High efficiency gaseous tracking detector for cosmic muon radiography

A tracking detector system has been constructed with an innovative approach to the classical multi-wire proportional chamber concept, using contemporary technologies. The detectors, covering an area of 0.58 square meters each, are optimized for the application of muon radiography. The main features are high (>99.5%) and uniform detection efficiency, 9 mm FWHM position resolution, filling gas consumption below 2 liters per hour for the non toxic, non flammable argon and carbon dioxide mixture. These parameters, along with the simplicity of the construction and the tolerance for mechanical effects, make the detectors to be a viable option for a large area muography observation system.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figure

SOFTWARE PROBLEMS OF AN EXPERIMENTAL ROBOT CONTROLLER BASED ON QNX REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEMS

At the Department of Automation and Applied Informatics an experimental robot control system has been developed. The purpose of this research is to study modern robot control algorithms and their realization in a real environment. The project focuses on the problems of multiprocessor systems including the task distribution and communication. Another field of this research is to integrate a six-component force-torque sensor into the robot control system and making use of this information in new robot control algorithms. Another purpose of this study is to examine the software problems of an IBM PC-based multiprocessor system controlling a NOKIA-PUMA 560 humanoid robot arm. The features and system services of the new QNX Neutrino operating system is presented in comparison with the previously used QNX v4. The main areas of the version upgrade will be shown focusing on the interprocess communication questions. The processing components of this multiprocessor robot control system with its external interfaces will be discussed later and some further system level development possibilities will be outlined. This final part of the study gives the summary of the architectural and communication requirements of a hybrid position and force control system in the above environment

Occurrence of the alien zigzag elm sawfly, Aproceros leucopoda (Hymenoptera: Argidae), in arboretums and botanical gardens of Hungary

Background and purpose: The invasive alien zigzag elm sawfly, Aproceros leucopoda (Hymenoptera: Argidae), native to East Asia, was identified as a new pest of elms (Ulmus spp.) in Europe in 2003. Following the first records in Poland and Hungary, it has been found in many other European countries. Plant taxa on which damage by larval feeding has been observed under natural conditions either in Asia or in Europe all belong to the genus Ulmus. Ulmus pumila (including var. arborea) seems to be a preferred host, but other species have also been reported as having suffered severe defoliation by the pest. One objective of our study was to complete information on the distribution of the sawfly species in Hungary. Moreover, we searched for Ulmus taxa which might be affected under natural conditions. Materials and methods: To provide data on distribution and susceptible elms, we carefully checked Ulmus taxa for the presence of any juvenile developmental stages of A. leucopoda and the characteristic feeding traces on leaves in 17 arboretums and botanical gardens throughout Hungary in 2011 and 2016. Results and conclusions: We have recorded A. leucopoda or only the clear symptoms of damage by it at all the locations visited and totally on 20 Ulmus taxa. We have identified 14 of these for the first time as being susceptible to the pest. We suggest that the suitability for egg laying and sensitivity to at least partial damage by A. leucopoda of the damaged taxa should be considered before planting them for any purposes

Re-territorialization of Space in South Slovakia – Visual Practices of Village Signs

This article examines a recent example of symbolic geography and attempts to analyse the practice of reterritorialization of space by stressing the cultural and national character of particular settlements. The author shows that with expanding business, work and study opportunities globalisation may be causing the disappearance of borders, but on the other hand it can cause the emergence of renewed symbolic borders based on cultural and national identity. The article is based on a limited research project in a number of south Slovakian villages containing substantial Hungarian populations, focusing on village signs written in the runic székely script, which is identified by the author as a national symbol transported from Transylvania, and which recently became an ideal representation of authentic Hungarian culture. The signs link the towns with the memory of Greater Hungary, manifest the cultural and historical supremacy of Hungarians living in the area, and signify the territory,or in other words reterritorialize the space. The reterritorialization process creates a mental map that unites the Hungarian nation and shows that meaning and territory are strongly bounded

A LOW-COST ROBOT CONTROLLER AND ITS SOFTWARE PROBLEMS

In recent years the need for advanced robot control algorithms for industrial robots has grown. The deyelopment of a low-cost robot controller to support the development, implementation and testing of those algorithms which require high computational power was targeted. This paper deals wiith the requirements of an experimental controller that can be connected to a NOKIA PUMA 560 robot arm. It explains the IBM PC compatible host and the TEXAS Digital Signal Processor (DSP) based hardware. On the host computer the UNIX-like QXX real-time operating system is used. In the current phase of development the robot controller works with the classical decentralised joint control based strategy. The Advanced Robot Pogramming System (ARPS) explicit robot programming, language is implementedl