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Publications - 6374

Sustainability Opportunities and Barriers at Universities, Development of a Sustainable University Environment

András Torma Eszter Lukács Bálint Filep Péter Németh

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 505-510

Description:

Nowadays, one of the most crucial environmental, social, and economic questions is how to build a sustainable future for the following generations. This is a vital challenge because we live in a historical age due to the over-utilization of CO2-intensive technologies. Thanks to this practice, greenhouse gas emission is increasing yearly; biodiversity is decreasing dramatically. It is essential for our environment that universities play a leading role in the actions that can eliminate these adverse effects. This paper introduces the status of the uptake of sustainability-related issues and targets in the Higher Education (HE) sector. It emphasizes the necessity of the comparable evaluation of these activities by introducing current sustainability ranking systems. Some barriers disable the transition to a sustainable working model for universities. The paper identifies these barriers and makes suggestions for eliminating them through the example of Széchenyi István University’s practice and sustainability action plan. The main obstacles to sustainability in the HE sector incorporate budget constraints, resistance to change, lack of planning and focus, lack of applicability, and continuity of actions. The suggested sixteen action points in this paper could support the immediate change in the attitude to sustainability-related topics at operational levels. These suggestions support the attitude formation at each level of the decision-making process.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107085

Effects of a Probiotic Supplement on the Quantity of Some Bacterial Communities in Fecal Samples of Lactating Sows

Tamás Tóth Viktor J. Vojnich Károly Tempfli Klaudia Szalai Erika Lencsés-Varga Sárvári Loretta Csilla Botond Alpár

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 114

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 949-954

Description:

Complex adaptation strategies concerning nutrition, housing technology, and veterinary treatment are required to maintain current production levels under increasingly stringent regulations on the preventive application of antibiotics. The reduced application of antibiotics is recommended for the sustainability of industrial pig production. Probiotic supplementation may contribute to improved sow and piglet health, mitigating the need for antibiotics. The effects of probiotic supplementation on sow performance and the quantity of fecal bacterial communities in lactating sows were investigated. Experimental sows received probiotic supplementation (n=10) and were compared to control sows (n=10). Fecal samples were collected from 20 sows in the second week of lactation. The quantitative measurement of total bacteria, Prevotella genus, Lactobacillus spp., and Bifidobacterium spp. was done by qPCR. Differences in backfat thickness (BFT), BFT loss, and feed intake of control and experimental sows were not significant (p>0.05). The amount of total bacteria, Prevotella, and Lactobacillus spp. was lower (p<0.05) in the fecal samples of experimental sows. The Prevotella percentage in total bacteria decreased, whereas Bifidobacterium spp. the ratio increased in experimental supplemented sows. Overall, probiotic supplementation resulted in notable alterations regarding some of the analyzed bacterial communities.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET24114159

The impact of irrigation with harvested rainwater containing asbestos cement matrix on the germination characteristics of Solanum lycopersicum

Gergely Zoltán Macher Dóra Beke

Publication Name: Acta Phytopathologica Et Entomologica Hungarica

Publication Date: 2024-09-06

Volume: 59

Issue: 1

Page Range: 63-73

Description:

The study aims to investigate how the transfer of matrix materials from eroded asbestos cement products induces stress responses in plants. The paper evaluates the exposure and risk factors of plants, water, and soil to asbestos cement materials. Additionally, the experimental results provide empirical evidence for plant stress responses based on physiological and germination parameters. Contamination of irrigation water with asbestos cement raises environmental concerns due to its potential toxicity to plants and soil quality. Asbestos in irrigation water can lead to toxic stress for plants, affecting germination processes and growth. The paper analyzes the effects of preset doses of irrigation water containing asbestos cement matrix on the germination process and physiological parameters of Solanum lycopersicum in a controlled experiment setting. This research proposes methodological developments that could be valuable for environmental plant protection professionals.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/038.2024.00207

Linseed oil supplementation affects fatty acid desaturase 2, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, and insulin-like growth factor 1 gene expression in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Eszter Zsédely E. Lakatos Károly Tempfli Klaudia Szalai András Gáspárdy Ágnes Bali Papp

Publication Name: Animal Bioscience

Publication Date: 2021-04-01

Volume: 34

Issue: 4

Page Range: 662-669

Description:

Objective: Effects of linseed oil (LO) supplementation on the fat content and fatty acid profile of breast meat, and the expression of three genes in the liver, breast muscle and fat tissues of commercial 154-day-old hybrid male turkeys were investigated. Methods: The animals in the control group were fed a commercially available feed and received no LO supplementation (n = 70), whereas animals in the LO group (n = 70) were fed the same basic diet supplemented with LO (day 15 to 21, 0.5%; day 22 to 112, 1%). The effect of dietary LO supplementation on fatty acid composition of breast muscle was examined by gas chromatography, and the expression of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) genes was analysed by means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The LO supplementation affected the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. Hepatic FADS2 levels were considerably lower (p<0.001), while adipose tissue expression was higher (p<0.05) in the control compared to the LO group. The PPARγ expression was lower (p<0.05), whereas IGF1 was higher (p<0.05) in the fat of control animals. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in FADS2, PPARγ, and IGF1 gene expressions of breast muscle; however, omega-6/omega-3 ratio of breast muscle substantially decreased (p<0.001) in the LO group compared to control. Conclusion: Fatty acid composition of breast meat was positively influenced by LO supplementation without deterioration of fattening parameters. Remarkably, increased FADS2 expression in the liver of LO supplemented animals was associated with a significantly decreased omega-6/omega-3 ratio, providing a potentially healthier meat product for human consumption. Increased PPARγ expression in fat tissue of the LO group was not associated with fat content of muscle, whereas a decreased IGF1 expression in fat tissue was associated with a trend of decreasing fat content in muscle of the experimental LO group.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.5713/ajas.20.0030

Copper-induced stress responses and phytoaccumulation capacity of three giant reed (Arundo donax L.) ecotypes

Szilvia Veres Éva Domokos-Szabolcsy Győző Garab Tarek Alshaal Nevien Elhawat Miklós Gábor Fári Ottó Zsíros József Csajbók

Publication Name: Biomass and Bioenergy

Publication Date: 2026-02-01

Volume: 205

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This study investigated the effects of elevated copper levels on the early-stage growth and development of three Arundo donax (giant reed) ecotypes (STM, BL, and ESP) from different climatic zones, focusing on plant morpho-physiological and copper biochemical changes (including root structure, photosynthetic structure, copper accumulation and translocation, soluble protein, and lipid peroxidation). Plants were grown under increasing concentrations of copper (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg), revealing that copper accumulation was predominantly localized in the roots, with ESP showing the highest at 1829 μg/g, followed by STM (1191 μg/g) and BL (935 μg/g) at 400 mg/kg. While morphological traits like plant height and stem diameter were less affected, root volume decreased significantly at high copper levels (e.g., by 60 % in BL from 10.00 cm3 in control to 4.00 cm3 at 400 mg/kg). Physiological responses varied significantly: photosynthetic pigments increased with moderate copper levels (e.g., chlorophyll a in BL from 31.67 μg/cm2 in control to 49.19 μg/cm2 at 400 mg/kg) but declined at higher concentrations in ESP. Lipid peroxidation, measured by malondialdehyde (MDA), indicated increased oxidative stress, especially in STM and ESP (e.g., root MDA in STM from 14.22 nmol/g in control to 26.30 nmol/g at 400 mg/kg). These results highlight the ESP ecotype's higher tolerance and copper sequestration capabilities, making it a promising candidate for further studies in copper-stressed environments.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.108511

Impact Shock Events in Multimodal Container Transshipment for Packaging Testing

Péter Böröcz Zsófia Németh

Publication Name: Fme Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 51

Issue: 2

Page Range: 161-168

Description:

In modern global supply chains, intermodal and multimodal distribution has become essential means of transportation. The combination of different modes of transport is the most commonly used method for distributing shipments between continents. This paper examines and measures physical events, such as shock and impact, that occur while transporting 40ft long ISO containers using multiple modes of transport. These events can directly affect the integrity of packaged products and cause damage. The study focuses on events such as transshipments and handling of containers in hubs and terminals. The impact shock levels were separately analyzed in all three-dimensional directions, namely vertical, longitudinal, and lateral. The results indicate the percentage of occurrence below a given impact level using statistical characteristics of the events that occurred. The magnitude and mean of acceleration levels, pulse duration, and velocity change are also reported.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.5937/fme2302161N

Organizing the prevention of trachoma in Hungary (1884-1903)

Balázs Pálvölgyi

Publication Name: Orvostorteneti Kozlemenyek

Publication Date: 2008-01-01

Volume: 54

Issue: 1-4

Page Range: 47-68

Description:

In Hungary preventative measures against trachoma began in the winter of 1883-1884. Initially based on the recently issued public health law, it was imbedded in a general prevention programme against various epidemics. Local authorities and municipal boards were made responsible for carrying it out. These authorities and boards were obliged to organize supervision, to establish medical offices and ophthalmological wards and to take charge of the continuity of treatments. The public health department, however, faced serious difficulties, since most of the communities did not have the financial resources for such provision nor did they have enough trained physicians. Since the spread of trachoma could not be stopped by these measures, a new and effective solution had to be found. A new article was created for this purpose, the so called fifth article of the year 1886 "On preventing the spread of trachoma", which placed the burden of expenses for treatment - in case of lack of means - on the state budget. The government set up specialized professional training and the ophthalmological hospital system became specialized and modernised with the establishment of special trachoma hospitals, or--in public hospitals--ophthalmological wards. Although the first preventative measures were taken during the period mentioned above, the disease itself persisted, still occurring in large numbers of cases as late as the end of the Second World War.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Identification of supply chains based on input-output data

Tibor Vadvári Peter Varlaki

Publication Name: Periodica Polytechnica Transportation Engineering

Publication Date: 2015-01-01

Volume: 43

Issue: 3

Page Range: 162-167

Description:

The paper focuses on supply chain modeling issues, namely how subspace identification techniques can be used to characterize the strength of relations between certain system parameters. This might be useful when no knowledge about the internal workings or inner structure of the system is available, thus only blackbox like approaches can be utilized. Here let us show how supply chains can be identified and modeled by deterministic linear state space models and how the accuracy of the identified model reflects the relation between certain system parameters.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3311/PPtr.7931

Examination of the Tribological Mechanism of Various Ceramic Nanoparticles in an Oil-Based C60 Fullerene Solution

Igor Velkavrh Fevzi Kafexhiu I. Szabó

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 114

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 1057-1062

Description:

This study aims to evaluate the tribological mechanisms of CuO, SiO2, and Y2O3 ceramic nanoparticles in an oil-based C60 fullerene solution using experimental tribotests. The goal is to investigate the impact of these nanoparticles on friction and wear, offering insights into their potential for enhancing lubrication efficiency in automotive applications. Nanoparticles were homogenized using ethyl oleate surface modification. Testing involved a simplified ball-on-disc specimen in a linear oscillating configuration. Results show that the nanoparticles reduce dynamic friction by up to 10 % and static friction by 6 %. They reduce wear on test specimens by 45–81 %. CuO and SiO2 components are typically used for harder specimens, and Y2O3 nanoparticles for softer ones. Scanning electron microscopy identifies characteristic wear mechanisms, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy determines nanoparticle distribution on worn surfaces. The potential of nanoparticle additives in enhancing automotive lubrication and reducing friction and wear is highlighted, contributing to the industry's pursuit of efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET24114177