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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]

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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.