Metrics for Aggregating the Climate Effect of Different Emissions: A Unifying Framework. ESRI WP257, September 2008

Multi-gas approaches to climate change policies require a metric establishing “equivalences” among emissions of various species. Climate scientists and economists have proposed four classes of such metrics and debated their relative merits. We present a unifying framework that clarifies the relationships among them. We show that the Global Warming Potential, used in international law to compare greenhouse gases, is a special case of the Global Damage Potential, assuming (1) a finite time horizon, (2) a zero discount rate, (3) constant atmospheric concentrations, and (4) impacts that are proportional to radiactive forcing. We show that the Global Temperature change Potential is a special case of the Global Cost Potential, assuming (1) no induced technological change, and (2) a short-lived capital stock. We also show that the Global Cost Potential is a special case of the Global Damage Potential, assuming (1) zero damages below a threshold and (2) infinite damage after a threshold. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change uses the Global Warming Potential, a simplified cost-benefit concept, even though the UNFCCC frames climate policy as a cost-effectiveness problem and should therefore use the Global Cost Potential or its simplification, the Global Temperature Potential

Technical note. Improving the microclimate of a rabbit house: thermal insulation and air handling

[EN] The aim of the paper is to modernise a farm building for rabbits and provide a possible solution for other farms. The model calculations are focused on the welfare viewpoint of rabbit breeding, i.e. first of all on ventilation, cooling and heating of the shed in order to approach the microclimate for meat rabbit production. The planned air handling unit can ensure the optimal temperature range (15-25°C) for rabbits all year round. In addition, thermal insulation and mechanical components of a rabbit house were planned and the possibility of reducing the energy demand of the building by more than 40% was analysed. The renewed rabbit farm is better suited to animal welfare requirements, as it can meet the environmental needs in production and reduces the building’s impact on the surrounding area.Bodnár, K.; Bodnár, G.; Makra, L.; Fülöp, A.; Farkas, Z.; Csépe, Z.; Privóczki, ZI. (2019). Technical note. Improving the microclimate of a rabbit house: thermal insulation and air handling. World Rabbit Science. 27(1):49-55. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.10588SWORD4955271Anonymous 2011. Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals. National Research Council, The National Academies Press, Washington D.C. Available at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratoryanimals.pdf. Accessed January 2018.BAUSOFT Pécsvárad Kft.: WinWatt software. Available at: http://www.bausoft.hu. Accessed January 2018.Bodnar K., Bodnar G., Csaky I., Makra L., Privoczki Z.I. 2017. Model calculation for the improvement of the microclimate of a rabbit house. Lucrari Stiintifice, Seria I, 19: 35-40. http://lsma.ro/index.php/lsma/article/view/1080/pdf. Accessed January 2018.Bonci M., Borso F. da, Mezzadri M., Teri F., Bano L., Drigo I., Agnoletti F. 2011. Annual monitoring of environmental and hygienic parameters in an intensive fattening rabbit farm. In proc.: XVth International Congress of the International Society for Animal Hygiene, 3-7. July 2011, Vienna, Austria, 1: 91-94.https://isah-soc.org/userfiles/downloads/proceedings/2011_Proceeding1.pdf. Accessed January 2018.Borso da F., Chiumenti A., Mezzadri M., Teri F. 2016. Noxious gases in rabbit housing systems: effects of cross and longitudinal ventilation. J. Agr. Eng., 47: 222-229. https://doi:10.4081/jae.2016.572Calvet S., Cambra-López M., Adell E., Torres A.G., Estellés F. 2012. Rabbit rearing and air quality: state-of-the-art and key unknowns. In proc.: 10th World Rabbit Congress, September 3-6. 2012, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 787-791. Available at:https://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2012-Egypt/Papers/04-Management/M-Calvet.pdf. Accessed January 2018.Cervera C., Carmona F.J. 2010. Nutrition and the Climatic Environment. In: The nutrition of the rabbit. 2nd ed. (Eds C. de Blas & J. Wiseman), 273-295. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0267EAFRD. 2013. Regulation (Eu) No 1305/2013 Of The European Parliament And Of The Council Of 17 December 2013. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32013R1305. Accessed January 2019.EFSA. 2005. The impact of the current housing and husbandry systems on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits. Scientific Report, EFSA Journal, 267.Estellés F., Bustamante E., Torres A.G., Calvet S. 2012. Evaluation of climate control strategies in rabbit houses. In proc.: 10th World Rabbit Congress. September 3-6, 2012, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 793-797. Available at: https://world-rabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2012-Egypt/Papers/04-Management/M-Estelles.pdf. Accessed January 2018.Homonnay Gy. (ed.) 2001: Épületgépészet 2000. II. Fűtéstechnika. Épületgépészet Kiadó Kft. Budapest (in Hungarian) 595-598.Horn P. (ed.) 1981. A baromfitenyésztők kézikönyve. Mezőgazdasági Kiadó, Budapest, (in Hungarian) 236-259.Hoy St. 2008. Guidelines for minimum standards on rabbit housing in Germany. In proc.: 9th World Rabbit Congress, 10-13, June 2008, Verona, Italy, 1183-1188. Available at: https://worldrabbit-science.com/WRSA-Proceedings/Congress-2008-Verona/Papers/W-Hoy.pdf. Accessed January 2018.Hungarian Meteorological Service: Available at: http://www.met.hu. Accessed January 2018.Köppen W. 1931. Grundriss Der Klimakunde. (The basics of Climate.) Berlin: Walter De Gruyter & Co. (in German).Lebas F., Coudert P., de Rochambeau H., Thébault R.G. (1997): The rabbit husbandry, health and production. FAO UN, Rome, Available at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/t1690e/t1690e.pdf.Accessed January 2018.Makra L., Ionel I., Bodnár K., Sümeghy Z., Tusnády G. 2017. Environmental objective analysis, ranking аnd clustering оf Hungarian cities. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 18: 202-224. Available at: http://www2.sci.uszeged.hu/eghajlattan/pdf/MAKRA_et_al_JEPE_2017.pdf. Accessed January 2018.Marai I.F.M., Habeeb A.A.M., Gad A.E. 2002. Rabbits' productive, reproductive and physiological performance traits as affected by heat stress: a review. Livest. Prod. Sci., 78: 71-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(02)00091-XMarai I.F.M., Ayyat M.S., Abd El-Monem U.M. 2001. Growth performance and reproductive traits at first parity of New Zealand White female rabbits as affected by heat stress and its alleviation under Egyptian conditions. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 33: 451-462. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012772311177Matics Zs., Gerencsér Zs., Radnai I., Mikó A., Kasza R., Szendrő Zs. 2014. Eltérő fényintenzitás hatása az anyanyulak termelésére. In proc.: 26th Hungarian Conference on Rabbit Production, 33-36. 21 May, 2014. Kaposvár, Hungary. (in Hungarian).Morisse J.P. 1981. L'influence de l'environnement sur la pathologie respiratoire: les résultats d'une enquéte sur le terrain. Courr. Avicole, 812: 13-16.Patton N.M. 1994. Colony husbandry. In: Manning P.J., Ringler D.H., Newcomer C.E. (ed.): The biology of the laboratory rabbit. Academic Press Inc., San Diego, California, USA. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-469235-0.50008-7VP2-4.1.1.1-16 Állattartó telepek korszerűsítése. Available at: https://www.palyazat.gov.hu/vp2-4111-16-llattart-telepekkorszerstse. Accessed March 2019

Thermodynamic study of atmospheric corrosion seasonal kinetic, based on Sun photometer data

Zbog ogromnih gubitaka koji nastaju na strojarskim materijalima, atmosferska korozija predstavlja tehnološki, ekonomski, kao i ekološki problem zbog povećanja sadržaja onečišćenja u životnom okolišu. U ovom radu su prikazani rezultati termodinamičke dijagnostike ograničavajućeg stupnja ukupne kinetike korozije uslijed dodira čvrstih površina s vodenom parom, na osnovu podataka dobivenih svakodnevnim promatranjem tlaka vodene pare u Temišvaru 2011., od ožujka do prosinca. Na osnovu sezonskih vrijednosti izračunate su konstante difuzije vodene pare, nastale uslijed gradijenta koncentracije, kao i energije termokemijske aktivacije prvog stupnja korozije, na osnovu Ahrrenijusove jednadžbe. Izračunate relativne sezonske varijacije kemijske polarizacije vodene pare u odnosu na ukupnu promjenu entropije nastale i kondenzacijom na čvrstim površinama, uspoređene su s literaturnim vrijednostima za slobodne Gibbs-energije mogućih produkata relaksacijskih termokemijskih reakcija. Ograničavajući stupanj ukupnog procesa korozije, određen je usporedbom molarnog rada depolarizacije sukcesivnih elektrokemijskih relaksacijskih procesa. Depolarizacijski rad proporcionalan je konstanti brzine sezonski aktiviranih sukcesivnih relaksacijskih procesa u razdoblju koncentracijske depolarizacije vodene pare: elektrokemijske relaksacije kisika i vodika pri pretlaku depolarizacije vodika i standardnom potencijalu indikatora anodnog rastvaranja metala. Podaci rabljeni za izračunavanje tlaka vodene pare u atmosferi dobiveni su pomoću fotometra iz meteorološke stanice na "Politihnici" Sveučilišta u Temišvaru, Rumunjska (45,74 °N; 21,22 °E). Mjerenja su provedena u području valnih duljina 940 nm, uporabom empirijskih modela i podataka o temperaturi, barometarskom tlaku i vlažnosti zraka, a suglasne su s rezultatima 4 različite metode s varijacijama do 2 %.The atmospheric corrosion is a mechanical, technological, economic as well as an ecological problem, due to the enormous losses in corroded vessels material and machine material due to enhanced content of corroded material pollutants in environment. The results of the thermodynamic diagnostic study are given in this paper of the limited step in the water vapor corrosion kinetic based on the monitoring data for the seasonal water vapor pressure measured daily in Timisoara, by 2011, from March to December. Based on the seasonal values of the measured data, the seasonal diffusion rate constants the activation energies of the first chemical corrosion step are determined. The calculated seasonal water vapor chemical surface polarizations relative to the values of equilibrium entropies and also of the condensed water vapor on the solid surfaces are compared with the literature data of the possible products of chemical processes. The thermodynamic diagnostic study of the limited successive relaxation step in overall corrosion kinetic is carried out, based on the comparison of the molar water vapor couple relaxation work. The depolarization work is proportional to the depolarization rate constants of reactants and products activated successively in couple with water vapor concentrations depolarization energy, in the same time period: the electrochemical relaxation for the achievement of oxygen and hydrogen equilibrium in the seasonal activated corrosion cell, hydrogen depolarization energy and oxygen striping indicators standard potential. Data used to calculate the water vapor pressure in atmosphere are based on measurements accomplished by a sun photometer located at the Politechnica University of Timisoara, Romania (45,74 °N; 21,22 °E). The extraction of water vapor amount from sun photometer capacity relies on a measurement in the region of water vapor absorption at 940 nm. In order to apply the empirical models, the temperature, barometric pressure and humidity content have been taken from a weather station. One found that the experimental values of water vapor pressure, obtained using the sun photometer, are comparable with four other methods, and within, the experimental variations is characterized by a relative error of 2 %

Thermodynamic study of atmospheric corrosion seasonal kinetic, based on Sun photometer data

Zbog ogromnih gubitaka koji nastaju na strojarskim materijalima, atmosferska korozija predstavlja tehnološki, ekonomski, kao i ekološki problem zbog povećanja sadržaja onečišćenja u životnom okolišu. U ovom radu su prikazani rezultati termodinamičke dijagnostike ograničavajućeg stupnja ukupne kinetike korozije uslijed dodira čvrstih površina s vodenom parom, na osnovu podataka dobivenih svakodnevnim promatranjem tlaka vodene pare u Temišvaru 2011., od ožujka do prosinca. Na osnovu sezonskih vrijednosti izračunate su konstante difuzije vodene pare, nastale uslijed gradijenta koncentracije, kao i energije termokemijske aktivacije prvog stupnja korozije, na osnovu Ahrrenijusove jednadžbe. Izračunate relativne sezonske varijacije kemijske polarizacije vodene pare u odnosu na ukupnu promjenu entropije nastale i kondenzacijom na čvrstim površinama, uspoređene su s literaturnim vrijednostima za slobodne Gibbs-energije mogućih produkata relaksacijskih termokemijskih reakcija. Ograničavajući stupanj ukupnog procesa korozije, određen je usporedbom molarnog rada depolarizacije sukcesivnih elektrokemijskih relaksacijskih procesa. Depolarizacijski rad proporcionalan je konstanti brzine sezonski aktiviranih sukcesivnih relaksacijskih procesa u razdoblju koncentracijske depolarizacije vodene pare: elektrokemijske relaksacije kisika i vodika pri pretlaku depolarizacije vodika i standardnom potencijalu indikatora anodnog rastvaranja metala. Podaci rabljeni za izračunavanje tlaka vodene pare u atmosferi dobiveni su pomoću fotometra iz meteorološke stanice na "Politihnici" Sveučilišta u Temišvaru, Rumunjska (45,74 °N; 21,22 °E). Mjerenja su provedena u području valnih duljina 940 nm, uporabom empirijskih modela i podataka o temperaturi, barometarskom tlaku i vlažnosti zraka, a suglasne su s rezultatima 4 različite metode s varijacijama do 2 %.The atmospheric corrosion is a mechanical, technological, economic as well as an ecological problem, due to the enormous losses in corroded vessels material and machine material due to enhanced content of corroded material pollutants in environment. The results of the thermodynamic diagnostic study are given in this paper of the limited step in the water vapor corrosion kinetic based on the monitoring data for the seasonal water vapor pressure measured daily in Timisoara, by 2011, from March to December. Based on the seasonal values of the measured data, the seasonal diffusion rate constants the activation energies of the first chemical corrosion step are determined. The calculated seasonal water vapor chemical surface polarizations relative to the values of equilibrium entropies and also of the condensed water vapor on the solid surfaces are compared with the literature data of the possible products of chemical processes. The thermodynamic diagnostic study of the limited successive relaxation step in overall corrosion kinetic is carried out, based on the comparison of the molar water vapor couple relaxation work. The depolarization work is proportional to the depolarization rate constants of reactants and products activated successively in couple with water vapor concentrations depolarization energy, in the same time period: the electrochemical relaxation for the achievement of oxygen and hydrogen equilibrium in the seasonal activated corrosion cell, hydrogen depolarization energy and oxygen striping indicators standard potential. Data used to calculate the water vapor pressure in atmosphere are based on measurements accomplished by a sun photometer located at the Politechnica University of Timisoara, Romania (45,74 °N; 21,22 °E). The extraction of water vapor amount from sun photometer capacity relies on a measurement in the region of water vapor absorption at 940 nm. In order to apply the empirical models, the temperature, barometric pressure and humidity content have been taken from a weather station. One found that the experimental values of water vapor pressure, obtained using the sun photometer, are comparable with four other methods, and within, the experimental variations is characterized by a relative error of 2 %

Informal Investments in Transition Economies: Individual Characteristics and Clusters

This paper investigates the factors driving informal investment in Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia. Using Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data, we find that the low rates of informal investment activity and the small amounts of investments in these countries are driven by entrepreneurial behaviors consistent with limited market economy experience. We extend prior studies by investigating the role of business ownership, and identify significant differences between individuals with and without business ownership experience in terms of having start-up skills, knowing an entrepreneur and fearing failure. Cluster analysis identifies seven distinct groups of informal investors, and reveals the heterogeneity in terms of investors’ age, gender, level of education, amount of investment, start-up skills, ownership status, income, opportunity perception and country of residence

The Relationship between Atherosclerosis and Gut Microbiome in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and gut dysbiosis are known risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, only very few studies have been focused on the relationship between OSA, atherosclerosis, and the intestinal microbiome, all in animal models. Methods: Twenty-two patients with OSA, 16 with and 6 without carotid atherosclerosis were involved in the study. After a diagnostic sleep examination, the intima media thickness (IMT) was measured and plaques were found using carotid ultrasound. Blood was also drawn for metabolic profile, and a stool sample was provided for 16S ribosomal RNA microbiome investigation. Results: An increased maximal common carotid artery (CCA) IMT was significantly associated with decreased phylum-level diversity. The level of Peptostreptococcaceae was significantly lower in atherosclerotic subjects. Some other candidate microbes appeared in the two groups at the genus level as well: Bilophila, Romboutsia, Slackia, and Veillonella in the non-atherosclerotic group; and Escherichia-Shigella, Prevotella, and Ruminococcaceae in the atherosclerotic group. Conclusions: This is the first pilot research to analyze the association between the gut microbiome and atherosclerosis in adult patients with OSA with and without carotid atherosclerosis. Dysbiosis and individual bacteria may contribute to the development of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with OSA. Further investigations are necessary to reveal a more precise background in a larger sample

Metrics for Aggregating the Climate Effect of Different Emissions: A Unifying Framework

Multi-gas approaches to climate change policies require a metric establishing ?equivalences? among emissions of various species. Climate scientists and economists have proposed four classes of such metrics and debated their relative merits. We present a unifying framework that clarifies the relationships among them. We show that the Global Warming Potential, used in international law to compare greenhouse gases, is a special case of the Global Damage Potential, assuming (1) a finite time horizon, (2) a zero discount rate, (3) constant atmospheric concentrations, and (4) impacts that are proportional to radiative forcing. We show that the Global Temperature change Potential is a special case of the Global Cost Potential, assuming (1) no induced technological change, and (2) a short-lived capital stock. We also show that the Global Cost Potential is a special case of the Global Damage Potential, assuming (1) zero damages below a threshold and (2) infinite damage after a threshold. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change uses the Global Warming Potential, a simplified cost-benefit concept, even though the UNFCCC frames climate policy as a cost-effectiveness problem and should therefore use the Global Cost Potential or its simplification, the Global Temperature Potential.Climate change; multi-gas climate policy; Global Warming Potential; equivalences between greenhouse gases

Association between Gut Microbial Diversity and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness.

Background and Objectives: There is an increasing focus on the effect of the gut microbiome on developing atherosclerosis, but there is still no unified standpoint. We aimed to find associations between intestinal microbiome diversity and a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Materials and Methods: Recruited from the Hungarian Twin Registry, 108 monozygotic (MZ) twins (mean age 52.4 � 14.1 years, 58% female) underwent a comprehensive carotid ultrasound examination (Samsung RS85). Of the 108 MZ twins, 14 pairs (mean age 65 � 6.4 years, 71% female) discordant for carotid IMT were selected to undergo a stool sample collection. A special stool sampling container was mailed and received from each participant. After DNA extraction, library construction was performed specifically for the V3–V4 hypervariable region of microbial 16S rRNA. Next, the microbiome composition of the samples was determined using Kraken software. Two hypotheses were tested with the exact permutation test: (1) in the group with normal IMT, the Shannon index of the phyla is higher; and (2) the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio is greater in the group with high IMT values. Furthermore, the abundance of different bacterial strains present at higher and normal IMT was also explored. Statistical analysis was carried out using R software. Results: Increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was associated with increased IMT (mean Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio of IMT > 0.9 and IMT < 0.9 groups: 2.299 and 1.436, respectively; p = 0.031). In the group with normal IMT values, a substantially higher fraction of Prevotellaceae was observed in contrast with subjects having subclinical atherosclerosis. However, there was no significant difference in the alpha diversity between the two groups. Conclusions: The determining role of individual genera and their proportions in the development and progression of atherosclerosis can be assumed. Further studies are needed to clarify if these findings can be used as potential therapeutic targets