Value-added Approach Research Articles

Value-Added, Energy and Technology-Capital in Central Java Industries

Nowadays, many industries do not depend on labor intensive, but have transformed to rely on intensive technology. Industry is considered potential strategy to raise value-added for its effort to alter raw or intermediate goods to finished goods. In this study, value-added approach is used to measure the role of technology - capital and energy. A lot of work has been done analyzing restricted variables in single study, but there is still a significant gap where research did not determine differences between measures. This paper aims to discuss the similarities of many technology – capital and energy related variables in Central Java Industries and analyzes their profile change to regional value-added from 2007 to 2017. Data related to technology – capital and energy are collected from Statistics Indonesia (Badan Pusat Statistik). The variables are examined using exploration factor analysis, multiple linear regression, and cluster analysis. The result shows that the energy consumption has the greatest effect on value-added rising during the study period, while technology - capital does not. Hence, policymaker should maintain the availability of energy for industries. Then, except for Kudus Regency and Semarang Municipality, policymaker should pay attention to the growth of value-added of the entire regions.

Measurement and determinants of total factor productivity: evidence from Indian banking industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to measure the level of total factor productivity of the Indian banking sector and to identify both the bank-specific and macroeconomic determinants of the total factor productivity after the global subprime mortgage crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe research sample consists of 61 commercial banks including 21 public sector banks, 18 private sector banks and 22 foreign banks. The annual data is collected from the website of Reserve Bank of India from 2008 to 2019. The authors employed the non-parametric DEA approach to estimate Malmquist total factor productivity index for each bank as well as across different ownership groups. The panel data estimation technique was used to identify the determinants of total factor productivity.FindingsThe results suggested that an increase in the technological shift raised the bank's productivity above the optimal frontier. Among the bank-specific determinants, the bank size and bank diversifications are significantly declining productivity, whereas credit-deposit ratio and return on asset significantly increasing productivity. Among the macro-specific determinants, inflation, growth rate and fiscal deficit ratio negatively affect productivity, whereas capital formation to the GVA ratio boosts the level of productivity.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors have used intermediate method to select the inputs and outputs as per the suitability to the context. However, the disaggregate level such as state and district level analysis can be done using production and value-added approaches to explore the regional variations of the banking performance. Furthermore, the parametric methods such as stochastic frontier analysis can be used to examine banking performance, which the authors left for the future research.Practical implicationsThis study suggested that banks should increase the economies of scale of their total assets and focus on the interest-earning activity. The banks need to proactively operate the business policy by following the changing path of inflation. The banks need to reduce their rate of fiscal-deficit to the GVA with the purpose to boost their level of productivity.Originality/valueThe study provides an important implication for bankers and policymakers in terms of heightening the banking performance during the period of dynamic economic events.

“Nature’s Marvels”: The Value of Collections Extracted from Colonial Western Australia

ABSTRACT The history of collecting in Western Australia demonstrates some unique as well as exemplary features that we suggest can illuminate aspects of collecting more broadly. This article seeks to contribute to scholarship on the history of collecting by arguing for the importance of understanding the ways in which the value of collections—to collectors, institutions and knowledge producers—has been produced. We call this focus on value an extractive value-adding approach to collection studies. Deploying this approach reveals not only the close relationship between collecting practices and colonialism, but also the ways in which types of values are made, not given, and the processes involved in their production. By revealing the social context of these processes, our hope is that new understandings of these collections can be produced—that address the colonial legacies embedded in the making of these collections and the purposes to which they were put at the time of their making. This focus is uniquely relevant to Australian studies because the integration of collection studies across natural and ethnographic domains, economics, history and cultural theory is able to clearly interrogate the relationship between collecting practices and colonisation in Australia.

Recyclable cascading of arsenic phytoremediation and lead removal coupled with high bioethanol production using desirable rice straws

Crop straws provide enormous lignocellulose residues convertible to biofuels, whereas Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) pollute agricultural soil and water source. Hence, it becomes important to explore a compelling biomass process technology for both bioethanol production and trace metal remediation. In this study, we selected classic rice cultivars that distinctively accumulated As from 10.25 to 16.18 μg/g in their mature straws from the As-polluted farming soils, being up to 10-fold higher than those of the previously-reported rice straws and other crops. By performing various chemical pretreatments with the As-accumulated rice straws, this study sorted out that the optimal two-step 2%H2SO4 and 2%NaOH pretreatments could cause almost complete biomass enzymatic saccharification for high bioethanol production in all rice straws examined, along with a full As release for As recycling as potential high-value crystallized chemical. Furthermore, all remaining lignin-rich solid resides were finally examined to act as active biosorbent for Pb adsorption, with the optimal Pb adsorption conditions established (1 g/L adsorbent dose at pH6.0 and room temperature). Hence, this study has not only demonstrated a cascading-like strategy for efficient As and Pb remediation in agricultural soil and water source, but it has also provided a value-added approach for complete utilization of crop straws towards high bioethanol production.

Expanding Telemonitoring in a Virtual World: A Case Study of the Expansion of a Heart Failure Telemonitoring Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BackgroundTo minimize the spread and risk of a COVID-19 outbreak, societal norms have been challenged with respect to how essential services are delivered. With pressures to reduce the number of in-person ambulatory visits, innovative models of telemonitoring have been used during the pandemic as a necessary alternative to support access to care for patients with chronic conditions. The pandemic has led health care organizations to consider the adoption of telemonitoring interventions for the first time, while others have seen existing programs rapidly expand.ObjectiveAt the Toronto General Hospital in Ontario, Canada, the rapid expansion of a telemonitoring program began on March 9, 2020, in response to COVID-19. The objective of this study was to understand the experiences related to the expanded role of a telemonitoring program under the changing conditions of the pandemic.MethodsA single-case qualitative study was conducted with 3 embedded units of analysis. Semistructured interviews probed the experiences of patients, clinicians, and program staff from the Medly telemonitoring program at a heart function clinic in Toronto, Canada. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis as well as Eakin and Gladstone’s value-adding approach to enhance the analytic interpretation of the study findings.ResultsA total of 29 participants were interviewed, including patients (n=16), clinicians (n=9), and operational staff (n=4). Four themes were identified: (1) providing care continuity through telemonitoring; (2) adapting telemonitoring operations for a more virtual health care system; (3) confronting virtual workflow challenges; and (4) fostering a meaningful patient-provider relationship. Beyond supporting virtual visits, the program’s ability to provide a more comprehensive picture of the patient’s health was valued. However, issues relating to the lack of system integration and alert-driven interactions jeopardized the perceived sustainability of the program.ConclusionsWith the reduction of in-person visits during the pandemic, virtual services such as telemonitoring have demonstrated significant value. Based on our study findings, we offer recommendations to proactively adapt and scale telemonitoring programs under the changing conditions of an increasingly virtual health care system. These include revisiting the scope and expectations of telemedicine interventions, streamlining virtual patient onboarding processes, and personalizing the collection of patient information to build a stronger virtual relationship and a more holistic assessment of patient well-being.

Fourier Transform Infrared and Solid State 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Characterization of Defatted Cottonseed Meal-Based Biochars

Conversion to biochar may be a value-added approach to recycle defatted cottonseed meal, a major byproduct from the cotton industry. In this work, complete slow pyrolysis at seven peak temperatures ranging from 300 to 600°C in batch reactors was implemented to process cottonseed meal into biochar products. Elemental analysis, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy and quantitative solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were applied to characterize raw meal and its derived biochar products. The biochar yield and organic C and total N recoveries decreased as the peak pyrolysis temperatures was elevated. However, most of the mineral elements including P in cottonseed meal were retained during pyrolysis and became enriched in biochar as a result of the decreased mass yield. The spectral data showed that pyrolysis removed the functional groups of biopolymers in cottonseed meal, producing highly aromatic structures in biochars. With increasing pyrolysis temperature, alkyl structures decreased progressively in the biochar products and became negligible at higher temperatures (550 and 600°C). Quantitative analysis of FT IR data revealed that the values of a simple 3-band (1800,1700, and 650 cm-1)-based R reading of the biochars were linearly related to the pyrolysis temperature, and showed strong correlations with decreasing aromaticity and increasing alkyl, aliphatic C-O/N and carbonyl signal intensities in the 13C NMR spectra. Therefore, the cheaper and faster FT-IR measurement could be used as a routine conversion indicator of pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass instead of the more expensive and time-consuming NMR spectroscopy.

Liquidity and the Performance of the Nigerian Manufacturing Firms: an Economic Value-added Approach

Considering the possibility of finding a gap and a room for improvement, so much have been written about liquidity and performance. Notwithstanding, the emphasis has been on profitability as a yardstick for performance and little has been done on other areas of performance measurement. The emphasis has also been more on various economic sectors with the exception of the manufacturing industry. This paper intends to look at the impact, if any, of liquidity provision and availability on Nigeria’s manufacturing firm’s performance from the perspective of Economic Value Added (EVA). Economic value-adding is beyond just profitability or liquidity. The firm's value to the stakeholders, its sustainability and long-term values are defined. The study would apply liquidity theories, profitability and the economic value-added theories as it applies to a manufacturing firm in a developing economy like Nigeria. On its methodology, the article data is obtained from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators-WDI and then a regression analysis will be run on the data using the SPSS software and then an analysis of the results of the regression. The last section of the article would conclude and make recommendations from the study outcome and the empirical analysis with respect to the theories.

Using Social Psychology’s ABC Triad to Transcend Trauma: Improving on the Homeostatic State

We examined the process by which individuals can transcend traumatic events, given the increased frequency of cataclysmic events such as global pandemics, food/shelter insecurity, risks to personal safety, and economic inequality duress. Trauma-informed approaches have begun to emerge but empirical evidence, methodological considerations, and theory have been scarce. In this review we (a) assess and quantify trauma outcome measures on qualitative and quantitative dimensions; (b) examine current research approaches’ use of the ABC Triad in social psychology, which considers affect (A), behaviors (B), cognitions (C), and perceptions (influenced by person/situation dynamics); (c) elaborate on a transcendence theory of trauma, showing how the theory meets scientific rigor of being predictive, testable, and falsifiable (Popper, 1949). Our analyses show that a value-added approach for trauma outcome measures is required in qualitative research, with quantitative and higher precision measures possible in pre/post designs, random assignment group comparisons, and comparable standards criterion such as norming. The transcendence trauma theory is assessed in a qualitative model fit approach using a case study, revealing good fit and showing that both descriptive and explanatory processes are needed to overcome trauma beyond recovery or a homeostatic state. Transcendence, it is shown, requires proactivity and oppositional interventions to the traditional coping processes of trauma. The multivariate nature of trauma is examined through person (dispositional) perceptions and situational influences, such as cultural orientation of self-focus (individualistic) and other-focus (collectivistic) support systems that can reduce the effects of trauma. Finally, we call for an increased effort by the scientific community, civic groups, and national governments to ameliorate the effects of trauma in vulnerable populations.

Efficiency Analysis of Mud. arabah ¯ and Leasing Firms in Pakistan

Leasing firms consider the conventional interest-based method whereas, the mud. ¯arabah firms consider the Shar¯ı‘ah-based non-interest-based method to operate in the financial market. The role of both these Financial Institutions (FIs) is of much importance for the sustainable development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). While comparing mud. ¯arabah firms and conventional leasing firms, in the first stage, the current paper has computed Technical Efficiency (TE), Pure Technical Efficiency (PTE), and Scale Efficiency (SE) of mud. ¯arabah and leasing firms. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is applied by following a value-added approach. Equity, liabilities, fixed assets, Operating expenses and are selected as input variables whereas, income and investments are selected as output variables. The results suggest that Shar¯ı‘ah-compliant mud. ¯arabah firms are competing well with conventional leasing firms. It indicates that there is no major difference in the efficiency of both FIs. In the second stage, the study also analyzes the association of firm-specific factors with efficiency with the help of the Tobit regression model which suggests that leverage, tangibility, operating expenses, and profitability of the firm are significantly related to the efficiency of both Financial Institutions.

Measuring and Monitoring Sustainability in Listed European Football Clubs: A Value-Added Reporting Perspective

All sports have their roots and connection in some way to the Olympic spirit, and therefore fall within the vision and mission of the Olympic Committee, which has a central aim of “building a better world”. This is a fundamental value of the Olympics and sustainability is a “working principle” of this. This research analyses the performance of professional European football teams that are publicly listed on stock markets, analysing their income statements and factoring in how the value-added perspective is impacting professional sport. The methodology we use considers the sustainable contribution of the distribution of added value. The Value-Added Statement is considered as a part of broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which can be traced back as a concept to the late 1970s. It is still in widespread use and is regarded as being both a credible and a tested measure. In this paper, the authors apply a slightly modified and simplified version of this value-added approach to all publicly listed European football clubs and use these as a proxy for wider professional sport. This research demonstrates that, although most professional sports clubs are profit-oriented, the distribution of wealth generated by the added value is unbalanced. In most cases, at least in financial terms, the data shows shareholders are the most disadvantaged, whereas athletes are the most rewarded.

Effectiveness of educational technology in early mathematics education: A systematic literature review

Abstract Despite the general agreement regarding the importance of stimulating young children’s early mathematical skills, mathematical learning opportunities in preschool are limited. Educational technology (ET) may be an effective tool to address this problem. Taking into account the weaknesses of previous reviews, we conducted a systematic and comprehensive review of the research literature on the effectiveness of ET in early mathematics education, critically analyzing the findings of studies adhering to a media comparison approach (comparing an ET condition to a non-ET condition or another ET condition) versus studies following a value-added approach (comparing at least two ET conditions which only differ with respect to one feature in the ET or in its implementation). Reviewing 54 studies, we systematically analyzed (1) the effectiveness of ET, (2) the features of the ET and ET implementation associated with ET effectiveness, and (3) child characteristics associated with ET effectiveness. Our analyses indicated that media comparison studies comparing an ET to a non-ET condition provide evidence for the effectiveness of ET for enhancing young children’s mathematical competencies. Second, value-added studies pointed to ET implementation features associated with ET effectiveness, namely teacher support during ET use and an individual grouping structure. Finally, both media comparison and value-added studies revealed that ET effectiveness is associated with children’s performance in the ET and with their prior knowledge. To further advance the field, value-added studies on features of the ET and its implementation are required, as well as studies focusing on important child characteristics that are associated with ET effectiveness.

ANALISIS PERBANDINGAN EFISIENSI PERUSAHAAN ASURANSI JIWA KONVENSIONAL DAN PERUSAHAAN ASURANSI JIWA SYARIAH DI INDONESIA DENGAN METODE DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (DEA)

The purpose of this study is to measure the efficiency of conventional and sharia life insurance companies in indonesia during the period 2012-2016 and to find out whether there are differences in efficiency between conventional and sharia life insurance companies. This research is a quantitative descriptive research using secondary data sourced from the company's annual financial statements. The samples used were 10 conventional life insurance companies and 10 sharia life insurance companies. Efficiency measurement in this study uses the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method based on CCR model with an value-added approach. The input variables used are assets, capital, general and administrative costs, and commission expenses. While the output variable is premium and investment income. The results of this study indicate that conventional life insurance companies have a better level of efficiency than sharia life insurance companies, but there is no significant efficiency difference between conventional life insurance companies and sharia life insurance companies during the 2012-2016 period.

Phosphorus-rich biochar produced through bean-worm skin waste pyrolysis enhances the adsorption of aqueous lead

In China, more than 10,000 tons of bean-worm, which is rich in protein (68.5%) and essential amino acids (52.8%), is consumed annually. Thus, a large amount of bean-worm skin waste is generated, and is often indiscriminately disposed of, potentially causing environment problems. In this study, bean-worm skin (BWS) waste was pyrolyzed at 500 °C to produce biochar (BWS-BC), and the surface properties of BWS and BWS-BC were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. Pb(II) adsorption properties of BWS and the corresponding biochar as a function of solution pH, contact time, and equilibrium concentration of Pb(II) were examined using adsorption isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics studies. The maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacities based on the Langmuir isotherm model were calculated as 45 and 62 mg g−1 for BWS and BWS-BC, respectively, which were comparable to the values obtained for biochars derived from other agro-wastes. The adsorption feasibility, favorability and spontaneity of Pb(II), as derived from the thermodynamic parameters, indicated that chemisorption and precipitation (e.g., hydroxypyromorphite) were the main adsorption mechanism in case of BWS and BWS-BC, respectively. Thus, conversion of BWS to biochar for Pb(II) adsorption can be considered as a feasible, promising and high value-added approach for BWS recycling.

ANALISIS EFISIENSI ASURANSI JIWA SYARIAH DI INDONESIA DAN TAKAFUL FAMILY DI MALAYSIA DENGAN METODE DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (STUDI KASUS PADA KOPERASI JASA KEUANGAN SYARIAH AL ABRAR)

This study aims to determine the level of efficiency of Sharia life insurance in Indonesia and Malaysia during the 2015-2018 period. The sample used was 12 Sharia life insurance companies in Indonesia and 5 Sharia life insurance companies in Malaysia. The method used in this research is Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with the assumption of Variable Return to Scale (VRS) with input-orientation. The selection of variables uses a value-added approach with its input variables, namely capital, total expenses, and total investment as well as its output variables, namely total profit and total investment income. The results of this study indicate that the average overall value of sharia life insurance efficiency in Indonesia is relatively lower than the average efficiency of sharia life insurance in Malaysia. The development trend of the efficiency of Sharia life insurance in Indonesia and Malaysia tends to decrease during 2015-2018. Meanwhile, the cause of inefficiency in Sharia life insurance in Indonesia and Malaysia is the total expenses variable. Keywords: Efficiency, Sharia Life Insurance, DEA

Efficacy of green alternatives and carbon dioxide curing in reactive magnesia cement-bonded particleboards

This study demonstrated a low-carbon and value-added approach for upcycling waste wood formwork into reactive magnesia cement-bonded particleboards, in which green alternatives and carbon dioxide curing were employed to improve mechanical properties and reduce carbon footprint. Spectroscopic and thermogravimetric analyses showed that the replacement of pulverised fly ash and incinerated sewage sludge ash promoted the generation of magnesium silicate hydrates gel via pozzolanic-like reaction. The incorporation of mussel shell densified the microstructure as illustrated from scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, these modified particleboards presented satisfying flexural strength (>9 MPa) and thickness swelling (<2%). However, the spontaneous hydration of blast furnace slag manifested a competition against magnesia cement hydration and resulted in strength reduction. Furthermore, carbon dioxide curing promoted the transformation from magnesium hydroxide to additional magnesium carbonate and hydrated magnesium carbonates, which significantly enhanced early strength. However, the carbonation process consumed magnesium hydroxide, unavoidably suppressing the pozzolanic reaction. By contrast, blast furnace slag-incorporated samples showed synergetic hydration and carbonation. In summary, pulverised fly ash materials are promising substitutes in air curing condition, whereas blast furnace slag is suitable for accelerated carbonation of magnesia cement-based particleboards.

Determination of the lowest unit price through the value-added approach for Arabica Coffee Commodities in North Toraja Regency

Smallholder plantations in South Sulawesi province produce an average of 12.50% of Indonesia’s Arabica coffee, equivalent to 20.10 thousand tons per year. In 2015 Arabica coffee produced by community plantations in the province reached 20.35 thousand. One of the largest Arabica coffee production centers in South Sulawesi province is in North Toraja Regency, in 2017 it gave a production share of 10.37% or a total production of 2.11 thousand tons. However, the current problem in North Toraja Regency is the low purchase value of collectors who come directly to farmers’ gardens and appreciate the Arabica coffee of Rp. 18,000 / liter which still has epidermis, if converted to kilograms requires around 2.1 liters, which if the total is only Rp. 36,000 / kg. This study aims to formulate the lowest unit price policy for Arabica coffee in the North Toraja regency which is used as a reference for the average selling price of Arabica coffee (actual price). This research was conducted in North Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi province using purposive informants, which were analyzed descriptively quantitatively. The results showed that the lowest unit price of the coffee commodity can be formulated in the amount of Rp. 28,000 / liter by increasing the price received by farmers by Rp. 10,000, by considering prices at the level of traders and companies so that they continue to provide benefits for each marketing institution. This policy will have an impact on increasing the productivity and welfare of coffee farmers so that the sustainability of coffee commodity farming in Indonesia is increasing.

Chemical modification process of heavy residue from FCC slurry oil for producing high-grade paving asphalt

Deoiled asphalt (DOA) and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) slurry oil are the primary by-products during the SDA and FCC process, usually being regarded as wastes for their poor processability. Thus, it is imperative to find a reasonable utilization of these by-products for the current petrochemical industry. In the present work, a FCC slurry oil residue modification unit for the improvement of oil ageing resistance is proposed. The heavy residue obtained from FCC slurry oil is modified as an aromatic-rich soft component for producing the high-grade paving asphalt by blended with DOA. The effect of operation conditions on the penetration ratio of asphalt products are investigated in a laboratory scale, including the reaction temperature, pressure and dosage of modifier. It is found that the penetration ratio of asphalt is mostly affected by the reaction temperature, less is the pressure and modifier content. Afterwards, pilot-scale modification experiments show that the operation conditions of itself is quite close to that of laboratorial test. Similar optimal conditions are also acquired for both tests, including reaction temperature (180 ℃), pressure (2.0 MPa) and modifier content (3.0 wt%). Compared with original asphalt, the penetration ratio of the asphalt product with a constant blending ratio of modified slurry oil residue to DOA particles (1.02) is increased from 0.539 to 0.653. By this means, the quality of asphalt products eventually meets the standard of 70# paving asphalt. Therefore, this work not only provides a high value-added approach for FCC slurry oil residue modification, but makes full use of previously unavailable DOA.

Analysis of cost efficiency in GCC and Jordan's insurance sectors: DEA approach

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of cost efficiency of insurance firms operating in GCC countries and Jordan during 2009-2017. The DEA approach was applied to estimate cost efficiency and its components-allocative, pure technical and scale efficiency, inputs and outputs variables are defined according to the value-added approach, and in the second-stage regression analysis, we test a set of hypotheses on the relationship between efficiency and selected variables capturing firms' heterogeneities and other environmental variables controlling for market structure, economic conditions and governance. The results point to the substantial efficiency improvement potential in all markets under study with large discrepancies in efficiency scores across the GCC countries suggesting divergence and difference stage of sector development and heterogeneity of regulation. The findings reveal that firm-specific variables such as size, profitability, solvency and investment concentration, have impact on efficiency, while no significant difference in efficiency was found between conventional and Takaful insurance firms.

Analysis of cost efficiency in GCC and Jordan's insurance sectors: DEA approach

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of cost efficiency of insurance firms operating in GCC countries and Jordan during 2009-2017. The DEA approach was applied to estimate cost efficiency and its components-allocative, pure technical and scale efficiency, inputs and outputs variables are defined according to the value-added approach, and in the second-stage regression analysis, we test a set of hypotheses on the relationship between efficiency and selected variables capturing firms' heterogeneities and other environmental variables controlling for market structure, economic conditions and governance. The results point to the substantial efficiency improvement potential in all markets under study with large discrepancies in efficiency scores across the GCC countries suggesting divergence and difference stage of sector development and heterogeneity of regulation. The findings reveal that firm-specific variables such as size, profitability, solvency and investment concentration, have impact on efficiency, while no significant difference in efficiency was found between conventional and Takaful insurance firms.

Fourier Transform Infrared and Solid State 13c Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Characterization of Defatted Cottonseed Meal-Based Biochars

Conversion to biochcar may be a value-added approach to recycle defatted cottonseed meal (CSM), a major byproduct from the cotton industry. In this work, complete slow pyrolysis at seven peak temperatures ranging from 300 to 600°C in batch reactors was implemented to process CSM into biochar products. Elemental analysis, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy and solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were applied to characterize raw CSM and its derived biochar products. The biochar yield and organic C and total N recoveries decreased as the peak pyrolysis temperatures was elevated. However, most of the mineral elements including P in CSM were retained during pyrolysis and became enriched in biochar as a result of the decreased mass yield. The spectral data showed that pyrolysis removed signatures of the biopolymers in CSM and produced highly aromatic structures in biochars. With increasing the pyrolysis temperature, alkyl structures decreased progressively in the biochar products and became negligible at higher temperatures (550 and 600°C). Quantitative analysis of FT-IR data revealed that simple 3-band (1800, 1700, and 650 cm-1)-based R readings of the biochars were linearly related to the pyrolysis temperatures. The 13C NMR spectra further validated that the decreasing aromatic structures and increasing alkyl, aliphatic C-O/N and carbonyl groups in CSM-derived biochars were highly correlated with the increasing pyrolysis temperature. Therefore, the cheap and faster FT-IR measurement could be used as a routine conversion indicator of pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass rather than the more expensive and time-consuming NMR spectroscopy.