Soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) is an essential parameter in unsaturated soil mechanics, and it plays a significant role in geotechnical engineering to enhance theoretical analysis and numerical calculations. This study investigated the effects of key factors, such as the percentage of sand, initial degree of saturation, and initial dry unit weight, on the SWCC of expansive soil by measuring the matric suction using a pressure apparatus method. The empirical equation of SWCC was obtained using the Van Genuchten and Fredlung Xing models, and the processing of experimental data checks the fitting of the two empirical models. The findings revealed that the Fredlung Xing model fit the relationship between matric suction and volumetric water content of expansive soil better than the Van Genuchten model, indicating that the pressure apparatus approach’s experimental data are correct and acceptable. The study also found that the matric suction increased with decreasing percentage of added sand at the same volumetric moisture content, and the increase in initial dry unit weight increased the matric suction, with the water retention capacity decreasing significantly after adding 20% sand. Moreover, as the initial degree of saturation increased, the volumetric water content decreased, and the characteristic curves became identical when the initial saturation degree reached 90%. Finally, to minimize the water retention capacity of expansive soils, the study recommended adding a percentage of sand not less than 30% to the expansive clay sample.

The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive framework for the possibility of trademark protection for human faces. In the case law of the European Union Intellectual Property Office there are a few examples of trademarks, which consist of only photorealistic human faces. Private law protects the use of images; however, the trends of recent years demonstrate that trademarks could also have a role in such protection. The author aims to analyze the similarities and differences between trademark protection and personality rights in order to determine whether trademarks for faces are necessary or not. The over- arching analysis compares twelve aspects of the two ways in which the legal systems protect facial imagery, highlighting their various advantages and drawbacks. The comparison includes the following attributes: function of protection, scope of protection, territorial dimensions of protection, temporal dimensions of protection, conditions of protection, content of protection, limitations and exceptions, transferability of rights, enforcement of rights, requirement of use, termination of rights and costs.

As the corporate world has recently been increasingly held accountable for its non-green behaviour, corporate environmental disclosures (CED) are crucial in informing the relevant stakeholders. Among the factors influencing CED, firm auditors play a pivotal role. Our research investigates the impact of Big Four audit firms on corporate environmental disclosure in China. With unique institutional factors and the most significant carbon emissions globally, China provides an exciting and compelling ground for studying this relationship. For this purpose, we use annual firm-level data of A-listed shares on the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges and employ the Poisson and negative binomial regression models for empirical analyses. Contrary to the common belief that Big Four audit firms lead to improved disclosure quality, we find that they negatively affect environmental disclosure in China. We also investigate the moderating role of corporate governance and ownership structure in this relationship. A high ratio of state ownership, male directors on the board and institutional investor holding worsen the disclosure quality. However, a high ratio of independent directors mitigates this issue. These findings open new avenues for further research and can guide future policy decisions regarding environmental disclosure in Chinese firms. The Big Four audit firms should be more stringent in their operations and supervise public firms regarding environmental disclosures.

No description provided

The study investigates the determinants of trust in sellers and products and purchase intention in the social commerce (s-commerce) context by considering the moderating effects of trust disposition and perceived price fairness. The data were collected from 416 individuals who have followed at least one seller on Instagram and analysed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach. The findings revealed that review quantity, review quality, perceived symmetric product information, and responsiveness positively influence trust in seller. The direct influence of review quality on trust in products was confirmed. Trust disposition negatively moderates the impacts of review quality on trust in sellers and responsiveness on trust in products. Furthermore, perceived price fairness positively moderates the influence of trust in sellers and products on purchase intention. The findings extend the literature on s-commerce in several ways. The findings enable s-commerce sellers to formulate effective marketing strategies and boost purchase intention.

Torsional stiffness of athletic footwear plays a crucial role in pre-venting injury and improving sports performance. Yet, there is a lack of research focused on the biomechanical effect of torsional stiffness in badminton shoes. This study aimed to comprehen-sively investigate the influence of three different levels of torsional stiffness in badminton shoes on biomechanical character-istics, sports performance, and injury risk in badminton players. Fifteen male players, aged 22.8 ± 1.96 years, participated in the study, performing badminton-specific tasks, including forehand clear stroke [left foot (FCL) and right foot (FCR)], 45-degree sidestep cutting (45C), and consecutive vertical jumps (CVJ). The tasks were conducted wearing badminton shoes of torsional stiffness measured with Shore D hardness 50, 60, and 70 (referred to as 50D, 60D, and 70D, respectively). The primary biomechanical parameters included ankle, knee, and MTP joint kinematics, ankle and knee joint moments, peak ground reaction forces, joint range of motion (ROM), and stance time. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed for normally distributed data and Fried-man tests for non-normally distributed data. The 70D shoe exhib-ited the highest ankle dorsiflexion and lowest ankle inversion peak angles during 45C task. The 60D shoe showed significantly lower knee abduction angle and coronal motions compared to the 50D and 70D shoes. Increased torsional stiffness reduced stance time in the FCR task. No significant differences were observed in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral ground reaction forces (GRF). However, the 70D shoe demonstrated higher vertical GRF than the 50D shoe while performing the FCR task, particularly during 70%-75% of stance. Findings from this study revealed the significant role of torsional stiffness in reducing injury risk and optimizing performance during badminton tasks, indicating that shoes with an intermediate level of stiffness (60D) could provide a beneficial balance between flexibility and stability. These findings may provide practical references in guiding future badminton shoe research and development. Further research is nec-essary to explore the long-term effects of altering stiffness, con-sidering factors such as athletic levels and foot morphology, to understand of the influence of torsional stiffness on motion bio-mechanics and injury prevalence in badminton-specific tasks.

Mathematics is a language for expressing physical, chemical and engineering laws nevertheless engineering students often perform poorly in mathematics. Studying can be influenced by several different social, cognitive and non-cognitive factors which all can have an impact on students' academic performance. Many researches revealed positive effects of mathematics self-efficacy on mathematics achievement. Similar results can be found among learning approaches, students using deep-approach achieve better results. It is legitimate to question whether there is a relationship between self-efficacy and learning approaches. My research focused on the interrelationship between two aspects of mathematics self-efficacy (mastery experience, physiological state), learning approaches (deep strategy, deep motive, surface strategy, surface motive) and achievement. This research also examined the variance of self-efficacy, learning approaches and achievement in relation to the number of failed attempts. 306 undergraduate engineering students at a Hungarian university took part in the study. To examine the above mentioned question the study employed quantitative approach and data were collected using two questionnaires during the semester. The self-efficacy scale was adapted from a variety of sources and was modified to local conditions. To measure learning approaches the Revised Two Factor Study Process Questionnaire was rephrased to the domain of mathematics and to the local conditons. The data were analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation, partial correlation, and regression analysis. The results show that self-efficacy, learning approaches and academic achievement were strongly correlated with each other. Students who have higher level self-efficacy use deep strategy in learning and have deep motives, while students classified as low in self-efficacy adopted surface learning approaches. A new variable was introduced which has not been investigated yet in other researches: the number of failed attempts. A significant correlation between the mentioned variables and the number of attempts was identified. My results demonstrate the importance of such kind of learning environment which fosters self-efficacy and deep learning approach.

Introduction: Chronic, non-communicable diseases accounted for 74% of deaths worldwide in 2024, representing a significant social and economic burden. The WHO identifies reducing preventable risk factors as a primary intervention point. Patient-centered care plays a prominent role in modern healthcare, promoting prevention and increasing the effectiveness of lifestyle therapy by taking into account the individual needs, lifestyle, and motivations of patients. Nutritional guidelines play a crucial role in prevention and medical nutrition therapy. However, the effectiveness of personalized dietary care is greatly influenced by the health literacy of the population. Objective: Our research aimed to explore the characteristics that emerge in the interpretation of the OKOSTÁNYÉR ^® nutritional recommendations based on health literacy. Medical nutrition therapy is an important part of lifestyle management for chronic, non-communicable diseases. However, the effectiveness of such interventions is greatly influenced by patients’ health literacy. Our research aimed to explore observable characteristics based on health literacy in the interpretation of the OKOSTÁNYÉR ^® dietary recommendations, with the goal of increasing the effectiveness of dietetic practice. Sample and method: The research was based on a qualitative methodological approach, using focus group interviews. Four online focus group interviews were conducted with 6 participants each (N = 24). 58% of the participants were women (14 people) and 42% were men (10 people); their average age was 50.1 years. A quantitative survey using the HLS-EU47 questionnaire was conducted prior to the selection of participants, during which groups with low and normal health literacy were formed based on internationally validated cut-off scores. The selection of participants was preceded by a quantitative survey, on the basis of which groups with low and normal health literacy were formed. The audio recordings and transcripts of the discussions were analyzed by group and thematic unit, using multi-coded systematic data processing. Coding, analysis, and data visualization were supported by NVivo14 and SmartDraw softwares. Results: Based on the lifestyles, behaviors, and aspirations of individuals with normal and low health literacy, distinctly different character groups can be identified. Higher health literacy is linked to coping strategies that support health maintenance. Awareness of the OKOSTÁNYÉR ^® recommendation is moderate (33.3%), particularly among those with low health literacy (16.6%). Navigating the vast amount of health information available can be challenging, especially for individuals with low health literacy. When it comes to ideal nutritional advice, participants highlighted the importance of reliable sources, however, they primarily rely on the internet and social media for answers to their nutritional questions, only seeking professional help when a health issue has already been established. They assess recommendations based on their personal habits and beliefs, often modifying them accordingly. Conclusion: Low health literacy can pose a significant barrier to effective dietary interventions. In the future, it will be essential to improve health communication, for example, by developing targeted nutritional recommendations and providing guided support to groups with low health literacy, such as developing nutritional competencies and increasing the effectiveness of personalized, patient-centered dietary counselling. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(24): 952–964.

The effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war on Ukraine's demographic landscape are immense. One key consideration is whether Ukrainian refugee women intend to return to their country after the war ends. If the return is planned, the question of whether they would wish to have children is also relevant. This study explored these issues by surveying women who fled to Hungary and the Netherlands. Among those surveyed, 42% did not plan to return under any circumstances, and only 12% intended to return even if their home area came under Russian control. Logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing the intention to return, with reluctance to have additional children and income earned through employment emerging as the strongest explanatory factors. However, we found only modest associations between the intention to return and other variables. Our findings suggest that deeply rooted personal preferences shape these women’s plans.