Technical University in Zvolen OJS
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MANAGING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS BY SLOVAK WOODWORKING AND FURNITURE ENTERPRISES IN THE CONTEXT OF AGILE APPROACH – CASE STUDIES
Get PDFThe period of coronavirus pandemic has shown that the ability to implement changes and react in a timely and effective manner, which means being agile, is becoming a prerequisite for both survival and success. The aim of this paper is to highlight examples of good and bad practices among Slovak wood processing and furniture-manufacturing enterprises in overcoming the pandemic crisis through case studies, utilising semi-structured interviews within enterprises and an analysis of changes in financial indicators. The results show that enterprises taking advantage of the increased demand for wood products, as well as those that digitised and optimised their processes, achieved significantly higher sales and profits. Conversely, enterprises that merely tried to maintain revenues without optimisation and innovation worsened their financial situation. The contribution of the paper is an extension of empirical knowledge, examining the impacts of pandemics on the business operations of wood processing enterprises in the context of business agility
INNOVATIVE COMPOSITIONS OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS AND THEIR ESTIMATED FIRE RESISTANCE
Get PDFThe paper is focused on the investigation of innovative compositions of structural elements suitable mainly for use in timber constructions, with respect to determining their expected fire resistance. The examined compositions of structural elements meet several requirements that contribute to both the energy efficiency and fire safety of buildings. The tested structures consisted of magnesium oxide boards forming the sheathing of the samples, combined with various types of thermal insulation cores (PUR foam, paper honeycomb, and straw mixed with MgO mortar). The expected fire resistance was determined by conducting medium-scale fire tests simulating the progression of a fully developed compartment fire. The samples were exposed to radiant heat from a radiation panel with an output of 20 kW·m⁻². The best results were achieved by the sample containing the straw and MgO mortar mixture, which reached an estimated fire resistance of 90 to 120 minutes, confirming the suitability of this material combination in the composition of the structural element. The sample with the honeycomb core achieved an assumed fire resistance of 30 to 45 minutes, while the sample with PUR thermal insulation had the lowest, at 15 minutes
IDENTITY FORMATION IN SOLITUDE IN MICHEL TOURNIER'S NOVELS: A NARRATOLOGICAL APPROACH
Get PDFThe paper focuses on the formation of identity via narratological analysis in Michel Tournier’s seven novels. Drawing on Paul Ricoeur’s theory that personal identity is constructed through narration and dialogue with others, the paper examines how identity is formed in solitude. The main characters, often portrayed as marginal or isolated, undergo a complex process of self-identification influenced by their inner reflections and limited social interactions. Gérard Genette’s theory of narrative focalization is discussed, distinguishing between omniscient, internal, and external points of view. Tournier often blends the first-person internal narration with the third-person omniscient narration to present both the characters’ subjective experiences and an objective overview. The direct discourse of the main protagonists is brief and poor. It is above all through the diaries and the interior monologues that we observe and study the process of the evolution of the identity of the main characters
TYPOLOGICAL – ERGONOMIC EXPERIMENT
Get PDFThis applied research, "A Typology and Ergonomic Experiment", is focused on the development of ergonomic seating solutions tailored for young people working and studying from home. With the rise of remote work and education, informal environments often fail to provide adequate support for healthy posture. Users commonly adopt non-ergonomic positions, such as sitting on sofas, beds, or floors, which can lead to significant health issues. The research is centred on analyzing and optimizing design forms that integrate both aesthetic and functional criteria. Problems associated with non-ergonomic positions are identified in the study, and solutions are proposed to support healthy posture during extended periods of sitting in home environments. These findings have the potential to enhance user comfort, reduce health risks, and guide the future development of seating design for informal settings
THE INFLUENCE OF SEWING THREAD FINENESS AND STITCH LENGTH ON SEWN JOINT STRENGTH
Get PDFThe strength and, by extension, the aesthetic integrity of sewn seams in upholstered furniture covers are key determinants of overall product quality. An upholstery fabric with a sandwich structure composed of two plain-weave layers is examined in the study, and how sewn-seam performance in both warp and weft directions is affected by sewing thread fineness (linear density: 135, 90, and 70 tex) and stitch length (3, 4, 5, and 6 mm). Specimens were prepared and tested in tension in accordance with EN ISO 13935-1. The maximum force at failure (Fmax) and failure modes were recorded. Results show that increasing thread linear density (i.e., using coarser threads) increases seam strength in both joining directions, with the highest Fmax obtained for 135 tex. Shorter stitches (3–4 mm) provided higher seam strength than longer stitches (5–6 mm). Failure mode depended on stitch length: at shorter stitches, rupture occurred primarily in the fabric at Fmax, whereas at longer stitches, failure was dominated by thread breakage. The findings provide actionable guidance for selecting thread and stitch parameters to enhance seam performance in upholstery applications. Optimizing these parameters can extend the service life of upholstered products, reduce material waste, and support more sustainable manufacturing practices
CONTROLLING IN WOODWORKING AND FURNITURE MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES: DOES PERFORMANCE INFLUENCE ITS ESSENCE AND APPLICATION?
Get PDFControlling represents an essential tool for performance management and planning in industrial enterprises, particularly in the woodworking and furniture manufacturing sectors, which play a significant role in the Slovak economy. The aim of this study was to examine whether the extent of controlling tool usage (measured by the Return on Sales indicator) is affected by company performance influences, and whether the capital structure of companies relates to the complexity of their controlling reports. The research was conducted with a sample of 405 manufacturing companies in Slovakia, using a standardized questionnaire and structured interviews to examine the link between controlling practices and enterprise performance in this sector. The analysis included Pearson’s chi-square goodness-of-fit test, which was also part of the frequency analysis. The results confirmed statistically significant differences in the extent of controlling tool usage across sectors. Although hypothesis H1 concerning the relationship between performance and the scope of controlling was not statistically significant, the observed trend may not be entirely random, and its potential relevance could emerge with a larger research sample. Hypothesis H2 was confirmed: companies with foreign or mixed capital showed higher complexity in their controlling reports. The findings have practical implications for managers when deciding whether to expand their control tools. The study also lays the groundwork for further research into the connection between performance and controlling practices
STRATEGIES FOR COMPREHENDING AND COMMUNICATING AUTHENTIC MEDICAL CASE REPORTS IN ENGLISH FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES
Get PDFOne of the key challenges in Medical English instruction is fostering students’ ability to engage with authentic materials which closely mirror the texts they will encounter in their professional careers. Our research was motivated by the goal of optimizing the teaching and learning process of English for Medical Purposes through the use of authentic materials. We employed an exploratory research design, collecting data through a researcher developed questionnaire that examined students’ perceptions of authentic materials, the strategies they use to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words, and their self-assessment of mediation abilities. The study involved 50 first-year university students enrolled in a Medical English course. Participants first relayed specific information from medical case reports, then summarized and simplified it, and finally presented their findings to the class. Authentic materials were perceived as highly beneficial, offering realistic and context-rich learning experiences. However, for most students, they were difficult to comprehend. The findings indicate that students primarily relied on contextual clues and prior knowledge to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words. Additionally, while mediation tasks enhanced students' ability to transform complex medical language into clear, professional communication, respondents assessed their mediation abilities as average, indicating a need for further development in this area. The findings of this study support the integration of authentic medical case reports into English for Medical Purposes classes. While these texts offer undeniable benefits — such as real-world relevance, vocabulary expansion, and the development of essential reading strategies—they also present challenges, particularly in terms of lexical complexity. Therefore, their implementation must be carefully structured, incorporating scaffolding techniques and targeted instructional support to maximize student learning outcomes
THE CREATION OF LEVANTINE LITERATURE THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF LAST LEVANTINS
Get PDFThe Levantines, descendants of the Latins of Constantinople, integrated into the Ottoman Empire after the 1453 conquest, by forming a hybrid community of Western and Eastern influences. These families, often Genoese, benefited from diplomatic protection and tax exemptions thanks to their diplomatic position in Western embassies in Constantinople. As they were speaking several languages, their culture reflected their international mobility and their adaptation to a multi-religious and multi-cultural community. Although geopolitically located at the crossroads of exchanges between East and West, they developed a distinct identity, influenced by trade, religious missions and diplomatic relations, while contributing to a unique travel literature and an affirmed cultural richness. Travel writing reflects the varied opinions of individuals in society and contributes to the emergence of a new literature. Travel diaries of diplomats, drogmans, tradesman, priests/priestes reveal the social and cultural impact of interactions within the Ottoman Empire, where diplomatic events such as Venetian receptions strengthened bilateral relations and the prestige of nations. In the 19th and 20th centuries, French, which became the lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean, fostered cultural and commercial exchanges. Through Franco-Ottoman newspapers, French as a language of communication united diverse communities, creating a neutral and strategic bridge between East and West
BIOMASS FROM THE WOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY AS A SOURCE OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FOR VARIOUS CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS
Get PDFEuropean forests, which cover approximately 1,040 million hectares in Europe, are crucial sources of renewable biomass. In the Slovak Republic, where forests constitute 41.3% of the land area, broadleaf forests are the dominant type; however, the processing of coniferous wood, particularly spruce (Picea abies), is highly prevalent. Spruce wood is extensively used in the papermaking and construction industries due to its rapid growth and increased wood mass production. This study aims to extract phenolic compounds from spruce bark, a byproduct of the wood industry, using supercritical CO2 extraction—a method known for its environmental safety and efficiency. The bark was manually collected, air-dried, and ground to a fraction size of 1-1.5 mm. To enhance the extraction of phenolic compounds, ethanol and ethyl acetate (1:1) were used as co-solvents. Design of experiment (DoE) was used to optimize the extraction conditions, varying temperatures from 40 °C to 140 °C and pressures from 80 to 480 bars. The results indicate that temperature has a significant impact on the extraction yield, with an indirectly proportional relationship observed. The optimal extraction conditions were identified at a temperature of 47.7 °C and a pressure of 80 bars, achieving the highest yield. Subsequently, an analysis was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which identified 27 terpenes, 11 resin acids, 4 phenols, 4 phytosterols, and 17 other compounds. The total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method as Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE), ranging from 44.376 to 648.752 mg GAE/100 g of dry bark. The antioxidant activity was determined to be in the range from 27.269 to 284.642 mg GAE/g of sample
FOUNDATION OF TIMBER STRUCTURES – CRAWL SPACE HEAT AND MOISTURE ANALYSIS WITH AIR AGE SIMULATION AND OCCURRENCE OF MICROMYCETES
Get PDFThis study is focused on the analysis of the crawl space microclimate in timber structures in the Czech Republic. It focused on the conditions in which the timber and fiberboard elements of the crawl space ceiling structure are located. As part of the analysis, air temperature, relative humidity, air flow within the crawl space were monitored. The average relative humidity within the crawl space reached up to 85% in summer and up to 90% in winter. The residence time of air in the crawl space was determined using air age simulation. A long residence time of air in the crawl space may pose a risk of capturing mold spores on the crawl space wall and ceiling surfaces. OpenFOAM software was used for the simulations. The analysis revealed the presence of fungal spores of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium