This study investigates the effects of adding monofilament polypropylene fibers to concrete, focusing on its compressive and flexural strength. Results show that fiber doses up to 3.0 kg/m3 improve compressive strength by 10‒15% and flexural strength by 12‒20%. However, higher doses reduce mechanical properties due to uneven fiber distribution and lower mix workability. Using polypropylene fibers reduces the need for steel reinforcement, lowering the carbon footprint. This fiber-enhanced concrete is suitable for infrastructure applications, such as port quays, where durability and reduced maintenance are critical. Additionally, it offers cost benefits in projects without high dynamic load requirements.

The current stability assessment model within the context of weather criteria has remained unchanged since 2008. The loading of bulk carriers in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, due to its specific nature, requires a detailed assessment that includes the impact of irregular waving during loading operations. Based on short-term predictions of roll motion during bulk carrier loading simulation, a stability evaluation is conducted according to the standards outlined in the IS Code and by utilizing a modified weather criterion, where the author took into account variable wave height and wave period. As a result, it was found that non-compliance with the existing weather criterion under specific operational weather conditions is not observed. The modified weather criterion illustrates the range of waves in which the b/a ratio increases and decreases, thereby indicating unfavorable wave periods. The current model of the weather criterion (IS Code) for bulk carriers loaded in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone while in a dead ship condition is deemed sufficient.

This work is devoted to determining the effect of mesh density and mesh type on cavitation cloud volume generated during the flow of water through the cavitation tunnel. The numerical analysis was carried out on a water model based on a cavitation tunnel located at the Institute of Water Problems of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, used to test the resistance of construction materials to cavitation erosion. A numerical analysis is performed for four different types of grids: polyhedra, poly-hexcore, hexcore, and tetrahedral. These grids have five different maximum cell sizes: 0.0025, 0.0020, 0.0015, 0.0010, and 0.0005 m. A numerical analysis is performed using commercial CFD software ‒ i.e., Ansys Fluent 2023 R1. The Schnerr and Sauer cavitation model and the k-omega viscous model for shear stress transport (SST) are used. This paper analyzes the qualitative parameters of the quality of the grid, distribution of velocity, pressure, average cell volume, and volume of cavitation cloud consisting of 90% volume vapor fraction. Based on the numerical analyses, it is shown that the basis for obtaining accurate results of the CFD simulations is not only the qualitative parameters of the grid but also its density.

The manufacturing sector plays a pivotal role in global economic growth and improving living standards. However, it faces significant challenges related to environmental degradation and resource depletion due to traditional manufacturing processes. This paper aims to explore the optimization of production processes within the context of sustainable development, focusing on energy intensity, labor intensity, and ergonomics. Through a systematic literature review, the author analyzes various multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods applicable to manufacturing, assessing their effectiveness in addressing sustainability challenges. This research reveals that the MCDM approaches can effectively balance the interrelated aspects of energy consumption, labor management, and ergonomic design, leading to enhanced production efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The author hypothesizes that the integration of the MCDM methods will result in improved decision-making processes that foster sustainability in the manufacturing industry. The findings of this study contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable manufacturing practices and provide a foundational framework for future research in this area.

This paper examines the current state and prospects of wind energy development in Poland, focusing on both onshore and offshore projects. The analysis highlights key regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and the environmental benefits of integrating wind energy into the Polish energy mix. Legal and administrative barriers that affect the timeliness of project implementation and investment attractiveness are described. Additionally, the paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the carbon footprint of an industrial process powered by wind energy versus energy from Poland’s conventional mix. The findings emphasize the significant potential of wind energy when contributing to Poland’s energy transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting sustainable industrial practices. The results provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of wind energy in achieving national and EU climate goals while identifying critical areas for policy and infrastructure improvements.

One of the challenges in today’s business environment is adequate human resources management while implementing new technologies in the work process. The implementation of changes does not always go smoothly. This study aims to test whether gaining more knowledge about new technologies in logistics by employees can lead them to change their attitude toward using such solutions in their workplace. An experimental method is used, which is applied in a natural working environment. The experiment introduced a change in the form of increased employees’ knowledge resources about selected technologies. The employees gained new knowledge when training on this topic. To assess whether the new knowledge contributed to a change in employees’ attitudes, it is necessary to test their attitudes toward new technologies before and after the training. The results confirmed that the training had a positive effect, and the employees are more convinced that automation is the right direction for the further development of the company. The experiment can, therefore, be considered successful. Support for automation increased among the group of participants despite greater awareness that it may mean the need for them to acquire new skills. Three types of employee attitudes toward new technologies are identified – supportive, neutral, and inhibitory. For each of them, managerial implications are presented.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the introduction of public health measures, contributing to changes in urban, metropolitan, and intercity mobility. Previous studies indicate that, during the spread of the pandemic, changes were observed in the intensity of road traffic, road incidents, and changes in the purpose, method, and number of trips by society. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions implemented related to it, including restrictions related to the movement of people, has been analyzed in many articles. However, the topic is still relevant due to the fact that many transport operators are still struggling with the effects of the pandemic and it is an important aspect in the era of promoting sustainable forms of movement in cities. The primary objective of this article is to assess the public perception of the causes and state of safety during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific objectives include identifying factors affecting the level of safety in road traffic for individual users and their hierarchy. In the adopted research methodology, the use of a survey questionnaire enables the identification of factors influencing the perception of dangerous situations in road traffic by their participants. The study was conducted in Szczecin (a city located in the northwestern part of Poland) and neighboring communes. The results of this study can be used by decision-makers and people involved in ensuring road safety to develop pragmatic and effective preventive measures to ensure the safety of road users.

Rapeseed meal (RSM), mainly used as a protein-rich component of animal feed, is susceptible to quality degradation under the influence of high relative humidity and ambient air temperature. The aim of this study was to present empirical data and water vapour sorption isotherms for rapeseed meal at various ambient air conditions. The equilibrium moisture contents (EMCs) of RSM at two temperature levels (25 °C/40 °C), a wide range of water activities (0.3‒0.9) and two sorption pathways (adsorption /desorption) were determined, using a static gravimetric method. Mathematical equations were applied to analyse the experimental data, of which the modified GAB and modified Halsey were found to be the best fitting models, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.983 to 0.998. It was observed that the EMC of RSM decreased with increasing temperature, but this effect was not statistically significant at water activities above 0.6. The hysteresis was statistically significant in the region of water activities from 0.3 to 0.6, but the greatest differences between moisture bound by attachment and evaporation mechanisms were revealed at the lower values of this range. The area of the hysteresis loop was smaller for the isotherms plotted at higher temperature. It was concluded that a moisture content up to 10.5% would be appropriate for short-term handling of RSM during trading, whereas for long-term storage at temperatures of 20 °C or below, a moisture content between 5.5% and 8.5% wet basis should be maintained. The results presented in this study may be applicable to the design of technological and storage parameters, necessary to ensure the microbiological and chemical stability of RSM during handling in international trade.