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The aim of the paper was to identify which European capitals are sustainable and smart, why, and what influences the ranking. The main research hypothesis was to indicate that cities in the 'old' E.U. countries (richer and with higher levels of economic development) are more sustainable and smart. Furthermore, sustainable smart cities, by definition, through the use of advanced and modern management tools and technological support, should contribute to community resilience. Sustainable energy plays a significant role in the measurement system. The study's results showed the differences that exist across countries, as well as the leaders in each smart category and area. This is interesting and new; from a research point of view, there has been no study based on OECD research and data confronting and correlating the range of data with indicators found in the literature. The study results show that the concept of a smart city is comprehensive and that it is necessary to analyze in depth the various sub-categories included in the measurement and assessment of smartness offered by different indicators. This is because it turns out that an overall score and ranking do not always mean that a city is smart in every area and every element included in smart. Statistical methods and literature analysis are used for the study. The results represent a novel development and contribution to the science discipline and can be the basis for further scientific exploration in this area. The research gap and challenge indicate whether there is a link and correlation between the use of sustainable energy in E.U. countries and the implementation of smart concepts in European capitals in the context of the division into 'new' and 'old' E.U. capitals. An important element is the verification of the thesis that 'old' capitals are more advanced in the implementation of smart cities and make greater use of sustainable energy to meet social and economic needs. The thesis has been partly falsified and confirmed negatively; the results are not obvious. It means that the 'new' E.U. countries are very skillful in using financial, organizational, and common development policy opportunities to make their cities modern, intelligent, and friendly to their inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromobility is the challenge of modern cities. The following article explores this issue. The article presents the authors' assessment of the impact of sustainable urban mobility indicators on the development of electromobility strategies in cities. The purpose of the paper is to describe which indicators of sustainable urban mobility may influence the development of electromobility strategies in cities by increasing the number of not only low-emission cars (electric and hybrid) and low-emission buses but also public bicycles. The hypothesis posited in the work is: sustainable urban mobility is an important factor in the development of electromobility in cities. Our literature analysis, expert research, and statistical analysis allowed us to prepare a possibly comprehensive set of indicators for sustainable urban mobility that have a potential impact on the development of electromobility strategies. We ran a thematic analysis of systematic literature reviews and collected around 50 specific types of indicators and measures of sustainable mobility. After consulting the indicator database with experts, we expanded a list of 21 indicators of sustainable mobility. Next, using regression analysis, it was determined which of the sustainable urban mobility indicators is the most important for the development of electromobility strategies in the three identified transport systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Computer Sciences Institute is the property of Lublin University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: The paper consists of a discussion on the relevance of non-income drivers of welfare. This discussion is based on a subjective Bayesian reasoning, where welfare perceptions are subjectively rational decisions of individuals, who are, as author suggests, the ultimate decision-makers in respect of what welfare actually means for them. The objective of the paper is to investigate if income should be taken for granted as a sole driver of welfare. The conclusion is drawn from a methodological investigation of this question in a Bayesian concept of probability with a consideration for correlations among income and non-income drivers of welfare. It suggests that income should not be taken for granted as a sole driver of welfare since the non-income factors, which are not correlated with income, appear to be relevantly affecting individuals’ perceptions of welfare with Bayesian probability of almost 65%. Thereby, the paper is a reaffirmation of a need for further research in the area of welfare measures that might constitute an alternative to income-dominated indicators. Its value emanates from unambiguous answer in favour of the relevance of non-income drivers across welfare perceptions, which, without Bayesian reasoning, could remain unsolved at the point of 50% odds for relevance (irrelevance).

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the factors influencing the profitability of hospital operations in Poland. By dividing hospitals into homogeneous groups based on various criteria, it seeks to understand the dynamics and determinants of hospital efficiency in the context of changing healthcare policies and market conditions. Methodology: The research adopts an exploratory data analysis approach, examining profitability across different hospital types and ownership models. It utilizes statistical methods to analyze changes over time, with a particular focus on profitability indicators such as Return on Sales (ROS). The study spans the period from 2012 to 2021, covering significant healthcare policy shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. Findings: The study reveals that profitability is influenced by several key factors: legislative changes in NFZ financing system, hospital size, type of ownership, urban versus rural location, and regional healthcare policies. It uncovers that urban and rural hospitals' profitability did not significantly differ in each studied year, especially in the last two. The legal form of hospital operation (corporate or SPZOZ) does not conclusively affect operational efficiency. The study confirms that certain factors like size and ownership type influence hospital profitability. Research limitations: Study suggests that other factors unique to each hospital, such as department structure and management quality also influence hospital profitability. The research opens pathways for further investigation into these factors, although data limitations present challenges. Practical implications: The findings have implications for healthcare policymakers and hospital administrators, emphasizing the need for adaptable management strategies in response to changing funding models and market conditions. They also highlight the importance of considering local factors in policy formulation. Social implications: The research underscores the importance of efficient hospital management in ensuring quality healthcare delivery, particularly in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. It also sheds light on the broader impact of healthcare policies on societal health outcomes. Originality: This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive analysis of Polish hospitals' efficiency in a changing legislative and economic environment. It offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of hospital efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The article aims to identify factors that influence changes in revenues in Polish companies during the COVID-19 pandemic and to improve the efficiency of the allocation of state aid. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a logit model to analyze data from a survey of 10950 medium-sized Polish non-financial enterprises, reviews the relevant literature, and focuses on the Polish market. For the purposes of the survey, in addition to the sector breakdown, we proposed measures based on financial data to qualify companies according to their business profile. Findings: The revenues of companies responding to the lockdown are driven by the sector and the company profile. Service companies were more vulnerable to the negative effects of the pandemic, while manufacturing companies and those selling to final retail customers were more resilient. Research limitations/implications: Future research could focus on developing more accurate models to predict the decline in revenues during a pandemic. The study focused on mediumsized enterprises in Poland. Practical implications: The paper suggests that state aid policies should consider not only the sector but also the company profile. It also implies that companies must adapt to market changes and consumer preferences due to the pandemic. Originality/value: This article provides new information on factors that affect changes in revenues in Polish companies during the pandemic. It is valuable for policy makers, researchers, and companies seeking to improve their pandemic response strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Research in E-Learning is the property of Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Slaskiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the paper the equilibrium and non-equilibrium models of moisture transport across the wet building material are proposed and compared. The equilibrium condition between gaseous and liquid moisture phases in the first model is relaxed in the second one, where evaporation and condensation are driven by the difference between the actual moisture partial pressure and its saturation value. In both models moisture is assumed in the gaseous phase as well as continuous (funicular) and discontinuous (pendular) liquid phase. Moreover, the transport of moisture is tightly coupled with heat transfer, which is treated as the fully equilibrium process in both models. The proposed models are verified with numericalresults available in literature, namely with temporal variation of temperature in selected location in the building material. Additionally, predicted with both models temporal changes of the moisture content in three selected points and the total moisture content are compared. Both models produced similar results.

The topic of this study is energy supply chains in the context of sustainable development. The analysis is based on bilateral analysis methodology using the knowledge map visualization tool VoS Viewer and performance analysis. The aim is to investigate whether and to what extent there is interest in the research topic of renewable energy supply chains in the context of sustainability. An analysis of keyword associations, indexes, authors, and places of publication gives an overview of the current state of research in this area. It is valuable and new from the point of view of contributing to the development of the discipline to show the broad spectrum of terms and research topics related to the operation, management, and improvement of energy supply chains. The sustainability context also offers new possibilities for interpretation and application of other management tools in selected chains. Co-dependency and co-occurrence analysis and text mining provide an excellent background for further research in this area. At the same time, it allows data to be refined for further analysis and will provide an excellent starting point for further work in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to predict solar thermal collector’s performance and optimization of control algorithms, proper mathematical models are necessary. Computer calculation technique provides tools for determination of modern materials impact on improvement of heat transfer inside the collector and minimization of heat loss. Such analysis is impossible by using standard technical datasheet provided by producer or by using empirical formulas. In the paper the authors present a mathematical model of a flat plate solar thermal collector based on the Hottel-Whiller-Bliss equation and criterial formula. The iterative algorithm solved steady state heat transfer equations for a glazed and an unglazed collector. The validation experiment was conducted under class AAA sun simulator for different inlet temperature and solar irradiation values. The unglazed PV/T and glazed solar thermal collectors were tested. For PV/T the relative difference, between measured and computed outlet temperatures, was below 5% and the highest value was reached for the lowest inlet temperature. The validation study showed that the experimental results reached good agreement with simulation predictions. Presented computation algorithm enables to predict influence of geometry changes on collector performance. The model could be used for optimization of the construction without using CFD methods, which need large computation resources.

The physical properties of epoxy based carbon reinforced composites are highly anisotropic due to their directional structure and dependent on the manufacturing process parameters. Thermal conductivity was found to be dependent on the void volume fractions, which appear as a result of the insufficient vacuum level. In the proposed paper the multi-scale computational model of heat transfer across the carbon fiber-epoxy resin composite is proposed. The meso-scale effective thermal conductivities are determined with analytical formulae for isotropic and anisotropic media, the latter takes into account thermal resistance at the interface of fibres and epoxy resin. Proposed model is utilized to determine the effective thermal conductivity in the direction perpendicular to plies of composite. The influence of void fractions and the thickness of the composite on the effective thermal conductivity is investigated. The numerical outcomes underestimate the real variation in conductivity, which can be caused by change in carbon volume fraction of samples manufactured at different vacuum levels which was not considered in numerical computation.

The paper presents the initial approach to mathematical and numerical modelling and optimization of heat and mass transfer in elements of the masonry wall. The considered single moist brick is placed in the channel through which the dry air is flowing. Only one wall of the brick is in contact with the flowing air and through this boundary heat and moisture are exchanged. The non-equilibrium mathematical model is formulated for general case with three phases of moisture present in the porous building material, i.e., water vapour in the moist air filling the pores, liquid water (bound water) adsorbed at the surface of the solid component of the material and free liquid water either in a discontinuous form (funicular) or continuous one (pendular). However, at this stage of development of the numerical model the moisture in the form of motionless liquid water and water vapour which reside in the ceramic material are considered. Moreover, the moisture and heat diffusion in the porous hydroscopic material of the brick as well as moisture and heat convection in the flowing air are assumed. The numerical model is developed with the aid of the commercial software ANSYS Fluent and its advanced customisation functionalities like the User-Defined Function, User-Defined Scalar and User-Defined Memory. Subsequently, investigation of the influence of the mass transfer coefficient between the free liquid water and moist air in the porous building material are carried out.

The paper presents development of the experimental stand for investigation of heating and drying phenomena in the porous building materials with one surface of the sample exposed to the flowing air. Moreover, results of preliminary measurements which verify the range of operating conditions achieved by the stand are shown. These conditions were assumed in the following range: 15℃-60℃, 10-90% and 0.1-10 m/s for temperature, relative humidity and velocity of the flowing air, respectively. In order to control the parameters of air used for heating and drying of porous materials, a closed-loop concept of the stand was proposed and equipped with several elements, i.e., the cooler (vapour condenser), fan with variable rotational speed, humidifier and heater. Furthermore, two parallel measurement ducts which allow to obtain two air streams with identical parameters were proposed. This enables two measurements at one time as well as faster verification of the repeatability of the performed measurements. The temperature measurements at the top surface and inside the sample are carried out applying the IR thermography and several K-type thermocouples, respectively, while overall moisture amount and the moisture content distribution in the specimen are found using tensometric force and electrical resistance meters, respectively.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting warfare within direct proximity to the European Union (EU) have significantly changed the conditions of Europe's energy policy. Consequently, the energy security agencies and governments have been deliberating over an energy trilemma: the problem of balancing affordability, security, and environmental considerations, with much greater ramifications than before the breakout of the current military conflict. The past structural similarities and differences of the EU member states' dependence on Russian energy raw materials, and the factors that might have determined those differences, may be among the key drivers of future energy policy choices in Europe and the prospective paths of the European Green Deal (EGD). Historical convergence might encourage an EGD consensus, while divergent past patterns might not allow for such a single direction throughout the EU. The multifaceted research proposed in this paper, from descriptive statistics to multiple linear regression model analyses, identifies structural dissimilarities among the EU economies relating to their dependence on Russia. Key findings suggest that the past dependencies on Russian energy raw materials have not been similar across the EU countries, and have been associated with the economic size of the EU member states and their proximity to or remoteness from Russia. In this regard, economic size and distance from Russia may be significant determinants of certain dissimilarities. Some countries, especially Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland, have demonstrated a structurally different energy mix dependence on Russian fossil energy raw materials than countries more remote from Russia that boast a higher GDP per capita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart mobility supports smart city ideas and concepts. A consequences of smart mobility activities are more wide and common using electromobility. There is no doubt that electromobility is a global trend that unequivocally supports the principles of sustainable development, while being one of the basic elements of the smart mobility. The following discussion critically addresses the indicated topic, especially in the context of the barriers that currently exist and that stand in the way of implementing the expected expansion of electric cars into urban markets. Considering the following assumptions, the threat of urban pollution associated with the increasing number of vehicles (passenger and freight) should be mitigated using smart mobility solutions. In addition, solutions should include that electromobility promotes zero-emissions. Furthermore, the inadequate development of charging infrastructure and the projected energy crisis may result in plans to develop the electromobility market in cities that are under threat and impossible to meet. We highlight the current state and development level of the electric vehicle market, in particular the market for light commercial vehicles (LCVs). In this market, electric cars account for less than 1% of total cars. In truth, as shown in articles in recent years, the growth of new electric cars is significant; however, as shown by forecasts, the growth is insufficient to achieve the planned goals so the market share of LCVs will only increase to about 25% in 2030 and there will only be about 600,000 electric LCVs on the market. In this article, the authors focus on answering the question of if the upcoming energy crisis can significantly affect the further dynamic development of electromobility as an element of the smart city and undermine the plans to create zero-emission economies, with a particular focus on cities. Not only do we point to electromobility as a positive trend, but we stress that optimistic assumptions in its development in the current economic situation, especially in Europe, may be difficult to realize. The theoretical assumptions are reflected in the statistical analyses and forecasts of market development and their interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The aim of this study has been to provide a rationale for state aid granted to medium-sized enterprises in Poland. The fundamental point raised in the study became the answer to the question of whether the companies that received aid actually needed it. Research method - In their research, the authors used a comparative analysis of the financial situation of companies that obtained COVID state aid with that of companies not covered by COVID state aid. Results - The research shows that the aid was provided not only to the companies that needed it. At the same time, more than 30 per cent of medium-sized enterprises that experienced a drop in sales did not receive such assistance. This demonstrates the imperfect distribution of COVID state aid. Originality / value / implications / recommendations - The value of the research lies in the combined use of COVID state-aid data and information on the financial condition of medium-sized enterprises. The study covers more than 75% of the number of medium-sized enterprises in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research problem undertaken by the authors of this article concerns the optimization of the size of the distribution network (the number of warehouses). The authors developed regression models, which are an alternative to the classical "Square Root law" optimization formula. The models were built for the two distributions of demand most commonly used in the literature: Gaussian and Gamma distribution. They allow the calculation of the level of inventory with a given number of warehouses and the level of stock availability as a measure of logistic customer service. The aim was to create a useful tool for decision-makers in companies. The models were elaborated on the base of the simulations carried out for various products (loading parameters, value), sales volumes, number of warehouses, and different standard deviations. Both regression models were statistically significant; the coefficients of determination are relevant. A slightly better value was obtained in the case of Gaussian distribution. The results obtained with the use of the classic "Square Root law" were in some cases quite similar. However, the type of distribution and the variability of demand, measured by standard deviation, have a significant influence here. Thus, the authors believe that the models developed may give more accurate results and that the "Square Root law" formula should be modified taking into account the characteristics of the demand. After completing the regression models with cost components, the total costs were calculated for selected cases of product groups (food, electronics, garments), different levels of the availability of stocks, and different number of warehouses. As it turned out, centralization may not necessarily be the optimal strategy for the most expensive goods. Loading parameters are also important, as they have a significant impact on the costs of storage and, above all, transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused violent reactions from the governments of almost all countries in the world. The attempt to contain a pandemic by restricting the mobility of society has had a huge impact on people and some businesses. As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, it became necessary to introduce special state aid programs for those businesses that were most affected by these restrictions. This was also the case in Poland. We based our analysis on welfare economics (Harberger, 1971), in which government support for enterprises is legitimized when their situation would have been worse without these interventions. Purpose of the article: The aim of this article is to assess the impact of public aid granted to large companies in Poland on their financial condition. The research problem is to answer the question whether the companies that received the aid needed it. In assessing the appropriateness of aid, liquidity, debt level and profitability indices were used, which directly resulted from the objectives of COVID-19 aid granted in Poland. The added value of the study is combining the analysis of data from financial statements with information on state aid published by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). Research methods: The research sample consisted of 1,201 large Polish enterprises from the non-financial sector. The study used non-parametric statistical tests and quartile analysis. Main findings: The results show that the aid went to entities that were already in a worse financial situation before the pandemic. At the same time, it was demonstrated that the aid did not distort the market mechanism, i.e. it neither excessively improved the situation of supported entities nor significantly worsened the situation of entities that did not benefit from the aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]