Abstract In the context of increasing water scarcity in arid regions, including Eastern Kazakhstan, where average annual precipitation amounts to only 300–350 mm, the development of effective water-saving technologies is becoming critically important. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of biocomposite hydrogels containing a polymer matrix, chitosan, cellulose, and biostimulants in improving water retention and enhancing crop productivity. Laboratory methods (gravimetric and thermogravimetric analysis) and field trials involving soil moisture and crop yield measurements were employed. The results demonstrated that Hydrogel G-3, comprising 70% polymer matrix, exhibited the highest water absorption capacity (500% of its mass) and thermal stability (T_(50%) = 350 °C), although it showed low biodegradability (20% over six months). The practical significance lies in demonstrating the effectiveness of biocomposite hydrogels as a promising solution for arid regions, which is particularly important for farmers in Eastern Kazakhstan facing severe water shortages.

Abstract Apricot cultivation is growing in importance worldwide, especially in regions where gaps in the fresh market supply can be exploited. Hungary is located at the northern edge of economical cultivation area, which presents both challenges and opportunities. Yields in Hungary's 5,300 hectares of apricot production area shows a deviation from 6,000 to 34,000 tons, mainly due to spring frosts and outdated technology. At the same time, due to the late ripening and excellent nutritional value of domestic fruit, premium prices can be achieved on the market, especially for exports to Western Europe. Frost protection is a decisive factor from an economic point of view. In the case of high production standards (intensive cultivation), even less modern, semi-intensive apricot orchards show acceptable income-generating capacity and profitability, while orchards with much higher capital requirements, equipped with crop protection technologies, either in part or in whole, have a much higher income-generating capacity. Based on the results of the investment analysis, at the end of its useful life cycle, a semi-intensive orchard generates an NPV of almost EUR 25,400 per hectare, a super-intensive orchard generates 2.5 times that amount, and a super-intensive orchard equipped with frost protection generates 3.6 times that amount.

Abstract Fruit juices are widely consumed for their nutritional value and sensory appeal, but concerns regarding quality, adulteration and authenticity necessitate reliable, rapid and non-destructive analytical techniques. This review explores applications of UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy in fruit juice analysis. Literature was retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar using predefined search terms. The working principles, instrumentation, and performance of these techniques are discussed, UV-Vis detection of pomegranate juice adulteration ( R 2 up to 0.99), NIR prediction of Ca (RPD = 3.92), and ATR-FTIR sugar quantification ( R 2 > 0.99). Applications include detecting and quantifying nutrients, adulterants, toxic elements and verifying quality attributes such as color, phenolic content and acidity. Integration with chemometrics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhances accuracy and predictive power, while miniaturization and multimodal approaches enable real-time, in-field monitoring. Despite challenges such as matrix effects and calibration complexity, optical spectroscopy shows strong potential for ensuring fruit juice safety, quality and authenticity.

Abstract The aim of our research is to contribute to the modeling of relative humidity with Markov chains and its use in crop protection forecasting in the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region. The two most common wine grape varieties in this region are Vitis vinifera cv. Furmint and V. vinifera cv. Hárslevelű. For noble rot on these varieties, humidity in the optimum range is an essential environmental condition. Using 10-min and 60-min resolution humidity data sets from the Hungarian Meteorological Service (HungaroMet) for the period 2002−2020, we estimated the probability that a random humidity measurement will fall into a given result (five humidity categories) in the future. The mathematical model used for this research is the theory of Markov chains, a new approach to statistical analysis of relative humidity data. It is pointed out that the Markov process of relative humidity variation and the results of a 60-min resolution data series across 19 years of study can be used to model humidity.

Abstract The rapid technological development that is still taking place today, with increasingly interconnected IT tools, is introducing dramatic changes. The development of computer programs is rapidly transforming traditional processes and the systems that support them. It is therefore natural that the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and its impact on Hungarian companies is one of the key topics of our time. We conducted an exploratory quantitative survey, asking 140 managers of Hungarian small, medium and large enterprises about their current situation in the context of Industry 4.0. We sought to find out to what extent the specific R&D and innovation potential of Industry 4.0 is accepted, and whether it has already been introduced in the companies. On a qualitative side, 2 case studies and 3 interviews were conducted, in which structured interviews were used to further explore the issue. We aimed to find out where SMEs stood in terms of digital preparedness and what advantages, possible disadvantages, and goals they managed to identify. Our research showed that an increasing number of companies have already decided to take the first steps towards industrial digitalisation, which will completely transform their internal processes.

Abstract In order to improve the thermal performance of heat exchangers and air collectors, we insert various forms of artificial roughness, known as ribs, into the useful duct. These ribs promote the creation of turbulent flows and enhance heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation.However, the introduction of these ribs leads to an increase in pressure drop, requiring higher mechanical power to pump the heat transfer fluid. This experimental study focuses on estimating, using empirical approaches, the pressure losses induced by rectangular ribs with an inclined top. The ribs are made from 0.4 mm galvanized sheet steel.An experimental set-up was designed to measure the head losses generated by the ribs, from the point of entry to the point of exit from the useful duct. Using the dimensional analysis method, correlations were established to evaluate head losses as a function of flow regime and rib geometry and configuration (including different geometries for rib arrangement over the configuration area).

Abstract“Feed the global population and regenerate the planet.”The conditions necessary for the implementation of the above commonly used slogan did not exist 10–15 years ago. We did not have access to the information and databases that would have allowed us to increase yields for the purpose of feeding the growing population. While increasingly meeting sustainability requirements and regenerating the Earth. Anthropocentrism, the belief that humans are superior to everything else, benefits humans by exploiting human greed and ignorance, which is a dead end for both individuals and societies. Only humans can ignore the dynamic equilibrium processes of nature and disregard the consequences that adversely affect future generations. Ecocentric agricultural practices have several prerequisites. It is important for the academic sphere to recognize its significance. Another fundamental challenge is the continuous monitoring of the production unit and its close and distant environment for the purpose of decision preparation using Big Data. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a global infrastructure that represents the network of physical (sensors) and virtual (reality) “things” through interoperable communication protocols. This allows devices to connect and communicate using cloud computing and artificial intelligence, contributing to the integrated optimization of the production system and its environment, considering ecocentric perspectives. This brings us closer to the self-decision-making capability of artificial intelligence, the practice of machine-to-machine (M2M) interaction, where human involvement in decision-making is increasingly marginalized. The IoT enables the fusion of information provided by deployed wireless sensors, data-gathering mobile robots, drones, and satellites to explore complex ecological relationships in local and global dimensions. Its significance lies, for example, in the prediction of plant protection. The paper introduces small smart data logger robots, including the Unmanned Ground Vehicles (robots) developed by the research team. These can replace sensors deployed in the Wireless Sensor Net (WSN).

Abstract In our study, using a combination of eye-tracking parameter analysis and the van Westendorp method, we investigate whether participants pay more attention to products that they perceive as more expensive or to those that they prefer in the ranking process. The experiment involved 50 participants, a questionnaire with ranking and pricing tasks, and an eye-tracking measurement. Three wine varieties (Irsai Olivér, Rosé and Merlot-Shiraz) and three different label alternatives were tested. When comparing the results of the ranking and the pricing tasks, the product that is considered more expensive is not always the one that is most appealing to the participants. If we compare the results from the analysis of the eye-tracking parameters and the pricing, we can say that in all cases the labels that received the most visual attention were those that were priced more expensively by the participants.

Abstract In this study, we compile the findings to date on using several cellulose-based materials as adsorbents of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from wastewater. Furthermore, this review discussed the destiny of PTEs-loaded cellulose-based adsorbents and some sustainable methods for their management, hoping to close the pollution loop.

Abstract Besides their unique taste and texture, mushrooms are a promising source of important nutrients, including dietary fiber, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. Fresh mushrooms, however, can only endure for a brief time, typically up to three days at ambient conditions. Different methods have been used to preserve mushrooms for a prolonged period, such as drying, cooking, frying, irradiation and fermentation. The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of different pre-treatments and fermentation on physicochemical, textural, and microbial properties of oyster mushrooms. The fresh oyster mushroom was considered as control and 6 alternative pre-treatment methods were used as; blanching in water, steaming, oven cooking, microwave, High Hydrostatic Pressure and UV Light treatment. Moisture, pH, yield, color, texture, and microbiological analyses were performed on each pre-treatment group before and after fermentation. Our results showed that the quality attributes of oyster mushrooms were significantly affected by the usage of different pre-treatments.