This constant is the maximum of the sum $|c_0|+|c_1|+|c_2|+|c_3|$ of the moduli of the coefficients of a trigonometric polynomial $c_0+c_1e^{it}+c_2e^{2it}+c_3e^{3it}$ bounded by 1. Its value is still unknown, but I will present some ideas on how to compute it and describe a distinguished torus of extremal functions.
Sándor Attila Pabar, Zsolt Kotroczó, Tünde Takács
et al.
This study explores the efficacy of bio-efficient solutions, specifically plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), in sustainable soil management. This research was conducted in 2020. It evaluates the impact of various single microbial inoculants, including <i>Enterobacter ludwigii</i>, <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, <i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i>, <i>Kosakonia cowanii</i>, and <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>, on plant growth soil enzyme activity and organism abundance. Perennial ryegrass and mustard were used as test plants, in controlled environmental conditions. The results show generally positive effects of microbial inoculants on plant biomass (<i>E. ludwigii</i> increased ryegrass biomass by 9.75%, and <i>P. fluorescens</i> increased mustard biomass by up to 38.81% compared to the control) and on soil microbial activities. Our study further investigated the combined application of all these strains in five different soil types and textures. The results highlight the significance of soil physicochemical properties in determining inoculant efficacy; we found that clayey soils with higher colloid content support more robust microbial activity. Additionally, using natural clay minerals like alginite for enhancing soil conditions showed promising interactions with microbial inoculants, although application requires further optimization. These findings suggest that integrating microbial inoculants in sustainable agricultural practices could enhance plant growth, improve soil health, and reduce the need of chemical fertilizers. Future research should aim to refine the combinations and application methods of these bio-efficient solutions for broader agricultural applicability.
In this study, a novel methodology for the fabrication of gradient porous structures is introduced, predicated upon the phase evolution characteristics of immiscible polymer blends. Initially, a comprehensive flow-phase field dynamics model is developed. This model couples the principles of phase field theory and the dynamics of fluid flow to the two-phase evolution process, facilitating a numerical simulation of the phase evolution. Subsequently, the phase field parameters of model are determined and combined with the temperature field, thereby enabling a targeted and controlled fabrication of gradient porous structures. Finally, the efficacy and practical applicability of the proposed methodology are substantiated through the construction of illustrative examples. This approach, as delineated herein, provides a robust framework for the efficient design and realization of intricate, interconnected gradient porous structures with potential applications in various scientific and engineering domains.
Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials, Chemical technology
Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is gained from road reconstructions; however, its usage is less optimised in Hungary and neighbouring regions, since on the project level the proportion of RAP in the asphalt mixes is only 10-15%. This is less than the recommended level in other EU countries. The higher usage of RAP provides economic and environmental advantages, decreasing the need for new materials, the transport cost, and the carbon footprint. The composition of the resultant bituminous binder blend is a critical element in the asphalt mix design with high RA content. This paper discusses the design of the resultant bituminous binder blend to provide performance and compliance characterisation. This paper also presents the complex rheological analysis of the base bitumen, the bitumen extracted from the RA and the bituminous binder blend, applying the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) device. It was shown that for paving grade bitumen (B), polymer modified bitumen (PmB) and rubber modified bitumen (GmB), the addition of higher proportions of RA content is possible without compromising on the performance of the binder blend. With a carefully chosen paving grade bitumen it is possible to utilise up to 40% RA content. For the polymer modified bitumen, the limit of the RA content is 20%. For the rubber modified bitumen, the various proportions of RA contents showed no or negligible changes in the characteristics of the bitumen and the RA content can reach 30% in this case.
Barna Konkolÿ Thege, Benedek Somogyi, Gergely Sándor Szabó
Introduction: Hunger et al. (2014, 2015, 2017) developed the Experience in Personal Social Systems Questionnaire (EXIS.pers) to assess individuals’ perceived functioning in their personal ecosystems.
Aims: The present study aims to 1) provide further data regarding this instrument’s psychometric characteristics that have not yet been investigated, as well as 2) describe the scale’s Hungarian adaptation.
Methods: The present data set consisted of 400 questionnaires of 182 individuals recruited from the general population (83.8% female, Mage = 39.8 years, SDage = 9.3 years) participating in repeated assessments. The Brief Symptom Inventory, the SCOFF screening test, the Patient Health Questionnaire-15, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and the WHO Wel-being Index were used to investigate construct validity.
Results: A bifactor structure of the EXIS.pers fitted the data best according to the confirmatory factor analytic models. The results confirmed the scalar invariance of the best fitting bifactor model across both sex and time.Internal consistency of both the subscale and total scores was good according to both traditional (Cronbach’s alpha) and more advanced (omega) indicators. Test-retest reliability with one- and five-month time lag was appropriate, as well. EXIS.pers scores showed significant inverse association with all 13 indicators of psychopathology and positive associations with both indicators of positive mental health suggestive of appropriate validity.
Conclusions: The results indicate that the EXIS.pers can be used with confidence when comparing men and women or in studies involving repeated measures designs, and that the Hungarian version serves as a reliable and valid adaptation of the original instrument.
Drawing on the analysis of the training, voyages and family and professional networks of gardeners at the German court, this essay looks at the reception of the French-style garden in Germany in the 18th century. The examples that German gardeners took as points of reference were not limited to the creations of Le Nôtre or to the royal gardens of the Île-de-France. During their long formative voyages, the gardeners visited different countries, such as Germany, Austria, sometimes Hungary and the Netherlands, and, from the 1750s, they increasingly travelled to England, where the new ‘natural’ garden was becoming established. Thanks to the competitiveness of the many German courts, the gardeners became a particularly mobile group. We will attempt to assess the role of French gardens in this European training.
Roy S. Gardner, Pramodsingh Thakur, Eric F. Hammill
et al.
Abstract Aims This study aims to characterize the range of implantable device‐based sensor values including heart sounds, markers of ventilation, thoracic impedance, activity, and heart rate for patients with heart failure (HF) when patients were deemed to be in clinically stable periods against the time course of acute decompensation and recovery from HF events. Methods and results The MultiSENSE trial followed 900 patients implanted with a COGNIS CRT‐D for up to 1 year. Chronic, ambulatory diagnostic sensor data were collected and evaluated during clinically stable periods (CSP: unchanged NYHA classification, no adverse events, and weight change ≤2.27 kg), and in the timeframe leading up to and following HF events (HF admissions or unscheduled visits with intravenous HF treatment). Physiologic sensor data from 1667 CSPs occurring in 676 patients were compared with those data leading up to and following 192 HF events in 106 patients. Overall, the mean age was 66.6 years, and the population were predominantly male (73%). Patients were primarily in NYHA II (67%), with a mean LVEF of 29.6% and median NT‐proBNP of 754.5 pg/mL. Sensor values during CSP were poorer in patients who had HF events during the study period than those without HF events, including first heart sound (S1: 2.18 ± 0.84 mG vs. 2.62 ± 0.95 mG, P = 0.002), third heart sound (S3: 1.13 ± 0.36 mG vs. 0.91 ± 0.30 mG, P < 0.001), thoracic impedance (45.66 ± 8.78 Ohm vs. 50.33 ± 8.43 Ohm, P < 0.001), respiratory rate (19.09 ± 3.10 br/min vs. 17.66 ± 2.39 br/min, P = 0.002), night time heart rate (73.39 ± 8.36 b.p.m. vs. 69.56 ± 8.09 b.p.m., P = 0.001), patient activity (1.69 ± 1.84 h vs. 2.56 ± 2.20 h, P = 0.006), and HeartLogic index (11.07 ± 12.14 vs. 5.31 ± 5.13, P = 0.001). Sensor parameters measured worsening status leading up to HF events with recovery of values following treatment. Conclusions Device‐based physiologic sensors not only revealed progressive worsening leading up to HF events but also differentiated patients at increased risk of HF events when presumed to be clinically stable.
Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system
Natural products used in the treatment of acne vulgaris may be promising alternative therapies with fewer side effects and without antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to formulate creams containing <i>Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis</i> to be used in acne therapy. <i>Spirulina platensis</i> belongs to the group of micro algae and contains valuable active ingredients. The aim was to select the appropriate nonionic surfactants for the formulations in order to enhance the diffusion of the active substance and to certify the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of <i>Spirulina platensis</i>-containing creams. Lyophilized <i>Spirulina platensis</i> powder (SPP) was dissolved in Transcutol HP (TC) and different types of nonionic surfactants (Polysorbate 60 (P60), Cremophor A6:A25 (CR) (1:1), Tefose 63 (TFS), or sucrose ester SP 70 (SP70)) were incorporated in creams as emulsifying agents. The drug release was evaluated by the Franz diffusion method and biocompatibility was tested on HaCaT cells. In vitro antioxidant assays were also performed, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were executed. Antimicrobial activities of the selected compositions were checked against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (<i>S. aureus</i>) and <i>Cutibacterium</i><i>acnes</i> (<i>C. acnes</i>) (formerly <i>Propionibacterium acnes</i>) with the broth microdilution method. Formulations containing SP 70 surfactant with TC showed the most favorable dissolution profiles and were found to be nontoxic. This composition also showed significant increase in free radical scavenger activity compared to the blank sample and the highest SOD enzyme activity was also detected after treatment with the cream samples. In antibacterial studies, significant differences were observed between the treated and control groups after an incubation time of 6 h.
Felicia Akuamoa, George Tawia Odamtten, Nii Korley Kortei
Damage caused to stored dried shrimps by insect pests is problematic and are often underestimated. The incubation, identification, and control of these insect pests which infest shrimps from three water sources; sea, lagoon, and river were evaluated according to standard procedures of the Entomological Society of Canada. Exposure to gamma ionizing radiation was undertaken from a Cobalt 60 source (SL 515, Hungary) and radiation doses of 0, 4, 8, and 10 kGy at a rate of 1.7 kGy/hr were used. The hidden insects identified were Necrobia rufipes (Copra beetle), Dermestes maculatus De Geer (Hide beetle), and a mite Lardoglyphus sp. belonging to the family Acaridae in the mite group Astigmata. An after-feeding test on shrimps by insects revealed a weight reduction by 17%, 14%, and 26% for sea, lagoon, and riverine shrimps respectively. These observations were statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05 level. After 2 months of storage there was generally a 43.0 % reduction in weight which was significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from the initial weight. Moisture sorption isotherms of dehydrated shrimps were also checked at 20, 55, 65, 75, 85, and 95% of Effective Relative Humidity (EHR) and revealed a general trend of sigmoid shape. The prescribed dose of 8–10 kGy was able to kill all insects and rendered the product insect-free in airtight dense polypropylene containers used in these investigations.
Botond Turóczi, József Bakonyi, Károly-Attila Szabó
et al.
The effect of populin extract from black poplar (<i>Populus nigra</i>) on seven different late blight strains was tested under laboratory and field conditions. The growth rate of hyphae was found to be significantly lower in vitro after 3 and 4 <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>% populin applications. Stain M16 was resistant to populin treatment under lab conditions, however. Both 5% and 10% concentration populin reduced the M16 strain’s severity on potato leaves under field conditions and proved to be even more effective than conventionally used fungicides Infinito 687 Sc and Valis M. Higher infection intensity at the 1% level was observed after 24 h using Valis M, and the same trend toward 10% infection remained after 48 and 72 h as well. Low, almost-no-infection intensity was detected after populin 5% and 10% treatment under an open field condition. Altogether, it can be concluded that populin extract can be a low-cost option for growers and an environmentally friendly approach in late blight control.
Abstract Background Medical students are at risk of contracting and transmitting infectious diseases such as pertussis. Complete vaccination status is important to protect own, patient and public health. Knowing own vaccination status is elementary for following current vaccination recommendations, including boosters. We aimed to assess pertussis vaccination status and vaccination acceptance among medical students of different nationalities. Methods A cross-sectional multicenter health survey at German and Hungarian universities enclosed international medical students in the 1st, 3rd and 5th year of study. Self-reported data from 2655 students regarding pertussis vaccination status were analyzed. Subgroup analysis enclosed data of German (n = 1217), Hungarian (n = 960) and other nationality (n = 478) students (“other”). Results More Hungarians reported basic immunization (39.0% vs 15.8% Germans vs 24.3% others, p ≤ 0.05). Booster vaccination was reported more by Germans (60.5% vs 43.6% Hungarians vs 36.0% others, p ≤ 0.05). Germans were more likely to report being unvaccinated (3.7% vs 0.9% Hungarians, p ≤ 0.05). More medical students of other nationalities were unaware of their pertussis vaccination status (37.4% vs 20.0% Germans/ 16.5% Hungarians, p ≤ 0.05). 75.2% (n = 1931) rated pertussis vaccinations as absolutely necessary (86.2% Hungarians vs 69.8% Germans/ 66.1% others, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Positive attitudes towards vaccinations were reported but a large group reported insufficient vaccination status and being not aware of their status, especially among international students. Hungarians possibly have a better vaccination status than reported, based on mandatory vaccinations in childhood. The low awareness of vaccination status has implications for future booster vaccinations. All students should be informed about current recommendations and receive vaccination offers in frames of low-threshold medical services.
There are two widely-held intuitions about morality. One is the claim that all persons have equal moral worth; the other is that sometimes we are morally allowed or even required to give preference to those individuals whom we love. How can we justify our reasons of love in the face of moral egalitarianism? as of recently, there are three mutually competing accounts of why it could be said that we have reasons of love: (i) the projects view, (ii) the relationship view, and (iii) the individuals view. In this paper, I first examine these three views and find fault with each of them as they stand. I then proceed to propose a complex, yet a more compelling, account of reasons of love that builds on the individuals view.
Tibor Szép, János Dobránszky, Anders Pape Møller
et al.
Feather quality is of critical importance to long-distance migratory birds. Here, we report a series of analyses of a unique data set encompassing known-age individuals of the long-distance migratory Sand Martin (Riparia riparia). Sampling over 17 years along the Tisza River, eastern Hungary, has resulted in the recapture of numerous individuals enabling longitudinal and cross-sectional investigation of the role of adaptation to variable environmental conditions on feather morphology. We show that older individuals tend to possess better quality feathers, measured using bending stiffness, feather length and thickness as proxies. Bending stiffness and feather thickness do not change with individual age, in contrast with increases in feather length and declines in daily feather growth versus age of individual alongside moult duration. Individuals who live to older ages tend to have similar, or higher, feather growth rates and better feather quality than individuals captured at younger ages. Thus, on the basis of strong selection against individuals with slow feather growth, as seen in other species of swallows and martins, which causes a delay in moult completion, the results of this analysis highlight the potential cost of producing better quality feathers when this depends on moult duration. Feather length also does change during the lifetime of the individual and thus enabled us to further investigate influence of individual and environmental conditions during the moult. The results of this analysis provide important insights on the adaptive significance of these traits, and the potential use of physical characteristics in unravelling the reasons why long distance migratory bird populations are in global decline.
Kátai János, Balláné Kovács Andrea, Tállai Magdolna
et al.
The residues of organic matter in the soil are transformed biologically over a shorter or longer time period. In the humification process, a part of the organic decomposition products formed the dark-coloured humus. The other part of the organic matter is also decomposed by the activities of heterotrophic organisms, in which inorganic substances are produced from the organic matter. The direction and intensity of the transformation, however, depends not only on the organic material stock of the soil but also on the organisms in the soil. They are closely related to soil properties, natural fertility, environmental factors and applied agrotechnical processes. The rate and speed of humus formation and mineralization processes determines the soil organic matter stock and the set of nutrients that can be uptaken by plants during the degradation of organic matter. The transformation of alternative plant nutrient, organic matter (composts, green manure, sewage sludge, slurry etc.) is determined by the living organisms with different activities in the soil. In present publication the results of most important physical and chemical properties of 12 different soil types in eastern part of Hungary (chernozem, meadow, marsh, brown forest soil, blown sand, and solonetz) are analysed. The vegetation of involved soil types were: winter wheat, orchard, oak forest and natural grassland. There were also determined the total content (stock) of some main elements (C, N, S, P) in the soils and their ratios (C/N, C/S, N/S) were compared also. There were investigated the available nutrient content of the soils (CaCl2 solution extractable nitrate and sulfate content). Based on the results, there was also calculated the proportion of the available and the total element content of soils.
A tankönyv nélkülözhetetlen taneszköz az egyes tantárgyak tanítási-tanulási folyamatában. Ez a tanulmány megvizsgálja, hogy egy új fejlesztésű hazai történelem tankönyv mintafejezete mennyiben felel meg az IPOO tanulási modellben körvonalazott tanulási fázisoknak, és javaslatokat tesz a választott tankönyvnek a történelemórákon történő hatékony felhasználására.
T. N. A. T. Rahim, A. M. Abdullah, H. Md Akil
et al.
This paper addresses the utilisation of fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology using polyamide 12, incorporated with bioceramic fillers (i.e. zirconia and hydroxyapatite) as a candidate for biomedical applications. The entire production process of printed PA12 is described, starting with compounding, filament wire fabrication and finally, FDM printing. The potential to process PA12 using this technique and mechanical, thermal and morphological properties were also examined. Commonly, a reduction of mechanical properties of printed parts would occur in comparison with injection moulded parts despite using the same material. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the samples prepared by injection moulding were also measured and applied as a benchmark to examine the effect of different processing methods. The results indicated that the addition of fillers improved or maintained the strength and stiffness of neat PA12, at the expense of reduced toughness and flexibility. Melting behaviours of PA12 were virtually insensitive to the processing techniques and were dependent on additional fillers and the cooling rate. Incorporation of fillers slightly lowered the melting temperature, however improved the thermal stability. In summary, PA12 composites were found to perform well with FDM technique and enabling the production of medical implants with acceptable mechanical performances for non-load bearing applications.
Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials, Chemical technology
A correct modelling of the underlying event in proton-proton collisions is important for the proper simulation of kinematic distributions of high-energy collisions. The ATLAS collaboration extended previous studies at 7 TeV with a leading track or jet or Z boson by a new study of Drell-Yan events in 1.1 1/fb of data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. In this new study the distributions of several topological event-shape variables based on charged particles are measured, both integrated and differential in the transverse momentum of the Drell-Yan lepton pair. These measurements are sensitive to the underlying-event as well as the onset of hard emissions. The results have been compared with the predictions of several state-of-the-art MC generators. The collaboration has also performed a first study of the number and transverse momentum sum of charged particles as a function of transverse momentum and azimuthal angle in a special data set taken with low beam currents at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The results are compared to predictions of several MC generators.
These lectures introduce the basic ideas and practices of statistical analysis for particle physicists, using a real-world example to illustrate how the abstractions on which statistics is based are translated into practical application.