Agricultural Academy

Abstract MENKOV, N. D., K. DINKOV, A. DURAKOVA and N. TOSHKOV, 2009. Sorption characteristics of buckwheat grain. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Moisture equilibrium data (adsorption and desorption) of buckwheat grain were determined using the static gravimetric method of saturated salt solutions at three temperatures 10, 25 and 40°C. The range of water activities for each temperature was between 0.11 and 0.85. Equilibrium moisture content decreased with increase in storage temperature at constant water activity. A suitable model was selected to describe the water sorption isotherms. The monolayer moisture content of the grain was estimated and the optimal storage water activity was proposed

When the rule of law is at stake, many people support sanctions even against their own state

The EU has imposed financial sanctions on Poland for problems with judicial independence. The sanctions amount to more than €300 mill., and the sum continues to grow. How are the sanctions perceived by the Polish population? Are they considered justified and acceptable, and by whom?The politics and administration of institutional changeThe progression of EU law: Accommodating change and upholding value

Scientific cooperation in the Eastern neighbourhood

Horizon 2020(H2020)693382Security and Global Affair

Sorption characteristics of pectin isolated from Jerusalem Artichoke tubers (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

Introduction. The aim of the present study is the isolation of pectin from Jerusalem artichoke tubers (Helianthus tuberosus L.) and the analysis of its sorption characteristics Materials and methods. Research was carried out on the pectin content of the tubers of Jerusalem artichoke plants cultivated in Bulgaria. The polyuronide content (PUC) was determined via the МсCready method. The static gravimetric method was used for analysis of the sorption characteristics of pectins. Results and discussion. The polysaccharide was extracted. The isolated pectins were analyzed in physical terms: the equilibrium sorption isotherms, belonging to type II in Brunauer’s classification, were obtained experimentally. The entire isotherm length demonstrated statistically significant hysteresis. The Henderson and Chung-Pfost models provided adequate isotherm description. The pectin content of the three Jerusalem artichoke samples is 14.8, 9.2 and 11.9 % a.d.m., respectively. The monomolecular moisture content of pectin was within the 7.42 – 7.92% dry basis range, its corresponding water activity value –within the 0.14 –0.16 range. Conclusion. The resultsof research are advisablefor use indevelop of functional food ingredient which is used pectin as a gelling agent and a stabilizer

Enforcement and public opinion: the perceived legitimacy of rule of law sanctions

The EU has powerful enforcement mechanisms to curb democratic backsliding and support the rule of law in its member states. While (the threat of) enforcement is necessary, sanctions might be difficult to accept as legitimate when they hurt a citizen's country. We study the perceived legitimacy of EU enforcement actions. We develop hypotheses about the influence of national identity, party support, procedural fairness, descriptive norm prevalence, and the likely effects of the sanctions on the future of cooperation. These hypotheses are tested with a survey experiment administered to a nationally-representative sample in Poland. The focus is on the substantial financial sanctions imposed by the EU concerning judicial independence. The results show that exclusive national identity, the perceived importance of the rule of law, support for European integration and party support are strongly associated with perceived legitimacy. Providing information about the prevalence of public support for judicial independence in the country increases significantly the perceived legitimacy of enforcement actions. We find no evidence for effects of arguments about Polexit, future deterrence effects of the sanctions or their procedural (un)fairness. EU sanctions might not lead to further backlash among the domestic public, but they are unlikely to generate public pressure for reforms.Institutions, Decisions and Collective BehaviourThe progression of EU law: Accommodating change and upholding value

Statehood, State Capacity and Limited Access Orders: Comparing Belarus and Ukraine

Horizon 2020(H2020)Security and Global Affair