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ADDICTION TO PORNOGRAPHY AMONG TEENAGERS IN KINSHASA AND ITS DETERMINANTS
Full text linkThe aim of this research was to evaluate pornography addiction in a sample of 405 adolescents in the city of Kinshasa, as well as its explanatory factors. A pornography addiction assessment test was administered to the adolescents targeted in the study. After correction of this test, it was found that 123 subjects (30.4%) out of the 405 surveyed had developed pornography addiction. What's more, only the district of residence variable influenced pornography addiction. Specifically, there are more adolescent pornography addicts residing in the Lukunga district compared to other districts in the city of Kinshasa
MIGRATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS FROM FOOD PACKAGING: REGULATORY ASPECTS AND ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL RISKS
Full text linkPlastics have become prevalent in food packaging, although the transfer of additives with potential for migration into food is a significant public health concern. The article reviews various packaging materials, explores the factors influencing the migration of chemicals from packaging into food, reviews the literature on the presence of migrants in food, and identifies potential health risks. The regulatory aspects of the use of food packaging made of polymeric materials in the European Union and the Republic of Moldova are reviewed, as well as the mechanisms governing the migration of additives from packaging into food. The process of migration of additives from plastic containers during microwave heating of food, the use of recycled plastic containers, and their combined effect present topics for extensive biomonitoring, necessary to minimize migration from a food safety perspective
EXPLORING THE HUMAN CIRCULATORY SYSTEM THROUGH SYSTEM DYNAMICS: A MODEL-BASED APPROACH
Full text linkSystem dynamics is a robust methodology for understanding the behavior of complex systems over time. By employing feedback loops, stocks, flows, and time delays, this approach provides a comprehensive framework for simulating and analyzing dynamic systems. The application of system dynamics to the human circulatory system presents numerous possibilities, benefits, and practical applications that can significantly enhance our understanding and management of cardiovascular health. This article details experimental results from modeling myocardial infarction conditions using a six-compartment model developed in the NetLogo integrated development environment, incorporating BehaviorSpace for extensive simulations. For result analysis, specialized packages in R, Python, and Wolfram Mathematica were utilized to ensure rigorous data interpretation. The results demonstrate promising fidelity when compared to existing literature and real-time patient data, indicating the model's potential for clinical applications. By illustrating the interactions within the circulatory system, this research not only contributes to theoretical knowledge but also offers practical insights into disease management and intervention strategies, paving the way for improved cardiovascular health outcomes
REDUCTION OF SODIUM CONTENT IN BAKING THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES
Full text linkExcessive sodium consumption is a global public health concern, negatively impacting life expectancy and overall quality of life. Bread, one of the world’s staple foods, contributes significantly to total sodium consumption, making it imperative to reformulate traditional recipes to reduce salt content while maintaining product acceptability. An effective strategy involves gradually reducing the amount of salt, allowing consumers to adapt to a less intense taste. Another approach involves the use of potassium chloride, which can partially replace sodium in the composition of bakery products, but requires adjustments to eliminate the slightly bitter taste. In this process, yeast plays an essential role, as natural fermentation contributes to the development of a more complex flavor profile, amplifying the perception of salty taste and reducing the need for added salt. Another key factor in reducing sodium is the use of flavor enhancers, such as yeast extracts, glutamates and hydrolyzed protein nucleotides, which enhance the perception of saltiness without increasing sodium content. These ingredients can be combined with salt substitutes, thus helping to maintain an optimal taste balance. Implementing these solutions requires an integrated technological approach, which includes product reformulation, nutritional education and public policies aimed at supporting the reduction of sodium in the diet
MICROBIAL Β-GLUCANS: EXTRACTION METHODS AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS – A REVIEW
Full text linkThe growing interest in functional food ingredients and sustainable bioresources has increased the scientific focus on microbial β-glucans. These polysaccharides are recognized for their immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and prebiotic activities, with potential to improve human health and support innovative biotechnological applications. The present review is based on the hypothesis that the structural diversity of β-glucans significantly influences both their bioactivity and their suitability for industrial utilization. The main objective is to analyze the extraction and purification methods applied for recovering β- glucans from microbial sources, highlighting the relationship between molecular structure and functional properties. Classical techniques such as hot water and enzymatic extraction are compared with modern strategies including ultrasound-, microwave-, and supercritical fluid-assisted methods. Findings indicate that extraction efficiency, yield, and purity strongly depend on the method employed, while hybrid approaches enhance both bioactivity preservation and environmental sustainability. Microbial β-glucans show promising applications in food, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmetic sectors, while safety considerations regarding microbial contamination and immunogenicity remain essential. The review concludes that advances in processing technologies, together with standardized characterization, will contribute to optimizing β-glucan production and to expanding their role as multifunctional bio-ingredients
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY POLICING: PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND DISPUTE HANDLING ROLES
Full text linkEffective policing requires the active involvement of the local community. To engage the community, the Addis Ababa Police Commission implemented the community policy with the objectives of identifying inclusive problems in the community and managing social disputes. This study assessed the importance of the community policing program by using a qualitative research approach to collect detailed information. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The study found that involving community residents in community policing helped police departments identify the problem and manage disputes at the community level. This enabled the resolution of critical and serious problems that require detailed police intervention. As a result of community engagement, beyond reducing the burden on the police department, empowering citizens in managing social disputes promotes a culture of proactive problem-solving among residents at the grassroots level. The study advocates for a review of conventional approaches by social work to empower communities to include citizen empowerment and empowerment programs to reduce structural barriers. Accordingly, the study suggests that the Addis Ababa Police Commission should intensively implement community policing in different divisions of the police commission
POST-INDEPENDENCE STATE FORMATION IN AFRICA: A THEORETICAL REVIEW
Full text linkThis article reviews key essential theories to understand the actors, nature, and characteristics of the post-independence African state that emerged since the early 1960s decolonization period. In conducting academic research, a theory has multiple scholarly valuable purposes, including the quest to understand how the social world works. Theorizing state formation is the quest to understand how state formation in post-independence Africa differs from other parts of the world. Scholars argue that theorizing state formation in postindependence Africa incorporates deeply analysing the challenges originating from the progress of global economic and political systems, identifying the key roles of prominent individuals, investigating major establishments of the state, and examining the power struggle between social groups and classes. Methodologically, qualitative approach is employed that is exploratory and descriptive by collecting qualitative data from respective sources. This study is aimed at emphasizing on examining the existing theories of state formation in postcolonial Africa. The findings of this study that post-independence African states are artificially crafted by the coercive European colonial rule based on these two key theories: - the Leadership/Nation-Building and the Marxist theories of state formation
EFICIENŢA PREPARATELOR TRICHODERMIN-SC ȘI UNICAL, SC ÎN CONTROLUL PUTREGAIULUI CENUȘIU LA FLOAREA-SOARELUI ÎN CONDIȚIILE INTENSIFICĂRII CULTURII ÎN ZONA DE SUD A REPUBLICII MOLDOVA
Full text linkThe year by year expansion of the arable areas devoted to sunflower cultivation increases the risk of spreading pathogens, and in particular of the fungus Botrytis cinerea, which has a negative impact on the phytosanitary status in the agroclimatic conditions of the southern part of the Republic of Moldova. Since the economic and agro-climatic situation of agricultural producers requires the identification of cheap and effective products to face the challenges, it was proposed to test the preparations Trichodermin-SC and Unical, SC for the control of Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould in sunflower crops. The research was conducted during the agricultural years 2022-2024. The tri-factorial experiment included three variants in three replications: 1) biological method of protection with the use of the ecological preparation Trichodermin-SC (based on the fungus Trichoderma lignorum), 2) chemical method of protection with the use of the chemical preparation Unical, SC (based on tebuconazole) and 3) the genetic factor. Three commercial hybrids of sunflower were tested: P64LE25, P64LP130 and LG5377. Overall, the results show a high biological efficacy of Trichodermin-SC preparation in the control of grey mould, reaching levels of 63.4% and 56.2%, but with a noticeable decrease (17.55%) on an intensive background of infection in 2024. The chemical preparation Unical, SC showed biological efficiencies ranging from 37.20%-60.0%. The Hybrids P64LE25 and P64LP130 manifested increased resistance to sunflower grey mould and are considered suitable for both conventional and ecologic systems
ЦИФРОВАЯ ТЕХНОЛОГИЯ ИДЕНТИФИКАЦИИ СХОДСТВА И РАЗЛИЧИЙ МЕЖДУ ЛИНИЯМИ КУКУРУЗЫ НА ОСНОВЕ ОСОБЕННОСТЕЙ ПОЛИМОРФИЗМА БЕЛКА
No full textThe article presents the fundamental principles for developing a digital technology algorithm aimed at identifying similarities and differences between maize lines at the level of polymorphism of the maize endosperm storage protein – zein. The proposed technology is based on a comparative analysis of two homozygous genotypes, followed by their inclusion in a reciprocal hybridization scheme through automatic synthesis according to the genetic principle of codominance. The main methodological tool used in this study is the FOREZ-2 software program. The parameters for interpreting the specificity of protein polymorphism, proposed for the comparative identification of homozygous maize genotypes, are analyzed in detail. The paper describes in depth the technology for modeling direct and reverse computer-based test crossings to reveal genetic differences between the analyzed maize lines at the level of protein polymorphism specificity, according to the interpretation parameter “molecular forms of zein.” At the same time, it is established that, for evaluating similarity between the compared lines, the interpretation of electrophoretic spectra can be limited to the quantitative characteristics of “zein peptide subunits” (ZPS). It is shown that the main interpretation parameter of similarity is the “total area of ZPS” identical for reciprocal hybrid combinations. In conclusion, an algorithm of digital technology is proposed for identifying similarities and differences between homozygous maize genotypes based on zein polymorphism specificity. According to the authors, the proposed algorithm can be recommended as a universal tool for processing experimental electrophoretic data in the fields of maize heterosis breeding, spontaneous and artificial mutagenesis, as well as for evaluating new forms of Zea mays L. obtained through biotechnological methods.
В статье изложены основные принципы формирования алгоритма цифровой технологии идентификации сходства и различия между линиями кукурузы на уровне полиморфизма запасного белка эндосперма кукурузы – зеина. Предложенная технология базируется на проведении сравнительного анализа двух сопоставляемых гомозиготных генотипов с их последующим включением в схему реципрокного гибридного комбинирования на основе их автоматического синтеза по генетическому принципу кодоминирования. В качестве основного методологического инструмента в работе использована программа FOREZ-2. Подробно проана лизированы параметры интерпретации специфики полиморфизма белка, предложенные для сравнительной идентификации гомозиготных генотипов кукурузы. Детально изложена технология моделирования прямого и обратного компьютерного тест скрещивания с целью выявления генетических различий между анализируемыми линиями кукурузы на уровне специфики полиморфизма белков по параметру интерпретации «молекулярные формы зеина». В то же время для оценки сходства между сопоставляемыми линиями установлено, что интерпретацию ЭФ спектров можно ограничить количественными характеристиками «пептидных субъединиц зеина» (ПСЗ). Причем показано, что главным параметром интерпретации сходства является «общая площадь ПСЗ», идентичных для реципрокных гибридных комбинаций. В заключении, предложен алгоритм цифровой технологии идентификации сходства и различий между гомозиготными генотипами кукурузы по специфике полиморфизма зеина. По мнению авторов, предложенный алгоритм следует рекомендовать в качестве универсального инструмента, который можно использовать для обработки экспериментальных ЭФ-ских данных в области гетерозисной селекции кукурузы, спонтанного и искусственного мутагенеза, а также для оценки новых форм Zea mays L., полученных на основе биотехнологических методов
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND VIBRATION TESTING OF THE TUMnanoSAT MICROSATELLITE
Full text linkOne of the important verification steps before the launch of the nanosatellite developed at Technical University of Moldova (TUMnanoSAT) was vibration testing of the real model. These tests were carried out according to the requirements submitted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with which the launch of our nanosatellite was possible. Thus, in order to validate the structural integrity of CubeSat nanosatellites under launch loads, a 1U TestPod was designed and manufactured. This work presents hands-on experience of the vibration testing of the TUMnanoSAT microsatellite and simulation of static and dynamic loads. The dynamic behavior was analyzed by checking the harmonic oscillations (modal analysis and random vibrations) in order to avoid critical frequency (140 Hz). The testing facilities were provided by the Space Science Institute from Bucharest. The microsatellite was vibration tested in X, Y and Z axis directions according to special requirements. The numerical calculation model was developed in ANSYS Workbench. Comparison of the experimental results and numerical modal tests showed a good correlation within 10%