High Moisture Content Research Articles

Yield, silage quality, and feeding preference of late‐summer sown pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone) in Southern Kyushu

AbstractBackgroundPearl millet is characterized by its high dry matter (DM) yields with a high moisture content, which makes it difficult to process as silage.MethodsPearl millet was sown in mid‐September for 3 years to examine its growth, DM yields in early December, and decrease in DM percentage after frost exposure. The crop was processed as round‐bale silage to assess silage quality and preference by breeding beef cattle.ResultsPlants reached a height of 160–200 cm, with heading tiller percentages of 50%–70% in early December. With frost exposure, DM percentage increased in leaves and panicles, followed by stems, reaching over 40%, 1 month after exposure. These increases were positively correlated with cumulative frost exposure. After frost exposure, in vitro DM digestibility and crude protein content declined while acid detergent fiber content increased. Repeated cafeteria feeding experiments showed a reduced preference for either pearl millet silage or Italian ryegrass hay. The silage showed moderate acidity at pH 4.73–5.40, with lactic acid at 0.58%–1.62% DM, acetic acid at 0.03%–0.10% DM, and negligible butyric acid, indicating a satisfactory quality.ConclusionsIn Southern Kyushu, pearl millet sown in late summer can be processed into low‐moisture round‐bale silage in January, the year following sowing.

Chemical Composition of Acid Soluble Collagen (ASC) Isolated from Indonesia Local “Kacang” Goat Skin (<i>Capra aegagrus hocus</i>)

Collagen from the local "Kacang” goat skin is a natural raw material in the halal food industry in Indonesia. This study aims to isolate acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from “Kacang” goat skin and characterize its chemical properties. The collagen was derived from one-year-old goat skin and cured in acid condition for 48 hours at 4°C to eliminate meats, fat, and hair. The cleaned skins were treated at 1:10 (w/v) of 0.1 M NaOH for 0, 24, and 48 h at 4°C. It was then neutralized in distilled water and extracted with 0.5 M acetic acid at a 1:10 (w/v) ratio for 24, 48, and 72 h at 4°C. The yield of ASC was 21%, characterized by chemical composition, soluble protein, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and protein molecular weight. The chemical composition of ASC was 11.15% (moisture), 9.04% (protein), 0.98% (fat), and 0.052% (ash). ASC has the highest collagen solubility in NaCl 5% at pH 2. ASC also has thermal stability with a low profile pattern of molecular weight. In conclusion, “Kacang” goat skin from Indonesia might be used to make a value-added product because it has a high moisture content and low fat level.

DNA profiling, nutritional value and phytochemical investigation of Cissus rotundifolia Lam. growing in Yemen

Cissus rotundifolia Lam. (Vitaceae) is a wild plant that is commonly used as food and medicine. There are limited studies on the phytochemical composition of this plant. So, this study aims to investigate C. rotundifolia growing in Yemen phytochemically. HPLC analysis of C. rotundifolia aerial parts led to the identification and quantification of four compounds (isoorientin, quercetrin, quercetin, and linarin), among which isoorientin and quercetrin were the major. Proximate analysis showed high fibre content and low moisture content, whereas the nutritional values showed a high carbohydrate content which gave rise to higher nutritional value (266.39 Kcal.). Potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin E were present in high concentrations. Investigation of the methylene chloride and n-butanol fractions lead to the isolation of seven compounds: β-sitosterol, magnificol, β-sitosterol-glucoside, quercetin, quercetrin, isoorientin, and linarin. This is the first report on isolating these compounds from the investigated plant.

The Potential of Dehydrated Geniotrigona thoracica Stingless Bee Honey against Metabolic Syndrome in Rats Induced by a High-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is diagnosed when at least three out of five key risk factors are present: obesity, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). MS is often associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Recent studies have shown that raw stingless bee honey (SBH) can alleviate MS risk factors. However, the high moisture content in raw SBH predisposes it to fermentation, which can degrade its quality. Therefore, dehydrating SBH is necessary to prevent the fermentation process. This study aimed to compare the effects of dehydrated (DeGT) and raw (RGT) SBH from Geniotrigona thoracica species on high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (HCHF)-induced MS in rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), HCHF-induced MS without treatment (MS), HCHF-induced MS treated with DeGT (MS+DeGT) and HCHF-induced MS treated with RGT (MS+RGT). Group C received standard rat chow, while the other groups were fed with HCHF diet for 16 weeks. In the final eight weeks, two HCHF-induced groups received their respective SBH treatments. Results: Both DeGT and RGT treatments reduced energy intake, fat mass, high blood pressure, inflammatory (tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) and obesity (the leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio, corticosterone, 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 (11βHSD1)) markers, as well as prevented histomorphometry changes (prevented adipocyte hypertrophy, increased the Bowman’s space area and glomerular atrophy). Additionally, DeGT increased serum HDL levels, while RGT reduced serum TG, leptin and other inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)), as well as hepatosteatosis. Conclusions: While DeGT demonstrates potential as a preventive agent for MS, RGT exhibited more pronounced anti-MS effects in this study.

Revealing the Hygroscopic Behavior of Ultrahigh Nitrogen Content Cyclo‐Pentazolate Salts

AbstractThree representative cyclo‐pentazolate salts including N2H5+N5−, NH3OH+N5− and NH4+N5−, are highly favored for their ultrahigh nitrogen content (80–96%). However, their ambiguous nature has severely restricted the application exploration. Herein, the relationships between humidity and moisture content of salt were established by quantitative analysis. Among the three salts, the hygroscopic ability has the following order: NH3OH+N5−>NH4+N5−>N2H5+N5−. Especially in the range of 40% RH −60% RH, the NH3OH+N5− has a high sensitivity to water, and the absorbed moisture content can be as high as 20.8% at 60% RH. When the relative humidity exceeds 60% RH, the hygroscopic rate of NH3OH+N5− rises sharply, at 80% RH, NH3OH+N5− will absorb excess moisture and turns into liquid form. After treating NH3OH+N5− at 40% RH, the very sensitive friction sensitivity (FS) and impact sensitivity (IS) of dried NH3OH+N5− (FS=20 N, IS=2 J) will change into insensitive salt (FS>360 N, IS>40 J). The higher moisture content in NH3OH+N5−, the lower the thermal stability, its thermal decomposition temperature (103.22°C) is 3.24°C lower than that of dry salt (106.46°C) at 75% RH (moisture content is 30.2%). The other two salts N2H5+N5− and NH4+N5− have the similar properties. Molecular dynamics simulation was further applied to explain the strong hygroscopicity of salts.

Detection of morphometric indicators of the soil surface of a grape plantation using spectral bands of satellite images

Introduction. Soils play an important role in the approximately 30-year period of operation of a grape planting, influencing plant growth, their yield and the quality of the grapes. In this study, the morphometric parameters of the surface soil layer of a grape plantation were studied using spectral channels of satellite images.Methodology. The methodology included the use of a “random forest” algorithm to classify soil cover using spectral channels and normalized satellite image indices and analyze the main physicochemical properties of soils. Accuracy was assessed using RMSD and confidence intervals calculated via bootstrapping.Results. The study revealed significant differences in the spectral reflectivity of different site options, which was due to carbonate content, humidity levels and the amount of humus. Areas with high carbonate and moisture content showed higher standard deviation values in the spectral channels. Studying the spectral characteristics of the soil surface makes it possible to effectively classify different areas based on remote sensing data. Analysis of combinations of spectral channels revealed an optimal set of three channels (B12, B11, B8A) with a minimum standard deviation when classifying an image into six soil variants of areas. For classification, a composition of five normalized indices can also be used, but in this case the calculation time increases significantly with a larger standard deviation and a larger confidence interval range. Using machine learning, six distinct soil surface types were segmented, demonstrating the complexity of the field›s soil mosaic. These results are critical for improving vineyard management and productivity

Effect of Litsea cubeba and Cinnamon Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Coatings on the Preservation of Plant-Based Meat Analogs

Plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs) are promising sustainable food sources. However, their high moisture and protein contents make them prone to microbial deterioration, limiting their shelf life and sensory appeal. This study explored enhancing PBMAs’ shelf life using nanoemulsions of Litsea cubeba and cinnamon essential oils, emulsified with chitosan and Tween 80. The composite nanoemulsion, produced through high-pressure homogenization, exhibited a droplet size of 4.99 ± 0.03 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.221 ± 0.008, and a zeta potential of 95.13 ± 2.67 mV, indicating remarkable stability (p < 0.05). Applied to PBMAs stored at 4 °C, it significantly improved color and pH balance and reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and cooking loss. Most notably, it inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, curbing spoilage and protein oxidation, thereby extending the products’ shelf life and preserving sensory quality. As shown above, the encapsulation of LCEO/CEO in nanoemulsions effectively inhibits spoilage and deterioration in PBMAs, improving flavor and quality more than direct addition. Future studies should explore using various essential oils and emulsifiers, as well as alternative encapsulation techniques like microcapsules and nanoparticles, to further prevent PBMA deterioration.

Effect of lignin on veneer densification and set-recovery

Wood densification, aimed at enhancing mechanical properties through compression, faces challenges due to set-recovery, where densified wood regains its original shape upon re-moistening. However, understanding the role of lignin in set-recovery remains elusive. In this study, acidified sodium chlorite was applied to achieve approximately 50 % delignification without removing other wood components from 3.2 mm veneers of birch, aspen, and grey alder. The veneers were then densified at 100°C and 6 MPa, with wood moisture contents (MC) of 10 % and 16 %. The morphology, physical properties, and dimensional stability of densified wood are studied in relation to delignification and MC at densification. Delignification with subsequent densification at 16 % MC was better than at 10 % MC, increasing the resultant wood density by 89 %, 148 %, and 146 % for birch, aspen, and grey alder, respectively. In general, delignification and higher moisture content during compression resulted in better compression ratios and lower set recovery. This delignification-densification approach reduced set-recovery across all wood species to a range of 71–86 %, suggesting that under these conditions, lignin has only a marginal impact on shape memory and unrestrained set-recovery in wood. Therefore, cellulose microfibrils are likely playing a dominant role.

Study of biotechnological potential of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria from oil-contaminated soils of the Uzen oil field

Background: Oil-contaminated soils are one of the significant environmental concerns in Western Kazakhstan. Cleaning soils from oil contamination is becoming extremely important. Biological soil treatment, which uses hydrocarbon-oxiding bacteria for microbiological remediation, is a more environmentally friendly and delicate method of soil treatment than any other currently used technology (physical, chemical, biological). One of the important aspects of microbiological remediation is the use of bacteria endomimic to the treated soil. This guarantees the most effective soil purification, as the bacteria perform in relatively optimal conditions for themselves. The soil of the Mangistau region, especially the coastal regions, is distinctive due to its high mineralisation and low moisture content, which have helped to form a specific microflora that is adapted to these conditions. Aim: The study aims to search and isolate highly effective hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria that are native to highly mineralized soils of the Uzen oil field. Materials and methods: The research employs a variety of analytical techniques, including water chemistry analysis and infrared spectrometry, as well as the microbiological culture of aerobic bacteria on liquid and dense media in environments (temperature and salinity) that closely resemble their native ecotopes. Results: Four enrichment cultures of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria were obtained, and three pure cultures of oil-oxidizing bacteria were isolated. Their hydrocarbon-oxidizing efficiency has been studied. On the basis of heavy, extremely viscous paraffinic oil from the Uzen field, their hydrocarbon-oxidizing efficiency was examined. Conclusion: In this study, active enrichment cultures of halophilic hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria as well as active accumulative cultures of halophilic and moderately thermophilic aerobic bacteria were obtained. These bacteria are capable of oxidising a wide range of hydrocarbons, including high-molecular polycyclic and sulfur-containing compounds. Their high biotechnological potential will be studied in further studies.

Investigation on moisture-heat-deformation behaviors of the ordinary railway subgrade in seasonally frozen regions

The stability and service performance of ordinary railway subgrade are often challenged by frost heave distresses in seasonally frozen regions. This paper analysis the moisture-heat process and frost heave characteristics of the subgrade of Qinghai-Tibet Railway (QTR) using on-site monitoring data. The development mechanism of deep frost heave in ordinary railway is discussed, and combined with numerical simulation, the mechanism of significant lateral differential frost heave of ordinary railway subgrade is also revealed. The monitoring results show that the maximum freezing depth of the subgrade is 1.88 m, and the maximum frost heave is 32 mm. The freezing cycle can be divided into four stages by freezing rate and thawing rate: repeated freezing-thawing cycles, rapid freezing stage, slow freezing stage, and bidirectional thawing stage. The freezing rate of 0.53 cm/d and high moisture content of subgrade in the slow freezing stage are the main reasons for the development of deep frost heave in ordinary railway subgrade. The existence of ballast layer is the primary factor that causes the difference of initial freezing time, moisture-heat change and distribution at different positions of ordinary railway subgrade, which ultimately results in the lateral differential frost heave exceeding the allowable value of 15 mm.

Improving storage duration of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) through electron beam technology.

Electron beam (EB) technology typically consists of high-energy electron streams produced by a linear accelerator. Although promising, the use of EB irradiation as a technique to delay ripening and prevent spoilage in tomatoes has not been extensively investigated. In this study, the effectiveness of EB irradiation in prolonging the shelf life of tomatoes postharvest was investigated. The results indicated that EB irradiation successfully reduced microbial contamination and decay, preserved key quality attributes (such as total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and firmness), and significantly minimized weight loss. Notably, the treatment delayed the biosynthesis of lycopene, a key indicator of ripening, without adversely affecting phenolic content and antioxidant activity, which remained consistent regardless of irradiation. Additionally, different methods for detecting irradiation were evaluated. Thermoluminescence analysis proved to be the most dependable technique, especially for doses exceeding 600Gy, due to its high sensitivity and specificity. In contrast, photostimulated luminescence and electron spin resonance analyses showed limitations in accurately identifying the irradiation status of foods with high moisture content, such as tomatoes. This study confirms that EB irradiation, while maintaining postharvest quality, extends the shelf life of tomatoes by 5-10days, suggesting its potential for commercial application in food preservation.

Characterization of Some Olive Varieties Consumed without Pre-Treatment: Naturally Debittered Olives in Türkiye

In table olive production it is necessary to remove oleuropein by brine or dry salting method because it gives bitterness. However, some olive varieties such as Throuba Thassos-Greece, Djemali-Tunisia can be consumed without any de-bittering process. Some olives in Türkiye are also consumed without any pre-treatment and these are Kilis Yağlık, Butko, Hurma (Erkence cv.), and Nizip Yağlık olives. These naturally de-bittered olives were aimed to be characterized in this research. The lowest moisture content was determined for Kilis Yağlık (6.84%) and the highest moisture content was determined for Butko (50.01%). The oil and protein content of the samples was between, 16.66-68.46% and 0.19-18.13%, respectively. Total phenolic content (mg GAE/100g) of Kilis Yağlık, Butko, Hurma and Nizip Yağlık olive varieties were determined as 458.87, 152.09, 109.73, 234.33, respectively. The lowest antioxidant capacity was determined for Butko and the highest value was determined for Kilis Yağlık. The hardness values of the olives were found between 677.44-3688.06 (g). The L*, a*, b* values of olive samples were found between 26.14-32.05, 2.02-4.78, 2.37- 7.18, respectively. Highest oleic was determined for Hurma, highest linoleic acid was determined for Butko whereas the highest linolenic acid was determined for Nizip Yağlık. Volatile component analysis results of olives showed that 24, 23, 16 and 17 volatile components were detected in Kilis Yağlık, Butko, Hurma and Nizip Yağlık olives, respectively.

Active packaging coating based on Lepidium sativum seed mucilage and propolis extract: Preparation, characterization, application and modeling the preservation of buffalo meat.

Buffalo meat is naturally perishable, making it susceptible to spoilage due to its high moisture content and vulnerability to microbial contamination. Edible coatings have attracted attention as a packaging method that can prolong the shelf life of meat. The study aimed to examine the impact of a combination of Lepidium sativum mucilage (LS) coating and propolis extract (PE) on prolonging the shelf life of buffalo meat. The chemical characteristics (chemical compounds, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity) and antimicrobial activity of the PE (disk diffusion agar, well diffusion agar, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericidal concentration) were investigated. The effect of the PE on the cell wall of pathogenic bacteria was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Biological properties of LS (TPC, TFC, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effect (pour plate method)) was investigated. Different concentrations of PE (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5%) were added to the coating mixture containing LS, and their effects on extending the shelf life of buffalo meat samples stored at 4°C for 9 days were assessed. The PE included gallic acid, benzoic acid, syringic acid, 4-3 dimethoxy cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, myricetin, caffeic acid, luteolin, chlorogenic acid, and apigenin. The PE was determined to have a TPC of 36.67 ± 0.57 mg GAE/g and a TFC of 48.02 ± 0.65 mg QE/g. The extract's radical scavenging activity ranged from 0 to 76.22% for DPPH radicals and from 0 to 50.31% for ABTS radicals. The viability of C115 HeLa cell was observed to be 94.14 μg/mL. The PE and LS, exhibited strong antimicrobial properties against pathogenic bacteria. The LS was determined to have a TPC of 15.23 ± 0.43 mg GAE/g and a TFC of 11.51± 0.61 mg QE/g. The LS was determined to have a DPPH of 429.65 ± 1.28 μg/mL and a ABTS of 403.59 ± 1.46 μg/mL. The microbiological analysis revealed that the LS+2.5%PE treatment was the most effective in inhibiting the growth of total viable count (6.23 vs. 8.00 log CFU/g), psychrotrophic bacteria count (3.71 vs. 4.73 log CFU/g), coliforms count (2.78 vs. 3.70 log CFU/g), and fungi count (2.39 vs. 3.93 log CFU/g) compared to the control sample. The addition of PE to the edible coating also demonstrated a concentration-dependent effect on preserving the moisture, pH, color, and hardness of the buffalo meat. Sensory evaluation results suggested that incorporating PE into the edible coating extended the shelf life of buffalo meat by three days. In the second stage of this paper, this investigation employed two distinct forecasting methodologies: the Radial Basis Function (RBF) and the Support Vector Machine (SVM), to predict a range of quality indicators for coated meat products. Upon comparison, the RBF model exhibited a higher level of accuracy, showcasing its exceptional capacity to closely match the experimental outcomes. Therefore, this type of food coating, renowned for its strong antimicrobial properties, has the potential to effectively package and preserve perishable and delicate food items, such as meat.

Co-immobilization of lipase and β-galactosidase in gelatin-carboxymethyl cellulose blend films used as an active packaging component

β-Galactosidase and lipase were co-immobilized in polymeric blends of gelatin (GEL) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) synthesized with different ratios of GEL/CMC: A (0GEL:100CMC), B (25GEL:75CMC), C (50GEL:50CMC), D (75GEL:25CMC), E (100GEL:0CMC). The films obtained good electrostatic interaction and a regular and uniform structure. The addition of CMC increased the mechanical resistance of the films, the tensile strength being 35.04 ± 0.10 MPa for A (0GEL:100CMC) films and 19.17 ± 2.44 MPa for E (100GEL:0CMC) films. Thermogravimetry (TG) showed that the addition of the enzyme decreases the thermal stability of the films. Film B (25GEL:75CMC) showed greater affinity with the added enzymes and greater thermal stability, in addition to increasing the crystallinity by up to 5.8 % and forming more transparent films. CMC was the most hydrophilic polymer, with higher moisture content (17.35 ± 1.73 %) and PVA (0.398 ± 0.047 g.mm/h.m2.kPa), higher still after the addition of enzyme (22.91 ± 1.06 % and 1.136 ± 0.087 g.mm/h.m2.kPa). The enzymes showed greater interaction with the bulky groups of CMC and the film with the highest concentration of this polymer was the one that presented the best hydrolysis rate of lactose and triglycerides, enabling the production of films.

Influence of seasonal variation on the chromatographic profile and physicochemical properties of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is important in the Brazilian economy and its essential oil is used in cooking, industry and perfumery, and has antimicrobial properties. The chemical composition of essential oils can be altered by the action of various factors, whether internal or external to the plant, such as genetics, temperature, water availability and seasonality. The aim of this research was to assess whether seasonality interferes with the chromatographic profile and physicochemical characteristics of basil essential oil. The study was carried out by investigating the technical reports of the Haje Insumos company on the chemical composition using gas chromatography, physical-chemical analysis (density, refractive index and humidity) and organoleptic analysis (appearance, color and odor). Due to the presence of the linalool component in greater quantity, the oil analyzed is characterized as being of the linalool chemotype. The product showed no alterations to its organoleptic characteristics and all the results were in accordance with its specification. In addition, one of the batches had a higher moisture content, which may be related to the environmental conditions at the time of year, which requires attention as water can trigger a hydrolysis reaction in fat-soluble molecules. It is understood that seasonality may be related to changes in the essential oil, and it was possible to contribute to the recognition of this plant's product.

THE INFLUENCE OF SAND AND CEMENT ON THE LATERITIC SOIL COMPACTION WITH IRON ORE TAILINGS

The characteristics of lateritic soils vary significantly, depending on the laterization process they have undergone. Due to this diversity, physicochemical and mechanical tests may be necessary to assess the feasibility of using it. This research aimed to characterize the soil and sedimented iron ore tailings (IOT) and analyze, through compaction tests, the influence of the Portland cement and the sand in the mixtures used for rammed earth (RE) construction. Three groups were proposed for compaction tests: Group 1 (reference – only soil), Group 2 (40% sand + soil), and Group 3 (40% sand + 2.5% Portland cement). Each group consisted of five mixtures with varying content of soil replacement by IOT. The results showed that, although Groups 2 and 3 increased the maximum dry density values in the mixtures without IOT compared to Group 1, the mixtures did not reach the minimum requirements specified by the Brazilian standard for RE. Additionally, the mixtures without IOT presented high optimal moisture content. The use of IOT in mixtures positively reduced the optimum water content and increased the dry density values, which are important parameters to RE production.

Extension of Vase Life by Nano-Selenium in Rosa hybrida

Vase life directly affects the ornamental value of cut flowers, and extending vase life has been a research focus in the floriculture industry. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Nano-Se provide a new direction to extend the life of cut-flower vase life. In order to explore the postharvest quality of Nano-Se on cut-flower roses, this study treated cut-flower roses with different concentrations of Nano-Se (200, 400, and 600 mM) using a commercially available preservative solution as a base solution. The results showed that appropriate concentrations of Nano-Se significantly increased the vase life of cut-flower roses and helped to maintain high petal moisture content. Nano-Se at concentrations of 200, 400, and 600 mM extended the vase life of cut roses by 4.3, 5.7, and 3.7 d, respectively. As the vase period extended, the Nano-Se treatment group effectively delayed the decline in antioxidant enzyme activities such as peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), maintained the soluble sugar (SS) and soluble protein (SP) contents in the cut roses, and inhibited the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), reducing their accumulation. A correlation analysis of the physiological indexes of cut roses showed that vase life was positively correlated with POD and CAT activities, SS and SP contents, and total phenolic acid content and negatively correlated with MDA and H2O2 contents. This study provides a solid theoretical basis for the diversification of preservatives and the development of new preservatives for fresh-cut roses, which is expected to provide significant economic benefits.

Analyzing the combustion characteristics of Thar coal block XI: A comprehensive study

Coal is a key energy resource in the world that is available at low cost and the high energy content in coal makes it a fuel of choice in many developed and developing countries. Regardless of massive reserves, Thar coal of Pakistan is low-rank lignite coal with high moisture contents and has very limited use. The proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and X-ray diffractometry analysis were performed to investigate the combustion characteristics, morphological and mineral characteristics of Thar coal block XI. Thar coal samples in this study are characterized as low-rank lignite coal. The proximate analysis showed a significant difference in moisture content, volatile content, fixed carbon content and ash residue. The ultimate analysis provided the details of elemental contents (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulfer) in coal. The combustion characteristics such as combustion performance of lignite at high temperatures (950 °C) was investigated in thermogravimeter and the results showed the variations in the ignition temperature, burnout tempearature, combustion index and burnout index. The marphological characteristic were determined by X-ray diffraction. The mineral congregations, ash yields, major and minor elements (SiO2, Al2O3, CaO,MgO, Fe2O3) varied significantly in the coal. These analyses integrate various results for assessing major monitoring parameters of coal reactivity, its temperature ranges and combustion products.

Enhancing horticultural harvest efficiency: The role of moisture content in ultrasonic cutting of tomato stems

Ultrasonic vibration has notable benefits in the harvesting and processing of tomato stems, particularly in reducing cutting force and minimizing moisture loss. Given the anisotropic nature of biological materials, the moisture content of tomato stems significantly impacts their physical properties. This study investigates the influence of varying moisture content on temperature and cutting force during the ultrasonic cutting of tomato stems. Initially, the moisture content of tomato stems at different maturity stages was measured using a water activity meter. Mechanical properties were characterized using a universal testing machine, and thermal properties were analyzed with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Regression models were established to correlate moisture content with these material properties. Additionally, a three-dimensional microscopic model of stem skeletons, interfaces, and fiber bundles was created to simulate the fracture mechanisms during ultrasonic cutting under different moisture levels. Single-factor and response surface optimization experiments were conducted using a custom experimental setup under varying maturity stages, excitation frequencies, and voltage variations. Results showed that after 24 h, the peak temperatures for tomato stems at different maturity stages were 97.84 °C, 80.59 °C, and 74.15 °C, with corresponding cutting forces of 0.492 N, 0.544 N, and 0.998 N, respectively. The discrepancy between experimental results and simulation data was within 10 %. Higher moisture content was found to enhance the thermal conductivity of fiber materials, aiding in the fracture of fiber bundles, thus reducing cutting time and force. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the application of ultrasonic technology in the efficient harvesting and processing of industrial crops, with significant implications for horticultural crop treatment and processing.

Integrated municipal solid waste management using ArcGIS tools: A case of akaki-kality sub-city, addis ababa, ethiopia.

This study aimed to optimize the solid waste collection and transportation system using ArcGIS Network Analyst and location-allocation tools. The generated solid waste was characterized by proximate analysis. The generation rate and composition were determined according to standard methods. The average solid waste generation rates for households, commercial sites, institutions, and recreational places were 0.48kg/c/day, 15.03kg/fac/day, 9.32kg/fac/day, and 22.8kg/fac/day, respectively. The estimated total generation rate of the sub-city is 207,004.03kg/day and 712.13 m3/day as discarded base. Composition analysis revealed that food waste is the major component of municipal solid waste, with estimated weight and volume of 134,696.08kg and 299.46 m3, respectively. Proximate analysis indicated that food and textile wastes have relatively high moisture content and fixed carbon. Candidate pre-collection bin allocations were optimized based on factors such as road network, distribution of solid waste generators, and existing temporary dumping sites, resulting in 1052 potential bin locations. Transfer station allocation was optimized by considering land use-land cover, slope, and geology. Twelve transfer routes and four transport routes were established to efficiently serve the bins and final waste destinations. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that ArcGIS Network Analyst and location-allocation tools can effectively optimize the municipal solid waste collection and transportation system, providing a robust framework for improving waste management efficiency. However, further research is recommended to validate these findings through field application.