Membranes for Food and Bioproduct Processing

Modified membranes for process intensification in biomass hydrolysis Production of biofuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass is one of the leading candidates for replacement of petroleum based fuels and chemicals. However, conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and chemicals is not cost effective compared to the production of fuels and chemicals from crude oil reserves. Some novel and economically feasible approaches involve the use of ionic liquids as solvents or co-solvents, since these show improved solvation capability of cellulose over simple aqueous systems. Membranes offer unique opportunities for process intensification which involves fractionation of the resulting biomass hydrolysate leading to a more efficient and cheaper operation. This research attempts to develop membranes that would usher the economics of the biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and chemicals by recycling the expensive ionic liquid. The overall aim of this work is the development of novel membranes with unique surface properties that enable the selective separation of non-reacted cellulose and hydrolysis sugars from ionic liquids. Nanofiltration separation for application in food product engineering With the advent of the modern, well-informed consumer who has high expectations from the nutritional value of consumed food products, novel approaches are being developed to produce nutrient-enhanced foods and drinks. As a response to the consumer needs, different techniques to recover, concentrate and retain as much as possible of bioactive compounds are being investigated. Membrane technology has the advantage of selective fractionation of food products (e.g. salt removal, removal of bitter-tasting compounds or removal of sugar for sweet taste adjustment), volume reduction, and product recovery at mild conditions. In this work, we use nanofiltration in dead-end and crossflow mode to concentrate polyphenols from blueberry pomace. Blueberry pomace is an overlooked waste product form the juice pressing of blueberries that contains high amounts of health-beneficial antioxidants. We aim at developing a simple, yet efficient membrane process that reduces the amount of water and thus concentrates the amount of polyphenols in the retentate

THE IMPACT OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF FINANCIAL SYSTEM SUPERVISION

The recent global financial crisis has reopened the debate about macroeconomic policies’ objectives, but also the need and extent of state involvement in the functioning of the economy, either directly or indirectly. This has exposed some weaknesses in the system of regulation and supervision of the financial system and the its architecture, especially in the treatment of systemic risks and vulnerabilities, but also the financial implications of the globalization process. The global nature of financial crisis highlighted the fact that, although integrated financial markets offer a number of significant benefits, risks involved are not negligible. Therefore, to ensure the financial stability of an increasingly integrated landscape there was felt the need for reform of the financial system architecture, both nationally and internationally

The impact of internet usage and knowledge-intensive activities on households’ healthcare expenditures

This paper examines the impact of the internet usage and knowledge intensive activities on households’ healthcare expenditures Similarly, the paper aims to recognize and understand, from a value-creation perspective, the correlation between: internet access of households (IA), individuals frequently using the internet (IU), individuals searching on internet for health-related information (HI), payments made by households for healthcare (PHH), expressed as euro per inhabitant and employment in knowledge-intensive activities (KIA). The approach utilized in the present study consists of two steps. First, a theoretical framework was conducted to determine the existing relationship between major variables. Next, the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) approach was applied in a case study at European level to prove the three hypothesis we consider. By analyzing the connection between the major variables, a positive and long-lasting impulse response function was revealed, followed by an ascending trend. This suggests that a self-multiplying effect is being generated; and it reasonable to assume that the more individuals use the Internet, the more electronic acquisitions occur. We can thus reasonably conclude that the improvement of the internet usage and knowledge intensive activities on households’ healthcare expenditures process is strongly dependent on people’s capability. Improving IU and KIA is the new reading key in the decision-making process in health system approach

De nouveau sur le kéramarque des timbres amphoriques thasiens

The author discusses the title κεραμάρχης, occurring on Thasian stamps under the magistrate Pythion I (c. 337 BC). With the word κεραμάρχης being inserted in the stamps’ legends between the producer’s name (Anphikrates, Megakleides or Pylades) and the magistrate’s name, it is difficult to decide to which of them it refers. Contrary to the prevailing orthodoxy (even if sometimes rejected, e.g., Börker 1998: 15–17; Börker 2003; Börker 2019: 79–80), the author argues that this title does not refer to the potter but to the magistrate. He briefly discusses the meaning of Greek compounds ending in -arches and -archos and admits that they refer to officials or quasi officials. On the other hand, all Pythion I’s stamps use as device the famous Thasian parasemon (Heracles archer) occurring not only on several amphorae but also on silver coins of the same period. Thus, we would expect κεραμάρχης to be a reference to the magistrate rather than to the potter. Moreover, the main argument in the same direction is a stamp (note 18) where the producer’s name stands in genitive. Therefore, it cannot be related to the nominative κεραμάρχης that follows

Nanofiltration membranes modified by interfacial polymerization and polyelectrolyte deposition for ionic liquid recycling from biomass hydrolysates

Modification of porous polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes was performed by deposition of selective layers via either static polyelectrolyte multilayer deposition technique or growing interfacially polymerized skin layers architectured with 3-aminophenylboronic acid. Model feeds using solutions of 20 mM cellobiose, glucose, xylose and fructose and 115 mM of either of two ionic liquids that are commonly employed in biomass hydrolysis, were prepared to test membrane performance. The fabricated composite membranes show increased ionic liquid/sugar selectivity at competitive permeabilities with tweakable molecular weight cut-offs in the nanofiltration range. Both modification techniques were optimized for nearly complete cellobiose rejection (\u3e99%) and with pure water pearmeabilities corresponding to the range 1.0 – 5.0 L/(m2·h·bar). Overall, polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes showed better permeability at similar rejection performance when compared with interfacial polymerization membranes. Surface characterization with FTIR confirmed boronic acid incorporation for membranes modified via interfacial polymerization and zeta potential analysis coupled with contact angle measurement showed considerable change in surface charge and hydrophobicity with the multilayer polyelectrolyte membranes

Le décret accompagnant le règlement de Tomis sur la vente de la prêtise des Dieux de Samothrace (LGS II 84 = I. Tomis 1)

Les auteurs proposent une tentative de restauration de ce décret fragmentaire, en supposant que le Conseil et le peuple de Tomis décida d'honorer Timée, fils de Stratôn, l'homme qui également acquit le sacerdoce des Dieux de Samothrace. Ils proposent également que les deux textes furent inscrits en même temps, vers 100 a.C.The authors suggest a tentative restoration of this fragmentary decree, assuming that theCouncil and the People of Tomis decided to honour Timaios, son of Straton, the man who also purchased the priesthood of the Samothracian Gods. They also suggest that both texts were inscribed at the same time, around 100 BC

Catalytic properties of cesium salts of 12-molybdophosphoric acid supported on SBA-15 mesoporous silica

The Cs salt of molybdophosphoric acid CS2.5H0.5PM012O40 (CsHPM) was supported on SBA15 in the concentration of 20, 30 and 40 wt. % loadings. The structure and texture of these CsHPM/SBA-15 composites were studied by XRD, FT-IR and micro-Raman spectroscopy, BET and pore size distribution, SEM-EDS. Thermal stability was investigated by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dehydration of ethanol was used to probe the catalytic properties of the CsHPM samples incorporated on the silica matrix. The main reaction products obtained on acid (dehydration) catalytic centres were ethylene and diethyl ether, and respectively acetaldehyde which was obtained on redox (dehydrogenation) catalytic centres

Development of a multi-payload 2U CubeSat: the Alba project

Alba CubeSat UniPD is a student team of University of Padova with the aim to participate to the ESA Fly Your Satellite! (FYS!) programme and to launch for the first time at University of Padova a CubeSat made by students. The proposed mission has three independent objectives: (1) to collect in-situ measurements of the sub-mm space debris environment in LEO, (2) to study the micro-vibration environment on the satellite throughout different mission phases, (3) to do precise orbit determination through laser ranging and evaluate procedures for fast satellite Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) from ground. The proposed technological experiments aim to obtain data that will enrich the current knowledge of the space environment and will provide precious information useful for the further development of some research projects currently performed at University of Padova. In order to reach the objectives, in these years the activities of the teams aimed to develop a 2U CubeSat equipped with three payloads. The first payload is an impact sensor that will be placed on one of the outer faces of the satellite and will be able to count the number of debris impacting the spacecraft thus being able to measure the energy/momentum transferred to the satellite. The second one is a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) sensor that measures the micro-vibrations experienced by payloads in a CubeSat in different mission phases. The third one consists in a number of COTS Corner Cube Retroreflectors that will be placed onboard the satellite. Thanks to this, Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) will be done to collect data on the satellite range and range rate using a facility currently under development at University. This paper presents the mission objectives and motivations. In addition, the mission phases and the preliminary design of the CubeSat reached during the activities of the project are shown. Particular attention is given to the payloads which are the most challenging aspect of this project

Megacolon. Megadolihosigma. Surgical treatment. A case report

IMSP Spitalul Raional StrăşeniEste prezentat un caz clinic de megacolon idiopatic la un pacient internat în secţia de ocluzie intestinală. Din antecedente pacientul suferea de constipaţii cronice cu dereglarea modului normal de viaţă şi incapacitatea temporară de muncă. După intervenţie chirurgicală de urgenţă prin rezecţia colonului cu anastomoză primară colorectală a fost obţinut un efect pozitiv funcţional cu reabilitarea complectă social-economică a pacientului.We present a clinical case of a patient with idiopathic megacolon who was admitted in emergency room with clinical and paraclinical signs of Colonic obstruction. The patient had a chronic constipation with poor quality of life and work in the past. There was performed urgent surgical sigmoid colon resection. A good functional results and quality of life was obtained

THE DIGITALIZATION PROCESS OF ROMANIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BETWEEN NECESSITY AND EFFICIENCY

The digitalization of public administration is a pertinent and significant subject matter at the European Union level, and by extension, at the national level in Romania. The primary goal of this study is to examine the process of digitalization in public administration and assess the implications generated by the adoption of e-government services on several macroeconomic variables, namely economic growth, quality of life and potential growth. In this perspective, we shall undertake an analysis of the advantages that digitalization confers, as well as the trajectory that digitalization follows within Romania’s public administration. Also, the paper shows several models of best practices with varying levels of digitalization observed within public administration and public services at the European Union (EU) level, as a possible direction that Romanian policy makers can adopt, considering the current level of digitalization and the competitiveness environment al EU level when it comes to the future of IT&C. The paper concludes that countries that had a forward-looking perspective and adopted digitalization measures for public administration in the past will now use the Recovery and Resilience Funds to develop Internet 4.0 elements to solve problems and compute data, as a way of revolutionizing how governments operate and serve their citizens