Materials and Applied Sciences

Abstract

In this study, a numerical simulation technique is employed to predicate the temperature distribution and velocity profile data of cold and hot nanofluids within a T-mixer was studied. The mixing of nanofluid flow with Al₂O₃ nanoparticles of 50 nm flows at Φ = 0.4 vol.% in a T-shaped mixer. The present numerical problem has been solved using the COMSOL Multiphysics version 5.4. Six angle of inclination was studied (θ = 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90°) of the gate and evaluated its effects on the temperatures and velocity contour in the T-junction. The study's findings indicated that the presence of a gate in a stationary, non-rotating flow regime has a noteworthy impact on the stationary vortex flow. Also, the mixing occurs more quickly at angles of 45 or 60°. Mixing at a 30° or 90° angle took longer.

Abstract

This paper introduces a quantum-inspired ultra-lightweight encryption algorithm tailored for Internet of things devices with limited resources. The proposed algorithm excels in processing speed, memory usage, and energy efficiency, significantly outperforming existing lightweight cryptographic algorithms. With a processing speed of 12.4 ms, memory usage of 3.2 kilobytes, and energy consumption of 0.7 milli-Joules per kilobyte, the proposed algorithm stands out for its robust security and potential to enhance the security of Internet of things devices across various applications. This paper explores the methodology behind the proposed algorithm, comparing its performance metrics with conventional S-box generation approaches, and demonstrates its superiority in both theoretical and practical aspects.

Abstract

As urbanization advances and societal shifts unfold, the integration of rural development and activity spaces has become a focal point in academic discourse. This study aims to explore the synergistic effects of the creative market model on rural activity spaces, dissecting its role in shaping these spaces, enhancing community engagement, and generating socio-economic benefits. Empirical findings highlight the affirmative role of the creative market model in this fusion. The research on community participation and spatial design reveals how creative markets enhance residents' sense of involvement and explores the influence of activity space design on community interaction. This study, by thoroughly examining the integration of the creative market model and rural activity spaces, offers theoretical and empirical support for advancing rural development.

Abstract

Automation in the construction has seen progress in using modern techniques, which has opened new perspectives for the verification of construction structures using point clouds. This paper discusses wall structure geometry verification, using point cloud data with geometry information extracted from building information modeling models as reference data. The research is focusing on automating the verification of wall structures using a software solution developed in Python. It involves processing and extracting geometric data from models in industry foundation classes' format, comparing the data and visualization of deviation. Results, conclusion, and future workplans are given for achieving better understanding.

Abstract

Nanoparticles can be synthesised by several methods. Due to the long duration, high cost, and toxic by-products of chemical and physical methods, the biological method has become more preferred. Among various sources such as bacteria, fungi, or yeast, the use of plants in biological synthesis has proven to be the most ideal. Many metals can be used in the biological method, including copper oxide (CuO). In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were synthesised using Pimpinella anisum L. aqueous extract. For characterisation of the CuONPs, UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were performed. The biological activity of the P. anisum extract and CuONPs was determined using DNA cleavage (agarose gel electrophoresis), antioxidant (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity), mutagenic (Ames/Salmonella test), and catalytic (methylene blue degradation) activities. In DNA cleavage activity test, CuONPs completely denatured DNA at high concentrations (100 and 200 μg mL⁻¹) due to their oxidative activity. The results showed that both the extract and CuONPs have antioxidant properties in DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. According to the mutagenicity, CuONPs did not have a mutagenic effect. In catalytic activity, CuONPs degraded methylene blue within 240 min by 99.45%.

Abstract

In this study, the odour values of rosemary, mint, black cumin, lavender, and thyme oils were determined by an electronic nose working with an Arduino microprocessor. The components of the plants were compared with the sensor data, and the most sensitive sensors were determined by sorting according to the highest components. The study data indicated that the MQ3 sensor exhibited the highest sensitivity for thyme, black cumin, and lavender oils, which contain 63% carvacrol, 38% thymoquinone, and 36% linalool, respectively. Also, MQ7 was the most sensitive sensor for menthone (68%) in mint oil and eucalyptol (45%) in rosemary oil. In addition, a low-cost and non-contact device that works with an infrared sensor has been developed to detect the identity of the oil added into the vial. The study data showed that low-cost Arduino-based IR and odour sensors can determine the identity and component percentage of oils. The fact that the developed device can detect with 100 percent accuracy even in case of peppermint and rosemary oils, which are very similar in appearance, shows that the study data will be an inspiration for contactless determination of oil quality and type.

Abstract

The effect of different drying methods (oven drying, fluid bed drying, and freeze drying) on the fatty acid composition, astaxanthin content, antioxidant activity, and colour values of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) processing wastes were investigated. These results showed that freeze drying was the most effective method in preserving the quality of shrimp processing waste (SPW), resulting in higher levels of EPA and DHA, astaxanthin content, antioxidant activity, and desired reddish colour characteristics compared to other methods. These findings highlight the potential of freeze drying as a suitable technique for converting SPW into high value products.

Abstract

The present work aimed to study the yeast communities of whole crop corn silages (CS) that were previously contaminated with aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus (CSCA). In addition, the effect of lactic acid bacterium (LAB) inoculation on the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) content, genotoxicity, yeast load, and diversity of yeast communities were also investigated. In A. flavus contaminated silages, after two months, the AFB1 content was 40% lower with LAB inoculation, also a lower level of genotoxicity was determined. The number of yeasts cultured from the initial mixture of chopped whole crop corn was 4.8 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹ wet mass, while only 2.4 × 10⁶ CFU g⁻¹ from the CSCA and 7.1 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ from the LAB-inoculated CSCA could be cultured. Based on 144 randomly isolated strains, the yeast community of the initial mixture consisted of 8 species. In contrast, the yeast community of CSCA consisted only of 4 species determined by 132 randomly selected isolates. LAB-inoculated CSCA consisted also of 4 species based on 158 randomly isolated strains. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia kudriavzevii proved to be predominant in the CSCA, while S. cerevisiae and Meyerozyma guilliermondii were the most abundant in the LAB-inoculated CSCA. The species richness was also confirmed by alpha diversity values (1.827, 1.188, and 1.123 as Shannon's indices for CS, CSCA, and LAB-inoculated CSCA, respectively). In response to LAB inoculation, the species diversity decreased considerably.

Abstract

This study aims to predict drought periods affecting the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region and the application of this in crop protection. The Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region is the only closed wine region in Hungary with a specific mesoclimate and a corresponding wine grape variety composition, in which climate change strongly threatens cultivation. The probability that a randomly selected day in the vegetation period will fall into a drought period in the future was estimated using the daily precipitation amount and daily maximum temperature data from the Hungarian Meteorological Service for the period 2002–2020. The Markov model, a relatively new mathematical method for the statistical investigation of weather phenomena, was used for this. Markov chains can, therefore, be a valuable tool for organizing integrated pest management. This can be used to plan irrigation, control fungal pathogens infecting the vines, and plan the success of a given vintage.

Abstract

Food manufacturing and processing are part of the nation's critical infrastructure. Due to the recent global spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the potential contamination of the food chain and the resulting public health implications are of high consequence to society. The current primary food manufacturing and processing facilities already have various mechanisms such as hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system in place. However, the widespread microbial infections in these facilities raise concerns that they will not only threaten the welfare of food processing workers, but also have a potentially greater consequence on the public if the food is contaminated with an infectious agent.

Despite the increasingly recognised role of the environment in the spread of microbes, the effect of air properties remains poorly understood. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in meat processing facilities not only provide a means of transport for viruses and bacteria but may also deposit them on surfaces where they can survive for days. To maintain a stable and safe food chain supply during the pandemic, the challenges to ensure safe food supply and protect the workers' health must be quickly addressed through sustainable, safe and economic approaches. With these two imminent challenges in mind, the overall goal of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of the environment in the impaction and resuspension of bioaerosols, focusing on airborne bacteria and viruses. The review includes the latest results of modeling the spread of microbial aerosols in the airflow and the development of preventive measures to mitigate virus contamination in the unique environment of meat processing operations. By understanding how the environmental factors and seasonality affect the infectivity and spread of airborne pathogens, mitigation measures can be designed to minimise future infections within and beyond these facilities.

Abstract

The effect of the storage conditions of light (presence; absence) and relative humidity (50%; 75% RH) on the water content and colour of Porphyridium cruentum microalga powder was studied, then two packaging materials, low-density polyethylene (PE-LD) and metallised polyethylene terephthalate with polyethylene (PETmet/PE), were used to study their effect on the water content, colour, total carotenoids and chlorophylls contents, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, ORAC) of P. cruentum during storage at 23 °C and 50% RH. An atmosphere with 50% RH is recommended to minimise the water vapour absorption and lightness loss. In addition to the expected light protection, PETmet/PE material protected P. cruentum powder also against water absorption, contrary to PE material. There were no relevant colour changes of the microalga during storage in PETmet/PE. Regarding the total content of carotenoids and the antioxidant activity of the microalga, no significant differences were found between the biomasses stored in either packaging material. The TPC and DPPH values were practically constant during two months of storage, while ABTS and ORAC decreased more than 50% and 20%, respectively, during this time.

Abstract

The utilization of sea buckthorn pomace (SBP) is attracting growing attention since it is valuable industrial waste. This pomace can find usage as a functional ingredient of food because it contains bioactive, health-promoting components, but to our knowledge, few scientists have so far studied utilization of the antimicrobial activity of fruit pomace. The study aims are to broaden our knowledge of antioxidant and antimicrobial status of SBP by utilizing pomace as a functional apple juice ingredient and by monitoring the antioxidant capacity, the total polyphenol content and microbial changes that occur during the storage of juice samples. Our results of this study highlight that the importance of the utilization of SBP because the results reported here provide further evidence that SBP can contribute to increasing the content of valuable components in apple juice samples and inhibiting the growth of microorganisms during storage.

Abstract

Nowadays, predicting the value of electrical usage has made it easier for electricity consumers to reduce their residential bills. This is done by introducing a new prediction method based on the design and foundation of artificial neural network (P-EANN) technology, which is a branch of intelligent machine learning (ML) technology. The P-EANN method is based on actual data of actual power quantities that can be measured by electricity meters for the electrical model and is compared with training data that is predicted and set to the electrical usage for comparison with the reading needed to reduce residential bills. From the root mean square error (RMSE), we can find the accuracy of the residential bills ($) in the P-EANN method, which is equal to 35.69%, and the accuracy of the residential bills ($) in the standard method, which is equal to 0.00%. then the results of the MATLAB simulation for the P-EANN method enhance and reduce the residential bills from 0.5 to 4.5 dollars per day. Thus, the problem of excessive electrical usage is solved, and consumers know how to consume energy well in any place.

Abstract

A novel magnetic molecular-imprinted polymer (MMIP) was used to selectively extract folic acid directly from real samples. Folic acid was used as template molecule, Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-3-triethoxysilyl-propyl-acrylamide as functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile as initiation, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker agent, and acrylamide as the secondary monomer in a mixed ethanol-water solvent. The effect of different parameters on the extraction efficiency was studied, and the optimum conditions were established as follows: the concentrations of crosslinking and template were fixed at 0.05 and 0.06 g, absorption percentage was 96.5, pH was adjusted to 8, and extraction time was 8 h with a temperature of 25 °C. By examining the effect of pH, we tried to investigate the effect of the amide groups that present in MMIP and its intermolecular hydrogen interaction with folic acid. After optimising the effective parameters in polymer synthesis and adsorption rate, a magnetic imprinting dispersive solid-phase extraction method combined with fluorescence spectrophotometry at λem = 367 nm (MMIP-DSPE-FL) was constructed for sensitive determination of folic acid in tomato samples. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) values were 30.00 ± 0.01 μg L⁻¹ and 10.00 ± 0.03 μg L⁻¹, respectively, after the MMIP-DSPE preconcentration. Three tomato samples were analysed to give recoveries in the range of 80.2–81.6%, with relative standard deviation values below 0.6% (n = 3). The prepared MMIP-DSPE showed high selectivity toward folic acid, which could be used six times without changing adsorption capacity. The adsorption isotherm of the folic acid-imprinted polymer pursued the Langmuir model (R_L = 0.029), and the kinetics model followed pseudo-first-order (R ² = 0.9974).

Abstract

Reduction of design errors, minimisation of rework and the improvement of the design productivity are key factors in building engineering systems (including structural and architectural solutions, ventilation systems, sewerage systems, water supply and heating systems, power supply systems, and communication networks). These goals can be achieved with a complex approach that prioritises the design of different building engineering systems in the model during the design phase, in order to provide a consistent design for different building engineering systems. The paper presents a novel approach for the application of plugins in building service systems with the elimination of collision in the focus. Collision reduction actions in this methodology are categorised into three levels: the code level, which pertains to plugin developers; the algorithm level, which relates to BIM coordinators; and the user level, which concerns engineers performing the check. This new systematic approach to collision resolution prioritises maintaining the consistency of collision detection across different systems and storing all information about each collision. Collision checking is based on several key factors, such as complying with the sequence of checking systems, excluding irrelevant collisions, and setting tolerances when joining system elements. The aim of our approach is to automate and expedite not only the identification of the intersections but also the subsequent work with it throughout the entire project life cycle. The results are demonstrated by a case study conducted in the frame of a real project.

Abstract

The work was carried out to explore whether the anti-inflammatory effect of n-3 unsaturated fatty acids on patients with rheumatoid arthritis is related to the levels of inflammatory markers CRP and ESR. Studies on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with n-3 unsaturated fatty acid diet therapy and the outcome index containing CRP and/or ESR were included, and studies on the subjects suffering from other diseases affecting the outcome index were excluded. PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Google Scholar were systematically searched, and all studies published from the establishment of the library to 2024 were collected. The Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Data analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 software. Seven studies were included in this analysis. A total of 399 subjects were studied to explore the effect of an n-3 unsaturated fatty acid diet on rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that there was no significant difference in CRP (Hedges's g = 0.06, 95% CI: −0.48–0.37, P = 0.79) and ESR (Hedges's g = −0.14, 95% CI: −0.61–0.33, P = 0.55) between the intervention and control groups. The results of this study showed that the anti-inflammatory effect of unsaturated fatty acids on rheumatoid arthritis was not correlated with CRP and ESR levels. Due to the small number of included studies, more high-quality studies are still needed to confirm this.

Abstract

The Energy Management System (EMS) is critical for electric vehicle (EV) in order to optimize energy consumption, improve efficiency, and enhance vehicle performance. The EMS provides the optimization of energy distribution among various vehicle components, reduces energy losses and maximizes the vehicle's efficacy. The EMS reduces battery stress to prevent excessive charging and discharging cycles; thereby, decreases the necessity for premature battery replacement which, in turn, contributes to the battery's life time. The goal of this research is to develop robust control technique to maximize the use of energy storage systems, renewable energy sources and the bidirectional power flow associated with EVs. The proposed robust control approach is based on combination of flatness theory with artificial neural network. The controller is responsible for maintaining the voltage DC bus stabilized and enhancing the quality of the power fed to the EV side. The performance of controlled EMS is verified via computer simulation within MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. As compared to classical proportional-integral (PI) control, the computer results show the proposed controller (FEMS-ANN) gives higher power quality of EV, lower overshot level in the DC voltage, faster response to abnormal conditions, and less steady state error.

Abstract

The rise of e-commerce necessitates sustainable practices for a greener future. While the e-commerce boom offers immense economic opportunities, minimizing its environmental impact and upholding ethical business conduct are essential. Current research on e-commerce heavily focuses on information technology (IT) for understanding and improving consumer acceptance. However, a critical gap exists in exploring IT's potential contributions to sustainability, crime prevention, and environmental safety. This study bridges this gap by exploring the role of IT integration in managerial practices to enhance environmental protection, crime prevention, and foster sustainability within Bangladesh's booming e-commerce sector. Focusing on e-commerce managers' perspectives, the research examines effective leadership strategies for IT implementation. Additionally, it utilizes the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to analyze the relationships between user perception and its impact on e-commerce performance. Using a structured questionnaire, we collected the data from 418 e-commerce managers. The research design incorporates a robust framework, hypothesis formulation, and methodological rigor grounded in TAM principles. The findings reveal a significant positive contribution of IT to environmental protection, crime prevention, and overall sustainability within the e-commerce sector. Managers' perceptions highlight that effective IT utilization ensures environmental safety, safeguards data against criminal activity, and promotes organizational sustainability. Furthermore, this research provides a roadmap for e-commerce businesses to accelerate their sustainability efforts. It also equips academics with valuable insights to advance knowledge on building a secure and sustainable future in the digital age.

Abstract

Foodborne pathogens' transmission is essential in the spread of antibiotic resistance, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli especially threatens public health. E. coli plays an essential role in the resistance to commonly used beta-lactam group antibiotics. Ready-to-eat (RTE) stuffed mussels are among many restaurants and street vendors, presenting potential health risks of food hygiene origin. 200 RTE stuffed mussels were collected from the Asian and European sides of Istanbul and analysed for the presence of E. coli. As a result of PCR analysis, E. coli was detected in 7 (3.5%) samples. An antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method to determine ESBL and carbapenem resistance. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin. The double-disk synergy test was performed as an ESBL phenotypic confirmation test, and no phenotypically ESBL-producing E. coli were detected. The bla _TEM gene was detected in one isolate (14.2%) by mPCR, but bla _CTX-M, bla _SHV, and bla _OXA genes were not observed. Meropenem and imipenem were used with the disk diffusion method for carbapenem resistance study, and no resistant isolate was found. Carbapenem resistance genes were investigated by monoplex PCR, and bla _NDM-1, bla _OXA-48, bla _VIM, and bla _IMP resistance genes were not detected. This is the first report on ESBL-producing E. coli in RTE stuffed mussels in Türkiye, which draws attention to a public health risk.

Összefoglalás.

A tanulmány az avatárok új típusát, az absztrakt aggregált avatárokat mutatja be, amelyek a kognitív hűség növelésére összpontosítanak. Ezek az avatárok nem antropomorf formákat használnak, hanem egyszerű, változó formákat és színeket, amelyek lehetővé teszik a rendszer általános állapotának közvetítését. A MaxWhere VR keretrendszert használva a tanulmányban bemutatok egy prototípus implementációt, amely érzelmeket megjelenítő absztrakt megjelenítési módot alkalmaz. Az avatár kifejezőkészségének vizsgálatára egy kísérleti keretrendszert ismertetek, amely lehetővé teszi a felhasználói interakciók és azok hatásának értékelését a virtuális munkakörnyezetben. Ezt követően elemzem az absztrakt aggregált avatárok lehetséges hozzájárulását a VR-alkalmazások informatikai biztonságához. Ezek az avatárok anonimitást biztosítanak, csökkentik az adatexponálást, és előrelépést jelenthetnek az adatgyűjtés és elemzés területén.

Summary.

This study summarizes the concept of ‘abstract aggregated avatars’ as a novel approach to enhance user experience. Visually, these avatars, unlike anthropomorphic or zoomorphic ones, are based on abstract, low-level visual languages using dynamic shapes and colors. Functionally, they can exhibit a collective, aggregated representation of pertinent system data, aggregating user interactions and other significant events within a virtual space that are relevant to the application. They can facilitate a more generalized examination of VR environments, often necessary or more effective than realistic representations.

A prototype implementation of an aggregated avatar is created using the MaxWhere VR framework, an innovative 3D virtual reality platform. This framework allows users to navigate interactive 3D spaces, enhancing user experience and work efficiency. The reference implementation uses ’emotional display’ as visual representation. It can express a range of emotional states through a color-changing sphere and cube-like structure, changing size, color, transparency, and rotation speed. I employ the valence-arousal model as an intermediate representation layer to map emotional states, using data collected from MaxWhere’s virtual space to calculate these values. Data from the virtual environment reflects the recent, aggregated user interactions and virtual space utilization, translating intense and balanced usage into positive emotional values and monotonous or superficial usage into boredom or irritation.

I examine the avatar’s expressiveness through an experimental framework. It uses the same MaxWhere component which manages the look and working logic of aggregated avatar. Logging functions in the component track events and emotional values, allowing for a detailed analysis of the avatar’s effectiveness. We can create video sequences using the logging capabilities of the framework and conduct a survey to measure how correctly participants can match user interactions with avatar behaviors. The result can be used to design expressive aggregated avatars based on quantitative feedback.

Finally, the study addresses how abstract aggregated avatars can contribute to the information security of VR applications. These avatars help protect user identity, reduce public data exposure, minimize the attack surface, aid in detecting abnormal behaviors, and enhance data analysis and security strategies.

I conclude that these avatars offer new, innovative solutions for workplace environments while improving the security of virtual spaces.

Summary.

The extensive use of antibiotics has introduced persistent compounds into environmental systems that pose a threat to living organisms. Many treatment processes exist for purifying drinking water, but cost-effective filtration of contaminated water discharged into the environment is still an unsolved problem. In this research, cost-effective adsorbents have been developed and tested for filtering antibiotics that are frequently detected in environmental systems. Results suggest that it is possible to develop an adsorbent mixture with high purification efficiency and low production costs for a wide range of antibiotics. The adsorbent mixture could be used in wastewater treatment and should be considered for the purification of agricultural water (e.g., irrigation water, groundwater).

Összefoglalás.

A víz, mint alapvető nyersanyag és erőforrás, nélkülözhetetlen feltétele életünknek. A biológiai szükségleteinken túl, szinte minden gyártási folyamatban felhasználásra kerül. A klasszikus három lépcsős tisztítási rendszerek nem alkalmasak egyes perzisztens anyagok (pl. gyógyszerhatóanyagok) teljes eltávolítására, továbbá a természetes tisztító folyamatok, negatív visszacsatolások révén egyre kisebb hatásfokkal csökkentik e szennyezők koncentrációját a természetben. A gyógyszerhatóanyagok ng L^–1 koncentrációban kimutathatók már az ivóvizekben is, ebből adódóan az elmúlt évtizedekben egyre nagyobb figyelmet kapott a vízminőséggel kapcsolatos problémák feltárása, elemzése és megoldása. A szennyező anyagok között kiemelt szerepe van az antibiotikumoknak, mivel antibakteriális hatásuk miatt célzottan befolyásolják a mikrobiális közösségek működését, növelik a rezisztens törzsek kialakulását, ezenkívül magasabb rendű élőlényekre is toxikus hatással lehetnek.

Az ivóvizek mikroszennyezőinek csökkentésére számos nagy hatásfokkal rendelkező tisztító töltetet fejlesztettek ki (pl.: granulált aktív szén, ioncserélő gyanták, szén nanocsövek stb.), viszont előállításuk és üzemeltetésük költséges. Ezek a szűrőrendszerek a tisztított szennyvizek gyógyszerhatóanyag tartalmának csökkentésére nem alkalmasak, mivel a magas tisztítási hatásfokuk miatt gyorsan kimerülnek. A környezeti rendszerek gyógyszerhatóanyag terhelésének csökkentése a mai napig megoldatlan probléma. Kutatásunk során egy olyan többkomponensű szűrőtöltet keveréket fejlesztünk, ami alkalmas lehet tisztított szennyvizek kezelésére, emellett az előállítása, üzemeltetése nem költséges. A tisztítási hatásfok növelése érdekében minimális felületkezelési eljárásokat alkalmaztunk az adszorbens anyagokon, majd három antibiotikum csoport (kilenc vegyület) esetében teszteltük őket. A vizsgált antibiotikumok különböző fizikokémiai paraméterekkel rendelkeztek, annak érdekében, hogy a tisztítási hatásfok a vegyületek széles spektrumát lefedje.

Az eddigi eredmények alapján lehetséges olyan szűrőtöltetet előállítani, mely az antibiotikumok széles spektrumát képes hatékonyan kiszűrni és hosszú távon fixálni. Ez az adszorbens olcsón előállítható, nem szükséges hozzá drága kezelés és a magas porozitása miatt átfolyó rendszerekben is hatékonyan alkalmazható. Az adszorbens alapanyagok közül a vizsgált faszén felületkezelési eljárása megfelelő, a fűrészpor és szalma esetében a vegyületek visszatartását növelni kell, ezért a felületkezelést a faszénnél alkalmazott eljárással bővítjük. Ennek előnye, hogy a felületkezelés egyszerre elvégezhető mindhárom adszorbensen. Az így fejlesztett töltetkeveréket szennyvízkezelés esetében a meglévő lépcsők után lenne érdemes alkalmazni egy újabb szűrési lépésként, és megfontolandó a közvetlen élelmiszertermelési felhasználású (felszíni vagy talaj-) vizek (pl. gyökérzöldségek öntözésére) egy lépésben történő szűrése is.

Summary.

Stone fruits play a significant role in fruit breeding, gastronomy, and industry, largely due to their beneficial nutritional composition. Ensuring the quality of these seasonal fruits poses a substantial challenge due to intensive customer demand. In this study, through the example of sour cherries, we demonstrate how quality variations can be effectively controlled at specific critical points along the supply chain. Paired with various chemometric methods, near infrared spectroscopy reliably classified fruits based on their harvest maturity, different stages of Monilinia brown rot, and predicted the content of added foreign fruit extracts for functionality enhancement in sour cherry juices. The applied approach supports agricultural digitisation and food safety.

Összefoglalás.

A meggy a csonthéjas gyümölcsök nemesítésének és termelésének egyik legfontosabb alanya. A megnövekedett fogyasztói kereslet a kedvező beltartalmi összetételének tudható be, “szuperélelmiszerként” tartják számon. A viszonylag alacsony cukor-sav aránya miatt a meggyet főként feldolgozott formában fogyasztjuk. A hatékony feldolgozást nagy mértékben befolyásolja a nyersanyag érettségi és fiziológiai állapota. Az előbbi a termék kihozatalra, összetételre és funkcionalitásra, az utóbbi a stabilitásra van kihatással. Az ellátási láncban jelentkező veszteségek jelentős része romlási folyamatok miatt jelentkezik, amelyek közül az egyik legfontosabb a barna rothadást okozó Monilinia spp. Egy másik fontos szempont az élelmiszer eredetiségének biztosítása. A feldolgozásnak kimutatható hatása van a meggyből készült termékek funkcionalitására, aminek jogtalan manipulálása hamisítást feltételez. Az érési, romlási folyamatok és esetleges csalás korrelatív módszerekkel hatékonyan lekövethető. Kutatásunkban meggyek példáján keresztül mutatjuk be, hogy a közeli infravörös (NIR) spektroszkópia milyen eredményességgel alkalmazható gyümölcs érettség, Monilinia fructigena okozta barna rothadás és idegen növényi extraktumok roncsolásmentes kimutatásához gyümölcslevekben. A spektrumok gyűjtése kézi NIR műszerekkel történt a 900–1700 nm hullámhossztartományban gyümölcsök esetében diffúz reflexiós, míg gyümölcslevek esetében transflexiós elrendezésben. Az adatok elemzése a 950–1650 nm tartományban valósult meg spektrum előkezelést követően (pl. simítás, detrending, szóródási korrekciók, deriváltak). Főkomponens elemzést (PCA) alkalmaztunk előzetes feltérképezésként; PCA alapú lineáris diszkriminancia elemzést (LDA) végeztünk betakarítási érettség, korai Monilinia vagy idegen extrakttartalom kimutatásához; részleges legkisebb négyzetek regressziót (PLSR) a gyümölcsök egyes beltartalmi jellemzőinek, illetve idegen növényi extrakttartalom becsléséhez. Az érettségvizsgálati eredmények alapján a NIR spektrumokon alapuló PCA-LDA modellek lehetővé teszik a meggyek nagy pontosságú osztályozását betakarítási érettségük és lehetséges felhasználásuk szerint. A beltartalmi jellemzők becslésénél az összes oldott szárazanyag és az összes antocianin tartalom esetében adott pontos eredményt a PLSR. A Monilinia okozta barna rothadás azoknál a meggyeknél volt korai stádiumban kimutatható, amelyek vágott sebeit nagyságrendileg 100 és/vagy 10 konídium/μL koncentrációjú szuszpenzióval fertőztük és szobahőmérsékleten tároltuk. A NIR technikával eredményesen azonosítottuk a különböző idegen növényi extraktumokat és becsültük azok koncentrációját természetesen nagy színanyagtartalmú meggylevekben. Az alkalmazott roncsolásmentes, többszörösen felhasználható megközelítés támogatja a mezőgazdasági digitalizációt és hozzájárul a biztonságos és fogyasztók által elvárt minőségű élelmiszerek előállításához.

Összefoglalás.

A gépi tanulás a mesterségesintelligencia-kutatások egyik fő pillére, melynek matematikai hátterét a statisztikus tanuláselmélet biztosítja. A gépi tanulási módszerek bizonytalanságának meghatározása esszenciálissá vált számos alkalmazás esetében, többek között a biztonság, a stabilitás és a minőség garantálása érdekében. Ebben a tanulmányban újra-mintavételező eljáráson alapuló konfidenciahalmaz-becsléseket mutatunk be, amelyek eloszlásfüggetlen és véges mintás korlátokat biztosítanak a becslések bizonytalanságára. A konfidenciahalmazokat egzakt és konzisztens rangtesztek segítségével konstruáljuk meg, és számos példán szemléltetjük. A várható értékre és a feltételes várhatóérték-függvényre adunk halmazbecslést felügyelt tanulási feladatok (regresszió és osztályozás) esetében.

Summary.

Machine learning (ML) is one of the fundamental methodologies within artificial intelligence (AI), which is widely used in several fields, such as finance, health care, manufacturing and control. A classical problem in ML is to estimate the unknown parameters of an environment based on noisy observations. In many real-world applications involving safety and stability criterions, it is essential to quantify the uncertainty of these estimates.

Confidence regions are classical tools in uncertainty quantification, often used to assess the quality of an estimate. In this paper we investigate a resampling framework to construct confidence regions and hypothesis tests for several supervised learning problems. First, we present a resampling scheme to build confidence intervals for the expected value of an unknown symmetric distribution. We generate alternative observations based on a candidate parameter, then compare the original sample to the alternative dataset. If the candidate parameter is equal to the true expected value, then the alternative samples have the same distribution as the original sample, otherwise the alternative samples follow a different distribution. This distributional difference can be detected with a rank test. The main ideas of this procedure can be generalized to regression and binary classification problems, in which cases we build confidence regions for the true regression function.

The presented methods are endowed with strong theoretical guarantees. The user-chosen confidence levels of the confidence regions are non-asymptotically exact. The confidence sets are defined via flexible rank tests, while our distributional assumptions are very mild. We usually assume symmetry or exchangeability and therefore the presented algorithms are distribution-free, thus superior to many other methods in practice. We also investigate the asymptotic behaviors of the presented methods and establish several theoretical results regarding the consistency of the confidence regions.

Összefoglalás.

Napjainkra az információs technológiák fejlődése elérte azt a szintet, ahol a gyorsuló ütemben létrejövő adattömeg feldolgozásához már sok esetben elégtelenek a klasszikus, Neumann-elvek alapján működő számítógépek. A jelenség újszerű szoftveres megoldások, biológiai ihletésű algoritmusok, neurális hálózatok elterjedéséhez vezetett, ám ezek hatékony alkalmazásához teljesen új hardveres megoldások szükségesek. Jelen kézirat ilyen újszerű architektúrákhoz fejlesztett, Si-mikrochip-alapú memóriatulajdonsággal rendelkező nanoméretű áramköri elemek kísérleti eredményeit mutatja be, illetve azok egy-egy specifikus információfeldolgozási feladatra történő alkalmazhatóságával foglalkozik.

Summary.

Resistive switching memory devices, also known as memristors, are generally metal-insulator-metal nanostructures whose conductivity can be varied via electrical signals, enabling information storage in the value of the conductivity. Based on this property, memristive devices provide a promising platform for hardware-level encoding of large matrices. With a network of memristors, computationally intensive vector-matrix operations can be performed in a single step, considerably speeding up the operation of an artificial neural network (ANN). Memristors can also serve as real physical building blocks for biologically inspired algorithms through their neuromorphic properties. Via building simple circuits, such devices can be used to create oscillators or artificial neurons, which can be utilized for the implementation of oscillatory neural networks (ONN) or spiking neural networks (SNN). Another interesting feature of these memristive neuromorphic circuits is that they can be directly used for information processing tasks at the edge of a network. Memristors facilitate such edge computing applications which usually require energy-efficient operation and small size of the processor unit. Edge computing approaches have several advantages over centralized data processing from the aspect of security, e.g., significantly reducing time latency of sending large amounts of data to a central hub, and by processing sensitive data locally and independently of the central servers.

Present work focuses on the experimental investigation of purpose-built nanoscale memristive devices, revealing their physical processes. A superconducting spectroscopy measurement technique is developed for the non-destructive detection of atomic scale memristive filaments during device operation (Török et al. 2020; Török et al. 2023). In addition, the tunable stochasticity of the nucleation process is revealed by statistical studies of the set process in silicon oxide memristors (Török et al. 2022). This finding provides a basis for the physical realization of neural activation functions, stochastically firing neurons or energy-efficient true random number generation. Finally, the applicability of the investigated nanoscale memristive devices is illustrated through two examples. The concept of a neuromorphic, memristor-based auditory sensing unit is presented, leading towards medical application in a fully implantable cochlear implant. Last, the feasibility of a hardware-level stochastic optimization procedure is introduced (Fehérvári et al. 2023), based entirely on memristive elements, utilizing tunable noise characteristics of the devices (Sánta et al. 2021).

Summary.

In addition to the well-known Lee–Carter model, two versions of a multi-population mortality model, known as augmented common factor models, were fitted to Hungarian data in the present study. The two subpopulations considered in the analysis were men and women. When predicting mortality rates, it is important to not only predict the trend in mortality change (improvement) given that the age-specific coefficient of this time-varying parameter also changes over time. The phenomenon of this time dependence of the age pattern and consideration thereof in mortality projections are known in the literature as rotation. As a result of the present research, possible trajectories for the life expectancy of men and women in Hungary up to the year 2050 were determined by predicting rotated and nonrotated versions of three different mortality models.

Összefoglalás.

Lee és Carter halandóság-előrejelző modellje több mint 30 éve népszerű módszer. E modell szerint a mortalitási ráták logaritmusa egy hosszú távú trend lineáris függvénye, amelynek korspecifikus együtthatója lehetővé teszi a halandóság változásának életkorok szerinti vizsgálatát. Az utóbbi évtizedekben számos kutató vállalkozott arra, hogy Lee és Carter modelljét továbbfejlessze, így az eredeti log-bilineáris modellnek ma már sokféle változata ismert. E továbbfejlesztett modellek közé tartoznak a multipopulációs halandósági modellek is, amelyek egy populáció alcsoportjainak (pl. egy régió országainak, egy ország területi egységeinek, férfiak és nők csoportjának) összefüggő elemzését és halandóság-előrejelzését teszik lehetővé.

A Lee–Carter modellcsaládba tartozó multipopulációs mortalitási modellek esetében a tény időszaki adatsorra illesztett (időtől, életkortól vagy születési évtől függő) paraméterek legalább egyike valamennyi alpopulációra nézve ugyanaz. E közös paraméter(ek) mellett szerepelnek még csoportspecifikus tényezők is, amelyek az alpopulációk sajátosságainak figyelembevételét teszik lehetővé a közös jellemzők mellett. Egymással szoros kapcsolatban álló és hasonló szocio-ökonómiai háttérrel rendelkező alpopulációk esetében indokolt lehet a multipopulációs halandósági modellek használata, amelyek legfőbb célja, hogy egy populáció alcsoportjainak halandóságát ne egymástól függetlenül vizsgáljuk.

A kutatás során 1960 és 2022 közötti magyar adatokat felhasználva három mortalitási modellt illesztettünk: a Lee–Carter modellt és ennek két multipopulációs változatát, a két- és háromfaktoros ACF (,augmented common factor’) modellt. A cél az volt, hogy férfiak és nők mortalitását összefüggő módon vizsgáljuk, és a modellben szereplő életkortól függő paraméterek közelmúltban megfigyelhető időbeli változását az előrejelzés során figyelembe vegyük. A szakirodalomban rotáció néven ismert az a jelenség, amely szerint a fejlett országokban a halandóság-javulás lassul a legfiatalabb korcsoportokban és gyorsul a legidősebb koréveket tekintve. A hosszabbodó várható élettartam – a reprodukcióhoz szükségesnél alacsonyabb szintű termékenység mellett – hozzájárul a társadalom öregedéséhez, amely Magyarországon is egyre nagyobb kockázatot jelent a nyugdíjrendszer fenntarthatósága szempontjából.

A kutatás eredményeként a vizsgált halandósági modellek rotált és nem rotált változatainak előrejelzése révén meghatároztuk a várható élettartam lehetséges pályáját Magyarországon 2050-ig, férfiakra és nőkre külön-külön. Azt találtuk, hogy a Lee–Carter modellben szereplő korspecifikus együttható múltban megfigyelhető változása egyelőre még nem támasztja alá a rotáció szükségességét a rövid távú előrejelzés során. A nem rotált modellek közül a háromfaktoros ACF modell illeszkedése volt a legjobb és ebben az esetben sikerült egy olyan rotált változatot kialakítani, amely hosszú távon tükrözi azt, amit a rotációtól várunk: a legidősebb korcsoportok nagyobb mértékben járulnak hozzá a várható élettartam növekedéséhez a jövőben, mint a legfiatalabbak. Ugyanakkor a rotált, háromfaktoros ACF modell hosszú távon egyre gyorsabban növekvő várható élettartamot jelez előre, ami óvatosságra int az előrejelzés során.

Összefoglalás.

A KDP keretében folytatott kutatómunkám a szabványos irányítási rendszerek szerepének változása válsághelyzetben a vállalati működésben. A válság valamennyi hosszú távú hatása még nem ismert, de az nagy valószínűséggel kijelenthető, hogy ilyen és ehhez hasonló válságokra a jövőben a vállalatoknak fel kell készülniük, gyors reagálással, ellenálló képességgel, kockázatkezeléssel, illetve ahol szükséges, a folyamataik át- és újragondolásával. A válsághelyzetre való alkalmazkodáshoz, a folyamatok újragondolásához járulnak hozzá szervezeti szinten a szabványos irányítási rendszerek. Jelen írásom azt mutatja be, a kutatásom során mi volt a kutatási témám relevanciája, milyen kutatási célt tűztem ki, milyen módszertanokat használtam és milyen várható eredményeket tudhat magáénak a kutatás.

Summary.

My research work within the framework of the KDP is the change in the role of standard management systems in a crisis situation in company operations. Just like society as a whole, the daily life of companies was also significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020. This crisis situation presented organizations with unprecedented challenges. It had a powerful impact on the world economy, the national economy, large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and especially entrepreneurs, which had significant consequences. In my KDP research, I focus on the effects of the crisis situation appearing at the company level. All the long-term effects of the crisis are not yet known, but it can be said with high probability that companies must prepare for such and similar crises in the future, with quick response, resilience, risk management and, where necessary, rethinking and rethinking their processes. At the organizational level, standard management systems contribute to adapting to these crisis situations and rethinking processes. The framework provided by the requirements of the ISO standard provides assistance in managing these challenges, management and strategic planning, and in ensuring organizational sustainability and continuous development. In the current circumstances, it is advisable for organizations to adopt and operate an integrated framework, taking into account the various requirements of ISO standards. These standards require, among other things, monitoring, measurement, analysis and performance evaluation, development and effectiveness of implementation for the organization’s management systems. The ISO 9000 standard defines the term management system as follows. Management system A set of interrelated or interacting elements of an organization to establish policies and objectives and processes to achieve those objectives. The concept of crisis is mainly related to an extreme, unexpected and unforeseeable event to which organizations must respond. So the crisis, for which companies must prepare, requires the use of a system of tools with which they can react quickly and efficiently to unexpected situations in the future. It can therefore be said that standard management systems, and beyond this, integrated management systems, have a right to exist in crisis management. My research objective is therefore the examination of integrated management systems, in relation to which standard requirements have strengthened and which have decreased in a crisis situation in the organizations operating integrated management systems. My present paper shows the relevance of my research topic during my research, what research goal I set, what methodologies I used and what expected results the research can have.

A vitaalapnak szánt dolgozat bemutatja a hazai láptalajok kutatás- és osztályozás történeti (kronológiai) fejlődését 1859-től napjainkig. A bemutató ismertetés, kritikai elemzés kiemeli az osztályozás fejlődése, és a genetikus, talajföldrajzi osztályozás kialakulása szempontjából fontos eredményeket. Meghatározza a kialakult osztályozás továbbfejlesztését képező ismereteket, amelyek a következők (DÖMSÖDI, 2015; DÖMSÖDI, 1988):

1. A „láp” és a „láptalaj” képződés genezise: folyamata, szakaszai, típusai

2. A láptalajok talajképző tényezői:

   • 2.1 Az egykori láp környezetének éghajlati viszonyai (főként éghajlati, klimatikus tényező).

   • 2.2 A láp élővilág jellege: rétláp, mohaláp, al-láp, fel-láp, (ökológiai fejlődéstörténeti) és növényzete (vegetáció) tényező.

   • 2.3 A láp felszínalaktani jellege és geomorfológiai helye (síkláp, dombláp, völgyláp, medenceláp), domborzati tényező.

   • 2.4 A láp, illetve a talaj kora (földtörténeti; abszolút, relatív kortényező).

   • 2.5 A láp, illetve a talaj földhasználata: rét, legelő, erdő, szántó művelése (antropogén hatások tényezője).

3. A láptalajok típusai, altípusai, az altípusok típusszelvényei, mindezek definíciói és dimenziói.

Abstract

As cities continue to grow and diversify, urban planners, and architects face the challenge of creating housing solutions that can flexibly respond to many demands and changes over time. This rapid change in the urban landscape necessitates adaptable housing design typologies to meet the evolving needs of urban residents. Several residential building, typologies have emerged with the intent of solving the problems arising from overpopulation. This paper aims to shed light on the importance of adaptability in urban housing design and its potential to enhance urban living environments. It reviews adaptability through various urban housing typologies, exploring the concept, its significance, and strategies that can be employed to achieve adaptable dense housing solutions.

Abstract

Wildfire simulations can help to better understand the dynamics and effects of forest fires. The basis of wildfire simulation is the tree-burning simulation. In this paper, the fire simulation of 7 different geometry Hungarian trees in the case of arson is presented. It was observed that the trees were burned down fast. The maximum mass loss rate and maximum heat release rate were larger as the tree was larger. The largest intensity fire could be observed in the case of the smallest tree. The maximum temperature was higher in the case of a large crown diameter. The maximum aerosol reached high pollutant concentrations. In the case of large crown height, the maximum CO₂ concentration was higher. The results presented in this paper can be the basis of the following forest fire simulations.

Abstract

This study examined the production of kombucha beverages with several combination of black tea and Aloysia citrodora. For this purpose, five types of kombucha drinks were prepared using different ratios of pure black tea and pure A. citrodora (80:0, 50:30, 40:40, 30:50, and 0:80). Total phenolic and flavonoid content, radical-scavenging capacity based on DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in the fermentation period (days 0, 5, 10, and 15), and cytotoxicity on the 15th day have been evaluated. The results showed that phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties increased during fermentation (P < 0.01). Using A. citrodora as a substrate enhanced the phenolic and antioxidant properties. The maximum amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids were 240.24 mg GAE/mL and 49.65 μg QE/mL, respectively, and the DPPH value was 92.81% for the samples with an equal ratio of black tea and A. citrodora on the 15th day. In addition, this sample had the highest rate (66%) of destroying PC3 prostate cancer cells at a 600 μg dL⁻¹ concentration. Using A. citrodora in kombucha drink not only improved the health indices but also caused better acceptance by the sensory evaluators compared to the sample of kombucha beverage produced with pure black tea.

Abstract

An intelligent tutoring system is a computer-based educational tool designed to provide adaptive learning environment to learners, mimicking the role of a human tutor. Its most typical areas of application are language learning, mathematics education, programming courses and medical training. Intelligent Tutoring Systems are based on the knowledge-module that is holding the system's knowledge in a well-structured format. Considering the current state of the art knowledge-module representations, a model that can represent evolving information is lacking. Representing evolving information is needed for those tutoring systems that are working with dynamically changing domains, e.g., software science. In this paper a new combined model is presented that is based on the ontology model and the fundamentals of knowledge space theory. The proposed model introduces the term of abstract time to be able to formulate an evolving knowledge graph. This paper introduces the term of evoking-hooks that makes it possible to realize connections between external domain elements and the nodes of the proposed model.

Abstract

In a result of the increase in impervious surfaces in the urbanized area, there is an increase in surface runoff and at the same time an overload of the sewage network. In order to reduce the mentioned negative impacts in the inner city of Bratislava, this study was developed. The aim of this study was to design as possible the most efficient possible infiltration device for capturing rainwater and keeping it at the point of impact of precipitation of the addressed site. The Novohradska Grammar School campus was chosen as the area of interest. It is assumed that, together with elements of green infrastructure, these measures will be able to contribute in order to mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization in the capital.

Abstract

Our study aims to examine the perceptions of chefs and restaurants' management in Hungary regarding the importance of health and nutrition in menu planning in today's catering businesses. We assessed 190 complete responses from chefs/cooks and managers/owners of restaurants and catering businesses in Hungary between February 2021 and February 2022 via email on four aspects; health, nutrition, nutrition practice, and consumers' concerns. This study shows an overall improvement in chefs' and restaurants' management's nutritional knowledge compared with similar studies in the past. However, most chefs still believe that the customers ignore the nutrition and nutrient content of the meals when dining away from home. In addition, experienced chefs do not perceive that the preparation of low-fat foods requires additional work and that low fat-foods can taste great. This study found no significant differences related to nutrition in menu planning based on chefs' and managers' backgrounds (i.e., gender, age, position, educational level, work experience, and type and location of establishment).

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of various mash acidification techniques in alcoholic fermentation for the production of apple spirit. Lachancea thermotolerans and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains were selected to conduct pre-fermentative acidification of the mash alongside a conventional chemical acidification approach. The results confirm that L. thermotolerans and L. plantarum possess acidifying potential and can serve as effective biotools for the protection of apple mash during fermentation. Through their outstanding lactic acid production (1.05–1.26 g L⁻¹), they were able to reduce the pH of the mash by 0.29–0.40 pH units. Moreover, the sequential fermentation of these strains with Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful strategy to modulate the aroma profile of apple spirits. Spirits were characterised by an enhanced ester profile with particularly increased ethyl lactate concentrations.

Az Alföldet, azon belül is különösen a Homokhátságot érintő talajvízszint süllyedés, súlyos ökológiai és gazdasági következményekkel is járó problémakör. A jelenség hátterében álló lehetséges okokkal kapcsolatban több évtizede zajlik kutatómunka, ugyanakkor ezek relatív súlyának meghatározása a mai napig tudományos vita tárgyát képezi.

Több szerző is kiemeli az erdőtelepítések talajvízszint csökkentő hatásának fontosságát. Ez a hatás két módon, a vegetáció vízfelvétele, illetve a csapadékból történő utánpótlódás csökkentése (intercepció, talajnedvesség felvétel) által jelentkezhet. Ezen mechanizmusok működését vizsgáltuk meg egy akác (Robinia pseudoacacia) és egy fekete fenyő (Pinus nigra) állomány esetében a Homokhátságon, Kecskemét-Ménteleken kialakított mintaterületünkön, 90, 150 és 200 cm-es mélységben, nagy időbeli felbontással mért talajnedvesség, illetve talajvíz adatokra alapozva.

Az adatok alapján feltételezhető, hogy a talajvízből nem történik közvetlen, vagy közvetett vízfelvétel, aminek oka vélhetően a gyökérzóna és a talajvíz közti igen jelentős horizontális távolság. A talajnedvesség esetében a sekélyebb rétegekben egyértelműen jelentkezik az erdőállományok szezonális szárító hatása. Ugyanakkor a mélyebb rétegek talajnedvesség adatai alapján kijelenthető, hogy a csapadékból történő talajvíz visszatöltődésre leginkább az akác állomány alatt van elméleti lehetőség. A látszólagos ellentmondás feltételezhetően a gyökérzet által kialakított makropórusok hatásával magyarázható. Ezt támasztja alá az akác és fekete fenyő állományok közti igen jelentős eltérés is.

Következtetésünk, hogy az erdőállományok lokálisan jelentősen eltérő hatást gyakorolhatnak a talajvízszintre. Ezért a lezajló folyamatok hátterét, általános jellegű megállapítások helyett, az adott hidrológiai rendszer több elemét vizsgáló monitoring adataira alapozva lehetséges csak felderíteni.

Abstract

The inorganic scaling in wells is a common problem faced by mining companies. At present, the use of protective coatings for tubing as a measure to prevent or reduce the formation of inorganic scale deposits on pipe walls has not been fully studied. To use protective coatings as a measure to counteract the deposition of inorganic salts, it is necessary to develop a method that allows assessing the ability of coatings, as well as polymer and metal materials, to prevent the formation of inorganic scale deposits on the inner surface of pipes.

The article proposes a method for assessing the ability of protective coatings to resist the inorganic scaling on the inner surface of tubing. The proposed assessment method allows to make an informed decision on the advisability of using internal protective coatings of tubing to prevent (or reduce) the formation of inorganic scale deposits. The authors consider design features of a test bench for assessing the resistance of coatings to inorganic scale deposits, which allows to simulate the conditions for the formation of scale deposits that are as close as possible to the real conditions of oil production facilities. The article presents the results of bench tests of nine coating samples, two polymer samples and one sample made of St 40G2 steel. To assess the effectiveness of using tubing with an internal anti-corrosion coating as a measure to combat scale deposits, additional research is required to assess the possibility of complex use of coatings in conjunction with other methods of preventing processes of inorganic scaling. Thus, the authors developed the Bench for assessing the resistance of protective coatings of tubing to inorganic scale deposits. A dynamic testing technique is proposed to evaluate the resistance of protective coatings to inorganic scale deposits. Based on the presented results, conclusions were drawn about the possibility of using protective coatings on tubing as a measure to prevent the formation of inorganic scale deposits on the inner surface of the tubing.

Abstract

The work focuses in architectural dimension of urban form, by confronting the plans of three neighborhoods in Prishtina that represent potentially three main urban paradigms of the last decades in city's urban transformation. The study aims to unfold the main elements, confront them, and expose to possible transformation. The work progressively decomposes each case into basic components and deductively to their minimal unit.

The research, through interpretation and graphic illustrations, analyzes the three plans by layers: basic elements and their relational modalities, urban matrix, open space character and composing minimal units. The process will identify the main components, and their generic potentiality to be considered as future inputs in city's development.

Abstract

Even though concrete structures are safer than steel structures in terms of fire resistance, the risk exists in concrete structures by spalling or exploding, especially in high-strength concrete. This study aims to produce a particular type of concrete using waste ceramics as fine aggregate and waste glass as coarse aggregate and compare data with normal aggregate concrete. Studies show that using waste ceramic and glass increases the fire resistance of concrete. After fire exposure in the control mix, the residual compressive strength was 10 MPa. The waste aggregate concrete was found to be 26.9 MPa after 800 centigrade exposures, which was an excellent result. Waste materials decreased construction costs and led to a clean environment.

Abstract

Manufacturing ceramic green structures using starch consolidation casting is an established process that is simple, non-hazard, and low-cost. In this study, starch consolidation casting is used to prepare ceramics based on submicron monoclinic zirconia with additions of alumina and magnesia. Scanning electron microscopy results indicate that the size of pores decreased and the morphological irregularity increased when the tapioca starch content increased. The sample with 30 wt.% tapioca starch in a 55 wt.% slurry concentration had the highest estimated apparent porosity (around 56%), whereas the sample with 10 wt.% in a 68 wt.% suspension concentration had the lowest (about 35%).

Abstract

In the ever-changing realm of the contemporary workplace, adaptability and flexibility have emerged as crucial attributes for office buildings. The method of axes system design, in conjunction with modular structures, fosters a workspace that can seamlessly adapt to the evolving needs of offices. This system embodies a comprehensive approach to office design, emphasizing the integration of four important principles: modularity, adaptability, interconnectedness, and flexibility. The modular nature of the structural axes design allows for swift and cost-effective adjustments, facilitating customer needs. The dynamism of this system ensures that office spaces are in a perpetual state of evolution, reflecting the changing dynamics of the contemporary workplace as to be shown in this paper.

Abstract

Plastic pollution of oceans and seas is increasing every year and coastal countries need to pay particular attention to this problem. Four Asian countries – Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea – were analysed in terms of the amount of waste and plastic waste generated and their recycling rates. For each country, available data were collected and converted into a common unit of measurement – metric tonnes per 1,000 people. The countries' performance to date was analysed and used as a basis for projections for 2030. Based on the trends so far, Japan has seen an 11% reduction in plastics waste and a 6% reduction in waste over the period, while China has seen a 27% increase in waste and an 8% reduction in plastic waste. In South Korea, plastic waste increased by 49% and waste by 21%. In Singapore, waste decreased by 13% and plastic waste increased by 15%. On current trends, none of the countries are projected to reach their 2030 targets. However, by complying with current and newly introduced regulations, they have a chance to move closer to their targets.

Abstract

This study investigates sustainable methods for producing protein from soybean expeller via pH-shifting processes, aiming to reduce water usage in alkaline extraction by adjusting solid-to-liquid ratios per cycle and employing isoelectric precipitants like lactic acid and lactic acid bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lactococcus Lactis) to enhance functional and antioxidant properties over a wide pH range. Results indicate that the most efficient approach involves three 1:10 (w/v) extraction cycles with lactic acid bacteria as precipitants, demonstrating high productivity and low specific water consumption. Protein content and recovery yield showed no significant differences compared to alternatives with higher water consumption or less eco-friendly precipitants. Despite lower solubility, protein products precipitated with lactic acid bacteria formed stable emulsions, exhibiting superior free radical scavenging activity.

Abstract

Microencapsulation of flaxseed oil (FO) has received lots of attention in the food and biopharmaceutical industries. To produce FO microcapsules, aqueous emulsions of FO with polymeric carbohydrates (maltodextrin (MD) with dextrose equivalent (DE) 19, gum Arabic (GA) and modified starch (MS)) were prepared by a rotor stator homogenization and subsequently, dehydration of emulsions were performed by spray drying (SD). The objective of this research was to study the effects of different combinations of polymeric carbohydrates with FO in emulsion to obtain maximum encapsulation efficiency (EE). A 3 factorials–3 levels Box–Behnken design was used for the optimization purpose. The maximum EE was achieved using 0.79 MD-GA ratio, 20.23% MS and 24.62% FO in emulsion. Microcapsules obtained by optimum condition had EE 77.68%, particle size (D ₃₂) 120.0 ± 0.43 μm, moisture content1.6 ± 0.13%, wettability 192 ± 5.5 s, solubility 75.49 ± 1.3%, bulk density 0.31 ± 0.025 g mL⁻¹, tapped density 0.36 ± 0.01 g mL⁻¹, Carr's Index 13.88 ± 0.01% and Hausner Ratio 1.16 ± 0.01.

This study assesses the elemental composition of Egyptian glauconite sediments, focusing on potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and macronutrients. The primary aim is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing these sediments as a natural source of potassium for agricultural purposes, besides conventional chemical fertilizers like potassium sulfate. To quantify elemental content, chemical analysis was employed across five distinct grain size fractions after grinding glauconite rock. The assessment included potassium, calcium, sodium, and PTE concentrations, utilizing potassium chloride (KCl) and ammonium acetate lactate (AL Solution) as single extractants, and the BCR extraction protocol, in addition to measuring the pseudo-total content of these elements. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) facilitated a comparative analysis of elemental concentrations. Results indicate PTE concentrations within European Union regulations, with an absence of cadmium. Glauconite samples contain approximately 3–3.3% potassium by weight, alongside significant amounts of essential macronutrients (calcium, magnesium) and micronutrients (copper, nickel, zinc) crucial for agriculture. BCR sequential extraction protocol results closely align with or slightly surpass pseudo-total content results. Notably, the AL Solution demonstrates high efficiency compared to KCl or acetic acid in the first step of the BCR method. BCR sequential protocol provides valuable insights into various elemental forms and potential mobility. Overall, this study reveals that glauconite has the potential to serve as a promising alternative potassium fertilizer without causing adverse environmental impacts.

Összefoglalás.

A zöld energetikai átállás folyamatát leggyakrabban klímavédelmi szempontok alapján elemzik. Ebben a cikkben az energiabiztonságra gyakorolt hatását vizsgáljuk a megújuló energiahordozók térnyerésének. A mérleg pozitív serpenyőjében szerepel az energiafüggetlenséghez való hozzájárulás, a széles körben elérhető technológia és a fosszilis energiahordozókhoz képest kiszámítható árazás. A folyamat ugyanakkor számos kihívással is együtt jár, melyek közül kiemeljük a szezonális tárolás lehetőségének korlátosságát, az ellátásbiztonsághoz szükséges nem időjárásfüggő tartalékkapacitások fenntartásának nehézségeit, a hálózatüzemeltetéssel kapcsolatos problémákat, a digitalizációval együtt növekvő kiberbiztonsági kockázatokat és a kritikus alapanyagok koncentrációjából fakadó kihívásokat. E kihívásokra költséghatékony megoldásokat kell kialakítani, így a zöldenergia térnyerése komplex, a szakpolitika koordinációját igénylő, több évtizeden áthúzódó folyamat lesz.

Summary.

The green energy transition process is most often analysed from a climate protection perspective. In this article, we look at the impact of rising renewable generation on the security of energy supply. On the positive side there is renewables’ contribution to energy independence, their widespread availability, and their predictable pricing compared to fossil fuels. However, the process of increasing the share of renewables also carries several challenges, including the limitations of seasonal storage, the difficulties of maintaining non-weather-dependent reserve capacity for security of supply, grid management issues, the growing cyber security risks associated with digitalisation and the concentration of the availability of critical minerals. Cost-effective solutions to these challenges need to be developed, making the take-up of green energy a complex process that requires policy coordination over the next several decades.

Összefoglalás.

Ipari környezetben, ahol az alapanyagok között por alapanyagú termékek találhatóak, felmerül a porrobbanás lehetősége, ez alól az energiaszektor sem kivétel. Ebben az iparágban is megjelentek a biomasszák mint energiahordozók, amely termékekről számos esetben bebizonyosodott, hogy porrobbanás-veszélyesek, ezért szükséges védelmi intézkedéseket tenni. Jelen közleményünkben összefoglaljuk azon vizsgálati eljárásokat, amelyekkel meghatározhatóak a későbbi védelmi intézkedések alapadatául szolgáló paraméterek. Ismertetjük a vizsgálati eljárásokat, berendezéseket, valamint néhány konkrét vizsgálati eredményt is bemutatunk.

Summary.

In an industrial environment where dust-based products are among the raw materials, the potential for dust explosion arises, and the energy sector is no exception. This industry has also started to use biomass as a source of energy, which has been shown in many cases to be explosive and therefore requires protective measures. In this article, we have presented the distribution of dust explosion accidents in the US in 2021, which shows that 4% of the accidents directly related to the energy industry are much higher than the direct proportion. The set of conditions required for such accidents to occur is described and the investigation procedures that can be used to determine the parameters that will form the basis for future protection measurements are summarized. These parameters include the maximum explosion overpressure (P_max), the explosion constant (K_st), the lower explosibility rate (LEL), the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC), the minimum ignition temperature of dust clouds (MIT), the layer ignition temperature (LIT), and finally the minimum ignition energy (MIE). The test procedures and equipment are described, and some concrete test results are presented. Determining these variables is essential for the design of explosion protection for a dust explosion hazardous technology or area. The description of the test procedures is based mainly on the standard specifications applicable in the European Union. The structure of the measurements and the interpretation of the results obtained are described through the analysis of a fermentation residual solid.

Összefoglalás.

Az elmúlt évtizedekben a globális felmelegedés hatásai Európában, azon belül a Kárpát-medencében is nyilvánvalóvá váltak, s ez a hatás jelentős mértékű az energiaszektorra is. A kizárólag az időjárás által befolyásolt függő fűtési és hűtési energiaigényt leíró technikai klímaindexek alakulását mutatjuk be Magyarországon, nevezetesen a fűtési foknap (Heating Degree Days) és a hűtési foknap (Cooling Degree Days) paramétereket vizsgáljuk. A jelen klímát leginkább jellemző éves és havi normálértékek mellett a változásokat is elemezzük. A múlt század elejétől a fűtési foknapok egyértelmű csökkenése, míg a hűtési foknapok egyértelmű emelkedése figyelhető meg. Országos átlagban 314,6 foknappal [°C nap] csökkent a fűtési foknapok éves összege a lineáris trendmodell szerint 1901-től, míg ugyanerre az időszakra 79,4 ℃ nappal nőtt a hűtési foknap értéke. A legutóbbi három évtizedben, a legintenzívebb melegedés időszakában igen markánsak a változások, s ez a folyamat minden bizonnyal folytatódik a század végéig és azon túl is.

Summary.

In recent decades, the effects of global warming have become evident in Europe, including the Carpathian Basin, and this impact is significant for the energy sector. The most obvious impact of climate change in Hungary is the increase in extremes associated with high temperatures. Not only summer, but also winter and transition seasons show a warming trend, affecting all productive and service sectors. Rising temperatures could lead to shorter heating seasons and milder cold months, potentially reducing heating energy demand. However the heat waves have become more frequent and intense due to warming, leading to an increase in cooling energy demand. In the first part of this article, we present the evolution of heating degree-days from the beginning of the last century to the present day for the whole area of Hungary. The heating degree day is an indicator of the energy consumption for heating of buildings, which depends only on the weather. That is a temperature value, expressed in °Cday, which is proportional to the amount of energy required to heat the indoor environment to a given temperature on a given day, taking into account the daily minimum, maximum and mean temperature for a specific base temperature (15.5°Cday). Importantly, its value does not depend on the insulation of the buildings, economic indicators or the type of energy sources. Essentially, the colder the weather, the more the air temperature deviates from the base temperature of 15.5 degrees Celsius, the more energy is needed to heat the indoor environment and the higher the heating degree day value will be. In addition, we present the analysis of cooling degree days. The cooling degree day is derived in a similar way, following the logic of the heating degree day derivation. Therefore, the warmer the weather and the higher the air temperature is above the base temperature of 22°C, the more energy is needed to cool the indoor environment.

Based on the results presented in the article, we can conclude that the annual as well as the monthly amounts of heating degree-days have decreased since the beginning of the last century, with the greatest decrease in mountainous areas and in Western Hungary. One of the few benefits of climate change is that less energy is needed to heat interiors, and this is particularly true for the last decades, when annual heating degree-day amounts were usually lower than normal. At the same time, as heating degree-days have decreased, as the heat waves have become more frequent and intense with warming, resulting in an increase in cooling degree-days. In Hungary, on average, the last 30 years have been characterised by the highest cooling degree-day values over the last century’s climate normal periods. On a national average, the annual amount of heating degree-days has decreased by 314.6°Cday according to the linear trend model since 1901, while the cooling degree-day value has increased by 79.4°Cday over the same period. During the period of most intense warming, the August weather-dependent cooling energy demand increased the most. Due to the urban heat island effect in the inner-city environment, cooling of buildings requires additional energy. The recent trends is likely to continue until the end of the century and beyond. Therefore important to monitor changes in climate parameters affecting energy security and to develop an effective strategy and action plans to address the climate risks for the energy sector.

Összefoglalás.

Jelen tanulmányunkban két Duna menti parti szűrésű vízbázis vizsgálatát tűztük ki célul. A Tiszta Ivóvíz: a biztonságos ellátás multidiszciplináris értékelése a forrástól a fogyasztóig című Nemzeti Kiválósági Program keretében két olyan kiemelt fontosságú parti szűrésű vízbázist vizsgáltunk, amelyek meghatározó szerepet játszanak a Fővárosi Vízművek ellátási területén, Budapesten. Választásunk a Szentendrei-szigeten található surányi vízbázisra, valamint a Csepel-szigeten található ráckevei vízbázisra esett. A két vízbázis vizsgálatának célja az volt, hogy a területen végzett terepi mérések és mintavételezések, valamint a modellezési szimulációk segítségével átfogó képet kapjunk ezen két terület hidrogeológiai viszonyairól, hidraulikai viselkedéséről. Ennek érdekében számos terepi mérést végeztünk, amelyek fontos adatokat szolgáltattak a két vízbázis hidrodinamikai modelljének felépítéséhez és kalibrációjához.

Summary.

In this study, we dealt with two significant riverbank filtration systems along the Danube: the Surány water base located on Szentendre Island and the Ráckeve water base located on Csepel Island. These are two important drinking water bases of the Budapest Water Works, which provide a significant proportion of the capital’s water needs and are of great importance from the point of view of water security. At these riverbank filtered water bases, water is produced with horizontal collector wells, which, thanks to their design, are capable of extracting large amounts of raw water. The aim of our work was to get to know the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the area using the tools of field measurements and geophysical measurements. To this end, we measured the following parameters in different temporal resolutions: water level, temperature, specific electrical conductivity, pH. In this study, we present the results that have more significant information. Geophysical tests were also carried out at the two water bases, which provided important information regarding the geological inhomogeneity. Using the field measurements, two hydrodynamic model was also built for each study area. Our field measurements were also a great help for the calibration of our model. In this study the calibration of these models was shown. The hydrodynamic models were performed in the modeling environment of the Groundwater Modeling System, using the MODFLOW code. The characteristic of the model is that the tentacle wells were defined using MODFLOW’s Revised Multi-Node Well package. With the help of these models we would like to determine the arrival times in the future, as well as examine different scenarios that can be linked to extreme weather conditions. Based on the field measurements, we can make the following main conclusions regarding the examined water bases:

• During the entire period of the year, the hydraulic gradient from the Danube side is greater than from the background direction. Based on this, we can say that the Danube is the dominant supply water source in both cases.

• The hydraulic gradient changes over time, which is constantly influenced by changes in the water level of the Danube and changes in the produced yields.

• As the hydraulic gradient changes, the speed of the water flow also changes, so the access time changes from time to time, even from day to day.

• The specific electrical conductivity measurements showed that the Danube’s flood causes a large decrease in the value of the specific conductivity in the northern area. In addition to the decrease in conductivity, the measurement results also show a time shift, which, does not necessarily show the value of the access time.

• Based on geophysical measurements, it can be said that the Ráckeve water base has greater inhomogeneity than the Surány water base. As a result, the zonal calibration of the hydrodynamic model of the Ráckeve water base became necessary.