara-Aldama
    • Mary Pily Ortueta-Cabranes
    • Jorge A. Vázquez del Mercado-Pardiño
    • Safaa A.M. El-Aidie
    • Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
    • Roberto Castro Munoz
    2024 Pełny tekst INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES

    Arabinoxylans (AXs) are compounds with high nutritional value and applicability, including prebiotics or supplementary ingredients, in food manufacturing industries. Unfortunately, the recovery of AXs may require advanced separation and integrated strategies. Here, an analysis of the emerging techniques to extract AXs from cereals and their by-products is discussed. This review covers distinct methods implemented over the last 2–3 years, identifying that the type of method, extraction source, AX physicochemical properties and pre-treatment conditions are the main factors influencing the recovery yield. Alkaline extraction is among the most used methods nowadays, mostly due to its simplicity and high recovery yield. Concurrently, recovered AXs applied in food applications is timely reviewed, such as potential bread ingredient, prebiotic and as a wall material for probiotic encapsulation, in beer and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing, complementary ingredient in bakery products and cookies, improvers in Chinese noodles, 3D food printing and designing of nanostructures for delivery platforms.

  • Architectural Modifications to Enhance Steganalysis with Convolutional Neural Networks
    • Remigiusz Martyniak
    • Bartosz Czaplewski
    2024

    This paper investigates the impact of various modifications introduced to current state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures specifically designed for the steganalysis of digital images. Usage of deep learning methods has consistently demonstrated improved results in this field over the past few years, primarily due to the development of newer architectures with higher classification accuracy compared to their predecessors. Despite the advances made, further improvements are desired to achieve even better performance in this field. The conducted experiments provide insights into how each modification affects the classification accuracy of the architectures, which is a measure of their ability to distinguish between stego and cover images. Based on the obtained results, potential enhancements are identified that future CNN designs could adopt to achieve higher accuracy while minimizing their complexity compared to current architectures. The impact of modifications on each model’s performance has been found to vary depending on the tested architecture and the steganography embedding method used.

  • Architecture at the Sites of the Former Nazi Concentration Camps. Functional Changeability of Commemoration
    • Agnieszka Gębczyńska-Janowicz
    2024 Pełny tekst

    The monograph presents a comprehensive analysis of the architectural structures created in the former concentration camps in Europe under the SS Main Economy and Administration Office. It delves into the history of memorial site creation in these areas, emphasizing the unique characteristics of monuments dedicated to the victims of terror. Additionally, the study covers the post-war architectural transformations in these areas, offering a detailed understanding of the historical and structural aspects of these memorial sites and monuments. This research highlights that architecture serves as more than just a structure; it is a powerful means of reorganizing space to establish a place that embodies memory. It demonstrates how architecture shapes space to commemorate the crimes committed and honor the victims, emphasizing the crucial role of design in preserving history.

  • Architektura oraz historia tzw. nowych koszar na Westerplatte w latach 1933–2023
    • Szymon Kowalski
    • Wojciech Samól
    2024 PRZEGLĄD HISTORYCZNO-WOJSKOWY

    Przedmiotem badań opisanych w artykule jest budynek tzw. nowych koszar na terenie Wojskowej Składnicy Tranzytowej (WST) na Westerplatte, który pełnił kluczową rolę w planie obrony polskiej placówki. Pomimo jego częściowo zachowanej bryły, nie został on do tej pory należycie rozpoznany w toku badań architektonicznych. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań prowadzonych w latach 2019–2023, przedstawiono pierwotny wygląd, układ funkcjonalny oraz historię powstania koszar. W badaniach wykorzystano interdyscyplinarne metody, takie jak skanowanie laserowe z wykorzystaniem chmury punktów, fotogrametrię oraz metody tradycyjne, aby dokładnie zinwentaryzować oraz zidentyfikować zachowaną substancję obiektu. Na podstawie inwentaryzacji oraz serii kwerend archiwalnych autorzy, przy użyciu technik modelowania 3D stworzyli wirtualną rekonstrukcję obiektu przedstawiającą stan przed wybuchem II wojny światowej. Model posłużył za krzyżową weryfikację źródeł z zachowaną substancją koszar. W artykule zaprezentowano także po raz pierwszy widoki elewacji, przekrój oraz rzuty pięter, które ukazały organizację przestrzenną oraz funkcjonalną wnętrza budynku wraz z reinterpretacją funkcji poszczególnych pomieszczeń. Wyniki badań, często zmieniają i uszczegółowiają dotychczasowe ustalenia badaczy oraz znacząco pogłębiają stan wiedzy na temat historii tego unikalnego reliktu polskiej architektury XX w. Autorzy sądzą, że opublikowane po raz pierwszy całościowe wyniki zachęcą do dalszych badań nad tematem koszar oraz znacząco przysłużą się ochronie tego unikalnego dziedzictwa na Westerplatte.

  • Are creative users more apt in reusing and adopting Open Government Data (OGD)? Gender differences
    • Charalampos Harris Alexopoulos
    • Stuti Saxena
    • Nina Rizun
    • Ricardo Matheus
    • Marijn Janssen
    2024 Thinking Skills and Creativity

    Open Government Data (OGD) has been considered as a potent instrument for value creation and innovation by a range of stakeholders. Given that individual ingenuity is a function of individual and environmental factors, it is important to understand how the OGD adoption and usage is a factor of creative performance behaviors (CPB), viz., Problem Identification (PI), Information Search (IS), Idea Generation (IG) and Idea Promotion (IP) as well as creative self-efficacy (CSE). Invoking the adapted Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) constructs alongside the moderating effects of CPB and CSE constructs and also gender, the present study seeks to underline the behavioural intention towards OGD adoption and usage among 362 undergraduate and postgraduate university students in India. Findings show that there are gender differences across the CPB and CSE constructs. The study’s contribution lies in furthering our understanding of OGD adoption and use with creativity literature

  • Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Avionics Intra-Communications
    • Samano Ramiro Robles
    • R. Venkatesha Prasad
    • Ad Arts
    • Mateusz Rzymowski
    • Łukasz Kulas
    2024

    This chapter presents a summary of the description and preliminary results of the use case related to the implementation of artificial intelligence tools in the emerging technology called wireless avionics intra-communications (WAICs). WAICs aims to replace some of the cable buses of modern aircraft. This replacement of infrastructure leads to: (1) complexity reduction of future airplanes, (2) creation of innovative services where wireless links are more flexible than wireline links, and mainly (3) a considerable weight reduction, which in turn leads to fuel consumption efficiency, increase of payload, as well as range extension. Therefore, WAICs is expected to have a large impact on the aeronautics industry, propelling a new generation of greener, more efficient, and less expensive aeronautical services. However, there are still several reliability, trust, interoperability and latency issues that need to be addressed before this technology becomes commercial. It is expected that AI will boost the applicability of this technology, contributing to the realization of the concept of “fly-by-wireless”.

  • Artificial intelligence in architectural education - green campus development research
    • Jan Cudzik
    • Lucyna Nyka
    • Jakub Szczepański
    2024 Pełny tekst Global Journal of Engineering Education

    The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has introduced new possibilities and challenges in design education. This article explores the need for changes and adaptations in the teaching process of design as AI-related technologies, based on image generation, transform the creative process and offer novel opportunities. In a research-by-design studio in an architectural faculty in Poland, students who utilised AI tools achieved more innovative and pioneering results than those designed with traditional tools. Based on these results, three alternative methods of working with AI tools were identified. In the semi-traditional approach, AI-generated images served for inspirational purposes solely. In the hybrid system, students integrated fragments of these images into their own urban decisions. Finally, in the hybrid-interactive approach, students used the higher-order loops in computer-human interaction to achieve more site-specific results. The research underscores the vast potential of AI integration, using image generation models in reshaping architectural design methodologies based on best practice.

  • Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis of Onychomycosis—Literature Review
    • Barbara Bulińska
    • Magdalena Mazur-Milecka
    • Martyna Sławińska
    • Jacek Rumiński
    • Roman Janusz Nowicki
    2024 Journal of Fungi

    Onychomycosis is a common fungal nail infection that is difficult to diagnose due to its similarity to other nail conditions. Accurate identification is essential for effective treatment. The current gold standard methods include microscopic examination with potassium hydroxide, fungal cultures, and Periodic acid-Schiff biopsy staining. These conventional techniques, however, suffer from high turnover times, variable sensitivity, reliance on human interpretation, and costs. This study examines the potential of integrating AI (artificial intelligence) with visualization tools like dermoscopy and microscopy to improve the accuracy and efficiency of onychomycosis diagnosis. AI algorithms can further improve the interpretation of these images. The review includes 14 studies from PubMed and IEEE databases published between 2010 and 2024, involving clinical and dermoscopic pictures, histopathology slides, and KOH microscopic images. Data extracted include study type, sample size, image assessment model, AI algorithms, test performance, and comparison with clinical diagnostics. Most studies show that AI models achieve an accuracy comparable to or better than clinicians, suggesting a promising role for AI in diagnosing onychomycosis. Nevertheless, the niche nature of the topic indicates a need for further research.

  • Artificial Neural Network based fatigue life assessment of riveted joints in AA2024 aluminum alloy plates and optimization of riveted joints parameters
    • Reza Masoudi Nejad
    • Nima Sina
    • Wenchen Ma
    • Wei Song
    • Shun-Peng Zhu
    • Ricardo Branco
    • Wojciech Macek
    • Aboozar Gholami
    2024 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FATIGUE

    The objective of this paper is to provide the fatigue life of riveted joints in AA2024 aluminum alloy plates and optimization of riveted joints parameters. At first, the fatigue life of the riveted joints in AA2024 aluminum alloy plates is obtained by experimental tests. Then, an artificial neural network is applied to estimate the fatigue life of riveted lap joints based on the number of lateral and longitudinal holes, punch pressure, gap between the edge of hole and rivet, rivet shank diameter, and rivet shank length. Also, meta heuristic optimization algorithm is applied to calculate the riveting process parameters. Finally, sensitivity analysis is used to obtain the influence of parameters affecting the riveting process on the fatigue life.

  • Artificial Neural Networks in Forecasting the Consumer Bankruptcy Risk with Innovative Ratios
    • Tomasz Korol
    2024 Pełny tekst Contemporary Economics

    This study aims to develop nine different consumer bankruptcy forecasting models with the help of three types of artificial neural networks and to verify the usefulness of new, innovative ratios for implementation in personal finance. A learning sample comprising 200 consumers, and a testing sample of 500 non-bankrupt and 500 bankrupt consumers from Poland are used. The author employed three research approaches to using the entry variables to the models. The unique feature of this study is the proposition of the use of newly developed ratios in household finance similar to the financial ratio analysis that is commonly used in corporate finance. The proposed ratios demonstrated high predictive abilities. The paper answers following questions – (a) Are the three commonly implemented types of neural networks useful in forecasting personal bankruptcy risk?; (b) Which forecasting technique is the most effective not only from the viewpoint of overall effectiveness, but also from the perspective of Type I and II errors?; (c) Which research approach (minimalization versus maximization) guarantees maximum effectiveness?; (d) Are the newly developed types of ratios effective in forecasting personal risk bankruptcy? The research identifies and fulfills three gaps in the literature, and also delivers practical solutions for identifying the level of consumer bankruptcy risk. It provides effective solutions for forecasting the risk in terms of usable models and also delivers highly informative ratios that combine demographic and financial indicators in the twelve ratios. It is one of the first attempts to implement ratio analyses in the usage of household finance worldwide.

  • Asphalt Overlay Enhancement with Fatigue High-Performing Multiaxial Geocomposite
    • Michał Golos
    • Piotr Jaskuła
    2024

    The use of gecomposite incorporating multiaxial geogrid and non-woven fabric of high bitumen retention in asphalt overlays results in the increase of life of the designed pavement structure. Such an approach can offer an opportunity to increase the fatigue life (higher traffic capacity) without the need to increase asphalt overlay thickness or to reduce the thickness of asphalt overlay without reduction of pavement life eventually. This concept results in both economic and environmental benefits. This paper presents the laboratory testing results of the fatigue life of double-layered asphalt specimens with geocomposite used directly in the pavement structure fatigue life calculations. Fatigue testing was performed in the scheme of four-point bending tests (4PB) of large beams in the controlled strain mode – both for reinforced and control specimens. Based on the results obtained, one can conclude that the rated multiaxial geocomposite has a clear and positive effect on asphalt overlay performance and thus has an evident potential to extend the asphalt pavement fatigue life. This paper also presents a slightly modified concept of the Mechanistic-Empirical pavement design method based on fatigue improving factors derived from the laboratory test investigation, allowing reinforcement benefits to be implemented into the design process. Finally, an example of the calculation of reconstructed asphalt pavement with the enhancement of the asphalt overlay reinforced by geocomposite is also presented.

  • Asphalt pavement structure optimization with alternative materials
    • Przemysław Ostrowski
    • Adam Zofka
    • Krzysztof Błażejowski
    • Marek Pszczoła
    2024 Archives of Civil Engineering

    The paper briefly describes modern method assessment of the pavement structure based on the simplified viscoelastic continuum damage (S-VECD) model. The method was used to compare two types of pavement structures. There were analysed classical cstructures with asphalt concretes with neat bitumen and innovative one- or two layered structures with SMA 16 with highly polymer modified bitumen (HiMA). Pavement structures using SMA 16 are especially recommended for local roads, thus two traÿc categories were analysed – light and medium. Furthermore, due to specific properties of layers with HiMA, for each variant two di˙erent types of improved sub-base were checked. The examples presented, despite reduced thickness of asphalt layers, structures with SMA 16 HiMA are much more resistant to fatigue than classic structures with asphalt concretes with neat bitumen. The results of the research confirm that it is possible to develop innovative structures with materials with above standard properties. New materials both with new arrangement of layers can bring a lot of advantages especially in the areas of sustainable development, costs reducing and improving properties of asphalt pavements.

  • Assessing climate change threats and urbanization impacts on surface runoff in Gdańsk (Poland): insights from remote sensing, machine learning and hydrological modeling
    • Khansa Gulshad
    • Michał Szydłowski
    • Andam Mustafa
    2024 Pełny tekst STOCHASTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND RISK ASSESSMENT

    This study investigates the impacts of Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) changes and climate change on surface runoff in Gdańsk, Poland, which is crucial for local LULC planning and urban flood risk management. The analysis employs two primary methodologies: remote sensing and hydrological modeling. Remote sensing was conducted using Google Earth Engine and Land Change Modeler in IDRISI Terrset software to analyze historical (1985–2022) and future (2050–2100) LULC. Hydrological modeling was performed using the Natural Resources Conservation Service curve number method to assess the overall impact of LULC changes on Gdańsk’s hydrology at the local scale. The Orunia basin, a critical area due to intensive LULC development, was selected for detailed hydrological analysis using the Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS). The analysis encompassed three scenarios: LULC changes, climate change, and combined LULC and cli- mate change effects. The LULC analysis revealed a marked increase in urban area, a shift in forest and vegetation cover, and a reduction in agricultural land. HEC-HMS simulations showed an increase in the runoff coefficient across selected decades, which was attributed to the combined effect of LULC and climate change. The projected increases under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios for 2050 and 2100 are projected to surpass those observed during the baseline period. The findings highlight that the synergistic effects of LULC and climate change have a more significant impact on Gdańsk’s hydrology at both local and basin scales than their separate effects. These insights into LULC shifts and urban hydrological responses hold implications for sustainable urban planning and effective flood risk management in Gdańsk and similar urban settings.

  • Assessing sustainable development goal 7 implementation and its nexus with social, economic and ecological factors in EU countries
    • Marta Kuc-Czarnecka
    • Iwona Markowicz
    • Agnieszka Sompolska-Rzechuła
    • Alina Stundziene
    2024 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

    This research paper delves into the captivating realm of sustainable development, specifically focusing on assessing the degree of implementation of sustainable development goal 7 (SDG7) and its intricate relationship with social, economic and ecological factors within European Union (EU) countries. By comprehensively unravelling the interplay between SDG7 and these multifaceted factors, this study provides invaluable insights into the ongoing sustainable energy revolution within the EU. To verify the research hypotheses, composite indicators (CI) were estimated for SDG7 and selected groups of indicators, employing a methodology grounded in sensitivity analysis. Our findings notably highlight the distinct significance of ecological factors in driving the development of clean energy systems. In contrast, the data did not support our hypothesis, which posited a significant relationship between economic factors and the implementation of SDG7. This evolving perspective underscores the growing recognition of the fundamental role that ecological factors play in shaping our sustainable energy future. Consequently, as we prioritise preserving and conserving our environment, the need to balance economic prosperity with environmental well-being becomes increasingly evident.

  • Assessing the availability and interoperability of open government data (OGD) supporting sustainable development goals (SDGs) and value creation in the gulf cooperation council (GCC)
    • Charalampos Harris Alexopoulos
    • Mohsan Ali
    • Maria Ioanna Maratsi
    • Nina Rizun
    • Charalabidis Yannis
    • Euripidis Loukis
    • Stuti Saxena
    2024 Pełny tekst Quality and Quantity

    Value creation and innovation by a range of stakeholders, including citizens, analysts, journalists, non-profit entities, etc. are the hallmarks of Open Government Data (OGD) initiatives. At the same time, availability and interoperability of datasets are determined as two of the most important factors for value creation. In parallel, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are meant to be realized to attain quality of life through the development of initiatives based on the value creation and innovation provided by the afore-identified stakeholders. Thus, the information provided from the public sector (OGD) regarding SDGs would help the monitoring of current and the identification of next actions and initiatives. The examination of SDG datasets availability and the assessment of their interoperability would provide valuable insights regarding the extent to which the data are of high-value. In that vein, the availability and the interoperability dimensions of the OGD provisioned via the national OGD portals of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) constituents; viz., Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, are studied based on a semi-automatic methodological approach. In this light, the present study seeks to answer the following research question: “To what extent are the national OGD portals of the GCC region catering for the interoperability dimensions, more specifically, the semantic interoperability, to facilitate value creation and innovation?” To drive home the arguments, semantic interoperability dimensions were investigated via the cosine similarity calculations in Python to understand the extent to which the availability of OGD via the national OGD portals facilitates their interoperability. Findings show that the value creation and innovation initiatives to realize the SDGs’ attainment is dependent upon both the availability and the extent of interoperability for all SDGs. GCC countries present different levels of both factors. This is suggestive of the mismatch of the OGD provision and their attributes which results in low interoperability. Findings from the study are indicators that the GCC countries should develop different strategies regarding the availability and the interoperability of SDG-related OGD in order to stimulate innovation and value creation.

  • Assessing the industrialization progress of hydrodynamic cavitation process intensification technology: a review
    • Xun Sun
    • Haozhen Xu
    • Xiaoxu Xuan
    • Sivakumar Manickam
    • Grzegorz Boczkaj
    • Benlong Wang
    2024 Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering

    Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is widely acknowledged as a promising green approach for enhancing various production and waste management processes, such as water treatment, sludge pretreatment, lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) pretreatment, emulsification, and food processing. Despite demonstrating superior industrialization potential compared with other emerging technologies such as ultrasound and microwave, the widespread commercial adoption of HC remained limited even after three decades of development. This review aims to assess the current distance from industrialization and promote the advancement of HC by summarizing recent progress in the pilot or full-scale applications, particularly in biodiesel synthesis, water treatment, and the pretreatment of sludge and LCB. Special attention is given to treatment capacity and economic efficiency.

  • Assessment of Alterations in Settlement Patterns of Agricultural Landscape in the Example of Kashubia in Poland
    • Anna Górka
    2024 Pełny tekst Sustainability

    Traditional agricultural landscapes are heavily exposed to change due to their relatively low agricultural productivity. However, they represent cultural values of great importance in maintaining the resilience of the environment and society. Although their cultural potential is important for sustainable development, it is still insufficiently recognized. The article fills this gap by examining old farmstead buildings as a distinguishing element of the agricultural landscape. The study was conducted in Poland in the area of farm settlements in Kashubia. A spatial database and archival maps were used for comparison of the spatial distribution and the number of farmsteads and buildings in 1937 and 2020. The types of settlements in the selected area of research were recorded and classified. The results obtained from the study may support the spatial planning and local management of agricultural areas for the purpose of preserving rural identity and economy.

  • Assessment of baby disposable diapers application for urine collection and determination of phthalate metabolites
    • Marta Glinka
    • Katarzyna Jażdżewska
    • Christina Vakh
    • Izabela Drążkowska
    • Ewa Bagińska
    • Tomasz Majchrzak
    • Michał Młynarczyk
    • Dominik Rachon
    • Andrzej Wasik
    • Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
    2024 Pełny tekst ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

    The baby disposable diapers were investigated as a sampling material for urine collection and validated for the evaluation of the exposure of children to xenobiotics. Phthalate metabolites detected in urine samples were chosen as proof-of-concept analytes. For the determination of phthalate metabolites in children’s urine samples, high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used. Two sampling approaches were compared, namely sterile containers and baby disposable diapers. Thirty urine samples from infants and toddlers were analyzed by both methods in parallel and the results were compared. It was found that for diaper sampling, lower concentrations of the metabolites were observed, however, the general distribution for particular metabolites remains the same for both methods. For most of the metabolites high determination coefficients were obtained, namely 0.9929 for MEHHP, 0.9836 for MMP, 0.9796 for MECPP, and 0.9784 for 2-cx-MMHP. For MEOHP the determination correlation coefficient was 0.9154, while for MBP was – 0.7771 and MEHP was – 0.5228. In general, for diaper sampling an underestimation for 2-cx-MMHP and MEOHP was observed, while for MMP diaper-based approach provides overestimation. However, the proposed procedure confirms the possibility of using baby disposable diapers as a material for the collection of urine samples for biomonitoring purposes and fast screening of phthalates exposure.

  • Assessment of High-Temperature Oxidation Properties of 316L Stainless Steel Powder and Sintered Porous Supports for Potential Solid Oxide Cells Applications
    • Ahsanul Kabir
    • Damian Koszelow
    • Tadeusz Miruszewski
    • Victor Buratto Tinti
    • Christian Esposito
    • Frank Kern
    • Sebastian Molin
    2024 Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal

    In this work, oxidation properties of austenitic 316L stainless steel powder and sintered porous support were investigated at the temperature range of ~600-750 °C for 100 hours in ambient air. Oxidation kinetics was determined by continuous thermogravimetry and analyzed employing parabolic rate law. It was observed that oxidation leads to the formation of an oxide scale, with substantial oxidation occurring at ≥ 650 °C in the powder. The porous steel support was fabricated by tape casting method with two distinct pore former concentrations. The microstructural features of both the powder and support were investigated by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The mechanical properties of the metal support were examined before and after oxidation via a microhardness test. The effect of porosity on the resulting properties of the metal support was also highlighted. In summary, 316L stainless steel support suits SOCs applications below 600 °C.

  • Assessment of the application of selected metal-organic frameworks as advanced sorbents in passive extraction used in the monitoring of contaminants of emerging concern in surface waters
    • Klaudia Godlewska
    • Anna Białk-Bielińska
    • Paweł Mazierski
    • Szymon Zdybel
    • Anita Sosnowska
    • Daniel Górzyński
    • Tomasz Puzyn
    • Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
    • Tomasz Klimczuk
    • Monika Paszkiewicz
    2024 SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

    Water pollution has become a critical global concern requiring effective monitoring techniques and robust protection strategies. Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are increasingly detected in various water sources, with their harmful effects on humans and ecosystems continually evolving. Based on literature reports highlighting the promising sorption properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), the aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of NH2-MIL-125 (Ti) and UiO-66 (Ce) as sorbents in passive sampling devices (MOFs-PSDs) for the collection and extraction of a wide group of CECs. Solvothermal methods were used to synthesize MOFs, and the characterization of the obtained materials was performed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), powder X-ray diffractometry (pXRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The research demonstrated the sorption capabilities of the tested MOFs, the ease and rapidity of their chemical regeneration and the possibility of reuse as sorbents. Using chemometric analysis, the structural properties of CECs determining the sorption efficiency on the surface of NH2-MIL-125 (Ti) were identified. The MOFs-PSDs were lab-calibrated to examine the kinetics of analytes sorption and determine the sampling rates (Rs). MOFs-PSDs and CNTs-PSDs (PSDs containing carbon nanotubes as a sorbent) were then placed in the Elbląg River and the Vistula Lagoon to sampling and extraction of the target compounds from the water. CNTs-PSDs were selected, based on our previous research, for the comparison of the effectiveness of the MOFs-PSDs in environmental monitoring. MOFs-PSDs were successfully used in monitoring of CECs in water. The time-weighted average concentrations (CTWA) of 2-hydroxycarbamazepine, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, p-nitrophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol and caffeine were determined in the Elbląg River and CTWA of metoprolol, diclofenac, 2-hydroxycarbamazepine, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, p-nitrophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol and caffeine were determine in the Vistula Lagoon using MOFs-PSDs and a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

  • Assessment of the impact of jet impingement technique on the energy efficiency of air-cooled BIPV/T roof tile
    • Jan Wajs
    • Jakub Łukasik
    2024 Pełny tekst Archives of Thermodynamics

    The paper concerns a numerical analysis of cooling of the hybrid photovoltaic (PV) modules dedicated to Building-Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (BIPV/T) systems. Attention was focused on the photovoltaic roof tiles, using a jet impingement technique, in which the intensification of heat transfer is ensured by streams of air hitting the heat exchange partition. A series of numerical simulations were carried out to assess an influence of the distance of the nozzle outlet from the absorber surface on the values of selected thermal-hydraulic performance indicators and the electrical parameters of the roof tile. The results confirmed the high effectiveness of the proposed method. The best effect was obtained for the case in which the relative distance of the nozzle from the partition to the nozzle diameter was equal to 1. For the mentioned configuration, an over 4 times increase in the value of the heat transfer coefficient was obtained in relation to the reference variant of cooling roof tiles. At the same time, the relative increase in the value of the generated electrical power was from 2.9 to 7.8%, depending on the value of the Reynolds number characterising the flow.

  • Assessment Of the Relevance of Best Practices in The Development of Medical R&D Projects Based on Machine Learning
    • Jan Cychnerski
    • Tomasz Dziubich
    2024 Pełny tekst

    Machine learning has emerged as a fundamental tool for numerous endeavors within health informatics, bioinformatics, and medicine. However, novices among biomedical researchers and IT developers frequently lack the requisite experience to effectively execute a machine learning project, thereby increasing the likelihood of adopting erroneous practices that may result in common pitfalls or overly optimistic predictions. The paper presents an assessment of the significance of best practices in the implementation of R\&D projects supporting the medical diagnostic process. Based on the literature and authors' experiences, 27 good practices influencing three fundamental stages of project implementation were identified. The evaluation was based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process, which relies on subjective assessments from experts, whose credibility is expressed through the consensus of assessment. Initially focusing on DevOps methodology, research integration, interdisciplinary information sharing were prioritized over automation. Furthermore, annotation tools and data / model quality control were identified as of significant importance.

  • Assessment of the Symmetry and Deformation of a Submarine Hull Using the PCSE Method
    • Paweł Dąbrowski
    • Łukasz Marchel
    • Radosław Kiciński
    • Roderik Lindenbergh
    2024 Pełny tekst Polish Maritime Research

    The paper presents a new dry-dock method for assessing the deformation of submarine hulls using TLS point cloud data and the point cloud spatial expansion method (PCSE). The advantage of the proposed approach is the high-resolution deformation analysis that can be conducted in the case of both the availability and a lack of technical documentation on the submarine hull. The geometry assessment involves two-plane hull symmetry in longitudinal sections of a tested Kobben-class submarine located in Gdynia, Poland. The features of PCSE introduce additional geometrical parameters that are not available in the original point cloud method. The procedure for local fitting of a plane into the expansion eliminates the problem of varying densities of the hull point cloud. Accuracies of several millimetres are achieved and are applicable to multi-temporal monitoring of the deformations of submarine hulls. The assessment of similar deformations is not possible in the original point cloud method, due to the unknown parameters of the orientation and curvature of the convex cylindrical hull surface. The PCSE-based parameterisation presented here enables the creation of alternative quasi-planar point cloud projections to extract new spatial information on the object. The results of this study were verified using theoretical values derived from design data on the Kobben-class submarine, and demonstrated the effectiveness of our method in terms of detecting deformations even without design references. The proposed methodology is uniform, and can be adapted to other symmetrical structures.

  • Assessment of thermal and electrical performance of flat plate air-cooled photovoltaic roof tile – experimental and numerical studies
    • Jakub Łukasik
    • Jan Wajs
    2024 Pełny tekst

    The current state of development of the solar energy sector necessitates a new form of incentive for entities to invest in photovoltaic (PV) installations. Building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems are gaining increasing interest. Effective methods for heat recovery from BIPV/T collectors are searched for. Presented research experimentally and numerically considered the influence of cooling conditions on the electrical efficiency and heat recovery potential of PV roof tiles, using air as cooling medium. An experimental system consisted of PV roof tile module, casing and twenty halogen lamps, acting as a sunlight simulator. Temperature of PV roof tile and the casing, together with electrical current and voltage as well as volumetric air flow rate were controlled. Based on the experimental system, a numerical model was prepared in the ANSYS Fluent software. It takes into account two configurations of flow channel height 25 and 50 mm, various values of solar irradiance (from 300 to 900 W/m2), and a set of different volumetric air flow rates (from 4.5 to 7.5 m3/h). An approach based on the SST k-ω turbulence model and discrete ordinates (DO) radiation model was proposed. Among all the configurations investigated, the variant with a flow channel height of 25 mm exhibited a higher heat recovery potential. At extreme parameter values (solar irradiance of 900 W/m2, volumetric air flow rate of 7.5 m3/h), the highest heat flux, removed by the air, reached 330 W/m2. The highest thermal efficiency, up to 48.7% and 44.2% for the 25 and 50 mm channel height variants, respectively, was achieved at a solar irradiance of 300 W/m2 and a volumetric air flow rate of 7.5 m3/h. A high correspondence between experimental and numerical results was obtained, indicated by the root mean square percent error (RMSPE) of thermal efficiency at the range from 4.42% to 9.33%. The highest electrical efficiency (5.76%) was achieved for solar irradiance of 600 W/m2 and a volumetric air flow rate of 7.5 m3/h, for the variant with a channel height of 50 mm. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the influence of flow channel geometry and cooling conditions on module performance, supporting the design of more efficient and economically viable BIPV/T systems.

  • Assessment of Utilizing Hard-to-Recycle Plastic Waste from the Packaging Sector in Architectural Design—Case Study for Experimental Building Material
    • Jan Cudzik
    • Klaudia Kropisz
    2024 Sustainability

    The environmental impact of plastic waste has become a significant concern worldwide, prompting innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges, particularly within architectural design. This research paper delves into assessing the environmental impact and sustainability implications of using hard-to-recycle plastic packaging waste in architectural design practices. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, challenges, and potential benefits of repurposing hard-to-recycle plastic packaging waste as building materials in an architectural context. The paper presents a compelling case study showcasing innovative architectural projects that have successfully integrated hard-to-recycle plastic waste. It offers recommendations for future research directions and policy interventions to promote the adoption of hard-to-recycle plastics in environmentally conscious architecture, thereby advancing sustainability goals and fostering a circular economy paradigm within the construction industry. The research paper also highlights a specific experiment conducted using hard-to-recycle plastic waste, illustrating the potential for creative solutions in sustainable architectural design. This study provides valuable insights into the environmental impact and feasibility of repurposing hard-to-recycle plastics as building materials, contributing to ongoing efforts to address sustainability challenges.

  • At what temperature should the tire rolling resistance be measured?
    • Jerzy Ejsmont
    • Grzegorz Ronowski
    • Truls Berge
    • Sławomir Sommer
    • Wojciech Owczarzak
    • Anna Szerszyńska
    2024 Pełny tekst PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART D-JOURNAL OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING

    The climate crisis is already an indisputable fact and therefore, it is necessary to reduce energy consumption, and especially energy wasting. One of the ways to reduce energy consumption of motor vehicles is to decrease vehicle movement resistance, including rolling resistance. In order for the optimization of tire rolling resistance to be efficient, it is necessary to apply appropriate optimization criteria that are closely related to typical vehicle traffic conditions. The article discusses the influence of the temperature at which tire rolling resistance tests are carried out on the results obtained. Currently applicable standards require testing of tire rolling resistance at ambient temperatures of 25⁰C (ISO) and 24⁰C (SAE). However, these temperatures are far from the typical temperatures in most areas with intense road traffic. The results obtained at a temperature of 25⁰C do not allow clear conclusions about the tires' performance in more typical thermal conditions prevailing in different seasons. The analyzes presented in the article indicate that better representativeness of the rolling resistance estimates can be obtained by testing summer tires at a temperature of +15⁰C and winter tires at a temperature of -5⁰C.

  • Attenuation of Hyperglycemia in Diabetic Rats Assisted by Immobilized Probiotic in Sodium Alginate
    • José J. Arriaga-Morales
    • Cynthia Ordaz-Pichardo
    • Roberto Castro Munoz
    • Enrique Durán-Páramo
    2024 Pełny tekst Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins

    Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is the most common chronic disease worldwide, characterized mainly by increased glucose concentration in the blood and affecting several organs’ functionality. The daily consumption of probiotic bacteria can help control diabetes and reduce the damage caused. Cell immobilization techniques are a powerful tool that provides physical cell protection to such probiotic bacteria against gastrointestinal conditions. We suggest that cell immobilization could be a significant vector for delivering a high quantity of viable probiotics to the gut, helping attenuate hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Seventy male Wistar rats were used in this work. Nicotinamide was administrated via intraperitoneal injection 15 minutes before inducing type 2 diabetes (DM2), followed by a second intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce DM2. Rats were divided into seven groups. For 45 days, a specific treatment was applied to each group. The group of rats, supplied with immobilized Lactobacillus casei, showed a serum glucose concentration of 137 mg/dL, which was close to the one observed in the groups of healthy rats (117 mg/dL) and rats treated with metformin (155 mg/dL). The diabetic rats without treatment presented a higher serum glucose concentration (461 mg/dL). In the rats treated with immobilized L. casei, there was no biochemical parameter alteration, and the cell morphology of the analyzed tissues was similar to those of the healthy group. The consumption of immobilized L. casei could allow a high quantity of viable probiotics to be delivered to the gut, reducing serum glucose concentration by up to 70% compared to diabetic rats and reducing organ damage caused by diabetes.

  • Audytu Krajobrazowego Województwa Pomorskiego Opinia ekspercka dla Karty Krajobrazu Priorytetowego Żuławy: Nowa Cerkiew - Palczewo, symbol obszaru: 22-313.54-36
    • Marta Koperska-Kośmicka
    2024

    Audytu Krajobrazowego Województwa Pomorskiego Opinia ekspercka dla Karty Krajobrazu Priorytetowego Żuławy: Nowa Cerkiew - Palczewo, symbol obszaru: 22-313.54-36

  • Authenticity of cultural heritage vis-à-vis heritage reproducibility and intangibility: from conservation philosophy to practice
    • Elżbieta Nakonieczna
    • Jakub Szczepański
    2024 Pełny tekst International Journal of Cultural Policy

    This article states that the philosophical nature/ambiguity/controversy of the issue of authenticity undermines its usefulness as a tool in conservation practice. The main drawback is the inability to objectively define the notion of authenticity. In conservation philosophy, the meaning of authenticity relativizes along with the widespread consent to the reproducibility of cultural heritage, whereas the recognition of its intangibility negates the sense of authenticity. In the World Heritage (WH) policy and practice, the uselessness/counterproductivity of authenticity as a necessary requirement is visible in the inconsistency of this system in the treatment of the commonly realized reproducibility of cultural heritage, and in relation to heritage with a prevailing intangibility, which is illustrated by the example of Gdańsk as a potential WH site. Although the article provides many arguments for departing from the concept of authenticity in the WH system, authenticity introduces the socially beneficial element of discretion (it cannot be considered binarily), as it forces a discussion that raises cultural awareness in an increasingly homogenized world. Finally, to reduce some inconsistencies in the WH system, this paper recommends restoring autonomy to criterion (vi) in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

  • Auto-Correction of Non-Anechoic Antenna Measurements Based on Multi-Taper Approach
    • Mariusz Dzwonkowski
    • Adrian Bekasiewicz
    2024 Pełny tekst IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters

    Measurements of antenna prototypes are normally performed in dedicated, yet costly environments such as anechoic chambers (ACs). However, the AC construction cost might be unjustified when the measurements aim to support education, or budget-tight research. Alternatively, experiments can be realized in non-anechoic regime and refined using appropriate methods. In this letter, a framework for correction of antenna far-field measurements performed in uncontrolled environments based on multi-taper concept has been proposed. The method involves extracting a direct transmission between the measurement system components, while reducing the undesirable factors such as noise and interferences. Performance of the approach has been demonstrated based on a total of 16 tests of two small antennas performed in non-anechoic conditions. The framework has also been compared against the methods form the literature.

  • Automated Generation of Modular Assurance Cases with the System Assurance Reference Model
    • Andrzej Wardziński
    • Aleksander Jarzębowicz
    2024 FORMAL ASPECTS OF COMPUTING

    Assurance cases are structured arguments used to demonstrate specific system properties such as safety or security. They are used in many industrial sectors including automotive, aviation and medical devices. Assurance cases are usually divided into modules which address goals allocated to specific system properties, components, functions, modes of operation or environmental conditions. Depending on the system and assurance process characteristics, assurance case modules may follow shared argument templates. The templates refer to the system, process or environment attributes, described collectively as an assurance case context and stored in external context models. Our goal is to manage all contextual relations at the level of assurance case templates and instantiated arguments with the use of a generic System Assurance Reference Model (SARM). We describe its structure and demonstrate how it can be used to automatically generate assurance case modules, based on templates and context models. The article also presents a prototype tool, SARMER, which implements the SARM model and enables automatic data flow between models and assurance cases. The use of SARM and the SARMER tool is illustrated with an example of a component-based system and a modular assurance case to demonstrate that allocated contracts are satisfied for each component.

  • Automated hearing loss type classification based on pure tone audiometry data
    • Michał Kassjański
    • Marcin Kulawiak
    • Tomasz Przewoźny
    • Dmitry Tretiakow
    • Jagoda Kuryłowicz
    • Andrzej Molisz
    • Krzysztof Koźmiński
    • Aleksandra Kwaśniewska
    • Paulina Mierzwińska-Dolny
    • Miłosz Grono
    2024 Scientific Reports

    Hearing problems are commonly diagnosed with the use of tonal audiometry, which measures a patient’s hearing threshold in both air and bone conduction at various frequencies. Results of audiometry tests, usually represented graphically in the form of an audiogram, need to be interpreted by a professional audiologist in order to determine the exact type of hearing loss and administer proper treatment. However, the small number of professionals in the field can severely delay proper diagnosis. The presented work proposes a neural network solution for classification of tonal audiometry data. The solution, based on the Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory architecture, has been devised and evaluated for classifying audiometry results into four classes, representing normal hearing, conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, and sensorineural hearing loss. The network was trained using 15,046 test results analysed and categorised by professional audiologists. The proposed model achieves 99.33% classification accuracy on datasets outside of training. In clinical application, the model allows general practitioners to independently classify tonal audiometry results for patient referral. In addition, the proposed solution provides audiologists and otolaryngologists with access to an AI decision support system that has the potential to reduce their burden, improve diagnostic accuracy, and minimise human error.

  • Automated measurement method for assessing thermal-dependent electronic characteristics of thin boron-doped diamond-graphene nanowall structures
    • Michał Rycewicz
    • Mariusz Banasiak
    • Mateusz Ficek
    • Stephan Kubowicz
    • Simona Baluchová
    • Bogusława Sobczak
    • Elizaveta Vereshchagina
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    2024 MEASUREMENT

    This paper investigates the electrical properties of boron-doped diamond-graphene (B:DG) nanostructures, focusing on their semiconductor characteristics. These nanostructures are synthesized on fused silica glass and Si wafer substrates to compare their behaviour on different surfaces. A specialized measurement system, incorporating Python-automated code, was developed for an in-depth analysis of electronic properties under various contact configurations. This approach allowed for a detailed exploration of charge transport mechanisms within the nanostructures. The research highlights a decrease in resistivity with increased deposition time, as shown by Arrhenius plot analysis. This trend is linked to the formation and evolution of multi-wall graphene structures. SEM images showed nanowall structures formed more readily on amorphous fused silica substrates, enabling unrestricted growth. TOF-SIMS analysis revealed uneven boron atom distribution through the film depth. A significant finding is a reduction in conductive activation energy in samples grown in microwave plasma from 197 meV to 87 meV as deposition time increased from 5 to 25 min. Furthermore, the study identifies a shift in transport mechanisms from variable range hopping (VRH) below 170 K to thermally activated (TA) conduction above 200 K. These insights advance our understanding of the electronic behaviours in B:DG nanostructures and underscore their potential in electronic device engineering, opening new paths for future research and technological developments.

  • Automated Parking Management for Urban Efficiency: A Comprehensive Approach
    • Tomasz Ludwisiak
    • Magdalena Mazur-Milecka
    2024

    Effective parking management is essential for ad-dressing the challenges of traffic congestion, city logistics, and air pollution in densely populated urban areas. This paper presents an algorithm designed to optimize parking management within city environments. The proposed system leverages deep learning models to accurately detect and classify street elements and events. Various algorithms, including automatic segmentation of urban landscapes, occupancy detection, and illegal parking violation detection, were developed and tested. To validate the system, cameras were installed facing streets and parking areas, and all algorithms were tested on real-world data. The segmentation network achieved a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 0.791. The occupancy detection algorithm showed a precision and recall of 0.97 on parking camera data, while the illegal parking violation detection system achieved precision and recall values of 0.971 and 0.958, respectively. This research contributes to smarter, more efficient urban parking solutions, enhancing overall city management.

  • Automatic Correction of Non-Anechoic Antenna Measurements Using Complex Morlet Wavelets
    • Adrian Bekasiewicz
    • Vorya Waladi
    2024 Pełny tekst IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters

    Real-world performance of antennas is normally tested in anechoic chambers (ACs). Alternatively, experimental validation can be performed in non-anechoic environments and refined in the course of post-processing. Unfortunately, the existing methods are difficult to setup and prone to failure. In this letter, a wavelet-based framework for correction of non-anechoic antenna measurements has been proposed. The method involves automatic centering and adjusting of the wavelet w.r.t. a fraction of the signal that corresponds to line-of-sight transmission within the system under test. Performance of the method has been verified a using two compact antennas and a total of 15 experiments. Benchmarks against the state-of-the-art approaches have also been performed.

  • Autonomous port management based AGV path planning and optimization via an ensemble reinforcement learning framework
    • Xinqiang Chen
    • Shuhao Liu
    • Jiansen Zhao
    • Huafeng Wu
    • Jiangfeng Xian
    • Jakub Montewka
    2024 OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT

    The rapid development of shipping trade pushes automated container terminals toward the direction of intelligence, safety and efficiency. In particular, the formulation of AGV scheduling tasks and the safety and stability of transportation path is an important part of port operation and management, and it is one of the basic tasks to build an intelligent port. Existing research mainly focuses on collaborative operation between port equipment and path optimization under environmental perception, while there is relatively little research on optimization of path smoothness and safety. Therefore, we propose a path optimization model based on the artificial potential field and twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (APF-TD3) framework for the port environment. Firstly, we obtain the scheduling task plan of a single AGV by enumeration. Secondly, according to the artificial potential field (APF) algorithm to generate repulsion for obstacles in the harbor and attraction for container storage at the target point with the position information of the AGV as the input data of the reinforcement learning algorithm is inputted into the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm (TD3). Then TD3 selects the optimal action strategy for the AGV according to the input AGV state information and the designed reward mechanism as well as executes the action. Through repeated execution, the optimal action for the next step is selected at each point to generate a path with start and end points. We validate the model by simulating the scale of containerized cargo in the port i.e. small scale, medium scale and large scale scenes. The experimental results show that the method has the shortest path length of 27.519 m, 270.847 m, and 496.389 m compared to artificial potential field and deep deterministic policy gradient (APF-DDPG), APF, and rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) algorithms, which also have significant advantages in terms of path security and path smoothness. This framework could respond to the scheduling and transportation tasks of single AGV in different environmental layouts and guarantee the smoothness and safety of the path based on the optimization of the path, which promotes the efficient operation and management of ports.

  • Autonomous Robot for Efficient Indoor RF Measurements
    • Aleksander Krupa
    • Bartosz Multan
    • Mateusz Groth
    • Krzysztof Nyka
    • Łukasz Kulas
    2024 Pełny tekst

    In this paper, we addresses the emergence of autonomous and semi-autonomous radio frequency (RF) measurements as a vital application for robots, particularly in indoor environments where traditional methods are labor-intensive and error-prone. We propose a method utilizing Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and RGB-D cameras to conduct precise and repetitive RF signal measurements autonomously. The system architecture, comprising both hardware and software components, enables seamless integration and operation, reducing human intervention to preparation and analysis tasks. The proposed solution demonstrates its efficacy through experimental validation, showcasing its capability to conduct autonomous measurements with high precision and efficiency, thereby enhancing the testing of wireless communication systems and algorithms.

  • AVAILABILITY CONDITIONS AS A CRITICAL FACTOR IN PRODUCT CATEGORY MANAGEMENT IN SHAPING THE OFFER OF NON-ALCOHOLIC EQUIVALENTS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
    • Anna Kamińska
    • Przemysław Dmowski
    • Ewa Marjańska
    2024 Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Śląskiej. Seria Organizacja i Zarządzanie

    Purpose: To determine the availability of non-alcoholic wines and spirit substitutes in various distribution channels and understand the factors shaping store assortments to identify potential product strategies in category management. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review using desk research and a two-part study on the availability of non-alcoholic substitutes, utilizing observation and interview methods. Findings: The highest availability of non-alcoholic equivalents of alcoholic beverages is in large-format stores, while the lowest is in small-format stores. Based on the analysis of the conditions for shaping the assortment of these products, it can be concluded that when shaping the offer, representatives of selected stores apply specific strategies towards this group of products, including competitiveness of the offer or size of the assortment. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of the research is the relatively short implementation time and the subjective nature of the responses of store employees, which may result in an incomplete picture of reality. For a more complete verification of the results, it is advisable to conduct the survey on a larger sample. Practical implications: The results can guide organizations that want to increase flexibility by introducing a more comprehensive range of non-alcoholic beverages. Social implications: The analysis can also be used to identify priorities for manufacturers and retailers in the context of managing this product category, and can be used by companies in the implementation of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) areas related to responsible consumption and promoting safety. Originality/value: Defining product category management strategies in this emerging market can enhance a company's competitiveness in non-alcoholic beverage equivalents. Keywords: non-alcoholic equivalents of alcoholic beverages, product availability, product range development, product category management. Category of the paper: Research paper.

  • Availability of UAV Fleet Evaluation Based on Multi-State System
    • Elena Zaitseva
    • Vitaly Levashenko
    • Vladimir Mysko
    • Stanisław Czapp
    • Darkhan Zhaxybayev
    2024 Pełny tekst IEEE Access

    Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications are extended extremely. Some applications need to use several UAVs for a general mission which can be considered a UAV fleet. One of the important characteristics for the evaluation of a UAV or UAV fleet is reliability. There are studies in which methods for analysis of their reliability are considered. Reliability analysis of UAV fleets is less frequently studied, although a single UAV cannot be performed in many applications and requires the involvement of multiple UAVs. Typically, this analysis is based on evaluating two states as operational/functioning and faulting. This paper proposes a new method to calculate the availability of a UAV fleet as one of the reliability characteristics. Unlike well-known UAV fleet analysis approaches, in this paper, the availability is studied based on a mathematical model of a Multi-State System (MSS). MSS allows us to examine more than two states (operational and faulty) of the system, so this analysis is more detailed. In this paper, based on MSS, the analysis of various topologies of UAV fleets is implemented. This mathematical model is used for the analysis and evaluation of topologies of homogeneous and heterogeneous UAV fleets, which can be irredundant or redundant hot stable systems. The interpretations of different topologies of fleets as typical structures of MSS (series, parallel, k-out-of-n) are considered. New mathematical definitions of the availability of UAV fleets of different topologies based on MSS structure function are proposed. These definitions allowed us to consider the influence of the number of UAVs on the UAV fleet availability and compare the availabilities of considered topologies of fleets.