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Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) is an essential tool for studying the dynamics of materials interactions at the nanoscale, in and/or with their operational environment. Microfabricated SiNx membrane cells further allow the integration of thin-film electrodes that opens the technique to studies of heterogeneous electrocatalysts under relevant electrochemical conditions. However, experiments remain challenging and the characteristics of the dedicated electrochemical cells and of the interactions of the electron beam with the liquid electrolyte demand careful interpretation of the results. Herein, we discuss important aspects that concern the implementation of electrochemical LPTEM (ec-LPTEM). We first consider the range of information that can be accessible with the technique for electrocatalytic applications and we detail the influence of the thickness and flow of liquid electrolytes using membrane-based microcells. Further, we provide guidelines pertinent to the electrochemical configuration of the substrate working, reference, and counter electrodes. We validate these considerations by experimentally demonstrating the application of ec-LPTEM for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The probed effects in metallic and oxide catalysts are directly related to the applied electrochemical stimuli and corroborate the representativity of the processes under investigation following the considerations described herein.

The purpose of this study is to research terminology of Industry 4.0 in some of the biggest companies in Czech Republic. The main objective was to find out whether they know about the concept of Industry 4.0 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Further goals were to find out which terminology they use in companies, and if they have practical experience with the technologies. Qualitative research was conducted via an online questionnaire. Results have shown some terms used by scientific literature are unknown in practice and that the view of companies on this topic might be different from the view of researchers based on their responses. This calls for more in-depth research for which we present recommendations.

Understanding metal surface reconstruction during operation is of the uttermost importance in heterogeneous catalysis as it directly affects the available active sites. However, surface reconstruction is notoriously difficult to study because of the dynamic nature of the phenomena behind it. Here, we report on the mechanism and the intermediates, which drive the rearrangement of copper catalysts during the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction. In-situ methods, including mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy, evidence a dissolution – redeposition process mediated by transient species containing copper in +1 oxidation state. Theory identifies copper-adsorbate complexes which form in solution under operating conditions. Copper carbonyls and oxalates emerge as the major reaction-specific species driving copper reconstruction. This work motivates future studies to specifically target these compounds to improve the catalyst operational stability in the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction.

Size, morphology, and surface sites of electrocatalysts have a major impact on their performance. Understanding how, when, and why these parameters change under operating conditions is of importance for designing stable, active, and selective catalysts. Herein, we study the reconstruction of a Cu-based nanocatalysts during the startup phase of the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction by combining results from electrochemical in situ transmission electron microscopy with operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We reveal that dissolution followed by redeposition, rather than coalescence, is the mechanism responsible for the size increase and morphology change of the electrocatalyst. Furthermore, we point out the key role played by the formation of copper oxides in the process. Understanding of the underlying processes opens a pathway to rational design of Cu electro (re)deposited catalysts and to stability improvement for catalysts fabricated by other methods.

Combining domains of different chemical nature within the same hybrid material through the formation of heterojunctions provides the opportunity to exploit the properties of each individual component within the same nano-object; furthermore, new synergistic properties will often arise as a result of unique interface interactions. However, synthetic strategies enabling precise control over the final architecture of multicomponent objects still remain scarce for certain classes of materials. Herein, we report on the formation of Cu/MOx (M = Ce, Zn and Zr) hybrid nanocrystals with a tunable number of interfaces between the two domains. We demonstrate that the organic ligands employed during the synthesis play a key role in regulating the final configuration. Finally, we show that the synthesized nanocrystals serve as materials platforms to investigate the impact of the Cu/metal oxide interfaces in applications by focusing on the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction as one representative example., We report on the formation of Cu/metal oxide hybrid nanocrystals with a tunable number of interfaces between the two domains. We demonstrate that the organic ligands employed during the synthesis play a key role in regulating the final configuration.

Among the perovskites used to catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF) exhibits excellent activity which is thought to be related to dynamic reconstruction at t...

Bromination of high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) nanodiamond (ND) surfaces has not been explored and can open new avenues for increased chemical reactivity and diamond lattice covalent bond formation. The large bond dissociation energy of the diamond lattice-oxygen bond is a challenge that prevents new bonds from forming, and most researchers simply use oxygen-terminated NDs (alcohols and acids) as reactive species. In this work, we transformed a tertiary-alcohol-rich ND surface to an amine surface with ∼50% surface coverage and was limited by the initial rate of bromination. We observed that alkyl bromide moieties are highly labile on HPHT NDs and are metastable as previously found using density functional theory. The strong leaving group properties of the alkyl bromide intermediate were found to form diamond-nitrogen bonds at room temperature and without catalysts. This robust pathway to activate a chemically inert ND surface broadens the modalities for surface termination, and the unique surface properties of brominated and aminated NDs are impactful to researchers for chemically tuning diamond for quantum sensing or biolabeling applications.

Bromination of high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) nanodiamond (ND) surfaces has not been explored and can open new avenues for increased chemical reactivity and diamond lattice covalent bond formation. The large bond dissociation energy of the diamond lattice-oxygen bond is a challenge that prevents new bonds from forming and most researchers simply use oxygen-terminated ND (alcohols and acids) as a reactive species. In this work, we transformed a tertiary alcohol-rich ND surface to an amine surface with 50% surface coverage and was limited by the initial rate of bromination. We observed that alkyl-bromide moieties are highly labile on NDs and are metastable as previously found using density functional theory. The instability of the bromine terminated ND is explained by steric hindrance and poor surface energy stabilization. The strong leaving group properties of the alkyl-bromide intermediate were found to form diamond-nitrogen bonds at room temperature and without catalysts. The chemical lability of the brominated ND surface led to efficient amination with NH3•THF at 298 K, and a catalyst-free Sonogashira-type reaction with an alkyne-amine produced an 11-fold increase in amination rate. Overlapping spectroscopies under inert, temperature-dependent and open-air conditions provided unambiguous chemical assignments. Amine-terminated NDs and folic acid were conjugated using sulfo-NHS/EDC coupling reagents to form amide bonds, confirming that standard amine chemistry remains viable. This work supports that a robust pathway exists to activate a chemically inert diamond surface at room temperature, which broadens the pathways of bond formation when a reactive alkyl-bromide surface is prepared. The unique surface properties of brominated and aminated nanodiamond reported here are impactful to researchers who wish to chemically tune diamond for quantum sensing applications or as an electron source for chemical transformations.

Understanding the structure and behavior of intermediates in chemical reactions is the key to developing greater control over the reaction outcome. This principle is particularly important in the synthesis of metal nanocrystals (NCs), where the reduction, nucleation, and growth of the reaction intermediates will determine the final size and shape of the product. The shape of metal NCs plays a major role in determining their catalytic, photochemical, and electronic properties and, thus, the potential applications of the material. In this work, we demonstrate that layered coordination polymers, called lamellae, are reaction intermediates in Cu NC synthesis. Importantly, we discover that the lamella structure can be fine-tuned using organic ligands of different lengths and that these structural changes control the shape of the final NC. Specifically, we show that short-chain phosphonate ligands generate lamellae that are stable enough at the reaction temperature to facilitate the growth of Cu nuclei into anisotropic Cu NCs, being primarily triangular plates. In contrast, lamellae formed from long-chain ligands lose their structure and form spherical Cu NCs. The synthetic approach presented here provides a versatile tool for the future development of metal NCs, including other anisotropic structures.

The rapid development of the sharing economy that has been registered in recent years is caused by a number of factors. The increasingly pronounced effort on the part of all economic entities to contribute towards sustainable development through the application of socially responsible behavior is deemed to be a key factor. The objective of the article is to analyze and evaluate the attitudes of customers towards the benefits of the sharing economy in the field of economic, social, and environmental responsibility using the example of a small post-communist economy-the Czech Republic. Primary data were obtained on the basis of a questionnaire survey. This was elaborated using descriptive and inferential statistics tools. The study that was performed shows that the majority of customers regard sharing as a source of benefits in the field of economic, social, and environmental responsibility, whereas in a complex sense, they perceive these benefits to be equal. Women perceive the investigated benefits of sharing with regard to environmental responsibility as more important compared to men. In comparison with the older generation, the younger generation perceives selected benefits of sharing as more important in all three investigated areas of responsibility. People with a higher education perceive selected benefits of sharing with regard to economic responsibility as more important compared to people with a lower level of education. The article provides original insights into the perception of the benefits of sharing for sustainable development by actors in the sharing economy and is a source of knowledge about their motivations for both policymakers and managers of companies involved in the sharing economy. Rychlý rozvoj sdílené ekonomiky zaznamenávaný v posledních letech je způsoben řadou faktorů. Za klíčový je považována stále se výrazněji projevující snaha všech ekonomických subjektů přispět k udržitelnému rozvoji, a to díky uplatňování společensky odpovědného chování. Cílem článku je analyzovat a zhodnotit postoje zákazníků k přínosům sdílené ekonomiky v oblasti ekonomické, sociální a environmentální odpovědnosti, a to na příkladu malé postkomunistické ekonomiky – České republiky. Primární data byla získána na základě dotazníkového šetření. Zpracována byla s využitím nástrojů popisné a inferenční statistiky. Z provedené studie vyplývá, že většina zákazníků považuje sdílení za zdroj přínosů v oblasti ekonomické, sociální i environmentální odpovědnosti, přičemž v komplexním pojetí tyto přínosy vnímá jako rovnocenné. Ženy vnímají sledované přínosy sdílení k environmentální odpovědnosti jako významnější oproti mužům. Mladší generace v porovnání se starší generací vnímá jako významnější vybrané přínosy sdílení ve všech třech sledovaných oblastech odpovědnosti. Vysokoškoláci vnímají jako významnější vybrané přínosy sdílení k ekonomické odpovědnosti oproti lidem s nižším vzděláním. Článek přináší originální poznatky o vnímání přínosů sdílení k udržitelnému rozvoji aktéry sdílené ekonomiky a je zdrojem poznání o jejich motivaci jak pro tvůrce politik, tak manažery firem zapojených do sdílené ekonomiky.

The production of food within cities through urban agriculture can be considered as a nature-based solution and is argued to be an important response to the current COVID-19 pandemic as well as to climate change and other urban challenges. However, current research on urban agriculture is still fragmented, calling for a systematic and integrative assessment of different forms of urban agriculture and the drivers and constraints for their effective realization. In this context, the Special Issue presents conceptual and empirical research articles from around the world on the impact and implementation potential of various types of urban agriculture. The studies of this Special Issue cover a broad range of impact and implementation dimensions, asssessment methods and geographical backgrounds that can support future studies to develop a systemic perspective on urban food production. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung Czech Science Foundation

Technology has become an integral part of contemporary society. The current transition from an industrial society to an information society is accompanied by the implementation of new technologies in every part of human activity. Increasing pressure to apply ICT in critical infrastructure resulted in the creation of new vulnerabilities. Traditional safety approaches are ineffective in a considerable number of cases. Therefore, machine learning another evolutionary step that provides robust solutions for extensive and sophisticated systems. The article focuses on cybersecurity research for industrial control systems that are widely used in the field of critical information infrastructure. Moreover, cybernetic protection for industrial control systems is one of the most important security types for a modern state. We present an adaptive solution for defense against cyber-attacks, which also consider the specifics of the industrial control systems environment. Moreover, the experiments are based on four machine learning algorithms (artificial neural network, recurrent neural network LSTM, isolation forest, and algorithm OCSVM). The proposed anomaly detection system utilizes multiple techniques and processes as preprocessing techniques, optimization techniques, and processes required for result interpretation. These procedures allow the creation of an adaptable and robust system that meets the need for industrial control systems. © 2021 The Authors, Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic [VI20192022151]; UIUI A.I.Lab at the Faculty of AppliedInformatics, Tomas Bata University in Zlin; project "e-Infra-struktura CZ" (e-INFRA) [LM2018140], LM2018140; Ministerstvo Vnitra České Republiky: VI20192022151

Among the perovskites used to catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), Ba

Size, morphology, and surface sites of electrocatalysts have a major impact on their performance. Understanding how, when, and why these parameters change under operating conditions is of importance for designing stable, active, and selective catalysts. Herein, we study the reconstruction of a Cu-based nanocatalysts during the startup phase of the electrochemical CO

To date, copper is the only monometallic catalyst that can electrochemically reduce CO

Engineering physicochemical properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (2D-TMD) materials by surface manipulation is essential for their practical and large-scale application especially for colloidal 2D-TMDs that are plagued by the unintentional formation of structural defects during the synthetic procedure. However, the available methods to manage surface states of 2D-TMDs in solution-phase are still limited hampering the production of high quality colloidal 2D-TMD inks to be straightforwardly assembled into actual devices. Here, we demonstrate an efficient solution-phase strategy to passivate surface defect states of colloidally synthetized WS2 nanoflakes with halide ligands, resulting in the activation of the photoluminescence emission. Photophysical investigation and density functional theory calculations suggest that halide atoms enable the suppression of non-radiative recombination through the elimination deep gap trap states, and introduce localized states in the energy band structure from which excitons efficiently recombine. Halide passivated WS2 nanoflakes importantly preserve colloidal stability and photoluminescence emission after several weeks of storing in ambient atmosphere, corroborating the potential of our developed 2D-TMD inks.

The recent evolution in cybersecurity shows how vulnerable our technology is. In addition, contemporary society becoming more reliant on “vulnerable technology”. This is especially relevant in case of critical information infrastructure, which is vital to retain the functionality of modern society. Furthermore, the cyber-physical systems as Industrial control systems are an essential part of critical information infrastructure; and therefore, need to be protected. This article presents a comprehensive optimization methodology in the field of industrial network anomaly detection. We introduce a recurrent neural network preparation for a one-class classification task. In order to optimize the recurrent neural network, we adopted a genetic algorithm. The main goal is to create a robust predictive model in an unsupervised manner. Therefore, we use hyperparameter optimization according to the validation loss function, which defines how well the machine learning algorithm models the given data. To achieve this goal, we adopted multiple techniques as data preprocessing, feature reduction, genetic algorithm, etc.

Synergistic effects at metal/metal oxide interfaces often give rise to highly active and selective catalytic motifs. So far, such interactions have been rarely explored to enhance the selectivity in the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Herein, Cu/CeO2-x heterodimers (HDs) are synthesized and presented as one of the prime examples where such effects promote CO2RR. A colloidal seeded-growth synthesis is developed to connect the two highly mismatched domains (Cu and CeO2-x) through an interface. The Cu/CeO2-x HDs exhibit state-of-the-art selectivity toward CO2RR (up to ∼80%) against the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and high faradaic efficiency for methane (up to ∼54%) at −1.2 VRHE, which is ∼5 times higher than that obtained when the Cu and CeO2-x nanocrystals are physically mixed. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy along with other ex-situ spectroscopies evidences the partial reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+ in the HDs during CO2RR. A Density Functional Theory (DFT) study of the active site motif in reducing condition reveals synergistic effects in the electronic structure at the interface. The proposed lowest free energy pathway utilizes an O-vacancy site with intermediates binding to both Cu and Ce atoms, a configuration which allows one to break the CHO*/CO* scaling relation. The suppression of HER is attributed to the spontaneous formation of CO* at this interfacial motif and subsequent blockage of the Cu-sites.

The tunable chemistry linked to the organic/inorganic components in colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offers a rich playground to advance the fundamental understanding of materials design for various applications. Herein, we combine these two classes of materials by synthesizing NC/MOF hybrids comprising Ag NCs that are in intimate contact with Al-PMOF ([Al2 (OH)2 (TCPP)]) (tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP)), to form Ag@Al-PMOF. In our hybrids, the NCs are embedded in the MOF while still preserving electrical contact with a conductive substrate. This key feature allows the investigation of the Ag@Al-PMOFs as electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR). We show that the pristine interface between the NCs and the MOFs accounts for electronic changes in the Ag, which suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and promote the CO2 RR. We also demonstrate a minor contribution of mass-transfer effects imposed by the porous MOF layer under the chosen testing conditions. Furthermore, we find an increased morphological stability of the Ag NCs when combined with the Al-PMOF. The synthesis method is general and applicable to other metal NCs, thus revealing a new way to think about rationally tailored electrocatalytic materials to steer selectivity and improve stability.

There are a lot of factors affecting employee motivation in the company. Some of them are supported by law, while others result from voluntary activities of the company, and the way to some of them still have not been found. Our research dealt with one of the possibilities, the S-LCA indicators as employee motivation factors. The attention is usually paid to companies and their system of employee stimulation. This research is supported by in-depth literature review in the field of S-LCA. Our research addressed employees of one medium-sized company to find out what they think of the activities of their management in the area of stimulation of their employees. Using a factor analysis, we found seven basic motivation factors, i.e. Safety at Work, Fair Remuneration, Social Security and Benefits, Work Climate, Basic Rights and Freedoms, Corporate Image, and Equal Opportunity. In the context of social impacts of manufacturing on employees, individual employee groups are motivated to work in different ways. Faktorů, které ovlivňují motivaci zaměstnanců ve firmě, je celá řada. Některé z nich mají oporu v zákonech, jiné vyplývají z dobrovolné činnosti podniků a k ​​některým se stále nevěnuje patřičná pozornost. Výzkum se zabýval jednou z možností, ukazateli S-LCA jako potenciálními faktory pro motivaci zaměstnanců. Obvykle je pozornost je věnována firmám a jejich systému stimulace zaměstnanců. Tento výzkum je podpořen hloubkovým přehledem literatury v oblasti S-LCA. Náš výzkum oslovil zaměstnance jedné středně velké firmy, abychom zjistili, co si myslí o aktivitách jejich vedení v oblasti stimulace svých zaměstnanců. Pomocí faktorové analýzy jsme našli sedm základních motivačních faktorů, konkrétně bezpečnost při práci, spravedlivé odměňování, sociální zabezpečení a benefity, pracovní klima, základní práva a svobody, image společnosti a rovné příležitosti. V kontextu sociálních dopadů výroby na zaměstnance jsou však jednotlivé skupiny zaměstnanců motivovány k práci různými způsoby.

Higher education institutions play a fundamental role in the scientific, economic, social, and cultural development of each and every society. In view of new challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of their social responsibility and ability to effectively communicate the socially&ndash, responsible activities which are performed is growing. The aim of this article is to analyze and evaluate the scope and structure of socially-responsible activities communicated on the websites of public higher education institutions operating in a small post-communist country where education plays a traditional role&mdash, the Czech Republic, and to formulate recommendations for improvement of the level of communication of social responsibility by higher education institutions. Primary data was obtained using latent analysis of the content of the websites of all public higher education institutions operating in the Czech Republic. The CE3SPA method was applied. The survey which was performed shows that the level of communication of social responsibility by higher education institutions in the Czech Republic is low. Activities in the field of economic and social responsibility are communicated in the greatest scope. On the contrary, activities in the field of environmental responsibility are communicated the least. Public higher education institutions in the Czech Republic should therefore apply the measures proposed in the article, these also being transferrable to practice in other countries.

During last years there are many new modern attitudes and trends in the field of human resources management. The article is focused to one of these trends – diversity management. The aim of the authors is to evaluate single components of diversity management namely in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In addition different possibilities of application of diversity management in practice as instruments of CSR are submitted to analysis. The end of this article shows the results of research oriented to experience with diversity management put into practice in the selected companies in the Czech Republic. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2018.28

The industrial processes and systems have become more sophisticated and also adopted in diverse areas of human activities. The Industrial Control System (ICS) or Internet of Things (IoT) have become essential for our daily life, and therefore vital for contemporary society. These systems are often included in Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) which is crucial for each state. Consequently, the cyber defense is and will be one of the most important security field for our society. Therefore, we use the novelty detection approach in order to identify anomalies which can be a symptom of the cyber-attack in ICS environment. To achieve the main goal of the article One-Class Support Vector Machine (OCSVM) algorithm was used. Moreover, the anomaly detection algorithm is adjusted via multi-criteria evaluation and classifier fusion.

This paper addresses the issue of critical infrastructure protection regarding prevention and response when an incident of road transport. Critical infrastructure is necessary for each country. Security functionality and security of the individual components or system components. When an incident occurs always, distort proper operation. As a result of the incident sends requests to the criteria just before the onset but also in the development we must take into account. Evaluation criteria are important parts not only for prevention of occurrence of the incident as well as reaction. Implications of evaluation criteria are to minimize the risks and consequences of the incident. © 2018, Danube Adria Association for Automation and Manufacturing, DAAAM. All rights reserved.

The detection of cyber-attacks has become a crucial task for highly sophisticated systems like industrial control systems (ICS). These systems are an essential part of critical information infrastructure. Therefore, we can highlight their vital role in contemporary society. The effective and reliable ICS cyber defense is a significant challenge for the cyber security community. Thus, intrusion detection is one of the demanding tasks for the cyber security researchers. In this article, we examine classification problem. The proposed detection system is based on supervised anomaly detection techniques. Moreover, we utilized classifiers algorithms in order to increase intrusion detection capabilities. The fusion of the classifiers is the way how to achieve the predefined goal.

Male a středni podniky (MSP) hraji zasadni roli při zajisťovani a budovani udržitelneho a odpovědneho podnikatelskeho prostředi konkretniho regionu. Přistup malých a střednich podniků k okoli může být založen na zcela odlisných cinnostech, než u velkých podniků. Cilem prace je zhodnotit možnosti realizace spolecensky odpovědných aktivit ve vybranem ceskem MSP. Ve snaze zvýsit trvale nizkou uroveň etickeho charakteru ceskeho podnikatelskeho prostředi mohou MSP hrat důležitou roli. Výsledky teto prace vyplývaji z analýzy, ktera byla provedena pomoci primarniho kvalitativniho výzkumu s využitim metod hloubkových rozhovorů s vlastniky a zaměstnanci jedne výrobni spolecnosti MSP. Clanek identifikuje hlavni motivacni faktory vedouci k implementaci aktivit CSR, podava výsledky analýzy již realizovaných spolecensky odpovědných aktivit, možných zdrojů vedoucich k inovacim v oblasti CSR, využivaných nastrojů CSR, vnimaných přinosů a barier aktivit CSR v malých a střednich podnicich. Přinos clanku lze vnimat předevsim v identifikaci faktorů, ktere ovlivňuji přistup malých a střednich podniků ke spolecensky odpovědnemu chovani, a to předevsim proto, že obecne předpoklady fungovani, vcetně zavaděni CSR do podnikatelske praxe, jsou užitecne spise pro velke organizace, na ktere je pozornost castěji zaměřena, a ktera nemusi být obvykle pro male a středni podniky užitecna.

The accelerating development of information and communication technologies have an eminent influence on contemporary society. As a result, we have an opportunity to increase our effectiveness. However, there is a drawback. Contemporary systems becoming much more interconnected and opened. However, it negatively affects cyber security of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Therefore, the reliable security system must be applied in order to increase system resilience. The article deals with widely used systems for intrusion detection (IDS). These systems are an indispensable basis for cyber security of every organization. The aim of the article is to evaluate an anomaly detection predictive models based on classification.

Nanoparticle-cell interactions begin with the cellular uptake of the nanoparticles, a process that eventually determines their cellular fate. In the present work, we show that the morphological features of nanodiamonds (NDs) affect both the anchoring and internalization stages of their endocytosis. While a prickly ND (with sharp edges/corners) has no trouble of anchoring onto the plasma membrane, it suffers from difficult internalization afterwards. In comparison, the internalization of a round ND (obtained by selective etching of the prickly ND) is not limited by its lower anchoring amount and presents a much higher endocytosis amount. Molecular dynamics simulation and continuum modelling results suggest that the observed difference in the anchoring of round and prickly NDs likely results from the reduced contact surface area with the cell membrane of the former, while the energy penalty associated with membrane curvature generation, which is lower for a round ND, may explain its higher probability of the subsequent internalization.

The recent evolution of cyber-attacks creates eminent pressure on information and communication systems. The increasing number of cyber-attacks and their sophistication have resulted in needs of the new type of cyber defense. The anomaly detection in relation to intrusion detection system (IDS) in connection with standard cyber defense technologies may be the answer to contemporary development in cyber security. Moreover, unsupervised anomaly detection based on K-means algorithm is broadly examined by a considerable number of researchers. Therefore, the algorithm is a solid selection in relation to intrusion detection system. However, one of the problems is to determine a proper number of cluster for the K-means. Nonetheless, there are methods to determine the optimal number of clusters. The aim of the article is to determine the number of clusters in relation to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system.

This article deals with influence of long term mechanical and temperature stress on whisker growth. The experiments were conducted on three different surfaces. FR4 substrate was having copper, gold and HAL surface finish. Copper and gold surface finish was provided with thin layer of solder. Altogether, three solders (Sn63%Pb37%, Sn99%Cu1% and Sn97%Cu3%) were used. The samples were exposed to long term stress. The aging lasted 6500 hours and the temperature was either laboratory for the first batch or elevated (50 °C) for the second batch. The whisker growth was not observed on samples where the solder alloy was deposited in a thick layer, not even after exposure to elevated temperature or bolt induced compressive stress. The highest amount of tin whiskers was observed on a sample with copper surface finish and solder with high tin content, specifically Sn99%Cu1% solder. The presence of lead in the solder hindered the whisker growth. The length of the whiskers varied from tens to hundreds of micrometers. The whisker observation and measurement was conducted using Olympus SZX8 microscope.[1]

Increased interconnectivity, interoperability and complexity of communication in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (further only SCADA) systems, resulted in increasing efficiency of industrial processes. However, the recently isolated SCADA systems are considered as the targets of considerable number of cyber-attacks. Because of this, the SCADA cyber-security is under constant pressure. In this article we examine suitability of current state signature based Intrusion Detection System (further only IDS) in SCADA systems. Therefore, we deeply evaluate the Snort and the Quickdraw rules based on signatures in order to specify their relations to SCADA cyber security. We report the results of the study comprising more than two hundred rules. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016.

The contemporary penetration of information systems into all sectors of human activity is also a cause of the increase in the number of cyber-attacks. This trend also has also hit critical information infrastructures (further only — CII). Their failure could have a great impact on the population — and the state itself. Nowadays, networking between industrial systems is increasing rapidly. That is why there is an ever-growing number, sophistication and complexity of cyber-attacks on CIIs. This trend is thus leading to the formation of a new cyber battlefield, where private and state players — each promote their own interests by means of sophisticated cyber weapons.

The journey towards sustainability for the chemical and food industries requires sustainable production and consumption and also requires the social responsibility of organizations. Companies’ stakeholders ask themselves more and more about the social impacts of products and production processes. The chemical and food industries can be considered to be among the most important industries with strong impacts on society, and they bring about many social interactions. Both industries are interested in solving the questions of the impacts of their products on health, working conditions, production, and product safety, as well as the protection of human rights and cultural heritage. It is necessary to discuss conditions and limitations for effective assessment of social impacts along the whole product’s life cycle. The assessment of chemical and food products’ impacts requires identification of the industry specifics and the regional specifics; traditionally, the chemical industry is perceived as an indispensable and helpful, but on the other hand, a dangerous, hazardous and environmentally harmful industry branch. The food industry can be considered to be essential and beneficial, but with a strong influence on landscape utilization, human health, and social welfare. Both industries have strong social interactions and are under the strict supervision of EU legislation authorities and stakeholders; therefore, it is necessary to discuss the scope of social impact assessment studies, the choice of suitable indicators, and data availability. This chapter characterizes the perceived importance of the social impacts of chemical and food products on stakeholders. There are determined sector-specific and national-specific social impacts of chemical and food production processes in the EU area. Also, the possibilities of monitoring and evaluation of appropriate Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) indicators at the corporate level are disscused. On the basis of the data collected from semi-structured interviews with top managers from more than 35 chemical and food companies, it was possible to conclude that there is a considerable effort on the part of the companies not to underestimate the assessment of social impacts of their products. Both industries are influenced by many specifics, but a lack of information support for the collection of data or selection of indicators is evident. The absence of branch data and absence of information about the social impacts of the origins of the basic raw materials complicate monitoring in the initial stages and in the final life cycle stages of chemical substances. The assessment of food products can be considered to be significantly simpler than the assessment of chemical products, but the absence of branch-specific data and availability of branch-oriented indicators complicate the assessment. Future effective assessment of social impacts requires closer understanding of the life cycles of chemical and food products—especially with chemicals. It is necessary to carry out further theoretical developments in the field of branch-specific indicators and the development of an information basis for the collection and processing of generic (hotspot) data. It is also necessary to encourage further improvement of an information basis on the corporate level.

The contemporary trend of increasing connectivity, interoperability and efficiency of technologies, which are used in organizations, also affected Industrial Control System (further only ICS). The recently isolated system is becoming more dependent on interconnection with external technologies. This leads to a formation of new vulnerabilities, which are significant threats to ICS. For this reason, it is necessary to devote considerable effort to analyze vulnerabilities. Neglecting of this area could lead to damage or unavailability of ICS services. The purpose of the article is to evaluate vulnerabilities related to individual elements of ICS. The fundamental question of the article is to find a true distribution of security risk related to ICS.

Having sustainability as a goal, decisions on products or processes within a company requires integrating technical, economic, environmental and social aspects of all activities being made. Technical and economical aspects are traditionally solved and evaluated with already known methods. Financial analysis, cash flows or marketing goals as basic information are traditionally evaluated. On the other hand environmental and social requirements are hardly ever evaluated or are not solved at all. Many companies implement waste management or environmental departments only to empower potential cost savings and avoid wasting. But concept of sustainability requires much more. This paper deals with evaluation of environmental and social aspects and impacts. The main goal is to determine and suitably evaluate all relevant sustainable aspects of products and processes within company, to empower company's competitiveness, corporate social responsibility and corporate sustainability. The research methodology for this paper consists of qualitative research and examination of primary resources - research articles and secondary literature review process.

International audience; Alumino-silicate coatings and structures formed from alumino-silicate and amorphous chalcogenide submicrometer layers were prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Fabricated thin films were characterized in terms of their structure, morphology, topography, chemical composition, optical properties, and basic anticorrosive functionality. Prepared coatings are amorphous, smooth, without micrometer-sized droplets, with chemical composition close to parent targets. Spectral dependencies of refractive indices and extinction coefficients were derived from variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry data. Amorphous chalcogenide/alumino-silicate structures present large refractive index differences of individual layers (Δn ~ 1.2 at 1550 nm) which could be useful for optical systems working at infrared telecommunication band wavelengths. Basic anticorrosion data of alumino-silicate layers show promising anticorrosion behavior.