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Search results for: PERFORMANCE INDEX
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Reliability Analysis of Sea Cliff Slope Stability by Point Estimate Method
PublicationThe paper presents a reliability analysis of a sea cliff slope. The cliff, located in Jastrzębia Góra, is characterised by a complicated geological structure. Although currently stable, it is in fact close to the limit state. The objective of this paper is to present the point estimate method (PEM) of determining the mean value and standard deviation of the safety factor of the slope. Assuming its normal distribution, these statistical...
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Modeling of multi-cavity Fabry-Perot optical fiber sensors
PublicationReflectance characteristics of a two-cavity extrinsic Fabry-Perot optical fiber sensor were investigated using computer modeling. Calculations were performed using a plane wave-based approach, selected for clarity of results. Based on the modeling results, it can be concluded that the two-cavity Fabry-Perot interferometer can be used to measure two different quantities, such as refractive index and temperature, independently. It...
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Analysis of nonlinear effects as a diagnostic tool
PublicationMetody analizy efektów nieliniowych nieliniowej analizy sygnałów na wyjściu testowanych obiektów umożliwiają badanie występowania defektów i uszkodzeń w materiałach i elementach elektronicznych, co jest niezbędne w predykcji niezawodności. W odniesieniu do elementów biernych bardzo skutecznym narzędziem okazuje się być wskaźnik trzeciej harmonicznej (THI - Third Harmonic Index). W artykule bardziej szczegółowo opisano pomiary parametru...
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Production of fuel briquette from solid waste biomass using natural resin as a binder
PublicationBackground: This research aimed to evaluate the use of natural resin as a binder for the production of fuel briquette from solid waste biomass.Methods: Proximate analyses were made for fuel briquette prepared from solid waste biomass using natural resin as a binder in comparison with using starch as a binder.Results: The results for density, percent content of moisture, percent content of volatile matter, percent...
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Heavy Metals in Sediments of Urban Streams: Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Influencing Factors
PublicationSediments of two urban streams in northern Poland outflowing to the Baltic Sea were assessed to explain the spatial variation in relation to urbanization level of the catchment, the role of retention tanks (RTs) and identification of pollution level. During the 3 month period of investigation sediment samples were collected from the inflow (IN) and outflow (OUT) of six RTs located on streams for flood protection. Six heavy metals...
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Mercury concentration and the absolute and relative sizes of the internal organs in cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo (L. 1758) from the breeding colony by the Vistula Lagoon (Poland)
PublicationThis work analyses the effect of mercury on the condition of cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from an extensive breeding colony in northern Poland, the largest in Europe. A total of 55 birds (44 adults and 11 immature) were obtained. Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were measured in the liver, kidneys, breast muscles, heart, gullet (oesophagus), stomach, intestines, trachea, lungs and eyeballs. The total body mass (TBM) and empty...
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Production of fuel briquette from solid waste biomass using natural resin as a binder
PublicationAbstract Background: This research aimed to evaluate the use of natural resin as a binder for the production of fuel briquette from solid waste biomass. Methods: Proximate analyses were made for fuel briquette prepared from solid waste biomass using natural resin as a binder in comparison with using starch as a binder. Results: The results for density, percent content of moisture, percent content of volatile matter, percent content...
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Drinking water safety evaluation in the selected sub-Saharan African countries: A case study of Madagascar, Uganda and Rwanda
PublicationIn the sub-Saharan region of Africa, access to safe drinking water remains limited in many countries. This study provides an overview of the quality of surface water and groundwater in rural and peri-urban areas of Madagascar, Uganda, and Rwanda. Selected physico-chemical parameters, inorganic species (including inorganic ions), and organic pollution indicators, such as total organic carbon, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic...
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Trace elements content of surface peat deposits in the Solovetsky Islands (White Sea)
PublicationPeatlands form environmental archives of trace element deposition. In this regard they are particularly valuable for areas such as the Arctic, where regular pollution monitoring is either impossible or extremely costly. The aim of this study was to assess pollution in the Solovetsky Islands (65° 05' N, 35° 53' E) by examining the spatial variability in trace element content of the uppermost layer of peat, immediately below the...
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Dietary behaviour and physical activity policies in Europe: learnings from the Policy Evaluation Network (PEN)
PublicationThe European Policy Evaluation Network (PEN), initiated in autumn 2018, aimed at advancing the evidence base for public policies impacting dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Europe. This is needed because non-communicable diseases—the leading cause of global mortality—are substantially caused by physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary behaviours, which in turn are driven by upstream factors that...
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Developments in Green Chromatography
PublicationGreen analytical chemistry is a widely recognized concept that has led to the development of new analytical methods with reduced environmental impact and minimized analyst occupational exposure. Achievements include the development of microextraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) techniques. Research towards greener separation processes focuses on the elimination of toxic solvents...
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Deep compaction control of sandy soils
PublicationVibroflotation, vibratory compaction, micro-blasting or heavy tamping are typical improvement methods for the cohesionless deposits of high thickness. The complex mechanism of deep soil compaction is related to void ratio decrease with grain rearrangements, lateral stress increase, prestressing effect of certain number of load cycles, water pressure dissipation, aging and other effects. Calibration chamber based interpretation...
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Bending analysis of functionally graded nanoplates based on a higher-order shear deformation theory using dynamic relaxation method
PublicationIn this paper, bending analysis of rectangular functionally graded (FG) nanoplates under a uniform transverse load has been considered based on the modified couple stress theory. Using Hamilton’s principle, governing equations are derived based on a higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The set of coupled equations are solved using the dynamic relaxation (DR) method combined with finite difference (FD) discretization technique...
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Influence of sensor design and optical properties of tissue on the photoplethysmographic signal
PublicationPhotopletysmography and an associated technique called pulse oximetry are still explored due to the expectations that they give a lot of information about the state of the patient and, also, due to the fact that they are non invasive. Knowledge about the impact of various parameters on the measured signal leads to a faster and a more reliable way of analyzing measurement results and finding the dependencies between the involved...
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Improving Objective Speech Quality Indicators in Noise Conditions
PublicationThis work aims at modifying speech signal samples and test them with objective speech quality indicators after mixing the original signals with noise or with an interfering signal. Modifications that are applied to the signal are related to the Lombard speech characteristics, i.e., pitch shifting, utterance duration changes, vocal tract scaling, manipulation of formants. A set of words and sentences in Polish, recorded in silence,...
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A concept of heterogeneous numerical model of concrete for GPR simulations
PublicationThe Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method, which is increasingly being used in the non-destructive diagnostics of reinforced concrete structures, often needs more accurate interpretation tools for analysis of experimental data. Recently, there has been growing interest in developing of various numerical models for exhaustive understanding of GPR data. This paper presents the concept of a heterogeneous numerical model of concrete,...
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Linear antenna microwave chemical vapour deposition of diamond films on long-period fiber gratings for bio-sensing applications
PublicationThe growth processes of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) thin films on fused silica optical fibers with UV-induced long-period gratings (LPGs) were investigated with regard to biosensing applications. The films were deposited using a linear antenna microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition system, which allows for the growth of diamond at temperatures below 350°C. The films exhibited a high refractive index n = 2.32, as...
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Modelling of subarachnoid space width changes in apnoea resulting as a function of blood flow parameters
PublicationDuring apnoea, the pial artery is subjected to two opposite physiological processes: vasoconstriction due to elevated blood pressure and vasorelaxation driven by rising pH in the brain parenchyma. We hypothesized that the pial artery response to apnoea may vary, depending on which process dominate. Apnoea experiments were performed in a group of 19 healthy, non-smoking volunteers (9 men and 10 women). The following parameters...
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Valorization of waste cabbage leaves by postharvest photochemical treatments monitored with a non-destructive fluorescence-based sensor
PublicationThe biosynthesis of polyphenolic compounds in cabbage waste, outer green leaves of white head cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. alba), was stimulated by postharvest irradiation with UVB lamps or sunlight. Both treatments boosted the content of kaempferol and quercetin glycosides, especially in the basal leaf zone, as determined by the HPLC analysis of leaf extracts and by a non-destructive optical sensor. The...
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Microcracking monitoring and damage detection of graphene nanoplatelets-cement composites based on acoustic emission technology
PublicationThis study aims to identify the micro-cracking pattern and structural applications of cement composites replaced with 0 wt%, 0.04 wt%, and 0.08 wt% contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) over cement weight through acoustic emission (AE) monitoring under mechanical degradation. The ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) results showed that at 60 min sonication period, GNP-4 showed maximum absorbance rate of 16.15% compared...
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Effect of Nb and Al on in vitro dissolution behavior and structure of Na2O-MgO CaO-P2O5 glasses
PublicationIn vitro dissolution, structure, and thermal properties of the glass series Na2O-MgOsingle bondCaOsingle bondNb2O5 -Al2O3-P2O5 were studied. The dissolution behavior in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) confirmed the potential bioactive properties of tested glasses. The dissolution process was found to depend on the Al, Nb, and Mg contents. Al, respectively, suppresses the Nb and accelerates the Mg release process from the glasses....
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Rewitalizacja przestrzeni w kontekście zrównoważonego rozwoju - potencjał zielonych dachów
PublicationThe revitalization of space in the context of sustainable development – potential of green roof. The article shows the need to take into account the principles of sustainable development in the field of the revitalization of space, and point out green roofs as a tool in this process. It is presented in the light of the green city concept, and the criteria of the European Green City Index. The article shows the ecological, social...
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A novel heterogeneous model of concrete for numerical modelling of ground penetrating radar
PublicationThe ground penetrating radar (GPR) method has increasingly been applied in the non-destructive testing of reinforced concrete structures. The most common approach to the modelling of radar waves is to consider concrete as a homogeneous material. This paper proposes a novel, heterogeneous, numerical model of concrete for exhaustive interpretation of GPR data. An algorithm for determining the substitute values of the material constants...
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The Progress in Electron Microscopy Studies of Particulate Matters to Be Used as a Standard Monitoring Method for Air Dust Pollution
PublicationThe present article reviews studies on air solid particles carried out with the use of electron microscopy. Particle analysis combining scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) can be used to derive size-resolved information of the composition, mixing state, morphology, and complex refractive index of atmospheric aerosol particles. It seems that electron microscopy is more widely used in atmospheric particulate...
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HOW TO ASSESS THE MATURITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES TO LEAN SIX SIGMA PROJECTS
PublicationThis article describes the considerations for the implementation of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology in small and medium-sized enterprises. Pilot research was conducted in Polish and French SMEs (nine Polish and nine French enterprises from the service and production sectors) referring to the context of the implementation and application of the Lean Six Sigma concept. The studies led to the identification of the motives, needs,...
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Collagen and hyaluronic acid hydrogel in water-in-oil microemulsion delivery systems
PublicationThe efficacy of microemul-sion in dermal and transdermal delivery of active ingredients. Here, we assessed the water-in-oilmicroemulsion capacity to incorporate two natural polymers, i.e. collagen and hyaluronic acid withlow and high molecular weight. Systems were extensively characterized in terms of conductivity, phaseinversion studies, droplet diameter, polydispersity index and rheological properties. The results of thisresearch...
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Computing methods for fast and precise body surface area estimation of selected body parts
PublicationCurrently used body surface area (BSA) formulas give satisfactory results only for individuals with typical physique, while for elderly, obese or anorectic people accurate results cannot be expected. Particularly noteworthy are the results for individuals with severe obesity (body-mass index greater than 35 kg/m2), for which BSA estimation errors reached 80%. The main goal of our study is the development of precise BSA models for...
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Analiza Globalnego Indeksu Terroryzmu Państw Europejskich
PublicationW referacie przytoczono doniesienia raportu Global Terrorism Index 2016 [1] w odniesieniu do sytuacji państw Europejskich. Raport ten publikowany jest co roku przez Instytut Ekonomii i Pokoju (ang. Institute for Economics and Peace). W raporcie tym realizowana jest analiza światowych tendencji i modeli związanych z terroryzmem. Niestety, doniesienia raportu opublikowanego na początku bieżącego roku są zatrważające, zwłaszcza w...
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Safety Assessment of Tram Stops
PublicationThe safety of public transport stops is the subject of numerous studies in large agglomerations around the world. This is due to the fact that it is a passenger exchange zone where collisions and accidents involving people getting on or off public transport vehicles most often occur. For this reason, the purpose of the article is to present the results of the safety assessment of the stop zones for two selected tram lines in Wroclaw....
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Quantitative Storytelling in the Making of a Composite Indicator
PublicationThe reasons for and against composite indicators are briefly reviewed, as well as the available theories for their construction. After noting the strong normative dimension of these measures—which ultimately aim to ‘tell a story’, e.g. to promote the social discovery of a particular phenomenon, we inquire whether a less partisan use of a composite indicator can be proposed by allowing more latitude in the framing of its construction....
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Greening procedures and analytical parameters. The polychlorinated naphthalenes analysis in complex matrices as proof of concept
PublicationDue to the complexity of analytical procedures employed for the determination of wide spectrum of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), it is important to consider the green character of the applied protocols and propose the greenest solutions. In this review, the green aspects of several analytical procedures used for the determination of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) (as a representatives of POPs) in different types of...
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Development of fragility curves in adjacent steel moment-resisting frames considering pounding effects through improved wavelet-based refined damage-sensitive feature
PublicationFragility curves present useful information related to earthquake-induced probability assessment of steel moment-resisting frames (MRFs) and determine the probability of the damage exceedance at different floor levels of MRFs. The review of the literature shows that most of the previous studies dealing with the fragility curves were based on conventional measures, such as spectral acceleration at the first mode period, peak...
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Wavelet transform analysis to assess oscillations in pial artery pulsation at the human cardiac frequency
PublicationPial artery adjustments to changes in blood pressure (BP)may last only seconds in humans. Using a novelmethod called near-infrared transillumination backscattering sounding (NIR-T/BSS) that allows for the non-invasive measurement of pial artery pulsation (cc-TQ) in humans, we aimed to assess the relationship between spontaneous oscillations in BP and cc-TQ at frequencies between 0.5 Hz and 5 Hz. We hypothesized that analysis of...
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Multi-instrument analysis of L-band amplitude scintillation observed over the Eastern Arabian Peninsula
PublicationThe study of scintillation-causing ionospheric irregularities is important to mitigate their effects on satellite communications. It is also important due to the spatial and temporal variability of these irregularities, given that their characteristics differ from one region to another. This study investigates the spatial and temporal characteristics of L1 amplitude scintillation-causing ionospheric irregularities over the Eastern...
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Kinetics of Cross-Linking Reaction of Epoxy Resin with Hydroxyapatite-Functionalized Layered Double Hydroxides
PublicationThe cure kinetics analysis of thermoset polymer composites gives useful information about their properties. In this work, two types of layered double hydroxide (LDH) consisting of Mg2+ and Zn2+ as divalent metal ions and CO32− as an anion intercalating agent were synthesized and functionalized with hydroxyapatite (HA) to make a potential thermal resistant nanocomposite. The curing potential of the synthesized nanoplatelets in the...
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Time series analysis and impact assessment of the temperature changes on the vegetation and the water availability: A case study of Bakun-Murum Catchment Region in Malaysia
PublicationThe Bakun-Murum (BM) catchment region of the Rajang River Basin (RRB), Sarawak, Malaysia, has been under severe threat for the last few years due to urbanization, global warming, and climate change. The present study aimed to evaluate the time series analysis and impact assessment of the temperature changes on the vegetation/agricultural lands and the water availability within the BM region. For this purpose, the Landsat data for...
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Perfect hashing tree automata
PublicationWe present an algorithm that computes a function that assigns consecutive integers to trees recognized by a deterministic, acyclic, finite-state, bottom-up tree automaton. Such function is called minimal perfect hashing. It can be used to identify trees recognized by the automaton. Its value may be seen as an index in some other data structures. We also present an algorithm for inverted hashing.Przedstawiamy algorytm, który oblicza...
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Contaminants in airport runoff water
PublicationDespite the many positives ensuing from the rapid expansion of the air transport sector, airport operations as a whole are a substantial source of environmental pollution.Increases in aviation developments have serious consequences on the surrounding air, soil and water bodies like lakes, rivers and ground water. The present work deals with the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls...
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Thickness and structure change of titanium (IV) oxide thin films synthesized by the sol–gel spin coating method
PublicationTitanium dioxide is a well-known material in nanotechnology, while it provides new opportunities due to its interesting properties, for example, as a semiconductor with a quite significant forbidden band gap energy of 3.2 eV. In this study, thin films of titanium dioxide (TiO2) were synthesized in amorphous and crystallographic systems using the sol–gel process. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction...
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Selecting wells for an optimal design of groundwater monitoring network based on monitoring priority map: A Kish Island case study
PublicationThis paper presents a novel approach, i.e. a combination of gamma test and monitoring priority map, for optimal design of groundwater monitoring network (GMN) by considering the cumulative effects of industries, human activities, and natural factors on the groundwater quality. The proposed method was successfully applied to design an optimal network for groundwater salinity monitoring on Kish Island, Persian Gulf. The priority...
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Thermodynamic study of binary mixtures of 2-propanol with ionic liquids, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate and triethylhexylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide
PublicationIn this work, densities, speeds of sound, refractive indices and viscosities of three binary mixtures containing the ionic liquids 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate and triethylhexyl-ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, mixed with 2-propanol at wide temperature and composition ranges at atmospheric pressure have been measured. From these...
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Probabilistic Methods in Reliability Assessment of Engineering Lightweight Structures
PublicationThe paper considers the probability-based analysis of structural safety measures. Two different numerical examples of representative lightweight structures are considered – a submerged truss tower supporting an offshore platform, and an overhead power line support truss tower. On the basis of these examples, the importance of a motivated selection of analysis method and a proper choice of the number of important variables is shown....
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Optimal placement of IMU sensor for the detection of children activity
PublicationIn this paper an investigation to determine the optimal placement of IMU sensors for the purpose of children characteristic activity detection is presented. The article compares four different placement of two IMU sensors on human body. Ten healthy volunteers participated within the study. Data were collected firstly from two wireless 9-axial IMU sensors placed at the left and right wrists, then sensors were placed at lower back...
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On a comparison principle and the uniqueness of spectral flow
PublicationThe spectral flow is a well-known quantity in spectral theory that measures the variation of spectra about 0 along paths of selfadjoint Fredholm operators. The aim of this work is twofold. Firstly, we consider homotopy invariance properties of the spectral flow and establish a simple formula which comprises its classical homotopy invariance and yields a comparison theorem for the spectral flow under compact perturbations. We apply...
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Network design for surface water quality monitoring in a road construction project using Gamma Test theory
PublicationRoad construction has a negative environmental impact on the surrounding aquatic environment, requiring the continuous monitoring of surface water quality. Here, optimization of the water quality monitoring network (WQMN) is an essential step in supporting the sustainable development of road construction projects. This study introduces Gamma Test theory (GTT) as a practical method for optimizing the WQMN of surface waters during...
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Hydrogen direct reduction and reoxidation behaviour of high-grade pellets
PublicationHigh grade pellets with basicity index close to 0.5 were directly reduced in pure hydrogen atmosphere. The reduction experiments were performed in the temperature range 800 e1000 C at the pressure of 8 bar. The pellets internal structure was analysed through micro tomography observations in the unreduced and reduced conditions. After reduction, the pellets showed a variation of porosity up to more than 15% with a remarkable change...
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Iterative‐recursive estimation of parameters of regression models with resistance to outliers on practical examples
PublicationHere, identification of processes and systems in the sense of the least sum of absolute values is taken into consideration. The respective absolute value estimators are recognised as exceptionally insensitive to large measurement faults or other defects in the processed data, whereas the classical least squares procedure appears to be completely impractical for processing the data contaminated with such parasitic distortions. Since...
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Towards Synthetic and Balanced Digital Government Benchmarking
PublicationReliable benchmarking is essential for effective management of the government digitalization efforts. Existing benchmarking instruments generally fail to support this target. One problem is the diversity of instruments, resulting in a split image of digital progress and adding ambiguity to policy decisions. Another problem is disconnect in assessing progress between digital and traditional “analog” governance, lending support to...
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Markowitz’s portfolio theory – optimal length of estimation window for gold and the biggests companies on the Warsaw Stock Exchange
PublicationThe following article is dedicated to the construction of an investment portfolio consisting of 3 investments from the Polish capital market found in the WIG20 index and from investment in gold. The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal length of the estimation window for building a portfolio with minimal risk and maximum efficiency. The length of the estimation window was also assessed in terms of the rate of return...
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Fractographic-fractal dimension correlation with crack initiation and fatigue life for notched aluminium alloys under bending load
PublicationIn this study, fatigue fracture surfaces of aluminium alloy 2017-T4 notched specimens were investigated under cyclic bending to find an alternative failure loading index.. The surface topographies were measured on the entire fracture area with an optical profilometer for different loading conditions. Fatigue crack initiation life Ni and total fatigue life Nf were examined using standard surface topography parameters (such as, root...