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COMPACT PIG FARMING OPERATION THAT INTEGRATES VARIOUS ICT TOOLS TO ENHANCE MANAGEMENT, ANIMAL WELFARE, PRODUCTIVITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY
No full textThe limiting factor for completing the production cycle of young fattening pigs in this compact pig farm is the available housing capacity required to complete the entire process.
This pig farm comprises the following facilities: Mating pen – controlled breeding; Gestation pen – sows during pregnancy; Farrowing pen – where sows give birth and care for piglets; Nursery pen – weaned piglets’ growth phase; Finisher pen – pigs to reach market-ready weight; Cyclone dust collectors – equipment that removes dust from the air.
The pig farm, with its existing available capacity and the construction completed up to the farrowing house, will not deliver the expected results, because only part of the reproduction cycle ends there. For this reason, it is proposed to proceed with additional construction of the facility for the following phases: Rearing unit - Phase 'B' - In this part of the facility, piglets with an average weight of 5–7 kg will be housed until they will achieve a weight gain of 18 kg.; Fattening unit - In this part of the facility, piglets with a live weight of 25 kilograms will be housed, and here they will continue with the fattening phase; Cyclonesstorage - capacity for fattening feed; In the rearing and fattening units, should be installed, a complete water supply system, electrical installation and internet and network equipment.
In addition to the developed models for the farm’s technological process, ICT solutions have been implemented through the creation of an information system, where every change during the technological process is recorded electronically. It also allows reviewing and comparing with previous processes
CURRENT APPROACHES TO PARASITIC INFECTION CONTROL IN PIG FARMING: CHALLENGES AND CONTROLS
No full textA taste of North Macedonia: Seasonal variation in the microbiota, physico-chemical traits, and morpho-textural profile of a traditional brined raw goat's milk cheese
No full textThis study provides a comprehensive characterization of a traditional Macedonian brined raw goat's milk cheese, focusing on how seasonal production (spring vs. autumn) shapes its physicochemical traits, morpho-textural properties, and microbial ecology. Cheese samples produced in autumn exhibited stronger acidification, higher titratable acidity, lower water activity, and higher NaCl content than spring cheeses, reflecting variability associated with artisanal, non-standardized processing. Texture profile analysis showed that cohesiveness and springiness were significantly affected by season, whereas hardness and adhesiveness remained comparable across batches. A combined culture-dependent and 16S rRNA gene–based metataxonomic approach revealed seasonally distinct microbiota. Viable microbial populations composed of mesophilic aerobes (up to 6.51 log cfu g−1 at 60 days of ripening), presumptive mesophilic lactobacilli and lactococci (up to 6.51 and 7.18 log cfu g−1 at 60 days of ripening, respectively), presumptive coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive staphylococci (up to 6.97 and 1.76 log cfu g−1 at 60 days of ripening, respectively), and Enterobacteriaceae (up to 1.25 log cfu g−1 at 60 days of ripening) were detected. Spring cheeses were characterized by higher relative abundances of Carnobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Serratia, and Tetragenococcus halophilus, whereas autumn cheeses were dominated by Companilactobacillus and Lactococcus, alongside various Enterobacteriaceae. Beta-diversity analysis confirmed significant clustering of cheese microbiota by season. In total, 134 lactic acid bacteria isolates were obtained from the dairy environment, milk, brine, and cheese. These included Lactococcus lactis, Levilactobacillus brevis, multiple Enterococcus species, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Marinilactibacillus psychrotolerans, and Companilactobacillus alimentarius. Many isolates showed strong proteolytic activity, several produced exopolysaccharides, and a subset exhibited lipolytic capacity, underscoring their technological potential. Screening for the histidine decarboxylase gene hdcA revealed that only the C. alimentarius isolate was positive, excluding this strain from consideration as an adjunct culture, whereas all other isolates were hdcA-negative and therefore suitable candidates from a histamine-safety perspective. Overall, this integrated analysis highlights the rich microbial diversity and seasonal variability of this artisanal cheese and supports the selection of safe autochthonous lactic acid bacteria for future product valorization
ИНТЕРАКТИВНИТЕ МЕТОДИ ВО НАСТАВАТА ПО ФИЗИКА ВО ОСНОВНОТО ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ ВО РЕПУБЛИКА КОСОВО
Full text linkОва истражување е насочено кон современата настава ориентирана кон
ученикот и има за цел да ги испита ставовите на наставниците, во однос на важноста на
интерактивните методи во наставата по физика. Истражувањето е квантитативно, а
примерокот го сочинуваат 30 наставници по физика од неколку основни училишта во
Општина Гнилање во Косово. Податоците се собираат со анкетен прашалник, а за
нивната анализа, се применува описната статистика. Истражувањето нема за цел да ги
обопшти податоците, туку да ги опише перцепциите на наставниците за испитуваната
појава. Резултатите од истражувањето покажуваат дека најголемиот дел од
наставниците имаат позитивни ставови кон употребата на интерактивните методи во
наставата по физика, особено во однос на нивното влијание врз интересот,
мотивацијата, разбирањето на физичките поими и постигнувањата, како и во однос на
самостојното учење и критичкото размислување. Резултатите, исто така, покажуваат
дека има потреба од поголема поддршка за наставниците да се охрабрат да ги
применуваат интерактивните методи во наставата по физика
„ПРАВНИ АСПЕКТИ ЗА ЗАШТИТА НА ТУРИСТИТЕ КАКО ПОТРОШУВАЧИ ВО ОНЛАЈН ОКОЛИНА“
Full text linkThis master’s thesis examines online tourist behavior under accelerated digitalization, focusing on how internet information, social media, and booking platforms shape consumers’ travel decisions. The study links perception, trust, and safety within digital environments to tourists’ awareness of legal protection when purchasing or using travel services online. It also addresses key risks associated with unverified information, hidden advertising, manipulation of social metrics, and aggressive targeting, which can lead to misinformation, personal data misuse, and poorly informed consumer choices. The research combines a theoretical review of determinants of tourist behavior with the application of general consumer behavior models to the tourism context. The empirical part relies on a structured questionnaire administered to 57 tourists who used travel agency and hotel services in Ohrid. The analysis assesses the dominant decision drivers, the extent to which legal and safety considerations are integrated into decision-making, and potential differences across age groups in awareness levels. Findings show that tourists primarily rely on online reviews, recommendations, and price when selecting services, while legal safeguards and safety guarantees receive limited attention. The main hypothesis is confirmed: tourists in North Macedonia display low awareness of legal remedies and consumer protection mechanisms in online tourism services. Sub-hypotheses are also supported. Decisions are strongly influenced by information from the internet and social networks. Risks and legal implications of online transactions remain insufficiently understood. Older respondents demonstrate slightly higher awareness, yet the overall level remains low across all groups. The results also point to a gap between the formal legal framework, aligned with EU directives, and its practical implementation and user awareness in everyday tourism transactions. Targeted consumer education is needed on digital rights, complaint procedures, and online transaction risks through public campaigns, practical tutorials, and platform-based guidance. Consumer protection institutions should improve advisory and complaint channels, increase visibility, and intensify monitoring of non-transparent online advertising practices. Future research should use larger and more diverse samples, cover multiple regions and seasons, and combine quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews and case-based legal or institutional evidence to improve validity and depth.
Key words: online tourist behavior, tourism digitalization, social media, consumer protection, legal protection, tourism safet
ОДРЖЛИВИ ИНОВАЦИИ: ИНКОРПОРИРАЊЕ НА БИО-ОТПАДНИ МАТЕРИИ ВО НОВИ ПРЕХРАНБЕНИ ПРОИЗВОДИ И ПАКУВАЊА СУДИЈА НА СЛУЧАЈ: ОКАРА
Full text linkA Comparison of Two Software Packages for the Simulation of Pedestrian Flows
Full text linkUrban transport (traffic), for many reasons, is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in today's world.
Although it is a type of problem that arises, transport solves many important social issues, such as economic
problems, unemployment, and poverty, and it raises the general standard of modern living. It is in this paper that
the pedestrian flows in the city of Bitola, at two of the busiest locations along the pedestrian street Shirok Sokak,
will be considered. The behavior of pedestrians when crossing a pedestrian crossing, whether they cross legally
or illegally, as well as a comparative analysis with two software packages, is the key objective of this paper. The
use of software packages is of great importance for traffic engineers, as it allows for real-time simulation of traffic
participants, perception of problems, and provision of suggested solutions.
Key-Words: - Analysis, Behavior, Pedestrians, Software, Simulation, Bitola
A Graph Database-Based Framework for Evaluating Transfer Robustness in Multimodal Transport Systems
No full textThis paper presents a methodological framework for assessing transfer robustness in multimodal transport networks through graph database technology. Leveraging Neo4j and its Graph Data Science library, a synthetic multimodal network was constructed, comprising diverse node types that represent real-world transport entities, such as bus stops, train stations, metro stations, bike-sharing points, and intermodal transfer hubs. Directed, weighted relationships between specific nodes capture intermodal connectivity and estimated travel times, enabling the application of graph algorithms for evaluating network performance. To measure robustness under disruption, the study introduces the Transfer Robustness Index (TRI), a novel, yet practical and comprehensive metric designed to evaluate intermodal resilience that jointly considers reachability, travel time, and transfer complexity, thus capturing both connectivity preservation and degradation in transfer efficiency. Three TRI variants are considered: binary (reachability), weighted (travel-time efficiency), and adjusted weighted (incorporating transfer complexity via hop count). A scenario-based experiment examines the removal of a critical transfer hub and its impact on multiple origin–destination pairs. Findings indicate that while partial connectivity is preserved, overall intermodal efficiency and simplicity decline substantially. The proposed framework provides a reproducible and adaptable approach for robustness assessment, offering valuable insights for the design and planning of resilient transport systems
The Nexus Between Illicit Economies and Terrorist Financing
Full text linkThe convergence of illicit economies and terrorist financing represents a critical challenge for global security and governance. This chapter examines the connections between them, shedding light on how these economies sustain and enable terrorist organisations globally. A conceptual framework is presented to analyse the reciprocal relationship between illicit economies and terrorist financing, illustrating how these interconnected systems reinforce each other to create a cycle of instability. The chapter explores key mechanisms through which different types of trafficking, smuggling, and illegal trade are exploited to generate financial resources for operational and strategic purposes. By analysing case studies and leveraging empirical data, the chapter identifies common enablers of these linkages, including weak governance, corruption, and the exploitation of transnational criminal networks. Furthermore, the chapter critically evaluates current policy frameworks and international efforts aimed at disrupting these nexuses, offering a nuanced assessment of their effectiveness and limitations. Recommendations are proposed for enhancing countermeasures, including strengthening international cooperation and addressing systemic socio-economic drivers. By bridging theoretical insights with practical considerations, this contribution provides a comprehensive understanding of the nexus between illicit economies and terrorist financing, equipping students, but also policymakers, researchers, and practitioners with actionable knowledge to tackle this pressing global security challenge
CURCUMIN AND ITS STRUCTURAL ANALOGUES: A REVIEW OF SYNTHETIC STRATEGIES, ANALYTICAL METHODS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENCIAL
Full text linkCurcumin, a polyphenolic compound extracted from Curcuma longa, has attracted considerable attention for its traditional use in medicine and its wide-ranging biological activities. It has shown therapeutic potential in various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic inflammation. However, despite its promising pharmacodynamic profile, curcumin’s clinical relevance remains limited due to its poor chemical stability and low bioavailability. These limitations stem primarily from its keto
enol tautomerism, rapid metabolism, poor water solubility, and the chemical reactivity of its β diketone and methylene groups. These electrophilic sites, although crucial for biological activity, also make the molecule highly unstable above pH 6.5, leading to rapid degradation in physiological environments. This review focuses on the exploration and critical evaluation of synthetic structure-based modelling strategies including the elimination of reactive sites (e.g.,
phenolic and enolic hydroxyl groups), the introduction of stabilizing functional groups, and the design of novel analogues with enhanced metabolic resistance and target selectivity. Special attention is given to derivatization approaches that improve chemical stability, solubility, and systemic delivery. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the analytical characterization of these analogues through advanced techniques, including spectroscopic and chromatographic methods,
in order to validate their structural integrity and potential pharmacological relevance. Overall, the review highlights the potential of curcumin-derived scaffolds in drug development and supports further investigation into optimized analogues for clinical use