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Found 6525 publications

Defining energy- and cost-saving potentials and their application in optimal building refurbishment

Árpád Csík Tamás Csoknyai

Publication Name: Environmental Engineering and Management Journal

Publication Date: 2014-01-01

Volume: 13

Issue: 11

Page Range: 2771-2779

Description:

In this paper, we develop a rigorous theoretical framework and a practical implementation for the evaluation of the energy- and cost-saving potential of buildings. The goal is to promote sustainability in the context of building energetics by achieving the most efficient, optimal exploitation of the financial resources available for refurbishments. The practical realization of this concept requires the evaluation of the optimal refurbishment cost that maximizes the net energetic or financial savings during the life cycle of the building. On the one hand, too small a refurbishment cost might lock-in a substantial amount of energy and cost savings potential. On the other hand, refurbishment costs that are too high due to unnecessarily implemented energy-saving measures are likely to waste financial resources. The key concept behind the theory is the novel definition of the reference value used for the computation of the energy- and cost-saving potentials. From a mathematical point of view, the reference value is obtained by two subsequent optimizations. First, a constrained, single-objective optimization is used to evaluate the best energetic state of the building as a function of the refurbishment cost. Second, a simple unconstrained search must be performed to obtain the minimum value and the minimum place of the one-dimensional cost function. The proposed framework automatically provides personalized solutions corresponding to the actual technical characteristics of the building. These solutions are optimal under the given circumstances of the actual refurbishment, resulting in either the highest possible energy- or cost-saving amounts during the life cycle of the building.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.30638/eemj.2014.309

Selection of the mini- and micro-channels geometry for improved heat recuperation in specific industrial conditions

Olga Arsenyeva Julia Riese Petro Kapustenko Leonid Tovazhnyanskyy Leonid Tovazhnyanskyy Petar Sabev Varbanov

Publication Name: International Journal of Thermal Sciences

Publication Date: 2026-11-01

Volume: 229

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The sustainable development of modern society requires the efficient use of energy in industry and in the communal sector. This is possible by increasing heat recuperation and using intensified heat exchangers. Recuperative heat exchangers enable the use of heat from streams exiting high-temperature processes to heat the cold supply streams. They have a lot of applications, such as ammonia and methanol synthesis, high-temperature nuclear reactors, the Brayton power cycle, pasteurisation of food products, etc. A new method for selecting the best channel geometry for specific applications of recuperative heat exchangers is proposed, based on the use of mini- and micro-channels of various types and sizes. It involves the numerical solution of a novel equation developed to evaluate the thermal-hydraulic performance of mini- and micro-channels in certain process conditions. This allows the comparison of performance for channels using different methods of heat transfer enhancement. The new simplified formulas for micro-channel performance evaluation in the laminar flow regime are also proposed. The influence of operating heat load on optimal channel geometry is discussed, and the way to modernise channel parameters specifically for use in micro-process systems. The methodology is illustrated by the example of an industrial application. Compared to macro-channels, the heat transfer area of HE with mini-channels can be reduced by 1.2 to 3 times for intensified mini-channels with a hydraulic diameter of 1 mm, with possible reduction by 3 to 5 times in micro-channels of the hydraulic diameter 0.1 mm. The use of the proposed equation and the correct adjustment of the channel length results in up to 12% smaller heat transfer area with channels of the same geometry. It can be improved by about 37% by selection of a proper channel type.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2026.111129

Cooperation and Sustainability in Last-Mile Logistics Sector: Behavioural Aspects of Courier Express Parcel Service Providers

Edit Süle Csilla Bartucz

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 565-570

Description:

The decisions of company managers are often not guided by the regulations governing the environment but by subjective factors that exert their effects in a hidden way in the decision-making manager's behavior. Market behavior is objectively controlled by regulators, but subjective factors lead to poor decision-making in some cases. On the one hand, the principal-agent problem is revealed behind the subjective factors, and on the other, cognitive biases affect the decision-making leader as a person. Cooperation with competitors from the same sector and sustainability issues are two similar areas where there is an opportunity to examine these concerns and where the nature of companies' decision-making shows similar or identical patterns on the basis of which decision-making behavior can be explored, characterized, and understood. This thesis examines the attitude of the managers of two existing Courier, Express, and Parcel market players regarding possible market cooperation. In-depth interviews and the completion of a unique questionnaire that revealed the presence of cognitive bias were the basis for the research. During the investigation, the cognitive bias influencing the decision of the two company managers was identified, and it was also examined whether the parent company or the owner's opinion affected their decision. The two case studies demonstrate how managers' decisions to develop collaborations are influenced by their prior experiences and prejudices.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107095

Building sustainability: implementation of SDGs in higher education institutions (HEIs) in India and Hungary

Eszter Lukács Emese Lengyel Arundhati Sharma

Publication Name: Asian Education and Development Studies

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 1-19

Description:

Purpose – The study aims to map the integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) into domestic legislation and higher education institution (HEI) policy frameworks, with a particular focus on India and Hungary. It seeks to assess the extent of SDG implementation by HEIs in both countries and provide a comparative perspective on their progress. Design/methodology/approach – A comparative analysis is conducted using both primary and secondary data sources. The study examines domestic policy frameworks and legislative measures relevant to SDGs, alongside the performance of HEIs in SDG implementation in India and Hungary. Findings – The study finds that India has had a harmonised and dedicated SDG framework for HEIs since 2020, whereas Hungary, despite having multiple policies and legislative initiatives aimed at SDGs, lacks such a unified framework for higher education. In both countries, substantial gaps remain in the performance of HEIs in achieving the SDGs. Originality/value – To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first cross-country comparative study that focuses specifically on the role of HEIs in the implementation of SDGs in India and Hungary. It contributes to closing the evidence and knowledge gap by highlighting how policy alignment can enhance institutional strategies and performance in sustainable development.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1108/AEDS-07-2025-0341

Levels of what and how in the education of geo-engineering on problematic soils

Róbert Szepesházi P. Scharle Richard Ray

Publication Name: Geotechnical Engineering

Publication Date: 2015-12-01

Volume: 46

Issue: 4

Page Range: 110-113

Description:

Majority of recent studies discussing the development issues of civil engineering education focus the attention on the innovative teaching and learning methods. Evolution of the engineers' habit of mind demands, in addition, the conscious harmonization and synchronization of educational level, basic mathematical and mechanical preliminaries and professional content. Consideration of the interdependence among these factors results in some conclusions usable for educators interested in creating innovative curricula. Distinction between BEng and MEng levels of competence has to be identified properly. Geotechnical works on or in problematic soils deserve this attention, in particular.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Policy priorities for improving Global Innovation Index score and innovative performance in upper-middle-income countries: Implications for Armenia

Gayane Tovmasyan Svitlana Bilan Hamlet Mkrtchyan Anna Makaryan Svetlana Dallakyan Verej Isanians Harutyun Sargsyan

Publication Name: Problems and Perspectives in Management

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 23

Issue: 1

Page Range: 569-583

Description:

As an upper-middle-income country, Armenia should develop and implement targeted policies, such as increased R&D investments, education reforms, and industry-academia collaboration, to enhance its innovation performance. Strengthening these areas is expected to contribute to higher Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings, reflecting improved national innovation capacity. This study aims to estimate the impact of various GII components (including pillars, sub-indices, and sub-pillars) on the overall GII and pillar scores for upper-middle-income countries. Based on these findings, the study seeks to identify Armenia’s key policy priorities and provide targeted recommendations for enhancing its innovation performance. This study employs a cross-sectional regression to analyze the factors influencing GII scores in upper-middle-income countries, assessing the impact of sub-indices, pillars, and sub-pillars. The analysis reveals that market sophistication and creative outputs strongly influence GII scores among upper-middle-income countries, contributing significantly to national innovation performance. Additionally, knowledge and technology outputs, human capital and research, and infrastructure pillars show a statistically significant impact at the 5% level. Notably, even minor improvements in innovation output sub-index scores account for substantial variations in GII rankings. These findings suggest that Armenia should prioritize targeted education reforms, increase R&D investment, and strengthen university-industry linkages to enhance its innovation ecosystem and improve its global competitiveness.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.21511/ppm.23(1).2025.43

Effect of protein content on the thermal effusivity of foods

G. Szafner Nóra Gombköto Ottó Dóka

Publication Name: Acta Alimentaria

Publication Date: 2021-12-31

Volume: 50

Issue: 4

Page Range: 475-483

Description:

The availability of thermophysical properties of both foods and their constituents is of considerable importance to the industry. The thermal effusivity is one of the less explored thermophysical parameters. It governs the penetration of heat into materials and is defined as the square root of the product of thermal conductivity of the material, volume-specific heat capacity, and density. This paper describes the application of a relatively new inverse photopyroelectric method (IPPE) to determine thermal effusivity of dehydrated whey protein isolate and egg white powder versus protein content. In both cases the effusivity values decreased linearly with increasing protein content. One percent increase in protein content of whey protein isolate and egg white lead to 6.5 and 7.2 Ws1/2 m-2 K-1 decrease in effusivity values, respectively.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/066.2021.00042

New species in the alien flora of Hungary

Pinke Gyula Mesterházy Attila Schmidt Dávid Balogh Lajos G. Pinke Süveges Kristóf Takács Attila Wirth Tamás Schmotzer András Vidéki Róbert Rigó Attila Csiky János Király Gergely Csathó András István Kiss Tamás Dela Campos G. Katherine Németh Janka Király Angéla Farkas Sándor Eszik Norina Erika Malatinszky Ákos

Publication Name: Kitaibelia

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 30

Issue: 2

Page Range: 203-232

Description:

In this compilation we present the first occurrences of 22 vascular plant species not previ ously documented from the territory of Hungary. Fifteen of the species are casuals, while seven of them are already naturalised, at least locally. We report the mass appearance and naturalization of Sagina maritima and the emergence of Carduus pycnocephalus along roadsides, single sites of Chaenorhinum litorale and Solanum elaeagnifolium near railway lines, and the localities of Lepidium latifolium and Sisymbrium volgense in various disturbed habitats, and some occurrences of Acalypha virginica in ur ban environments. The first record of Bacopa rotundifolia is from a rice field, while that of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides is from an urban lawn, and Senna tora occurred on construction debris. Among the spe cies that appeared spontaneously as a result of earlier planting, Celastrus orbiculatus forms a natural ized population in a tree plantation, Hygrophila triflora and Pontederia cordata are present in artificial canals and lakes, and Cenchus longisetus has become naturalised and is spreading along the banks of the Danube in Szentendre. Most other species are associated with trampled or heavily disturbed habi tats in built-up areas (pavement edges, fences, ruderal areas). Alnus cordata, Eryobotria japonica, Euon ymus alatus, Paxistima canbyi, Pistacia terebinthus and Solanum pseudocapsicum are present as casuals, while Viola palmata has become naturalised in built-up environments. The naturalisation process of Allium aflatunense on a private property has also been documented.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.17542/kit.30.081

NUTS2 regions of the Visegrad countries during the Covid-19 pandemic and recovery

Lóránt Dávid Arnold Tóth Norbert Gyurián Botond Géza Kálmán Szonja Jenei Szilvia Módosné Szalai Dhruv Pratap Singh

Publication Name: Regional Statistics

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 15

Issue: 3

Page Range: 418-438

Description:

The study examines the economic recovery of NUTS2 regions in the Visegrad Group (V4) countries after the Covid-19 pandemic. Using Ferenc Jánossy’s trendline theory, the authors assess recovery by comparing current development levels to pre-crisis trends, not just pre-pandemic levels. The focus is on gross domestic product (GDP) per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) to gauge recovery duration and influencing factors. It also investigates the changes in peripheral area lags due to the pandemic across these regions. The study finds that numerical values are less relevant due to distortion, but comparisons using consistent methodology reveal regional impacts, opportunities, and effective practices. It highlights significant regional differences: areas with diversified economies and adaptable sectors, like Łódź Voivodeship (Łódzkie) in Poland and the Bratislava Region (Bratislava) in Slovakia, fared better, while tourism and service-dependent regions struggled more. The analysis underscores the importance of sectoral diversity and adaptability in crisis mitigation. Slovakia and Hungary experienced varied impacts due to economic policies and structural characteristics. The Bratislava Region (Bratislava) adapted quickly while Budapest’s dominance grew, increasing rural underdevelopment. Regions reliant on tourism, such as Prague (Praha) and Balaton, saw severe declines, whereas agriculture and industry sectors remained relatively stable. We are also planning the second part of the study, supplemented with 2024 data, using our current experiences.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.15196/RS150302