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The article provides readers with a detailed overview of the AutoMedPrint technology, its advantages and opportunities, based on a number of studies and case examples. The AutoMedPrint system represents a significant advancement in the field of orthopedics, offering a comprehensive solution for the automated design and rapid production of personalized orthopedic and prosthetic devices through 3D printing technology. This paper details the system's capabilities and methodologies behind it, which include the design and manufacturing of various devices such as wrist hand orthoses (WHO) and ankle foot orthoses (AFO), among others. These devices are crafted using data obtained from precise anthropometric measurements, allowing for high customization to meet individual patient needs. The AutoMedPrint system enhances the quality of life for patients by providing devices that are not only functional and cost-effective but also rapidly produced, ensuring timely intervention. Case studies demonstrate the system's effectiveness in practical scenarios, highlighting its potential to revolutionize orthopedic care by integrating new materials and technologies that adapt to changing medical and patient requirements. The discussion extends to the lifecycle of the produced devices, emphasizing sustainability and continuous improvement, ensuring the system's relevance and efficacy in modern medical practice.

The paper presents an analysis of the influence of the Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP) machine performance parameters on the repeatability of generated cardboard boxes’ selected geometric features. As part of the research, two batches of packaging were measured. Each batch contained 100 pieces of packaging, manufactured either at a rate of 15 pcs/min or 20 pcs/min, 50 pcs each. Both batches were measured using Creaform’s Academia scanner using VXelements 6.2 software. The results were analyzed using GOM Inspect programming. In the first stage, the geometric repeatability of the products was analyzed on the basis of two selected critical features, which were considered to be the internal length and width of the cardboard packaging. These features are responsible for the proper efficiency of the packaging and the possibility of combining cartons during transportation. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. In the second stage of the research, an analysis of surface deviation maps was carried out against a reference element. Our findings allow it to be concluded that increasing the production output of carton packaging (from 15 to 20 pcs/min) did not negatively affect the dimensional accuracy and repeatability of the process. It was also found that the shortening of packaging production time by increasing productivity had a positive effect on the stability of the manufacturing process of hot-glued SRP packaging.

The article presents analysis of mechanical properties of specimens fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM). The four of considered materials are the well-known 3D printing filaments i.e., polylactide (PLA), Nylon 12 (PA12), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G). The other four of the considered materials are composites with carbon i.e. polylactide with carbon fiber (PLA-CF), Nylon 12 with carbon fiber (PA12-CF), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene with carbon fiber (ABS-CF), polyethylene terephthalate glycol with carbon fiber (PETG-CF). The paper describes how the specimens were designed, printed, subjected to tensile testing, and examined using microscopy. The obtained data will be used to select the optimum material for the rapid manufacture of lower limb orthoses. Carbon composites were found to have better mechanical properties of their base material, but the fabrication of composite samples is much more time consuming, for the reason that the manufacturing process is not stable.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are a synergistic technology that complements other new technologies and is in constant development. The paper focuses on using artificial intelligence (AI) in security surveillance. This article aims to develop an unmanned aerial system to monitor border areas and detect human silhouettes in challenging environmental conditions. For this purpose, thermal imaging technology was used for remote sensing in combination with artificial intelligence, particularly Yolo algorithms. After testing various Yolo versions, the target algorithm was implemented on an NVIDIA Jetson Xavier edge device. Prototyping of the AI-based thermal detection system was carried out on the DJI S900 multi-rotor aircraft. The final solution was implemented on a vertical take-off and landing aircraft. A summary containing observations and conclusions, as well as perspectives for the development of future work, are included at the end of the paper.

Every decision or action taken as part of a construction project involves risk. Unforeseen branch works that may occur during the construction investment are the so-called additional work. They cause risk, both for the contractor and the investor. Skilful management of this risk may lead to minimizing the change in the investment duration or minimizing the change in the cost of the contractual amount. The work proposes a method of analysing the risk of industrial works that may occur during additional works in railway construction investments. A constructed Bayesian network based on the risk component of industrial works was used for the analysis. Bayesian networks are listed as one of the 31 techniques suggested for risk analysis in accordance with the ISO 31010 standard, which enables the correct analysis of the examined problem with satisfactory accuracy. During the construction of the network, historical data was obtained from completed and settled railway infrastructure construction projects, and 125 unique records corresponding to additional works were identified. The created Bayesian network combines technological aspects resulting from the specificity of the implementation of branch works in railway construction projects with a practical assessment of their risk. The proposed network model allows for risk analysis by defining various event scenarios, and has high application capacity resulting from the ease of applying its results in practice in the implementation of railway investments.

The aim of the work is to present an innovative solution based on artificial intelligence for examining the condition of railway tracks in real time. The system, based on fuzzy logic and metaheuristics such as Fuzzy Logic, Neural Networks and Bee Behavior Optimization, combines hardware and software to provide reliable data on the technical characteristics of the railway. Installed in rail vehicles, hardware collects this data, while software uses artificial intelligence to improve operational reliability and safety. The aforementioned technology is not only useful for infrastructure diagnostics, but also for urban railways such as trams and metros, ensuring a high level of passenger safety. The introduction of artificial intelligence in the railway sector is a key step towards modernisation, improving efficiency, resource optimization and safety. Although still in its infancy, artificial intelligence already shows great potential in transforming the railway sector towards a more efficient, reliable and sustainable future.

CO2 photocatalytic reduction is a potential and promising technology to reduce the level of the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere but also as an alternative and renewable fuel resource. However, the products yield of the reaction is still low and the identification of the optimal operating conditions that affect the process are still needed to be determined. This study investigates the impact of key operational parameters, specifically photocatalyst concentration and stirring speed, on the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 in a slurry batch photoreactor utilizing synthesized TiO2. A simplified photocatalytic kinetic model, incorporating the radiation field within the photoreactor, was developed, considering mass transfer from liquid to gas phase for the primary detected reaction products (CO, CH4, and H2). The proposed models elucidate the influence of different operating conditions on product yields. Stirring speed, controlled by a magnetic stirrer, impacts the gas–liquid mass transfer rate. Increased liquid phase stirring speed ensures faster species transport to the gas phase, with a diminishing effect beyond 900 rpm. TiO2 photocatalyst mass concentration influences the available total active surface and irradiation absorbance in the photoreactor volume. Optimal product yields were observed at the lowest tested photocatalyst concentration (0.5 g · L-1), indicating improved irradiation distribution and reduced particle agglomeration, resulting in higher available active surface for the reaction. The calculation model successfully predicted product yields even with lower photocatalyst concentration of 0.25 g · L-1, with marginal increases in predicted yields. These findings provide valuable insights for scaling up and optimizing the CO2 photocatalytic reduction process, offering a foundation for future research.

The non-linearity of the modulus in the zone of small deformations has become one of the three basic concepts of modern soil mechanics, together with “effective stresses” or “critical state”. It is therefore necessary to obtain suitable parameters to describe these phenomena through the development of modern measuring equipment and newresearch methods. Limitations in the availability of the research area or research equipment indicate the need to create a data set, in the formula of regional assessments. The article presents a compilation of data on the deformation characteristics of soils covering about 75% of the country’s area, which are the most common subsoils for building. Descriptions, images of microstructures, and a record of mechanical parameters are presented for various age-old glacial clays and marginal clays and loesses. Emphasis is placed on parameters obtained from triaxial tests, including the determination of the shear modulus at small deformations obtained from BET measurements. In combination with the patented solution of sample strain measurement, complete deformability curves of the tested samples were obtained, indicating model reference curves developed for the above soil types. The statistically significant amount of data collected allowed the creation of a specific portfolio for selected soils as a starting point for assessing deformability. This corresponds to the current expectations regarding the characteristics of the behaviour of the substrate in the full spectrum of stresses and deformations, obtained from different types of tests, which, as in the case of soil stiffness degradation, together allow the correct determination of the necessary parameters.

In the paper, an analysis of the time aspect of the baseline plan for the execution of reinforced concrete works was carried out on a case study. The case study covers the construction of a public school in the Republic of Croatia, which was completed in 2023. By analyzing the baseline plan, it was determined that it has shortcomings and that the duration of the activities does not correlate with those actually achieved. Compared to the initial 86 working days, the baseline plan actually lasted 272 working days, which is an overrun of 216.28%. The leading causes of overruns in individual activities were identified, and lack of communication between project participants proved to be one of the particularly frequent ones. Recommendations were given for better time planning and for reducing deviations from planned durations, which can improve the processes of time management and project management in general.

The interaction between soil and building structures of various materials is defined on the basis of certain assumptions, but these are shown in many cases to be not accurate from the point of view of safe, reliable and economic design of engineering structures. Therefore, as part of our research activities, we decided to better understand the transfer of shear forces and the interaction between soil and other materials. We focused on testing materials in a shear box apparatus, where 3 types of tests were carried out: in the first stage, we tested the shear parameters of the soil in a 900 mm2 box apparatus; in the second stage, the properties of the interaction between soil and concrete were tested, and in the third stage, soil was in contact with the steel plate. The results of the tests are within the expected range of the interface friction angle between the structures and the soils.

This research was conducted to analyse the possibility of using raw, untreated recycled tyre fibres as an effective concrete reinforcement according to circular economy principles. The aim of the article was also to develop a method for dispensing tire fibres on a real scale. Additional treatment and homogenisation of recycled steel fibres entail higher energy consumption, emissions of greenhouse gases, and increased costs. However, obtaining durable and safe concrete effectively reinforced with steel fibres is critical. Finding a balance between environmental friendliness and product durability is a circular economic challenge. Reference concrete with commercial steel fibres (15 kg/m3) and two concretes containing various quantities of non-treated, raw tyre recycled fibres (25 kg/m3 and 45 kg/m3) were industrially produced. Tests were carried out on the properties of the concrete mixture and hardened concrete, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting strength, modulus of elasticity, residual flexural tensile strength, and fibre distribution in concrete. Tests revealed that increasing the amount of raw tyre fibres disturbs the structure and causes air entrainment and the formation of fibre clusters. Smaller quantities of raw tyre fibres turn out an effective concrete reinforcement. The use of non-treated tyre fibres as concrete reinforcement is possible but requires more stringent control of the concrete parameters. Implementation tests on an industrial scale are a novelty in this study, presenting an analysis of the possible dispensing of tyre fibres in a ready-mixed concrete production plant and testing the characteristics of manufactured concrete.

The aim of this research was to explore the innovative use of natural additives, containing phytochemicals with proven antimicrobial effects, in the production of epoxy–glass composites. This study was based on information regarding the antimicrobial effects of phytochemicals present in Cistus incanus, Zingiber officinale, and Armoracia rusticana. The additives were subjected to a gas chromatography (GC) analysis to determine their composition, and, subsequently, they were used to prepare resin mixtures and to produce epoxy–glass composites. Samples of the modified materials were tested against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. In addition, flammability and durability tests were also performed. It was found that the strongest biocidal properties were demonstrated by the material with the addition of cistus, which caused a reduction of microorganisms by 2.13 log units (S. aureus), 1.51 log units (E. coli), and 0.81 log units (C. albicans). The same material also achieved the most favorable results of strength tests, with the values of flexural strength and tensile strength reaching 390 MPa and 280 MPa, respectively. Public transport is a place particularly exposed to various types of pathogens. Currently, there are no solutions on the railway market that involve the use of composites modified in this respect.

The main objective of this study is to understand the rheological behavior of various types of cheeses with mold subjected to multiple stresses during processing/handling, transport, or storage, aiming to maintain or even improve product quality, using computer-assisted penetration methods and advanced regression algorithms. Uniaxial penetration tests with a cone at a constant speed were conducted using a universal Hounsfield testing equipment connected to a computer to analyze the texture behavior (tangential stress, flow index, apparent viscosity) of four of the most common types of cheese with mold depending on the cone’s tip angle (9, 19, and 90 degrees) and penetration speed (12, 30, and 60 mm/min). From the results obtained for the four categories of mold cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Dorblue, and Roquefort), the amplitude of the speed and angle of penetration were considered as the main influencing factors for the shear deformation (τc), flow index (Kf), and apparent viscosity (ηa). The moisture and firmness of mold cheeses are closely linked and depend on the type of mold, the maturation process, or storage conditions. Careful control of these factors is essential to achieve the desired texture and taste characteristics in cheeses with mold.

The aim of the presented research is to evaluate the potential performance of a new bending magnet X-ray beamline—PolyX, designed for microimaging and microspectroscopy at the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS in Krakow. Due to the short beamline length (

The introduction of 3D printing technology in dentistry has opened new treatment options. The ongoing development of different materials for these printing purposes has recently enabled the production of definitive indirect restorations via 3D printing. To identify relevant data, a systematic search was conducted in three databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Additionally, a manual search using individual search terms was performed. Only English, peer-reviewed articles that encompassed in vitro or in vivo research on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed composite materials were included, provided they met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After screening 1142 research articles, 14 primary studies were selected. The included studies mainly utilized digital light processing (DLP) technology, less commonly stereolithography (SLA), and once PolyJet printing technology. The material properties of various composite resins, such as VarseoSmile Crown Plus (VSC) and Crowntec (CT), were studied, including Vickers hardness, flexural strength, elastic modulus, compressive strength, tensile strength, fracture resistance, and wear. The studies aimed to compare the behavior of the tested additive composites to each other, conventional composites, and subtractive-manufactured materials. This scoping review examined the mechanical properties of composites used for 3D printing of definitive restorations. The aim was to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on this topic and identify any gaps for future research. The findings suggest that 3D-printed composites are not yet the first option for indirect restorations, due to their insufficient mechanical properties. Due to limited evidence, more research is needed in this area. Specifically, there is a need for clinical trials and long-term in vivo research.

The objective of the research outlined in this paper is to propose an eco-friendly solution that simultaneously contributes to improving the characteristics of polymer composites. The analyzed solution entails the use of recycled aggregate from crushed concrete rubble. The authors conducted experiments to test the consistency, density, flexural strength, compressive strength, and microstructure of polymer concrete (PC) with different proportions of recycled aggregate (RA). It was found that PC with RA had a higher compressive strength, 96 MPa, than PC with natural aggregate, 89.1 MPa, owing to the formation of a double-layer shell of resin and calcium filler on the surface of porous RA grains. Using a resin with a lower viscosity could improve the performance of PC with RA by filling the cracks and penetrating deeper into the pores. RA is a valuable material for PC production, especially when it contains porous grains with poor mechanical properties, which are otherwise unsuitable for other applications. This article also highlights the environmental and economic benefits of using RA in PC, as it can reduce waste generation and natural resource consumption.

Abstract Inverse vulcanization of waste or renewable dienes has generated materials with phenomenal properties across a spectrum of applications. Nevertheless, the use of these materials for structural applications remains a challenge. Here, the use of an inverse vulcanized cyclopentadiene polymer as a resin for carbon fiber reinforced composites is explored. The dynamic S─S bonds in the polymer matrix are used to repair composite specimens over 5 generations by heating the material to 140 °C. A range of composites are manufactured and evaluated for their flexural properties, using a range of fiber orientations. Finally, this polymer is used to reinforce a carbon fiber fabric composed entirely of reclaimed materials, constituting a composite entirely composed of waste materials and second life carbon fibers.

Manufacturing technology of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for pH measurements is presented. Plasticized polyurethane membranes with tridodecylamine as a pH-selective ionophore were used as receptor layer, whereas electrodes printed with graphene nanoplatelets paste served as transducers. For preliminary experiments, sensors with screen-printed transducers and pH-selective membranes deposited manually or by direct-ink writing, were employed. However, the use of aerosol-jet printing (AJP) technique for the production of transducer as well as deposition of pH-selective polymeric membrane allowed substantial miniaturization of the sensors, leading to low-cost, automated fabrication of millimeter-scale ISEs. The pH sensors were printed on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, the issues of compatibility of membrane and substrate materials were addressed. The average membrane thickness for the ISEs was 225.2 ± 8.0 μm with an additional 20 μm average thickness of other underlying printed layers. The planar dimensions of ISEs were 300 μm (width) by 2 mm, presenting an opportunity for even further miniaturization. Sensors fully printed with the AJP technique yielded a potentiometric response of −53.48 ± 4.26 mV/pH (N = 69) for PET substrate and − 46.71 ± 10.23 mV/pH (N = 66) for TPU substrate. Presented results are important for developing a fully operational electronic tattoo suitable for large-scale manufacturing.

Erosion of solids by liquid droplets is a phenomenon which is a compromise between mechanical properties of the material and droplet hydrodynamic parameters. While a number of studies deal with the deformation of drops, the deformation evolution inside the material has not yet been revealed, mainly from the point of view of the time action of the impinging drops The mechanical response of AISI 316L was investigated under gradually increasing numbers of impingements of liquid droplets, with a droplet volume of Vd ≅ 0.9 mm3, generated by an ultrasonic pulsating water jet with the frequency f = 40 kHz from 1 to 20 s. The surface roughness and the wear rates were determined using a laser profilometer. The cross-section of the selected samples was subjected to microhardness measurement with a load of 0.150 N in a 2D grid, which included the entire perimeter of the deformed area. The minimal microhardness measurement grid under the groove had dimensions of 15 × 15 indents, equal to an area of approximately 450 × 600 µm. A maximum hardness increase was observed at the lowest measured depth of 30 µm. An increase in hardness was observed at 300 µm below the surface. The hardening in the deeper subsurface area was most likely caused by shear stress. This shows the high degree of similitude between the solid and liquid droplet impingements. The results indicate that the currently accepted theory on the development of erosion over time has shortcomings, as demonstrated in this work by the ratio between the utilised droplet diameter and the grain size of the material.

Abstract Poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate) (PLA/PBSA) blends are found promising for film packaging applications because of their flexibility, resistance, and compostability. Industrially extruded granules and films based on PLA and containing different amounts of PBSA are reprocessed through mini‐extrusion, to simulate recycling, and tested in terms of their melt flow rate as a function of PBSA content. Moreover, pure PLA commercial granules and the film produced extruding the PLA/PBSA 60/40 blend are reprocessed several times by injection molding and characterized in terms of melt flow rate, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and color as a function of injection molding cycles. The variation in melt fluidity and thermo‐mechanical properties is negligible up to 3 injection molding cycles for both pure PLA granules and PLA/PBSA blend. In the case of blend the change in color (yellowing and darkening) is more evident and slight local compositional change in injection molded items can be evidenced as well as a slight decrease in PBS crystallinity as a function of injection molding cycles. Nevertheless, in applications where these aspects are not critical, these materials can be recycled by extrusion or injection molding before being composted, thus prolonging their life cycle and storing carbon in them as longer as possible.

Industrial photogrammetry is a reliable method to achieve submillimeter accuracy when mapping 2D or 3D objects. In the field of fatigue testing of steel welded details, it can be used to find a new method of crack initiation assessment. Fatigue testing is an important method for determining and predicting the durability of structural details in service. The research presented in this paper is based on a computer vision algorithm developed using the open-source code OpenCV library and the Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB) method to provide a solution for the assessment of crack initiation. Within this research, a method for determining the crack initiation period using polynomial functions of a certain degree is developed. The developed algorithm fully automatically determines the test specimen displacement for all imagery and assesses the crack initialization period by polynomial interpolation with a percentage threshold. The algorithm shows us the best results based on a 26th-degree polynomial with a deviation from the critical value of 5%. The validation of the algorithm was carried out using completely independently recorded data from the hydraulic press used for fatigue tests. The results of all test specimens show that the percentage accuracy of determination crack initiation period is between −0.04% for test specimens S355-TA-AW-02 and S355-TA-HFMI-03 and −0.82% for test specimen S355-TA-HFMI-03, with the mean of all results being 0.39%.

The quality of black/red currant products, which are valuable components of a healthy diet, depends on many aspects, e.g., natural variability, climatic conditions, degree of ripeness, processing technology, and recipe. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the harvest year (2020 and 2021) and different processes (with or without prepress enzymatic treatment) on the chemical composition of 38 laboratory-prepared black/red currant (BC/RC) juices and to compare them with 19 selected commercial products, using 20 compositional and quality markers. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed for BC in sucrose, Dp-3-glu, and Cy-3-glu content within the different processes, as well as fructose and ascorbic acid content within the harvest year (p < 0.05). The greatest differences between BC and RC juices were observed in ascorbic acid content (1567 mg/kg in BC and 261 mg/kg in RC), citric acid content (34.6 g/kg in BC and 23.2 g/kg in RC), and in the anthocyanin profile. The major anthocyanins of the currant products were identified as Dp-3-rut (39.1–50.4%), Cy-3-rut (30.1–39.1%), Cy-3-glu (3.6–18.2%), and Dp-3-glu (9.4–13.5%) in BC and Cy-3-glu (59.3–67.2%) and Cy-3-rut (14.2–19.8%) in RC. The chemical composition of commercial products was found to be highly variable and dependent on the recipe used.

This research paper presents an advanced exploration into the utilization of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) to achieve higher concentrations of polyphenols from Graševina grape pomace. Focusing on optimizing extraction parameters to maximize the yield of polyphenols, this study evaluates their potential industrial applications, particularly within the food and cosmetics sectors. The effectiveness of betaine/glucose (BGlc) NADESs in producing stable, ready-to-use extracts with enhanced bioavailability and eco-friendly attributes is underscored. The integration of UAE with BGlc NADESs has shown significant scalability and applicability for industrial use, as evidenced by the extracts’ collagenase-inhibitory effects, determined using a ninhydrin-based colorimetric assay showing the significant inhibition of gelatine degradation and scratch tests on cultured skin cells, demonstrating enhanced cell migration and wound healing, indicating their potential in anti-aging cosmetic products. Additionally, the results from PAMPA tests demonstrated that NADES extraction significantly enhances the intestinal absorption of polyphenols from grape pomace extracts compared to conventional solvents, highlighting the potential of NADESs to improve the bioavailability of these compounds and offering promising implications for their application in the food industry. Furthermore, the research highlights the practicality of directly incorporating these extracts into products, such as anti-aging creams and functional foods, supporting sustainability initiatives within the cosmetic and food industries. This work aims to provide a comprehensive guide to green extraction techniques on a preparative scale, showcasing the versatility and innovative applications of NADES-extracted compounds across various industries, thereby paving the way for the development of eco-conscious and effective products.

This paper examines the energy efficiency of three variations of the two-degree-of-freedom transverse galloping energy harvester. These variants differ in the number and placement of electromechanical transducers. By utilizing the harmonic balance method, the limit cycles of mathematical models of the devices were determined. Analytical expressions derived from the models were then used to formulate the efficiency of the systems. It was demonstrated that efficiency depends on flow speed and can be comprehensively characterized by the following criteria parameters: peak efficiency, denoting the maximum efficiency of the system, and high-efficiency bandwidth, which describes the range of flow speeds within which the efficiency remains at no less than 90% of peak efficiency. The values of these parameters are heavily reliant on two other parameters: the speed at which the system achieves peak efficiency, referred to as the nominal speed, and also the flow speed at which the system undergoes Hopf bifurcation, namely the critical speed. Comparative analysis revealed that only the device equipped with two electromechanical transducers can potentially outperform a simple one-degree-of-freedom system. For selected parameters, this gain reached nearly 10%.

The low-speed turning maneuverability of vehicles is closely related to a well-known offtracking phenomenon which occurs when the rear wheels of a turning vehicle deviate towards the inside of a horizontal curve. Although numerous mathematical models and computer programs for vehicle swept path analysis have been developed in the past, only a few of them can calculate the maximum transient offtracking of a turning vehicle, yet with limited accuracy. The authors were motivated by this fact to find a new mathematical solution for maximum transient offtracking calculation of a single-unit vehicle when negotiating circular curves. In the first stage, a transcendental equation defining vehicle maximum transient offtracking position is derived and numerically solved by Python 3.10.12. In the second stage, the polynomial regression model predicting accurate numerical solutions of the transcendental equation with the desired level of accuracy was developed and tested. The new calculation method is simple enough to simply take the vehicle datum length, circular curve radii, and turn angle, while instantly producing the maximum transient offtracking value, without the need to draw any of the vehicle movement trajectories.

In the face of advancing quantum computing capabilities posing significant threats to current cryptographic protocols, the need for post-quantum cryptography has become increasingly urgent. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the performance of various post-quantum cryptographic algorithms specifically applied to digital signatures. It focuses on the implementation and performance analysis of selected algorithms, including CRYSTALS-Dilithium, Falcon, and SPHINCS+, using the liboqs library. Performance tests reveal insights into key pair generation, file signing, and signature verification processes. Comparative tests with the well-known and popular RSA algorithm highlight the trade-offs between security and time efficiency. The results can help to select secure and efficient ciphers for specific 5G/6G services.

This paper describes a study of the chloride content in the concrete lagging of prestressed concrete elements of the roof structure of an aluminium foundry building. Sources of chloride pollution in industrial facilities are discussed. Methods for collecting dust deposited on the structure and sampling concrete for chloride concentration testing are presented in detail. The test methods used and the apparatus used to assess the chloride content at the thickness of concrete reinforcement lagging are presented. Investigations of the chloride content in the concrete of the reinforcement cover showed a very high concentration of chloride in the near-surface layer, depending on the location of the element in relation to the source of chloride emission into the environment. In contrast, the concrete of the deeper layers of the lagging contained very small amounts of Cl− chlorides. The results of the chloride content of the lagging concrete were plotted against the distance from the surface of the specimen and approximated by the function C(x,t) based on Fick’s second law and its solution. A satisfactory fit of the course of this function to the experimental results was obtained. Based on the obtained C(x,t) function, the durability of the main structural components of an aluminium foundry industrial hall operating in a chloride environment was estimated.

Short glass fibers are generally used in posterior dental restorations to enhance the mechanical properties and improve the material microstructure. Two resin-based composites (S0 and SF) were formulated and characterized to investigate the influence of zirconium in their characteristics and properties. The organic part of the investigated materials was the same (BisGMA, TEGDMA, and a photochemical polymerization system), and in the inorganic part, besides quart, glassA, and hydroxylapatite with Zn, sample S0 contained strontium glass with zirconium and sample SF contained fiber powder of chopped zirconium. The samples were characterized by the degree of conversion (DC), mechanical properties, water sorption (WS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) before and after the WS test, and antimicrobial properties. The results obtained were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s statistical tests. Both samples had a high DC. Regarding the mechanical properties, both samples were very similar, except DTS, which was higher for the composite without fibers. After 14 days, the WS value of the SF sample was lower than that of the S0 sample. Water caused significant changes in the topography of the SF sample, but thanks to its antimicrobial properties and the diffusion phenomenon, SF had a more pronounced antimicrobial effect. This study shows that the addition of appropriate amounts of Sr-Zr-glass powder gives the material in which it is added similar properties to material containing chopped zirconium glass fiber powder. According to the antimicrobial test results, resin composites containing experimental zirconia fillings can be considered in future in vitro clinical studies for posterior reconstructions with significantly improved mechanical properties.

When improving soil shear strength using various materials, determination of the improvement rate is a key issue and can be carried out using a direct shear test (DST). However, many standards for DST require only three specimens in the test and do not deal with test result uncertainty. In this study, shear strength parameters of clay of intermediate plasticity (CI) and sandy clays (CS1, CS2) improved with the addition of polyester fibres of 70 mm in length in amounts of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% of dry soil mass were obtained using DST with a shear box of size 0.3 m × 0.3 m × 0.08 m. The results show that using fibres provides significant improvement and the number of tested specimens (three or four) in DST has a significant impact on the obtained values of shear strength parameters. It is not recommended to carry out DST with only three specimens. The analysis of uncertainty shows that covariance between correlated input quantities (normal stresses and shear stresses) has a negligible influence on result uncertainty. The worst-case estimated uncertainties are very high and should not be applied. Analysis of the state of the fibre surface before and after shearing using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that suitable fibre scratch resistance may be the reason for the large improvement.

This paper presents the influence of adding rinsed ilmenite mud waste (R-MUD) on the microstructure of Portland cement composites, compared to similar composites containing fly ash (FA). The aim of the study is the assessment of the pozzolanic activity of ilmenite mud waste by its impact on the microstructure of the cement matrix in comparison to the undoubted pozzolanic activity of fly ash. The presented test results include pore size distribution, phase composition, pozzolanic activity using thermal analysis, R3 bound water test, and microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tests were performed on mortars cured for up to 360 days. The results presented in this paper have shown that R-MUD has a pozzolanic activity level similar to FA or better, which influences pore size distribution in the composite and its microstructure. During the curing process, the microstructure of composites containing R-MUD became more compact and sealed than those with FA, which might also increase their durability. The results of the R3 tests have proven the pozzolanic activity of R-MUD but its level was lower than FA. R-MUD might be a useful substitute for fly ash, especially given the lack of good-quality fly ash on the market.

The WMoTaNbV alloy has shown promise for applications as a solid state hydrogen storage material. It absorbs significant quantities of H directly from the atmosphere, trapping it with high energy. In this work, the dynamics of the absorption of hydrogen isotopes are studied by determining the activation energy for the solubility and the solution enthalpy of H in the WMoTaNbV alloy. The activation energy was studied by heating samples in a H atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 400 °C and comparing the amounts of absorbed H. The solution activation energy EA of H was determined to be EA=0.22±0.02 eV (21.2 ± 1.9 kJ/mol). The performed density functional theory calculations revealed that the neighbouring host atoms strongly influenced the solution enthalpy, leading to a range of theoretical values from −0.40 eV to 0.29 eV (−38.6 kJ/mol to 28.0 kJ/mol).

This paper presents geometric analyses of welded frames after free relaxing and vibratory stress relief (VSR). The tested frames were components of a prototype packaging machine. Two types of relaxation were carried out to remove stresses introduced as a result of the welding process. One of the frames was subjected to free relaxation, while the other one was subjected to accelerated vibration relaxation. Detection of the frame geometry changes was performed using a photogrammetric system. In addition, an evaluation of the geometry change was conducted for fifteen variants of a steel frame support. A comparative analysis of the geometric deviations of the frames after free and vibratory stress relief confirmed the assumption that the frame post vibration stress relief better reproduces the nominal dimensions. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized that after vibratory stress relief, the frame is not subject to further deformation, which is a desirable effect. In the case of free relaxing, the frame undergoes dimensional changes in a random manner. In summary, carrying out accelerated vibratory stress relief allows for control of spontaneous dimensional changes in the designed frame of a packaging machine resulting from spontaneous relaxation of stresses arising from the welding process. The shortening of the relaxation process of the welded frame is also an unquestionable advantage.

This study investigates the surface topography of microfinishing abrasive films and their machining capability on the Nimonic 80A superalloy, a high-performance nickel-based alloy commonly used in aerospace and gas turbine engine applications. Surface analysis was conducted on three abrasive films with nominal grain sizes of 30, 15, and 9 μm, exploring wear patterns, contact frequency, and distribution. To assess the distribution of grain apexes, Voronoi cells were employed. Results revealed distinct wear mechanisms, including torn abrasive grains and cracked bond surfaces, highlighting the importance of efficient chip removal mechanisms in microfinishing processes. Larger grain sizes exhibited fewer contacts with the workpiece but provided more storage space for machining products, while smaller grain sizes facilitated smoother surface finishes. The research demonstrated the effectiveness of microfinishing abrasive films in reducing surface irregularities. Additionally, surface analysis of worn abrasive tools provided insights into wear mechanisms and chip formation, with the segmentation of microchips contributing to efficient chip removal. These findings underscore the significance of selecting appropriate abrasive films and implementing effective chip removal mechanisms to optimize microfinishing processes and improve surface finishing quality in advanced material machining applications. It is worth emphasizing that no prior research has investigated the microfinishing of components crafted from Nimonic 80A utilizing abrasive films, rendering this study truly unique in its contribution to the field.

Access control systems are part of the overall protection of objects. It is often the first system with which it is necessary to start the contact system; therefore, it is necessary to ensure its proper functioning. In the event of a malfunction, it can cause downtime in production, and it is triggered by a bad replacement of workers. Access control systems have their own specificities that need to be considered when designing security. Poor selection of access control devices can cause inefficient system functionality, resulting in downtime and loss. Based on experimental testing and related work in access control systems, this paper discusses the possibilities of testing the throughput of access control systems. The manuscript presents the design of a unique test device that can be used in the assessment of the reliability and throughput of access control systems. With the help of tests, we were able to determine the probability of downtime due to inappropriately set time intervals for changing employees on a work shift.

In civil engineering geosynthetics play the role of reinforcing the ground and strengthening the foundation structures of engineering facilities. This paper shows the possibility of using a geotextile, a geonet and a geogrid for the design of walking, cycle and quad-bike paths in the investigated mine waste dump sites. The functions of the solutions designed for linear investments in areas affected by mining activity and rehabilitated into a sports and recreation area must be monitored. The paper discusses the scope and the method of FBG monitoring, the data of which illustrate the behaviour of structures with embedded geosynthetic materials with regard to variables such as the structure service life and durability and the need to meet all limit states. The impact of the choice of designs with geosynthetics in sustainable development can be quantified in terms of the carbon footprint. A site-rehabilitation working design can also be analysed economically by estimating the market, investment and replacement values of a construction investment. In addition to key technical aspects, the discussed solutions in anthropogenic areas also ensure significant sustainable development of the Benefits system.

The concept of public transport with periodic timetables has been slowly spreading in the Czech Republic for many years. Together with the announcement of tenders for the operation of compulsory transport according to the European Parliament’s Regulations 1370/2007 and 2338/2016, circular integrations occur in many regions, which usually represent the adjustment of public transport to a concept corresponding to current trends and needs.

Functional modelling is an essential part of systematic design approaches and is often prescribed in engineering design textbooks. However, function models created with current function modelling techniques often lack formal and repeatable representation, limiting their use in computational reasoning. Therefore, this paper presents a new functional modelling method to support function models' creation with formal and repeatable representation. The key element of the proposed method is a Function Class – a function-modelling element that categorises defined functions on a function block level by specifying operating flow, input and output flows, and integrates primary rules for functional modelling such as conservation law. The formalisation on a function block level reduces the number of morphological errors and provides a theoretical framework for future computational processing of function models. This paper proposes a protocol for developing Function Classes and defines a theoretical function modelling framework through Function Class Method. The development and use of the Function Class Method are demonstrated through the development of Function Classes for the Design for Additive Manufacturing domain as the first step toward a universal function modelling approach.

This project’s objective was to create a circular economy in the composites sector by examining the possibility of using wind turbine blade composite materials to construct noise-absorbing barriers for roads. The possibility of constructing road noise barrier panels from components obtained from turbine blades was conceptually examined, and the geometry and construction of wind turbine blades were evaluated for their suitability as filler components for panels. The tensile strength parameters of two types of composites made from windmill blades—a solid composite and a sandwich type—were established based on material tests. The strength of the composite elements cut from a windmill propeller was analyzed, and a three-dimensional numerical model was created using the finite element method. The strength values of the composite used to construct the noise barriers were compared with the stresses resulting from loads operating on the road noise barriers, as determined in compliance with current standards. It was discovered that acoustic screens composed of composite materials derived from wind turbine blades may withstand loads associated with wind pressure and vehicle traffic with sufficient resistance. In order to evaluate the environmental benefits resulting from the use of composite material made from wind turbine blades to make noise barriers, this study presents the values of the embodied energy and embodied carbon for several types of road noise barriers using life cycle assessment.

Environmental protection encompasses various aspects, ranging from well-known concerns like air and water pollution to landscape preservation. One often-overlooked facet of pollution is the mitigation of vibrations, a matter addressed not only by Polish legislation but also by EU directives. Human perception of vibrations constitutes a crucial subjective parameter in evaluating the level of vibration pollution, and is influenced by factors such as age, gender, and individual height. Buildings are predominantly exposed to vibration excitation from external sources, including industrial machinery (e.g., vibration road rollers, pile driving) and transport-related sources such as roads, railways, subways, or trams. Vibrations transmitted from the ground to a building can impact its structural integrity, but more commonly, they result in discomfort for occupants. Particularly, unexpected vibrations from transport-related sources can be bothersome. This study aimed to check whether there is a correlation between the type of train and the speed of travel near a representative residential building of brick construction. This study used actual in situ measurements of the horizontal components and the vertical component of vibrations in the building. Analyses of the measured vibration components were carried out to assess the impact of vibrations on people staying in the building and passively receiving these vibrations. Procedures described in the Polish standard concerning measurements and method of analysis were used. The analyses used the value of the vibration impact index on people (WODL). This study used linear and nonlinear regression analyses to obtain information on whether there is a relationship between the type of train, its speed, and the value of the WODL index. The results of the analyses indicate a relationship between the speed of the train and the value of the WODL index, but it should be emphasized that some events deviate from the developed regression model. Adopting a multiple regression model that takes into account the speed of the train and its type gives better results. Our findings should provide valuable information for designers and managers involved in the planning and operation of train transport systems.

The study of the tribological behavior of the braking system in auto vehicles requires knowing the characteristics of the material in contact and, in the work process, the friction pair brake disc pads. Material structural analysis is necessary because the wear process depends both on the friction-pair chemical composition (brake disc pads) and on the work process parameters (pressing force, rotational speed, traffic conditions, etc.). The material of the brake discs is generally the same, gray cast iron, and the brake pads can be semimetallic (particles of steel, copper, brass, and graphite, all united with a special resin), organic materials (particles of rubber, glass, and Kevlar, all joined with the help of a resin), composite materials that contain different constituents, and ceramic materials (rarely have small copper particles). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the crystalline structure, tribological behavior (at friction and wear), and the mechanical properties of the materials of the brake disc–pad friction pair specific to the field through study and analysis.

This research aimed to optimize the production conditions for geopolymer matrices by investigating the combination of heat curing conditions and the incorporation of recycled ceramic fines (CFs) as a partial replacement material for fly ash (FA). The obtained physical and mechanical properties of the composites confirmed the positive impact resulting from increasing the curing temperature from 65 °C to 85 °C and using CFs in the amount of 37.5% as a replacement for FA. The results were from laboratory tests performed to evaluate compressive strength, bending strength, bulk density, and water absorption of the geopolymer mixes. In addition, microscopic observations and porosity assessment were also performed, which confirmed that a further increase in the replacement of FA by CFs causes an increase in the porosity of the mixes and, thus, a decrease in all the assessed properties that are relevant to their practical use.

This systematic review aims to determine the impact of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement on health-related quality of life. The review was reported following the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. An electronic search using the Bielefeld Academic Search Engine was performed to identify primary studies reported in English and published up until November 2023. Ten reports fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were assessed according to the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP): Qualitative Studies Checklist. The overall research value of the studies ranged from high (dominant) to moderate. The synthesis of the results concerning TMJ replacement in severe degenerative disease showed an improvement in (1) quality of life, (2) pain intensity, (3) mastication efficiency, and (4) mandibular mobility. One study presented favorable outcomes for patients suffering from ankylosis.

Interactive, multi-user experiences are meant to define the present and future of Virtual Reality (VR). Such immersive experiences will typically consist of remote collaborations where content is streamed and/or synchronized over a network connection. Thus, real-time collaboration will be key. In this light, the responsiveness of the system and the network will define the overall experience. As such, understanding the effect of network distortions, especially related to time delay, on end-user’s perception (in terms of Quality-of-Experience (QoE)), performance, and collaboration becomes crucial. The existing literature, however, has mostly focused on network requirements from a system point-of-view, where the key performance parameters are only provided in the form of Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters (such as end-to-end latency). However, the translation of these network impairments to the end-user experience is often omitted. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by providing a thorough investigation of the impact of latency on the perception of users while performing collaborative tasks in multi-user VR. To this end, an experimental framework was designed, developed, and tested. It is based on a multi-device synchronizing architecture, enabling two simultaneous users to work together in a gamified virtual environment. The developed test environment also allows for the identification of the most prominent network requirements and objective analysis for each traffic link. To experimentally investigate the impact of latency on user perception, a user study was conducted. Participants were paired and asked to perform the collaborative task under different latency-prone scenarios. The results show that users are able to easily distinguish between distorted and non-distorted network configurations. However, making a distinction between different manifestations of latency is much less straightforward. Moreover, factors such as the user’s role in the experience and the required task, and the level of interactivity and movement have an important influence on the subjective level of perception, the strength of the user’s preferences, and the occurrence of cybersickness. In contrast, no significant differences in objective metrics, such as system performance and user completion time were observed. These results can support the creation of collective QoE metrics that model the group as a whole rather than each individual separately. As such, this work provides an important step to dynamically counteract any drops in group dynamics and performance by means of smart interventions in the transmission system and/or virtual environment.

The NiTi alloy, known as Nitinol, represents one of the most investigated smart alloys, exhibiting a shape memory effect and superelasticity. These, among many other remarkable attributes, enable its utilization in various applications, encompassing the automotive industry, aviation, space exploration, and, notably, medicine. Conventionally, Nitinol is predominantly produced in the form of wire or thin sheets that allow producing many required components. However, the manufacturing of complex shapes poses challenges due to the tenacity of the NiTi alloy, and different processing routes at elevated temperatures have to be applied. Overcoming this obstacle may be facilitated by additive manufacturing methods. This article provides an overview of the employment of additive manufacturing methods, allowing the preparation of the required shapes of Nitinol products while retaining their exceptional properties and potential applications.

Sustainable consumption of construction materials is an important segment of sustainable development goals towards reducing climate change. Since the consumption of natural aggregates raises environmental concerns, there is an increasing demand for use of recycled aggregates (RAs), as it enhances social and environmental benefits and creates a market opportunity. This paper presents the practice of using recycled construction and demolition waste (CDW) in the Belgrade city area (Serbia) as a resource. Two groups of CDW from Vinča landfill site near Belgrade are analyzed: raw material before, and RAs after, construction of a recycling facility on site. Comprehensive characterization is performed (including particle size distribution, density, water and organic pollutants content, various mechanical resistances, flakiness index, etc.) and compilation of samples analyzed and compared to show a holistic overview. The test outputs in both groups show acceptable values and meet required standards, indicating that recycled CDW generated in the Belgrade area can be used as a substitute to natural aggregates. In addition to that, the environmental and economic benefits from this use as a substitute are analyzed and discussed, proving the substantial income from sold Ras and the landscaping benefits, as well as ecological and economic benefits from energy savings.

The safety culvert composed of hollow high-performance concrete blocks is designed to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a collision. This work presents a new design with an opening for water flow, tests it, identifies its weaknesses, and discusses possible improvements. The numerical model is constructed, validated by experiment, and used to study the effect of design parameters on the load capacity, compression behaviour, and failure mechanisms. The response varies most markedly with the opening diameter. The failure mode changes from bending failure to concrete crushing as the diameter decreases. The effect is most pronounced for diameters less than 400 mm, where the load capacity increases by 6 kN per millimetre reduction. If a crack develops in the culvert during its service life, the first such crack will form in the top layer of blocks, followed by a crack in the opening. These areas should be monitored more closely during follow-up tests with passing vehicles.

In this work author deals with the modeling of the e-platform as a decision-support tool for improving the accessibility of urban areas in the Republic of Serbia. This research systematizes, analyzes and compares existing national and international practices, regulations and norms on the topic of accessibility. Through the research of existing knowledge and good practices and through field research, a theoretical setting of the platform model and an algorithm for calculating the current state of physical accessibility are created, on the example of an adequate statistical theoretical sample taken in the Republic of Serbia (territory of the city municipality of Stari grad of the city of Belgrade). The method for priority decision-making, intervention and application of Universal Design principles in the urban and physical environment in Serbia is presented through interdisciplinary and multi-institutional use of e-platforms. The e-platform model formed in this way will serve as a decision-making aid for all stakeholders, and will enable the current state of accessibility to be displayed in real time, and the approaches and methods in urban and architectural planning and design to be adjusted for more efficient application of Universal Design. This research aims to prove that if we create an e-platform that is accessible to all actors and the public, and data is collected in real time on the spatial components of accessibility, but also on the subjective components of the actors, then conditions are created for the optimization of the management of actions in order to improve accessibility in urban areas.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) brought new design possibilities and freedom to the product design process. However, as the existing design rules and design limitations do not apply to the AM, designers require new methods and tools to utilise the full potential of AM. The stated is especially noticeable in the design of metal products made with AM, particularly with the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process. The research proposes a methodological approach for analysing the existing DMLS products made with DMLS to extract design knowledge. The methodology is applied to the pool of DMLS from which 15 design principles are extracted that formalise design knowledge about DMLS. The design principles are intended to be used in the early design stages of the design process as a source of design knowledge and inspiration for conceptualising new and innovative products that will be made using DMLS.

LiDAR-derived digital elevation models (DEMs) have transformed the archaeological study of landscape features, broadened our technical capabilities, and enhanced the accuracy with which terrain relief is described. These models also place demands on how researchers and analysts interpret DEM content in the context of the modern landscape. LiDAR-based DEMs contain modern man-made structures that can significantly influence model properties. Although data are usually filtered and some of these artificial features are removed during bare-earth classification, many terrain interventions remain visible. This large-scale case study applies established methods to a freely available DEM of the Czech Republic in an attempt to evaluate differences between original and filtered DEMs. It applies a fully automated filtering procedure using vector topographic maps to avoid manual corrections that would make the procedure problematic when used on a macro scale. The results of our archaeological GIS analysis demonstrate that this procedure, despite its relative simplicity, can achieve a significantly better representation of a landscape compared to that offered by an unfiltered DEM. Finally, we propose a series of future steps with a view to developing a more comprehensive and accurate model and overcoming its limitations.

The numerous overruns of the investor’s budget during tenders for the construction of railway infrastructure in Poland resulted in the widespread use of a new procedure for awarding public contracts – electronic auction. This procedure has many advantages and potential risks. One of the biggest benefits for an investor is the potential gains from reducing bids. Contractors competing against each other allow for the achievement of optimal prices for the planned construction investment. However, this may cause the originally calculated risks, should they materialize, lead to significant budget overruns. This, in turn, may imply further negative consequences, including exceeding the assumed investment deadlines. The article presents a method of modeling the influence of an electronic auction on a tender procedure with the use of a Bayesian network. Data from completed tender procedures announced by the PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. were used to build the network. The created network was then validated, verified and calibrated using new data from 8 tender procedures.