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Publications - 6674

Analysis of Macro- and Microplastic Contaminations in Commercially Available Potting Soil Products

Gergely Zoltán Macher Emese Juhász

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 116

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 835-840

Description:

Macro- and microplastics have emerged as pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems, yet limited knowledge exists regarding their presence in horticultural substrates. This paper employed qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse seven commercially available potting soil products. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, with PE and PP accounting for over 65% of the detected plastics. Notably, particles measuring approximately 0.008 m were commonly observed, raising concerns about potential environmental accumulation. The paper also revealed significant variability in contamination levels across the samples, with S-2 and S-4 exhibiting the highest microplastic content, including the presence of blue and red synthetic fibres as observed microscopically. Additionally, signs of polymer degradation were detected through the identification of carbonyl peaks. These findings highlight a novel source of pollution within the consumer horticulture domain and provide new insights into plastic uptake pathways, potential risks to plant health, and the need for mitigation strategies to support sustainable agriculture. This work contributes to the growing understanding of microplastics in soil environments and may inform future environmental policy actions.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET25116140

Machine Learning Delta Correction for Empirical and Hybrid Radiowave Propagation Models Toward Deterministic Predictions at 3.6 GHz

Miklós Kuczmann Tamás István Unger

Publication Name: Technologies

Publication Date: 2026-06-01

Volume: 14

Issue: 6

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Deterministic radio wave propagation models provide high accuracy in complex outdoor environments but remain computationally impractical for large-scale network planning and spectrum management. In contrast, empirical and hybrid models offer low complexity at the expense of reduced accuracy, systematic bias, and limited terrain sensitivity. This paper proposes a unified delta learning framework that enhances fast baseline propagation models by learning a data-driven correction toward a deterministic Parabolic Equation Modeling (PEM) reference. A key novelty lies in a compact, physics-informed feature representation that replaces the full terrain profile with an 18-dimensional vector combining local geometric descriptors, global terrain characteristics, and baseline responses, enabling accurate correction with low-dimensional input. The study also provides the first systematic investigation of delta-based correction across multiple widely used propagation models. The framework is evaluated for free-space propagation, ITU-R P.1546, ITU-R P.1812, and ITU-R P.452 using ridge regression, kernel ridge regression, gradient boosting regression trees, and a neural network model. Model performance is assessed in terms of error reduction, bias mitigation, robustness across learning algorithms, and profile-level generalization to previously unseen propagation paths within the considered terrain categories. Results show substantial error reduction, with up to twofold improvement for simpler baseline models and consistent gains for hybrid models, while preserving computational efficiency.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/technologies14060363

An effective reduction method with Caughey damping for spurious oscillations in dynamic problems

B. Pere Daniel Serfozo

Publication Name: Meccanica

Publication Date: 2025-09-01

Volume: 60

Issue: 9

Page Range: 2927-2946

Description:

The numerical solution of dynamic problems often results spurious oscillations. In order to eliminate them, a damping effect must be included in the numerical scheme. However, the concrete shape of the damping characteristics has a great importance in the efficiency of oscillation reduction. In this article, a novel approach has been introduced with adjustable damping character. The damping effect is exerted as viscous damping according to the formulation of Caughey damping. Using the proposed method, a wide range of damping curves can be approximated with high accuracy. The newly developed method is mainly useful for contact-impact and wave propagation problems.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/s11012-025-02036-9

Case study-based scenario analysis comparing GHG emissions of wine packaging types

Boglárka Eisingerné Balassa Agnes Csiba-Herczeg Réka Koteczki Bence Lukács

Publication Name: Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Publication Date: 2023-08-01

Volume: 15

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The wine market has faced a serious problem in recent years, as the cost and environmental impact of commonly used wine bottles has become unsustainable for producers. In this paper, we present a case study of one of the largest wineries in Hungary, with the aim of investigating sustainability factors related to packaging materials. The winery has provided us with data on three types of bottles (Burgundy Glass Bottle, Bordeaux Glass Bottle and Bordeaux polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Bottle), for which the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) related to production and the Co2e related to transport are calculated as part of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The maximum transport weight per truck is 23 501.70kg for Bordeaux PET bottle, 19 951.14 kg for Burgundy glass bottle and 22 290.18 kg for a Bordeaux glass bottle. In Hungary, a new law on packaging will come into force, whereby bottles will be subject to a deposit scheme. For this reason, eight scenarios were set up to calculate GHG emission. In the study, two types of raw material were investigated, glass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and calculations were made with recycled and reused materials. As a result of the study, the cases with the lowest Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions are those with the highest amounts of recycled and reused packaging materials. Among the scenarios presented, the one with the lowest emissions in terms of production and transport is the case where 70% Bordeaux Recycled Glass Bottle and 30% rPET are used (247 231.697 kgCO2e). This scenario has 64% less GHG emissions than the scenario where only glass is used. In the present study, we performed a cradle-to-gate analysis of wine packaging, which may be worth expanding in future research with additional input and output factors during the product life cycle. The research carried out in this study also lays the foundation for research on consumer behaviour related to alternative wine packaging.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2023.100649

Consumer Cost Perception and Its Role in Hydrogen Vehicle Adoption †

Nikolett Gyurián Nagy Nikolett Gyurián Nagy

Publication Name: Engineering Proceedings

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 113

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles as a sustainable mobility solution depends on several factors, among which consumer acceptance is particularly important. This study examined how cost perception, demographic characteristics, and environmental attitudes influence the intention to adopt hydrogen-powered vehicles. The quantitative study (n = 1330) was conducted using an online questionnaire in Hungary. The results were verified by linear regression conducted in three steps, depending on the set of dependent variables chosen. The results showed that while cost perception alone has a moderate effect on acceptance, environmental attitudes have a strong and significant explanatory power. Acceptance is not merely an economic decision, but a value-based one closely linked to individuals’ environmental worldviews. The results highlight that the acceptance of hydrogen-based mobility is primarily a value-based decision, and that strengthening environmental commitment is key to promoting it.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/engproc2025113065

FAMILY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY: EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FROM HUNGARY

Áron Szennay Melinda Krankovits Konczosné M. Szombathelyi Csákné J. Filep

Publication Name: Central European Business Review

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 14

Issue: 5

Page Range: 23-40

Description:

Family firms, accounting for 60% of European private sector jobs, play a critical role in advancing business sector sustainability through their practices and employment characteristics. This study examines family entrepreneurs’ attitudes toward sustainability using quantitative methods and the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Annual Population Survey (APS) dataset from Hungary. Businesses were categorised into nonfamily, one-person, and family enterprises. After analysing the reliability of sustainability-related questions, two indices measuring attitudes toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability were constructed: a comprehensive index allowing compensation between dimensions and an aggregate evaluation index. Using one-way ANOVA, we compared sustainability indices across the business categories. Results revealed no significant differences in sustainability performance, irrespective of the indicator used. Robustness was confirmed with four control variables (gender, educational attainment, entrepreneurship phase, and number of jobs created), none of which indicated significant differences. No significant correlations emerged between sustainability indices and entrepreneurs’ age. These findings align with prior analyses, indicating no marked differences in sustainability attitudes between family and non-family firms. Two factors may explain these results: Hungary’s market dominance by microbusinesses due to disrupted business traditions during the socialist era and GEM’s focus on entrepreneurship, favouring smaller entities like sole proprietorships. Implications for Central European audience: This study underscores the need to continuously develop sustainable business attitudes. It also offers a recent literature review, providing valuable insights for Central European researchers, corporate leaders, and family business managers.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.18267/j.cebr.399

Who gets to use ChatGPT? A global study on digital access and inequality in higher education

Andrea Bencsik Szonja Jenei Szilvia Módos-Szalai

Publication Name: Social Sciences and Humanities Open

Publication Date: 2026-06-01

Volume: 13

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This study examines how national-level digital development – measured by the ICT Development Index (IDI) – affects university students’ use of ChatGPT. Special emphasis is placed on mediating factors that may influence this relationship, including technical access, institutional and linguistic support, and individual background characteristics, particularly in relation to educational equity and sustainability (SDG 4). The analysis is based on survey data from 20,242 students across 58 countries and applies multivariate statistical methods, including logistic regression, PLS-SEM modeling, and cluster analysis. The results indicate that students in countries with higher IDI scores are more likely to use ChatGPT, primarily because of more advanced digital competencies and greater technological access. The country of study proved to be a stronger predictor than citizenship, underscoring the key role of the local educational environment. Functional access emerged as the most decisive mediating factor, while institutional and linguistic support had a more indirect effect on usage. Cluster analysis identified three distinct student profiles and highlighted that a high level of digital infrastructure alone does not ensure the widespread adoption of generative AI tools. The study proposes a multi-level interpretive framework: at the macro level, national digital infrastructure; at the meso level, institutional and linguistic support; and at the micro level, individual characteristics – connected by functional access as a mediating dimension. This context-sensitive approach contributes to a more comprehensive and practice-oriented understanding of digital inequalities and the integration of generative AI in higher education, offering guidance for promoting inclusive and sustainable technology use.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102479

Correction: Association between hand grip strength and exercise addiction: differences by sport category and sex among elite athletes (Frontiers in Psychology, (2025), 16, (1597239), 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1597239)

Ferenc Ihász Şaban Ünver Barış Karaoğlu Rita Kovacsik Celal Bulgay Gönül T. Demir Burcu Güvendi Angéla Somogyi Merve Alpay İsa Çiftçi Ebru Ceviz Alföldi Zoltan Attila Szabo

Publication Name: Frontiers in Psychology

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 16

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Sport Psychology The title of this article was erroneously given as: Association between hand grip strength and exercise addiction among high-level athletes: differences by sport category and sex in elite athletes. The correct title of the article is: “Association between hand grip strength and exercise addiction: differences by sport category and sex among elite athletes.” The original version of this article has been updated.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1755836

Approximation of the stiffness of laminate stacks of electric motors subjected to cyclic loads

Daniel Feszty B. Pere Viktor Szabó

Publication Name: Materialpruefung Materials Testing

Publication Date: 2023-08-01

Volume: 65

Issue: 8

Page Range: 1202-1208

Description:

Electric motors in automotive applications are subjected to high thermal and structural loads, while having strict requirements regarding dimensions, mass, and costs. The design of such motors requires sophisticated simulation models. The laminate stack in the rotor of such a motor is made of steel sheets and behaves transversally isotropic: the radial stiffness is equivalent to steel, and in the axial direction, it has a highly progressive nonlinear stiffness characteristic. The loading and unloading stiffness curves change from cycle to cycle when subjected to repetitive loads. In this paper, the usage of a single approximating curve to describe the longitudinal stiffness of the laminate stack is proposed. This approximation can be used in FEM models to reproduce the structural nonlinear behavior of such a laminate stack using a simpler approach than implementing the full loading and unloading curves in a material model, at a price of negligible loss of precision.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1515/mt-2022-0382