Search results for: PHASE TRANSITION
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Principles and Practices of Corporate Governance in the Global Economy
PublicationThe book places ownership at the centre of all relevant choices that the company makes. In particular, it addresses the issue of governance from the perspective of ownership, and in a broader and more articulated sense than most Anglo-Saxon studies do. The authors analyse the relationship between ownership, governance, and corporate strategy, with a dual objective. On the one hand, the aim is to identify the consistency relationships...
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Synthesis and hydrogen evolving catalysis of a panchromatic photochemical molecular device
PublicationA dinuclear hydrogen evolution photocatalyst [(tbbpy)2Os(tpphz)PtI2](PF6)2 (tbbpy = 4,4′-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine; tpphz = tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c:2′′,3′′-h:2′′′,3′′′-j]phenazine) is synthesized in order to make use of the broader range of visible light absorption mitigated by the osmium center. In a first step, the activity of the complex for hydrogen evolution is investigated by evaluating the role of different electron donors...
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Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of ZNTPP in a room temperature ionic liquid
PublicationThe steady-state absorption and emission spectra and the time-resolved Soret- and Q-band excited fluorescence profiles of the model metalloporphyrin, ZnTPP, have been measured in a highly purified sample of the common room temperature ionic liquid, [bmim][PF(6)]. S(2)-S(0) emission resulting from Soret-band excitation behaves in a manner completely consistent with that of molecular solvents of the same polarizability. The ionic...
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Curing characteristics, mechanical and thermal properties of reclaimed ground tire rubber cured with various vulcanizing systems
PublicationGround tire rubber was thermo-mechanical reclaimed at 120 °C using a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The effect of vulcanizing system type on curing characteristics, static mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation-at-break, hardness and resilience), dynamic mechanical properties and thermal properties of reclaimed ground tire rubber was investigated. Reclaimed rubber was cured using different types of vulcanization...
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Synthesis and characterization of novel renewable polyesters based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and 2,3-butanediol
PublicationNovel polyesters from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid or 2,5-dimethyl-furandicarboxylate and 2,3-butanediol have been synthesized via bulk polycondensation catalyzed by titanium (IV) n-butoxide, tin (IV) ethylhexanoate, or zirconium (IV) butoxide. The polymers were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), matrix-assisted laser ionization-desorption...
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The process of identification of the track's geometrical layout and the alignment project based on the of satellite measurements
PublicationIn the paper a methodology of restoring of railway track’s geometrical shape in a horizontal plane on the base of conducted mobile satellite surveying was presented. The authors proposed a calculating algorithm for designing the track sections placed in horizontal arcs. In the algorithm an analytical methodology with mathematical formulas is applied. The procedure has an universal character, i.e. provides the possibility of varying...
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Satellite inventory of tram track geometrical layout
PublicationIn the paper a methodology of restoring of railway track’s geometrical shape in a horizontal plane on the base of conducted mobile satellite surveying was presented. The authors proposed a calculating algorithm for designing the track sections placed in horizontal arcs. In the algorithm an analytical methodology with mathematical formulas is applied. The procedure has an universal character, i.e. provides the possibility of varying...
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Pressure effects on the electronic structure and superconductivity of (TaNb)0.67(HfZrTi)0.33 high entropy alloy
PublicationEffects of pressure on the electronic structure, electron-phonon interaction, and superconductivity of the high entropy alloy ( TaNb ) 0.67 ( HfZrTi ) 0.33 are studied in the pressure range 0–100 GPa. The electronic structure is calculated using the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method with the coherent potential approximation. Effects of pressure on the lattice dynamics are simulated using the Debye-Grüneisen model and the Grüneisen...
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MXenes Antibacterial Properties and Applications: A Review and Perspective
PublicationThe mutations of bacteria due to the excessive use of antibiotics, and generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have made the development of new antibacterial compounds a necessity. MXenes have emerged as biocompatible transition metal carbide structures with extensive biomedical applications. This is related to the MXenes’ unique combination of properties, including multifarious elemental compositions, 2D-layered structure,...
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Understanding Fuel Saving and Clean Fuel Strategies Towards Green Maritime
PublicationDue to recent emission-associated regulations imposed on marine fuel, ship owners have been forced to seek alternate fuels, in order to meet the new limits. The aim of achieving low-carbon shipping by the year 2050, has meant that alternative marine fuels, as well as various technological and operational initiatives, need to be taken into account. This article evaluates and examines recent clean fuels and novel clean technologies...
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Selection of Visual Descriptors for the Purpose of Multi-camera Object Re-identification
PublicationA comparative analysis of various visual descriptors is presented in this chapter. The descriptors utilize many aspects of image data: colour, texture, gradient, and statistical moments. The descriptor list is supplemented with local features calculated in close vicinity of key points found automatically in the image. The goal of the analysis is to find descriptors that are best suited for particular task, i.e. re-identification...
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Design of reverse curves adapted to the satellite measurements
PublicationThe paper presents a new method for designing railway route in the direction change area adapted to the Mobile Satellite Measurements technique. The method may be particularly useful in the situations when both tangents cannot be connected in an elementary way using a circular arc with transition curves. Thus, the only solution would be the application of two circular arcs of opposite curvature signs, that is, the use of an inverse...
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A coupled constitutive model for fracture in plain concrete based on continuum theory with non-local softening and eXtended Finite Element Method
PublicationThe paper presents a constitutive model for concrete which combines a continuous and discontinuous fracture description. In a continuum regime, two different constitutive laws were used. First, a plasticity model with a Rankine failure criterion and an associated fl ow rule was used. Second, a constitutive law based on isotropic damage mechanics was formulated. In order to capture the width of a localized zone and to obtain mesh-independent...
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Superconductivity in Metal-Rich Chalcogenide Ta2Se
PublicationThe metal–metal bond in metal-rich chalcogenide is known to exhibit various structures and interesting physical properties. Ta2Se can be obtained by both arc-melting and solid-state pellet methods. Ta2Se crystallizes a layered tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm (No. 129; Pearson symbol tP6). Each unit cell consists of four layers of body-centered close-packing Ta atoms sandwiched between two square nets of Se atoms, forming...
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Structural and physical characterization of NpPt2In7
PublicationA new neptunium intermetallic compound, NpPt2In7, has been synthesized in polycrystalline form and characterized by several macroscopic techniques. A Rietveld analysis of its powder x-ray diffraction pattern shows that NpPt2In7 crystallizes in a tetragonal lattice with I4/mmm symmetry and lattice parameters a = 4.58471(3) Å, c = 21.5065(3) Å. Magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, Hall effect, and heat capacity measurements indicate...
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Evaluation of the glycerolysis process and valorisation of recovered polyol in polyurethane synthesis
PublicationIn this study, the glycerolysis of polyurethane (PU) foam and the applicability of obtained glycerolysate (GLY) for cast PUs were investigated. It was found that crude glycerine with purity grade of 84% might be successfully used for the glycerolysis. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: reaction time of 60 min at 220 °C using dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst (0.5%). Moreover, the purification of GLY by means of liquid-liquid...
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Impact and stretching standardized tests as useful tools for assessment of viscoelastic behavior for highly rubberized asphalt binder
PublicationAsphalt binder is generally identified as a brittle material at low service temperature or under high-speed load, and the brittleness becomes serious after weathering aging. Improving the toughness of asphalt binder through adding high-content of crumb tire rubber is an efficient method to solve this problem. Devulcanized rubber modified asphalt binder (DRMA) with different contents (15–40%) of devulcanized rubber (DR) were prepared...
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Reasons behind changes in the share of labour in national income in the Polish economy: Selected aspects
PublicationAim/purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of structural changes taking place in the Polish economy on the share of labour in national income. Design/methodology/approach – The scope of this study includes a review of the literature dedicated to the issue and an empirical analysis of data available on this topic. The study uses elements of descriptive statistics and the method of induction. Findings – The conducted...
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Smart Asset Management for District Heating Systems in the Baltic Sea Region.
PublicationThe purpose of this review is to provide insight and a comparison of the current status of district heating (DH) systems for selected Baltic Sea countries (Denmark, Germany, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden), especially from viewpoints of application and solutions of novel smart asset management (SAM) approaches. Furthermore, this paper considers European projects ongoing from 2016, involving participants from the...
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Determining horizontal curvature of railway track axis in mobile satellite measurements
PublicationThe article discusses the applicability of a novel method to determine horizontal curvature of the railway track axis based on results of mobile satellite measurements. The method is based on inclination angle changes of a moving chord in the Cartesian coordinate system. In the presented case, the variant referred to as the method of two virtual chords is applied which consists in manoeuvring with only one GNSS (Global Navigation...
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Hydrothermal reactions: From the synthesis of ligand to new lanthanide 3D-coordination polymers
PublicationThe organic ligand 2,5-piperazinedione-1,4-diaceticacid (H2PDA) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions starting from the iminodiacetic acid and catalyzed by oxalic acid. The X-ray powder diffraction data indicates that the compound crystallizes in the P21/c space group as reported in the literature. The ligand was also characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic nuclear resonance, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric...
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Entropic Measures of Complexity of Short-Term Dynamics of Nocturnal Heartbeats in an Aging Population
PublicationTwo entropy-based approaches are investigated to study patterns describing differences in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. The first method explores matrices arising from networks of transitions constructed following events represented by a time series. The second method considers distributions of ordinal patterns of length three, whereby patterns with repeated values are counted as different patterns. Both methods provide...
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Elucidating photoluminescent properties of Eu‐doped Ca–Al–Si–O(–N) glasses and the local structures of Eu ions
PublicationEuropium (Eu) ion–doped luminescent materials have attracted considerable attention for their numerous optical applications. Eu-doped Ca–Al–Si–O(–N) glasses were synthesized from a mixture of oxynitride glasses and Eu2O3 powder using a standard melt-quenching technique in a radiofrequency furnace. The source Eu trivalent ions primarily changed to Eu2+ during melting, and the ratio of Eu2+ ions increased with an increase in Eu content...
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Powering the Future by Iron Sulfide Type Material (FexSy) Based Electrochemical Materials for Water Splitting and Energy Storage Applications: A Review
PublicationWater electrolysis is among the recent alternatives for generating clean fuels (hydrogen). It is an efficient way to produce pure hydrogen at a rapid pace with no unwanted by-products. Effective and cheap water-splitting electrocatalysts with enhanced activity, specificity, and stability are currently widely studied. In this regard, noble metal-free transition metal-based catalysts are of high interest. Iron sulfide (FeS) is one...
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Atmospheric degradation mechanism of anthracene initiated by OH•: A DFT prediction
PublicationDensity functional theory (DFT) calculations at the M06-2X/def2-TZVP level have been employed to investigate the atmospheric oxidation mechanism of anthracene (ANT) initiated by HO•. Direct hydrogen atom abstraction from the ANT using HO• takes place hardly at ambient conditions while the addition of HO• to the C1, C2, and C4 sites are thermodynamically and kinetically more advantageous. The addition reactions are controlled by...
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MXene-based composites for capacitive deionization – The advantages, progress, and their role in desalination - A review
PublicationMXenes, a novel large family of 2D transition metal carbides, carbonitrides and nitrides are currently a “hot topic” in science due to their several fascinating physical and chemical properties. It follows from a rich diversity of their elemental compositions and chemical functionalities. MXenes can form composites with many substances, including polymers or metal oxides, which allows to effective “tune” MXene characteristics to...
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An attempt to mechanistically explain the viscoelastic behavior of transparent epoxy/starch-modified ZnO nanocomposite coatings
PublicationThe effects of bare and starch-modified ZnO (ZnO-St) nanoparticles on viscoelastic and mechanical properties are studied by dynamic mechanical and tensile analyses. Transparent epoxy-based nanocomposite films are prepared by incorporating bare or starch-modified ZnO particles into the epoxy matrix. The results demonstrated that ZnO particles hindered the curing reactions and hence the final properties of the cured epoxy. As a result,...
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Thermoplastic polyurethanes with glycolysate intermediates from polyurethane waste recycling
PublicationThe polyol is a major component in polyurethane formulations and therefore introducing to the formulation recycled polyol (obtained during decomposition process) allows decreasing the usage of pure petrochemical components. In this work, thermoplastic polyurethanes were prepared using various mixtures of a petrochemical macrodiol poly(ethylene-butylene adipate)diol (PEBA) and a recycled glycolysate intermediate, called glycolysate...
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Synthesis and characterisation of polyurethane elastomers with semi-products obtained from polyurethane recycling
PublicationIn this work polyurethane elastomers were synthesised by using different mixtures of a petrochemical and glycerolysate polyols and 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). Glycerolysate polyol was produced from polyurethane foam decomposition using crude glycerine as a decomposition agent. The structure and thermal properties of obtained semi-product were similar to the polyol used in the synthesis of original foam. Glycerolysate...
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Two-step mechanism of J-domain action in driving Hsp70 function
PublicationJ-domain proteins (JDPs), obligatory Hsp70 cochaperones, play critical roles in protein homeostasis. They promote key allosteric transitions that stabilize Hsp70 interaction with substrate polypeptides upon hydrolysis of its bound ATP. Although a recent crystal structure revealed the physical mode of interaction between a J-domain and an Hsp70, the structural and dynamic consequences of J-domain action once bound and how Hsp70s...
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Cavity-expansion approximation for projectile impact and penetration into sand
PublicationA one-dimensional problem of a spherical cavity expanding at a constant velocity from zero initial radius in an infinite granular medium, which has the first-kind self-similar solution, is considered. We are solving this dynamic spherical cavity-expansion problem to model rigid spheres penetrating into a granular media. Elastic–plastic deformation of the granular media is described in a barotropic approximation, using the high-pressure...
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Spectroscopic study of atmospheric pressure 915 MHz microwave plasma at high argon flow rate
PublicationIn this paper results of optical emission spectroscopic (OES) study of atmospheric pressure microwave 915 MHz argon plasma are presented. The plasma was generated in microwave plasma source (MPS) cavity- resonant type. The aim of research was determination of electron excitation temperature Texc gas temperature Tg and electron number density ne. All experimental tests were performed with a gas flow rate of 100 and 200 l/min and...
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Shaping New Generations of Managers and Consumers: CSR Implementation and Higher Education System in Poland
PublicationConsidering the Corporate Social Responsibility as a significant research and education topic for university staff, students, graduates and the whole society, has become a sign of our times. Universities and other education institutions, including the third sector, play an important role, incorporating CSR as a crosscutting issue, in particular into the curricula of future managers and graduate students, no matter the country we...
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Investigation of the Antifungal Activity and Mode of Action of Thymus vulgaris, Citrus limonum, Pelargonium graveolens, Cinnamomum cassia, Ocimum basilicum, and Eugenia caryophyllus Essential Oils
PublicationThe antimicrobial activity of plant oils and extracts has been recognized for many years. In this study the activity of Thymus vulgaris, Citrus limonum, Pelargonium graveolens, Cinnamomum cassia, Ocimumbasilicum, and Eugenia caryophyllus essential oils (EOs) distributed by Pollena Aroma (Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Poland) was investigated against a group of 183 clinical isolates of C. albicans and 76 isolates of C. glabrata. All of...
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Graph Decomposition for Memoryless Periodic Exploration
PublicationWe consider a general framework in which a memoryless robot periodically explores all the nodes of a connected anonymous graph by following local information available at each vertex. For each vertex v, the endpoints of all edges adjacent to v are assigned unique labels within the range 1 to deg (v) (the degree of v). The generic exploration strategy is implemented using a right-hand-rule transition function: after entering vertex...
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Barcelona - from the province to Metropolis.The cogent strategy of branding the city
PublicationThe phenomenon of rebranding Barcelona's image, called the Barcelona effect or 'Barcelona Model', is exampled as one of the most spectacular transformations of the city perception in the last decade. Why has Barcelona been successful? Is it the effect of the recently intensified revitalization practice, or has the city of Barcelona built its brand market value for years? The aim of the research is to name these transition...
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Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of TIG Welded Dissimilar Joints between 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel and Incoloy 800HT Nickel Alloy
PublicationIn this article, the mechanical properties and microstructure of 304L austenitic stainless steel/Incoloy 800HT nickel alloy dissimilar welded joints are investigated. The joints were made of 21.3 mm × 7.47 mm tubes using the TIG process with the use of S Ni 6082 nickel filler metal. No welding imperfections were found and high strength properties of joints were obtained, meeting the assumed acceptance criteria of the product’s...
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Assessment of the Current Potential of Hydropower for Water Damming in Poland in the Context of Energy Transformation
PublicationThe present paper indicates that hydropower, including small hydropower plants (SHPs), may play a very important role in Poland’s energy transformation in the near future. The development of SHPs may also increase water resources in the steppe Poland. Additionally, the aim of the present research is to conduct the PEST analysis of SHPs in Poland, taking into account the SHP potential. For the first time, maps showing the power...
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The Mechanism of a Retro-Diels–Alder Fragmentation of Luteolin: Theoretical Studies Supported by Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry Results
PublicationThe mechanisms of retro-Diels–Alder fragmentation of luteolin are studied theoretically using the Density Functional Theory method (B3LYP hybrid functional) together with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and supported by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) results. The reaction paths leading to the formation of 1,3A and 1,3B fragment ions observed as the main spectral features in the ESI-MS spectrum are described...
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Narracje o świeżej traumie. Upamiętnianie ataków terrorystycznych w krajobrazie codziennym miast
PublicationRecent trauma Narratives: commemorating terrorist attacks in Everyday cityscape Contemporary city incidentally becomes a non-accidental target of acts violating the primary sense of security and safety. The fundamental assumptions about so- cial and interpersonal interactions that guarantee social life are severely disturbed. These events, primarily the ones related to terrorist attacks, leave in social memo- ry traces associated...
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Limiting distribution of the three-state semi-Markov model of technical state transitions of ship power plant machines and its applicability in operational decision-making.
PublicationThe article presents the three-state semi-Markov model of the process {W(t): t 0} of state transitions of a ship power plant machine, with the following interpretation of these states: s1 – state of full serviceability, s2 – state of partial serviceability, and s3 – state of unserviceability. These states are precisely defined for the ship main engine (ME). A hypothesis is proposed which explains the possibility of application...
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New pathways for functionalization of phosphorus ligands
PublicationThe presented dissertation consistsof two main partsand focuses on the synthesis and characterization of new low-valent phosphorus compounds. Thesestudies have already been fully described in three JCR-journals. The first partdescribes the utilization ofselectedphosphanylphosphinidene transition metal complexes as a source of diversified phosphorus ligands. For thispurposethree complexes...
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Monitoring of lysozyme thermal denaturation by volumetric measurements and nanoDSF technique in the presence of N-butylurea
PublicationThe results of thermal studies of denaturation of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) in water and an aqueous solution of N-butylurea (BU) are presented. High-precision densimetric measurements were used to characterize and analyze the changes of the specific volume, v, during temperature elevation. The temperature of the midpoint of protein denaturation was also determined by nanoDSF technique (differential scanning fluorimetry). The...
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DC and AC Conductivity, Biosolubility and Thermal Properties of Mg-Doped Na2O–CaO–P2O5 Glasses
PublicationBioactive glasses have recently been extensively used to replace, regenerate, and repair hard tissues in the human body because of their ability to bond with living tissue. In this work, the effects of replacing Na2O with MgO on the electrical, biosolubility, and thermal properties of the target glass 10Na2O–60P2O5–30CaO (in mol%) were investigated. The electrical properties of the glasses were studied with the impedance spectroscopy...
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Hidden Champions of Poland
PublicationPoland is a country with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The hidden champions’ performance has been closely related to political and economic changes: the fall of communism in 1989 and the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy. This led to the emergence of small private businesses focused on the domestic market. The accession to the European Union in 2004 created new perspectives for the hidden champions’...
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Preparation of methanation catalysts for high temperature SOEC by β-cyclodextrin-assisted impregnation of nano-CeO2 with transition metal oxides
PublicationThe aim of this work was to prepare and examine the catalytic activity of nanometric CeO2 decorated with transition metal oxides – Ni, Co, Cu, Fe and Mn – towards a high-temperature methanation process under SOEC CO2/H2O simulated co-electrolysis conditions. Samples were prepared using the wet impregnation method via the conventional process and with the addition of native cyclodextrin. The influence of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) onto...
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Analysis of metals in air particles from Gdańsk and London with EDX/EDS detectors in electron microscope
PublicationElectron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX/EDS) is the example of non-destructive analytical method for surface elemental analysis, with a potential detection limit of 0.1-0.5 wt.% for most elements. A spatial resolution <10 nm can be achieved using this technique, which provides a basis for the generation of quantitative and qualitative elemental data for individual particles. In order to obtain quantitative...
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Corporate Governance and Ownership Structure in the Top 30 Listed Non Financial Companies in Poland
PublicationThis paper offers a first analysis of the relationships between corporate governance models and rules and ownership structure of the top 30 Polish firms listed at the WSE (not considering foreign firms and/or the Polish branches of foreign firms listed at the same stock exchange, nor the financial companies and the banks). The general picture depicted by this analysis is putting into evidence the increasing importance of institutional...
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Effect of ground tire rubber on structural, mechanical and thermal properties of flexible polyurethane foams
PublicationFlexible polyurethane foams were modified with two kinds of ground tire rubber, untreated and thermo-mechanically reclaimed. A reclamation process was performed in auto-thermal conditions, which reduced the cost of the process and decreased the environmental impact of devulcanization (e.g., emission of gases). The reclamation process was carried out in a continuous manner using a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The foams were...
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SEI Growth and Depth Profiling on ZFO Electrodes by Soft X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
PublicationZnFe2O4 (ZFO) Li-ion batteries (LIBs) represent a reliable, affordable, and safe energy storage technology for use in portable application. However, current LIB active materials (graphite, lithium/transition metal spinel or layered oxides, olivine structures) can store only limited energy since they rely on insertion storage based on solid-state host-guest interactions. Moreover, performances and durability of the cells are strongly...