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Innovativeness is one of the key factors stimulating economic growth. Improving innovative capacities is especially important for developing countries. The Latin American region is characterized by...

Automated guided vehicles are used in a variety of applications. Their major purpose is to replace humans in onerous, monotonous and sometimes dangerous operations. Such vehicles are controlled and navigated by application-specific software. In the case of vehicles used in multiple environments and operating conditions, such as the vehicles which are the subject of this study, a reasonable approach is required when selecting the navigation system. The vehicle may travel around an enclosed hall and around an open yard. The pavement surface may be smooth or uneven. Vehicle wheels should be flexible and facilitate the isolation and absorption of vibrations in order to reduce the effect of surface unevenness to the load. Another important factor affecting the operating conditions are changes to vehicle load resulting from the distribution of the load and the weight carried. Considering all of the factors previously mentioned, the vehicle’s navigation and control system is required to meet two opposing criteria. One of them is low price and simplicity, the other is ensuring the required accuracy when following the preset route. In the course of this study, a methodology was developed and tested which aims to obtain a satisfactory compromise between those two conflicting criteria. During the study a vehicle made in Technical University of Rzeszow was used. The results of the experimental research have been analysed. The results of the analysis provided a foundation for the development of a methodology leading to a reduction in navigation errors. Movement simulations for the proposed vehicle system demonstrated the potential for a significant reduction in the number of positioning errors.

Background: Arginases play essential roles in metabolic pathways, determining the fitness of both immune and tumour cells. Along with the previously validated role of ARG1 in cancer, the particular significance of ARG2 as a therapeutic target has emerged as its levels correlate with malignant phenotype and poor prognosis. These observations unveil arginases, and specifically ARG2, as well-validated and promising therapeutic targets. OATD-02, a new boronic acid derivative, is the only dual inhibitor, which can address the benefits of pharmacological inhibition of arginase 1 and 2 in cancer. Methods: The inhibitory activity of OATD-02 was determined using recombinant ARG1 and ARG2, as well as in a cellular system using primary hepatocytes and macrophages. In vivo antitumor activity was determined in syngeneic models of colorectal and kidney carcinomas (CT26 and Renca, respectively), as well as in an ARG2-dependent xenograft model of leukaemia (K562). Results: OATD-02 was shown to be a potent dual (ARG1/ARG2) arginase inhibitor with a cellular activity necessary for targeting ARG2. Compared to a reference inhibitor with predominant extracellular activity towards ARG1, we have shown improved and statistically significant antitumor efficacy in the CT26 model and an immunomodulatory effect reflected by Treg inhibition in the Renca model. Importantly, OATD-02 had a superior activity when combined with other immunotherapeutics. Finally, OATD-02 effectively inhibited the proliferation of human K562 leukemic cells both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: OATD-02 is a potent small-molecule arginase inhibitor with optimal drug-like properties, including PK/PD profile. Excellent activity against intracellular ARG2 significantly distinguishes OATD-02 from other arginase inhibitors. OATD-02 represents a very promising drug candidate for the combined treatment of tumours, and is the only pharmacological tool that can effectively address the benefits of ARG1/ARG2 inhibition. OATD-02 will enter clinical trials in cancer patients in 2022.

Chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) are the enzymatically active chitinases that have been implicated in the pathology of chronic lung diseases such as asthma and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis. The clinical and preclinical data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of CHIT1 might represent a novel therapeutic approach in IPF. Structural modification of an advanced lead molecule

In the case of automated guided vehicles using odometry, a very important issue is to know the actual rolling radius of the wheel used to calculate the position of the vehicle. This radius is not constant. Its changes depend on the elastic deformation of the band layer and wheel slip. The theoretical determination of the value of the radius and the nature of the change is very difficult. For this reason, it was decided to determine the rolling radii by the experimental method. For this purpose, an appropriate test stand was built and the proposed research method was checked. Within the tests, there was also obtained a number of interesting results characterizing the material used to build bands and the ranges of changes rolling radii for the tested material were specified.

The purpose of this study is to verify whether the money spend on R&D are used efficiently in CEE countries. Nowadays, innovativeness is one of the most crucial factors accelerating economic growth. Increasing innovativeness is particularly important for developing countries, where policymakers are implementing various innovation strategies. The Europe 2020 strategy sets the target of 3% GDP for R&D spending. Many studies emphasize a significant effect of increasing expenditures on R&D on economic growth, but an efficiency aspect has not been covered in the literature. The article is based on critical review of the main literature of the subject and own empirical studies. The statistical data is sourced from the main international statistics. Calculations were performed using DEA methodology. DEA methodology allows assessing input-output efficiency. Inputs indicator is the annual public and private spending on R&D (as % GDP). There are nine output indicators, which represent available innovative statistics about number of patents, high-tech production etc. Number of variables was reduced for each period using correlation coefficient analysis, which allowed identifying the significant variables with least loss of information. The efficiency is calculated as the ratio of the weighted sum of the outputs by the weighted sum of inputs. The calculations are carried out based on the Excel spreadsheet and DEAFrontier. The paper gives a general review of the innovation level in CEE countries compared to other EU members which are spending less than 2% of GDP on R&D. The analysis shows that among CEE countries, the closest to efficiency frontier are Romania and Slovakia. Hypothesis that increasing spending on innovations is not causing proportional effects has been confirmed for CEE region, but not for western economies, which are spending on R&D more effectively. Main conclusion of the research is that innovation spending should be increased gradually in aim to achieve optimal results. This research may contribute to discussion on innovation policy design, and can be used by policy makers to develop national innovation strategies., Svrha ove studije je provjeriti koristi li se novac na istraživanje i razvoj efikasnosti u zemljama srednje i istočne Europe. Danas je inovativnost jedan od najvažnijih čimbenika ubrzanja gospodarskog rasta. Povećanje inovativnosti osobito je važno za zemlje u razvoju, gdje kreatori politike provode različite inovacijske strategije. Strategija Europa 2020 postavila je cilj 3% BDP-a za izdatke za istraživanje i razvoj. Mnoge studije naglašavaju značajan učinak povećanja ulaganja u istraživanje i razvoj na gospodarski rast, ali aspekt efikasnosti nije obuhvaćen u literaturi. Ovaj rad temelji se na kritičkom pregledu relevantne literature o ovom predmetu i vlastitim empirijskim istraživanjima. Izvor statističkih podataka korištenih u ovoj studiji je relevantna međunarodna statistika. Izračuni su izvedeni korištenjem DEA metodologije. DEA metodologija omogućuje procjenu efikasnosti input-outputa. Pokazatelj inputa je godišnja javna i privatna potrošnja na istraživanje i razvoj (kao% BDP-a). Postoji devet pokazatelja outputa/rezultata koji predstavljaju dostupne inovativne statistike o broju patenata, visokotehnološkoj proizvodnji itd. Broj varijabli se smanjuje za svako razdoblje korištenjem analize korelacijskog koeficijenta, što je omogućilo identificiranje značajnih varijabli s najmanjim gubitkom podataka. Efikasnost se izračunava kao omjer ponderiranog zbroja outputa prema ponderiranom zbroju inputa odnosno ulaznih vrijednosti. Izračun je rađen korištenjem Excel proračunske tablice i DEAFrontier-a. U radu se daje opći pregled razine inovacija u zemljama srednje i istočne Europe u usporedbi s ostalim članicama EU-a, koji troše manje od 2% BDP-a na istraživanje i razvoj. Analiza pokazuje da među zemljama srednje i istočne Europe najbliže granici efikasnosti su Rumunjska i Slovačka. Hipoteza da povećanje potrošnje na inovacije ne uzrokuje proporcionalne učinke potvrđena je za regiju Srednje i Istočne Europe, ali ne i za zapadne ekonomije koje troše na istraživanje i razvoj efikasnije. Glavni zaključak istraživanja je da se potrošnja na inovacije treba postupno povećavati u cilju postizanja optimalnih rezultata. Ovo istraživanje može doprinijeti raspravi o kreiranju politike inovacija koju kreatori politike mogu koristiti za razvoj nacionalnih strategija inovacija.

The dynamic development of industry and trade in recent years has forced the need to use new solutions in the field of warehouse management. The main reason for the changes being introduced is the optimization of the time of completing warehouse operations while reducing costs. This forces the reorganization of warehouses, warehouse operations and the introduction of modern equipment and devices used during the storage process. To ensure high efficiency and reduction of costs of warehouse processes, appropriate programs and simulation tools are used. The article presents the possibilities and benefits of software for modeling and simulation of processes taking place in warehouses.

The aim of this study is to determine whether funds spent on research and development are used efficiently in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Fifteen countries in the 2000-2016 period have been examined. Measuring the efficiency of research and development spending was performed using the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology, which allows for the assessment of input–output efficiency. The research includes the following input and output variables: annual public and private spending on innovation, high-technology exports as a percentage of manufactured exports, patent applications to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) by priority year for million inhabitants, trademark applications (TA) for million inhabitants and information and communications technology (ICT) exports as a percentage of manufactured exports. Hong Kong and the Philippines are perhaps the most efficient with respect to research and development (R&D) when analysed using the constant return to scale (CRS) approach. However, according to the variable return to scale (VRS) approach, the most efficient ASEAN countries are Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. The study also confirms that increased spending on innovation is resulting in non-proportional effects.

Changes after 1989 enabled Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to start processes of political and economic transformation. The Washington Consensus was adopted by post-communist economies in early 1990s. However, reforms were introduced by CEE countries with different speed. The chapter outlines the philosophy and foundation of transition, in which structural changes play an essential role. In the second part, the analysis focuses on structural changes in industrial sectors. The chapter also examines the capacity of industrial structure, as industry is one of the key sectors for CEE countries. Many studies emphasized a significant effect of industry changes on long-term economic growth. The chapter focuses on the relation between structural changes in industry and economic growth/competitiveness. Due to the complexity of the topic, the research requires usage of diverse methodological approaches. Main method is a comparative analysis using data collected from Eurostat Database, OECD Database, and Global Competitiveness Report. The analysis shows that Visegrad countries are doing quite well in the region; however, they are still behind other European Union countries. They need to explore ways to transition to a knowledge-based economy. To achieve it they should focus on high-tech production and improve the business sector’s capacity for innovation, labor market efficiency, and strengthen business sophistication. This research can be used by the government agencies for industrial development policies.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the structural and productivity changes of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. The research period covers the years following accession into the European Union, from 2004 until 2018. This study aims to answer the following question: What effects have resulted from the integration with the European Union in terms of the sphere of productivity? The analysis covers two main categories of labour productivity growth: pure labour productivity growth and structural labour productivity growth. Moreover, factors that may affect both pure and structural productivity changes are examined. The main research techniques are shift-share analysis and panel data methods. The analysis shows that all the CEE countries in the studied period improved in terms of both pure and structural productivity. The impact of pure labour productivity, however, was much smaller than that of structural labour productivity; this means that the main change in productivity level was more attributable to changes in employment between sectors than to the modernisation of technological processes. Productivity increased in all sectors, but the most significant growth occurred in service sectors, specifically in financial and insurance activities and real estate activities. Simultaneously, employment decreased in less productive sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Furthermore, the results of the panel data analysis confirm a significant impact of the evaluated factors on pure and structural productivity growth. Thus, aggregate productivity change in the CEE area can have a positive impact on both forms of productivity growth. Both structural and pure productivity growth are stimulated by research and development expenditures, information and communication technology (ICT) goods imports, and trade openness. Moreover, this research confirms the positive impacts of business enterprise research and development expenditure growth and an increase in the number of researchers to the workforce ratio on sector productivity, although there are substantial differences between sectors. This research can be used by government agencies in establishing industrial development policies.

The development of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related lockdown had a major impact on vehicle traffic in cities. Based on available data from the selected city of Rzeszow, Poland, it was decided to assess changes in vehicle traffic and the impact of these changes on roadside environmental pollution. As part of the research, data from the first half of 2020 regarding vehicle traffic on selected streets of the city and on the city’s inlet routes were analyzed. For the selected road sections, changes in hourly traffic volume in 2020, compared with 2019, were also determined. With data on traffic volume, an attempt was made to estimate the impact of changes in traffic volume on air pollution in the city. Research on air pollution from motor vehicles was focused on a selected section of a city road that was equipped with an automatic air pollution measurement station located very close to the road. Additionally, at the road intersection and in the vicinity of the measuring station, a sensor was installed in the roadway to count passing vehicles. A preliminary analysis of air pollution data revealed that factors such as wind speed and direction and outside temperature had a large impact on measurement results. To eliminate the influence of these factors and to obtain data concerning only contamination originating from motor vehicles traveling along the road, an appropriate mathematical model of the traffic flow–roadside environment system was built. This model was designed to determine the air pollution in the vicinity of the road generated by traffic flow. The constructed model was verified, and the conditions for its use were determined in order to study the impact of traffic and roadside environment on the level of air pollution from harmful exhaust substances. It was shown that at certain times of the day, especially at low temperatures, other sources of harmful emissions related to home heating play a major role in air pollution in the city.

In this article the issues related to mapping the route and error correction in automated guided vehicle (AGV) movement have been discussed. The nature and size of disruption have been determined using the registered runs in experimental studies. On the basis of the analysis a number of numerical runs have been generated, which mapped possible to obtain runs in a real movement of the vehicle. The obtained data set has been used for further research. The aim of this paper was to test the selected methods of digital filtering on the same data set and determine their effectiveness. The results of simulation studies have been presented in the article. The effectiveness of various methods has been determined and on this basis the conclusions have been drawn.

The paper discusses problems related to the functioning of passenger transport in Rzeszow. The dynamic development of the city and the increase in the income of its inhabitants have led to significantly increased traffic within the city, which is detrimental both to the environment and the city&rsquo, s inhabitants. It limits the quality of life in the city and in the end generates additional costs for businesses and people in urban areas due to the congestion. In compliance with the policies of the European Union, this harmful tendency needs to be limited. Developing sustainable transportation should largely contribute to this objective. With the city of Rzeszow as example, this article discusses selected actions and measures taken as part of the development of sustainable transportation and demonstrates changes in the functioning of public transport based on the author&rsquo, s own research as well as data provided by the city&rsquo, s authorities. The analyses show that the actions taken so far have had a positive impact.

The article presents an example of using the Kalman filter in the navigation process of an automated guided vehicles (AGV). Odometry – computational navigation is the basis for determining the location of automated guided vehicles. Many errors affect this method of determining the vehicle’s position. In order to eliminate these errors in modern vehicles, additional systems are used to increase the accuracy of determining the position of the vehicle. In the latest navigation systems, probabilistic methods are applied to adjust the route and the position. The Kalman filters are most commonly used.

The aim of the article is to present selected methods of digital filtration and their algorithms used in industry. The article presents some examples of the use of digital filtration methods in two areas. The first area of an application of filtration covered the issue related to production technology and surface topography. The second area describes examples of the use of filtration in the navigation of automated guided vehicles (AGV) serving production lines. In the research part, selected methods of digital filtration were tested and their effectiveness was determined.

In this paper distortion of surface topography measurement results by improper selection of the reference plane is taken into consideration. The following types of surfaces from cylindrical elements were analyzed: cylinder liners after plateau honing, cylinder liners with additionally burnished oil pockets and turned piston skirts. Surface topographies of these elements after a low wear process were also studied. In order to obtain areal surface topography parameters, the form was eliminated using cylinders and polynomials of the following degrees: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. Parameters of surfaces after form removal were compared. After analysis of results the reference elements for each kind of surface were recommended. A special procedure was proposed in order to select the degree of a polynomial. This method is based on surface topography changes with increase of polynomial degree. The effect of improper form elimination on measuring uncertainty was studied.

Various components of surface texture are identified, namely form, waviness and roughness. Separation of these components is done by digital filtering. Several problems exist during analysis of two-process surfaces. Therefore the Gaussian robust profile filtering technique was established and has been studied here. The computer generated 2D profiles and 3D surface topographies having triangular scratches as well as measured stratified surfaces were subjected to filtration. However even robust filter applications cause distortion of profiles having valleys wider than 100 μm. In order to minimize the distortion associated with wide and deep valleys, the robust filter should be modified. A special procedure was elaborated for minimizing distortion of roughness profiles caused by filtration. Application of this method to analyses of several profiles was presented. The difference between 1-D and 2-D filtering of surface topography using the same kind of filter was discussed. As a result we found that modification of a 2-D surface topography filter was not necessary.

International competitiveness is frequent topic in the world’s economic literature. Nowadays, attention is also drawn to the efficiency of the economy in addition to a comparative analysis of economies. The paper presents different approaches of competitiveness and efficiency of the economy and their measurement. The study carried out an analysis of one of the major factors of competitiveness of economies—innovation. Calculations were performed using the method of DEA.

Various components of surface texture are identified, namely form, waviness and roughness. Separation of these components is done by digital filtering. Gaussian regression filter that works without running-in and running-out profile fragments as well as profile spline filter was developed. The performance of conventional Gaussian digital filter was compared with those of Gaussian regression filter and spline filter. The modelled deterministic and random one-process profiles are the objects of investigation. We found that the performance of Gaussian regression filter was better than that of spline filter. Gaussian robust profile filtering technique was established. Valley suppression Rk filter was also included. These filters were compared and some of them were recommended. This paper is given in two parts. Part I focuses on the analysis of one-process surfaces. Part II discusses mainly digital filtering of stratified textures.

This is the second part of the paper “Digital filtering of surface topography”. In part I Gaussian regression filter that works without running-in and running-out profile fragments as well as profile spline filter were compared. The performance of Gaussian regression filter was better than that of spline filter. Part II discusses digital filtering of stratified surface textures. Gaussian robust profile filtering technique was established. Several typical robust weight functions were adopted. Valley suppression Rk filter was also included. The results of filtration of deterministic and random profiles of symmetric ordinate distribution were analysed and compared with those obtained after using Gaussian regression filter. In these cases the waviness and roughness parameters after using Gaussian and other filters should be similar. The computer generated profiles, profiles having triangular scratches and measured stratified surfaces were also subjected to filtration. The surface topography distortion and computation time were compared. Based on the comparison results, some digital filters were recommended.

Economic and human factors forced the need for the application of automated transport vehicles AGV. The area of application each year is getting bigger and bigger, going far beyond their original industrial applications. To this expansion contributed the advances in technology and an increase in the cost of human labor. In the paper there were presented the main areas of applications of this type of vehicles as well as the simplified calculation for the economic viability of this type of transport.

Several cylinder surface topographies made from grey cast iron were measured by Talysurf CCI white light interferometer with and without use of spikes filter. They were plateau honed by abrasive stones. Measured area was 3.3 mm ? 3.3 mm, height resolution was 0.01 nm. The forms were eliminated using polynomial of the 3rd degree. After it, spikes were removed using four methods. These approaches were compared. Parameters of the smaller and highest sensitivity on spikes presence were selected.

Głównym celem artykułu jest identyfikacja zasadniczych czynników rozwoju gospodarczego rozwiniętych gospodarek. Do analizy autor wybrał Republikę Federalną Niemiec, ponieważ od wielu lat gospodarka ta znajduje się w światowej czołówce rozwiniętych krajów. Okres badawczy określony został na lata 2000–2012. W pierwszej części została zaprezentowana rola państwa. Następnie zostały zaprezentowane główne wskaźniki makroekonomiczne dla gospodarki Niemiec m.in. PKB, PKB per capita, import i eksport towarów i usług oraz import i eksport towarów ICT oraz high-tech. Ponadto autor zwraca szczególną uwagę na poziom innowacyjności oraz na zasoby i kapitał ludzki m. in.: wydatki na B+R, poziom wykształcenia, demografia i jej prognoza, wydajność pracy, stopa bezrobocia oraz patenty. W ostatniej części autor dokonuje krótkiej prezentacji oraz oceny innowacyjności, zasobów ludzkich oraz kapitału ludzkiego. Badanie przewag konkurencyjnych niemieckiej gospodarki wymagało zastosowania różnorodnego podejścia metodologicznego Metoda indywidualnych przypadków została wykorzystana w opisie roli państwa w Niemczech. W badaniach empirycznych autor zastosował natomiast pogłębioną analizę wtórnych danych statystycznych. Analiza została oparta na dostępnym materiale statystycznym i opisowym pozwalającym na charakterystykę badanej gospodarki.