The environment in which managers currently operate is dynamic and turbulent. This fact affects the great complexity and dynamism of changes. Thus, decision-making becomes more complex in the context of sustainability. Decisive decision-making is becoming rare, and the challenge of globalization is increasing. Under its influence, decision-making is no longer deterministic. Decision-making processes prevail in conditions of uncertainty. In this context, there is a very intense need to be acquainted with progressive tools to support decision-making and management and to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. This paper focuses on three related areas. We are talking about knowledge management in connection with the most important contributing element—decision-making with quality management. We deal with the characteristics of the individual areas, defining their mutual relationship on a systemic basis. The paper also points to the necessary connection between theory and practice. More specifically, it points to the practical applications of management to decision-making as a managerial function and, at the same time, related to decision-making in quality management. Subsequently, we define the links to knowledge management with an emphasis on the use of procedures, methods, and knowledge in the decision-making process, which we use in theory and practice in quality management.

To find out membrane tolerance strategy to ethanol in Bacillus subtilis that possesses a powerful system of protection against environmental stresses. Cytoplasmic membranes of B. subtilis were severely affected by even short-term exposure to 3% (v/v) ethanol: the growth rate and membrane protein synthesis were markedly reduced, and no adaptive alterations in phospholipids were detected. Simultaneously, steady-state DPH fluorescence anisotropy (r(ss)) showed that the membrane rigidity increased substantially. Analysis of the membrane phosphoproteome using in vitro labelling with [γ-(32) P]ATP revealed the association of DnaK and GroEL chaperones with membrane, indicating a stress induction process. Upon a long-term 3% (v/v) ethanol stress, the cell growth accelerated slightly and the composition of polar head groups and fatty acids of membrane phospholipids underwent an extensive reconstruction. Correspondingly, membrane fluidity turned back to the original r(ss) values of the control cells. In B. subtilis, the adaptive response to short-term ethanol stress comprises the recruitment of molecular chaperones on the impaired membrane structure; consequently, the phospholipid synthesis is restored and membrane fluidity adapts properly to the continuing ethanol stress. These findings underline the role of membrane lipids in establishing tolerance towards ethanol and also suggest the contribution of molecular chaperones to the membrane and cell recovery.

Peening techniques are nowadays attracting more research attention due to their association with the extending of the service life and improving surface texture of engineering components. Ultrasonic pulsating water jet peening represents a new way of mechanical surface treatment. Accelerated water droplets via hammer effect cause small elastic-plastic deformations on the surface. This work deals with peening of aluminum alloy using an ultrasonic pulsating water jet, where periodically acting water droplets were used as the peening medium. The aim of the work was the feasibility study of the peening process and to observe the effects of pressure (p = 10, 20 and 30 MPa) and pattern trajectory (linear hatch and cross hatch). The peened surfaces were analyzed by the surface roughness profile parameters Ra and Rz and the microhardness along the peening axis into the material. Graphically processed results show a clear increase of measured values with increasing pressure (p = 10, 20 and 30 MPa), where the roughness values ranged from 1.89 µm to 4.11 µm, and the microhardness values ranged from 43.3 HV₀.₀₀₅ to 47 HV₀.₀₀₅, as compared to 40.3 HV₀.₀₀₅ obtained for the untreated sample. The achieved results indicate potential using of an ultrasonic pulsating water jet as a new method of surface treatment of metals. By controlled distribution of water droplets, it is possible to achieve a local distribution of surface roughness, and at the same time, strengthening of the subsurface layers in the material without thermal influence on the material.

This paper is focused on the modification of commercial resin by using biobased fillers during stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. This research aims to create a composite material with a matrix made of commercially available photosensitive resin modified with a filler based on secondary raw materials and materials formed as by-products in the processing of biological materials. The research determines the effect of different fillers on the tensile properties and hardness of samples printed using SLA 3D printing, and it also investigates their integrity using SEM analysis. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using these fillers for producing 3D-printed parts with SLA technology. The results of this study open up new possibilities for designing modified composite materials based on additive SLA 3D-printing technology using biological fillers. Within the framework of research activities, a positive effect on tensile properties and an improved interfacial interface between the matrix and the filler was demonstrated for several tested fillers. Significant increases in tensile strength of up to 22% occurred in composite systems filled with cotton flakes (CF), miscanthus (MS), walnut (WN), spruce tree (SB), wheat (WT) and eggshells (ES). Significant potential for further research activities and added value was shown by most of the tested bio-fillers. A significant contribution of the current research is the demonstration of the improved mechanical performance of photosensitive resin modified with natural fillers.

The paper deals with research focused on the use of fillers in the field of polymeric materials produced by additive technology SLA (stereolithography). The aim of the research is to evaluate 3D printing parameters, the mechanical properties (tensile strength, hardness), and the interaction of individual phases (polymer matrix and filler) in composite materials using SEM analysis. The tested fillers were cotton flakes and ground carbon fibres in different proportions. For the photosensitive resins, the use of cotton flakes as filler was found to have a positive effect on the mechanical properties not only under static but also under cyclic loading, which is a common cause of material failure in practice. The cyclic stress reference value was set at an amplitude of 5–50% of the maximum force required to break the pure resin in a static tensile test. A positive effect of fillers on the cyclic stress life of materials was demonstrated. The service life of pure resin was only 168 ± 29 cycles. The service life of materials with fillers increased to approximately 400 to 540 cycles for carbon fibre-based fillers and nearly 1000 cycles for cotton flake-based fillers, respectively. In this paper, new composite materials suitable for the use of SLA additive manufacturing techniques are presented. Research demonstrated the possibilities of adding cotton-based fillers in low-cost, commercially available resins. Furthermore, the importance of material research under cyclic loading was demonstrated.

Production and control of accurate surface bring some issues. There are some technological limits of machining, but we have to know how to control these machined surfaces due to functional and life-time properties, which are affected mainly by roughness surface. Most important part of system of roughness surface measuring is suppression of nominal shape of scanned profile, its filtration according to standard ISO 4288 and evaluation according to the relevant standards. This article described process of filtration of roughness surface profile. If operator of the measuring instrument omits some important aspects at this stage, we obtain incorrect roughness surface profile, which significantly distorts the results of measurement leading to a rough error. The article is aimed at verifying roughness meters and indicates if a certain amount of data would be lost as if this loss affected the measurement result. Objectively, such a loss of data was simulated in the evaluation by considering every 7th scanned point at constant velocity of measurement.