Relative Humidity Research Articles

Distribution of air quality data across stratified areas of Port Harcourt metropolis

Distribution of Air Quality Data across seven stratified areas of Port Harcourt Metropolis was carried out. The study utilized a total of 18 parameters from four different air quality datasets obtained from 24 sampling points during field data collection. The sampling points were structured and stratified into residential, industrial, commercial, recreational, transport, dumpsite and abattoir areas. Air quality data were acquired using a multi-digital potable tool, Aerosol Gas Monitor and TESTO Gas Analyser for meteorological data, particulate matters (PM), gaseous emissions and heavy metals. Results showed that the concentrations of air quality data were not evenly distributed across the seven stratified areas, an indication of the influence of location-based activities on the distribution of air quality parameters. The minimum and maximum values of wind speed, temperature and relative humidity were obtained within Residential and Transport Areas, Abattoir and Dumpsite Areas, and, Industrial and Recreational Areas with numerical values of 1.1ms-1 and 3.7ms-1, 27.20C and 350C, and, 67.8% and 923% for wind speed, temperature and relative humidity respectively. The values of TSP, PM2.5 and PM10 ranged from 53 to 255 μg/m3, 13 to 90 μg/m3 and 40 to 169μg/m3 for TSP, PM2.5 and PM10 respectively with the lowest and highest values obtained within Residential and Dumpsite Areas respectively. The concentrations of NO2 and SO2 exceeded the standards of WHO, NAAQS and FMEnv in Industrial, Dumpsite and Abattoir Areas. Lead ( Pb) showed very high values within Dumpsite Area (0.954mg/kg), Industrial Area (0.372mg/kg) and Transport Area (0.077mg/kg).

Population dynamics of the main necrophagous Diptera in the sub-Sudanese zone of Côte d’Ivoire

The objective of this work was to identify the population variation of the main necrophagous Diptera in the sub-Sudanese zone of Côte d'Ivoire. Three traps, inspired by Upton's and using pig liver and viscera as bait were placed on the site of the Botanical Garden of Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University and Lataha located 10 km from the Botanical Garden. Weekly captures were taken from October 4, 2018 to October 3, 2019. In total, 194,853 individuals from the Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae were collected. Calliphoridae represented 48%, Sarcophagidae 24% and Muscidae 28% in the Botanical Garden site and in Lataha, Calliphoridae presented 52%, Sarcophagidae 27% and Muscidae 21%. Chrysomya albiceps, Sarcophaga carnaria and Musca domestica were the majority species. The numbers of these three species were higher at relative humidity levels reaching 70 to 85%. A correlation between relative humidity and the numbers of these three species was observed. Apart from relative humidity, these results show that other climatic parameters have a weak influence on the activity of Chrysomya albiceps, Sarcophaga carnaria and Musca domestica. During this study, temperature and rainfall had little influence on the variation in the numbers of these three main species of necrophagous insects. However, the numbers of the three species were correlated with relative humidity levels.

Unraveling the impact of operational parameters and environmental conditions on the quality of viable bacterial aerosols.

Viable pathogen-laden droplets of consistent quality are essential for reliably assessing the protection offered by facemasks against airborne infections. We identified a significant gap in guidance within standardized tests for evaluating the filtration efficiencies of facemask materials using viable bacteria-laden aerosol droplets. An aerosol platform, built according to the American Society for Testing and Materials standard F2101-19, was used to validate and standardize facemask filtration test procedures. We utilized this platform to investigate the impact of varying five operating parameters, namely suspension media composition, relative humidity, pathogen concentration, and atomizer airflow and feed flow rates, on the aerosol quality of viable bacteria-laden aerosols. We achieved consistent generation of 1,700 to 3,000 viable bacteria-laden droplets sized between 2.7 and 3.3 µm under the following optimized test conditions: 1.5% w/v peptone water concentration, ≥80% relative humidity at 24 ± 2 °C, 1 × 105 CFU/mL bacterial concentration, 1.5 L/min atomizer airflow rate, and 170 μL/min feed flow rate. We also explored the consequence of deviating from these optimized test parameters on viable bacteria-laden aerosol quality. These results highlight the importance of controlling these parameters when studying airborne transmission and control.

Mechanized Transplanting Improves Yield and Reduces Pyricularia oryzae Incidence of Paddies in Calasparra Rice of Origin in Spain

The rice variety Bomba is grown in Calasparra—a rice of origin in southeast Spain—resulting in a product with excellent cooking quality, although its profitability has declined in recent years due to low grain yields and susceptibility to rice blast disease (Pyricularia oryzae Cavara). An innovation project to test the efficacy of mechanized transplanting against traditional direct seed sowing was conducted in 2022 and 2023 at four locations for the first time. A lower plant density (67–82 plants m−2) and shorter plants with higher leaf nitrogen content were observed in transplanted plots compared with seed sowing (130–137 plants m−2) in the first year. The optimal climatic conditions for P. oryzae symptom appearance were determined as temperatures of 25–29 °C and a 50–77% relative humidity. The most-affected sowing plots presented 3–20% leaf area damage and a reduction in yield to values of 1.5 t ha−1 in the first year and 2.12 t ha−1 in the second year. In transplanted plots, there was generally less humidity at the plant level and therefore, disease incidence was low in both seasons. Grain yields did not significantly differ among the treatments studied; however, there were differences in the yield components of panicle density and the number of grains for panicles. Principal component analysis revealed two principal components that explained 81% of the variability. Variables related to yield contributed positively to the first component, while plant biomass variables contributed to the second component. Plant density, tiller density, and panicle density were found to be positively correlated (r > 0.81 ***). Overall, transplanting (frame of 30 × 15–18 cm2) resulted in uniform crop growth with less rice blast disease, as well as higher grain yields (2.92–3.89 t ha−1), in comparison with the average for the whole D.O. Calasparra (2.3–2.5 t ha−1) in both seasons and a good percentage of whole grains at milling. This is novel knowledge which can be considered useful for farmers operating in the region.

First report of leaf spot disease caused by Fusarium asiaticum on Lonicera caerulea L. in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Heilongjiang is the largest province with the small, cultivated fruit plant, blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.), in China (Sun et al. 2024). Between September 2022 and September 2023, a leaf spot disease was observed on about 10 percent of blue honeysuckles of the 'Lanjingling' cultivar grown in a 6.66-ha field in Mudanjiang (129.38°E, 44.59°N), Heilongjiang Province, China. The typical symptoms include a few small brown sunken leaf spots (approximately 2 mm) in the fruiting stage that gradually expand into larger brown sunken lesions (approximately 10 mm) in the senescence stage (Fig. S1). Small 3-4-mm segments of infected tissue from 100 randomly selected leaf samples with typical symptoms were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol and 5% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed in sterile distilled water, and transferred to 9-cm Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) after drying. Finally, 10 isolated fungi were obtained through single-spore culture on PDA, and their conidia displayed a morphology consistent with Fusarium spp. (Zheng et al. 2023), and no other fungi were isolated. The fungal colonies on PDA were pink to dark red with fluffy aerial mycelium and pigmentation (Fig. S2). Microconidia were not observed, and the macroconidia of fungi had 2 to 6 septa, which were slender, sickle-shaped to nearly curved, with an average size of 38.83 (21.30 to 55.20) × 3.87 (2.70 to 6.60) μm (n = 50) on carnation leaf agar (Fig. S3). Genomic DNA was extracted from the representative isolate LD-245 for molecular verification, and PCR amplification was performed with ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), RPB2-5F2/RPB2-7CR (Liu et al. 1999), and EFl/EF2 (O'Donnell et al. 1998) primers. Sequences of LD-245 ITS (OR565903), RPB2 (OR584061), and TEF (PP965657) revealed 99 to 100% (494/494, 722/726, and 654/654) of identity with Fusarium asiaticum (MT322117, MH582121, and MT330257). Phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the concatenated sequences of ITS, RPB2, and TEF genes, and LD-245 was clustered with F. asiaticum (Fig. S4, Table S1). Therefore, based on the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny, LD-245 was identified as F. asiaticum. Six two-year-old healthy plants of the 'Lanjingling' cultivar were selected for a pathogenicity test. Three plants were inoculated with LD-245 conidial suspension (1 × 106 spores/ml) or with sterile water as an experimental control. All plants were cultured in a greenhouse (28℃, 75% relative humidity, 12 h light and dark cycle), and each experiment was replicated three times. Typical leaf spot symptoms were observed on inoculated leaves after 10 days (Fig. S5), whereas no symptoms were detected on water-treated leaves. The pathogens re-isolated from infected leaves displayed the same morphological and molecular traits as the initial isolate, and were again identified as F. asiaticum, confirming Koch's postulate. F. asiaticum was previously reported on giant elephant's ear (Alocasia macrorrhizos) (Zheng et al. 2023), causing leaf spot disease in China. This study is the first report of blue honeysuckle leaf spot disease caused by F. asiaticum in China. China has the largest blue honeysuckle cultivation area globally, and the production of blue honeysuckle with horticultural value is important for growers (Sun et al. 2024). Therefore, we hope researchers can develop efficient measures to manage emerging plant diseases in the future.

Long-term analysis of reference evapotranspiration variations in the lower Bhavani basin

Evapotranspiration is a crucial component of the hydrological cycle and is profoundly influenced by climate change. Assessing regional evapotranspiration changes is essential for effective water resource management. The study investigated the dynamics of reference evapotranspiration in the Lower Bhavani Basin, a region with diverse landscapes increasingly vulnerable to climatic variability. Reference evapotranspiration data from the Food and Agriculture Organization using the AgERA5 dataset was analyzed to assess annual and seasonal trends from 2000 to 2022. The result showed that the mean yearly reference evapotranspiration in the basin is 1672.87 mm, with a significant decline of 3.53 mm per year. Seasonal analysis revealed a consistent decreasing trend across all seasons, with the southwest monsoon season showing the most significant reduction in evapotranspiration rates. The notable shift in the annual evapotranspiration rate was observed in 2016, highlighting the impact of climate change. Further, temperature, solar radiation and relative humidity were identified as the dominant factors influencing evapotranspiration rates in the basin. The relative moisture index indicated prevalent dry conditions, making the region susceptible to water stress. The findings provide critical insights for regional water resources management and accentuate the need for sustainable water management strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Geo-climatic factors co-drive the phenotypic diversity of wild hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in the Potohar Plateau and Lesser Himalayas

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an annual, and dioecious herb belonging to the Cannabaceae family. This plant is native to Central and Southeast Asia. The wild races of this species are commonly growing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, as well as in Islamabad, Pakistan. This study provides crucial insights into how environmental variables influence the wild hemp populations, which can be utilized in for conservation and breeding. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of key environmental factors such as altitude, geographical location, precipitation, relative humidity, maximum, minimum, and average temperature on 16 morpho-agronomic traits of a wild population of hemp growing in the Potohar Plateau and Lesser Himalayas. Our findings indicated that high relative humidity (> 64%), low average temperature (< 15 °C), intermediate average temperature (19–22 °C), and high average temperature (> 22 °C) played significant roles in determining the distribution pattern of the wild hemp. Correlation analysis demonstrated that average annual temperature contributed a higher percentage of variation in phenotypic diversity than geographic variables. Additionally, cluster analysis indicated three groups for the selected 35 populations. Clustering and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the morpho-agronomic traits indicated that group 1 from the Lesser Himalayas showed high relative humidity (> 64%) and low average temperature (< 15 °C). Conversely, Group 2 populations from the Potohar Plateau demonstrated intermediate average temperature (19–22 °C). There is an existence of Group 3 in the Potohar Plateau with a high average temperature (> 22 °C) compared to Group 1 and Group 2. Our examination highlights the complex interplay between ecological factors, and morphological attributes in native landraces of Cannabis sativa, giving significant insight into knowledge for preservation and breeding initiatives. A study of genetic diversity could complement morpho-agronomic traits in future research to learn more about how genetic variation affects environmental adaptation.

First report of leaf blight of water chestnut (Trapa natans L.) caused by Sclerotium hydrophilum in central China.

Trapa natans L., or water chestnut, is a currently globally distributed aquatic plant. The Yangtze River basin in China, a site origin of water chestnut (Fan et al., 2022), has extensive cultivation as a vegetable. In June 2021, a survey at the National Aquatic Vegetable Resource Garden in Wuhan, Hubei, China, revealed browning and wilting of water chestnut plants, with abundant white mycelia and brown to black sclerotia on leaves, indicative of southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii). Field disease incidence a 1 ha area reached 70%, reducing fruit yield by 50%. About 10% of diseased plants showed blackening and rot from petioles to leaves. White sclerotial primordia and small brown to black sclerotia formed on the plant surfaces. By late August, symptoms exceeded 60%. To identify the pathogen, isolations were made from 243 sclerotial samples using 75% alcohol to disinfect, rinsed three times with water, and then incubated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25℃. A total of 129 isolates were obtained, most of which exhibited characteristics of S. rolfsii. However, 21 isolates had sclerotia significantly smaller than those of S. rolfsii (1 to 1.5 mm in diameter). These isolates, cultured on PDA, produced abundant fluffy white aerial hyphae, 3 to 6 μm wide. Optimal mycelium growth was between 25 °C to 30 °C, with an average daily rate of 10 mm. White to light brown sclerotia appeared after 5 days and turned black within 10 to 14 days, averaging 0.34 mm in diameter (n=50). Some isolates produced a light brown pigment. These traits matched the description of S. hydrophilum (Bashyal et al. 2021). Isolates 221 and 238 were selected for molecular identification, with genomic DNA extracted from mycelia using the CTAB method. PCR amplification was conducted using ITS1/ITS4 and NS1/NS6 primers to target the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (ssrRNA). Sequence analysis showed that the ITS sequence of isolate 221 (GenBank Acc. No. OR512512) had 99.84% sequence identity with S. hydrophilum Msh6 (GenBank Acc. No. FJ595946), and isolate 238 (GenBank Acc. No. PP035993) had 99.72% identity with S. hydrophilum Whcc-4 (GenBank Acc. No. PP035994). The ssrRNA sequences of both isolates (GenBank Acc. No. PP237261) had 99.69% identity with S. hydrophilum strain Hbq001 (GenBank Acc. No. KY995575), confirming their identification as S. hydrophilum. To assess pathogenicity, 16 water chestnut plants (cultivar Jia-yu Ling) at the rosette stage were placed individually in 32 cm diameter, 10 cm deep containers with fresh water. Eight plants were inoculated with 50 mature sclerotia from PDA cultures of isolates 221 and 238, and incubated at 25 °C for 14 days, with four plants per isolate. The remaining eight plants served as controls. Containers were covered to maintain 100% relative humidity at 25 °C to 32 °C for 3 days. This procedure was repeated twice. After 7 days, inoculated plants developed dark brown lesions on petioles that spread to leaves by 15 days post-inoculation. Fungi isolated from diseased leaves resembled isolates 221 and 238, fulfilling Koch's postulates. S. hydrophilum infecting at least 19 genera of plants, including rice (Zhong et al. 2018), wild rice, water lily (Kernkamp et al. 1977) and watershield (Fu et al. 2024). This is the first report of S. hydrophilum infecting water chestnut (T. natans) in central China, identifying it as a co-pathogen with S. rolfsii. Their combined presence may heighten plant mortality and threaten water chestnut cultivation.

Investigating the role of temperature and moisture on the degradation of 3D-printed polymethyl methacrylate dental materials through molecular dynamics simulations

This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the degradation behavior of 3D printed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dental materials, with a specific focus on the influential factors of temperature and moisture, by employing molecular dynamics simulations. Owing to their aesthetic properties, 3D-printed PMMA dental materials play a pivotal role in dental applications. However, understanding their degradation mechanisms, particularly in the context of temperature and moisture variations, is crucial for their long-term durability. A Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) was utilized for the molecular dynamics simulations. The simulation setup included temperature variations from 300 to 600 K and relative humidity (RH) levels ranging from 20 to 100%. Various mechanical properties and structural changes were analyzed to determine the degradation behavior. Energetic profiling during equilibration and the subsequent temperature variations were studied. The spatial distribution of the mean squared displacement, non-bond energy, Young’s modulus, bending stress, and volume expansion coefficient of the particles were quantitatively analyzed, revealing temperature- and moisture-dependent trends. The study concluded that temperature and moisture significantly affected the degradation behavior of 3D-printed PMMA dental materials. Higher temperatures and increased humidity levels contribute to reduced mechanical strength and altered structural properties, emphasizing the importance of controlling environmental conditions during fabrication.

Effects of bedroom environment on average heart rate during sleep in temperate regions: Winter conditions in healthy males in their twenties with average BMI

The nocturnal average heart rate correlates more strongly with mortality rates than the resting heart rate or 24-hour average heart rate. Additionally, it has been suggested that as the average heart rate decreases, SDNN increases, indicating favorable autonomic function. This study aimed to identify the environmental factors that most significantly affect the day-to-day variability of average heart rate during sleep (SHR) in winter. Measurements were conducted in the participants' usual bedrooms of nine healthy male participants in their twenties with an average BMI, living in a temperate region. The measurement periods were from December 1, 2022, to March 8, 2023, and from December 1, 2023, to February 6, 2024. In addition to the heart rate, body movement, room, radiant, and bed microclimate temperatures, carbon dioxide concentration, relative humidity, and illuminance were measured. The results demonstrated that, when comparing across participants, the average room and radiant temperatures during the measurement period had a significant negative correlation with the average SHR during the measurement period, with correlation coefficients of −0.83 and −0.91, respectively. Using a multilevel structural equation model, no valid model was obtained at the between level, which examined differences between participants, while a valid model was found at the within level, which examined differences within participants. At the within level, the most explanatory factors for SHR were body movement, operative temperature, bed microclimate temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, and the interaction term between the bed microclimate temperature and carbon dioxide concentration. Overall, a deeper understanding of the impact of environmental conditions on average sleep heart rate could facilitate the design of environments favorable for autonomic nervous system activity during sleep.

PTAA‐infiltrated thin‐walled carbon nanotube electrode with hidden encapsulation for perovskite solar cells

AbstractIn perovskite solar cells (PSCs), expensive gold or silver metal has traditionally been utilized as the rear electrode for highly efficient performance. In this context, carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes have been considered promising rear electrodes because of their excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and chemical stability in PSCs. Despite these favorable characteristics, concerns have been raised about the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of PSCs based on CNTs due to the porosity of CNT electrodes. In this study, we employed both poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) infiltration and rear electrode hidden encapsulation approaches to address issues related to the porosity of thin‐walled carbon nanotube (TWCNT) electrodes to achieve high efficiency and stability. The infiltration of low‐molecular‐weight PTAA into the TWCNT electrode reduced electrode porosity while simultaneously improving the interfacial contact of the TWCNT layer with the perovskite layer. Furthermore, a novel encapsulation design was employed to prevent air and water exposure of the TWCNT electrode, which significantly enhanced device stability. PSCs with TWCNT rear electrodes developed on the basis of these strategies have the best PCE of 19.5% and show long‐term stability, retaining 96% and 74% of the initial PCE after 225 h at maximum power point tracking under AM 1.5G illumination and 916 h at 85°C/85% relative humidity, respectively.image

Performance of bread wheat advanced lines under late sowing and hydric stress during the crop season 2020-2021

Thirty four advanced bread wheat lines and cultivar Borlaug 100 were sown on January 15 and 30, 2021, at the Norman E. Borlaug Experimental Station, in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, México. Plots consisted of 1 bed 2 m long with two rows and 0.80 m apart with two replications, and a seed density of 100 kg ha-1 with two complementary irrigations. Average daily temperature (°C), maximum, minimum, relative humidity, rainfall, heat and cold units were recorded from January 1 to May 15, 2021. The average days for heading of the group was 69 for the first sowing date and 66 for the second one, while days for physiological maturity were 99 and 90, respectively. The average plant height of the group for the first date was 97.5 cm and 94 for the second one; the sister line SOKOLL/5/W15.92/4/PASTOR//HXL7573/2*BAU/3/ WBLL1/6/SOKOLL/3/PASTOR//HXL7573/2*BAU (PTSS12SHB00020T-0TOPB-099Y-099B-25Y-020Y-0B) consistently reached the maximum height with 107.5 and 110 cm in each date, respectively. The average grain yield per plot was 294 g; line BAJ #1*2/4/BETTY/3/CHEN/AE.SQ//2*OPATA showed the highest yield with 345.4 g which was above 4.3 t ha-1, followed by SOKOLL/3/PASTOR//HXL7573/2*BAU/4/ASTREB/5/PIHA//WORRAKATTA/2*PASTOR /3/PRL/2*PASTOR, also above 4.3 t ha-1. The average hourly temperature was 18.4 °C with a maximum of 40.8 °C and a minimum of 3.9 °C, and the number of heat and cold units was 203 and 393, respectively.

Ethanolic cashew leaf extract: Antifungal activity and its application for shelf-life extension of dried salted tilapia fillets.

Ethanolic cashew leaf extract (ECLE) is rich in phenolic compounds with diverse bioactivities and can serve as a safe natural preservative. This study evaluated the antifungal activity and application of ECLE for shelf-life extension of dried salted tilapia fillets. Several extraction methods, antifungal activity, and application of ECLE in dried salted tilapia fillets were investigated. Ultrasonication followed by the Soxhlet extraction resulted in the highest yield (26.78%), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) (p<0.05). Conversely, the Soxhlet extraction method rendered lower yield (14.35%), TPC, and TFC (p<0.05). NaCl at high concentrations decreased both TPC and TFC in all ECLE samples, demonstrating the decomposition of those compounds induced by NaCl. ECLE obtained via the Soxhlet extraction method exhibited lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration values than those prepared using other extraction methods. Thus, the former showed higher efficacy in inhibiting fungal growth and reducing mycelium growth than others (p<0.05), despite being less effective than potassium sorbate. At 4MIC, ECLE inhibited mycelium growth (56.83%-78.66%) and spore germination (87.5%-100%) after 72h and 10-16h of treatment, respectively. ECLE (4MIC) could inhibit the toxin production of fungi. For the challenge test, in which ECLE at 400 and 600mg/kg was added to dried salted tilapia fillet inoculated with Aspergillus flavus, fungal growth was retarded over 9 days of storage at 25±2°C (room temperature). Thus, ECEL could act as a natural food preservative to prevent fungal contamination. Toxin from fungi could be avoided, and the quality of dried salted fish was maintained. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Cashew leaf extract rich in polyphenols can inhibit fungal proliferation, reduce mycelium expansion, prevent spore germination, and limit aflatoxin production. The extract canenhance the safety of dried salted fish, especially when contaminated with Aspergillus flavus in the humid atmosphere (80% relative humidity), particularly for small and medium enterprises. Nevertheless, this extract can also be applied in the fish processing industry, in which the synthetic antifungal agent could be replaced by the natural additive.

Quality of minimally processed ‘Monalisa’ apples with antioxidants and edible toppings

Minimally processed fruits are an alternative to add value to products that are difficult to sell, in addition to facilitateconsumer consumption. The objective is to research pulp browning inhibition in a simulated commercialization of minimally processed ‘Monalisa’ apples, stored in a refrigerated environment. After being sanitized with sodium hypochlorite, the apples were cut and immersed in the following treatments: the control being sodium erythorbate (ES) + A (distilled water); ES + FM (cassava starch 3%); ES + AS (3% sodium alginate); ES + AM (6% waxy maize starch) and ES + AP (3% pine nut starch), all together with 1% calcium chloride. Afterwards, 10 slices were placed in a polyethylene tray, wrapped in stretchable PVC film and stored in a refrigerated chamber at 4 ºC ± 1 ºC and relative humidity of 90 - 95%. Phytochemical evaluations were performed at 0, 3, 6 and 9 days of storage. The applied treatments maintained fruit quality. The treatment with cassava starch and pine nut starch were efficient in preserving the darkening of the fruit pulp on day 9. As for the waxy corn starch treatment, the enzyme activity was lower in the period of 0 and 6 days, maintaining quality and delaying darkening. The control sample (ES + A + CC) stood out during the 9-day period, as there was a decrease in the activity of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase enzymes.

Enhanced water molecule sensitivity on defective WS2 monolayers through (ZnO)12 spherical nanocages decoration: A theoretical study

The adsorption of water molecules on sulfur vacancies (VS and V2S2) and gold atoms embedded in the sulfur vacancies (AuS) of tungsten disulfide (WS2) monolayers (ML) decorated with zinc-oxide (ZnO)12 nanocages were studied using dispersion-corrected density functional theory. Since the WS2 monolayer is predominantly inert, the introduction of defect states into the mid-bandgap region is significant due to its chemical and physical implications. The possibility of turning from an electron acceptor (p-type) to an electron donor (n-type) semiconductor character, when the sulfur vacancy density is varied or if the sulfur vacancies are filled with gold atoms, was demonstrated. The binding energy of the Au atom forming the AuS defect and the diffusion energy barrier from the VS defect to an adjacent site for Au were determined as 2.99 and 2.16 eV, respectively. Consequently, the substitutional defect AuS remains attached to the ML. The adsorption energy showed that the water molecule is chemisorbed on AuS defect on WS2 (n-type). Also, the density of states suggests a clear response as the chemiresistive sensor. Besides, how zinc-oxide spherical nanocages behave as sensors for different relative humidity levels was discussed. The response to water molecules was significantly enhanced by the chemisorption of the (ZnO)12 spherical nanocage on WS2-AuS. These composed systems formed WS2-ZnO heterojunctions with differences in the electronic structure. The study provides a comprehensive outlook on analyte interactions with WS2 (n-type) and WS2-ZnO surfaces, which have been utilized in the design of semiconductor gas sensors.

Prediction of temperature and relative humidity with AI on the Ecuadorian coast

Artificial intelligence (AI) has established itself as an essential tool in climatology. It facilitates accurate analysis and prediction of variables such as temperature and humidity, which are crucial for understanding global warming and its effects. In this context, this study aims to implement predictive simulations of temperature and relative humidity on the Ecuadorian coast using artificial intelligence (AI). This study adopts a quantitative methodology, utilizing daily historical data collected from 2015 to 2020. Monthly averages for maximum temperature and relative humidity were calculated, based on 72 observations for each variable. The climate simulation employed statistical techniques such as linear regression and simple correlation, along with the implementation of various AI libraries in Rstudio, including readxl, QuantPsyc, and ggplot2, among others. Additionally, the ARIMA model was applied to analyze time series, facilitating detailed simulation and prediction of both climatic variables. The results indicate a significant inverse correlation between maximum temperature and relative humidity, revealing high-temperature variability in recent years. The optimized ARIMA predictive models showed AICC indices of 180.47 for temperature and 283.16 for humidity, after 96 iterations, demonstrating the high reliability of AI in climate prediction for the Ecuadorian coastal region. The study concludes with the importance of integrating advanced technologies such as AI in climatology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of climate predictions.

Development of craquelure patterns in paintings on canvas

Canvas paintings are layered structures composed of canvas support sized with animal glue, a preparatory layer of the ground, and paint and varnish layers on the top. Preventing or limiting humidity-induced stresses in these structures requires an understanding of the relevant processes and risks. A three-dimensional model of a canvas painting was used to analyse stresses and crack development in the two-layer structure comprised of a glue-sized canvas on a wooden stretcher with a layer of stiff chalk-glue ground representing a pictorial layer in historic canvas paintings. The model was subjected to a large relative humidity fall which induced shrinkage of the glue-sized canvas. The modelling revealed that when a stretcher with flexible wooden bars is considered, high tensile stresses arise in the ground layer at the corners of the painting, and cracks are formed in these areas in the direction perpendicular to the painting’s diagonal. Ratios of critical distances between cracks to the ground layer thickness for which stresses in the midpoints between the cracks dropped to below the level inducing fracture in the material were estimated for various magnitudes of the relative humidity drop and thicknesses of the ground layer. Increasing ground layer thickness limits the hygric response of the sized canvas and makes the paintings less vulnerable to humidity variations. The ratio of stress along the diagonal calculated for painting with one crack to the solution without cracks was described by the double Lorentz function. A simple procedure of calculating stress variations along the diagonal—using the function—on a sequential addition of cracks was developed. Cracks in central parts of canvas painting were found to be induced by permanent cumulative drying shrinkage of the oil-based paints and grounds due to the evolution of the molecular composition of the oil binder. The outcome of the modelling indicated that the risk of cracking of the pictorial layers in canvas paintings due to drops in ambient relative humidity was small.

A participatory study of indoor environment quality in homes of children and youth in Kanehsatake First Nation

Indoor air quality is an important determinant for the health of children and youth, but the conditions within Indigenous communities are understudied. We collaborated with Kanehsatake First Nation in Quebec, Canada, to address this gap using a community-based participatory research approach. Levels of key indoor air indicators, including particulate matter (PM2.5), CO2, and relative humidity, were measured in 31 randomly selected households between June 2021 and January 2022. Questionnaires were administered remotely to collect information on housing conditions. Excessive humidity was common, with 52% of households having a relative humidity above 55%. The mean PM2.5 concentration was 21.0 (standard deviation 38.5) µg/m3, with higher mean levels observed in smoking compared to non-smoking households (36.1 µg/m3 and 10.1 µg/m3, respectively). The mean CO2 level in participating households was 881 ppm (standard deviation 256), with 30% (n = 9) of homes exceeding 1000 ppm. Flooding rates were high, with 55% of households reporting at least one past flood. One-third of houses were inadequately ventilated relative to occupancy, and over one-quarter reported needing major repairs. The results indicate the value and importance of characterizing the indoor environment in First Nations households and the viability of data collection through community-based participatory research in environmental health research.

New multivariate models for the estimation of earth’s albedo and its variation with meteorological parameters over Kano, Nigeria

The study of what happens to sunlight as it goes through the atmosphere is vital to many fields of science because over time, reflection, scattering, and absorption in the atmosphere have changed the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. This study examined the variation in albedo over Kano, situated in the Sahelian climatic zone of Nigeria. The study's data, which covered the years 1984–2022, totaled thirty-nine, was obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Utilizing monthly average daily measured meteorological data on global solar radiation, wind speed, mean temperature, surface pressure, and relative humidity, eleven models of three categories based on two, three, and four variable regression models were developed. Five validation indicators were used to verify the regression models: the t-test, coefficient of determination (R2), mean percentage error (MPE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean bias error (MBE). The developed models that were considered most appropriate for estimating surface albedo were ranked; the three-variable regression model ALB7, which included the wind speed, relative humidity, and mean temperature, outperformed the previously employed generalized method from literature in estimating surface albedo over Kano. The variation of measured albedo with meteorological parameters depicts a direct relationship for clearness index and wind speed; an inverse relationship was observed for surface pressure. Mean temperature and surface pressure exhibit an inverse relationship during the wet season and vice versa for the dry season.

Urgent Need for Real Time Web Mapping GIS Applications to Dengue Surveillance for Epidemic Control and Management in India

Dengue epidemics has been increased both horizontal and vertical structure across the country since 2006, and hence, urgent need for GIS based dengue surveillance for epidemic control and management in the nation. The dengue epidemic cases and the mortality caused by dengue has become essentially public health important in India, and the situation has become worse since 2006. Dengue cases were clinically confirmed with thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths annually. The report of dengue epidemics is becoming daily news nowadays and it was reported from 24 states and Union Territories in India. The spatial and seasonal occurrence of dengue epidemics were reported across the country during the period of April to November annually, however, the vulnerability of epidemics was reported between the periods of mid-July to mid-November of every year. The geo-environmental and climate variables are fuelling to create a conducive environment for profusion of dengue vector mosquitoes Aedes species (Ae. aegypti or Ae. Albopictus). The information relevant to the geographical site specification of dengue vectors breeding habitats, vector abundance, vector density, etc., could be collected using global positioning systems (GPS), and these information are mapped and overlay on the thematic layers of climate variables (Temperature, relative humidity, saturation deficiency and Rainfall) under the geographical information systems (GIS) software platform for spatial analysis (cluster analysis, nearest neighborhood analysis, fussy analysis, probability of maximum and minimum likelihood analysis etc.,) for spatial risk prediction. The Google based internet GIS mapping could be used to embedded web mapping real time situation and updating the information with online data base connectivity (ODBC) within the GIS spatial engine for providing the real time information relevant to the dengue epidemics, and hence, the appropriate precaution measures could be taken to control dengue epidemics in the nation early in advance.