High Technological Quality Research Articles

Development and substantiation of the universal working organs parameters of sloped processing with minimal technologies

Abstract The article considers the problem of reducing energy consumption in the mountainous arable farming and approved that one of the effective ways to solve this problem is minimal technology of tillage machines with disk working organs, using cultivators and harrows. Is proposed for universal working organ of minimum tillage, which is a spherical disc welded with segmented toothed flat disk. When machining of soil with the elaborated spherical working body the value of overlap groove decreases, provided loosening of the ridges formed between the grooves, which provide high technological quality of soil processing and stability of aggregate motion. That organ wich we are presenting makes it possible to reduce the number of disks in the battery and reduce the traction resistance of aggregate at identical working width.

Effect of late-season nitrogen fertilization on grain yield and on flour rheological quality and stability in common wheat, under different production situations

The increasing demand for a high and homogeneous technological quality of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) points out the necessity of improving wheat with by a higher protein (GPC) and gluten content, strength of dough (W) and dough stability. Among the current crop practices, late-season nitrogen (N) fertilization, from heading to flowering, is generally considered the practice that has the most effects on the storage proteins and technological quality of the grain. In order to explore the influence late-season N application can have on the dough properties and on the formation of homogeneous lots in more detail, a research was set up between 2007 and 2013, over 6 growing seasons at different sites in North West Italy using the Bologna cultivar in each of the trials. Three different late-season N fertilization strategies were compared: T1, control without a late distribution of N; T2, foliar N fertilization at flowering; T3, top-dress granular soil fertilization at the beginning of heading. A randomized complete block experimental design with four replicates was adopted. The grain yield, GPC, W and P/L indexes were analyzed. Moreover, the rheological and enzymatic properties of the samples were studied using a Mixolab® analyser (Chòpin Technologies, Paris, France). Grain yield was found to be unaffected by the fertilization treatments, while the late N application (T2, T3) significantly increased GPC. Only the granular N fertilization (T3) increased the W index compared to T1, while the P/L index was not affected by any of the fertilization strategies. Furthermore, the T3 strategy was always more effective in reducing the variability of the W index than the T2 and the T1 strategies. Water absorption and dough development time were higher in T3, than in T1, while intermediate results were reached for T2. The effect of late-season N fertilization was also significant on the starch behaviour of the dough, as an increase in starch gelatinization and retrogradation was observed. In short, the top-dress granular N fertilizer applied at the beginning of heading (T3) led to a more constant increase in GPC and flour rheological quality than the foliar application. Moreover, the adoption of this fertilization strategy resulted in a reduction in qualitative variability under different environmental and soil conditions.

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on yield and quality of durum wheat cultivated in northern Italy and their interaction with different soils and growing seasons

ABSTRACTDurum wheat in temperate regions can lead to yields with higher technological quality and stability compared to Mediterranean areas. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nitrogen (N fertilization on grain yield and quality, in different pedo-climatic conditions of temperate areas. Field experiments were conducted in two sites (sandy-loam and silty-clay-loam) in Northern-West Italy for three years: five different N rates, two different types of fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, nutritional activator, slow-release fertilizer) were compared considering yield, protein content and yellowberry. N fertilizer rate had a more consistent effect on protein than yield; the response was affected by soil texture and rainfall during the growing season. The use of different types of fertilizer seem to play a minor role. The management of N fertilization must consider mainly the effect on quality parameters of N rates and rainfall during the growing season and their interaction with soil texture.

Indirect determination of the displacement components in an electric motor drive

High technological process quality requires the use of deviation closed-loop systems and the formation of appropriate informational support for a control process. The article discusses two approaches to obtaining information on displacement components: direct measurement of speed and/or position with the help of a sensor on the motor shaft and indirect determination of the object state vector using the available variables for the direct measurement without the shaft sensor (current and voltage). The main disadvantages of optical encoders are identified. An overview, a classification, a comparative analysis, and the ranges of application of indirect methods of determining displacement components are given (calculation for a model of an electric machine with the measurement of current and voltage of the stator and calculation of the static functional dependence).

Thorough Characterization of Brazilian New Generation of Eucalypt Clones and Grass for Pulp Production

Eucalypt wood is becoming the most important raw material for the pulp industries in South America. However, due to the high wood cost in comparison to other raw material sources, nonwoody materials are also being investigated aiming at pulp production. In this way, this paper aimed at the evaluation of eighteen eucalypt clones obtained from the Brazilian Genolyptus project, regarding their potential characteristics for pulp production. Aiming at the same goal, two species of elephant grass were also evaluated as alternative raw material sources. Through the analyses of the anatomic and chemical characteristics, five eucalypt clones and one elephant grass species were indicated for pulp production and biorefinery application. The results of this study indicate the high technological quality ofEucalyptusclones evaluated and indicate that they can be used for biorefinery applications since they have the suitable characteristics. In general, the eucalypt clones are less moist and denser and contain fewer minerals and extraneous materials than the elephant grass species, which make them more attractive for utilization in deconstruction studies aiming at production of bioproducts.

When less can be more – Setting technology levels in complementary goods markets

Higher technological quality often translates directly into higher consumer utility. However, many new products require a complementary product to operate. In such markets, releasing a technologically sophisticated product involves a trade-off as it excludes consumers whose complementary products no longer function with the core product. Firms therefore have to balance product quality against market size. Technological change brings a dynamic perspective to this trade-off as it renders existing technology obsolete but also increases performance of the complementary products, therefore increasing market potential. We study these mechanisms in the empirical context of computer games. In line with our expectations, we find an inverted U-shaped relationship between closeness to the technological frontier and sales revenues as well as differential effects of technological change depending on initial technological quality.

When Less Can Be More Setting Technology Levels in Complementary Goods Markets

Higher technological quality often directly translates into higher consumer utility. However, many new products require the availability of a complementary product. In such markets, releasing a technologically sophisticated product involves a tradeoff as it excludes consumers whose complementary products no longer function with the core product. Firms therefore have to balance product quality against market size. Technological change brings a dynamic perspective to this tradeoff as it renders existing technology obsolete but also increases performance of the complementary products, therefore increasing market potential. We study these mechanisms in the empirical context of computer games. In line with our expectations, we find an inverted U-shaped relationship between closeness to the frontier and sales revenues as well as differential effects of technological change depending on initial technological quality.

When less can be more – Setting technology levels in complementary goods markets

Higher technological quality often directly translates into higher consumer utility. However, many new products require the availability of a complementary product. In such markets, releasing a technologically sophisticated product involves a tradeoff as it excludes consumers whose complementary products no longer function with the core product. Firms therefore have to balance product quality against market size. Technological change brings a dynamic perspective to this tradeoff as it renders existing technology obsolete but also increases performance of the complementary products, therefore increasing market potential. We study these mechanisms in the empirical context of computer games. In line with our expectations, we find an inverted U-shaped relationship between closeness to the frontier and sales revenues as well as differential effects of technological change depending on initial technological quality.

The Impact of the Emergence of China on Brazilian International Trade

We take advantage of a worldwide dataset that incorporates the technological content of each product and its quality to unveil some features of Brazil-China’s trade flows and challenge the view that the emergence of China would imply the deindustrialization of Brazilian exports. We show that Brazil increasingly exports to China products with lower technological content and increasingly imports products with higher technological content. Both countries export to each other basically low-quality goods. We show that from 1994 to 2007 the number of products in which the two countries have comparative advantage declined and that both countries increased their advantage in the products in which they already had advantage in 1994 and lost advantage in the sectors in which they had small advantage in producing by then. Brazilian exports of commodities increased significantly due to the emergence of Asian countries. However, Brazilian exports of high technological content and high quality increased more than the average and more than low technological and low quality exports. Overall, the emergence of China has been supporting a displacement of Brazilian exports not only towards natural-based products but also to goods with higher quality and higher technological content.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CASSAVA FLOUR AND ITS EFFECT ON PRODUCED BALADY BREAD

This work was carried out to study the chemical, technological and sensory evaluation tests of bread making from wheat flour (82% extr.) and its blends with 5, 10, 15 , and 20% cassava flour. Chemical study indicated that, wheat flour contained higher amount of protein (13.66%) and fat (1.80%) than cassava flour (3.29% and 1.28%), respectively. Meanwhile cassava flour contained higher amount of ash (5.44%), crude fiber (3.70%) and total carbohydrates (86.30%) compared with wheat flour, which were 1.20%, 1.29% and 82.05%, respectively. Concerning minerals, cassava flour has higher contents of Ca, Na compared with wheat flour (252.14 vs 48.22 and 131.11 vs 96.40 mg/100 g sample) meanwhile Mg, Zn, and Fe decreased in cassava flour then wheat flour .Due to addition of cassava flour to wheat flour with 5.10.15,20%, the protein, fat decreased, meanwhile ash, crude fiber and total carbohydrates increased by increasing level of cassava addition in produced bread. Acceptability tests (sensory evaluation) indicated that, the wheat bread (control) has the highest total scores (93.5%), while at 5, 10, 15, and 20% cassava addition, total score was 85.0%, 82.0%, 75.5 and 68.0 respectively. Mentioned data clear that we can produce balady bread from wheat flour (82% ext.) blended with cassava flour at ratio up to 15% with high technological quality and acceptability.

Assessing India's lead market potential for cost‐effective innovations

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to assess India's potential as a lead market for cost‐effective frugal innovations. This is of special interest since lead markets have traditionally existed in economically highly developed countries, whereas developing countries have faced negative country‐of‐origin effects. In the case of India a reversal of this trend may be observed, for some time. The paper aims to identify factors which are impacting India's emerging role as a fountainhead of frugal innovations. The research will have implications for locational decisions in setting up global innovation/ research and development (R&D) activities.Design/methodology/approachThe study crystallizes the inherent characteristics of frugal innovations, their development process and market success in the domestic and overseas markets by undertaking in‐depth analysis of four successful product innovations from India from multiple industries. The obtained results can be treated as critical success factors for frugal innovations. These factors are then incorporated in the “Lead market” model so that propositions about India's potential as a lead market can be formulated.FindingsWhereas frugal innovations were so far driven primarily by affordability for the consumer and economies of scale for the manufacturer, a shift towards value proposition was discovered. Intensifying competition and growing customer aspirations are changing the character of frugal innovations and the customer is looking for factors such as attractive designs. Better‐designed products, in turn, have positive impact on the lead market potential, creating a virtuous cycle. The study also discovered that frugal innovations are increasingly taking place in “open global innovation” networks and are no more a purely national or “Jugaad” affair.Practical implicationsLead markets are a critical consideration while setting up R&D/innovation labs. Our research gives multinational corporations (MNCs) a useful instrument to assess India's lead market potential for their respective field of business. Both domestic and foreign firms can employ the model also to identify interesting adopter markets for their respective products.Social implicationThe research confirms that frugal innovations can benefit end‐consumers and firms, simultaneously. It may encourage more firms to tap markets at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Intensifying competition would potentially bring even better products for the consumers.Originality/valueLead markets have been traditionally regarded to exist ‐ almost by default ‐ only in highly developed economies. Innovations emanating from developing countries, especially from their domestic firms, have been considered to be of inferior quality. This mindset caused country‐of‐origin barriers for non‐commodity, technology‐intensive exports from developing economies. This research demonstrates that lead markets can exist even in developing economies, frugal innovations can have high technological quality, and frugal innovations are increasingly created in “open global networks”.

Molecular and physiological characteristics of a grape yeast strain containing atypical genetic material

The knowledge about wine yeasts remains largely dominated by the extensive studies on Saccharomyces ( S.) cerevisiae. Molecular methods, allowing discrimination of both species and strains in winemaking, can profitably be applied for characterization of the microflora occurring in winemaking and for monitoring the fermentation process. Recently, some novel yeast isolates have been described as hybrid between S. cerevisiae and Saccharomyces species, leaving the Saccharomyces strains containing non -Saccharomyces hybrids essentially unexplored. In this study, we have analyzed a yeast strain isolated from “Primitivo” grape ( http://www.ispa.cnr.it/index.php?page=collezioni&lang=en accession number 12998) and we found that, in addition to the S. cerevisiae genome, it has acquired genetic material from a non- Saccharomyces species. The study was focused on the analysis of chromosomal and mitochondrial gene sequences (ITS and 26S rRNA, SSU and COXII, ACTIN-1 and TEF), 2D-PAGE mitochondrial proteins, and spore viability. The results allowed us to formulate the hypothesis that in the MSH199 isolate a DNA containing an rDNA sequence from Hanseniaspora vineae, a non- Saccharomyces yeast, was incorporated through homologous recombination in the grape environment where yeast species are propagated. Moreover, physiological characterization showed that the MSH199 isolate possesses high technological quality traits (fermentation performance) and glycerol production, resistance to ethanol, SO 2 and temperature) useful for industrial application.

Estimation of the Influence of Burnishing Parameters on X5CrNi18-10 Steel

Angular momentum pumps are very often applied in ships. Because the pumps are operating in hard conditions they are produced from cavitation wear-proof and electrochemical corrosion-resistant materials. The most common damage of pump shaft is neck wear in place where seals are mounted. Burnishing as modern finish plastic tooling method makes it possible to achieve high technological quality of elements. Due to many burnishing advantages, the method was proposed for treatment of angular momentum pumps shafts instead of finish machining (finish turning, grinding, lapping). The goal was to estimate optimal burnishing parameters that enable obtaining higher strength and the lowest roughness factor of angular momentum pumps shafts. Shaft necks were made of stainless steel type X5CrNi1810. Roller burnishing tool SRMD type produced by Yamato was used in the research work. Its axis was parallel to working shaft axis. During working, technological parameters such as force, velocity and feed were changed.

Ecological and Geographical Selection of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

As a result of the lead long-term selection works wint involving a World' s collection and intertype and intertype hybridization with purposeful selection on economic-biological attributes highly productive • grades of a winter wheat, with stability to various kinds of illnesses and high technological qualities of grain have been allocated. The adapted grades of a winter wheat for a various environment of various zones of the countries of the Central Asia that allows to realize potential opportunities of grades in different environments of cultivation and by that to prevent losses of a crop from biotic and abiotic stresses that allows to stabilize productivity and adaptability of culture in a zon winter husbandry are created. The long-term field experiences lead by us and laboratory analyses on a level of productivity, qualities of grain and stability to stresses allows to conclude, that alongside with a genotype, stabilityenvironmental conditions render strong and significant influence on all complex of selection attributes.

Effect of foliar treatments to durum wheat on flag leaf senescence, grain yield, quality and deoxynivalenol contamination in North Italy

Since the production of durum wheat in the drier areas of the Mediterranean Basin is characterized by high variability in terms of yield and grain quality, there is also considerable interest in developing durum wheat in the northern regions, where the pedo-climatic conditions can offer the possibility of obtaining grain yields with higher technological quality and stability. However, the climatic conditions in the northern regions make durum wheat more prone to fungal foliar disease, particularly to Septoria Tritici Blotch ( Septoria tritici Rob.) and to Fusarium Head Blight ( Fusarium graminearum Petch and Fusarium culmorum Sacc.), with the consequent occurrence of DON in grains. Field experiments have been conducted over two growing seasons at four sites in North West Italy to evaluate the effect of fungicides and foliar nitrogen fertilizer application on durum wheat yield and grain quality. Five combinations of foliar application were compared at each site and each year (untreated control, azole fungicide application at heading, strobilurin fungicide at the stem elongation stage and/or at heading, the addition of a foliar N fertilizer to a fungicide programme). The following parameters were analysed: Septoria Tritici Blotch (STB) severity, flag leaf greenness using a chlorophyll meter, grain yield, test weight, grain protein content, ash content, vitreousness, Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) incidence and severity and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination. The collected data underline that the cultivation of durum wheat at the climatic conditions of North Italy is actually risky and needs a direct control of fungal disease, which would be able to reduce the development of both foliar and head attacks. The double treatment, with a strobilurin application during the stem elongation stage and azole at heading, results to be an essential practice and showed advantages in terms of the delay of flag leaf senescence (+27%), STB control (+31), FHB control (+11%), yield (+32%) and DON contamination (−45%), compared to the untreated control. Other foliar treatments at heading, such as strobilurin or foliar N fertilizer applications, do not seem to provide any further advantage, for either grain yield or quality. No significant effect of fungicide or foliar N fertilizer application was recorded on the protein or ash concentration or vitreousness.

Qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar em função da aplicação de maturadores em meio de safra

O fornecimento de matéria-prima de qualidade tecnológica é fundamental para garantir o rendimento industrial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar em função da aplicação de maturadores da classe dos inibidores do crescimento (Glifosato, Sulfometuron metil e Compostos de radicais carboxílicos orgânicos + Glifosato) em meio de safra. O experimento foi desenvolvido em cana-soca por duas safras consecutivas (2004/2005) na Fazenda Bosque, Igaraçu do Tietê (SP), sendo os tratamentos aplicados em 10/5/2004 e 4/8/2005. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da aplicação de três reguladores vegetais da classe dos inibidores do crescimento (Sulfometuron metil, Glifosato e Compostos de radicais carboxílicos orgânicos + Glifosato) e uma testemunha (maturação natural). A eficiência agronômica dos maturadores foi influenciada pela condição climática de cada safra. A aplicação dos maturadores em meia estação (maio) permitiu explorar de forma significativa o potencial genético da variedade quanto ao acúmulo de sacarose nos colmos, implicando em melhoria na qualidade tecnológica da matéria-prima, porém sem efeito significativo na produtividade de colmos por hectare. Os maturadores influenciaram de forma significativa a produtividade de açúcar, aumentando o retorno econômico por hectare.

IAC-Alvorada and IAC-Diplomata: new common bean cultivars

The aim of common bean breeding programs is the development of high-yielding cultivars, with multiple disease resistance and high technological and nutritional grain quality. Two cultivars, IAC-Alvorada with carioca grain, and IAC-Diplomata with black grain, meet these standards, according to the results of trials of Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) 2005/2006/2007 in Sao Paulo. The cultivars, developed by the Instituto AgronUmico de Campinas, were registered by the MAPA/RNC.

Relationship of ergosterol content and fungal contamination and assessment of technological quality of malting barley preserved in a metal silo using the near-ambient method

Environmental microbiologists frequently use ergosterol, a fungal-specific membrane lipid, as an indicator of fungal infection in grain and other plant materials. Microbiological loading and technological quality of barley was determined directly after harvest, after post-harvest drying, and during storage. The conventional plate count method was used to measure fungal contamination (CFU). Ergosterol concentration (ERG) was determined by extraction, saponification and quantification using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. The laboratory malting method was used to determine technological quality of the malt. Results showed a significant correlation between ERG and CFU (the coefficient of correlation was 0.92). Analyses also indicated that the high germinative energy and technological quality of the malt produced from dried barley was retained.

PERFORMANCES OF AUTUMN APPLE VARIETIES AND WINTER ONES REGARDING CHARACTERISTICS CONFERRING HIGH FITNESS FOR JUICE EXTRACTION

Rendering valuable - via processing – of plant raw-materials is a permanent aim of research in the field of horticulture, being generated by the necessity for a balanced range of foodstuffs all the year round (Gherghi, 1999). Demand for food preserves on market set the scientific research the task of finding solutions for the improvement of processing technologies as well as the introduction – in the process of valuable rendering – of certain new fruit varieties of high organoleptic, nutritional and technological qualities superior to the extant ones (Beceanu, D., A. Chira 2003). As for now, programmes of apple research include objectives referring to obtaining varieties for processing and identifying cultivars meeting the demands of processing entirely. The main objectives pursued by the researches pertaining to this study are materialized in the following aspect the study of performances of two autumn apple varieties and three winter ones, to be found in the variety collection of the USAMV, regarding nine characteristics conferring high fitness for juice extraction. For both autumn-apple varieties and the winter ones, testing has been carried out within comparative cultures set in blocks following a linear model, each including 15 to 25 trees. Thus, per total parcel-repeats, of each variant 36 to 60 trees were checked for: fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit volume, dry-matter, sugar content, total acidity, vitamin C, juice yield, and juice output (Table 1).

Academy-Industry Collaboration

Bridge-eLearning is a consortium aiming to bring together human resources professionals from large companies and experts from training organizations (internationally recognized business and engineering schools). The consortium provides a framework that enables its partners to share best practices in e-learning for management and technology, and to share e-learning content of a high technological and educational quality, innovative online learning experiences and approaches, and e-learning opportunities and needs. The basis of the project’s business model is the development of a shared catalog of e-learning courses enriched by partners over the years. Bridge-eLearning is administered by a steering committee, together with the e-learning committee at the operational and functional level. This paper presents the objectives and functioning of Bridge-e-learning, the achievements of the first year of existence and the perspectives for the next years.