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Front Matter and Back Matter

Electrophilicity index (𝜔) is related to the energy lowering associated with a maximum amount of electron flow between a donor and an acceptor and possesses adequate information regarding structure, stability, reactivity and interactions. Chemical potential (μ) measures charge transfer from a system to another having a lower value of μ, while chemical hardness (η) is a measure of characterizing relative stability of clusters. The main purpose of the present research work is to examine the Spin-Orbit Coupling (SOC) effect on the behavior of the electrophilicity index, chemical potential, hardness and softness of neutral gold clusters Au n (n=2-6). Using the second-order Douglas-Kroll-Hess Hamiltonian, geometries are optimized at the DKH2-B3P86/DZP-DKH level of theory. Spin-orbit coupling energies are computed using the fourth-order Douglas-Kroll-Hess Hamiltonian, generalized Hartree-Fock method and all-electron relativistic double-ζ level basis set. Then, spin-orbit coupling (SOC) corrections to the electrophilicity index, chemical potential, hardness and softness are calculated. It is revealed that spin-orbit correction to the vertical chemical hardness has important effect on Au 3 and Au 6 , i.e. SOC decreases (increases) the hardness of gold trimer (hexamer). Due to the relationship between hardness and softness, σ = , inclusion of spin-orbit coupling increases (decreases) the softness of Au 3 (Au 6 ) and thus destabilizes (stabilizes) it. Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) also has more important effect on the chemical potential of Au 3 by decreasing its value. It is found that spin-orbit coupling has considerable effect on the electrophilicity index of gold trimer and greatly increases its value. Furthermore, SOC increases the maximal charge acceptance of Au 3 more and thus destabilizes it more. As a result, spin-orbit coupling effect appears to be important in calculating the electrophilicity index of the gold trimer. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2021-02-01-05 Full Text: PDF

With the discovery of the Pre-Salt reserves, exploration of oil and gas is being strongly extended in Brazil, contributing to the recent increase of the demand for drilling capabilities. This paper discusses the impact of this oil discovery by assessing the relationship among the growth of proven reserves, the financial position of firms, and patent applications in the Brazilian upstream oil and gas industry. We provide empirical evidence indicating that firms with a lower financial performance prior to the pre-salt discovery were more aggressive in increasing the number of patent filings addressing technologies of the upstream oil and gas domain.

One of the biggest problems facing humanity is climate change and the construction industry is one of the sectors causing the greatest impact, therefore, design strategies accompanied by new methodologies is necessary. In this sense, this paper aims to assess sustainability for the design of organizational strategies against climate change, based on a holistic and systemic approach to sustainability development, in order to contribute the decision-making in housing building organizations. The assessment was based on: 1) climate change indicators were selected from a case study; 2) a survey based on climate change indicators was designed and applied to 21% of the total organizations under study and; 3) critical indicators were identified. The result shows that 58% of the climate change indicators are critical and give evidence of the negative outlook that housing building organizations has in in terms of sustainability. The 69% of these indicators belong to the cultural dimension, it demonstrates the lack of knowledge, customs, habits and commitment to implement sustainable strategies against climate change in this organizations. Finally, the results can contribute to designing strategies to promote sustainable building by the local government, and thus achieve more sustainable organizations that contribute to reducing their impact on climate change. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2020-01-04-01 Full Text: PDF

The aim of the article is to alert to the fact that architecture must comprehend Nature and bring it back again to the daily life of Man, increasing his physical and psychological comfort. The "Green" in Architectural Rehabilitation can have several meanings and approximations. In this article we address "Green" as Color and Attitude. This paper has been developed through deepening the hypothesis of the color green in living coatings. The creation of an ecological skin in architecture accentuates the dilution of the presence of interventions in heritage contexts with an attitude of knowing how to add, involving Nature. These allow creating solutions that avoid the formalisms of architectural language, being of special relevance their application in the Architectural Rehabilitation of the Heritage. Examples of green roofs and green facades are presented and it is shown that rainwater management improves the sustainability of the historic place. Complementary, as a Green Attitude, it is essential to use renewable energy in buildings to achieve NZEB – Nearly Zero Energy Building. As a case study we have selected the Rehabilitation of the Cathedral of Portalegre in Portugal. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2020-01-04-04 Full Text: PDF

The designing process of a new product includes various stages, one of which is the evaluation of an idea thought prototype manufacturing. The use of additive manufacturing consists the most efficient and effective way for prototype manufacturing. In order to maximize the benefits from the use of additive manufacturing, we should choose the suitable printing parameters. A vital parameter for defining the quantity of raw material used and the model solidity is the inner wall thickness. Depending on the selected technique of additive manufacturing, the thickness of the inner wall may differ. In this study we initially print furniture models with different wall thicknesses using the Inject Binder technique and then we check their durability and resilience by compression tests. Evaluating the study results indicate the hollow printed specimens have high durability during compression tests and can be used to evaluate a design idea. Using the facts derived from lab tests we perform Topology Optimization studies under different circumstances to evaluate the method and come up with the optimal design solution. Initially, the Topology Optimization study concern only the table surface and not the whole model. The following studies were performed for the whole model, different constraints and load cases defined. Then, the optimized models are redesigned in order to improve their durability. The performed studies show that Topology Optimization is a powerful tool, which is able to support the designers/ engineers to take the right decision during the design process. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2020-01-04-03 Full Text: PDF

The term "Deep Tech" is prevalent in industry but ill-defined. In this extended letter, we define Deep Tech (technology that is difficult to develop today, with the potential to become a pervasive and easy-to-implement basic need in the future) and consider its role in evolving businesses. We suggest how organizations can position themselves to take advantage of a coming wave of innovation, with emphasis placed on Creative Destruction's role (cannibalizing product lines) in creating sustaining enterprises. Understanding the diffusion of technical innovation from hard-to-implement exciter to commodity basic need will encourage leaders to rethink their current offerings to play in a future-thinking space setting these companies apart from the competition. We provide examples drawn from successful organizations.

Distributed ledger technologies are emerging as important tools that can positively impact almost all major industries and activities in our society. They are increasingly used in various supply (value) chain applications including financial, governance, regulations, health, logistics, and other industrial sectors. In this letter, we are presenting various ongoing work related to different distributed ledger technologies and their applications in postal sector. In particular, we will highlight some of the innovations in the inclusive financial services for the underbanked and unbanked populations using distributed ledger technologies.

This research aims to analyse the perceptions of future preschool teachers towards the application of practical work. This study is part of a more comprehensive teaching innovation project which aims to contribute to the scientific and technological literacy of teachers in initial training. Three practical activities were designed from the topic Didáctica del Medio Natural at the University of Cádiz (Spain) and implemented during the 2018-2019 year. After their completion, a questionnaire was provided of three closed questions Likert type with five levels. The student's answers were analysed from a quantitative approach taking into account aspects: (1) Usefulness for professional training; (2) Degree of satisfaction with contents; and (3) Degree of utility for your future teaching career. Results indicate that students, in general, were very satisfied with the development of the practical work designed. However, their opinion varied when they considered their usefulness for their future teaching work. In conclusion, results indicate that practical work allows future teachers to increase their interest in science. However, it can be advised the necessity to look for spaces to be able to discuss the learning acquired and to be able to adapt these practices to the children's classroom to consider their didactic potential.

Recently, the DSSs application is strongly increasing in the agricultural sector due to continuous climate changes and the need to conduct more productive and sustainable agriculture. In this paper, we describe the prototype agricultural DSS LANDS developed for monitoring the main crop productions in Sardinia. The DSS collects, organizes, integrates, and analyses several types of data with different mathematical models. In particular, a case study on forecasting potato late blight is presented. We employed the Negative Prognosis model and Fry model to forecast the period in which it is opportune to carry out fungicide treatments useful against the appearance of the pathogen. The experiments allowed to outline the best criteria for local conditions as well as the evaluation showed the effectiveness of the approach in a concrete case study.

The crisis represents a disorder that in contemporary society increasingly occurs. Crises are often the result of some earlier solutions. The situation in agricultural production in Croatia has been negative for years. Inadequate tax and high administrative burdens act to discourage the production process and impede the competitiveness of farmers. Furthermore, the measures taken to create added value are not enough, they can even be said to be wrong. The current crisis Covide-19 caused a disturbance on the market in terms of trends of supply and demand. The crisis period will show whether the country has an adequate strategy to overcome all the economic problems ahead. The aim of this paper was to analyze the readiness of the Republic of Croatia for crisis periods in terms of food security by analyzing the volume of agricultural production, the balance of foreign trade of agri-food products as well as the structure of total agri-food product trade. The determined trend of increasing deficits in agri-food products in foreign trade balance, particularly with EU countries implies the state's unenviable position regarding the food security indicating the need for implementation of adequate measures in the direction of the market organization and to facilitate investment in sustainable agriculture production systems.

This paper examines the practice of open innovation by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry. We adopted a multiple case study approach and conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with four food SMEs in the Flanders region of Belgium. The results of the analysis show that food SMEs practice open innovation mostly through inbound open innovation activities rather than outbound, mainly due to lack of sufficient resources. Food SMEs typically lack sufficient financial capital, technology, and human capital. Within inbound open innovation activities, collaboration with organizations is found to be a key element for food SMEs’ internal development and innovation of new products.

Important changes are taking place, currently, regarding the role of ethics in technology, particularly, in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. The adoption by the General Assembly of United Nations of the resolution A/RES/70/1 on September 27th, 2015, entitled "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", better known as "sustainable development goals", is making that different international organisations and countries adopt it as the minimum reference ethical framework for assuring that this revolution in course supports and contributes to achieving these goals. To better understand these changes, it is important to make a historical reference to how technology and the role of ethics were understood during the past 50 years. In this paper, I take as reference the influencing book “The Challenge Presented to Cultures by Science and Technology” (1977) of the Genevan philosopher Jean Ladriére, some ethical proposals made during the '90s, to end with some recent European Union (2019) and World Economic Forum (2018) ethical proposals. I conclude that there are continuities and discontinuities, first in the conception of science and technology in Jean Ladriére and others, and how recent proposals are approaching the issue, second on the role of ethics in this fascinating and revolutionary process. However, we may envisage a radical transformation of the conception of technology in the context of the worldwide request of shaping the fourth industrial revolution.

Within the field of Digital Humanities, a great effort has been made to digitize documents and collections in order to build catalogs and exhibitions on the Web. In this paper, we present WeME, a Web application for building a knowledge base, which can be used to describe digital documents. WeME can be used by different categories of users: archivists/librarians and scholars. WeME extracts information from some well-known Linked Data nodes, i.e. DBpedia and GeoNames, as well as traditional Web sources, i.e. VIAF. As a use case of WeME, we describe the knowledge base related to the Christopher Clavius’s corre spondence. Clavius was a mathematician and an astronomer of the XVI Century. He wrote more than 300 letters, most of which are owned by the Historical Archives of the Pontifical Gregorian University (APUG) in Rome. The built knowledge base contains 139 links to DBpedia, 83 links to GeoNames and 129 links to VIAF. In order to test the usability of WeME, we invited 26 users to test the application.

A molecular dynamics simulation has been carried out to investigate the dynamics heterogeneity SiO 2 liquid at 2600 K and ambient pressure. We indicate that the diffusion in the liquid is realized by the rate of effective reaction, SiO x ®SiO x’ and OSi y ®OSi y’ . Moreover, the reactions are non-uniform happened, but they are spatially clustered. In addition, we found the clustering from different sets of atoms specified by the mobility of atom or frequency of reactions. We found that the clustering become more pronounced at ambient pressure. This evidences the dynamics heterogeneity in the SiO 2 liquid.

Globally, attention has majorly been focused on pollution and exhaustion of fossil fuels allied to the conventional energy sources while the non-conventional energy/renewable energy sources have always been considered clean and environmentally friendly. Of the two, the non-conventional (renewable) is being preferred because it is believed to be more environmentally friendly. Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) especially Solar Photovoltaics have seen many plants being constructed to either supplement the grid or as alternatives for those far from the grid. Solar Photovoltaics plants occupy large tracts of land which would have been used for other economic activities for revenue generation such as agriculture, forestry or tourism in archaeological sites. The negative impacts slow down the application of Solar PV , but a modelling tool that can easily and quantitively assess the impacts in monetary form would accelerate the Solar PV application. The work presents a developed modelling tool that is able to assess not only the techno-economic impacts but also the environmental impacts in monetary form, for one to be able to determine the viability of a plant in a given region. The results are compared with those of HOMER software.

Flexicurity remains an important policy instrument in the EU and will be especiallyimportant in the changing economic and labor market environment, characterized with changing nature of work and development of new forms of work. Purpose. This paper examines the implementation of flexicurity policies in Slovenia and compares them with the EU countries. Design/methodology/approach. As there is no uniform measure of flexicurity, the analysis is structured in accordance with four elements of flexicurity policies, developed within the EU, and suitable indicators: (i) flexibility of contractual relations; (ii) lifelong learning; (iii) active labor market policies; and (iv) social protection system. Analysis uses descriptive statistics for last available years and compares these data with crisis year 2010. Data for international comparisons were obtained from the European Commission, Eurostat and Organization for the Economic Co-operation and Development, Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and the Employment Service of Slovenia. Findings and iImplications. Slovenia has in the past already performed labor market reforms that relate to flexicurity components, yet there is still room for improvement. These are especially needed in the field of lifelong learning and expenditures for active labor market policies, where Slovenia is at the tail of the EU countries. In the front of flexibility, a significant decline in the employment protection was noticed with the last legislative change in 2013, which aimed at reducing segmentation and increasing labor market flexibility. In the front of social protection, Slovenia is among the EU countries with the most generous social systems, which, on the other hand, create high work disincentives. Limitations. This study focuses only on the presentation of the recent indicators of flexicurity components, which is one of its major limitation. Future research should study in more detail the effects of flexicurity on labor market, reconsider the importance of flexicurity in assuring decent work and develop a more comprehensible measure of flexicurity. Originality. The paper adds to the existing literature on Slovenia by giving an overview of recent developments of flexicurity concept, pointing on the areas that require policy response.

We initiated this series with a view to catalyse and extend the focus on conceptualisation and application of behavioural science methods for managing innovation, albeit from a whole human perspective. We started with the notion that how to increase individual (human) creativity, collaboration productivity and innovativeness in innovation projects is a common concern for most firms. After discussions on the brain-mind-behaviour triad in the beginning, the interim editorial highlighted behavioural experiments as one plausible method to further the science of managing for innovation. In this final piece on the series, we conclude with a caveat on using experimental methods in examining the human side of innovation (Salampasis and Mention 2017) and discuss avenues for future research in innovation management, which increasingly reflects a collaborative affair (Bogers et al., 2017; Heil and Bornemann 2018). (...)

This paper seeks to make a particular contribution in what are the roles of consultancies as key innovation intermediaries in service industry. In line with previous literature, the research purposes to test the application of Pinto et al (2016) framework within service companies, triangulating the findings of Pinto et al (2017). Four in-depth case studies of service companies were developed, resulting on detailed descriptions of the phenomenon using constructs to order the data and relate to earlier literature. Key findings highlight changes in motivations for consultancy engagement, from an initial focus on knowledge (output) to a focus on methodology (process). The adequacy of the framework proposed by Pinto et al (2016) is confirmed, and a new function of intermediaries arises from this study, related with “evaluation of innovation outcomes”. The study highlights the contribution of consultancies in preparing companies to innovate.

Introduction - the purpose of the article is to determine the theoretical and legislative bases for the definition and construction of the national innovation system and its subsystems, to establish gaps in the regulatory legal regulation of the economic activity of individual elements - subjects of the NIS. Methods of research - structural and functional methods of analysis are used to determine the existing competence of the participants of the national innovation system of Ukraine and the ability to perform the necessary functions for the system. Methods of analysis and synthesis were used in the study of theoretical models of innovative systems and their structure. The normativist method (formal and legal) was used in the study of the actual state of legislative securing of the NIS. Results of the research - Based on the analyzed scientific sources and on the basis of regulatory acts of Ukraine, it is necessary to distinguish the following NIS subsystems, which require significant legislative regulation: subsystem of generation of knowledge and education, subsystem of production of products and services, subsystem of innovative infrastructure,subsystem «National network technology transfer», Territorial (regional) subsystems. Discussion with the otherscientists- most views on the essence of a NIS can be divided into the following groups: structural approach, subsystem approach, functional and structural. However, these models do not sufficiently address the role of the lowest level of the administrative system - the united territorial communities as the only one as close as possible to the governmental structure. In this direction, it is necessary to extend the limits of financial capacity of territorial communities on the principles of transparency, accessibility, sufficiency. Summary and conclusions - for the harmonious and timely development of the National Innovation System it is necessary to comprehensively approach the legislative regulation of relations in the innovation system and its subsystems, as well asto formulate guidelines for the formation of the system of regulation of innovative activity in the laws.

The article is devoted to the study of spatial forms of organizing innovative infrastructure of Ukraine in terms of sustainable development. In the course of the study, modern trends of innovative development of the regions in Ukraine are highlighted. The peculiarities of implementing innovative policy in the context of smart specialization strategy are analyzed. Diagnostics of processes of formation and development of innovative infrastructure in regions of Ukraine is carried out. A conceptual approach to assessing the level of innovation infrastructure development is proposed.

The article is devoted to the topic of Ukraine’s readiness for innovations in industry 4.0. The article also discusses the concept of the 4th industrial revolution. The proposed methodology for assessing readiness for innovations is based on the annual ranking of The Global Innovation Index of Cornell University, the French Business School and Research Institute (INSEAD), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and official EU statistics. An analysis was carried out of Ukraine’s readiness for innovation in comparison with EU countries in the area of "The Conditions for Creating Innovative Potential, Level of Innovation Potential, Conditions for Realization of Innovative Potential, Realization of Innovative Potential". A cluster analysis of countries regarding the level of preparedness for innovation based on the indicators was also made. The strengths and weaknesses of Ukraine as an innovative country are highlighted, practical recommendations are also given for improving the level of innovative development in the country.

The article analyses the types of waste generated in economy and the possibilities of their management, on the example of Poland. The main focus was on using selected types of waste for methane production. The impact of the decomposing mass of organic waste on the production of greenhouse gases was examined and various types of biogas plants operating in Poland were presented (biogas plants at landfills, biogas plants at sewage treatment plants, agricultural biogas plants). The article also presents the benefits for the economy from the use of methane from methane drainage. Unfortunately, in Poland, methane resources are used to a small extent. In the case of mines, landfills or sewage treatment plants it is related to high costs of constructing methane capture installations, which are not offset by revenues from sales of gas and green certificates. Although much more favourable blue certificates have been introduced for agricultural biogas plants, the obstacle standing in the way of their progress is the lack of local spatial development plans for the places designated for their construction

Agriculture is a risky industry because forces beyond human control influence the quality and profitability of their activities. Farmers' incomes reveal high volatility due to product and crop price as well as catastrophic risks such as natural disasters and diseases. The following paper discusses different methods, also those not specific to EMS, and their exemplary application. An attempt has been made to answer the question of what methods of risk analysis and management are appropriate for agriculture. The goal is to identify methods which can be used in EMS for agriculture, especially in the family farmsteads. The paper is based on the latest, third edition of ISO 14001

The concept of occupational health and safety is not defined in Polish law. The only place where such a definition can be found is PN-N-1801:2004. Nevertheless, according to the Act on standardisation, the application of Polish Standards is voluntary. Activities in the field of occupational health and safety should be an integral part of business management. Companies from countries which are members of the European Union, in accordance with Directive 89/391/EEC, are obliged to implement standards related to occupational health and safety. The most commonly used and recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems, in line with the specifics of each company, is the OHSAS 18001 international management system, while in Poland it is the PN-N-18001 standard. The study examined the scope of OHS at work among Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia employees. The employees were subjected to surveys. The results obtained show that employees appreciate the importance of OHS regulations, but they do not always consciously comply with them. One of the tools that enabled author to prepare this article is analytic method called desk research. Desk Research is a research method that boils down to analyzing the records of available data sources, including in particular their compilation, mutual verification and processing. Such analysis is the basis for drawing conclusions about the examined problem. For example - the effect of the Desk Research analysis proceeded as part of the labor market survey is the diagnosis of the state of the labor market in the studied area, the characteristics of all its component groups as well as a description and verification of the actions taken by the institutions operating within it.

The common approaches to innovation deployed by many corporations are ineffective and associated with a collection of well defined risks including hype driven and biased decision making, risk aversion, and disruption. In contrast, open innovation programs reduce these same risks and deliver a variety of substantial benefits ranging from increased innovation speed, reduced costs, and increased probability of success.

This paper presents the modifications that have been made to the sickle insert of the gear pump with internal gearing. This procedure allowed the obtainment of radial compensation. The test stand to plot the characteristics of the pump before, as well as after the first and second modification is discussed. The results of the measurements from the tests conducted are presented. The results obtained confirmed the achievement of radial compensation by cutting the appropriate channel in the sickle insert. As a result, it will be possible to obtain a higher discharge pressure for this type of pump and to increase its efficiency.

The paper shows the results of research aimed to assess the impact of high squeeze pressure on the porosity of AlZn5Mg alloy castings, including its distribution in slab-type castings with dimensions of 25 x 100 x 200 mm. The research was carried out on castings made by two methods: squeeze casting and gravity casting. The pressing was conducted at a pressure of 100 MPa at an initial mould temperature of 200°C. The research identified the middle and outer parts of the casting. Experimental research was preceded by numerical simulation of the casting solidification, then a porosity assessment was carried out using the hydrostatic weighing method, which was supplemented by structural observations. The results of the research showed a two-fold decrease in the porosity in the middle part of the casting which is most exposed to the occurrence of shrinkage voids formed in the final clotting phase. Structural tests revealed the occurrence of dispersed porosity in castings, mainly of shrinkage and / or shrinkage-gas origin. The impact of pressure of 100 MPa during solidification caused fragmentation of the primary structure of castings, which resulted in a higher grain density.

The article considers the current issues of stimulating innovation in the energy sector and rational use of energy resources. A three-level system of problem-oriented management of human resources for stimulating innovation in the energy sector is proposed. The system considers the impact of the human factor on innovative development at the national, regional and enterprise levels. Also, the need to encourage enterprises to hire highly qualified specialists in the sphere of energy saving and energy efficiency is proven. The role of the tax policy in state regulation of the rational use of energy resources and stimulation of innovation in the energy sector is substantiated. The tax incentives for the rational use of energy resources applied in the world practice are grouped. Features of the application of tax incentives (accelerated depreciation, tax credits, tax holidays, and tax reduction) for energy efficiency and energy saving of households and business entities are analyzed. Directions for stimulating innovation in the energy sector for the efficient use of energy resources are offered.

This paper aims to understand about how uncertainty emerges in the innovation process. Since uncertainty is embedded in the innovation process, to understand how uncertainty emerges in the process one needs to understand how innovation process unfolds over time. Since an innovation process involves various resource recombination activities occurring in several phases, to understand how innovation process unfolds one needs understand “how do various resource recombination activities occur over time for the creation of novelty?” This knowledge would enable us to understand the conditions under which vital activities of resource recombination can/cannot be undertaken and coordinated as well as would allow us to understand the underlying decisions made by the innovators for their efficient undertaking and coordination. This paper investigates the innovation process in two companies through performing qualitative study. The innovation processes are analysed in the light of a conceptual model developed based on the Dubois’ (1994) End-product related activity structure model, Håkansson’s (1987) “ARA model” and Goldratt’s (1997) “Critical chain concept”. The findings suggest that uncertainty emerges in the innovation process in a cycle of interaction with resource void, activity void and actors’ limited cognition due to lack of knowledge, undue optimism, and rationally justified reason for disregarding information. Accordingly, a great deal of compromises is made while undertaking the activities.

Many firms from diverse sectors increasingly use artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen their efficiency by replacing human work. However, many of these advanced automation procedures will become standard tools in the future, and their relatively isolated application will not enable companies to gain a competitive advantage. Drawing on the distinction of data, information, knowledge and intelligence or wisdom, this paper suggests an intelligence-based view of firm performance as an extension of the knowledge-based view and the resource-based view. An intelligence-based perspective underscores the need to integrate AI applications with specific human expertise to complicate imitation by competitors. To sustain a competitive advantage over time, companies further need to develop a meta-intelligence to dynamically renew and recombine their intelligence architecture with multiple types of human and artificial intelligence. An intelligence-based view provides a systematic framework for assessing a firm’s possibilities to profit from AI by generating growth and innovation beyond optimization and efficiency.

It has been recognized that innovation drives the long-run economic growth of nations and increasingly governments are placing innovation at the center of their economic growth strategies. International variation in the investment on innovation presents an opportunity to examine key enablers of innovation-driving policy choices. Countries find themselves at different stages of economic development and innovation performance and so their relative levels of innovation inputs and outputs are likely to be different. In this study we employ a systems of innovation approach to examine what enables improvements in innovation potential among developed countries. Using data from the 2017 Global Innovation Index (GII) Report, we subjected 770 data measures to an analysis of 242 relationships involving changes in the GII’s innovation inputs/outputs scores and overall innovation potential of 35 OECD countries over a five year period (2012 to 2016). Our findings suggest that instituting policies that improve access to open and competitive markets is the most significant enabler for raising a developed country’s innovation potential.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of substituting sugar in crust pastry with natural substitutes, such as stevia, xylitol, coconut sugar as well as dried banana. Furthermore, a comparison of physicochemical properties was carried out. The crust pastry obtained was analyzed in terms of color by CIEL*a*b*, textures, water activity, bake loss, semi-consumer assessments and the nutritional value was calculated. There was a clear impact caused by the sugar substitute on the physicochemical properties and their sensory assessment. The cakes with xylitol had the closest color, smell and taste to the control sample (with sucrose). The cakes with dried banana had a significantly reduced hardness compared to the control sample. The lowest bake loss was observed in the case of pastry with dried banana, while the highest was in the case of xylitol. In sensory analysis, the “Just-about-right” method was used, and pastries with a sweter taste were more desirable (xylitol) and pastry with the stevia substitute showed the lowest desirability. The lowest energy value per 100 g was obtained for stevia (392 kcal/ 100g), while for xylitol energy, the value was reduced by 6%.

The long-term use of plant protection products in agriculture, including pentachlorophenol (PCP), has contributed to their widespread distribution in the natural environment. So far, no cheap and effective techniques for removing chlorophenols by physicochemical or biological methods have been developed. Therefore, alternative methods of neutralizing them are currently being sought. The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of pentachlorophenol decomposition by high temperature thermohydrolysis. The decomposition process was carried out at a constant pressure of 25 MPa, in the temperature range of 20°C to 500°C and at various volumetric flows of PCP through the reactor. Detailed analysis of the results showed that the process and degree of pentachlorophenol reduction depended on residence time in the reactor and the process temperature. The obtained results indicate that thermohydrolysis in supercritical water is not an effective method to neutralize pentachlorophenol. The high costs of conducting this process together with an average degree of PCP conversion (the conversion of pentachlorophenol at the lowest volumetric flow rate through the reactor reached about 45%) cause that thermohydrolysis at high temperature is not a costeffective method of neutralizing pentachlorophenol.

After a short introduction characterizing the general outline of the issue, this paper describes the test results of oil leakage measurements through CVT actuator seals. The research was done using Jatco company's CVT 7 model, the popular gearbox for small passenger cars. Several curves of leakage values are given for both actuators, concerning different conditions such as rotational speed, oil temperature or pressure. In the summary several conclusions are formulated, based on presented test results. The determined maximal value of leakage is about 1 l/min. It emerged that the influence of centrifugal force is negligible. What is more, the observed phenomena are shortly described and projected for more detailed investigation.

The article aims at summarising the state of the art in the efforts of researchers and innovators to find viable solutions to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This effect is loosely connected with the greenhouse effect, however, it certainly creates a severe negative synergy together with it. As green roofs are a well-known answer how to address the UHI effect, the ways how to make their massive and global deployment convenient are discussed. Initially, the differences and similarities between urbanisation in developed and developing countries are described. Then the paper depicts solutions, especially synergic ones, for making the dissemination of green roofs viable, such as rainwater and energy harvesting or urban agriculture. Then the authors conclude that retrofitting the existing roofs is the only method for reaching the desired scale and discuss available business models necessary for introducing the prosumer approach to the retrofitting.

Nowadays, the optimization of energy consumption and resources is one of the most urgent topics in worldwide industry. The energy consumption monitoring and control in various multiphase flow industrial applications, where a proper flow characteristic and an optimal phase mixture control is crucial, is hard to perform due to the physical and chemical complexity of the processes. The Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) is one of the relatively cheap non-invasive measurement methods that can help in the monitoring and control of optimal energy and resources dozing in industrial processes. ECT diagnostics systems use unique sensors that can non-intrusively detect spatial capacitance changes caused by spatial changes in the electrical permittivity of industrial process components. One of the latest ECT extensions is a three-dimensional measurement strategy that uses a multilayer structure of the capacitance sensor. In this paper, the authors propose a novel approach to the 3D ECT sensors fabrication process that uses 3D computer modelling and 3D printing to easily get any sensor shape, electrode layout, scale and shielding strategy. This study compares the measurement abilities of a 3D ECT sensor fabricated using a traditional hand-made technique with the 3D printed device. The results have proven the potential of the new 3D print-based sensor regarding its significant fabrication time reduction as well as the improvement of the overall 3D ECT sensor measurement accuracy and stability.

Considering, as main reference, Donald Schön’s proposal (1983, 1987) on reflective professionals’ training, and on action competencies development adjusted to solving problems in dynamic and uncertain contexts and volatile circumstances, we intend, in this letter, to resume the reflection on system thinking, considering that its singular design, by the non-standard nature that characterizes it, constitutes the foundation of innovation and development processes. Taking into account the difficulties that resistance to change necessarily brings to the training processes, we also reconvene, on the thread of history, the concept of deviation, by means of an epistemic and (multi)referential examination of the importance of divergence, in its contours, contributions and boundaries, as a vital way to refresh and reinvent perceptions, knowledge and meanings. We highlight the possibility of choice within decision-making processes, understanding it not only as a means to escape from mimetic repetition, but also as an outlet to the uncertain, the unpredictable, and the novel. That is, we intend to reflect on the nature of the creative act as poiesis, in its deep and seductive relation with the creator’s emancipation, the ethics underlying a compromise with human values, the aesthetics of adventure, and the appeal of the open work.

Some of the most promising distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) technical systems use fused particle fabrication (FPF) or fused granular fabrication (FGF), where compression screws force post-consumer waste plastic through a heated nozzle for direct 3D printing. To assist the technical evolution of these systems, this study provided the details of an invention for a low-cost, easily replicable open-source grinding machine for compression screw manufacturing. The system itself can be largely fabricated using FPF/FGF following the self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) methodology. This grinding machine can be made from a cordless cut-off grinder and &lt, $155 in parts. The new invention is demonstrated to be able to cut custom screws with variable (i) channel depths, (ii) screw diameters, (iii) screw lengths, (iv) pitches, (v) abrasive disk thicknesses, (vi) handedness of the screws, (vii) and materials (three types of steel tested: 1045 steel, 1144 steel, and 416 stainless steel). The results show that the device is more than capable of replicating commercial screws as well as providing makers with a much greater flexibility to make custom screws. This invention enables the DRAM toolchain to become even more self-sufficient, which assists the goals of the circular economy.

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has gained much attention in recent years due to its advantages including geometric freedom and design complexity, appropriate for a wide range of potential industrial applications. However, conventional metal AM methods have high-cost barriers due to the initial cost of the capital equipment, support, and maintenance, etc. This study presents a low-cost metal material extrusion technology as a prospective alternative to the production of metallic parts in additive manufacturing. The filaments used consist of copper, bronze, stainless steel, high carbon iron, and aluminum powders in a polylactic acid matrix. Using the proposed fabrication technology, test specimens were built by extruding metal/polymer composite filaments, which were then sintered in an open-air furnace to produce solid metallic parts. In this research, the mechanical and thermal properties of the built parts are examined using tensile tests, thermogravimetric, thermomechanical and microstructural analysis.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to trace the theoretical developments of the gravity model of trade. The key question is: what are the dominant features of the development of the gravity trade model? Methodology. This research is conducted by employing a number of methods that include the historical, descriptive and analytical methods. The main contribution of this paper is to trace the historical and theoretical development phases of the gravity model. Findings. This study is a novel attempt in terms of the identification of the four distinctive phases of the development of the gravity model. This work would, therefore, expand the existing literature on the gravity model. We argue that the development of the gravity model is the outcome of many research efforts. A large body of literature has given the model a solid theoretical foundation. But there is no consensus about the proper econometric estimation methods of the model. The gravity model is significant both historically and analytically. It is a useful tool for the analysis of international trade. It has become a popular research device used by the researchers and policy makers around the world. The gravity is regarded as one of the most successful models in the literature of international economics. Originality. The original contributions of this paper lie in streamlining the consistent historical development of the gravity model over a longer period of time-frame, ranging from 1885 to 2018. Limitations and Implications. This work is theoretical aspects of the trade gravity model. Future researchers could overcome the limitations by combining the theoretical and empirical studies in a paper. This paper can help the future researchers in dealing with the broad body of literature of gravity model. Acknowledement. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants No.71673223 & 71473197), and a PhD scholarship from the China Scholarship Council (CSC). The first author would like to thank the CSC for the financial support. He also acknowledges the invaluable research advice and guidance received from Dr. Yoto V. Yotov, professor at the School of Economics of the Lebow College of Business at Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA. The authors are highly grateful to the anonymous reviewers, managing editor, and the editor-in chief for their kind help and critical comments on the earlier drafts of the paper. However, the authors are responsible for the contents and limitations of the study. They declared no conflict of interests.

The Polish Energy Sector is one of the most difficult lines of business because among other things, of the existing legal provisions, and standards relating to pollutant emissions. In the coming years, in the Polish Energy Sector breakthrough changes related to develop the energy facilities and with respect to the environmental protection will have to be introduced. During the generation of electricity harmful residues are produced, which are counteracted by equipment designed for flue gas cleaning. The Energy Sector should be concentrating on searching for the implementation of innovations to achieve emission standards.

Increasing urbanization rates, particularly in cities, cause an increase in pollutant emissions into the environment. Immission of pollutants is the amount of particulate or gaseous pollutants that is received by the environment. Natural precipitation, i.e. rainwater, is polluted during the contact with air. As a result of atmospheric precipitation groundwater and soil become polluted. The pollutants also penetrate surface water, causing further contamination. In rainwater that goes to the sewage system, there are pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, slurries, plant protection products and many more. This is largely dependent on the type of management of the catchment, its sanitary condition, and the time and intensity of precipitation. Another important factor is the composition of pollutants emitted into the atmospheric air in each area. The work shows changes in the pollution of rainwater in Lodz Voivodship in the years 2010-2016 and presents analysis of the data collected by the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection. The analysis shows that the state of rainwater is steadily deteriorating which is directly related to air quality.

This paper presents an analysis of the possibilities of using energy generated by an experimental photovoltaic façade located on the building of the Technical University of Lodz, on the eastern elevation. The energy produced by the façade was designed to cover the demand for lighting in an office room. Research was carried out during the years 2015 - 2017 in selected periods of the year. The analysis showed that the winter and transitional periods generated much less electricity compared to the summer period, which is inversely proportional to the energy demand for artificial lighting in the office room.

Among the large family of metallic oxides, there is a considerable group possessing excellent semiconducting properties. What follows, they are promising materials for applications in the field of optoelectronics and photonics. Thanks to the development of nanotechnology in the last few decades, it is now possible to manufacture a great variety of different nanostructures. By controlling their size, shape, composition and crystallinity, one can influence such properties as band gap, absorption properties, surface to volume ratio, conductivity, and, as a consequence, tune the material for the chosen application. The following article reviews the research conducted in the field of application of the metallic oxide nanoparticles, especially ZnO, TiO2 and ITO (Indium-Tin Oxide), in such branches of optoelectronics as solid-state lightning, photodetectors, solar-cells and transparent conducting layers.

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a quantitative, integrative and systematic literature review of the moderating effects of dynamic capability associated with radical innovation and incremental innovation teams in the global pharmaceutical biotechnology industry. This paper utilizes a conceptual framework of dynamic capability and socio-technical theory to underpin the study. The study includes 250 articles which were originally surveyed, and then a final selection of 66 articles was based on a structured coding system. The study outcome reveals that knowledge sharing strengthens existing professional knowledge and enhances internal work coordination and consistency in employees’ behavior, and effectively integrates diverse team knowledge and experience. Open innovation has a positive effect on radical innovation and enables knowledge acquisition to form a symbiotic relationship with knowledge sharing. Learning orientation has a stronger effect on incremental innovation than on radical innovation. The limitations of the study are related to a systematic literature review for this research does not establish causality. The mediating effects of dynamic capability on teams are not explored for this research. The implications for management are as follows, teams must be given the autonomy to make decisions from a technical perspective. Tacit knowledge, open innovation, knowledge acquisition and learning orientation are areas in which priority must be given during and after acquisitions in the pharmaceutical biotechnology industry.

In this conceptual paper, we review the literature spanning the Strategic Planning, Foresight and Design disciplines with the emphasis placed on how innovation stakeholders may engage with the future in order to explore the challenges to decision-making they highlight. From this review, and a series of facilitators identified by the authors in previous design and futures thinking field research, critical perspectives are presented that illustrate how systematic futures thinking can inform decision-makers concerning the innovation challenges and opportunities emerging over medium and longer-term (5-15 years) time horizons of social and technology environments. Combining Foresight and Design in an approach we call “Foresight by Design”, as part of Strategic Planning processes, can help the emergence of new and more creative possibilities, foster the inclusion and alignment of diverse stakeholders, and provide for ongoing learning through prototyping and experimentation by using design tools and approaches to achieve deeper insight and alignment around current reality, to facilitate a more productive conversation across difference, to aid in specifying a portfolio of desirable futures, and to engage ecosystem partners in active experimentation that generates new knowledge and learning.

The main goal of the study is to analyse the residential real estate market in Ukraine from the point of view of the need and the possibility of increasing its energy efficiency. Also, it aims to justify effective financial and credit mechanisms for ensuring measures to improve the thermal protection properties of residential and non- residential real estate, in particular by introducing energy efficiency development projects. With this research we investigated Ukraine's housing stock and utility tariffs and concluded that a beneficial strategy to be applied in Ukraine is the energy-efficient retrofit of real estate. This is one of the most effective ways to re-profile unclaimed real estate units in the existing state or to reconstruct inefficiently used buildings. Also, we reviewed selected methods of energy efficient residential real estate development and mechanisms of financing energy- efficient renovation of real estate used in the EU. And, in our view, the next step of the Ukraine in the direction of improving the energy efficiency of housing should be the effective operation of a dedicated/specific energy efficiency fund to ensure stable financing of housing modernization projects, which will allow for a comprehensive renovation of buildings and lead to significant annual energy savings in this end-use sector.

This article discusses the issues concerning the quality of casting surface with a small unit weight manufactured on the Disamatic automatic casting lines in a flaskless mould with a vertical parting line. The research was conducted in manufacturing conditions in one of the casting facilities in the country. The identification of casting defects for a monthly manufacturing cycle was made and agreed that the main causes of scrap casting are defects on the raw surface: lumps of moulding sand which after removal form cavities and draws as well as defects of gas origin such as blowholes. There are also defects of form namely short runs. In the later part of the work, the research results of the properties of moulding sand were presented and casting defects were selected the occurrence of which is connected with the quality of moulding sands.

This research concerns the continuously variable transmission that is to be used in a hybrid drivetrain with a mechanical energy accumulator as a secondary energy source. The purpose of this research is to verify the method of determining the pressure surge which ensures a fast but safe ratio change, from the perspective of the belt slip point of a continuously variable transmission. The obtained results allowed to decide on the design of a more extensive test bench enabling simulation of the load of a continuously variable transmission resulting from the acceleration and braking of the car's mass. In addition, the test results confirmed the possibility of regulating the pressures in two actuators to change the ratio and increase the speed of this change.