Oils often have similar properties and can be difficult to identify based on color, smell or taste alone. The present paper suggests the use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in combination with chemometric methods to explore similarities and differentiate between samples of Moldavian dragonhead oil subjected to different storage conditions. Dragonhead is a plant characterized by very good honey output and ease of cultivation. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to a standard, full range of FTIR spectra. Additionally, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was employed to explore the organization of the samples in groups relative to their “proximity” (similarity), by way of Euclidean distance measurement. PC1 and PC2 accounted respectively for 85.4% and 10.1% of the total data variance. PC1 and PC2 were strongly, negatively correlated within the entire spectral range; the only exception was the region corresponding to νs(-C-Hvst, -CH₂) vibrations (aliphatic groups in triglycerides), where PC2 was positively correlated. The use of FTIR spectral analysis revealed noticeable differences in the intensity of bands characteristic of the ageing processes (markers of oxidative processes, etc.) taking place in oleaginous samples and related to the processes of fatty acids oxidation.

In the food industry, the pulsed electric field (PEF) technique is used to support the process of extraction of various substances. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a number of PEF pulses applied to peppermint and caraway on both the content of essential oils (EO) and their spectroscopic properties. The examined herb species were placed in a special vessel in the working chamber of the device between two electrodes providing high voltage electric pulses. The pulses were delivered 0, 150, 250, and 350 times per a studied sample of each herb. Essential oils were then obtained by way of hydrodistillation. The infrared spectra for all samples were measured using an FTIR spectrometer in the spectral range of 3700–730 cm−1. The applied electric field of a predetermined number of pulses had no significant effect on the amount of distilled essential oil from caraway fruit, while in the case of peppermint, it caused a slight decrease in relation to the raw material not subjected to PEF exposure. It was found that the analysis of infrared spectra made it possible to compare the quality of the obtained oils with each other and to pre-determine their compositions.

Generation Z (Gen Z) is the young generation born between the mid-1990s and 2010s. They are now entering the market and starting their first jobs. Therefore, managers must shape the company workplace environment to encourage young employees to work efficiently and connect their future with the company. Only then will both managers and employees share mutual satisfaction from collaboration and aim at the common target, which should be the prosperity of the company. This book presents research results and techniques for analysing the working expectations and needs of Gen Z. The analyses were made in various countries in Europe: The Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, and Portugal. The book contains chapters that present the analysis results and technical chapters that outline modern methods of analysis of management data, including tutorial chapters on machine learning, which currently makes a strong appearance in research in various disciplines. This volume will be of interest to researchers, academics, practitioners, and students in the fields of management studies, research methods, and human resource management.

The article presents the results of spectroscopic studies focused on a selected compound from the 1,3,4-thiadiazole group—2-(4-fluorophenylamino)-5-(2,4-dihydroxybenzeno)-1,3,4-thia-diazole (FABT)—in a micellar system formed by Triton X-100, a non-ionic detergent. Fluorescence measurements revealed the phenomenon of dual fluorescence whose emergence is related to the particular molecular organisation of the compound, which depends both on the concentration of the detergent and, most of all, the concentration of the compound itself. Dual fluorescence of FABT in a micellar system was observed for the compound dissolved in a methanol aqueous system, i.e., an environment wherein the dual fluorescence of the compound had never been reported before. Based on the interpretation of UV-Vis electronic absorption, resonance light scattering (RLS), emission and excitation fluorescence spectra, as well as measurements of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), we were able to relate the occurrence of this effect to the process of molecular aggregation taking place between FABT molecules in the micellar system in question. Results of fluorescence spectra measurements and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) indicate that dual fluorescence occurs at detergent concentrations necessary to form micellar systems, which in turn facilitate the process of aggregation of FABT molecules. The correlation between the observed fluorescence effects and the previous measurements performed for analogues from this group suggests the possibility of charge transfer (CT) within the range of detergent concentrations wherein the aforementioned fluorescence effects are observed. It ought to be emphasised that this type of fluorescence effects are relatively easy to induce, which predisposes this groups of fluorophores as ideal fluorescence probes in the context of biological samples.

The paper aimed to compare the quality of rapeseed and honeydew honey powders, obtained by two methods of spray drying—traditional at a high temperature (inlet air 180 °C) and innovative low-temperature spray drying with the use of dehumidified air as a drying medium (inlet air 75 °C). Total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and the content and types of aromatic compounds were determined. In addition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) coupled with chemometrics analyses was done. Powders obtained by the low-temperature spray drying method (with dehumidified air) were characterized by a higher content of polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and aromatic compounds, compared to powders obtained by the traditional method. Honeydew honey compared to rapeseed honey was characterized by a higher content of polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and composition of aromatic compounds. The results proved that the production method had a higher impact on the final properties of powders than the type of honey.