24762 research outputs found
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Fluctuation of liquid fuels prices in 2012-2022 and its causes
Full text linkPURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to identify the economic factors that have the greatest impact
on fuel prices and to analyze fuel price fluctuations on the Polish and European markets. The
conducted research is a preliminary stage to determine the extent to which changes in fuel
prices affect the operational activities of individual transport companies.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research aimed to determine changes in fuel prices in
the context of transport companies' activities and identify key economic factors influencing
these prices. The scope of the study included the analysis of historical data on fuel prices in
2012-2022. This data comes from industry reports, government publications, and international
energy organizations' databases.FINDINGS: The statistical data analysis indicates significant changes in the demand for diesel
oil in Poland over the last ten years. Diesel consumption increased by over 50%, and at the
same time, the share of imported oil increased. The main factors influencing this situation are
the development of transport and increased mobility in society, which causes a growing
demand for fuels. Polish refineries cannot meet this demand, leading to greater import
dependence.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: A tangible effect of the research is to provide recommendations for
maintaining the stability of fuel prices on the market. In this respect, the following actions
should be mentioned: monitoring global and local trends in oil demand and supply, adapting
energy policy to the dynamically changing international situation, strengthening domestic
refining capacity to reduce dependence on imports, investing in alternative energy sources to
reduce dependence on oil, supporting research and innovation in the field of energy efficiency
and welding technologies, development of storage and distribution infrastructure for energy
raw materials.ORIGINALITY: To sum up, data analysis on diesel prices indicates high variability of the fuel
market in Poland, resulting from numerous economic, geopolitical, and technological factors.
To improve price stability and reduce dependence on external suppliers, it is necessary to
strengthen domestic production capacity, develop alternative energy sources, and constantly
monitor global market trends.peer-reviewe
Innovative alkali activated material based on waste materials
Full text linkAlkali-Activated Materials (AAMs) offer a sustainable alternative to traditional cementitious materials. This study investigates the development of AAMs using construction and demolition waste, excavated limestone, and quarry waste, aiming to enhance reactivity and mechanical performance. The construction industry generates vast amounts of inert waste, which poses significant disposal challenges and environmental impacts. Recycling such waste reduces landfill dependency and lowers the demand for virgin resources, yet low-quality inert waste remains difficult to repurpose. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
Grits : a message-passing programming language based on the semi-axiomatic sequent calculus
Full text linkThis paper introduces Grits, a channel-based message-passing concurrent language based on the semi-axiomatic
sequent calculus, a logical foundation underpinning intuitionistic session types. The language leverages modalities
from adjoint logic to express a number of programming idioms such as broadcast communication and message cancellation.
The Grits interpreter is developed using Go, and consists primarily of two components: a type-checker and
an evaluator.peer-reviewe
Il-ġrajja tal-laqgħa tal-kittieba tal-Malti (1920)
No full textIl-proċess tal-istandardizzazzjoni tal-Malti ġie ttrattat minn diversi
akkademiċi u kittieba, fosthom Oliver Friggieri, Franġisku Saverju
Caruana, Godfrey Zarb Adami u Lawrenz Cachia. F’xogħlijiethom
irreferew għall-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti, illum l-Akkademja
tal-Malti, li twaqqfet fl-1920 biex tistandardizza l-alfabett u
l-ortografija tal-Malti. Bejniethom semmew diversi dati u ġrajjiet
importanti li seħħew mit-twaqqif tal-Għaqda sa tmiem il-ħidmiet
bikrija tagħha biex tistandardizza l-lingwa, imma kien jonqos
li dawn l-istess ġrajjiet jintrifdu bi studju li jqis l-avvenimenti
ewlenin tal-pjanifikazzjoni lingwistika ta’ mitt sena ilu minn lenti
soċjolingwistika.
F’dan l-artiklu se nanalizza t-twaqqif tal-Għaqda skont il-kriterji
tal-First Congress (l-Ewwel Kungress) li ħareġ bihom Joshua A.
Fishman (1993). Dan se nagħmlu billi nħares lejn is-sitwazzjoni
soċjopolitika u letterarja li fiha ġie organizzat l-Ewwel Kungress
tal-Malti, insemmi l-avvenimenti li għandhom korrelazzjoni mal-organizzazzjoni tal-kungress, u nelenka r-reazzjonijiet għas-sejħa
għall-Kungress u l-ewwel deċiżjonijiet li ttieħdu fl-14 ta’ Novembru
1920, il-ġurnata sinonima mat-twaqqif tal-Għaqda.
Se niddiskuti wkoll il-mod kif irriċerkajt biex ġbart l-informazzjoni
għat-teżi, xi sfidi li ltqajt magħhom waqt ir-riċerka u xi
soluzzjonijiet li għenuni negħleb dawn l-isfidi biex, fl-aħħar mill-aħħar, stajt intemm it-teżi.peer-reviewe
The impact of the EU-MERCOSUR agreement on soybean meal and corn feed markets in the EU and Poland
Full text linkPURPOSE: This paper concerns an analysis of the complex impact of the EU-MERCOSUR
trade agreement on the EU and Polish feed raw materials market, with particular emphasis
on imports of soybean meal and maize (corn) in the period 2015-2024.APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: A detailed analysis of the directions and scale of supplies
from South American countries was carried out, while the degree of geographical
concentration of imports was assessed using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). In
addition, the volatility of CIF and FOB prices of these commodities was examined in the
context of global market turbulence, including wars, logistical disruptions and exchange rate
fluctuations.FINDINGS: The analysis highlights the European Union's increasing dependence on Brazil
and Argentina as key suppliers of protein feed components and the associated risks of supply
concentration and vulnerability to market and political disruptions. Of particular note in the
article is an assessment of the impact of the war in Ukraine on the rescheduling of import
origins and the growing importance of MERCOSUR countries. In addition, the importance of
new EU environmental regulations, including the EUDR, which is aims to reduce imports of
raw materials linked to deforestation, is discussed, posing additional regulatory and
operational challenges for the feed market.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The paper presents scenarios for market and political developments
following the ratification of the EU-MERCOSUR agreement, taking into account possible
impacts on security of supply, competitiveness of local producers and compliance with
sustainable development policies.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper thus provides a multidimensional and up-to-date perspective
on the complex trade relations and their consequences for the feed industry in Poland and
Europe.peer-reviewe
AI ethical dilemmas in the context of management problems
Full text linkPURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to analyze selected ethical dilemmas related to the
application of AI, and then show them in a broader civilizational context useful for managing
human teams.METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS: The authors move away from classical ethical interpretation
and focus on contemporary situational ethics enabling a modern approach to AI dilemmas.
The dilemma makes it possible to show the problems, in a way, “from the inside”, taking into
account a variety of moral, psychological, legal, cultural contexts. Just inadequacy of
classical ethics in the analysis of complex problems of the modern world prompts the search
for new analytical tools.CONCLUSIONS: The pessimistic thesis that we are not, as individuals and human teams,
prepared for the widespread use of AI is confirmed almost every day. Ethics, law,
management, education, medicine and many other fields have not kept up with the rapid
advances of digital transformation. This opinion is illustrated by the case studies analyzed in
this article. AI is a great opportunity for humanity, however, if we don't turn on the right
“fuses” human can be instrumentalized as add-on to machines.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Each of the case studies presented in the article can inspire the
practical application of AI. However, it is not about specific technological solutions, but
rather about the human-machine relationship. AI Governance is an extremely important field
that integrates technological and social-communication processes in organizations. The
better managed the team, the greater the openness to AI applications. It is about applications
that protect human autonomy in relation to intelligent machines.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The AI debate is dominated by the operational)functional approach. This
article presents a contextual-critical approach connected with ethics of human-computer
interface.peer-reviewe
Responding to security threats : the decision-making process in a crisis
No full textPURPOSE: The purpose of the article is to present a universal concept of decision-making
during a crisis situation, a concept enabling the optimal development of decisions to respond
to any type of threat, in various conditions, usually related to incomplete and unconfirmed
information, high dynamics of crisis situation variability, shortage of forces and resources or
time pressure.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The main research problem resulting from the adopted
course of preliminary research was formulated in the form of the question: What is the
optimal decision-making process in a crisis situation, the system of interrelated phases,
stages and activities, which is an element of effective security of people, property, critical
infrastructure and the environment? In the research process, both theoretical and empirical
research methods characteristic of the field of social sciences were used. A review of the
literature on the subject, documents and conclusions from the expert interview were
considered, in which experts from crisis management units of various levels of the system
participated, and the selection of experts focused on people who have knowledge and
practical experience, which guaranteed factual and reliable answers.FINDINGS: Decision-making in a crisis situation is a complex process that requires a few
activities to be performed by a group of functionaries and experts in various conditions who
develop decisions on the use of force and means to counteract various types of threats and
remove their effects. The complexity of decision-making during a crisis situation makes it
difficult to clearly present the decision-making system. The concept of decision-making
during a crisis situation presented in the article is a sequence of interrelated phases, stages
and activities that enable response during any type of threat. Depending on the time or
access to information, it allows you to simplify, expand or even omit some elements of this
process, or change their assumed order. The most important thing is that it provides a
solution to the problem situation and prepares the decision-maker with options of action
based on the analysis of the crisis situation, the assessment of factors affecting the
performance of the task, which makes it possible to make a decision, i.e., the act of choosing
the optimal variant of future action from among several possible ones. In addition, it allows
you to prepare an action plan and develop task documents, assign tasks to executive entities,
as well as monitor the implementation of decisions and adjust as needed.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The presented concept should improve the decision-making process
in a crisis situation and should be used in security systems, especially in the crisis management system at all its levels and in organizational units of systems responsible for the
decision-making process in a crisis situation.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article presents a universal system of the decision-making process
that allows for the development of a decision to respond to any type of threat, in a crisis
situation, which is characterized by, among m.in, such features as: surprise, time pressure,
unpredictability, insufficient and uncertainty of information, loss of control over the situation
or the appearance of panic.peer-reviewe
The impact of telemedicine on primary care accessibility, barriers and patient outcomes
No full textBACKGROUND: Telemedicine has emerged as a promising
solution to alleviate pressure on clinical services
and improve efficiency in overstretched primary
care systems. Telemedicine offers highly
accessible and convenient care with the potential
to improve clinical outcomes for patients with
chronic conditions. Despite these benefits,
socioeconomic, technological, operational,
and patient safety barriers may limit equitable
implementation.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this narrative literature review is to
critically examine the impact of telephone and
video consultations on primary care delivery.
It assesses how telemedicine influences access
to care, identifies key barriers to its equitable
use, and evaluates associated clinical outcomes,
particularly in the context of chronic disease
management.METHOD: A narrative literature review was conducted,
and 39 studies were selected to evaluate
how telemedicine impacts healthcare access,
identify significant barriers to widespread
implementation and assess health outcomes
within primary care.RESULTS: Telemedicine was found to improve patient
satisfaction and enhance patient empowerment
with self-management. Rapid scaling of
telemedicine services during the COVID-19
pandemic, however, raises critical concerns
about patient safety and the quality of care
provided.CONCLUSION: A hybrid model combining traditional faceto-face consultations with innovative digital
appointments, holds the potential to transform
person-centred healthcare as we know it today.
Future research should prioritise evaluating the
clinical effectiveness of telemedicine and assess
specific clinical outcomes to validate its long-term
role in primary care transformation.peer-reviewe
Assessing competencies in medication risk management among community pharmacists
Full text linkBackground: Medication risk management is essential in community pharmacy, particularly with increasing drug regimen complexity, aging populations, and polypharmacy. Community pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring medication safety; however, gaps in competencies persist, particularly in managing high-risk medications. Understanding pharmacists' self-reported competence in medication risk management is crucial in identifying areas requiring further training and education. Objective: This study aimed to assess community pharmacists' competencies in medication risk management, with a specific focus on high-risk medications, identifying areas where further training and guideline development are needed. Method: A structured questionnaire was developed and validated to assess community pharmacists' self-reported competencies in medication risk management. The questionnaire evaluated community pharmacists' ability to use evidence-based information and tools, proficiency in identifying medication-related problems, and competence in managing side effects, contraindications and drug-drug interactions. It also assessed pharmacists' perceived training needs and preferred training methods. Responses were measured using a Likert scale. Results: A total of 102 community pharmacists participated in the study; 67% were female, and 28% were aged between 31-40 years. Most participants were employed f ull-time and 28% had five years or less experience as community pharmacists. When pharmacists' competence in using evidence-based tools was assessed, 51% of pharmacists reported a very good level of competence, while 26% rated themselves as excellent. Competence in managing side effects, contraindications, and drug-drug interactions varied across different drug classes. The highest self-reported competence was in NSAIDs, with 65% rating their competence as very good or excellent in understanding side effects, 60% for contraindications, and 57% for drug-drug interactions. In contrast, the lowest competence was reported for methotrexate, with 37% rating their competence as poor or fair in understanding its side effects, 54% for contraindications, and 56% for drug-drug interactions. When asked about further training needs, 79% agreed or strongly agreed that additional education is needed in identifying medication risks, while 78% supported enhanced t raining in developing and implementing risk management strategies. Additionally, 73% expressed a need for further education on adverse drug reactions and medication errors. Online training was the preferred learning method for 68% of pharmacists, followed by webinars (48%), with 44% favouring training sessions of one to two hours. Conclusion: Findings highlight key competency gaps in pharmacists' knowledge of high-risk medications as well as other medication risk management fields, emphasising the need for targeted training and structured guidelines. Developing opportunities for continuous professional development addressing areas that are identified by practitioners through self-reporting needs supports pharmacist empowerment and confidence. These initiatives not only enhance competencies but also empower pharmacists to adopt a more patient-centred approach, enhancing the quality of care provided.peer-reviewe
Discrepancies between plantar pressure devices : evaluating cross-system reliability for biomechanics, clinical use and predictive modelling
Full text linkPlantar pressure measurement systems are widely used to assess foot function and gait, yet discrepancies in
sensor design, measurement protocols, and population characteristics can undermine data comparability. This
study investigated three platform‑based and two in‑shoe systems to evaluate key parameters such as the contact
area, maximum force, force‑time integral, peak pressure, pressure‑time integral, maximum mean pressure and
contact time. Fifteen healthy adults walked at a self‑selected pace, providing a total of 360 footprints from the
platforms (barefoot) and 1200 footprints from the in‑shoe devices (shod). Each footprint was then divided into
hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot regions. A two‑way repeated‑measures ANOVA (systems × regions) revealed that
mean values (MV) and coefficients of variation (CV) frequently differed among devices, indicating limited
cross‑system comparability. Moreover, intraclass correlation coefficients for peak pressure ranged between poor
(<0.5) and, on rare occasions, moderate (0.5–0.75), further confirming substantial variability. These discrepancies highlight the importance of standardising calibration, data extraction, and analysis protocols, as even
devices based on similar resistive or capacitive technologies can produce dissimilar outcomes. Environmental
factors such as footwear selection and lab‑based “targeting” errors also contribute to inconsistencies. These
challenges are especially relevant as emerging technologies integrate high-resolution wearable sensors with
artificial intelligence to support real-time clinical decision-making, disease prediction and personalised interventions. Establishing uniform reporting and validation standards will be essential to ensure robustness and
comparability in both traditional biomechanical studies and future AI-driven applications.peer-reviewe