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EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON RESPIRATION RATE OF FOREST SOILS WITH THE ADDITION OF POLYMERIC SUPERABSORBENTS
Full text linkThe present study examined the role of moisture on the soil respiration rate in forest soils supplemented with two different types of polymeric superabsorbents. Soil samples were collected in the Tyniecki Forest near Krakow, Poland. The physicochemical characteristics of the soils were studied, as well as the basal soil respiration rate under standard substrate moisture conditions, which is 60% of the maximum soil water capacity. An experiment was conducted in which two different types of polymeric superabsorbents (SAP) were added to the soils: SAP 1, a classic representative of synthetic acrylic polymers, and SAP 2, a copolymer based on oxidized starch and acrylic acid. To accomplish the research objective, moisture conditions of the studied samples were determined - simulated variants of constant optimal moisture, normal sediment followed by dry conditions, and over-gravel sediment followed by dry conditions. The experiment had 2 dry-rain cycles. During the experiment, changes in the soil respiration rate were measured. The study concluded that soil moisture and the role of SAP are of paramount importance - the maximum soil respiration rate was achieved under conditions of constant soil moisture at 60% WHC and under conditions of over-gravel precipitation and subsequent drying - in these variants, the soil had sufficient moisture due to hydrogels. SAP 2 performed better than SAP 1 - this is due to the chemical structure of the hydrogel, where oxidized starch played the role of an additional easily digestible carbon substrate for soil microorganisms
DESIGN OF 4-CHANNEL POLYMER-BASED AWG DEMULTIPLEXER FOR DIRECT LASER WRITING LITHOGRAPHY
Full text linkThis study presents the design and simulation of a 4-channel polymer-based planar arrayed waveguide gratings optical demultiplexer for telecommunication applications. The demultiplexer was designed for a central wavelength of 1550 nm using the AWG-Parameters tool. A single-mode polymer waveguide structure with a 2 μm × 2 μm cross-section was employed, utilizing IP-Dip polymer as the core material and polydimethylsiloxane Sylgard 184 as the cladding. The AWG structure was designed and simulated using the PHASAR tool from Optiwave, while its transmission characteristics were analyzed with the AWG-Analyzer tool. Additionally, the optical properties and dimensions of the AWG structure were optimized to meet the manufacturing constraints of the direct laser writing lithography process. These optimizations are crucial for ensuring the scalability, performance, and practical fabrication of polymer-based photonic devices
EXPLORING TRAINEE MENTOR’S PERCEPTIONS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF MENTORSHIP IN STUDENTS OF MASTER’S DEGREE IN NURSING
Full text linkMentoring could be defined as giving support, assistance, guidance in learning new skills, adopting behaviours and acquiring new attitudes. Existing research has focused mostly on mentees’ experiences, rather than mentor’s experience. A profound understanding of mentors’ perception of benefits and drawbacks/negative benefits) is crucial for enhancing the willingness of nurses to become a clinical nursing mentor. The aim of the study was to gain in-depth knowledge of advantages and drawbacks of mentorship from the point of trainee mentors. A qualitative interview study based on semi-structured individual interviews. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke´s thematic analysis from a purposive sample of trainee mentors (n=6) who have finished the Basics of Mentorship recently. Other inclusion criteria were to hold permanent employment (100%) as a registered nurse, had at least six-month experience of mentoring nursing students and to be willing to participate in the study. Three themes were identified from the data: Ongoing development for being a good mentor reflected the acquisition of abilities to promote learning environment, Contextual perceptions (environmental factors such as time, teamwork cooperation, resources availability), and Personal satisfaction. Study brings a more profound understanding of nurses’ perspectives of being a mentor, its benefits and drawbacks
INTEGRATION OF HYDROGEN KNOWLEDGE INTO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CURRICULA
Full text linkHydrogen seems to be one of the most promising chemical substances regarding actual transition of energy technology. It could be produced easily from surplus electricity, could be stored with common technology, and its usage is free of greenhouse gases. With these characteristics hydrogen could replace fossil-based fuels in automotive powertrains, in aerospace applications and in space heating systems. Due to these facts an appropriate knowledge of hydrogen and its technologies must be part of future mechanical engineering curricula. Basic knowledge could be included into chemistry lectures. Material related items like hydrogen embrittlement or hydride storage would fit to lectures in material science. Special items like fuel cells or hydrogen based internal combustion engines should be integrated in lectures of energy systems, automotive powertrain technology and similar topics. Furthermore, knowledge of safety aspects regarding handling with hydrogen should be imparted, too. In this work we describe, how we integrated knowledge of hydrogen into two different courses. Automotive powertrains is a Bachelor course. Here lectures were complemented by basic information on hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells. Additionally, laboratory exercises with a hydrogen education laboratory, a fuel cell engineering kit and a hybrid RC model car were established. Automotive engineering is a Master course. Here lectures were enriched by fundamental contents on hydrogen and its chemical and physical properties as well as by special topics like hydrogen storage and refuelling systems, fuel cell technology and hydrogen usage in internal combustion engines. As examination type in this Master course is a written homework assignment, each semester one topic regarding hydrogen technology in combination with experimental laboratory work is offered. Actually, first rounds of both enhanced lectures were concluded. Student feedback are evaluated and resulting adaptions are implemented in both courses
THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS
Full text linkToday, it is quite difficult to create and maintain customer satisfaction in a competitive and dynamic market. In the 21st century, technological progress provides great opportunities, but it’s also characterized by difficult challenges. The development of relationship marketing increases customer loyalty and contributes to the growth of business revenues. The relevance of this approach lies in its ability to form relationships based on trust. The main objective of this study is to study the importance and positive results of customer relationship marketing. This marketing approach is a specific philosophy that focuses on customer orientation, their satisfaction and retention. This means helping them, being honest in their relationships, and taking actions aimed at solving their desires or problems
FRIENDSHIP TRANSFORMED AND TERMINATED IN A GLOBALISING WORLD OF DISUNITIES: KAMILA SHAMSIE’S BEST OF FRIENDS
Full text linkKamila Shamsie’s works reflect her sensitivity to and anxieties about the disunities in contemporary global context. While she focuses on the biased outlook on women in A God in Every Stone (2014), she deals with the imposition of religious doctrines on individuals at an early age and its adverse effects on their future lives in Burnt Shadows (2009). Shamsie elaborates on the ongoing biases against immigrants in the UK in Home Fire (2017). However, different from these works, Shamsie concentrates on the socio-economic, cultural and gender-based disunities in an intertwined way in her latest novel, Best of Friends (2022). In the work, the state repression against Zahra’s family, her family’s moderate economic status, her reaction against the British policies, in contrast to the well-to-do status of Maryam’s family, her family’s harmony with politics, Maryam’s basis of her life on integration, her rapid elevation in the British social context due to her negative approach to immigrants and support for the UK government transform and inevitably terminate the friendship between these two characters. Thus, Best of Friends invites reading for its problematisation of the inevitable and adverse effects of ongoing social, cultural and economic differences on friendship within the contemporary globalising world
FOREST PRIVATIZATION IN GREECE AND THE EU: LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Full text linkThe present study examines the phenomenon of forest privatization in Greece, highlighting its uniqueness compared to practices followed by other European Union countries. At first, a historical overview of forest legislation in Greece is presented, accompanied by the forms of privatization that have been recorded. We then analyze the changes in forest legislation during the financial crisis that facilitated the private exploitation of forest land, as well as the regulatory framework that favored the entry of private companies into the economic management of public forests. Furthermore, to understand the context in which Greece operates, the impact of European forest policy on member states\u27 decisions is reviewed. The analysis extends to the social implications of the diversification in forest management practices, focusing on their impact on the citizens’ well-being. Emphasis is placed on the conflict between different property regimes and common pool resource management. Finally, the conclusion summarizes the findings from existing national and European legislation, recording the concerns of citizens and collective bodies on national forest policy and the extent to which measures are taken to protect public interest
DATA CONSUMPTION AND CO₂ EMISSION BY ACTIVITY TYPES ON USERGENERATED CONTENT PLATFORMS
Full text linkThis study aims to determine the number of social media platforms and users actively used in Turkey and to calculate the digital carbon footprint resulting from social media use. It has been determined that the platforms actively used in the last five years are WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and the time spent in a day for each year is ranked as YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook respectively. In the next stage, the carbon footprint values for the year 2024 were calculated if Wi-if is used as the network type. The carbon footprint in 2024 was found to be 0.0193, 0.0462, 0.0044 and 0.0041 kgCO2e/day for Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp
MULTIFUNCTIONAL APPLICATIONS OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVS) IN ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT: AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY PERSPECTIVE
Full text linkForest and agricultural ecosystems are crucial to human well-being. Advanced technologies are frequently employed to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of forest and agricultural land management. The article discusses selected examples of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in precision agriculture and forestry. Due to their mobility, UAVs are used in monitoring, research, and precision agronomic treatments. The potential for using UAVs has increased significantly over the last decade, driven by the development of new technologies, miniaturization, and the availability of multispectral and thermal cameras. The use of UAVs in forest and crop monitoring is beneficial for assessing their health, plant condition, and identifying potential threats, which enables the planning of effective protection strategies and the immediate implementation of corrective measures. The relatively low purchase and operating costs of UAVs enable the observation of changes in agricultural and forest ecosystems and the rapid implementation of precise intervention actions (e.g., fertilization, pest control)
APPLICATION OF THE SCRUM METHOD IN THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MODULE
Full text linkKaunas University of Technology (KTU) has launched an interdisciplinary Product Development module, which can be chosen by students from more than 30 different first-cycle study programs. The goal of this module is to connect researchers, lecturers, social partners, and student teams for joint work, to create a product or service from idea to prototype. As mentors in this module, we applied the SCRUM method for product development. SCRUM is a flexible programming project management method based on the effective collaboration of the team participating in the project. This method is widely used in IT companies during software development projects, but still not in student teaching. The results (we provide example) show that such a method was successful, product created by the students meet the requirements of the customer or the needs of users and provide coordinated desired functionality. Moreover, this method helps to learn not only academic knowledge but also develops students\u27 soft skills