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This paper deals with the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants on the surface of carbonaceous adsorbents prepared via the chemical activation of expired or broken food products—the solid residue of the “cola-type” drink as well as spoilt grains of white rice and buckwheat groats. The activation process was conducted in the microwave furnace with the use of two activating agents of different chemical nature—potassium carbonate and orthophosphoric acid. The activated carbons were characterized based on the results of elemental analysis, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Boehm titration, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the suitability of the materials prepared as the adsorbents of methylene blue and iodine from the aqueous solutions was estimated. The materials obtained via chemical activation with H3PO4 turned out to be much more effective in terms of both model pollutant adsorptions. The maximum sorption capacity toward iodine (1180 mg/g) was found for the white-rice-based activated carbon, whereas the most effective in the methylene blue removal (221.3 mg/g) was the sample obtained from the solid residue of the expired “cola-type” drink. For all carbonaceous materials, a better fit for the experimental adsorption data was obtained with the Langmuir isotherm model than the Freundlich one.

Background Novice nurses (newly qualified within the first 3-year period of professional practice after registration) must first face the reality and complexity of caring for high-acuity patients in the critical care setting, which can be an unfamiliar and demanding environment. The successful transition from education to professional practice of novice nurses hired for intensive care must be supported. Aim To explore Polish novice nurses' readiness to practice in an intensive care unit (ICU). Our study objectives included investigating pre-registration preparation for work in an ICU, identifying the most needed competencies to work in an ICU, and analysing organizational aspects of the professional orientation period. Study design A qualitative phenomenology design was applied. Methods We conducted qualitative content analysis based on individual semi-structured in-depth interviews. Study recruitment was performed using a purposeful and network sampling strategy. The final number of participants was 17 Polish novice nurses. Results The majority of responders replied that they were not prepared to work in an ICU after graduation. Professional orientation was planned-generally for a period of 3 months; however, in most places it was shortened. The respondents identified the five competencies most needed to work in an ICU: communication, teamwork, professional self-confidence, and knowledge and its practical use. Their enhancement could be achieved through simulations during both pre-registration and professional training. Conclusion Analysis of the novice nurses' orientation period revealed many difficulties that indicated a lack of readiness to practice in an ICU after graduation. Identifying novice nurses' strengths and weaknesses regarding clinical competence is important to guide the design of orientation programmes in ICU settings and nursing education programmes. Relevance to clinical practice Readiness for ICU work may be improved by enriching education with simulations that enable training in the practical use of knowledge and critical care procedures. A supportive work environment is crucial during professional orientation.

One way to increase nursing retention is to expand the number of nursing education programs; however, a more cost-effective initial step would be to ensure that each graduate will start a professional career. Nursing studies expose students to prolonged and uncontrolled stress that negatively affects their professional identity and health. Two hundred and fifty-four nursing students participated in this study. The data were obtained using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), a proprietary questionnaire on the students’ perception of their study, intention to practice in the future, and other metrics. Among our sample, a dozen students were unsure that they would enter the nursing profession. Stress levels in women were higher than in men. Respondents indicated that they were afraid of the return of the pandemic. This analysis was significant among people living in large cities. Based on our findings, five themes should be prioritised: favourable study environment and adequate competencies (including implementation of stress management techniques, especially among women and students living and studying in large cities), appropriate working hours, quality of practical classes, and quality of personal protective equipment.

Aim. The purpose of the work is to present nursing care for a pediatric patient with extreme circulatory failure, assisted by a device to Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the Intensive Care and Post-Operative Care Unit (ICPOCU) based on the International Classification of Nursing Practice (ICNP®). Material and methods. The work uses the individual case method based on the following techniques: analysis of medical records, observation and measurement of vital signs. Results. The most common and most dangerous care problem that may occur during therapy in extreme circulatory failure is the risk of cardiac dysfunction [10037314]. In this situation, the only life-saving method is often to support the circulatory and respiratory systems with the ECMO method. Another care problem is the risk of pressure sores [10027337]. The main goal of nursing care is to prevent their creation by minimizing risk factors and monitoring the patient’s skin condition. The problem of bleeding risk was also identified in the analyzed case [10017268] due to the need for heparin treatment. The goal of care is to minimize the risk and possible effects of bleeding. Because of taking care of the newborn baby, it is very important in planning activities to take into account the needs and problems of carers. One of the diagnosed problems is caregiver stress [10024773]. Conclusions. Nursing care for a pediatric patient with extreme circulatory failure supported by ECMO apparatus due to the impact of blood circulation on the functioning of the whole body does not focus solely on cardiovascular problems.

The world is moving extremely fast towards creating a superintelligence that will go far beyond human capabilities. Proper use of this superintelligence in enterprises will result in developing conditions in which their potential is fully exploited. In the context of the above, research has been undertaken to recognize the level of knowledge maturity in the domain of IT tools based on the artificial intelligence algorithm. In other words, it is about recognizing whether the enterprise knows IT tools supporting management operating on the basis of the artificial intelligence algorithm. It was assumed that in the fourth generation industry era such tools should be implemented by Polish manufacturers operating in the agricultural machinery sector. To assess the level of business knowledge of IT tools based on AI algorithms maturity the self-evaluation questionnaire was developed and the research was conducted among manufacturers of parts, subassemblies and ready-made agricultural machines.

A new compound, [Nd(NCS)3 (2,2′-bipyridine)2(H2O)] (C28H24N8NdO2S3), was obtained and investigated for its photophysical properties. Coordination systems of lanthanide-organic compounds are promising materials with applications as efficient luminophores. Organic ligands with chromophore groups (for example double bonds or aromatic rings) can intensify luminescence efficiency (antenna effect). The title compound crystallizes in a triclinic system with the space group P-1 and the following unit cell parameters: a = 9.698 (3), b = 13.000 (4), c = 13.219 (4) A, α = 110.36 (3), β = 94.12 (2) γ = 97.53 (2)°. The coordination number of the Nd3+ ion is 8. The molecules of 2,2′-bipyridine coordinate to the Nd3+ ion via N atoms. Thus, the neodymium complex, based on this ligand, might have different optical properties from complexes with coordinating Nd–ligand bonds via O atoms bonds only. Additionally, we used another ligand – isothiocyanate ion – inorganic ion, which also coordinates via N atoms. In the absorption and emission spectra of the title compounds at low temperatures, the splitting of the 4f–4f transitions indicates a single low symmetry of the Nd3+ ion in the title compound. This fact confirms our X-ray structural results. The lower nephelauxetic parameter (β), positive bonding parameter (b1/2), and Sinha parameter (δ) indicate a somewhat covalent character of the bond between the metal and the ligand but the Nd N,O coordination bonds of [Nd(NCS)3 (2,2′-bipyridine)2(H2O)] indicate a more covalent character than Nd O-only bonds but less covalent than Nd N-only bonds. The experimental data of the decay time of the 4F3/2 state of the Nd3+ ion for the title compound were fitted using the biexponential function. These values are small and amount to 0.65 and 0.16 μs

The changes in contemporary economy are widely recognized and dealt with advanced tools and methods supporting companies facing dynamics and competitiveness of market environment. The list of tools and methods is long and usually they are jointly referred to as Industry 4.0. The general idea of Industry 4.0 is to benefit from contemporary technologies to increase efficiency and competitiveness of company, however, when referring specifically to material and information flows the Logistics 4.0 term is used. Logistics 4.0 concepts benefits from advanced communication protocols, cooperation between humans and machines, which requires knowledge and skills that are provided by higher education institutions. According to authors, knowledge gap filling is a dynamic phenomenon that can be interpreted and analysed with system dynamics approach. The dynamics of knowledge gap filling could be described as goal-seeking dynamics. The loop dynamics shows that when considering the expectations and taking corrective actions, the knowledge gap can be easily filled in a given time period. The goal of the chapter is to present the original model of dissemination and absorption of Logistics 4.0 solutions developed based on literature review and authors’ experience.

The role and importance of management staff is very important in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. A high-quality production environment will require mature management staff with experience in working with new technologies, machines, and, especially, data and information. The undertaken research indicates that both in terms of theory and practice of management, there are many unresolved issues concerning the measurement of maturity of a manager. Given the above, it was recognized as justified in this chapter to contrive and implement an assessment method in practice. The fundamental purpose of the chapter is attempted assessment of maturity of managers in manufacturing companies operating in the agricultural machinery sector being an answer to the upcoming Fourth Industrial Revolution identified as a concept regarding the use of automation and processing and exchange of data as well as implementation of various new technologies enabling to create the so-called cyber-physical systems and change of the methods of manufacturing.

The paper is qualitative-quantitative research designed and conducted to analyze technical culture maturity in companies representing agricultural machinery sector. Authors believe that technical culture maturity proves that company implemented and is following lean management principles. The research conducted showed high level of technical maturity, proving that companies within the sector are mature in technical culture context, nevertheless there are some aspects that could be improved. The high level of maturity is on one hand consequence of lean management principles implementation, on the other it creates environment that supports and strengthens leaning the companies. The developed method can be used by companies for self-assessment and reference when improving their maturity and implementing lean.

Background: The constitutive aim of this paper is to explore the barriers to effective implementation of the principles of lean management among manufacturers of parts, subassemblies and ready-made agricultural machinery. The realization of the formulated goal requires –first of all – an attempt to create a catalogue of determinants implying the leanness of a manufacturing unit. Consequently, the conceptual study of the method will be preceded by extensive analysis and systematization of the current achievements, including: on the theoretical level, the analysis of the literature being in direct relation to the subject of research; it will find its expression in the set of barriers determined in source literature on the subject that compresses the leanness of the generation unit and – on the design level – their catalogue based on the point of view of experts invited to this research. On the empirical level, it is assumed that the hierarchy of importance will be recognized for each of the determinants listed in the catalogue, and it will be determined which one constitutes the largest barrier from the point of view of enterprises invited to research (self-assessment). Methods: The interdisciplinary nature of management sciences creates problems in the selection of research methods with which one intends to describe a given problem. In empirical research, methods and research tools verified in other research are often used (directly or with some modifications). The authors of this paper also use verified methods and tools; however, the method and tools used by them will be selected in accordance with the adopted methodological concept. On the theoretical level – using the method of reconstruction and interpretation of the source literature – the authors, referring to the key principles of lean management, have selected key barriers to their effective implementation. Reconstruction and interpretation of the source literature was supported by practical experience of the authors, participant observation and creative discussion with deliberately chosen experts. The preparatory study conditioned the conduct of the proper research; the intention of the authors was to develop a form – a catalogue of barriers implying lean production, which is a tool enabling reconnaissance in the surveyed enterprises. The research will be both diagnostic and verifying in nature. It will relate to relationships between variables describing the barriers to effective implementation of lean management principles, and requirements implying leanness, identifying the reality under investigation. Results: As a result of the research, it was found that the factors that significantly determine the effective implementation of lean management principles are possession of a permanent and competent managerial and executive staff. The entrepreneurs subjected to the research indicate the absence of permanent, qualified employees who are replaced by "random" employees, which does not serve continuous improvement (gap – 1.01). In view of the foregoing, they do identify lean management with reduction in the level employment in the company. Conclusion: This publication was created as a result of reflection, research and authors’ practical experience in managing the enterprises operating in the sector of agricultural machinery. It is an ambitious attempt to depict knowledge on implementation of the principles of lean management in a manufacturing company. Thanks to this, it can play the role of a scientific aid, and at the same time be a source of knowledge necessary in managerial activity. The authors hope that the presented publication will provide a new knowledge, the consideration of which may form the basis of for actions that will need to be addressed in the near future and can begin a discussion on the necessity of overcoming the limits regarding the implementation of lean management.

The subject of interest of hereby article is the identification of features related to the leanness of production units. The study was conducted in the context of the above and the main purpose was to verify this hypothesis. Surveys were conducted among Lean Production experts. The research allowed the authors (to designate preferred features of leanness in production units) to determine the essence and significance of the characteristics with respect to the leanness of designed production units.

Monocrystals of Ln(C4O4H3)3·8H2O (Ln = Eu3+, Ho3+, Er3+) were grown and spectroscopic investigations were performed to understand their photophysical properties. It was found that all the complexes were isostructural with neodymium maleate, Nd(C4O4H3)3·8H2O, whose crystal structure had been determined previously. Electronic absorption and emission spectra at low temperatures for crystals of the lanthanide maleates (with the splitting of the levels) were allowed for the stated lanthanide ions, with a low symmetry environment, in these systems. The intensities of the electronic lines and the Judd–Ofelt parameters were calculated and compared to those obtained for light lanthanides (i.e. Nd(III) and Sm(III)) maleates. The variation of the spectroscopic parameters (e.g. β, δ) and their correlation with the nature of the Ln3+–L bond are discussed. The nephelauxetic ratio β and Sinha’s parameter δ suggested an increase in the ‘degree of covalency’ of the metal–ligand coordination bond from the Eu3+ crystal to the Ho3+ crystal and to the Er3+ crystal of the title compounds. The –C C– double bond in the carboxylate ions determines the distribution of the charge and the character of the Ln–O coordination bonds, which is very important when considering the potential applications of lanthanide carboxylates. In the low-temperature absorption and emission spectra, relatively strong vibronic lines occur, promoted by both ligand (L) and Ln–L localised vibrational modes. In the vibronic coupling, the role of π electrons is not negligible. The emission from the 5D1 level was detected for the europium maleate in spite of the presence of water molecules in the inner coordination sphere of the lanthanide maleate crystals. On the basis of the europium maleate-excited spectra, a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) transition was determined at 345 nm.

The SME sector in Poland constitutes over 90% of all business entities. It is a broad market for insurance products. The choice of the insurer by these entrepreneurs is conditioned by several factors, including a beneficial image of the insurer, security in terms of its solvency, an attractive amount of the insurance premium or a wide insurance offer. The data comes from the study "SME finance 2015 - Insurance services market". Two research hypotheses were made for the purposes of the analysis. The first one assumes that the analysed factors are important when choosing the insurer by the SMEs. The second one indicates the selection of an adequate level of protection up to the level of risk occurrence. The results of the research show that PZU SA is the main insurer in Poland. At the same time, it is the most willingly selected SME among enterprises. In addition, two groups of clients were identified. The first one is characterised by the use of adequate protection measures in relation to the degree of risk occurrence. The other group applied relatively high or low degree of protection against small or high risk.