RIULS (Repository of Iași University of Life Sciences)
Not a member yet
5043 research outputs found
Sort by
Efficient removal of methylene blue and ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution using flower-like, nanostructured ZnO coating under UV irradiation
Get PDFFlower-like ZnO architectures assembled with many nanorods were successfully synthesized
through Thermionic Vacuum Arc, operated both in direct current (DC-TVA) and a pulsed
mode (PTVA), and coupled with annealing in an oxygen atmosphere. The prepared coatings were
analysed by scanning-electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray-spectroscopy (SEM-EDX),
X-ray-diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. By simply modifying the TVA
operation mode, the morphology and uniformity of ZnO nanorods can be tuned. The photocatalytic
performance of synthesized nanostructured ZnO coatings was measured by the degradation of
methylene-blue (MB) dye and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) antibiotic. The ZnO (PTVA) showed enhancing
results regarding the photodegradation of target contaminants. About 96% of MB molecules were
removed within 60 min of UV irradiation, with a rate constant of 0.058 min1, which is almost nine
times higher than the value of ZnO (DC-TVA). As well, ZnO (PTVA) presented superior photocatalytic
activity towards the decomposition of Cipro, after 240 min of irradiation, yielding 96% degradation
efficiency. Moreover, the agar-well diffusion assay performance against both Gram-positive and
Gram-negative bacteria confirms the degradation of antibiotic molecules by the UV/ZnO (PTVA)
approach, without the formation of secondary hazardous products during the photocatalysis process.
Repeated cyclic usage of coatings revealed excellent reusability and operational stability
Aspects concerning the entrepreneurship measurment
No full textThe measurement of the entrepreneurship considers that entrepreneurship is a multifaceted phenomenon that requires a
complex measure. In determining the index, instead of a quantitative approach, an adequate measure is the
consideration of the quality aspects of entrepreneurship. After that, both individual efforts/capabilities and
environmental/institutional aspects of entrepreneurship are to be taken into account. The different aspects / components
of entrepreneurship constitute a system in which the interaction of the elements is vital. Entrepreneurship policy needs
to be designed from a systems perspective, offering a tailored policy mix that fits a particular country's entrepreneurial
profile, rather than offering one-size that fits all suggestions. The global entrepreneurship index defines
entrepreneurship at the country level as a National Entrepreneurship System that is the result of the dynamic,
institutional interaction of entrepreneurial attitudes, skills and aspirations of individuals, which leads to the allocation of
resources through the creation and operation of new business projects
Clonal dissemination of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant enterobacterales between dogs and humans in households and animal shelters of Romania
Get PDFFaecal carriage of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESC-R) Enterobacterales in
healthy pets is a concerning issue. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, genetic background,
and potential for interspecies transmission of these bacteria between dogs and humans within the
same household (HH) or shelter environment in Romania. Faecal samples (n = 263) collected from
healthy dogs (n = 102), their owners (n = 32), as well as dogs (n = 110) and staff (n = 19) from dog
shelters, were screened for ESC-R carriage. Clonal relatedness of canine and human Escherichia
coli isolates was established using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), followed by
Illumina WGS of selected isolates. The highest prevalence of ESC-R Enterobacterales faecal carriage
was identified in staff working at dog shelters (78.9%), followed by dogs from households (44.11%),
dog owners (43.7%), and dogs from shelters (27%). FTIR identified 15 clusters of closely related E. coli
isolates, including dog and human isolates from the same environment. Co-carriage of ESC-R isolates
in both the dog and owner was identified in 12 HHs (37.5%), with two HHs (6%) having both the
owner and dog carrying isolates with identical FTIR spectra, phylogroup, resistance genes, and Inc
plasmids. Major ExPEC lineages such as ST127, ST10, ST155, and ST88 were detected in human and
dog isolates. Our study revealed a high prevalence of faecal ESC-R E. coli carriage in both dogs and
humans from Romanian households and shelters, where bidirectional clonal transmission between
humans and dogs is likely. Furthermore, we identified ESC-R Enterobacterales co-carriage in people
and dogs sharing the same environment using FTIR, demonstrating its value in AMR surveillance for
humans and animals
Feasibility of biochar derived from sewage sludge to promote sustainable agriculture and mitigate GHG emissions - a review
No full textSewage sludge (SS) has been connected to a variety of global environmental problems.
Assessing the risk of various disposal techniques can be quite useful in recommending appropriate
management. The preparation of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) and its impacts on soil characteristics,
plant health, nutrient leaching, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are critically reviewed in
this study. Comparing the features of SSB obtained at various pyrolysis temperatures revealed
changes in its elemental content. Lower hydrogen/carbon ratios in SSB generated at higher pyrolysis
temperatures point to the existence of more aromatic carbon molecules. Additionally, the preparation
of SSB has an increased ash content, a lower yield, and a higher surface area as a result of the rise in
pyrolysis temperature. The worldwide potential of SS output and CO2
-equivalent emissions in 2050
were predicted as factors of global population and common disposal management in order to create
a futuristic strategy and cope with the quantity of abundant global SS. According to estimations,
the worldwide SS output and associated CO2
-eq emissions were around 115 million tons dry solid
(Mt DS) and 14,139 teragrams (Tg), respectively, in 2020. This quantity will rise to about 138 Mt DS
sewage sludge and 16985 Tg CO2
-eq emissions in 2050, a 20% increase. In this regard, developing
and populous countries may support economic growth by utilizing low-cost methods for producing
biochar and employing it in local agriculture. To completely comprehend the benefits and drawbacks
of SSB as a soil supplement, further study on long-term field applications of SSB is required
Development of lands on the slope through terracing for recreation areas
No full textThe terracing of sloping land provides multiple functional and aesthetic advantages. Landscaping on a slope is a
complex work that requires a thorough analysis of the features of the relief, soil and vegetation. The adoption of an
optimal terracing solution, in terms of dimensions, contributes to the quality of the result obtained, its maintenance over
time and a minimal impact on the environment. In this work, for the dimensioning of the terraces and the optimal use of
the natural elements, the topographic survey of the surface was carried out with the GPS. When determining the width
of the leisure terraces, the slope of the land and microrelief were taken into account. To make the embankments more
efficient, it was proposed to equalize the volume of excavation with that of filling. The achievement of this objective
was achieved by covering the surface to be leveled with a network of squares, with a side of 17 m, the corners of the
squares being materialized on the ground with wooden stakes. The absolute shares of all the points of the squares were
determined, and depending on the weight of each point, the weighted average share of the two networks of squares was
calculated. The calculation resulted in a value of the weighted average elevation on the first terrace, from the upstream
side, of 148.789 m, and on the second terrace of 146.599 m. The values thus obtained were imposed quotas for the
execution of the terrace platforms. Depending on the micro-relief of the land on the surface proposed for development
and the neighboring areas, widths of the terraces of 15 and 17 m, with a length of 88 m, have resulted, which allow their
use for the purpose proposed for development
Contributions regarding knowledge of soil aeration processes to plant growth and development
No full textIn this paper, the potential aeration conditions of the soils are studied, which are particularly important in establishing
their fertility status necessary for optimal plant development. The indicators that define the air content of the soil,
different forms of porosity are thus analyzed, with emphasis on aeration porosity, pore size distribution, air content at
different suction stages, but also some measured indicators (such as air permeability), which define air movement by
convection (mass flow). Within the current agricultural technological systems, the different ways of working the soil
significantly influence the state of aeration. This process takes place by damaging the soil matrix, by changing the
movement of water in the porous space, by the dynamics of biological processes in the soil or by the combined effect of
these phenomena. In order to obtain the information necessary for the study and research of soil aeration processes, we
approached different methods, namely: direct measurement methods on soil samples collected in experiments with
controlled traffic and in expeditionary studies, as well as indirect assessment methods using the existing information in
the network of monitoring
Izomeri piridazinici cu activitate biologică
Get PDFIsomers are chemical compounds different from each other, with individualized physical and chemical properties. Dimethyl 2-butenoate is a symmetricall substitued alkene, with two isomeric structures: cis (dimethyl maleate) and trans (dimethyl maleate). By the addition reaction of dimethyl 2-butenoate to pyridazine salts, pyridazine isomeric derivatives are obtained. The existence of isomeric structures was proven spectrally. The biological effect of pyridazine isomers was analyzed, through tests, carried out in special chambers with controlled temperature. The results proveded the influence of the tested compounds in the germination process of wheat seeds, in the development and weight of the fresh seedlings
Effects of exogenous growth regulators on agrobiological, technological and physiological characteristics of an interspecific grapevine cultivar
No full textThe use of interspecific grapevine cultivars offers new perspectives for sustainable viticulture. Although the application of exogenous plant hormones has become widespread in recent years, data regarding the response of interspecific grapevine cultivars to treatments with biostimulants are scarce. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of gibberellic acid (GA3) (25, 50 and 100 mg L−1), applied by spraying the inflorescences in the late flowering phenophase, and of the complex product Cropmax® (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mL L−1) applied by spraying the leaves in three different phenophases, on the phenology, fertility, physiological characteristics, grape yield and quality of the interspecific table grape cultivar Moldova (Guzal kara × Seyve-Villard 12-375), growing in temperate climate conditions (N-E Romania). The application of GA3 at 50 mg L−1 increased the plant productivity (36%), promoted fruit growth and rachis elongation, improved the percentage of the marketable yield (by 5.5%), balanced the sugar/acidity ratio, but affected the synthesis of phenolic compounds. Foliar application of Cropmax® at 2.5 mL L−1 significantly improved the berry diameter, and sugar and anthocyanin accumulation, but grape acidity remained high. All treatments allowed the normal development of plant phenophases and grape maturation, but GA3 application slightly extended the number of days of the annual biological cycle of the Moldova hybrid cultivar (up to 5.5 days), probably due to a temporary variation in the physiological parameters (except for stomatal conductance), as determined in mature leaves after the application of the exogenous growth regulator
A Case Study of Photosensitivity Associated with Anaplasma spp. Infection in Cattle
No full textAnaplasma infection has not previously been reported as a cause of photosensitization. This case presents a five-year-old Holstein cow in her fifth month of gestation with skin injury of nonpigmented areas clearly delimited from adjacent unaffected pigmented skin. Specific lesions included alopecia, localized oedema, desquamation erythema, serous exudation, thick detached skin, fissures, crusting, and necrosis, indicating photodermatitis. Hematological abnormalities were leukocytosis with neutrophilia and normocytic hypochromic anemia. Based on a hemoparasitic examination of blood smears, the organism Anaplasma spp. was observed within the red blood cells. Biochemical analyses revealed increased serum liver enzyme activity associated with hepatocellular damage and cholestasis. This cow was RT-PCR positive for Anaplasma spp. infection. After treatment with oxytetracycline started, its condition improved within 24 h, and it recovered completely within 30 days. In this case, the underlying pathogenic mechanism of Anaplasma spp. infection facilitated the impairment of bile flow and liver function, resulting in hepatogenous photosensitization
Work satisfaction in the food industry - a premise for economic performance
No full textThe greatest challenge for Romania’s food industry is to achieve technical and economic
parity with the rest of Europe. Therefore, businesses require productive employees, and labor
productivity depends on employee satisfaction. This study’s primary objective was to investigate
employee satisfaction in the bakery industry in order to enhance economic performance. This topic is
rarely researched, but it is necessary to enhance the economic performance and work processes of
this industry. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods were used, including
an online questionnaire survey of 254 employees and a focus group meeting with 17 managers
from 60 companies in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Romania. Total pay (5.3 points on a
1–7-point scale), amount of work (4.9 points), and number of working hours (4.8 points) were the top
motivators. The average weighted value for job satisfaction on a scale of 100 points was 27.4 points.
The relationship between labor costs and employee satisfaction was strong. Low levels of satisfaction
are costlier for employers than high levels of satisfaction. The originality of this study lies in its
determination of how strongly employees perceive each aspect of job satisfaction and its correlation
to the economic performance of companies