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CREȘTEREA EFICIENȚEI PROCESULUI DE USCARE A SEMINȚELOR OLEAGINOASE PRIN APLICAREA TRATAMENTULUI TERMIC ÎN STRAT DE SUSPENSIE
Get PDFThe study is dedicated to increasing the efficiency of the drying process of oilseeds from processing industry residues. The research focused on the example of seeds, which are currently not fully exploited in the Republic of Moldova, but have great potential to be used as raw material for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, while their drying process by traditional methods has low efficiency and hinders their exploitation. In order to carry out investigations to solve the existing problems, an experimental plant has been developed, and the method of thermal treatment in the suspension layer was applied in the drying process. The results obtained have shown that the developed plant allows increasing the productivity, energy efficiency and quality of dried seeds.
Studiul este consacrat sporirii eficienței procesului de uscare a semințelor oleaginoase provenite din reziduurile industriei de procesare. Cercetările au fost axate pe exemplul semințelor, care la moment în Republica Moldova nu sunt valorificate pe deplin, dar au un mare potențial pentru a fi utilizate în calitate de materie primă pentru industria alimentară, cea cosmetică și cea fermaceutică, iar procesul de uscare a lor prin metodele tradiționale are o eficiență redusă și împiedică valorificarea lor. Pentru realizarea investigațiilor în vederea soluționării problemelor existente, a fost elaborată o instalație experimentală, care aplică în procesul de uscare metoda de tratare termică în strat de suspensie. Rezultatele obținute au demonstrat că instalația elaborată permite creșterea productivității, a eficienței energetice și a calității semințelor uscate
POULTRY COMB-BASED FOOD PRODUCTS: APPROACHES TO SHELF-LIFE PREDICTION AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Get PDFPoultry combs are considered as a valuable raw material for the production of various food products. A flowchart outlining the industrial manufacturing process for these products is developed and substantiated. The study details the physical and chemical properties of poultry combs, and the results are presented. To evaluate the alimentary value of the product developed, a comprehensive analysis of the chemical traits was fulfilled. The findings conclude that ready-to-eat products made from poultry combs are nutritious, technologically feasible, and accessible to a wide range of consumers. The chemical composition of thermally treated poultry combs, particularly the high protein content, contributes to the limited shelf life. This implies the need for scientifically-based predictions of safe storage periods, which can be achieved through practical research (which is time and labor-intensive but reliable) or sophisticated mathematical modeling (which is easier to implement but may be less reliable). This scientific paper substantiates the application of factorial testing methods to predict the shelf life of perishable meat products
ANALIZA CÂMPULUI DE TEMPERATURĂ LA DESHIDRATAREA FRUCTELOR CU APLICAREA MICROUNDELOR
Get PDFThis paper presents a fruit dehydration plant with the application of microwaves, developed by the team of researchers from the Technical University of Moldova. The main purpose of the research was to analyze the distribution of the temperature field in the processing chamber and to argue the constructive-technological parameters of the dehydration plant. The dehydration method proposed by the authors consists of heating the product under the action of the electromagnetic field generated by the magnetron. The general objective pursued by the researchers was to determine the necessary number of microwave reflectors to obtain the most uniform heating of the product in the working chamber. The main results obtained are determination of the positioning of the treatment source and uniformization of the distribution of the temperature field, to increase the efficiency of the technological process, increasing the dehydration speed, reducing electricity consumption and increasing the quality of finished products
STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF DATA ON THE POLLUTION OF THE PRUT RIVER WITH AMMONIUM NITROGEN
Get PDFThis paper analyzes the pollution of the Prut River with ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺) during the period 2019–2021, focusing on exceedances of the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of 0.2 mg/L. The analyzed data comes from measurements taken in various localities along the river. The results indicate constant pollution with significant exceedances of the MAC, the highest measured concentration being 3.85 mg/L. Descriptive analysis reveals an asymmetric distribution, with extreme values raising the average to 0.8456 mg/L. The 2019–2021 period was chosen because this interval recorded significant MAC exceedances. Urban localities, such as Leova and Lipcani, show the highest concentrations, and are correlated with intense human activities. The conclusions emphasize the need for urgent action to reduce pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems and public health
MACRO SYNTHESIS OF WIDE AREA COMPUTER NETWORKS AT NONLINEAR COSTS
Get PDFIn practice, simple solutions of quick preliminary estimation of basic characteristics of a wide area computer network sometimes are needed. To achieve this goal, the backbone data transfer subnet and server set of computer networks are opportune to be examined. Considering the nonlinear continuous dependence of the costs of channels, routers, and servers on their performance and using the J.R. Jackson’s partitioning theorem, an analytical model for these components of the network is defined. Based on this model, two optimization problems are formulated and examined: minimizing the average retention time of data processing requests and minimizing the summary cost of servers, channels and routers of the network. For both problems, numerical solution algorithms are proposed. These algorithms allow obtaining the expected solutions in continuous form, the respective performances being expressed by positive real numbers. Since the allowed performances of the mentioned entities are discrete, additional adjustments to the solutions in question, depending of the case, may be necessary. For such adjustments, two algorithms are proposed. One of them solves the problem by reducing it to that of the backpack. Another solves the problem in an heuristic manner based on the L. Kleinrock’s resource concentration rule
IN-DEPTH PROPERTIES ANALYSIS OF ZnAl2O4/ZnO MICRO-NANOSTRUCTURES
Get PDFThis manuscript presents characterization of ZnAl2O4/ZnO micro-nanostructures of their morphological, chemical, structural and sensing properties. The ZnO micronanostructures obtained using flame transport synthesis were covered with ZnAl2O4 nanodots by chemical approach. Morphological, chemical and structural properties have been investigated using SEM, EDX and XRD, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy investigation shows the formation of micro-nanostructures of different morphologies, namely tetrapods and nanowires, covered with nanodots. The EDX study revealed the chemical composition of the micro-nanostructures, confirming the presence of Al on the micronanostructures’ surfaces too. The XRD pattern of the studied micro-nanostructures shows the presence of ZnO and ZnAl2O4 crystalline phases in the grown material. A single ZnAl2O4/ZnO nanostructure was integrated into a device by FIB/SEM and tested to a series of gases at different operating temperatures, demonstrating selectivity to 100 ppm hydrogen gas and response value of ~1.2 up to ~3.65 at 20 °C and 150 °C, respectively. A sensing mechanism to hydrogen gas was proposed, involving free electrical charge transfer between ZnO wire and ZnAl2O4 nanodots. Based on the knowledge gained, optimization of hydrogen gas sensors using the methods and nanomaterials presented herein is envisioned
GENDER AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A REFLECTIVE ANALYSIS OF POLICY AND LEGISLATION
Get PDFThis article examines the extent to which gender dimensions have been entrenched within solid waste management in the South African local government context. The main rationale for the study is that solid waste management policies, legislation and regulations have been crafted in a way that emphasises technical trash disposal, with little or no consideration devoted to the social and economic aspects in households. The findings of a comprehensive examination into how gender influences solid waste management and the relevance of this in tackling service delivery are discussed in this paper. The paper and its supporting research are informed by an ecofeminist approach that claims that gender equality is required for effective management of the environment. Using a qualitative literature review as the basis for research method, findings reveal that numerous policies and regulations exist. The concept of gender remains at the periphery of solid waste management and has not been fully incorporated into policy design. The study recommends a revision of such frameworks to ensure that gender specifics are detailed and guide local governments in mainstreaming gender in solid waste management
THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY BUSINESS INCUBATORS IN SHAPING ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET - AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE IN ALGERIA
Get PDFThis study examines the role of university business incubators (UBIs) in shaping entrepreneurial mindset of Algerian students, emphasizing their economic and social impact. Motivated by the growing need to integrate entrepreneurship into academic frameworks, the research hypothesizes that UBIs significantly influence creativity, entrepreneurial thought, and venture intentions. The study’s objective is to assess the effectiveness of incubators in delivering training, mentorship, and financial resources while fostering a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), data from 450 university students were analyzed. Findings reveal that UBIs significantly enhance entrepreneurial attitudes, with high reliability scores (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.956) confirming the robustness of the analysis. Training and mentorship emerged as pivotal elements, complemented by financial support, in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The study concludes that UBIs are essential catalysts for fostering innovation and reducing barriers to entrepreneurship. By promoting creativity and collaboration among students, these incubators contribute to economic and social progress. The findings highlight the need for enhanced university-industry-government collaborations to amplify the impact of UBIs and support entrepreneurial ecosystems
CHALLENGES OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION IN ETHIOPIA: REFLECTIONS ON ETHIOPIA’S CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION, NATIONAL COHESION AND PEACE BUILDING
Get PDFEthiopia has been struggling to achieve national reconciliation, conflict transformation, and peace-building since the 1974 revolution and regime changes in 1991 and 2018. Past Ethiopian governments have not given enough attention to reconciliation efforts, despite the urge for it and attempt to establish a reconciliation commission. The study in this article looks at the challenges facing national reconciliation, conflict transformation, social cohesion, and peace-building in contemporary Ethiopia. The researcher used interviews with key informants and qualitatively designed surveys with 165 randomly selected residents of Addis Ababa, Adama, and Mekelle cities. Analysis of documents, literature, research articles, and social media platforms helped to highlight various challenges, including historical context, political and constitutional issues, competing nationalisms, social factors, national identity conflicts, economic disparities, media influence, lack of civil society involvement, the spoiling role of the Ethiopian diaspora, and external pressures. The study recommends a strong political commitment and a comprehensive peace-building strategy involving all Ethiopian elites to achieve lasting political reconciliation, unity, and peace in the country through an elite based negotiated political settlement
WORK PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES IN A CONGOLESE PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENT AND ITS DETERMINANTS
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the work performance of employees of a Congolese public institution (in this case, the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale), and to assess the factors that might explain this performance. It was based on the following three hypotheses: (1) Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale employees would perform well at work; (2) sociodemographic variables and career characteristics would significantly explain the performance of these employees; (3) career characteristics would be more decisive in the performance of these employees than sociodemographic factors. To test these hypotheses, an individual work performance scale was administered to a non-probabilistic sample of 93 general management employees at the above-mentioned establishment. Overall, the results confirmed our hypotheses. In other words, employees of this establishment perform well at work, and their performance is explained by both sociodemographic and career factors. In terms of socio-demographic factors, only the variables gender and age influenced one of the five dimensions of job performance