University Of Zilina Research Articles

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, 21(1), 2019, Passsenger Ride Comfort and International Roughness Index Specifications in the Slovak Republic, p. 15-22.

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, 21(1), 2019, Passsenger Ride Comfort and International Roughness Index Specifications in the Slovak Republic, p. 15-22.

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2018, "Electrochemical Characterization of Az31 Magnesium Alloy Treated by Ultrasonic Impact Peening (Uip)", pp. 24-29. The proper Acknowledgement should be as follow

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2018, "Electrochemical Characterization of Az31 Magnesium Alloy Treated by Ultrasonic Impact Peening (Uip)", pp. 24-29. The proper Acknowledgement should be as follows:The research was supported by project ITMS 26220220048 and by Slovak Research and Development Agency by the project No. APVV-14-0772.

Possibility of transmission system disruption by intruder

Abstract Information is represented in a variety of ways, most often it is a message, a figure, a value, a fact, or other data about a certain event, a phenomenon, the primary function of which is to reduce or eliminate ignorance in a certain area. We could say that most often the information is informative and helps the recipient. Information is measurable and almost always should have its addressee. Each information can be described in terms of its two pages, quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative information page is important from the point of view of its automated processing and the quantitative description of the adequacy of the factual representation. Information is only effective for the recipient in the case of a full, undamaged condition. Incomplete or damaged information may in some cases be optional, non-informative, for the recipient. The basic prerequisite for delivering the full form of information through the message is the correct and flawless functioning of the transmission system. The transmission system consists of three basic parts which cooperate with each other. The first part is the transmitting device, located in one object, the second part is the receiving device in a different object. The last and most significant part is the transmission path through which information is transferred from one device to another. Scientific research at the Department of Security Management at the Faculty of Security Engineering, University of Zilina, we focused on testing ways to prevent transmission of information on the transmitter side. The purpose of the practical tests was to verify the most common ways of disabling the ability of the transmitting device to send information via the transmission system. During the planning of the tests, we assumed that one of the options to devalue the information is to prevent its full submission.

Definition of pavement performance models as a result of experimental measurements

Abstract Pavement serviceability is one of the main indicators signaling the safe and fluid traffic of vehicles. Within the Pavement Management System, the pavement serviceability expresses by the instantaneous values of the variable parameters. These parameters are constantly changing depending on climatic conditions and a traffic load of the road. Changes in roughness and unevenness can be derived from experimental stretches or from existing communications. At the University of Zilina, APT - Accelerated Pavement Testing was developed to simulate changes in these parameters. The degradation models thus created can be applied in programs that allow economic and technological evaluation of selected sections of the road.

Measured and simulated temperature values in the chosen wall of a wooden building considering cardinal direction

Abstract The lightweight timber-framed walls were built in a climate chamber at the pavilion type laboratory which is part of the Department of Building Engineering and Urban Planning Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zilina. There are different walls, for example with blown thermal insulation, ventilated external facing, massive wooden beams or a sandwich structure. Orientation of these two walls is to the south and to the east. Sensors of temperature and humidity are situated in every wall compositions. Measurements are going on the stationary internal conditions and the real outside conditions in Zilina. Latter internal conditions are going to change into the non-steady thermal state. This article is focused on a comparison of experimental measurements and simulations of the selected sandwich wall. One fragment of the wall is oriented on the south and another on the east. At the end of the research, there will be the analysis of coupled transport of heat and water in sandwich walls of a wooden building. This research could lead to the recommendations for the design of low energy wooden building.

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, Vol. 20, No.2, 2018, "Application of a Priori and a Posteriori Estimate on Risk Assessment", pp. 56-61. The proper name of third author should be as follows: Witalis Pellowski.

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, Vol. 20, No.2, 2018, "Application of a Priori and a Posteriori Estimate on Risk Assessment", pp. 56-61. The proper name of third author should be as follows:Witalis Pellowski.

Optimisation of Transition Areas between Ballastless Track and Ballasted Track in the Area of the Tunnel Turecky Vrch

The paper follows previously published papers in Communications – Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina No. 4/2014, No. 4/2015 and No. 4/2016, where were presented the results of the diagnostics of the track geometry of the experimental sections surrounding the portals of a new building of the Tunnel Turecky vrch. Based on the data obtained by comprehensive diagnostics, there can be stated that the problematic section in the slab track are the transition areas allowing the transfer of the vehicle between the line structures with a different bending stiffness. The comprehensive diagnostics was realised by the continuous method (measuring trolley KRAB), the results of which were verified by the results of the measuring car of ZSR and by the geodetic monitoring of the layout of the track, as well. Mathematical modelling of the transition areas was realized in the environment of the software ANSYS with the aim to optimise the structural solution of the existing transition areas, as well as of in the future built ones, within the modernization of the railway infrastructure of the Slovak Republic. The model of the existing transition area was structurally optimised –models were realised with application of the stiffening rails and with usage of the under sleeper pads. The model of the current state and the models of the optimised structural solutions of the transition areas were subsequently compared by the values of the vertical displacement, vertical speed and vertical acceleration.

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, Vol. 20, No.1, 2018, "On Frequency Estimation for Partially Observed System with Small Noises in State and Observation Equations", pp. 67-72.

Errata: Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, Vol. 20, No.1, 2018, "On Frequency Estimation for Partially Observed System with Small Noises in State and Observation Equations", pp. 67-72. The third author should have the number 3 at the name, i. e. 3 Mariana Marcokova and two affiliations as follows: 3 Department of Structural Mechanics and Applied Mathematics, University of Zilina, Slovakia and Department of Electronics and Nanoelectronics, National Research University "Moscow Power Engineering Institute", Russia.

Experimental and computational dynamic analysis of the foam concrete as a sub-base layer of the pavement structure

Dynamic properties of the new materials represent the actual problem, which is solved at many departments in the world at this time. Foam concrete (FC) is a material that has wide application in the civil engineering structures. Currently, it's mainly used in the floor structures of the buildings but its usability can be much wider thanks to its specific properties. The foam concrete contains closed air pores, what achieves its low volume weight (density) and saving of material inputs. It's a building material with good mechanical properties and low thermal conductivity and at the same time with high-tech processing. Nowadays, a research aimed at the application of the foam concrete in the pavement structures takes place at the University of Zilina. Foam concrete could be utilized as a sub-base layer at the road reconstructions, excavations or as a regular layer of the new constructed pavements. The submitted paper is dedicated to the numerical simulation based on the Finite element method (FEM) in pursuance of the outputs of the experimental investigation of the dynamic effect on the pavement structure which contains the foam concrete layer. Obtained dynamic parameters will be a background for the pavement design using the foam concrete.

Content, Positives, and Controversies of Academic Empathy and Motivation

Greatness of current universities faces many difficulties and the complexity of dynamics typical by tremendous acceleration of social relations and ties. If academics and scientists want to help students and younger colleagues to handle the complexity and tempo of requirements arisen by a study and work at (least nationally) prestigious universities, empathy is a must. Empathy is a phenomenon with many meanings and contents. There exists a clash of empathy on the part of teachers, but at the same time, on the part of students in the academic practice. Despite the fact that empathy as a socio-relational competence and basis of commitment and facilitative processes help to understand and find the key to the heart and intellect of other individuals (students), it absorbs a lot of energy. This is often reflected in the fatigue, mood swings, and nervousness of the university teacher. This ‘imperfection of empathy’ in turn may lead to the situation that students begin to perceive the teacher as erratic and his or her behavior as controversial: once empathetic and full of involvement, and sometimes as cold and even aggressive. Assuming that the teacher serves as a role model for his or her students, teacher’s empathy is a model for the future (feed-backing) empathy of students towards the other teachers, classmates, and later also to the future colleagues at work. Therefore, on the basis of the analysis, comparison, generalization and synthesis of different views in the theoretical part, methodological part of the paper presents the results of a sociological questioning conducted on a sample of 300 students of University of Zilina, Slovak Republic. Students’ expressions on the positive evaluation of teacher’s empathy versus the negative assessment of teacher’s moodiness and nervousness in relation to the students are compared. Deeper comparison of the expressions of students at two absolutely different study programs: Management (150 students) versus Informatics (150 students) and results of a subsequent qualitative questioning focused directly to the area of empathy (on the sample of 40 students) are interesting too. Divergence of opinions, relating these ones to the linked foreign surveys and drawing relevant conclusions are completed by a set of proposed recommendations. These recommendations have the ambition to improve the management systems of universities and provide suggestions that could help the teachers and students when harmonizing their mutual expectations and reinforcing existing academic motivation. Keywords: content; positives; academic empathy ; motivation

Content, Positives, and Controversies of Academic Empathy and Motivation

Greatness of current universities faces many difficulties and the complexity of dynamics typical by tremendous acceleration of social relations and ties. If academics and scientists want to help students and younger colleagues to handle the complexity and tempo of requirements arisen by a study and work at (least nationally) prestigious universities, empathy is a must. Empathy is a phenomenon with many meanings and contents. There exists a clash of empathy on the part of teachers, but at the same time, on the part of students in the academic practice. Despite the fact that empathy as a socio-relational competence and basis of commitment and facilitative processes help to understand and find the key to the heart and intellect of other individuals (students), it absorbs a lot of energy. This is often reflected in the fatigue, mood swings, and nervousness of the university teacher. This ‘imperfection of empathy’ in turn may lead to the situation that students begin to perceive the teacher as erratic and his or her behavior as controversial: once empathetic and full of involvement, and sometimes as cold and even aggressive. Assuming that the teacher serves as a role model for his or her students, teacher’s empathy is a model for the future (feed-backing) empathy of students towards the other teachers, classmates, and later also to the future colleagues at work. Therefore, on the basis of the analysis, comparison, generalization and synthesis of different views in the theoretical part, methodological part of the paper presents the results of a sociological questioning conducted on a sample of 300 students of University of Zilina, Slovak Republic. Students’ expressions on the positive evaluation of teacher’s empathy versus the negative assessment of teacher’s moodiness and nervousness in relation to the students are compared. Deeper comparison of the expressions of students at two absolutely different study programs: Management (150 students) versus Informatics (150 students) and results of a subsequent qualitative questioning focused directly to the area of empathy (on the sample of 40 students) are interesting too. Divergence of opinions, relating these ones to the linked foreign surveys and drawing relevant conclusions are completed by a set of proposed recommendations. These recommendations have the ambition to improve the management systems of universities and provide suggestions that could help the teachers and students when harmonizing their mutual expectations and reinforcing existing academic motivation. Keywords: content; positives; academic empathy ; motivation

Smart Industry Requires Fast Response from Research to Innovation

Factories of the Future (FoF) gradually advance towards reality. The theoretical concepts leave research laboratories and quickly find their field in industry. This paper introduces Smart Factory issues. The authors in its first part summarized information from research and main trends in the area of advanced manufacturing systems. Second part of the paper shows the results from authors own research conducted in co-operation of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of the University of Zilina and its Spin Off, The Central European Institute of Technology - CEIT, a.s. The paper shows chosen results from implementation of research results in innovation of internal logistics in VW Group.

Creative leadership and motivation of university employees

 High quality work of scientific, pedagogical and administrative staff of universities is conditioned by their high motivation and conviction about the meaningfulness of their contribution to the science, students, and society. A deeper examination of academic motivation, made through analysis, synthesis, comparison and generalization of theoretical knowledge on leadership and motivation, indicates that motivation is influenced by many objective and subjective, quantitative and qualitative factors. Quality of managers’ influence, respectively creative content of leadership and general managerial facilitation that managers utilize in affecting work behavior and performance of employees can be include to the strongest factors which affect the motivation. Paper is intended to investigate the motivation of universities members and its conditionalities. Methodological part of the paper contains the results of sociological questioning conducted on a sample of 122 employees of University of Zilina and focuses on examining dependence of the leadership style performed from the part of managers and the strength of motivation perceived by the university members. Specifically, three basic leadership styles are examined: authoritative, neutral and participative, versus three basic dimensions of the motivation: motivation to quality work; motivation to increase own knowledge and skills; and motivation to submitting new proposals. Applying chi-square test, the dependence of leadership style and level of motivation was confirmed in all three motivational dimensions; application of creative, participative leadership causes a higher degree of motivation. Subsequently, there is investigated in the paper whether the strength of motivation is also influenced by creating an atmosphere of trust, belongingness and encouraging to new proposals by the manager, and whether creating such a positive atmosphere is affected by the quality of leadership style. Through the use of Pearson’s test and Kendall’s test, dependence was also confirmed. Conclusion of the paper presents a set of recommendations which might be contributive for the universities executives when strengthening the motivation of universities members and improving their competitiveness and contribution to society and its progress.   Keywords: university employees and managers; leadership; motivation; survey, dependence

Creative leadership and motivation of university employees

 High quality work of scientific, pedagogical and administrative staff of universities is conditioned by their high motivation and conviction about the meaningfulness of their contribution to the science, students, and society. A deeper examination of academic motivation, made through analysis, synthesis, comparison and generalization of theoretical knowledge on leadership and motivation, indicates that motivation is influenced by many objective and subjective, quantitative and qualitative factors. Quality of managers’ influence, respectively creative content of leadership and general managerial facilitation that managers utilize in affecting work behavior and performance of employees can be include to the strongest factors which affect the motivation. Paper is intended to investigate the motivation of universities members and its conditionalities. Methodological part of the paper contains the results of sociological questioning conducted on a sample of 122 employees of University of Zilina and focuses on examining dependence of the leadership style performed from the part of managers and the strength of motivation perceived by the university members. Specifically, three basic leadership styles are examined: authoritative, neutral and participative, versus three basic dimensions of the motivation: motivation to quality work; motivation to increase own knowledge and skills; and motivation to submitting new proposals. Applying chi-square test, the dependence of leadership style and level of motivation was confirmed in all three motivational dimensions; application of creative, participative leadership causes a higher degree of motivation. Subsequently, there is investigated in the paper whether the strength of motivation is also influenced by creating an atmosphere of trust, belongingness and encouraging to new proposals by the manager, and whether creating such a positive atmosphere is affected by the quality of leadership style. Through the use of Pearson’s test and Kendall’s test, dependence was also confirmed. Conclusion of the paper presents a set of recommendations which might be contributive for the universities executives when strengthening the motivation of universities members and improving their competitiveness and contribution to society and its progress.   Keywords: university employees and managers; leadership; motivation; survey, dependence

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Business Research, Vol. 10, No. 2

International Business Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated.International Business Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please find the application form and details at http://recruitment.ccsenet.org and e-mail the completed application form to ibr@ccsenet.org.Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 2 Ahmad Mahmoud Ahmad Zamil, King Saud University RCC, JordanAlireza Athari, Eastern Mediterranean University, IranAmran Awang, Head of Entrepreneurship Center, MalaysiaAshford C Chea, Benedict College, USABadar Nadeem Ashraf, East China Jiao Tong University, ChinaBenjamin James Inyang, University of Calabar, NigeriaBrian Sheehan, Thaksin University, AustraliaBruno Marsigalia, University of Casino and Southern Lazio, ItalyCristian Marian Barbu, “ARTIFEX” University, RomaniaFrancesco Ciampi, Florence University, ItalyGiuseppe Granata, University of Cassino and Southen Lazio, ItalyGiuseppe Russo, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, ItalyHanna Trojanowska, Siedlce University, PolandHerald Monis, Milagres College, IndiaHuijian Dong, Pacific University, USAIvo De Loo, Nyenrode Business University, The NetherlandsIwona Gorzeń-Mitka, Czestochowa University of Technology, PolandJanusz Wielki, University of Business in Wroclaw, PolandL. Leo Franklin, Bharathidasn University, IndiaMansour Esmaeil Zaei, Panjab University, IndiaMarcelino José Jorge, Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute of Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, BrazilMaryam Ebrahimi, Azad University, IranMichaela Maria Schaffhauser-Linzatti, University of Vienna, AustriaMihaela Simionescu, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, RomanianModar Abdullatif, Middle East University, JordanMohamed Abdel Rahman Salih, Taibah University, Saudi ArabiaMohsen Malekalketab Khiabani, University Technology Malaysia, MalaysiaMongi Arfaoui, University of Monastir, TunisiaPascal Stiefenhofer, University of Brighton, UKProsper Senyo Koto, Dalhousie University, CanadaRadoslav Jankal, University of Zilina, SlovakiaRafiuddin Ahmed, James Cook University, AustraliaSang-Bing Tsai, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, ChinaTu Anh Phan, CanTho University, Viet Nam

Enhancing Research and innovAtion dimension of the University of Zilina in intelligent transport systems

Enhancing Research and innovAtion dimension of the University of Zilina in intelligent transport systems

SASS-C processing capability of MSPSR data

Abstract The main objective of this expertise was to examine if Surveillance Analysis and Support System for ATC Centre (SASS-C) verification tool is interoperable with currently implemented Multi-Static Primary Surveillance Radar (MSPSR) and Passive Surveillance System (PSS) technologies as well as with type of data that are delivered by them. In case of SASS-C is not interoperable to work with MSPSR/ PSS data yet, the task is to suggest appropriate solutions and suggestions for verif Opportunity Traffic Reconstructor (OTR) algorithm to use these values with an appropriate level of confidence. Our research was focused to simulation of the data and data handling of different sensor systems now and in the future. We are expecting new technologies (MSPSR and PSS systems) to become widely used as the base stone of the surveillance in the coming years. The whole expertise was done in European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), Brussels in cooperation of Surveillance Services Department, SASS-C team with the University of Zilina, Air Transport Department. The article describes whole expertise and offer to the reader guide how to simulate pure MSPSR and PSS data in SASS-C VERIF tool. The whole simulation is based on modifications done on the existing datasets obtained from multilateration (MLAT) sensors. In our experiment we used datasets provided by Air Navigation services of Czech Republic (CZ ANS). All modifications, which have been done, are described in this document as well as suggestions, outcomes and conclusions of the analysis.

Comparison of different windows for low-energy houses

This paper deals with an outcome of long-term experimental measurement of windows suitable for low-energy or zero houses. Three different windows are evaluated since 2011 in the Laboratory of the Department of Building Engineering and Urban Planning, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zilina. All windows have implemented triple glazing, but with various frame type. Two frames are made from plastic and one from wood. The plastic frames differ from each other with use of thermal insulation inside one of mentioned frames. The test room has adjustable indoor boundary conditions and is exposed to real outdoor climate conditions measured through the own detached experimental weather station. Temperatures and heat fluxes are continuously measured on glazings and frames. This paper compares the windows by the requirements of Slovak standard on the inner surface temperatures and differences of the thermal transmittance for glazing and sash.

Models of formation and spread of fire to increase safety of road tunnels

Fire safety of tunnels is an important issue which must be solved carefully during all phases of preparation, building and operation of each road tunnel. In this paper some particular results of a joint research project of the Institute of Informatics of Slovak Academy of Sciences and the University of Zilina are summarized. Some specific phenomena caused by fire in a real highway tunnel in Slovakia endangering safe evacuation of people from the tunnel are illustrated.

Accelerated Pavement Testing in Slovakia: APT Tester 105-03-01

This article presents the APT (Accelerated Pavement Testing) facility constructed and operated by University of Zilina. The machine is designated as APT tester 105–03–01. The article describes tester's technical properties, operational capabilities, sensory equipment embedded in the pavement and data gathering procedures. The device has several unique design solutions that make it stand out from similar facilities in the world:•The principle of fixed linear APT facility with loading unit not positioned in a fixed frame, but instead, moveable along a guiding rail to better simulate traffic loading.•Loading unit consisting of fixed and movable frame held by support connected by joints for better simulation of suspension like those found on truck axles.•The construction of the electric motor, gear box and frequency inverter and its mounting system on the loading unit.•Frequency converter controlled acceleration and deceleration and speed during the movement.•Hydraulic stabilization system stabilizing the movable frame preventing the load to tip the loading unit in the acceleration and deceleration stage.•Autonomous hydraulic system placed on the outer frame able to lift the loading unit and allows for free manipulation without acting on the pavement.