Leveraging Business Process Management for Sustainable Transformation: Case Study of MECK Decarbonization Strategy

The heating sector is a critical focus for climate change mitigation, as it accounts for 40–50% of global energy consumption and remains a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Miejska Energetyka Cieplna sp. z o.o. (MECK), a municipal heating company in Poland, faces an urgent need to undergo green transformation in order to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This study aims to demonstrate how business process management (BPM) can be effectively applied to support MECK’s transition toward sustainable practices, ensuring its compliance with CSRD and ESRS requirements while fostering long-term profitability and competitiveness. Through the application of BPM, MECK has successfully embedded sustainability into its operations; key achievements have included developing actionable insights for process improvements, decarbonizing operations, reducing waste, creating new sustainable products, and adhering to CSRD and ESRS reporting standards. These efforts have enhanced MECK’s ability to secure long-term profitability while significantly improving its environmental sustainability. This case study highlights the pivotal role of BPM in enabling heating companies to meet regulatory requirements and advance their sustainability agendas. MECK’s experience underscores the importance of data quality, transparency, process optimization, and continuous improvement as foundational elements for achieving sustainability goals

Tailoring properties of resol resin-derived spherical carbons for adsorption of phenol from aqueous solution

The polycondensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde in a water–ethanol mixture using the adapted Stöber method was used to obtain resol resins. An optimization of synthesis conditions and the use of an appropriate stabilizer (e.g., poly(vinyl alcohol)) resulted in spherical grains. The resins were carbonized in the temperature range of 600–1050 °C and then chemically activated in an aqueous HNO3 solution, gaseous ammonia, or by an oxidation–reduction cycle (soaking in a HNO3 solution followed by treatment with NH3). The obtained carbons were characterized by XRD, the low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen, SEM, TGA, and XPS in order to determine degree of graphitization, porosity, shape and size of particles, and surface composition, respectively. Finally, the materials were tested in phenol adsorption. The pseudo-second order model perfectly described the adsorption kinetics. A clear correlation between the micropore volume and the adsorption capacity was found. The content of graphite domains also had a positive effect on the adsorption properties. On the other hand, the presence of heteroatoms, especially oxygen groups, resulted in the clogging of the pores and a decrease in the amount of adsorbed phenol

Controlled therapeutic cholesterol delivery to cells for the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes

The challenge of enhancing wound healing and skin regeneration, particularly in conditions like burns and diabetic wounds, necessitates innovative solutions. Cholesterol, often associated with cardiovascular diseases, plays vital roles in cellular functions, maintaining skin integrity and preserving the skin barrier. Here, we explore cholesterol's significance, its influence on keratinocytes, and its potential application in skin regeneration. The study utilizes electrospun polyimide (PI) fibers as a cholesterol carrier model and investigates its impact on HaCaT keratinocytes, marking the first time tracked cholesterol delivery from the scaffold into cells. We demonstrate that an optimal concentration of 0.7 mM cholesterol in the medium enhances cell proliferation, while higher concentrations have negative effects. Cholesterol-enriched scaffolds significantly increase cell proliferation and replicative activity, especially in a 3D culture environment. Moreover, cholesterol influences keratinocyte differentiation, promoting early differentiation while inhibiting late differentiation. These findings suggest that cholesterol-loaded scaffolds can have applications in wound healing by promoting cell growth, regulating differentiation, and potentially accelerating wound closure. Further research in this area will lead to innovative wound management and tissue regeneration strategies

Effect of decoration of C@TiO2C@TiO_2 core-shell composites with nano-Ag particles on photocatalytic activity in 4-nitrophenol degradation

Photoactive TiO2 materials based on a C@TiO2 core-shell structure synthesized according to the bottom-up strategy using a spherical resin core were presented in relation to commercial TiO2 (P25) used as a reference material. The studied TiO2 materials were modified with Ag nanoparticles using two alternative methods: impregnation and precipitation. Depending on the deposition technique used, different distributions of the Ag modifier were achieved within the TiO2 structure. As confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements, the precipitation technique resulted in the formation of almost twice smaller, highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles compared to impregnation. Furthermore, the effect of the performed modification on the textural properties (low-temperature N2 adsorption) and surface composition (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) was determined. The phase composition of the TiO2 support as well as the dispersion of the Ag modifier significantly affected the energy gap determined from UV–Vis spectra and, consequently, their performance in the process photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol tested as a model molecule. In the case of the @TiO2 material modified with highly dispersed Ag, significantly higher photoactivity in the visible light range was observed than in the presence of analogous P25-based materials

The Role of CSR in Corporate Social Capital Creation

The paper explores the relationship between social capital, corporate social capital and corporate social responsibility and trust in business. The aim of the paper is to highlight the role of the CSR concept in the corporate social capital creation process. The authors started with the review of the social capital concept – its essence, development, and characteristics. Further, the analysis of the business adaptation of the social capital concept was conducted. Finally, the corporate social responsibility concept was presented and its role from the perspective of trust and wider, corporate social capital creation, was discussed. It is concluded that actual implementation of the CSR concept can raise the trust to the business organization and create its social capital

Edukacja medialna a dobrostan społeczeństwa: perspektywa nauk społecznych i medycznych

The impact of media, particularly digital media, on societal well-being, has been a subject of ongoing discussion. However, research in this area that can be effectively utilized by decision-makers remains scarce. This article explores key themes and emerging research trends in media literacy and its impact on societal well-being. The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis using scientific mapping techniques and an executive summary approach. The analysis was based on 85 publications from the Scopus database, utilizing MS Excel and VOSviewer for data processing. The findings reveal that the intersection of media literacy and societal well-being requires further research, leading to a scarcity of studies and limited influence on policy and decision-making in this area. Consequently, the impact of media, especially digital media, on societal wellbeing is not taken into account in the development of core curricula in child and adolescent education and preventive health programs for adults. There is a significant need for greater attention and commitment to this area of research. Due to the topics, research fields and methodologies applied, the article is relevant to several scientific disciplines. Media literacy is directly related to communication and media studies, while public health policy fits into management and quality studies. The examination of well-being and the impact of media on health falls within the medical sciences.Wpływ mediów, zwłaszcza cyfrowych, na dobrostan społeczeństwa jest przedmiotem dyskusji od dłuższego czasu. Badania w tym obszarze, które mogą być skutecznie wykorzystane przez decydentów, są jednak bardzo rzadkie. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest zidentyfikowanie głównych tematów i trendów badawczych w obszarze edukacji medialnej i jej wpływu na dobrostan społeczeństwa. Autorzy zastosowali analizę bibliograficzną, wykorzystując techniki mapowania naukowego i tworząc analizę wykonawczą. Do analizy bibliograficznej wybrano łącznie 85 publikacji z bazy danych Scopus. Przeprowadzono ją przy użyciu aplikacji MS Excel i VOSviewer. Wyniki badań wskazują, że edukacja medialna i jej wpływ na dobrostan społeczny są rzadko badane przez naukowców, co skutkuje ograniczonymi wynikami badań i minimalnym wpływem na procesy decyzyjne w tej dziedzinie. W rezultacie, wpływ mediów, zwłaszcza cyfrowych, na dobrostan społeczeństwa nie jest uwzględniany przy tworzeniu podstaw programowych w edukacji dzieci i młodzieży oraz programów profilaktyki zdrowotnej dorosłych. Istnieje znaczna potrzeba większego poświęcenia i zaangażowania w ten obszar badań. Ze względu na tematykę, a także obszary badawcze i zastosowane metodologie, artykuł można przypisać do kilku dyscyplin naukowych. Tematyka umiejętności korzystania z mediów odnosi się bezpośrednio do studiów nad komunikacją i mediami. Polityka zdrowia publicznego wpisuje się w badania nad zarządzaniem i jakością. Z kolei tematyka dobrostanu i wpływu mediów na zdrowie człowieka wpisuje się w obszar badań nauk medycznych

Tackling tumour cell heterogeneity at the super-resolution level in human colorectal cancer tissue

Tumour cell heterogeneity, and its early individual diagnosis, is one of the most fundamental problems in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Single molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM) resolves subcellular features but has been limited to cultured cell lines only. Since nuclear chromatin architecture and microRNAs are critical in metastasis, we introduce a first-in-field approach for quantitative SMLM-analysis of chromatin nanostructure in individual cells in resected, routine-pathology colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patient tissue sections. Chromatin density profiles proved to differ for cells in normal and carcinoma colorectal tissues. In tumour sections, nuclear size and chromatin compaction percentages were significantly different in carcinoma versus normal epithelial and other cells of colorectal tissue. SMLM analysis in nuclei from normal colorectal tissue revealed abrupt changes in chromatin density profiles at the nanoscale, features not detected by conventional widefield microscopy. SMLM for microRNAs relevant for metastasis was achieved in colorectal cancer tissue at the nuclear level. Super-resolution microscopy with quantitative image evaluation algorithms provide powerful tools to analyse chromatin nanostructure and microRNAs of individual cells from normal and tumour tissue at the nanoscale. Our new perspectives improve the differential diagnosis of normal and (metastatically relevant) tumour cells at the single-cell level within the heterogeneity of primary tumours of patients

Synthesis of a new class of chelating ion exchange resins to remove trace impurities from the water

N-winyloformamid (NVF), rozpuszczalny w wodzie monomer winylowy jest prekursorem poliwinyloaminy i dużej grupy polimerów hydrofilowych z merami winyloaminowymi w tym hydrożeli i jonitów [1]. NVF łatwo polimeryzuje według mechanizmu rodnikowego. Kopolimeryzuje z większością znanych monomerów winylowych z tendencją do naprzemienności. Polimeryzację i kopolimeryzację wolnorodnikową NVF można realizować techniką blokową, rozpuszczalnikową, emulsyjną i suspensyjną. W prezentowanej pracy wykonano szereg sieciujących kopolimeryzacji NVF z diwinylobenzenem (DVB w odwróconej suspensji i techniką blokową stosując wodę, etanol i dimetyloformamid (DMF) jako „porogen”. Stosowano inicjatory azowe 2,2-azodiizobutylonitryl (AIBN), 2,2-azobis(2metylopropionoamidyny) (AIBA) oraz nadtlenek dibenzoilu (BPO). W charakterze fazy zwartej stosowano olej metylosilikonowy. Po hydrolizie alkalicznej otrzymano anionity z I-rzędowymi grupami aminowymi. Dokonano charakterystyki fizykochemicznej oznaczając strukturę, skład, porowatość, rozmiary i kształt ziaren w oparciu o pomiary DRIFT, EA TPM. Oznaczono także stopień pęcznienia i zawartość wody w żywicy metodą grawimetryczną oraz pojemność jonowymienną. Dla wybranych preparatów wykonano pomiary kinetyki adsorpcji jonów Cu2+ oraz izotermy adsorpcji.N-winyloformamide (NVF), vinyl monomer soluble in water is the precursor of polyvinylamine and huge group of hydrophilic polymers with vinylamine structural unit including hydrogel and ion exchanger. NVF readily polymerizes according to the radical mechanism. NVF copolymerizes with variety of commercially important vinyl monomers exhibits a strong tendency to form alternating copolymers. Polymerization and free radical copolymerization of NVF can be carried out via block, solvents, emulsion and suspension techniques. In the present work, the series of cross-linking copolymerization of NVF with divinylbenzene (DVB) via inverse suspension and block technique were realized using water, ethanol, and dimethylformamide (DMF) as "porogen". 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN), 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA) and dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiators were used. Oil methylsilicone was used as a continuous phase. Alkaline hydrolysis gives anion-exchanger with I-row amino groups. Physicochemical characterization was performed by determining the structure, chemical composition, porosity, particle size and shape based on measurement DRIFT EA TPM. The level of swelling ratio, and water content in the resin were determined by gravimetric method and the ion exchange capacity. For certain samples adsorption kinetics of Cu 2+ ions and the adsorption isotherm were performed