The Influence of Edible Oils’ Composition on the Properties of Beeswax-Based Oleogels

This study aimed to find relationships between the properties of beeswax-based oleogels and the type of oil used. The influence of linseed, sunflower, olive, and fish oils was studied. For these oils, the fatty acid composition, the content of total polar components, and the iodine value were characterized. Textural and thermodynamic properties were determined for oleogels, the oil-binding capacity was estimated, and the morphology of crystals was studied. The concentration of beeswax in all oleogels was 6.0% w/w. It was shown that the type of oil has a significant influence on all characteristics of the oleogels. The use of different oils at the same technological treatment leads to the formation of crystals of diverse morphology—from platelets to spherulites. At the same time, it was revealed that some characteristics of oils have a varying contribution to the properties of oleogels. The content of total polar materials in oils is associated with a decrease in strength parameters (yield value and elastic modulus) and the oil-binding capacity of oleogels. In its turn, the iodine value of oils has a close positive correlation with the melting and crystallization temperatures of oleogels. The results obtained in this article indicate that the properties of beeswax-based oleogels can be directed by changing the oil composition.

GRAVIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF SULPHATE IN SOME SELECTED INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS

Gravimetric Analysis as one of the Analytical method for the Quantitative Determination of sulphate ions from aqueous media being the most simplest, rapid and low-cost method. This study evaluates some selected parameters and the results were compared with some regulatory standard; Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) in Nigeria and the World Health Organization. The Concentration of the selected industrial effluent was determined using the aforementioned method. The values of Density, TSS and TS were in the range of 0.950 g/ml – 0.976 g/ml, 67 ppm – 2051 ppm and 728 mg/L- 2700 mg/L respectively. While the percentage of sulphate obtained from each sample were 14.65%, 7.35%, 6.19, 17.93% and 29.01% for NASCO, DANA, KRPC, NILEST and KCV respectively. A new technological treatment process is recommended for these industries to provide good ways on waste management that are economically viable.

Improvement of the technological treatment scheme of iron-containing wastewater from etching operations

The aim of the research is to improve the technological scheme of treatment of iron-containing wastewater from etching operations by creating combined systems, including reagent wastewater treatment, their mutual neutralization, regeneration of etching solutions, deep post-treatment using a magnetic device. The main volume of wastewater is treated in centralized systems with partial return of water to the production process. Spent solutions from etching operations are subject to regeneration with return to the production process and partial dosing into the main wastewater stream from flushing operations. The consumption of commercial HCl is reduced by 50%. The use of hydrogen peroxide can increase the effect of extracting iron from etching solutions by 30% (total purification effect of 70%). Given that deep purification from iron-containing impurities is provided using a magnetic device, the possibilities of practical implementation of reverse osmosis to obtain "pure" water in centralized systems, which can be used for preparation of process solutions and in a mixture with technical water - for flushing operations, increase. In experimental and industrial conditions the expenses of reagents, their concentrations, dosing time are established

Specific cost modelling for secondary treatment of wastewater

The article is devoted to the study of model cost indicators of wastewater treatment facilities as one of the factors for ensuring sustainable development. It is noted that the greatest contribution in terms of cost formation is provided by the stage of biological wastewater treatment. As part of the study, a techno-economic simulation was conducted to compare two technological treatment schemes: conventional activated sludge scheme in aeration reactor and secondary settling tank, and treatment by means of membrane bioreactors. In the course of technological modeling, the concentrations of pollutants after treatment were obtained and compared for each of the schemes, as well as the values of possible harm to water bodies were calculated. Within the framework of cost modeling, capital and operating costs were obtained for the two variants, and key differences in their formation were analyzed. It is noted that the classical cleaning scheme requires the construction of a larger volume of structures, while for schemes with a membrane bioreactor, a significant cost item is the purchase of the actual membrane modules, but as the system performance increases, the share of these costs decreases.

Ecological Chemistry Aspects of Food Safety

The presented results reflect the researches carried out over the last decade, having as their object the soil, water, vegetal raw materials, and wines from the Republic of Moldova. The analysis of the possible anthropogenic contamination (NAA method) demonstrated the absence of systematic soil pollution. A total of 30 elements were determined in soil samples and the soil-leaves-fruit transfer factors were calculated. Approximately 3000 samples of local wines have been analysed to determine the residual quantities of pesticides. POPs were not found in any of the wine samples. In most of the examined cases (> 60% of samples), the lack of organic pesticide residues was observed. The migration of phthalates into different solutions from polymeric materials (PVC, rubber) and the influence of the temperature on the extraction rate were investigated. It has been shown that the contamination with phthalate residues occurs predominantly at the stage of grape processing, technological treatment, and storage.

Return to Work and Quality of Life after Stroke in Italy: A Study on the Efficacy of Technologically Assisted Neurorehabilitation

Cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke, are historically considered diseases of old adults so only in a few studies has “return to work” (RTW) been considered as an index of rehabilitative outcome. At the moment, data on RTW in patients with stroke are highly variable: four different reviews reported the following ranges: 11–85%, 19–73%, 22–53%, and 40–45%. The absence of re-integration to work after a stroke is shown to be associated with an increase of cardiac disorders and depression, with a higher level of mortality, with social isolation and with insufficient adaptive skills. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of technological treatment, performed with optic (SonicHand) and wearable (Riablo™) systems providing auditory and visual biofeedback, on RTW in patients with stroke. RTW was found to be associated with a higher independence in the activities of daily living (assessed by the Modified Barthel Index). No significant differences were found between technological versus conventional rehabilitation in terms of RTW, despite the former showing a higher odds ratio than the latter (OR = 9 vs. 6). Assistive devices were mainly used in patients who had not returned to work. Finally, quality of life was found higher in those patients who returned to work with the same conditions (work duties and time) as before stroke.

The effect of commercial pectolytic enzymes on young Babić wines quality

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of commercial pectolytic enzymes on the anthocyanin composition, colour parameters and specific sensory atributes in young wines produced of Croatian autochthonous variety Babić. The maceration without commercial enzymes was compared with two different enzymes: pectinase with additional cellulase and hemicellulase activity (A) and the pectinase with inactive yeast cells (B), during two harvests. Both products had a positive effect on the anthocyanin content and composition, but with different intensities. The influence of enzymes was confirmed through the colour parameters; intensity, hue and the ratio between yellow, red and blue, depending on product. Young wines produced with pectinase enzyme were significantly better, for all parameters. The sensory analysis showed that wines produced with pectinase enzyme (product A) were significantly better than those produced without enzymes. The combination of pectolytic enzymes and inactive yeast cells (product B) had a partial positive effect on the anthocyanins, colour parameters and sensory quality during two harvests. The use of specific commercial pectolytic enzymes can be a good and beneficial technological treatment in production of Babić young wine, based on preliminary research. These data confirmed the need to carry out research prior to use in real production, to select and recommend certain commercial enzyme products, according to the particular grape variety and certain wine properties that want to be improved.

The Effect of Technological Treatments and Loads on the Service Life of Fillet Welds

The paper presents test results concerning the service life of fillet welds made in steel S355. In addition, the article discusses the initiation and growth of fatigue cracks in specimens subjected to bending with torsion. The tests were performed in relation to constant stress ratio R = -1 and 0. The results presented in the article take into account the effect of the technological treatment on the service life of the specimens. The tests revealed longer service life of the specimens not subjected to the technological treatment, both when R = -1 and 0.