Hydrogen storage in Zr0.9Ti0.1(Ni0.5Cr0.5-xVx)2 Laves phase,with x = 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5. A theoretical approach

Density functional calculations were performed on Zr_0.9Ti_0.1(Ni_0.5Cr_0.5-xV_x)₂ Laves Phase, with x = 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375 and 0.5, in order to study its H absorption capacity. Binding energy, electronic structure and bonding were analyzed for the intermetallic compound with different V content and increasing amounts of hydrogen.The optimized geometry was found in good agreement with experimental data of the C14 Laves phase. Hydrogen locates preferentially in A₂B₂ tetrahedral sites in the AB₂ matrix (A = Zr, Ti; B = Ni, Cr, V) but AB₃ and B₄sites are also stable. The volume of the intermetallic and the H binding energy increases with vanadium content. Theoretically H absorption is possible up to 4.5 H/F.U. but the strongest binding energy is achieved with 3 H/F. U.The main contribution to density of states is due to d states of all components of the structure and an H-metal bonding is observed in the range ?10 to ?4 eV.     

Effect of paddy variety,milling status and aeration on the progeny emergence of Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

In Sri Lanka, insects cause enormous losses in stored paddy; the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae is a devastating insect. The magnitude of losses in stored paddy caused by insects varies with characteristics of paddy but has not yet been fully investigated. Due to the increased concerns on the use of synthetic chemicals, safer alternative pest management strategies for stored paddy are needed. Objectives of this study were to determine the effect of paddy variety, milling status and nature of aeration on the progeny emergence of S. oryzae. The experimental design was a three-factor factorial, completely randomized design (CRD).Freshly emerged S. oryzae adults were introduced to un-milled paddy or milled/polished rice belonging to traditional and improved varieties. The samples were maintained either open or airtight, and the progeny adults emerged was determined at monthly intervals. Progeny emergence was lower in the traditional varieties, un-milled paddy and under air-tight condition compared to improved varieties, milled/polished rice and aerated samples, respectively. Overall, the improved variety Bg 300 exhibited the maximum resistance to infestation by S. oryzae. Furthermore, white-colour and long-grain varieties produced lower progeny of S. oryzae than red-colour and short-grain varieties, respectively. It is concluded that the maximum protection in paddy/rice from insect infestation during storage can be achieved by using traditional varieties, stored as un-milled paddy (without dehusked) under airtight condition.     

Development rates of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in landrace cowpea varieties occurring in southwestern Amazonia

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.), constitutes an important source of protein in various parts of the world, and landrace varieties are widespread in the southwestern Amazon. The population growth of insects is related to survival strategies in response to the feeding substrate. Thus, the development of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in four landrace varieties of cowpea (VBRL 02, VSNA 02 VRDR 02 and VRBC 02) was determined through daily and accumulated emergence rates. These varieties were selected for this study because they are well distributed throughout the Amazonian communities. Cowpea samples (150 g) of each variety were infested with 50 unsexed adults, and the insects were removed 13 days after beginning the bioassays. To determine the daily emergence rates in the varieties, the adult progeny obtained from the feeding substrate was counted and removed on alternate days after the first emergence, until the end of the emergence period (45 days after the beginning of bioassays). The sum of the daily emergence was accumulated since the initial emergence and resulted in the sum of accumulated emergence (SEa, % day), calculated by SEa = ∑ SEd. We found variations in daily and accumulated emergence rates between the four varieties, and the lowest rates of daily emergence of C. maculatus occurred in the varieties VBRL 02 and VSNA 02. The accumulated emergence was delayed in the variety VBRL 02. These results indicate that landrace varieties of cowpea occurring in the southwestern Amazon are a source of features of resistance to bruchids.     

Influence of secondary source technologies and energy management strategies on Energy Storage System sizing for fuel cell electric vehicles

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have some limitation which make them less competitor to thermal ones and delay their commercialization. The most important problems as the range, the durability and the cost depend directly on the energy storage problematic issues. In this context, this work presents an optimal sizing methodology for an Energy Storage System (ESS) composed by a fuel cell and an assistant source to supply a lightweight vehicle with 700 km driving range. Firstly, a comparative study between single and hybrid source is carried out to show the benefits of hybridization according to the range in terms of weight, cost and fuel consumption. Moreover, in order to improve the hybrid source characteristics, three technologies of the secondary source are tested and evaluated to be chosen for hybridization with fuel cell system purposes. Furthermore, the influence of three Energy Management Strategies (EMSs) on ESS sizing is studied where an optimal strategy provides the most favorable dimensions of the hybrid system. Simulation results give us the best technology needed for hybridization and allow us adopting the optimal management strategy to design the hybrid source. Finally, in order to show the influence of the driving cycles on the ESS design, a comparison study using the New European Driving Cycle “NEDC” and the Assessment and Reliability of Transport Emission Models Inventory Systems (ARTEMIS) confirms that there is a slow influence of the driving cycle on the ESS sizes.     

Biochemical changes in groundnut pods due to infestation of bruchid Caryedon serratus (Olivier) under stored conditions

A study on the “Biochemical changes in groundnut pods due to infestation of bruchid, Caryedon serratus (Olivier) under stored conditions” was conducted at Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, SVPUA&T, Meerut during August 2018 to February 2019. Results of the study showed that there was significant increase in weight loss of the groundnut pods (test varieties) with the increase in storage period i.e. 30, 90, and 150 DAS (days after storage). This significant increase in weight loss was due to infestation of groundnut bruchid. In addition to the weight loss, distinct differences in the biochemical components such as sugars, proteins, tannins, phenols were found in between infested and uninfested groundnut pods. A significant reduction in sugars, tannins, phenol whereas increase in protein content was noticed with the increase in the storage period i.e. 30, 90 and 150 DAS. Correlation studies relating weight loss and biochemical components from different groundnut varieties (resistant and susceptible) due to bruchid infestation were also worked out in the study. Pod sugar and pod protein content showed significant positive correlation with weight loss (positive effect on the development of the bruchid). While, pod tannins and pod phenols content showed significant negative correlation with weight loss (exerted a negative effect on the development of the bruchid).     

Effects of red beet extracts on protein and lipid oxidation,colour, microbial,sensory properties and storage stability of Turkish pastırma

Lipid oxidation and discoloration are two important problems in the storage of pastırma, a meat product. In this research, the usability of lyophilized red beet water extract (LRBWE) in cemen paste and its effects on the pastırma quality (especially colour, protein and lipid oxidation, microbial and sensory properties) were investigated during storage. Two trials were conducted; in trial 1, LRBWE was obtained, its various properties were designated and effects on the cemen paste of these extracts (0.0%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% 1.0% and 1.2%) were determined. In trial 2, pastırma with cemen paste containing 0.8%, 1.0% and 1.2% LRBWE were produced and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 150 days. The LRBWE did not influence protein oxidation of pastırma, whereas increasing LRBWE level led to a decrease in lipid oxidation (P < 0.01), and an increase in redness (a1) value (P < 0.01) and sensory properties (P < 0.01) of sliced pastırma compared with control pastırma. These results revealed that the addition of 1.0% or 1.2% LRBWE to cemen paste was effective to improve the colour stability, lipid oxidation, microbial and sensory quality of pastırma during storage.     

The economic effects of Rhyzopertha dominica on rice quality: Objective and subjective measures

Infestations of internal feeders such as Rhyzopertha dominica cause damage to stored grains, including rice. Few studies, though, have measured the economic effects of that damage. In this study, samples of rough long grain rice were infested with R. dominica at several rates (0, 20, and 200 adults/kg). The effects of these infestations on rice quality and quantity were measured objectively using color and milling yield. They were also measured subjectively with a blind taste/sensory consumer taste test and a non-hypothetical auction measuring consumer willingness to pay for the different qualities of rice.The objective quantity and value loss ranged from 2% for lightly-infested rice to 3.5% for heavily-infested rice. For subjective effects, results of the auction suggested that participants on average were willing to pay only a small premium for less infested rice. This test confirmed results of the sensory taste panel, which showed that participants on average detected very little difference among rice samples with alternative levels of infestation. However, when they were given extra information verifying that rice with lower infestation levels was higher quality or that the rice was stored using IPM methods, the potential price increase from reducing R. dominica infestation could range from $0.44/kg. to $0.79/kg., plus a $0.13/kg. premium for using IPM storage methods. However, results suggest that in order to capture that value rice sellers must be able to convey information about quality and storage attributes to consumers in a way that is relevant and trustworthy.     

An influence of cooking on fatty acid composition in three varieties of common beans and in lentil

The fatty acid composition of three raw and cooked freeze-dried common bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris), namely enjevec, Semenarna 22 and Cipro, and of the lentil (Lens esculenta), var. Anicia, was determined and the influence of storage on their composition was studied. Analyses of fatty acid composition were conducted by in situ transesterification and capillary column gas-liquid chromatography. In raw milled beans average values of about 16% saturated fatty acids (SAT), 6% monosaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 78% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were found. Somewhat different values of 15% of SAT, 25% MUFA and 60% PUFA were found in lentil. In cooked beans the content of all fatty acids was slightly decreased. In cooked lentil the decrease was almost 50%, but the ratios of SAT, MUFA and PUFA in both cases were practically the same. After two years of storage at 4 °C the fatty acid content in raw milled beans was unchanged, but altered in cooked ones. The amounts of linoleic (18:2, n-6) and -linolenic (18:3, n-3) acid decreased, but myristic (14:0), margaric (17:0) and arachidic (20:0) acids increased. It was found that freeze-dried cooked beans, prepared from raw seed beans, kept 2.5 years at 10 °C, have practically the same fatty acid composition as freeze-dried cooked beans 0.5 year after harvesting.     

过氧化氢纳米雾化熏蒸对黄豆芽贮藏品质及生理特性的影响

目的 探究过氧化氢(H₂O₂)纳米雾化熏蒸处理对黄豆芽贮藏品质及生理特性的影响。方法 以黄豆品种“绥农53号”萌发的豆芽为试材,分别采用体积分数为0.5%、1.0%、1.5%、2.0%的H₂O₂雾化熏蒸5 min,无熏蒸处理作为对照组(CK),置于2℃,相对湿度为85%环境中贮藏,每隔2 d测定1次黄豆芽的失重率、硬度、脆度、菌落总数、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)、H₂O₂积累量、总酚含量及褐变数和褐变相关酶活力相关指标。结果 与CK组相比,在贮藏第5 d, 1.5%H₂O₂纳米雾化熏蒸黄豆芽的失重率、菌落总数、褐变指数、MDA含量及H₂O₂积累量分别减少57.9%、22.6%、35.7%、31.0%和25.8%,硬度和脆度较CK组分别提高了25.6%和33.3%。总酚含量减少26.3%,1.5%H₂O₂纳...