RHEOLOGY OF CHICKPEA PROTEIN CONCENTRATE DISPERSIONS

Chickpea proteins are used as ingredients in comminuted sausage products and many oriental textured foods. Rheological behaviour of chickpea protein concentrate was studied using a controlled stress rheometer. The protein dispersion prepared with phosphate buffer at pH 7.0 presented non-Newtonian shear thinning behaviour and rheological data well fitted to the Sisko, Carreau and Cross models. The viscoelastic properties of the chickpea protein suspensions were estimated by measuring the storage and loss moduli in oscillatory frequency conditions (0.1-10 Hz) at 20°C. Moreover, thermally induced gelation of the chickpea proteins (16, 24 and 36%) was studied at pH 7.0 and 4.5 in the temperature range 50 to 100oC and salt concentration ranging from 0 to 1 M. Gelling behaviour was quantified by means of dynamic rheological measurements. Gels formation was preceded by the decrease of storage modulus and loss moduli, coupled with the increase of the phase angle (delta). The beginning of thermal gelation was influenced by protein concentration, pH and salt level. In all studied cases, storage modulus increased rapidly in the temperature range 70-90°C. All rheological parameters measured at 90°C were significantly higher at pH 4.5 compared to pH 7.0

FUNDAMENTAL CRITERIA IN A MANAGEMENT PLAN OF A PROTECTED AREA

The protected areas are considered among the most effective means for conservation of biological diversity, which is highlighted in the article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The historical approach to the process of nature protection in Romania reveals the existence of several stages, among which the establishment and organization of protected areas play an important role. In this respect, protected areas can become systems in which human activities are managed to allow maintaining of structure and function a full range of ecosystems, in order to provide benefits for present and future generations. The management plan to level of protected area is the instrument that substantiates the decisions of managers regarding the protected area and regulates the limitary site of activities, whatever of owner and category of land use, the aim being the respect of the management objectives. The paper presents the environmental, economic and social criteria that substantiate the management plan to the protected area level, appropriate and proactive approach in assessing performance of these areas.criteria, decisions, environment, management plan, protected area.

TESTING THE PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT SPATIAL INTERPOLATION TECHNIQUES ON MAPPING SHORT DATASERIES OF PRECIPITATION PROPRETIES

patial interpolation, in the context of spatial analysis, can be defined as the derivation of new data from already known information, a technique frequently used to predict and quantify spatial variation of a certain property or parameter. In this study we compared the performance of Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), Ordinary Kriging and Natural Neighbor techniques, applied in spatial interpolation of precipitation parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids). These techniques are often used when the area of interest is relatively small and the sampled locations are regularly spaced. The methods were tested on data collected in Iasi city (Romania) between March – May 2013. Spatial modeling was performed on a small dataset, consisting of 7 sample locations and 13 different known values of each analyzed parameter. The precision of the techniques used is directly dependent on sample density as well as data variation, greater fluctuations in values between locations causing a decrease in the accuracy of the methods used. To validate the results and reveal the best method of interpolating rainfall characteristics, leave-one – out cross-validation approach was used. Comparing residues between the known values and the estimated values of pH, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids, it was revealed that Natural Neighbor stands out as generating the smallest residues for pH and electrical conductivity, whereas IDW presents the smallest error in interpolating total dissolved solids (the parameter with the highest fluctuations in value)

Public Pensions Reform in Romania. How Affect the Public Finance Sustainability?

This paper deals with the problem of the public pension system’s sustainability in Romania and its impact upon the sustainability of the public finance. Thus, the public pension deficit increased in the last three years, caused by the unsustainable increase of pensions during expansionary years and by decrease of number of taxpayers in the economy. Unfortunately, the pressure on public pension system will continue in the next decades due to decline of the total population and of the working age population and to increasing share of the older people. The first part of the paper is an explanation for the factors which affect the public pension system, and it presents this system’s vulnerabilities. The second part is a brief presentation of the effects of the reforms made after December ’89, with reference to the public pension system. The third part outlines the impact of the unitary pension law upon the improvement of the balancing position of the public pension system. The last part makes an analysis for the budget impact of the unitary pension law, outlining the comparison between the basic scenario – keeping the current system and the alternative scenario, which provides a rich package of reforms with reference to this field.public pensions system, private pensions system, finance sustainability, reforms, ageing problem

Preliminary study for optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of waste cellulosic materials

Lignocellulose is a generic term describing the main constituents in most plants, namely cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Cellulose is a glucose polysaccharide, hemicelluloses are polysaccharides with a backbone of different hexoses (glucose, mannose, galactose) and pentoses (xylan, arabinose), and lignin is a complex network of different phenyl propane units. The cellulosic materials are potential sources of ethanol. Steps of this process are saccharification of cellulose to reduce sugars, under enzymes action and to reduce sugars fermentation by yeast to obtain ethanol.The aim of this study is to examine the influence of substrateconcentration, temperature and pH upon enzymatic saccharification ofwaste cellulosic materials, based on office paper, newspaper andcardboard, in ratio of 1:1:1 (w/w) and reducing sugar accumulationdynamics in optimised conditions. The study has established optimalparameters: the ratio of enzyme:substrate as 0.5 EU/g substrate,temperature 48°C, pH 4.8 and addition of surfactant Tween 80 inproportion of 0.3 %, reported to the total volume of liquid. The reducing sugar yield was 35 mg reducing sugars/ g dry weight cellulosic waste

Virtual reality based-therapy: targeting balance impairments to improve gait in stroke

In relation to their posture limitations stroke patients have difficulties in maintaining balance and this is reflected in gait performance which strongly affects independence in performing daily living activities. In this framework, the use of virtual reality devices may be helpful as it offers neuroplastic changes in stroke patients through several features such as goal-oriented task, specifity, repetitions, activation of mirror neuron system, enhacing brain reward system (motivation) shown to be important in neurological rehabilitation. The present paper underlines the key aspects of stroke rehabilitation and how virtual reality technology can exploit the capacity of the central nervous system for functional reorganization and mediate recovery through neuroplasticity. The bottom line is that through improvements in balance we can influence other neurological deficits such as gait (via improvements in balance). We found VR to be a promising method with positive effects on stroke rehabilitation, a complementary method that can make the post-stroke rehabilitation fun. So indulge in the fun

Considerations relating to the quality of underground water sources within the city of Bârlad

Considérations sur la qualité des sources d'eau souterraine dans la ville de Bârlad. La ville de Bârlad est alimenté avec l’eau potable qui provienne dans deux sources : souterraines et autres situées au surface. Aux derniers ans, la réduction de la longueur du réseau de distribution de l’eau dans la ville avec ~9%, a mené vers l’augmentation du nombre des utilisateurs de l’eau qui provienne de sources souterraines, c'est-à-dire les fontaines et les pompes, caractérises par une minéralisation haute. L’étude représente la première phase de l’étude qui veut mettre en évidence les variations imposées par la succession des saisons dans la région étudiée avec l’objectif de trouver les meilleures sources pour les habitants. Après récolter les échantillons d’eau, par les 44 sources souterraines, ont été déterminés les indicateurs de qualité de l’eau potable (en utilisant des méthodes électrochimiques, volumétriques et spectophotométriques). Puis les résultats ont été représentés avec ArcGis 9.3; en rélevant des dépassements pour certains indicateurs

Evoluţii şi semnificaţii ale operaţiunilor de franchising pe plan naţional şi internaţional

The contents of this paper I will try to address all those interested in studying the system of franchising, both theoreticians and practitioners in this field to contribute to the progress of this system in our country. Franchising is a reality in motion which will write more, being on time to find a theoretical foundation able to provide solutions for all aspects and economic instruments involved a commercial phenomenon. Novelty apparent basis of: • importance and the complexity and variety of system franchise (franchise), but at the same time very interesting and appropriate, the pace with this growing vertical marketing system and contract in the world economy; • that specialized in Romanian literature is not enough work to deal with the franchise system as a whole broad issue of the whole system; • theoretical and practical knowledge in this area are generally poor in our country, for development imposed by the very nature deeply International franchise system; • deeply democratic franchise system in terms of organization, where relations between franchisors and franchisees are partnership firms having independent franchisees legal and financial part to ensure a more cooperative advantage superior to other systems in the world economy; • by expanding the franchise system existence and create new jobs, promoting and strengthening the middle class society of a country; • universal economic reality created the concept of globalization to achieve world number one organizational system. One of the major systems of vertical organization and service area is considered disposal and franchise system, widely practiced in contemporary economy; • this system can join with small steps between the pillars of economic and financial stability of the new millennium. The success of franchises is most dependent on one man: the franchisee, and to be successful is not enough that it will have the necessary knowledge to purchase a license and to build a franchise unit, to arrange and start businesses in within this unit. Franchisee must be dedicated to his work, it must have the desire and willingness to work hard and ability to remain motivated, ability to do business.franchising, business, evolution, strategy