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Coffees Brewed from Standard Capsules Help to Compare Different Aroma Fingerprinting Technologies—A Comparison of an Electronic Tongue and Electronic Noses
Publication Name: Chemosensors
Publication Date: 2025-07-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 7
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
With the development of various new types of instrumental aroma sensing technologies, there is a need for methodologies that help developers and users evaluate the performance of the different devices. This study introduces a simple method that uses standard coffee beverages, reproducible worldwide, thus allowing users to compare aroma sensing devices and technologies globally. Eight different variations of commercial coffee capsules were used to brew espresso coffees (40 mL), consisting of either Arabica coffee or a blend of Robusta and Arabica coffee, covering a wide range of sensory attributes. The AlphaMOS Astree electronic tongue (equipped with sensors based on chemically modified field-effect transistor technology) and the AlphaMOS Heracles NEO and the Volatile Scout3 electronic noses (both using separation technology based on gas chromatography) were used to describe the taste and odor profiles of the freshly brewed coffee samples and also to compare them to the various sensory characteristics declared on the original packaging, such as intensity, roasting, acidity, bitterness, and body. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) results showed that these technologies were able to classify the samples similarly to the pattern of the coffees based on the human sensory characteristics. In general, the arrangement of the different coffee types in the LDA results—i.e., the similarities and dissimilarities in the types based on their taste or smell—was the same in the case of the Astree electronic tongue and the Heracles electronic nose, while slightly different arrangements were found for the Scout3 electronic nose. The results of the Astree electronic tongue and those of the Heracles electronic nose showed the taste and smell profiles of the decaffeinated coffees to be different from their caffeinated counterparts. The Heracles and Scout3 electronic noses provided high accuracies in classifying the samples based on their odor into the sensory classes presented on the coffee capsules’ packaging. Despite the technological differences in the investigated devices, the introduced coffee test could assess the similarities in the taste and odor profiling capacities of the aroma fingerprinting technologies. Since the coffee capsules used for the test can be purchased all over the world in the same quality, these coffees can be used as global standard samples during the comparison of different devices applying different measurement technologies. The test can be used to evaluate instrumentational and data analytical developments worldwide and to assess the potential of novel, cost-effective, accurate, and rapid solutions for quality assessments in the food and beverage industry.
Open Access: Yes
Exergy-Based Sustainability Assessment of Gold Mining in Colombia: A Comparative Analysis of Open-Pit and Alluvial Mining
Publication Name: Energies
Publication Date: 2025-07-01
Volume: 18
Issue: 13
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Highlights: Exergy analysis quantifies the sustainability of a process based on the environmental burden generated by using energy resources. Open-pit mining relies on fossil fuels (53%), while alluvial mining is mostly water-dependent (94%) Strategies include improving efficiency, minimizing exergy losses, using renewables, and adopting circular economy principles. Exergy efficiency is improved by reduction in exergy inputs and exergy emissions/waste, i.e., reduction in the loss of useful energy. Findings highlight inefficiencies, guiding resource optimization, and reduced environmental impact. Thermodynamic methods such as exergy analysis enable the evaluation of environmental load (environmental impacts) by quantifying entropy generation and exergy destruction associated with using renewable and non-renewable resources throughout a production system. Based on the principle that environmental impacts occur when exergy is dissipated into the environment, this study applies exergy analysis as a tool for assessing the sustainability of gold mining in Colombia. Two extraction technologies—open-pit and alluvial mining—are evaluated by calculating exergy efficiencies, cumulative exergy demand (CExD), and associated environmental impacts. The results reveal significant differences between the two methods: open-pit mining is heavily dependent on fossil fuels (53% of input exergy), with 99.62% of total exergy destroyed, resulting in an exergy efficiency of just 0.37% and a sustainability index (SI) of 1.00. In contrast, alluvial mining relies predominantly on water (94%), with 69% of input exergy destroyed, an exergy efficiency of 31%, and an SI of 1.46. Four strategies are proposed to reduce environmental burdens: improving efficiency, minimizing exergy losses, integrating renewable energy, and adopting circular economy principles. This study presents the first application of exergy analysis to comprehensively assess the exergy cost of gold production, from extraction through refining, casting, and molding, highlighting critical exergy hotspots and offering a thermodynamic foundation for optimizing resource use in mineral processing.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/en18133247
Social capital as a driver of e-commerce development: Evidence from European panel data analysis
Publication Name: Equilibrium Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy
Publication Date: 2025-06-30
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Page Range: 681-712
Description:
Research background:E-commerce is a key driver of global economic growth, influenced by technological, economic, and social factors. While prior research has focused on economic andtechnological determinants, the macroeconomic role of social capital—defined by trust, norms, and networks—remains underexplored. Social capital reduces transaction uncertainty, strengthens consumer trust, and facilitates business expansion, yet its cross-national impact on e-commerce adoption requires further investigation. Purpose of the article: This study examines how social capital influences e-commerce development in European countries, exploring whether higher levels of social capital contribute to greater e-commerce adoption and transaction intensity while accounting for economic factors such as GDP per capita and disposable income. Methods: The study analyses panel data from 28 European countries (2015–2023) using the Social Capital Index (SCI) to measure national trust and networks. E-commerce activity is assessed based on online purchase participation and business turnover from digital sales. Panel data models with fixed and random effects are applied to examine the relationship between social capital and e-commerce adoption. Findings & value added: The results confirm that social capital significantly influences e-commerce adoption. Countries with stronger trust networks and social cohesion see higher participation in digital commerce. Economic conditions, including GDP per capita and disposable income, moderate this effect, with wealthier nations benefiting more from trustdriven e-commerce expansion. The study underscores the importance of fostering social capital to enhance consumer confidence, lower transaction costs, and promote sustainable digital market growth, offering policy recommendations to strengthen trust mechanisms and support e-commerce ecosystems.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.24136/eq.3781
Sensitivity analysis and optimization of pier shape scour prediction using HEC-RAS
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2025-06-27
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Page Range: 8-15
Description:
Scour around bridge piers threatens bridge stability. This study uses the Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System to improve depth estimates for various pier shapes. The Colorado State University and Froehlich equations were tested with a one-dimensional model calibrated for circular, square, rectangular, oblong, oval, and cylindrical piers. Sensitivity analysis identified coefficients K2, K3, flow velocity, and depth as key factors, with K2 being most significant. The Colorado State University equation overestimated scour depths, especially for square piers. The Froehlich method provided more accurate predictions, confirming the system’s value in hydraulic modeling for bridge stability analysis.
Open Access: Yes
Fire simulation of different complex geometry tree objects using FDS
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2025-06-27
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Page Range: 67-72
Description:
Fire simulations are becoming more and more widely used in fire protection practices. In order to achieve more accurate results, it is inevitable that simulations are always developed. This study investigates the fire behavior of various complex wooden geometries. This research aims to enhance the understanding of fire propagation of different geometries made of wood. The simulations are performed using fire dynamics simulator, which incorporates heat transfer, combustion, and fluid dynamics principles. Key parameters like temperature and heat release rate are analyzed for each of tree geometries. The research contributes to the development of more accurate fire models. It also provides the basis for further development of simulations including more complex geometries.
Open Access: Yes
On Certain Procedural Aspects of Agricultural Subsidy Law
Publication Name: Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Law
Publication Date: 2025-06-25
Volume: 20
Issue: 38
Page Range: 371-384
Description:
As a judge assigned to the Public Administration Chamber of the Győr Regional Court, I adjudicate in administrative cases, and in addition to my work, as a fourth-year student of the Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences of the Széchenyi István University, I research the system of agricultural subsidies and judicial case law. The aim of my doctoral thesis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the Hungarian system of agricultural subsidies and the jurisprudence of agricultural subsidy law by examining the agricultural law literature, national and EU legislation, the practice of farmers’ organisations, agricultural and rural development support bodies and case law collected in courts. The questions examined in the research concern the normative clarity of legislation on agricultural subsidies, the equivalence of the functions assigned to agricultural subsidies and the precedent practice available in this specific field. My research in this area focuses not only on the history, functions and substantive law of agricultural subsidy law, but also on its procedural law. In this study, I address the jurisdictional problems that arise in agricultural law disputes and the issues arising from the relationship between general and special administrative procedural law.
Open Access: Yes
MANAGING SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR EX-COMBATANTS: EVALUATING EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH КРІ METHODOLOGY
Publication Name: Polish Journal of Management Studies
Publication Date: 2025-06-25
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Page Range: 248-263
Description:
The management of the ex-combatants’ social protection is analysed using the KPI methodology. For this analysis, five blocks of indicators are adapted: “input” – funding allocated to ex-combatants’ social protection; “output” – ex-combatants’ participation in social programs; “activity” – funding per recipient and final performance of social protection; “mechanism” – administrative efforts required to achieve the intended outcomes; “control” – effectiveness of ex-combatants’ social protection compared to other population groups. The methodology has been tested in Ukraine using a system of 28 indicators available in 2020-2023. The lowest efficiency is typical for input indicators, mainly support programs funding (0.153 in 2022), the highest values were observed for activities indicators (ranging from 0,609 to 0.871). However, the essential distance from maximum level of 1.0 is obvious for all indicators. This approach allows for identifying existing gaps and opportunities to improve public management of ex-combatants’ social protection.
Open Access: Yes
AN ANALYSIS ON LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING ERRORS IN THE NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INFLUENCED ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Publication Name: Polish Journal of Management Studies
Publication Date: 2025-06-24
Volume: 31
Issue: 2
Page Range: 123-137
Description:
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how leadership and decision-making work in organizations today. AI's emergence has created a need to rethink traditional ways of leading. Leaders now face the challenge of incorporating AI tools into their decision-making, which affects corporate strategies and how well they operate. However, while this combination of leadership and AI calls for adaptive strategies, it also raises worries about possible decision-making mistakes. To handle these challenges well, organizations should develop a strong understanding of how leadership styles affect decisionmaking when faced with the pressures of AI. To understand this relationship, our study considered key aspects like organizational climate and emotional intelligence, which are vital for long-term change.
Open Access: Yes
Selection criteria in the talent identification of triathlon
Publication Name: Physiology International
Publication Date: 2025-06-20
Volume: 112
Issue: 2
Page Range: 118-137
Description:
Triathlon is a very complex sport, as the athlete has to master the characteristics of three sports (swimming, cycling and running), and the tasks of coaches are increased by the need to get the most out of all three. This sport improves endurance, has a positive effect on muscle development, movement coordination, breathing, and circulation. For talent identification factors determining the performance in triathlon are essential (physiological, anthropometric, psychosocial and tactical factors). Scientific literature concerning performance in triathlon sport is rather scarce. Although there are some studies in this field, there is little comprehensive literature analyzing training of youth athletes. The aim of our research was (i) to conduct a targeted literature review of the body composition and performance of youth triathletes and (ii) comparing results with those of elite adults, (iii) determining factors playing a prominent role in the selection and performance of triathletes. The results of our research reveal that factors like the appropriate competition age (approx. 28-30 years for both sexes), anthropometric parameters (it is necessary to take into account the distance the athlete covers) and performance criteria (the most important is VO2 max) are essential for successful selection and subsequent success. In the world of triathlon constant regulatory changes and the need to adapt new competitive demands necessitate keeping our knowledge up to date.
Open Access: Yes
