Cosmic Muon Detector Using Proportional Chambers

A set of classical multi-wire proportional chambers were designed and constructed with the main purpose of efficient cosmic muon detection. These detectors are relatively simple to construct, and at the same time are low cost, making them ideal for educational purposes. The detector layers have efficiencies above 99% for minimum ionizing cosmic muons, and their position resolution is about 1 cm, that is, particle trajectories are clearly observable. Visualization of straight tracks is possible using an LED array, with the discriminated and latched signal driving the display. Due to the exceptional operating stability of the chambers, the design can also be used for cosmic muon telescopes.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures. Submitted to the European Journal of Physic

Benefits of Jet Reactor Application in Alkaline Gas Purification

Our energy requirements have increased enormously in the last decades. We can get a significant amount of energy by the combustion of flammable gas mixtures of hydrocarbons. Proper gas purification prior to use is essential. A hydrocarbon-based gas mixture which contains sulfur compounds is called sour gas. H2S is one of the most problematic compounds in the transportation and utilization of natural gas or biogas. H2S is a toxic gas. It is corrosive in the presence of water. Upon the combustion of natural gas H2S is converted into SO2 which is not only harmful for the environment by causing acid rain but also constitutes a danger to human health. There are several methods of reducing the content of H2S in natural gas. However, the usability of these methods is limited due the increasingly strict environmental regulations. Our future aim is to develop a new, efficient and selective method. Selectivity is important to avoid unnecessary energy and chemicals consumption. Alkali-based competitive chemisorption method appears to be a good choice. H2S reacts with NaOH faster than CO2, which is the basis of the selectivity. Residence time is a key parameter for the efficiency of the operation. The essence of the method is the very short contact time, thus intensive contact between the gas and liquid phases has to be ensured along with rapid phase separation. Using a spray technology such as in Jet reactor is feasible. The advantage of the application of a Jet reactor is that various parameters can be changed

Savas karakterű gázok szelektív kén-hidrogén-mentesítése

Marosvécsen (Brâncoveneşti), Mikházán (Călugăreni) és Felsőrépán (Vătava) feltárt vassalak leleteket vizsgáltunk spektroszkópiai módszerekkel (FTIR, XRF). Az FTIR spektrumok 2000–400 cm-1 hullámszám tartományában jellemző módon jelentkező nagy intenzitású, viszonylag széles absorpciós sávok alapján a minták kisebb mennyiségű aluminát és karbonát mellett alapvetően szilikátokból állnak. Mint a röntgen-fluoreszcens analízis adatai mutatják, a fő ásványfázis minden esetben nagy valószínűséggel a fayalit (Fe2SiO4). Az egyes minták elemi összetételére vonatkozó, kézi XRF spektrométerrel több felületi ponton nyert adatok ugyanakkor arra utalnak, hogy mind a kémiai, mind az ásványtani következtetések levonásánál tekintettel kell lenni a salakok erősen heterogén jellegére

Behaviour of flexible/elastic materials under quasi-static force

Elasticity and stress absorption are present in many different materials in our daily life. Understanding how materials behave under pressure (whether that is constant or dynamic), and how and when they deform can be fundamental in terms of their success or longevity. Elastic behaviour is present in many different forms in different materials, e.g.: meats or other food. Interestingly, elasticity is also a major issue in the oral cavity, when talking about healthy dental tissues, such as dentin or even special dental restorative materials. The article focuses on the general mechanical behaviour of elastic and viscoelastic materials and measurements performed on them

Behaviour of flexible/elastic materials under quasi-static force

Elasticity and stress absorption are present in many different materials in our daily life. Understanding how materials behave under pressure (whether that is constant or dynamic), and how and when they deform can be fundamental in terms of their success or longevity. Elastic behaviour is present in many different forms in different materials, e.g.: meats or other food. Interestingly, elasticity is also a major issue in the oral cavity, when talking about healthy dental tissues, such as dentin or even special dental restorative materials. The article focuses on the general mechanical behaviour of elastic and viscoelastic materials and measurements performed on them

Nátrium-hidroxid abszorbenssel végzett kénhidrogén-mentesítés gazdaságosabbá tételének vizsgálata

Napjaink aktuális témája a földgázok kénhidrogén-mentesítésének megoldása gazdaságos és környezetbarát módon. A földgáz az egyik legértékesebb fosszilis energiaforrásunk, azonban ha kénhidrogén tartalommal is rendelkezik komoly gazdasági és környezetvédelmi problémák merülnek fel. Ezek kiküszöbölésére már számos eljárást dolgoztak ki, melyek közül esetünkben az alkáli lúgos kemiszorpcióval foglalkozunk. A megfelelő körülmények alkalmazása mellett ez egy hatékony és szelektív gáztisztítási módszer. A vizsgálatokat jet reaktorban végeztük el nitrogént, kén-hidrogént és szén-dioxidot tartalmazó modell gázkeverékekkel. A vizsgált tényezők között szerepel például az abszorbens koncentrációja és mennyisége, a tartózkodási idő, a gázáram, a gázösszetétel és a fúvókaátmérő

Effects of butyrate on the insulin homeostasis of chickens kept on maize- or wheat-based diets

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of butyrate as a feed supplement on the expression of insulin signalling proteins as potent regulators of metabolism and growth in Ross 308 broiler chickens fed maize- or wheat-based diets. Both diets were supplemented with non-protected butyrate (1.5 and 3.0 g/kg of diet, respectively) or with protected butyrate (0.2 g/kg of diet); the diet of the control groups was prepared without any additives (control). On day 42 of life, systemic blood samples were drawn for analyses of glucose and insulin concentrations, and tissue samples (liver, gastrocnemius muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue) were taken for Western blotting examinations. The expression of key insulin signalling proteins (IRβ, PKCζ and mTOR) was assessed by semiquantitative Western blotting from the tissues mentioned. The type of diet had a remarkable influence on the insulin homeostasis of chickens. The wheat-based diet significantly increased IRβ and mTOR expression in the liver as well as mTOR and PKCζ expression in the adipose tissue when compared to animals kept on a maize-based diet. IRβ expression in the liver was stimulated by the lower dose of non-protected butyrate as well, suggesting the potential of butyrate as a feed additive to affect insulin sensitivity. Based on the results obtained, the present study shows new aspects of nutritional factors by comparing the special effects of butyrate as a feed additive and those of the cereal type, presumably in association with dietary non-starch polysaccharide- (NSP-) driven enteric shortchain fatty acid release including butyrate, influencing insulin homeostasis in chickens. As the tissues of chickens have physiologically lower insulin sensitivity compared to mammals, diet-associated induction of the insulin signalling pathway can be of special importance in improving growth and metabolic health