Institutional development of the real estate market in the Balkan region -State, challenges, perspective -

The historical development of the real estate market in the Balkans is interesting from several aspects especially in the post-socialist period after the change of the political system and the abandonment of the socialism policy and the transition to a model of a market economy. The collapse of a dominant market with the prevailing social capital followed, new states were formed with new legal frameworks and began the development of institutions as the instruments of the real estate market. All this was followed the training of new staff and the introduction of certification and licensing instruments for professional real estate appraisers.The demands of the market are changing - instead of the typical socialist construction of buildings, a new modern way of constructing buildings is becoming prevalent. The newly formed Balkan countries make efforts to curb illegal construction by creating the institutional framework of a modern market economy, where investment in real estate as a form of capital has become more attractive and less risky for investors. The adoption of laws and by-laws in the field of spatial planning, real estate cadastre, real estate transactions, tax policy, and loan banking policy reversed the situation in the real estate market. The institutional framework has facilitated the development, increased security and created an environment that will speed up transaction procedures and help build an efficient real estate management system in the newly formed Balkan countries

Growth kinetics and modelling of S. cerevisiae (NCYC 431) during de-lignified waste banana fermentation and chemical characterization

S. cerevisiae (NCYC 431) growth kinetics was studied using mathematical models in order to ascertain the optimum operational parameters for banana waste fermentation. Chapman-Richards model was used to describe yeast growth kinetics under varying pH and temperatures and the results were compared to Bergter and Andrew models. Alkaline-delignification of the wastes was done to solubilize lignin prior fermentation. This is because lignin is a complex organic plant compound that has been reported not to be degraded easily by many microorganisms. From the results temperatures 22–28 °C and pH 4.5–5.6 were noted as optimum for yeast growth on delignified waste bananas (DWB). Chapman model results were close to Bergter and Andrew models with very low RMSE. Delignification was noted to aid yeast growth with higher microbial populations (log10 cfu/g) registered with DWB samples as compared to non-delignified waste bananas (NDWB). Also, chemical characterization of the DWB and NDWB indicated higher proteins and lipids in the former than the latter by 3 and 4% respectively. This suggested the possible use of the upgraded wastes as chicken feed supplements. Higher minerals in DWB of 8.6% also suggested the possible use of the waste as a nutrient-rich fertilizer

Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Electrodeposited Ni85.8Fe10.6W1.4Cu2.2 Alloy Powder

Nanostructured 85.8 wt% Ni-10.6 wt% Fe-1.4 wt% W-2.2 wt% Cu alloy powder was deposited from an ammonium citrate bath at a current density of 600 mA cm(-2). A cathodic polarization curve was recorded, and the current efficiency of the alloy was determined as a function of current density. The deposition of the alloy at current densities up to 400 mA cm(-2) is an activation-controlled process. At higher densities, diffusion control is attained. At potentials more positive than -0.90 V, hydrogen evolution from NH4+ and (HCit)(3-) ions occurs in parallel with the alloy deposition. XRD analysis revealed an amorphous matrix embedded with nanocrystals of the FCC phase of the solid solution of iron, tungsten and copper in nickel. SEM micrographs showed the formation of two shapes of particles: large cauliflower-like particles and small dendritic particles with a large number of secondary and higher-order branches. The annealing of the as-deposited powder causes structural changes which consequently affect its magnetic properties. In the temperature range of 150 degrees C-460 degrees C, structural relaxation takes place, involving short-range ordering and an increase in the relative magnetic permeability of the cooled sample. At temperatures above 460 degrees C, amorphous matrix crystallization and crystalline grain growth of the FCC solid solution occur, resulting in a decrease in the magnetic permeability of the powder. (C) 2016 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved

Application of a HACCP-QMRA approach for managing the impact of climate change on food quality and safety

The work presented focuses on predictive modelling for estimating the risk to consumers due to consumption of food contaminated with Specific Foodborne Pathogens (SFP) or estimating the remaining shelf life of the product. An approach based on integration of the existing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach with the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) is presented which is developed as part of the Chill-On EC FP6 research project. The paper describes the main principles of operation of the system and introduces elements of practical implementation and operation of the HACCP system combined with QMRA as well as a Shelf Life Predictor (SLP). The possibility for managing the impact of climate change by using HACCP-QMRA-SLP in supply chains is discussed