The Macroeconomic and Institutional Context of the 2012 Budget

In my paper, I look at the 2012 budget from two distinct points of view. Approaching from the perspective of the economic environment, I describe the most important lessons and relevant empirical experiences of budgetary adjustments as well as the topical macroeconomic and budgetary processes providing the foundation for next year’s budget. The second half of the paper discusses the institutional environment of the adoption of the budget. The paper presents the tasks related to the preparation and adoption of the 2012 budget, providing assistance for the legislative work of Parliament adopted by the Fiscal Council and which also follow from the new Constitution adopted in April. In addition, I shall also give an overview of the analyses provided by the Hungarian National Bank (MNB) to be used by the Fiscal Council in its relevant work.budgetary consolidation, macroeconomic path, Fiscal Council

Drámajáték a nyelvoktatásban. Egy francia módszer olaszórán, az Immeuble

Míg a ’80-as években a kommunikatív nyelvtanításra helyeződött a hangsúly, a ’90-es évek második felétől a „cselekvéses megközelítés” vált népszerűvé, melynek lényege a konkrét és komplex feladatok hosszú távon történő megvalósítása idegen nyelven. Ereje abban rejlik, hogy az idegen nyelvet tanulók számára a nyelv a kommunikáció valós eszközévé válik egy kitalált világban, melyet egyéni és közös érdekek által építenek fel a tanár által megadott – földrajzilag, társadalmilag – zárt térben és időben. Minden nevet kap, s mozaikként illeszkedik be a tanulók által létrehozott fiktív világba

Cortical monitoring of cardiac activity during rapid eye movement sleep: the heartbeat evoked potential in phasic and tonic rapid-eye-movement microstates

The project was supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (NKFI FK 128100 and K 128117) of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, as well as by the Higher Education Institutional Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities in Hungary, within the framework of the Neurology thematic program of the Semmelweis University. This project has also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska–Curie grant (agreement No. 801505). PP was supported by a project from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PGC2018-096655-A-I00). The study was supported by ELTE Thematic Excellence Programme 2020 TKP2020-IKA-05 provided by National Research, Development and Innovation Office.Sleep is a fundamental physiological state that facilitates neural recovery during periods of attenuated sensory processing. On the other hand, mammalian sleep is also characterized by the interplay between periods of increased sleep depth and environmental alertness. Whereas the heterogeneity of microstates during non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep was extensively studied in the last decades, transient microstates during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep received less attention. REM sleep features two distinct microstates: phasic and tonic. Previous studies indicate that sensory processing is largely diminished during phasic REM periods, whereas environmental alertness is partially reinstated when the brain switches into tonic REM sleep. Here, we investigated interoceptive processing as quantified by the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP) during REM microstates. We contrasted the HEPs of phasic and tonic REM periods using two separate databases that included the nighttime polysomnographic recordings of healthy young individuals (N = 20 and N = 19). We find a differential HEP modulation of a late HEP component (after 500 ms post-R-peak) between tonic and phasic REM. Moreover, the late tonic HEP component resembled the HEP found in resting wakefulness. Our results indicate that interoception with respect to cardiac signals is not uniform across REM microstates, and suggest that interoceptive processing is partially reinstated during tonic REM periods. The analyses of the HEP during REM sleep may shed new light on the organization and putative function of REM microstates.Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (NKFI FK 128100 and K 128117)Higher Education Institutional Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities in HungaryEuropean Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska–Curie grant (agreement No. 801505)Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PGC2018-096655-A-I00)ELTE Thematic Excellence Programme 2020 TKP2020-IKA-05 National Research, Development and Innovation Offic

Nightmares and bad dreams in patients with borderline personality disorder: Fantasy as a coping skill?

ABSTRACT – Background and Objectives: Previous studies reported a high prevalence of nightmares and dream anxiety in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the severity of dream disturbances correlated with daytime symptoms of psychopathology. However, the majority of these results are based on retrospective questionnaire-based study designs, and hence the effect of recall biases (characteristic for BPD), could not be controlled. Therefore our aim was to replicate these findings using dream logs. Moreover, we aimed to examine the level of dream disturbances in connection with measures of emotional instability, and to explore the protective factors against dream disturbances. Methods: 23 subjects diagnosed with BPD, and 23 age and gender matched healthy controls were assessed using the Dream Quality Questionnaire, the Van Dream Anxiety Scale, as well as the Neuroticism, Assertiveness and Fantasy scales of the NEO-PI-R questionnaire. Additionally, subjects were asked to collect 5 dreams in the three-week study period and to rate the emotional and phenomenological qualities of the reported dreams using the categories of the Dream Quality Questionnaire. Results: Dream disturbances (nightmares, bad dreams, night terror-like symptoms, and dream anxiety) were more frequent in patients with BPD than in controls. Dream disturbances correlated positively with Neuroticism, while Fantasy proved to be a negative correlate of dream disturbances

Nightmares and bad dreams in patients with borderline personality disorder: Fantasy as a coping skill?

ABSTRACT – Background and Objectives: Previous studies reported a high prevalence of nightmares and dream anxiety in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the severity of dream disturbances correlated with daytime symptoms of psychopathology. However, the majority of these results are based on retrospective questionnaire-based study designs, and hence the effect of recall biases (characteristic for BPD), could not be controlled. Therefore our aim was to replicate these findings using dream logs. Moreover, we aimed to examine the level of dream disturbances in connection with measures of emotional instability, and to explore the protective factors against dream disturbances. Methods: 23 subjects diagnosed with BPD, and 23 age and gender matched healthy controls were assessed using the Dream Quality Questionnaire, the Van Dream Anxiety Scale, as well as the Neuroticism, Assertiveness and Fantasy scales of the NEO-PI-R questionnaire. Additionally, subjects were asked to collect 5 dreams in the three-week study period and to rate the emotional and phenomenological qualities of the reported dreams using the categories of the Dream Quality Questionnaire. Results: Dream disturbances (nightmares, bad dreams, night terror-like symptoms, and dream anxiety) were more frequent in patients with BPD than in controls. Dream disturbances correlated positively with Neuroticism, while Fantasy proved to be a negative correlate of dream disturbances

Somatosensory amplification and absorption contribute to electrosensitivity

Background: Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF) is a self-reported condition where non-specific symptoms are attributed to weak non-ionizing electromagnetic fields. Despite its expanding prevalence, there is no generally accepted diagnostic procedure or definition to identify patients with this condition, thus studies usually apply only one question as inclusion criterion. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the heterogeneity of a self-reported IEI-EMF group and to identify further self-report questions that could be applied as inclusion criteria. Method: Cross-sectional on-line survey study was carried out with 473 participants (76.3% women; age: 35.03 ± 13.24 yrs). Self-diagnosed IEI-EMF (as assessed with a yes-or-no question), frequency of EMF-related symptom and severity of the condition were assessed, as well as somatic symptom distress (Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic Symptom Severity Scale, PHQ-15). Results: 72 (15.2%) individuals labelled themselves as IEI-EMF, however only 61% of them remained in the IEI-EMF group after the use of three inclusion criteria instead of one. 21% of the individuals labelling themselves as IEI-EMF reported neither symptoms nor any negative impact on their daily life. Conclusion: A minimum of two questions appear to be necessary as inclusion criteria for IEI-EMF in empirical research. Instead of the widely used yes-or-no question on accepting the IEI-EMF label, occurrence of symptoms attributed to EMF on a regular basis and at least a slight negative impact on daily life are required. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (IEI-EMF) is often assessed by one yes-or-no self-report question. This practice is inappropriate from a conceptual and methodological point of view. At least two questions, assessing frequency of symptoms and their impact, are needed

A Rövidített Egészségszorongás-kérdőív (SHAI) magyar verziójának kérdőíves validálása és pszichometriai értékelése = Validation and psychometric evaluation of the Hungarian version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI)

Elméleti háttér és célkitűzés: Jelen kutatás célja a Rövidített Egészségszorongás-kérdőív (Short Health Anxiety Inventory — SHAI; Salkovskis, Rimes, Warwick, &amp; Clark, 2002) magyar verziójának elkészítése, pszichometriai értékelése és kérdőíves validálása volt. Módszerek: A vizsgálatban 441 alsóéves egyetemista (37% férfi; átlagéletkor: 20,5±1,33 év) vett részt, összesen 5 kérdőív kitöltésével (SHAI; Szomatoszenzoros Amplifikáció — SSAS; Vonásszorongás — STAI-T; Szubjektív Testi Tünetek — PHQ-15; WHO Jól-lét — WBI-5). Eredmények: A megerősítő faktorelemzés mind a két-, mind a háromfaktoros verzió esetében jó illeszkedési mutatókat eredményezett, ezért az irodalomban inkább elfogadott két alskálás (Beteggé válás észlelt valószínűsége; Betegség észlelt következménye) megoldás használatát javasoljuk. A kérdőív magyar verziója jó belső konzisztenciával (Cronbach-alfa = 0,83) bírt, a STAI-T, az SSAS és a PHQ-15 skálákkal közepes erősségű (Pearson-r: 0,33—0,44; p<0,001) korrelációt mutatott, míg a WBI-5 esetében az együttjárás gyengébbnek és negatív irányúnak mutatkozott (—0,26; p<0,001). Következtetések: Az eredmények alapján a kérdőív pszichometriai szempontból megfelelőnek tűnik, ugyanakkor a végső értékeléshez a vizsgálatot érdemes volna más mintákon is megismételni. | Aim: The study aimed at the preparation, psychometric evaluation and questionnaire-based validation of the Hungarian version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI; Salkovskis et al. 2002). Methods: 441 undergraduate students (37% male; mean age: 20.5±1.33 yrs) completed five questionnaires (SHAI; Somatosensory Amplification — SSAS; Trait Anxiety — STAI-T; Subjective Somatic Symptoms — PHQ-15; Well-being — WHO-WB). Results: The confirmatory factor analysis indicated equally good fit between the empirical data and the two- and three-factor-models described in the literature. In the light of the international findings, the use of two subscales (Illness Likelihood and Illness Severity) seems to be preferable. The Hungarian version of the questionnaire has shown good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alfa = 0.83) and medium level correlations (Pearson’s coefficients between 0.33 and 0.44; p<0,001) with the STAI-T, SSAS and PHQ-15 scales. The association with the WBI-5 was weaker and negative (r = —0.26; p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, the Hungarian version of the SHAI has good psychometric properties. To come to a final conclusion, replication of the study in different samples would be necessary

Elmerülés az élményben : a Tellegen-féle Abszorpció Skála vizsgálata egyetemista mintán = Submersion in the experience: The examination of the Tellegen Absorption Scale in an undergraduate university sample

A Tellegen Abszorpció Skála (TAS) egy sajátos információfeldolgozási módra való hajlandóságot mér, melynek meghatározó eleme az élményben való teljes elmerülés oly módon, hogy a figyelem fókuszában tartott külső vagy belső inger teljes mértékben „kitölti” a reprezentációs rendszert. Míg a TAS-t eredetileg a szuggesztibilitás és hipnábilitás mérésére fejlesztették ki, több évtizedes pályafutása során számos személyiségjeggyel, pszichopatológiai és pszichoszomatikus jellemzővel hozták összefüggésbe. A jelen tanulmányban elsősorban amellett érvelünk, hogy az abszorpciós képesség csak közvetetten kötődhet pozitív vagy negatív mentális jelenségekhez. Míg az abszorpciós képesség az inger feldolgozási módját határozza meg, az élmény minősége (pozitív vagy negatív jellege) elsősorban magától az ingertől, azaz a reprezentációs tartalomtól függ. Az abszorpciós képesség így pozitív és negatív élmények intenzitását egyaránt fokozhatja. A jelen kérdőíves vizsgálatban 567 egyetemista adata alapján bemutatjuk a TAS magyar nyelvű változatának pszichometriai jellemzőit, összefüggését egyes személyiségjellemzőkkel, pszichopatológiai és pszichoszomatikus érzékenységet vizsgáló mutatókkal, továbbá megvizsgáljuk az abszorpció tünetképzésben játszott szerepét. Eredményeink arra utalnak, hogy a 34-tételes TAS magyar változata megfelelő belső konzisztenciával bír, ugyanakkor a gyakorlatban az egyes alskálák használatától az alacsony belső konzisztencia miatt érdemesebb eltekinteni. A skála konvergens validitásának vizsgálata során az abszorpció a szakirodalomban dokumentált összefüggéseket mutatta a vizsgált személyiségjellemzőkkel, mint például a fantáziálásra való hajlandósággal és az érzelmi nyitottsággal, illetve ugyancsak pozitívan korrelált a disszociatív tünetekkel, a személyes éntudatossággal, a szomatoszenzoros amplifikációval, a szubjektív testi tünetekkel, a pozitív és negatív affektivitással, továbbá kapcsolatban állt az álomfelidézéssel és az álmok ébrenlétre gyakorolt hatásával. További eredményeink szerint az abszorpció szorosan összefügg a tünetképzésre való hajlammal. Mivel nézetünk szerint az abszorpció az inger feldolgozási módját jellemzi, feltételezzük, hogy amennyiben a magas abszorpciós hajlammal jellemezhető személyek figyelmének középpontjába a szomatikus ingerek (különböző testérzetek) kerülnek, az abszorpciós tendenciák jelentősen fokozhatják egyes szomatikus tünetek kialakulását. | The Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS) measures the tendency for a specific information processing style, characterized by intensified immersion in the experience, where the representational system seems to be entirely dedicated to model the internal or external stimulus held in the focus of attention. Originally the TAS was developed to measure suggestibility and hypnotizability, but in the last decades it was associated with several personality dimensions, psychopathological and psychosomatic variables. Here we argue that absorption is only indirectly related to positive or negative mental phenomena. While absorption determines the mode of stimulus processing, the quality of the experience (positive or negative) depends fundamentally on the nature of the representational content. Hence, absorption can equally amplify the intensity of positive and negative experiences. In this study, using the questionnaire based data of 567 university students, we evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the TAS, we investigate its relationship with personality dimensions, and variables measuring psychopathological and psychosomatic vulnerability and finally we investigate its role in somatic symptom generation. Our results suggest that the Hungarian version of the 34-item TAS has adequate internal consistency; however, due to the low consistency of the subscales we suggest to use only the whole scale, setting aside from its documented subscale structure. The examination of the convergent validity of the scale – in concordance to previous findings – showed Absorption to be related to such personality dimensions as fantasy and emotional opennes. Moreover, absorption correlated positively with dissociative experiences, private self-conciousness, somatosensory amplification, somatic symptom severity, positive and negative affect, dream recall frequency and the effect of dreams on daytime mood. Our further results indicate that absorption is intimately related to the tendencies of symptom generation. Since in our view absorption reflects the information processing style of a stimuli, we hypothesize that if individuals characterized by higher levels of absorption focus on somatic, bodily sensations, enhanced symptom generation may occur

Schizotypy unfolding into the night? Schizotypal traits and daytime psychotic-like experiences predict negative and salient dreams

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

APPLICATION OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC THERMOANALYTICAL METHODS TO ESTIMATE THE LIFETIME OF ELECTRICAL INSULATIONS

Different electrical insulations have been investigated by dynamic and static thermoana- lytical methods. The kinetic parameters were evaluated with the aid of a fast calculation method. The results were discussed on the basis of the thermal stability and the lifetime curves thus obtained