Search Results (7,254)

The decline in the injectivity of injection wells is a serious problem in geothermal systems. In this article, we analyse the mechanisms responsible for the reduction in permeability in Lower Jurassic sandstones during the injection of cooled formation brine. Flow experiments were conducted on rock cores using three types of brines with varying degrees of contamination. The studies included microscopic analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) before and after the experiments. The results showed that the main factor in the decrease in permeability is the formation of a filter cake from secondary iron minerals on the front surface of the core. Filter cake formation was observed in all samples, with ferrous sediment penetrating to a maximum depth of 1.5 cm from the core front. In addition, the mobilisation of clay particles was observed, which accumulate in pore constrictions, causing additional flow restriction. Mercury porosimetry revealed significant increases in hysteresis values in the front zone (from 16.5 to 42%), indicating complex pore connectivity changes without substantial porosity reduction. The rate of injectivity decline correlates strongly with the fluid flow velocity. The results of the study provide a scientific basis for optimising reinjection processes in geothermal systems and developing strategies to prevent formation damage. Full article

Extreme weather events, such as storms, pose significant challenges to the reliability and efficiency of urban road networks, making intersection design and management critical to maintaining mobility. This paper addresses the dual objectives of traffic efficiency and resilience by evaluating the performance of roundabouts, signalized, and two-way stop-controlled (TWSC) intersections under normal and storm-disrupted conditions. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining a heuristic framework from the Highway Capacity Manual with microsimulations in AIMSUN Next. Three Polish case studies were examined; each was modeled under alternative control strategies. The findings demonstrate the superior robustness of roundabouts, which retain functionality during power outages, while signalized intersections reveal vulnerabilities when control systems fail, reverting to less efficient TWSC behavior. TWSC intersections consistently exhibited the weakest performance, particularly under high or uneven traffic demand. Despite methodological differences in delay estimation, the convergence of results through Level of Service categories strengthens the reliability of findings. Beyond technical evaluation, the study underscores the importance of resilient intersection design in climate-vulnerable regions and the value of integrating analytical and simulation-based methods. By situating intersection performance within urban resilience, this research provides actionable insights for policymakers, planners, and engineers seeking to balance efficiency with adaptability in infrastructure planning. Full article

The differences in the forms of land rent in Poland and Ukraine are due to the specifics of the historical development of agrarian relations, the level of institutional support, and the condition of the land market in each country. The basis for this substantive analysis was the literature on the subject, primarily concerning the issue of land rent from a historical and contemporary perspective. Relevant legal acts and statistical data characterizing agriculture in the analyzed countries were also used. The aim of the conducted research and analysis was to identify and characterize the types of land rent in Poland and Ukraine. It was found that there are similarities and differences in the occurrence and perception of land rent between the analyzed countries. Not all types of land rent identified in Polish agriculture occur in Ukraine. In addition, those identified in Ukrainian agriculture are not always reflected in the same way in Polish conditions. This is related, among other things, to the historical conditions of the established agricultural system and Ukraine’s remaining outside the European Union. The comparative analysis of land rent types in Poland and Ukraine indicates a shared economic nature but significant differences in the mechanisms of their formation and distribution. Future research on land rents in Poland and Ukraine should be supported by empirical research and comparative analysis of the specific effects of the existence of individual types of rents. Full article

The paper presents the issue of acquired and secondary auditory processing disorder (APD) in children and adolescents in the Polish population. The authors analyzed a group of individuals with APD and younger children who were at risk based on a detailed interview with parents. A comparison of developmental factors showed several similarities between the risk and diagnosed APD groups, including abnormal muscle tone (64.29% vs. 33.33%), ear diseases (42.86% vs. 57.58%), and complicated delivery (32.14% vs. 39.39%). In terms of school factors, the most significant difficulties were associated with poor concentration (78.57% vs. 54.55%), irregularities in mastering phonology related to writing (67.86% vs. 75.76%), and reading (64.29% vs. 78.79%), as well as problems with understanding speech-in-noise perception (60.71% vs. 57.58%). A comparison of children at risk of APD and those with a confirmed diagnosis revealed multiple similarities. The results were visualized using Pareto charts to highlight the most influential factors. The results indicate the need to disseminate screening that could show the APD risk group. Therefore, the diagnostic process could be performed more quickly in such individuals. Based on recurring developmental factors, the Risk Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ) was developed as a non-clinical screening tool to identify children potentially at risk of APD. The RAQ demonstrated a moderate discriminative potential (AUC = 0.68; sensitivity = 75%; specificity = 68%) and may support early referral for diagnostic evaluation. The results highlight the value of systematic screening to accelerate diagnosis and intervention, especially in populations where access to formal assessment is limited. Full article

As alternative remote communication interfaces become increasingly common, ensuring that they seamlessly integrate into daily life has become a pressing design challenge. In this context, what should a huggable communication device look like—should it have arms or a face, or resemble a conventional pillow? This study investigates users’ preferences and personalities regarding the appearance of such interfaces for remote emotional interaction. As a case study, we present HugBits, a round, cushion-like device that transmits hugs through visual and tactile feedback. Drawing on the prior literature and a participatory design workshop, we developed seven shape variations and evaluated them through an online survey with 79 Polish participants. The results reveal a consistent preference for less anthropomorphic designs, with users valuing comfort, simplicity, and intuitive affordances such as areas to rest the head or wrap the arms around. Although personality traits did not significantly predict preferences, the findings highlight broader design criteria: huggable communication interfaces, intended to remain visible and available in shared spaces, must balance emotional expressiveness with social acceptability. These insights provide guidelines for designing emotionally engaging, user-centered mediated touch technologies. Full article

The study presents original research focused on improving the reliability and energy efficiency of electric railway turnout heating systems under severe winter conditions. An innovative diagnostic methodology using high-resolution infrared thermography was developed and applied to evaluate heating uniformity and technical performance within the Polish railway infrastructure. Field investigations were carried out on operational turnouts at Gdańsk Osowa and Międzylesie stations, covering both conventional EOR systems and the advanced ESAR system. The results demonstrated that the ESAR system effectively prevented ice and snow accumulation while enabling up to a 30% reduction in active power supplied to heating elements, resulting in annual energy savings of approximately 750 kWh per turnout (29% compared with the reference system). Incorporating radiative overlays in ESAR allowed lower average surface temperatures and improved heat distribution efficiency. Temperature and energy indicators confirmed significantly higher performance of ESAR, with annual CO₂ emissions reduced by 447.75 kg and air pollutants (SO_x, NO_x, CO, particulates) by around 30%. The proposed thermographic approach proved to be a non-invasive and efficient diagnostic tool, supporting adaptive control, enhanced operational reliability, and reduced environmental impact of turnout heating systems. Full article

To solve the issues of insufficient working stroke, low accuracy, and limited response time of stages for vibration-assisted polishing, a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) micro-positioning stage is proposed in this paper. To compensate for the limited stroke of piezoelectric actuator, a bridge–lever amplification mechanism was designed to magnify output displacement. Based on Castigliano’s second theorem and elastic beam theory, static modeling of amplification mechanisms, guiding beams, and transmitting rods was presented. Then, the analytical models of the stage were derived. To validate the accuracy of the analytical model, finite element simulations were performed, demonstrating that the error between theoretical and simulation results is 4.6%. Notably, the stage exhibits kinematic decoupling characteristics and excellent dynamic performances. The research results can provide effective insights for developing a large-stroke piezo-actuated micro-positioning stage with good dynamic performance for vibration-assisted polishing. Full article

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is a critical cardiac condition that poses a substantial threat to myocardial function. Expedient diagnosis of AMI is paramount and relies on serological assays for rapid and accurate quantification of relevant biomarkers. Electrochemical sensors have emerged as promising candidates for this application, owing to their accessibility, operational simplicity, and high specificity. In this study, we developed a paper-based electrochemical immunosensor to detect cardiac troponin I in serum and saliva specimens. The electrode was fabricated using screen-printing technology with photographic paper as the substrate, employing graphite-based ink, nail polish, and acetone as the solvent. A quasi-reference electrode was constructed using silver powder-based ink, nail polish, and acetone. The immunosensor was prepared by modifying the working electrode with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) functionalized with cardiac troponin I antibodies (anti-cTnI) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). This modified electrode was subsequently used to detect the troponin I antigen. The analyses were performed in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer medium, pH 7.00, in the presence of 5.0 mmol L⁻¹ of the potassium ferrocyanide probe. The immunosensor exhibited a sensitivity of 0.006 µA/fg mL⁻¹, a limit of detection of 9.83 fg mL⁻¹, and a limit of quantification of 32.79 fg mL⁻¹. Specificity studies conducted in the presence of other macromolecules demonstrated minimal interference, with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 5.00%, indicating a specific interaction with troponin I. Furthermore, the immunosensor demonstrated excellent reproducibility and stability. Upon application to serum and saliva samples, the immunosensor presented recoveries of approximately 99–105%, suggesting its potential applicability in clinical analyses. Full article

This research examines the otolith microchemical characteristics of the critically endangered kunming snout trout (Schizothorax grahami) collected from the sources section endemic to the Chishui River, China, a tributary of the upper Yangtze River, and the metal concentrations in the water of fish habitats. Among the analyzed elements, strontium (Sr) exhibited consistent distribution patterns across otolith rings, as observed through face-scan imagery (scanning the polished surface of the otolith cut), with a relatively low coefficient of variation. Statistical analysis using a paired two-tailed t-test revealed significant differences in Sr:Ca ratios among samples from the three river sections. Notably, magnesium (Mg) levels in the otolith core during the early life stages of the fish were notably higher compared to non-core regions. Similarly, Mg concentrations of water were elevated in the spawning grounds relative to non-spawning areas. This suggests that otolith Mg content may be influenced by the specific water conditions of the spawning grounds. Furthermore, Mg:Ca ratios in the otolith core displayed significant variation among samples from U3, L2, and other sites, implying that the fish in these samples originated from distinct spawning locations. These findings demonstrate that strontium and magnesium in otoliths can serve as effective markers for reconstructing the life history of S. grahami in the Chishui River and can contribute to the management of different fish stocks. Full article

This research investigates a dual-polished surface plasmon resonance sensor based on dual-core photonic crystal fiber, featuring an innovative design aimed at enhancing hemoglobin concentration detection in blood, providing a valuable tool for diagnosing numerous health issues, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The sensor makes use of an external sensing mechanism and utilizes gold (Au) coating as the plasmonic material, chosen for its strong plasmonic response and excellent chemical stability, ensuring robust performance across the 1.31–1.42 refractive index range. The electromagnetic characteristics and efficacy of the designed sensor were thoroughly investigated using the finite element method. Our proposed sensor demonstrates outstanding performance metrics, attaining peak amplitude sensitivity of about 734 RIU⁻¹, and wavelength sensitivity of 74,000 nm/RIU along with 1.35 × 10⁻⁶ RIU wavelength resolution. It also exhibits a notable Figure of Merit value of 667 for a corresponding Full width at Half Maximum value of 111 nm. Finally, a machine learning model based on linear regression was employed that enables the prediction of any hemoglobin concentration levels corresponding to analyte RI values. These exceptional performance metrics highlight the potential of our sensor as a reliable, cost-effective and highly sensitive solution for real-time biosensing applications. Full article

Mountain catchments in Central Europe are highly susceptible to flash floods. To inform local adaptation, this study quantifies the future flood response of a Polish Carpathian catchment (Upper Skawa, 240.4 km²) to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios. A semi-distributed HEC-HMS model was calibrated and validated using observed flood events (2014–2019). Future hydrographs were then simulated using the delta change method for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 (near- and long-term horizons). The validated model showed high predictive accuracy. Results indicate a consistent trend towards a polarized hydrological regime, with increased spring/autumn flood peaks and decreased summer flows. This trend is significantly amplified under the RCP8.5 scenario, with long-term peak flood increases approximately double those of RCP4.5. The catchment’s non-linear response further compounds these impacts. These findings suggest a future of heightened seasonal flood risk and emerging summer water scarcity, implying that existing infrastructure, designed for historical stationarity, may be insufficient. This study provides a quantitative evidence base for re-evaluating regional flood risk policies and developing integrated adaptation strategies. Full article

Background: Energy drink [ED] consumption is common among young adults and has been linked to adverse health effects and risky behaviors. This study compared medical and non-medical university students to assess whether health education influences knowledge, consumption, and attitudes toward EDs. Although medical and non-medical students are not minors, their opinions on the national ban on EDs sales to individuals under 18 provide valuable insight into attitudes toward regulation. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 871 students (42.1% medical, 57.9% non-medical). The questionnaire assessed demographics, ED consumption, knowledge, motivations, and regulatory attitudes. It was pilot-tested on 30 students to ensure clarity, and internal consistency was confirmed (Cronbach’s α = 0.78 for knowledge; α = 0.81 for attitudes). Non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis) and chi-square analyses compared groups. Results: Participants’ mean age was 22.1 years; most were female (73.2%). Medical students demonstrated significantly better knowledge of ED ingredients (simple sugars, B vitamins, L-carnitine, electrolytes; p < 0.01) and adverse effects (e.g., irritability, dizziness, nausea; p < 0.05). However, ED consumption frequency did not differ between medical and non-medical students. The main reasons for ED use were energy and concentration; social motives were less frequent. Female students more often supported the ban on ED sales to minors and additional advertising restrictions (p < 0.001), while overall confidence in enforcement was low. Conclusions: Despite greater awareness, medical students consume EDs at rates comparable to non-medical students. Educating medical students on safe caffeine use is crucial, since shift work may promote stimulant intake. Combining targeted education with stronger enforcement could enhance the impact of regulatory policies and reduce risky consumption among young adults. Full article

The application of the same global legal regulations to areas with different climates, landscapes, and cultural and urban conditions may ultimately lead to decisions that are unsuitable for the region, which could result in poor investment and development decisions for the municipality. This article examines how sustainability regulations established locally, in response to local conditions, differ from global regulations created without considering the differences between the areas to which they apply. Selected criteria were assessed in relation to global and local regulations, and then, based on these criteria and their weights, rankings of the strengths and weaknesses of municipalities were proposed in relation to the selected criteria, the weights of which were evaluated depending on the adopted global or local regulations. The AHP method was used to conduct this multi-criteria assessment, based both on expert group opinions and artificial intelligence tools. The aim of this analysis was to demonstrate differences in the hierarchies of sustainable development aspects implemented globally and locally, as well as local conditions. The assessment results indicate discrepancies between expert knowledge, which takes into account local conditions, and the priorities resulting from general legal regulations. Some areas important from a local perspective, such as building density or mixed-use development, are insufficiently addressed in legal regulations, both under Polish and EU law and local law. This also contradicts current trends in urban planning theory, which advocates a shift away from zoning. Others, such as energy efficiency in buildings and renewable energy sources, are strongly present in both national and EU law but are not implemented in local regulations. Full article

The removal of primer from aircraft skin epoxy resin primer plates was investigated by using an adaptive hydraulically controlled polishing tool in conjunction with an industrial robot. This study examined the effects of several key process parameters—grinding force, rotational speed, feed speed, and abrasive grit size—on primer removal depth and surface roughness. Through both single-factor analysis and response surface methodology (RSM), the variation patterns of removal depth and surface roughness with respect to these parameters were elucidated. RSM was employed to develop regression models for the primer removal depth and removal rate. The relative errors of these regression models were found to be within 8%, while the maximum relative error of the backpropagation neural network prediction model for surface roughness Ra is 9.5%. These models exhibit high accuracy in predicting the material removal depth, material removal depth rate, and surface roughness of the primer plates. The optimal parameters for the adaptive hydraulically controlled polishing tool were identified as flows: a polishing force of 20 N, a feed speed of 40 mm·s⁻¹, a rotational speed of 2000 rpm, and 80-grit sandpaper. Under these conditions, the maximum removal depth reaches 27.5 µm, the highest removal rate is 5.501 µm·s⁻¹, and the surface roughness Ra is 1.897 µm. Full article

This article examines the integration of salutogenic design principles into the legal and regulatory framework for buildings in Poland, situating the analysis within a broader European and international context. The study combines a systematic literature review, a comparative analysis of Polish building law and technical conditions with international standards and empirical evidence from case studies and Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POE) conducted in hospitals, offices, and schools. This triangulated approach allowed for both qualitative and quantitative assessment of key salutogenic factors, including daylight access, acoustic comfort, air quality, thermal conditions, aesthetics, ergonomics, and opportunities for social interaction. The results demonstrate that Polish regulations continue to focus on minimum hygienic and safety requirements, thereby reflecting a pathogenic rather than salutogenic approach. While some factors—such as daylight and ventilation—are partially included, critical dimensions of psychosocial well-being remain underrepresented. By contrast, both European EN standards and voluntary frameworks such as WELL systematically incorporate broader salutogenic dimensions. Evidence from Polish POE studies further highlights gaps between regulatory compliance and actual user experiences, e.g., excessive hospital noise, insufficient lighting in operating rooms, and the absence of biophilic or therapeutic features. The discussion highlights challenges of measurability, economic feasibility, and stakeholder acceptance, while also emphasizing long-term health and social benefits. The conclusions recommend incorporating salutogenic principles into Polish law and sustainability policies, promoting pilot projects, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration. In this way, buildings can evolve from merely preventing harm to actively supporting health, well-being, and resilience—aligning with global trends in human-centered sustainable design. Full article