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Natural science in education can be summarized as a complex system. The professional and methodological task in the teaching of natural sciences is to convey this complexity. The terms and models of graph theory can be used to model the system approach, such as networks. Networks consist of elements and connections between them, which can be well represented by graphs. Growing networks have a scale-independent property, i.e. the rich get richer principle applies. Internal connections may also appear within the networks, which strengthen the network. New theories related to education appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and are called reform or progressive pedagogical methods. Their common basic ideas include children's freedom, getting to know and helping the child as an individual, the coordinating and helping role of the teacher, and the existence of the appropriate quality of the pedagogical environment.

Currently our understanding of environmental factors that influence the development of dark personality traits (DT) is limited. Therefore, we conducted three studies using online questionnaires, each examining a different aspect of the relation between dark personality traits and family environment. In Study 1, 117 adults (mean age: 30.36 years, SD = 10.19) filled out questionnaires regarding their childhood relationship with siblings and their own DT traits. We found that the amount of conflicts with siblings during adolescence correlated positively with Machiavellianism and psychopathy. The feeling of closeness towards the siblings showed negative correlation with Machiavellianism. Parental partiality towards the other sibling was positively correlated with narcissism. In Study 2, 111 adolescents (mean age: 15.92, SD = 1.24) reported their perceptions of the rearing style of their parents, in addition to their sibling relationships and DT traits. Perceived parental emotional warmth was negatively associated, whereas both rejection and overprotection were positively correlated with psychopathy. Parental warmth was positively, while rejection negatively associated with narcissism. Machiavellianism was positively associated with the amount of conflicts with siblings, but negatively with closeness to siblings. In Study 3, 110 adults (mean age: 32.62 years, SD = 12.25) reported their levels of the Vulnerable Dark Triad that included measures of primary and secondary psychopathy, maladaptive covert narcissism, and borderline personality organization. Results indicated that sibling relation quality had a significant effect on primary psychopathy and borderline traits. Parental rejection and overprotection correlated with borderline traits and vulnerable narcissism. The results of these studies shed some light on how environmental impulses, particularly the quality of relationships between family members, affect the development of personality., Author(s): Tas Ferencz [sup.1] , András Láng [sup.1] , Ferenc Kocsor [sup.1] , Luca Kozma [sup.1] [sup.2] , Andreas Babós [sup.1] , Petra Gyuris [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/037b5pv06, grid.9679.1, [...]

Alterations to intestinal microbiota are assumed to occur in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to analyze the association of fecal microbiota composition, body composition, and lipid characteristics in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). In our cross-sectional study, patients with CD were enrolled and blood and fecal samples were collected. Clinical and endoscopic disease activity and body composition were assessed and laboratory tests were made. Fecal bacterial composition was analyzed using the shotgun method. Microbiota alterations based on obesity, lipid parameters, and disease characteristics were analyzed. In this study, 27 patients with CD were analyzed, of which 37.0% were obese based on visceral fat area (VFA). Beta diversities were higher in non-obese patients (p < 0.001), but relative abundances did not differ. C. innocuum had a higher abundance at a high cholesterol level than Bacillota (p = 0.001, p = 0.0034). Adlercreutzia, B. longum, and Blautia alterations were correlated with triglyceride levels. Higher Clostridia (p = 0.009) and B. schinkii (p = 0.032) and lower Lactobacillus (p = 0.035) were connected to high VFA. Disease activity was coupled with dysbiotic elements. Microbiota alterations in obesity highlight the importance of gut microbiota in diseases with a similar inflammatory background and project therapeutic options.

This exploratory research focuses on a one-semester subject designed to facilitate deliberate practice while explicitly aiming to develop postgraduate students' basic research skills: academic writing and its co-requisite skill, critical thinking. The research considers the alignment of the curriculum and assessment design of the subject 'Research and Communication Skills for the Natural Sciences' (SC5055) with the RSD framework. The research then identifies students who benefit most from a focus on the development of research and communication skills. The impact of SC5055 on students' achievement and their ability to self-evaluate the development of their skills and understanding is also explored.

Cherry productivity is challenging in Europe due to the presence of the cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi). Trunk injection is an alternative method of insecticide delivery that may improve pesticide performance in controlling pests. In our study, four pesticides (abamectin, acetamiprid, flupyradifurone, and cyantraniliprole) were investigated for trunk injection against R. cerasi. Acetamiprid trunk injection in a minimum dose of 0.56 g/tree was suitable for protection against the pest, the efficacy of the control was over 95%, and the pesticide residue concentrations in the fruits were below the maximum permissible limit in each experiment. The trunk injection and foliar spray of the same dose of acetamiprid were equally effective. In the case of the other three active ingredients (abamectin, flupyradifurone, and cyantraniliprole), the trunk injection method did not prove suitable for practical use due to various reasons, which are detailed in the manuscript.

The study aims at investigating the phenomenon of crisis in the intersection of three areas: simulation, singularity and temporality. The argument develops a theory of the singular crisis whose instances are demonstrated and proved by the American thriller, Take Shelter (2011, Jeff Nichols). The applied concept of crisis is based on the argument that any critical period is treated by models derived from earlier crises. The theoretical background to the simulated operating mechanisms of the crisis is Jean Baudrillard’s and Gilles Deleuze’s appropriations of simulation and simulacra. In case the simulated problem-solving patterns fail in a critical period, the singular characteristics of the crisis can be observed. Based on examples taken from the film, the article argues that reaction to any given crisis is essentially built up by both hyperreal patterns governed by simulation and singular elements that simulation cannot account for. The description of the temporal nature of crises is heavily dependent on interpretation, thus their temporal span is observed from the vantage point of their singular characteristics. The study argues that crises are characteristically open-ended but their endpoint is predominantly designated in hindsight to render the crisis as a finished time period for the sake of manageability.

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The European building stock needs fast and affordable digitalization for facilitating the renovation process to achieve higher energy efficiency in buildings and in houses. Most of the residential buildings built between 1925-1975 lack proper documentation and digital building information, as opposed to newer buildings. Digital building information (geometry and attribute data) is required to plan retrofitting projects or renovations of facades. This work can only be efficient if Building Information Modelling (BIM) is available for stakeholders (owners, architects, contractors etc.). Whereas city planners of municipalities or social housing companies are striving to manage their properties and building portfolio on multiple scales, these stakeholders are seeking an approach that enables spatial planning, efficient asset management and energy consumption and management services for their buildings. In a EUREKA labelled project (E!12649 Ready2BIM) three partners worked together, two from Hungary (Geonardo Ltd. and SZTAKI) and one from Germany (CAALA GmbH).

Background/aimsCardiovascular disease and protein-energy wasting are among the strongest predictors of the high mortality of dialysis patients. In the general population, the novel cardiovascular and wasting biomarker, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), is associated with decreased survival. However, little is known about GDF15 in dialysis patients.MethodsAmong prevalent hemodialysis patients participating in a prospective study (October 2011 to August 2015), we examined the association of baseline GDF15 levels with all-cause mortality using unadjusted and case mix-adjusted death hazard ratios (HRs) that controlled for age, sex, race, ethnicity, diabetes, and dialysis vintage.ResultsThe mean age ± SD of the 203 patients included in the study was 53.2 ± 14.5 years, and the cohort included 41% females, 34% African-Americans, and 48% Hispanics. GDF15 levels (mean ± SD 5.94 ± 3.90 ng/mL; range 1.58-39.8 ng/mL) were higher among older patients and were inversely associated with serum creatinine concentrations as a surrogate for muscle mass. Each 1.0 ng/mL increase in GDF15 was associated with an approximately 17-18% higher mortality risk in the unadjusted and case mix models (p < 0.05). Increments of about 1 SD (a 4.0 ng/mL increase in GDF15) were associated with a nearly 2-fold higher death risk. The highest GDF15 tertile was associated with higher mortality risk (reference: lowest tertile): the HRs (95% CI) were 3.19 (1.35-7.55) and 2.45 (1.00-6.00) in the unadjusted and the case mix-adjusted model, respectively. These incremental death trends were confirmed in cubic spline models.ConclusionHigher circulating GDF15 levels are associated with higher mortality risk in hemodialysis patients. Future studies are needed to determine whether GDF15 may represent a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease, wasting, and death in this population.

Alterations to intestinal microbiota are assumed to occur in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to analyze the association of fecal microbiota composition, body composition, and lipid characteristics in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). In our cross-sectional study, patients with CD were enrolled and blood and fecal samples were collected. Clinical and endoscopic disease activity and body composition were assessed and laboratory tests were made. Fecal bacterial composition was analyzed using the shotgun method. Microbiota alterations based on obesity, lipid parameters, and disease characteristics were analyzed. In this study, 27 patients with CD were analyzed, of which 37.0% were obese based on visceral fat area (VFA). Beta diversities were higher in non-obese patients (p < 0.001), but relative abundances did not differ. C. innocuum had a higher abundance at a high cholesterol level than Bacillota (p = 0.001, p = 0.0034). Adlercreutzia, B. longum, and Blautia alterations were correlated with triglyceride levels. Higher Clostridia (p = 0.009) and B. schinkii (p = 0.032) and lower Lactobacillus (p = 0.035) were connected to high VFA. Disease activity was coupled with dysbiotic elements. Microbiota alterations in obesity highlight the importance of gut microbiota in diseases with a similar inflammatory background and project therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantitative real-time reverse polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) is the preferred test method for the diagnosis of avian influenza (AI), but can be performed only in specialized laboratories. Different antigen detection methods for the diagnosis of AI were previously reported to be specific and sensitive in field outbreaks. These tests can be performed in basic countryside labs. Brain smears of domestic birds (n = 105) collected during AI field outbreaks were examined with immunocytochemistry (IC). The results were statistically analysed by comparing IC to brain histology (BH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC), to gross pathological examination (GP) (n = 105), and RRT-PCR (n = 91). AI was diagnosed with RRT-PCR in 66 cases. IC and IHC were positive in 59/66 (90%) and 60/66 (91%) cases, respectively. Lesions suspicious for AI were detected with GP and HP in 66/66 (100%) and 61/66 (92%) cases, respectively. An almost perfect agreement was found between RRT-PCR, IC, IHC, and HP. Substantial agreement was found between IC and GP, between IHC and GP, between HP and GP, and between RRT-PCR and GP. The chromogen-based IC test presented in this study produces durable staining, which can be evaluated using a simple brightfield microscope. The test is rapid (can be completed in 2 h), sensitive (90%), specific (100%), and cost-effective, which makes the method suitable for routine diagnostic tests in AI epidemics. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Avian influenza virus (AIV) antigen detection was examined in field outbreaks. Bird brain smears were tested using immunocytochemistry (IC). IC results strongly correlated with real-time RT-PCR results. The IC method was rapid, specific, sensitive, and cost-effective in AIV field outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cachexia and protein-energy wasting are potent predictors of highermortality risk in dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD)patients. The novel cachexia marker, GDF15, is a protein associatedwith inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and decreased survival inpatients with underlying malignancy. However, the impact of GDF15on the survival of CKD patients is unknown. Among 203 prevalenthemodialysis patients enrolled in the prospective MADRAD study overthe period of 10/2011-8/2014, we examined the association of GDF15levels with all-cause mortality risk. Associations between GDF15categorized into tertiles with mortality were estimated using unadjustedand case-mix adjusted Cox models. Compared with the lowest GDF15tertile, the highest GDF15 tertile was associated with higher mortalityrisk in unadjusted and case-mix adjusted models: HR (95%CI) 3.19(1.35-7.55) and 2.45 (1.00-6.00), respectively, p-for-trend 0.03 (Figure1A). Higher circulating GDF15 levels in hemodialysis patients areassociated with higher all-cause mortality. Future studies are needed todetermine whether modulation of GDF15 levels and subsequentcorrection of cachexia improves survival in this population.

The European Commission has mandated the use of digital building logbooks (DBL) to encourage deep energy renovations and overcome barriers in building renovations. The current energy performance certificates (EPCs) focus on operational energy consumption, whereas the DBL will cover the entire life cycle of buildings and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of buildings, through providing a passport rating in three domains: energy performance, sustainability, and smartness. This paper defines the digital building logbook (DBL) data structure within the context of the EUB SuperHub, a three-year project financed by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 program. The creation of the EUB SuperHub DBL data structure involved an extensive review of relevant literature, including existing DBL data structures developed in previous EU projects (iBRoad, ALDREN, BIM4EEB, X-tendo), recommendations from the “Study on the Development of an EU Framework for Buildings’ Digital Logbook”, requirements specified in the grant agreement, existing EU legislation, and anticipated future legislation. The proposed digital building logbook data structure for the EUB SuperHub project comprises eight primary categories and is designed to provide all the essential input data needed throughout the building’s life cycle to compute the passport rating across three domains: energy efficiency, sustainability, and smartness. With the requirements stipulated in existing and soon-to-be-adopted EU legislation, the introduction of a digital building logbook has become a necessity. Though the undertaking is a formidable task and will require considerable effort, its benefits are numerous and promising, including the potential to enhance energy renovation rates.

Blood donation is considered as one of the purest forms of altruism. Plasma donation, in contrast, despite being a similar process, is mostly a paid activity in which donors are compensated for their contribution to the production of therapeutic preparations. This creates a so-called “plasma paradox:” If remuneration is promised for a socially useful effort, volunteers with altruistic motives might be deterred. At the same time, regular plasma donors who pursue the monetary benefits of donation might drop out if remuneration stops. The same controversy can be caught in the messages of most plasma donation companies as well: They promise a monetary reward (MR), and at the same time, highlight the altruistic component of donation. In this study, we tested the assumption that emphasizing the social significance enhances the willingness to donate blood plasma more effectively than either MR or the combination of these two incentives. This had to be rejected since there was no significant difference between the three scenarios. Furthermore, we also hypothesized that individuals might be more motivated to donate plasma if there is a possibility of offering an MR toward other socially beneficial aims. We found an increased willingness to donate in scenarios enabling “double altruism”, that is, when donating plasma for therapeutic use and transferring their remuneration to nongovernmental organizations, is an option. We propose relying on double altruism to resolve the plasma paradox, and suggest that it could serve as a starting point for the development of more optimized means for donor recruitment.

A tanulmány a negatív választó kérdésnek (NVK) nevezett konstrukció (pl. Esik az eső vagy nem?) használati feltételeivel foglalkozik a magyarban. Áttekintjük az NVK-k szemantikai értékének meghatározására vonatkozó szakirodalmi javaslatokat, valamint azokat az elméleteket (pl. van Rooy–Šafářová (2003), Biezma (2009)), amelyek az angolban az inverziót tartalmazó pozitív vagy negatív eldöntendő kérdések és az NVK-k közötti választás hátterét kívánják megadni egy adott szituációban. Azon kontextusok összehasonlítása nyomán, ahol az -e partikulás kérdő mondatok és az NVK-k megjelenhetnek a magyarban, azt állítjuk, hogy az utóbbi konstrukció akkor van engedélyezve, ha eleget tesz két, a diskurzusra vonatkozó feltétel legalább egyikének. Ezek közül az első diskurzuselőzményekkel, a második pedig a kontextusbeli evidenciákkal kapcsolatos.

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants. Due to the requirement for Fe of the photosynthetic apparatus, the majority of shoot Fe content is localised in the chloroplasts of mesophyll cells. The reduction-based mechanism has prime importance in the Fe uptake of chloroplasts operated by Ferric Reductase Oxidase 7 (FRO7) in the inner chloroplast envelope membrane. Orthologue of Arabidopsis thaliana FRO7 was identified in the Brassica napus genome. GFP-tagged construct of BnFRO7 showed integration to the chloroplast. The time-scale expression pattern of BnFRO7 was studied under three different conditions: deficient, optimal, and supraoptimal Fe nutrition in both leaves developed before and during the treatments. Although Fe deficiency has not increased BnFRO7 expression, the slight overload in the Fe nutrition of the plants induced significant alterations in both the pattern and extent of its expression leading to the transcript level suppression. The Fe uptake of isolated chloroplasts decreased under both Fe deficiency and supraoptimal Fe nutrition. Since the enzymatic characteristics of the ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity of purified chloroplast inner envelope membranes showed a significant loss for the substrate affinity with an unchanged saturation rate, protein level regulation mechanisms are suggested to be also involved in the suppression of the reduction-based Fe uptake of chloroplasts together with the saturation of the requirement for Fe.

In “patchwork” families, full siblings, maternal and paternal half-siblings, and non-related children are raised together, and sometimes, genetically related children are separated. As their number is steadily growing, the investigation of the factors that influence within-family relations is becoming more important. Our aim was to explore whether people differentiate between half- and full-siblings in their social relations as implied by the theory of inclusive fitness, and to test whether co-residence or genetic relatedness improves sibling relations to a larger extent. We administered the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire to 196 individuals who were in contact with full-, half-, or step-siblings in their childhood. We built Generalized Linear Mixed Models models to test for the effects of relatedness and co-residence on sibling relations. In general, a higher degree of relatedness was associated with better sibling relations, but only among those who did not live together during childhood. Co-resident siblings’ overall pattern of relation quality was not influenced by the actual level of genetic relatedness. In contrast to this, full siblings reported having experienced more conflicts during childhood than half-siblings, possibly resulting from enhanced competition for the same parental resources. The results suggest that inclusive fitness drives siblings’ relations even in recent industrial societies. However, among individuals who live together, the effect of relatedness might be obscured by fitness interdependence and the subjective feeling of kinship.