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A DSC and NMR-Relaxation study of the molecular mobility of water protons interacting with chemically modified starches
PublicationChanges in the mobility of water protons in the chemically modified starches (CMS)–water system are studied by differential scanning calorimetry and NMR relaxation. The amounts of unfrozen water at negative temperatures and additional (after gelation) unfrozen for CMS are lower than those for native starch. The proton spin–spin relaxation time T2 for CMS samples, conventionally attributed to the water fraction in starch granules,...
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How Important Is Research on Pollution Levels in Antarctica? Historical Approach, Difficulties and Current Trends
PublicationDespite the fact that Antarctica is a continent notably free from large negative impact of human activities, literature data can be the basis for concluding that this is not an area free from anthropogenic pollutants. Pollutants, which are identified in various elements of the environment of Antarctica, are mostly connected with long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) and deposition in this area. The study presents: a historical...
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The logistics streamlining of the material flow at the production company
PublicationThe main practical problem in the Logistics Department at the company is overstaffing in the unit responsible for the flow of materials. Carried out by the authors of the article, some detailed research on the process analysis in the discussed company indicates that the main cause of such a situation is related to an increase in the amount of transported material and a lack of redesigning the material flow in...
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The impacts of final demands changes on the total outputs of Japanese industrial sectors: A further study
PublicationThe purpose of the current study is to expand the previous studies which analyze the impacts of final demands changes on the total outputs of industrial sectors of a specific country. More specifically, the study conducts the analysis regarding the impacts on the total outputs of Japanese industries. The study employs a demand-pull Input-Output (IO) quantity model, one of the calculation tools in the IO analysis. The study focuses...
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Nano Tin/Tin Oxide Attached onto Graphene Oxide Skeleton as a Fluorine Free Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries
PublicationHerein, we show a composite formation method of tin/tin oxide nanoparticles with graphene oxide and CMC based on laser ablation technique as an electrode material for energy storage devices. The material exhibited a three-dimensional conducting graphene oxide network decorated with tin or tin oxide nanoparticles. The structure, homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles, and direct contact between inorganic and organic parts were...
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Magnetoacoustic Heating of Plasma Caused by Periodic MagnetosoundPerturbations with Discontinuities in a Quasi-Isentropic Magnetic Gas
PublicationThe magnetoacoustic heating of plasma by harmonic or periodic saw-tooth perturbations at a trans-ducer is theoretically studied. The planar fast and slow magnetosound waves are considered. The wavevector may form an arbitrary angleθwith the equilibrium straight magnetic field. In view of variableθand plasma-β, the description of magnetosound perturbations and appropriate magnetosound heatingis fairly difficult. The scenario of...
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The performance of ETFs on developed and emerging markets with consideration of regional diversity
PublicationThis study evaluates the performance of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) by using various tracking error calculation approaches. The aim of the paper is, on the one hand, an evaluation of the performance of ETFs relative to their benchmarking indexes and, on the other, an endeavour to specify any relationship between this performance and both geographical location and the degree of market development. The research was conducted on...
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Sustainable Knowledge Sharing Model for IT Agile Projects
PublicationIn order to overcome work environment challenges and remain competitive in the market, organisations must adapt. An organisation's competitiveness can be improved through knowledge sharing; however, improvement without responsibility can have a negative impact on the sociotechnical environment which people cannot fully comprehend. According to researchers, business involvement in sustainable development goals remains minimal [51]....
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Labour resources in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan - a comparative study
PublicationThe aim of the paper is to show the transformation and comparison of labour resources in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan using the following methods: deductive data analysis, observation of changes in the structure of resources based on publicly available macroeconomic data. During the two decades of the 21st century, both countries experienced population growth which translated into an increased number of persons of working age. In...
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Do the New Requirements for the Use of Energy Efficient Lighting Design Mean the End of Creativity?,
PublicationThis paper addresses issues strongly connected to recent environmental discussions which are currently taking place in Europe, Asia, America, Australia and other parts of the world about global warming, the Greenhouse Effect, light pollution and other negative impacts artificial lighting has on our planet and what can be done about it. The author also attempts to answer indirectly two of the most important questions for lighting...
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Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding Directed by Aryl–Perfluoroaryl π–π Stacking Interactions
PublicationThe crystal structures of five compounds capable of forming self-complementary hydrogen bonds but crystallizing as catemers or creating more complex crystal structures were compared with their complexes prepared by cocrystallization with perfluoroaryl compounds. The results of X-ray diffraction revealed that in all the cases the π–π stacking interactions caused reorganization of hydrogen bonds and induced creation of the expected...
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The Efficiency and Productivity Evaluation of National Innovation Systems in Europe
PublicationPurpose: An efficient innovation system currently plays a crucial role in creating competitive prevalence, contributing to the economic growth of individual states. The innovation system is influenced by many socioeconomic factors, including in international rankings of innovativeness of economies. These classifications have some limitations. Primarily, they do not examine the efficiency, which means they do not analyze the...
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Deep eutectic solvent-based shaking-assisted extraction for determination of bioactive compounds from Norway spruce roots
PublicationPolyphenolic compounds play an essential role in plant growth, reproduction, and defense mechanisms against pathogens and environmental stresses. Extracting these compounds is the initial step in assessing phytochemical changes, where the choice of extraction method significantly influences the extracted analytes. However, due to environmental factors, analyzing numerous samples is necessary for statistically significant results,...
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Zaufanie do marek jako mediator pomiędzy postrzeganym ryzykiem i skłonnością do elektronicznego word-of-mouth
PublicationRozwój Internetu oraz dostęp konsumentów do mediów społecznościowych wpływają na ich zaangażowanie on-line. Odzwierciedla to również sposób, w jaki konsumenci wyrażają opinie o markach i produktach w Sieci. Celem ankiety było zbadanie wpływu postrzeganego ryzyka i zaufania do marki na skłonność konsumentów do electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Ponadto, autorzy zbadali rolę zaufania do marki jako mediatora w relacji między postrzeganym...
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Novel bio-based thermoplastic poly(ether-urethane)s. Correlations between the structure, processing and properties
PublicationThe main purpose of this work was to analyze the effect of the number of unreacted isocyanate groups and the [NCO]/[OH] molar ratio during the chain extension of a prepolymer during the polymerization process on the structure, processing and selected properties of thermoplastic poly(ether-urethane)s. Three series of novel thermoplastic polyurethanes were obtained via a prepolymer route. Three prepolymers were synthesized from diisocyanate...
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Amphotericin B and Its New Derivatives - Mode of Action
PublicationAmphotericin B (AmB) is a well known antifungal and antiprotozoal antibiotic used in the clinic for several decades. Clinicalapplications of AmB, however, are limited by its nephrotoxicity and many other acute side effects which are not acceptable by patientswhen their life is not threaten. In order to improve the therapeutic index of this drug, lipid formulations have been introduced and manyefforts have been made to obtain less...
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Miniaturized, green salting-out liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with GC–MS used to evaluate biogenic amines in wine samples
PublicationMonitoring of the biogenic amines (BAs) content in food products, including wine, is important due to the health and safety of consumers and from the quality control point of view. In a given study, simultaneous derivatization and salting-out liquid–liquid microextraction (SALLME) coupled with GC–MS for BAs determination from wine samples was developed. For the optimization the Box-Behnken design was applied, where three independent...
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Mechatronic design o strongly nonlinear systems on a basis of three wheeled mobile platform
PublicationRemarkable grow in demand both of mobile platform operability performance and reduction of project leading time development encourage to apply modern algorithms and reliable engineering tools for the design process. The paper discusses the mechatronic design applied for the surveillance system based on the energy performance index algorithm. The exploited mechatronic techniques i.e. virtual prototyping, Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulation...
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Optically transparent boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond films for spectroelectrochemical measurements on different substrates
PublicationFabrication process of optically transparent boron nanocrystalline diamond (BNCD) electrode on silicon and quartz substrate was shown. The B-NCD films were deposited on the substrates using Microwave Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (MWPACVD) at glass substrate temperature of 475 ºC. A homogenous, continuous and polycrystalline surface morphology with high sp3 content in B-NCD films and film thickness depending from substrate...
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ASSESSMENT OF GOLD AND/OR CRUDE OIL AS INVESTMENTS FOR PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION. A WARSAW STOCK EXCHANGE CASE STUDY
PublicationThe purpose of the study is to assess whether the inclusion of investments in gold and/or crude oil improves an investment portfolio consisting of shares of enterprises included in the WIG20 index (traditional invest-ments). All possible combinations of investment portfolios with minimal risk and maximum efficiency were tested. The portfolios were determined based on Markowitz’s portfolio theory. All results were compared...
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Green Analytical Chemistry: Summary of Existing Knowledge and Future Trends
PublicationAnalysis of recent publications in green analytical chemistry shows the current trends and future needs in this area. The main issues are related with search for cheaper, more efficient, more accurate, greener and miniaturized alternatives. Miniaturization is perhaps, the most notable current trend in analytical chemistry. Rapid developments and improvements in instrumentation have led to impressive range of benchtop technology...
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Chitin nanowhiskers from shrimp shell waste as green filler in acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber: Processing and performance properties
PublicationIn this work, chitin nanowhiskers with high crystallinity index were obtained from shrimp shells waste using acid hydrolysis method and then comprehensively characterized. Subsequently, the impact of chitin nanowhisker content on processing and performance of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber based nanocomposites was evaluated. The results showed that the addition of chitin nanowhiskers increased tensile strength and tear strength...
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ESG investing during the Covid-19 crisis. Evidence from Central European Stock Exchanges
PublicationAs COVID-19 turned into a global pandemic, world markets gradually began to recover after initial dynamic declines. Restrictions, and their subsequent loosening, were, and are, not without significance for the financial markets. These particular circumstances provide a unique opportunity to contribute to the literature by focusing on the potential resilience of ESG (environmental, social and governance) investing in an era of crisis....
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Direct reduction of pellets through hydrogen: Experimental and model behaviour
PublicationThis paper presents the hydrogen reduction behaviour of industrial pellets designed for the efficient hydrogen based direct reduction. The pellets were provided with very low non ferrous oxides percentage (0.52 of basicity index) and with the absence on TiO2 oxides. The pellets measured diameters in the range 1.14–1.72 cm and were characterized in terms of porosity, pores size, tortuosity and compression strength. The pellets were...
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Evaluation and start-up of an electro-Fenton-sequencing batch reactor for dairy wastewater treatment
PublicationThis study examined the performance of an integrated wastewater (WW) treatment system, namely an electro-Fenton (EF)-sequencing batch reactor (SBR), for dairy industry WW. The EF process was used as the first stage of the SBR. It degrades bio-refractory compounds via advanced oxidation processes, thereby resulting in the formation of simple biodegradable intermediates. Several factors, including the hydraulic retention time (HRT),...
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Structural changes of bacterial cellulose due to incubation in conditions simulating human plasma in the presence of selected pathogens
PublicationBacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a natural biomaterial with a wide range of medical applications. However, it cannot be used as a biological implant of the circulatory system without checking whether it is biodegradable under human plasma conditions. This work aimed to investigate the BNC biodegradation by selected pathogens under conditions simulating human plasma. The BNC was incubated in simulated biological fluids with or...
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Ferrofluids based analytical extractions and evaluation of their greenness
PublicationFerrofluids are stable dispersions of magnetic nanoparticles in a carrier liquid. They have attracted considerable attention in analytical extractions as they combine fluid-like properties with magnetic character, providing magnetic control over the extraction process. The synthesis of ferrofluids is very straightforward, and it generally involves the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles, their coating, and then mixing in a suitable...
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Export diversification and dependence on natural resources
PublicationLow export diversification is a risk-augmenting factor for many countries dependent on natural resources. The literature tends to focus on the growth effects of resource dependence (‘resource curse’ debate) while not much is known on how it affects the variety of non-resource exports. To quantify this effect we decompose the relative Theil index using product-level export data from 160 countries over the time period 1996–2018....
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Koncepcja międzynarodowej konkurencyjności makrootoczenia przedsiębiorstw
PublicationCelem badań przedstawionych w niniejszym artykule jest opracowanie koncepcji konkurencyjności międzynarodowej (IC) krajów, której podstawą jest makroekonomiczne otoczenie przedsiębiorstw. Motywem podjęcia tych badań były poważne wady metodologii pomiaru IC gospodarek stosowanej przez Światowe Forum Ekonomiczne (WEF). WEF rekomenduje Globalny Indeks Konkurencyjności (GCI) jako globalną miarę produktywności kraju. WEF utrzymuje,...
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Compulsive sexual behavior and dysregulation of emotion
PublicationIntroduction Dysregulation of emotion (DE) is commonly seen in individuals suffering from compulsive sexual behavior (CSB), as well as represents a crucial element of its common comorbidities like mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Aim To investigate the links between CSB and DE. Methods A review of pertinent literature on CSB and DE was performed using EBSCO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Main Outcome Measure...
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Chitosan-coated coconut shell composite: A solution for treatment of Cr(III)-contaminated tannery wastewater
PublicationTannery industry generates a large amount of Cr(III)-contaminated wastewater daily. Unless properly treated, not only this effluent contaminates the water body, but also damages the environment and threatens public health. This batch study investigates the feasibility of chitosan-coated coconut shells as a low-cost material for removing Cr(III) from tannery wastewater. Both chitosan and coconut shell (CS) waste are abundantly available...
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Ecological and Health Effects of Lubricant Oils Emitted into the Environment
PublicationLubricating oils used in machines with an open cutting system, such as a saw or harvester, are applied in forest areas, gardening, in the household, and in urban greenery. During the operation of the device with an open cutting system, the lubricating oil is emitted into the environment. Therefore, the use of an oil base and refining additives of petroleum origin in the content of lubricants is associated with a negative impact...
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Bismuth-based nanomaterials-assisted photocatalytic water splitting for sustainable hydrogen production
PublicationThe rapidly increase in the world's population has resulted in a corresponding increase in the energy demand. This demand is largely being met by fossil fuels for power generation, industrial fuel and transportation. However, due to the limited availability of fossil fuels and their negative effects on the environment. The use of fossil fuels results in by-products such as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides which have negative...
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Journey towards light – evolutionary adaptations of humans, flora and fauna. Guidelines for safe and healthy illumination
PublicationThe paper examines using relatively recent discoveries on how evolution has embedded within all living organisms a natural sensitivity towards their native environment, in particular luminance levels and specific wavelengths of light. The studies conducted so far indicate that lighting installations that are visible after dark impact on humans, flora and fauna and influence our evolutionary dispositions, possibly with negative...
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Bismuth-based nanomaterials-assisted photocatalytic water splitting for sustainable hydrogen production
PublicationThe rapidly increase in the world's population has resulted in a corresponding increase in the energy demand. This demand is largely being met by fossil fuels for power generation, industrial fuel and transportation. However, due to the limited availability of fossil fuels and their negative effects on the environment. The use of fossil fuels results in by-products such as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides which have negative...
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Exposure to Bisphenol A Analogs and the Thyroid Function and Volume in Women of Reproductive Age—Cross-Sectional Study
PublicationBisphenols (BPs) are commonly known plastifiers that are widely used in industry. The knowledge about the impact of BPs on thyroid function is scarce. Proper thyroid functioning is especially important for women of reproductive age, as hypothyroidism affects fertility, pregnancy outcomes and the offspring. There are no studies analyzing the influence of BPs on thyroid function and volume in non-pregnant young women. The aim of...
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Od zrównoważonego rozwoju do dewzrostu - paradygmaty krytyczne wobec wzrostu i ich implikacje dla planowania przestrzennego
PublicationPomimo ponad trzech dekad wdrażania koncepcji zrównoważonego rozwoju środowisko Ziemi ulega dalszej degradacji i destabilizacji. Sytuacja ta przekłada się na ożywienie antycypowanej już w latach 70. XX w. krytyki założeń leżących u podstaw koncepcji zrównoważonego rozwoju – spośród których kluczowe wydaje się założenie możliwości rozłączenia (decoupling) wzrostu gospodarczego i negatywnego oddziaływania na środowisko. W niniejszym...
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Hazardous material-related propagation of the effects of train accidents in the subgrade
PublicationA large part of the transport of hazardous materials is carried out by rail. Therefore, the security of these transports is becoming increasingly important. Every catastrophe involving dangerous materials has a negative impact on the participants of the incident and the surrounding environment, because its range is generally not local. It follows that in the event of a catastrophe, its effects should be minimized and remediation...
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Influence of the ionic strength on the amyloid fibrillogenesis of hen egg white lysozyme
PublicationThe study investigates the role of the electrostatic interactions in the fibrillation of the hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL). In order to achieve this aim the influence of the cations Na+, Mg2+ and Al3+ on the amyloid fibril formation and amorphous aggregation was tested. The amyloids are formed in the solution without added salt but the Thioflavin T fluorescence gives the false-negative result. In these conditions, the HEWL fibrils...
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Treatment of malodorous air in biotrickling filters: A review
PublicationOdour nuisance, resulting mainly from the presence of the compounds containing osmophore group and characterized by low olfactory threshold, is associated with danger and may be the cause of negative psychosomatic symptoms. Among different methods of malodorous air treatment, biological methods are of importance, mainly due to reduced operating costs, high purification efficiency of voluminous gas streams characterized by low concentrations...
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Methodology of Constructing and Analyzing the Hierarchical Contextually-Oriented Corpora
PublicationMethodology of Constructing and Analyzing the Hierarchical structure of the Contextually-Oriented Corpora was developed. The methodology contains the following steps: Contextual Component of the Corpora’s Structure Building; Text Analysis of the Contextually-Oriented Hierarchical Corpus. Main contribution of this study is the following: hierarchical structure of the Corpus provides advanced possibilities for identification of the...
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Predicting the impact of traffic–induced vibrations on buildings using artificial neural networks
PublicationTraffic–induced vibrations may constitute a considerable load to a building, cause cracking of plaster, cracks in load–bearing elements or even a global structural collapse of the whole structure [1-4]. Vibrations measurements of real structures are costly and laborious, not justified in all cases. The aim of the paper is to create an original algorithm, to predict the negative dynamic impact on the examined residential building...
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Aspects of pollution in Gdansk and gdynia Harbours at the coastal zone of the South Baltic Sea
PublicationOrganotin compounds (OTC), as well as metals, are toxic to many organisms. Even at very low concentrations OTC and metals can have several negative effects. The paper discusses key issues relating to the location of harbours in the coastal zone (including near the river mouths and semi-closed access to the sea) and the pollution of harbour sediments with heavy metals (e.g. zinc, copper, nickel and lead) and organotin derivatives...
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Trustworthy Applications of ML Algorithms in Medicine - Discussion and Preliminary Results for a Problem of Small Vessels Disease Diagnosis.
PublicationML algorithms are very effective tools for medical data analyzing, especially at image recognition. Although they cannot be considered as a stand-alone diagnostic tool, because it is a black-box, it can certainly be a medical support that minimize negative effect of human-factors. In high-risk domains, not only the correct diagnosis is important, but also the reasoning behind it. Therefore, it is important to focus on trustworthiness...
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Unveiling the Green Mirage: Unearthing Weaknesses in Pro-Environmental Applications
PublicationGrowing ecological concerns and a general shift towards tailored digitized solutions in cities lead to an increased popularity of pro ecological applications, especially those associated with transport-oriented functionalities. This research focuses on the results from a testbed of a pro-environmental application deployment among early adopters. Based on quantitative and cartographic analysis enriched with interviews’ results,...
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Algebraic periods and minimal number of periodic points for smooth self-maps of 1-connected 4-manifolds with definite intersection forms
PublicationLet M be a closed 1-connected smooth 4-manifolds, and let r be a non-negative integer. We study the problem of finding minimal number of r-periodic points in the smooth homotopy class of a given map f: M-->M. This task is related to determining a topological invariant D^4_r[f], defined in Graff and Jezierski (Forum Math 21(3):491–509, 2009), expressed in terms of Lefschetz numbers of iterations and local fixed point indices of...
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Examples of Taxation on Real Estate Properties as an Long-term Investment Asset. Description of Situation in Selected European Countries
PublicationReal estate properties have become the alternative asset for long-term savings and investments. Such investment however is strictly related to risk inter alia taxation policy. The following article describes and discusses both theoretical and practical aspects of long-term investment taxation imposed on real estate market in selected European countries. The article presents the analyses of the taxes including its functions, mechanisms...
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Modern Material Solutions Applied in Pediatric Facilities
PublicationNew tendencies in forming of the health services functional buildings’ systems shaped along with the emergence of caring for patient’s mental condition in medical sciences. The interior design harmonized with the medical function became an incredibly important feature. This opened up new opportunities for the architecture of health care facilities. A positive architecture’s impact on the user’s well-being is remarkably important...
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Collection Efficiency in Narrow Electrostatic Precipitators with a Longitudinal or Transverse Wire Electrode
PublicationRecently narrow electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have become a subject of interest because of their possible application in diesel engine exhaust systems. In this work, results of particle collection efficiency measurements in narrow electrostatic precipitators for negative and positive dc voltage polarity are presented. The ESP usedin this work was a parallelepiped equipped with wire discharge electrode and two collecting plate-electrodes....
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Modification of microporous polyurethane elastomers with different types of ash—morphological, mechanical, and thermal studies
PublicationIncorporation of wood ash particles from wood gasification into microporous polyurethane elastomers has been investigated and compared to addition of commercially available microspheres resulting from coal burning. Samples were modified with 3 and 6 wt% of fillers. Structure, mechanical, and thermal properties of obtained elastomers were investigated. Incorporation of both types of ash particles decreased the density of polyurethanes...