Normal Storage Research Articles

Impacts of Light Exposure and Soil Covering on Sweet Potato Storage Roots in a Novel Soilless Culture System

Soilless culture systems, which promote plant growth and enable the precise control of the root-zone environment, have yet to be fully established for sweet potatoes. In this study, we developed a soilless culture system and examined the effects of soil covering and light exposure on the storage roots of sweet potatoes. Sweet potato seedlings with induced storage roots were transplanted into five systems: a previously developed pot-based hydroponics system (Pot), an improved version with storage roots enclosed in a plastic box and covered with a soil sheet (SS), the SS system without the soil sheet (SD), the SD system with light exposure to storage roots after 54 days (SL), and a deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponics system. Our study enabled the time-course observation of storage root enlargement in the SS, SD, and SL systems. In the SL system, light exposure suppressed the storage root enlargement and reduced epidermal redness. No storage root enlargement was observed in the DFT system, even at 151 days after transplantation. Light exposure in the SL system increased the chlorophyll and total phenolic contents in the cortex beneath the epidermis, while the starch content was the lowest in this system. These findings indicate that the developed system can induce normal storage root enlargement without soil. Additionally, the observed changes in growth and composition due to light exposure suggest that this system is effective for controlling the root-zone environment of sweet potatoes.

Effects of period and type of storage on germination test of Acacia polycantha seeds in South Kordofan State, Sudan

The study aimed to investigate the effect of storage type and period of Acacia polycantha (Kakamout) on seeds germination and to attain an appropriate method of seed storage. The experiment was conducted at the Regional Tree Seed Centre-Elobied during the year 2016, and the seeds were collected from Kadugli site. Some tests were applied (purity, number of seeds/kg, moisture content, germination, viability) on seeds before and after their storage in three stores under different status (normal, cold and deep) and in four periods of time (3, 6, 9 and 12 months) for each sample. Experiment design by Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates in storages by repeating three samples. The experiment used the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates in storages by repeating three samples. The data was analyzed by SAS software using ANOVA table, while LSD test used for means separation. The results showed a significant differences )α = 0.05 (in the normal store and high significant difference (p< 0.0001) in the deep store. Also, seeds revealed a decrease in the moisture content of the deep store by 4%, and a decrease in the number of seeds by11747 seeds for the cold store in the fourth period resulting in the weight gain of the seeds and the decrease in the number of seeds/kg. The study recommends the storage of Acacia polycantha seeds in deep, cool and normal storage at any period of the year.

Formulation and Evaluation of a Polyherbal Gel for Skin Disorders

The aim of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate the herbal gel containing Marigold, Garlic, Honey, Cocoa Powder Aloe Vera for wound healing and antimicrobial potential. Marigold, Garlic, Honey, Cocoa Powder Aloe Vera used in the preparation possess an excellent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and healing potential. Gelling agent used in this study was Carbopol 934P. In the present study five formulations containing different concentration of carbopol and honey were formulated and optimized. The optimized formulations were selected for further studies. Optimized gel was then loaded with active drug. The formulations were characterized for initial physicochemical parameters i.e. surface pH, spreadability, viscosity and antimicrobial susceptibility test to observe toxicity or side effects. The result revealed that the surface pH was within the range of skin pH. The viscosity and spreadability of the gel was appropriate and zone of inhibition was also satisfactory for optimized formulations G4 and G5. The preparations were stable under normal storage conditions and did not produce any skin irritation, i.e., erythema and oedema for about a month, when applied over the skin.

Nature of storage iron turnover.

Despite recent advance in the study of the nature of storage iron turnover, a comprehensive analysis remains lacking. This study aimed to clarify the nature of storage iron turnover. Ferritin-hemosiderin iron transformation rate and the standard normal storage iron turnover rate were utilized in this study to describe the mechanism of iron absorption in relation to ferritin and hemosiderin iron turnover. The synchronization of radioiron uptake peaks by bone marrow and liver indicates that the distribution of radioiron is proportional to the pre-existing iron levels in organs at 24 h after radioiron injection. Moreover, the synchronization indicates the independence of iron mass from red cell precursors in acquiring plasma iron. Thus, the erythron does not dominate the radioiron uptake process. The inverse correlation between transformation rate and the amount of pre-existing iron storage implies that the intra-storage iron turnover is active in iron deficiency, but inactive in iron overload. The decreased ferritin/hemosiderin iron ratio in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with normal iron storage suggests a trend of iron transformation from ferritin into hemosiderin. The correlation between the pretreatment iron storage and the speed of rebound in CHC implies that the vacant iron-storing rooms in iron-removed cells have a potential to increase iron absorption. This study presents new insights into the turnover of stored iron to enhance our understanding of iron metabolism in various hematologic disorders.

EVALUATING THE SHELF LIFE OF ESCIN

The determination of drug shelf life is vital for ensuring quality and stability, considering factors such as extraction, storage, transportation, and others to establish ideal storage conditions and expiration dates. While standard stability tests follow industry guidelines, the unique challenges posed by conducting accelerated tests for some temperature-sensitive drugs, such as herbal medicines, necessitate reliance on natural (continuous) tests as the primary method for determining stability. Positive results from accelerated tests may indicate that stability can be maintained despite short-term deviations under normal storage conditions. Consequently, real-time continuous testing plays a pivotal role in determining and validating the optimal shelf life following drug registration, simulating actual storage conditions during circulation. In light of these considerations, the shelf life of Escin was determined only through natural testing

Preanalytical Stability of 13 Antibiotics in Biological Samples: A Crucial Factor for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

The stability of antibiotic preanalytical samples is a critical factor in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), a practice of undoubted importance for the proper therapeutic use of antibiotics, especially in complex management patients, such as pediatrics. This review aims to analyze the data in the literature regarding the preanalytical stability of some of the antibiotics for which TDM is most frequently requested. The literature regarding the preanalytical stability of amikacin, ampicillin, cefepime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, linezolid, meropenem, piperacillin, teicoplanin, and vancomycin in plasma, serum, whole blood, and dried blood/plasma spot samples was analyzed. Various storage temperatures (room temperature, 4 °C, -20 °C, and -80 °C) and various storage times (from 1 h up to 12 months) as well as subjecting to multiple freeze-thaw cycles were considered. The collected data showed that the non-beta-lactam antibiotics analyzed were generally stable under the normal storage conditions used in analytical laboratories. Beta-lactam antibiotics have more pronounced instability, particularly meropenem, piperacillin, cefepime, and ceftazidime. For this class of antibiotics, we suggest that storage at room temperature should be limited to a maximum of 4 h, storage at 2-8 °C should be limited to a maximum of 24 h, and storage at -20 °C should be limited to a maximum of 7 days; while, for longer storage, freezing at -80 °C is suggested.

Submerged Surface Area and Water Storage Volume of Hamrin Dam Lake Using Contour Lines

The predictions and warnings from drying up lakes and rivers are increasing nowadays, especially in Iraq, due to climatic changes and water flow reduction from neighboring countries. Consequently, this paper deals with monitoring the changes in submerged surface areas and Hamrin dam lake storage volume from December 2011 to the end of 2022. Hamrin Lake supplies Diyala province, Iraq, with irrigation water. Multitemporal satellite images were acquired from google earth pro and Earth Observation (EO) browsers. Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) layers generated contour lines through the ArcGIS environment. Volumes were calculated using the end area method. The results show that the water storage volume reached 1.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) in December 2016 and decreased to 12 million cubic meters in December 2021. Hamrin Lake lost 99% and 98% of its capacity relative to the normal water storage volume in 2021 and 2022, respectively. At normal storage, the maximum water volume of Hamrin Lake is about 3 bcm. The scarcity of irrigation water from Hamrin Lake causes decreasing agricultural areas, desertification, and people migrating to other regions.

Kodo millet: Technological impact and nutritional benefits for value‐addition in food products

AbstractMillets are small‐seeded annual crops grown as cereal grains. They are known for their nutritional benefits and their role in preventing health problems. These grains are classified into major and minor millets. Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum), one of the minor millets, originated from Africa as a drought‐resistant crop and was domesticated in India in 3000 BC. It is grown in various states of India and is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The Kodo seed is rich in phytochemical compounds and dietary fibers with remarkable storage properties. It can be stored for extended periods under normal storage conditions and is found as a famine crop, which means it can be used as an alternative to major cereals. Kodo millet is a rich source of phenolic compounds known for their antioxidant properties. It also contains antinutritional factors that can limit its use, but these can be reduced by proper processing methods to enhance its food applications. Different traditional methods, such as milling, decortication, roasting, germination, and fermentation, along with novel techniques such as microwave, cold plasma and ultrasound treatment significantly impact the value addition of Kodo millet and the development of various food products. Therefore, this review provides valuable information on the nutritional profile, processing methods, and food applications of Kodo millet.

A Strategy for Allowing Earlier Diagnosis and Rigorous Evaluation of BACE1 Inhibitors in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease.

Given continued failure of BACE1 inhibitor programs at symptomatic and prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), clinical trials need to target the earlier preclinical stage. However, trial design is complex in this population with negative diagnosis of classical hippocampal amnesia on standard memory tests. Besides recent advances in brain imaging, electroencephalogram, and fluid-based biomarkers, new cognitive markers should be established for earlier diagnosis that can optimize recruitment to BACE1 inhibitor trials in presymptomatic AD. Notably, accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) is emerging as a sensitive cognitive measure that can discriminate between asymptomatic individuals with high risks for developing AD and healthy controls. ALF is a form of declarative memory impairment characterized by increased forgetting rates over longer delays (days to months) despite normal storage within the standard delays of testing (20-60 min). Therefore, ALF may represent a harbinger of preclinical dementia and the impairment of systems memory consolidation, during which memory traces temporarily stored in the hippocampus become gradually integrated into cortical networks. This review provides an overview of the utility of ALF in a rational design of next-generation BACE1 inhibitor trials in preclinical AD. I explore potential mechanisms underlying ALF and relevant early-stage biomarkers useful for BACE1 inhibitor evaluation, including synaptic protein alterations, astrocytic dysregulation and neuron hyperactivity in the hippocampal-cortical network. Furthermore, given the physiological role of the isoform BACE2 as an AD-suppressor gene, I also discuss the possible association between the poor selectivity of BACE1 inhibitors and their side effects (e.g., cognitive worsening) in prior clinical trials.

Paradoxical boosting of weak and strong spatial memories by hippocampal dopamine uncaging.

The ability to remember changes in the surroundings is fundamental for daily life. It has been proposed that novel events producing dopamine release in the hippocampal CA1 region could modulate spatial memory formation. However, the role of hippocampal dopamine increase on weak or strong spatial memories remains unclear. We show that male mice exploring two objects located in a familiar environment for 5 minutes created a short-term memory (weak) that cannot be retrieved one day later, whereas 10 minutes exploration created a long-term memory (strong) that can be retrieved one day later. Remarkably, hippocampal dopamine elevation during the encoding of weak object location memories (OLMs) allowed their retrieval one day later but dopamine elevation during the encoding of strong OLMs promoted the preference for a familiar object location over a novel object location after 24 hours. Moreover, dopamine uncaging after the encoding of OLMs did not have effect on weak memories whereas on strong memories diminished the exploration of the novel object location. Additionally, hippocampal dopamine elevation during the retrieval of OLMs did not allow the recovery of weak memories and did not affect the retrieval of strong memory traces. Finally, dopamine elevation increased hippocampal theta oscillations, indicating that dopamine promotes the recurrent activation of specific groups of neurons. Our experiments demonstrate that hippocampal dopaminergic modulation during the encoding of OLMs depends on memory strength indicating that hyperdopaminergic levels that enhance weak experiences could compromise the normal storage of strong memories.Significance statement Increased levels of dopamine have been related to cognitive enhancement. Hippocampal dopamine elevation caused by novelty exposure has been proposed as a strategy to enhance memory based on the observation that surprising events create flashbulb memories that are remembered for long time. However, hyperdopaminergic levels could also underlie maladaptive memories, such as non-desired preservation of traumatic experiences. Our experiments show that dopamine elevation in the dorsal hippocampus during the encoding of spatial memories has paradoxical effects, while the enhancement of weak memories allows their retrieval, the dopaminergic modulation of strong memories limits the ability to modify preexisting spatial memories by changes in the environment. We conclude that cognitive enhancement through dopamine boosting must consider diverse aspects of memory formation.

Characterization of groundwater drought and understanding of climatic impact on groundwater resources in Korea

Although South Korea is frequently subjected to monsoons, the shortage of summer monsoons and relatively dry spring and winter seasons cause droughts in the Korean Peninsula. Since the late 1960s, severe droughts in South Korea have encouraged extensive groundwater development for agricultural and economic growth. Therefore, identifying and estimating the impact of droughts on the country’s groundwater resources is crucial for establishing policies and regulations on groundwater exploitation and recharge. Current drought management of the country relies on a meteorological drought index. However, these estimates lack a comprehensive understanding of absolute drought severity and propagation. This study aims to develop a quantitative method for calculating the frequency and severity of groundwater droughts based on the Groundwater Deficit (GWD) derived from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission data. The estimated annual GWD in mass over the country ranges from -0.07 km3 to 0.04 km3, with a trend in the mass of -1.60×10−3 km3/year from 2002 to 2021. Thirteen groundwater drought events were identified based on GWD. Among those, the highest drought severities recorded in 2015 and 2019 were -34.27 km3 months and -55.38 km3 months, respectively. Monthly deficits define the quantity of water required to restore normal groundwater storage conditions. Hence, the minimum and average days to recover from groundwater droughts were estimated based on the strength of the storage-based approaches. The GWD approach aligns with meteorological drought databases with a time lag. It illustrates the transition from meteorological drought to groundwater drought, along with their onset, cessation, propagation, instantaneous severity, and peak magnitude.

ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ ОЗОНА С ЗЕРНОМ

Despite the popularization of ozone technologies in agriculture, the theoretical aspects of the interaction of an ozone-air mixture with grain material remain under study. The simplified assumption that the change in the amount of ozone absorbed by the grain is proportional to the initial gas concentration does not accurately describe this process. Attempts to analytically determine a certain constant of the rate of ozone absorption by a unit of grain volume were also unsuccessful. The resulting expression was transcendental at that time. Its solution was possible only when performing repetitive calculations, that is, using the iteration method on a personal computer. The use of the modern Matlab application software package made it possible to establish a constant rate of ozone absorption per unit grain volume. However, the experiments have shown that during the experiment this constant changes significantly, including depending on the conditions, therefore this theoretical approach requires clarification. The laws known in physics describing the diffusion process have been adapted to the ozone treatment process. The application of the Langmuir-Schaefer equation for the number of ozone molecules adsorbed on the grain surface and Fick's second law made it possible to determine the rate of ozone diffusion and the change in ozone concentration over time, taking into account the characteristics of the grain pile. A dependence was obtained for the ozone diffusion coefficient, which characterizes the ability of grains to absorb ozone through cell membranes, and the ozone decomposition constants. Under normal storage conditions, these temperature-dependent values can be considered constant. The analytically obtained dependences will allow us to determine the ozone diffusion coefficient and the ozone decomposition constant experimentally.

NADPH oxidase overexpression and mitochondrial OxPhos impairment are more profound in human hearts donated after circulatory death than brain death.

This study investigated cardiac stress and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) in human donation after circulatory death (DCD) hearts regarding warm ischemic time (WIT) and subsequent cold storage and compared them with that of human brain death donor (DBD) hearts. A total of 24 human hearts were procured for the research study-6 in the DBD group and 18 in the DCD group. DCD group was divided into three groups (n = 6) based on different WITs (20, 40, and 60 min). All hearts received del Nido cardioplegia before being placed in normal saline cold storage for 6 h. Left ventricular biopsies were performed at hours 0, 2, 4, and 6. Cardiac stress [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits: 47-kDa protein of phagocyte oxidase (p47phox), 91-kDa glycoprotein of phagocyte oxidase (gp91phox)] and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation [OxPhos, complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) subunit of ETC (CI)-complex V (ATP synthase) subunit of ETC (CV)] proteins were measured in cardiac tissue and mitochondria respectively. Modulation of cardiac stress and mitochondrial dysfunction were observed in both DCD and DBD hearts. However, DCD hearts suffered more cardiac stress (overexpressed NADPH oxidase subunits) and diminished mitochondrial OxPhos than DBD hearts. The severity of cardiac stress and impaired oxidative phosphorylation in DCD hearts correlated with the longer WIT and subsequent cold storage time. More drastic changes were evident in DCD hearts with a WIT of 60 min or more. Activation of NADPH oxidase via overproduction of p47phox and gp91phox proteins in cardiac tissue may be responsible for cardiac stress leading to diminished mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. These protein changes can be used as biomarkers for myocardium damage and might help assess DCD and DBD heart transplant suitability.NEW & NOTEWORTHY First human DCD heart research studied cardiac stress and mitochondrial dysfunction concerning WIT and the efficacy of del Nido cardioplegia as an organ procurement solution and subsequent cold storage. Mild to moderate cardiac stress and mitochondrial dysfunction were noticed in DCD hearts with WIT 20 and 40 min and cold storage for 4 and 2 h, respectively. These changes can serve as biomarkers, allowing interventions to preserve mitochondria and extend WIT in DCD hearts.

Numerical calculation of seepage field and stability analysis of dam body of closed tailings pond

Abstract In this study, taking a certain iron ore tailings pond as the research object, a closed pond engineering design was conducted to ensure its sustained and stable operation. Firstly, installation of a flood drainage system (spillway) and closure of the existing overflow tower and drainage pipe are suggested. Secondly, numerical analysis is conducted on the seepage field of the dam body to determine the position of the saturation line of the dam body under normal water storage level and design flood level. Subsequently, the stability of the dam body under various working conditions is assessed using the limit equilibrium method.

Effect of the Variety and Processing Method on the Productivity and Quality of Date Molasses

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of date cultivar and processing technique on the chemical composition, qualitative attributes, and quantitative characteristics of date molasses. Two Iraqi date varieties, namely Al-Zuhdi and Al-Khastawi, were chosen during the date stage to produce date molasses using three established methods: the Madabis method, the foundry method (hot water) and the modern mechanical method (synergistic). The results of the comparison of the physical characteristics of the fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) between the two cultivars Zahdi and Khastawi showed that the fruits of the Khastawi variety were superior to the Zahdi variety in weight, length, diameter, size, and weight of the fleshy part. Significant differences were also recorded in the chemical properties of the dates used in the study, as the Zuhdi variety recorded the highest percentage of ash, protein, fat and total acidity, while the Khastawi variety recorded the highest percentage of total sugars. The results showed that there were significant differences between the studied molasses samples in terms of production, as the sample (Khastawi W3) of molasses produced by the synergistic method recorded the highest production rate of date molasses (643.7) g / kg of dates, with a slight difference from the closest value recorded by the same manufacturing method for the Zahdi variety (591.3). g/kg). As for the biological test for the microbial molasses content of bacteria and molds, the molasses manufactured by three methods and for the two varieties under study met the limits of microbiological safety, under normal storage conditions at room temperature even after 90 days without recording any microbiological infection. All samples of molasses were accepted with a very good degree in the sensory evaluation of the qualities of texture, smell, taste and color, while the Zahdi variety by the traditional cold pressing method (Madabis) scored the best final acceptance score.

Development of a Solar Precooling Evaporative Chamber to Improve the Storage Indicators of Tomato Fruits in Desert Conditions

Precooling is one of the most important processing to improve storage indicators and shelf life for fruits and vegetables, especially in desert regions. An Evaporative cooling unit operating with solar energy was used to store summer tomato fruits. The main component is a developed evaporating wchamper, its consists of three walls, the inner wall was made of high conducting non-rust metal, water wall wich represented the middle part and the outer wall is made of highly porous pottery panels. On the other hand, an evaporative cooling unit was added to one of the store’s walls in order to provide humidity and cool air. The results were compared with a traditional storage room and field sorage in the same field conditions. The results showed a significant superiority of the developed pre-cooling champer parameters compared to the normal storage room and field storage the superiority of the two air speeds treatments (3.6 and 4.3 m.sec-1) compared to the non-operation of the evaporative cooling unit. the superiority was observed in indicators of fruits temperature, hardness, TSS, lost weight ratio and number of storage days of tomato fruits. This result comes from the good conditions of temperature and humidity in the pre-cooling chamber.

Characterization of aged Li4SiO4 pebbles performance

Many studies and research have been carried out in the recent years to identify which breeder material and (in which) form, solid or liquid, are most suitable to be used in the Breeder Blanket (BB) modules. Nonetheless, the choice of a stable material, with high thermal conductivity and melting point remains unsolved and becomes even more complex when durability is considered. The breeder material must guarantee that the thermo-mechanical properties change as little as possible under environmental and operating conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate the ageing effects on the mechanical behaviour of lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) in form of pebbles. The pebbles had been produced at the University of Pisa at room temperature by a hydrolytic sol-gel supported drip casting method and subsequently stored for 4 years in an environment simulating normal storage (i.e., standard condition). These pebbles of about 1.2–1.4 mm diameter have been subjected to uniaxial compression tests, without radial constraints, and SEM analysis. The results obtained were compared to those of non-aged pebbles to highlight the degradation caused by the ageing. SEM examination of aged pebbles showed increased porosity and a pebble surface that was not entirely homogeneous and uniform. This affected the crack shapes on the contact surface and the crushing load.

Sedimentation Characteristics of the Fluctuating Backwater Area at the Tail of Cascade Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Three Gorges Reservoir

The construction of cascade reservoirs is associated with considerable uncertainty in sedimentation in the fluctuating backwater area of the terminal reservoir and poses challenges to water safety. The sedimentation characteristics under the influence of multiple factors in the main urban area of the Chongqing river section were analyzed as a case study for the operation of cascade reservoirs in the Jinsha River via the utilization of a large dataset spanning back to the normal storage of the Three Gorges Reservoir. The results of this study indicate that, owing to factors such as upstream water, sediment inflow, reservoir operation, and river sand mining, this river section experienced deposition on the sand bars and erosion in the main channel. The rate of sedimentation increased with sediment inflow, peak flow rate, and duration, while the location of sedimentation shifted as the concentration ratio changed. These results may provide technical support not only for the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir, but also for the governance of the fluctuating backwater areas of other cascade reservoirs.

Study on Life Prediction of Li-MnO2 Battery

In order to predict the life of lithium-manganese dioxide batteries, 32 lithium-manganese dioxide batteries were taken as the research object, and temperature is selected to be the battery life accelerated stress. Based on the test results, the Arrhenius model is used as the accelerated life model to predict the storage life of lithium batteries. It is provided a new method of normal temperature storage life prediction of lithium primary batteries, which provides theoretical support for the maintenance in the determination of the lithium battery storage period. It has a certain reference value for the storage reliability accelerated life test of other types of lithium primary batteries.

Functional Surface Coating to Enhance the Stability of LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2

Parasitic reactions are responsible for continuous performance loss during the normal operation and storage of lithium-ion batteries, particularly for those using nickel-rich cathode materials. Among many contributors, residual Li2CO3 on the surface of nickel-rich cathodes plays a detrimental role in promoting parasitic reactions, and hence accelerates the performance loss of those cathode materials. In this work, a wet impregnation process was utilized to convert the detrimental Li2CO3 and LiOH impurities into a beneficial functional surface coating comprising phosphates. Specifically, hydro-phosphates were used as the functional surface modification agents to mitigate the detrimental effect of surface residuals. The best electrochemical performance was achieved by modifying LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 with a diluted dihydro-phosphate solution (pKa = 7.2), while the metal cation had a negligible impact on the electrochemical performance. This work provides a cheap and simple method for enabling the high performance of nickel-rich cathodes.