Implementation of HACCP - OPERA approach to The assessment of chemical risks in a sugar factory in Morocco, based on the principles of HACCP - OPERA approach

To implement the principles of HACCP-OPERA, we have proposed in a previous work, to demonstrate its reliability and its application in the field and to present the limits of its implementation in an industrial site, a sugar factory in Morocco has launched a study of identification and risk assessment in chemical laboratory quality control of the beets on the basis of this new approach. The results showed that the risks were significant and strong impact on the health of operators such as, the manipulation of acetate of lead, formaldehyde and acetic acid that the risk of severity 156, 148 and 48 respectively, from which we could determine the critical points. Lead acetate for D (critical) = 0, acetic acid D (critical) = 4 and D Formaldehyde (critical point) = 1. These products can cause accidents and diseases, if the exposure was unacceptable and preventive measures were rarely established. HACCP-OPERA has enabled us, together, determine the critical limits for each CCP, a simplified and inexpensive: for D Lead acetate (critical limit) <0, the acetic acid D (limit critical) <4 and D Formaldehyde (critical limit) <1. Corrective measures must be put into action if the monitoring system shows the loss or the trend towards loss of control of a critical point. Also, the HACCP-OPERA presented difficulties in implementation, which limited us to identify and assess all chemicals listed on the site.

Fractional Statistics in terms of the r-Generalized Fibonacci Sequences

We develop the basis of the two dimensional generalized quantum statistical systems by using results on $r$-generalized Fibonacci sequences. According to the spin value $s$ of the 2d-quasiparticles, we distinguish four classes of quantum statistical systems indexed by $s=0,1/2:mod(1)$, $s=1/M:mod(1)$, $s=n/M:mod(1)$ and $0\leq s\leq 1:mod(1)$. For quantum gases of quasiparticles with $s=1/M:mod(1)$, $M\geq 2,$, we show that the statistical weights densities $\rho_M$ are given by the integer hierarchies of Fibonacci sequences. This is a remarkable result which envelopes naturally the Fermi and Bose statistics and may be thought of as an alternative way to the Haldane interpolating statistical method.Comment: Late

On tower impedances for transient analysis

The analysis of the dynamic behavior of power transmission line and telecommunication towers is of interest in protection and EMC studies related to lightning. Usually, time-domain surge impedance is used to characterize tower dynamic behavior. The main drawback in the definition of such surge impedance is that it is dependent on the excitation waveshape and there is no consensus on the current waveshape to be used. Also, there is no consensus on the unique definition of the involved voltage. This paper explores possibilities for a systematized approach to the analysis and uniquely defined quantities that characterize transient response of towers. Further, limitations associated with simplified approaches are emphasized by examining examples of direct comparison between computations based on transmission-line approach and antenna theory for a 100-m tall tower. It is pointed out that problems in the definition of voltages might occur above 100 kHz, especially near resonant frequencies, while differences in current distribution exist already at the lowest frequencie

Application of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system for the professional mastery of chemical risk to the operator.

In the field of chemical risk, conducting an evaluation process is often difficult. It is even more complicated in the small agri-food establishments, where the activity requires the use of chemicals without being registered so far in the business of chemistry. Therefore, the question to resort to the use of simple methods of chemical risks analysis, allowing better use of resources and economies.To help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco to manage this risk daily, including food compagnies, our team has developed a simple methodology, based on the synergy of the principles of HACCP and OPERA method, it is the HACCP-OPERA approach. This approach develops a se-curity plan and creates a state of mind "quality, safety and health" in the company. This can favorite ser subsequently the establishment or improvement of a management system of quality, safety and health, minimizing the multiplicity of adopted approaches by the food company, for the management of risks related to the product and to the operator.The developed approach allows to conduct a simplified and progressive identification and chemical risk assessment. It allows, in particular, the critical points determination, establishing of critical limits of risk exposition, establishing surveillance measures and fasten action priorities. Indeed, it is recommended that this approach is put in place taking into account the own characteristics of the property.

Mycorrhizal fungi as natural bio-fertilizers: How to produce and use

This technical handbook provides an easy to follow guide describing the process on how to produce home-made mycorrhizal inoculants using different types of propagation units and how inoculants can be applied as bio-fertilizers in the nursery and during field transplantation for improving the growth and stress tolerance of crop plants

Examination of Challenges Faced by Youth-Owned Small Medium Micro Enterprises in Limpopo Province of South Africa

There is universal consensus that countries, South Africa included, need to develop and support more small business owners, especially youth, to grow the economy and create more jobs. The South African government have put measures in place for support and development of youth-owned small businesses. Accordingly, it becomes essential to assess if these measures are achieving their objectives. The overall purpose of this paper is to assess the status of youth-owned small businesses in Limpopo Province of South Africa as well as challenges faced by these businesses. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that the challenges youth face include a combination of lack of skills, finance, business supportive infrastructure and/or technology. Most of the youth were also not aware of the training and support programmes and policies offered by government and its parastatals. Furthermore, those who were aware still did not utilise the government support programmes. There was very little growth in their businesses over time, implying that theses youth-owned small businesses contributed little towards creating employment opportunities and developing and/or boosting the economy in their area. The paper recommended education and training; encouraging partnerships and joint ventures as well as help in accessing finance. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p125

Challenges of Water Management towards Socio-Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper examines the challenges of water management towards Socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. The specific objectives of the paper are to 1) review challenges associated with water management in Sub-Saharan Africa; and 2) indicate that water provision and management is a factor in socio-economic development of the region. The methodological approach for the paper is literature review. Water is a fundamental need for all humans, as well as all other living beings. Amongst other things, water provision and management is considered important for socio-economic growth and development as well as poverty alleviation. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as one of the vehicles that can be used to promote socio-economic development were put together as a “global anti-poverty push”. Attainment of the MDGs also needs effective water management and provision. By agreeing on the MDGs the world promised to reduce the number of people who do not have access to safe drinking water by half by 2015. The findings of the paper from the literature review indicate that many parts of the world are seemingly on their way to meeting the MDG water provision and management target, with the exception of most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The situation is worse in rural areas where only about 50%, compared to 80% of people in urban areas, have access to safe drinking water. It is expected that by 2015 at least 48 countries will be facing water shortages. About 22 of those countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa, indicating the need to keep water management as a priority in this region. This paper provides an overview of factors and/or challenges that impact on the management and delivery of water in sub-Saharan Africa as well as recommendations on improving the provision of water. Therefore, the paper demonstrates that water management remains a challenge and should be put on all agenda that are geared towards socio-economic development. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p139

Determination of Lightning Currents from Far Electromagnetic Fields: Effect of a Strike Object

We discuss in this paper the influence of the presence of an elevated strike object on the peak of the lightning return stroke current determined from remote field measurements. We develop analytical expressions relating the lightning return stroke channel-base current and the far electromagnetic field for different specific cases, namely, (1) ground-initiated return strokes (classical transmission line (TL) model), (2) ground-initiated return strokes including possible reflections at ground level, (3) tall strike objects for which the current's zero-to-peak time is smaller than the travel time along the object, and (4) electrically short strike objects. It is shown that for tall structures, the field enhancement relative to a return stroke initiated at ground level is expressed through a factor equal to ktall = [1 + c / v (1 - 2 &rho;t)] / (1 - &rho;t), where v and c are the return stroke front speed and the speed of light in vacuum, respectively, and &rho;t is the top reflection coefficient. For very short towers and/or very slow return stroke current wavefronts, when the condition tf very much greater than h / c applies, expressions relating the far electromagnetic field and the return stroke current were also derived. For case (2), return strokes initiated at ground level, the field enhancement relative to a return stroke initiated at ground level, case (1), is expressed through a factor equal to kshort = (1 + (c / v) &rho;ch - g) / (1 + &rho;ch - g), where &rho;ch-g represents the reflection coefficient between the lightning channel and the grounding impedance

Time Reversal to Localise Multiple Partial Discharges in Power Cables

The paper studies the suitability of the electromagnetic time reversal (EMTR) technique to localise multiple sources of partial discharges (PD) in power cables. In particular, the localisation of two PDs in a homogeneous power line is investigated both in the presence or absence of noise. The investigation, which is based on numerical simulations, shows that an EMTR-based PD localisation method is able to localise two PDs occurring simultaneously in a line using only a measurement at one observation point (OP), indiscriminately collecting the direct and reflected signals coming from the two PD sources. The EMTR procedure to localise multiple PD sources, using a Transmission Line Matrix model digital twin for the time reversal simulations, is described and the challenges that must be addressed to develop an EMTR-based device for the on-line location of multiple PDs are discussed