Stimulation of soy seeds using environmentally friendly magnetic and electric fields.

The study analyses the impact of alternating (magnetic induction B = 30 mT for t = 60 s) and constant magnetic fields (B = 130 mT for t = 17 h) and alternating electric fields (electric current E = 5 kV/cm for t = 60 s) on various growth parameters of soy plants: the germination energy and capacity, plants emergence, the fresh mass of seedlings, protein content (Kjeldahl's method), and photosynthetic parameters (with MINI-PAM 2000 WALTZ Photosynthesis Yield Analyser and a SPAD-502 Chlorophyll Meter). Four cultivars were used: MAVKA, MERLIN, VIOLETTA, and ANUSZKA. Moreover, the advanced Machine Learning processing pipeline was proposed to distinguish the impact of physical factors on photosynthetic parameters. The use of electromagnetic fields had a positive impact on the germination rate in MERLIN seeds. The best results in terms of germination improvement were observed for alternating magnetic field stimulation in all cultivars (p > 0.05). For the VIOLETTA cultivar an increase (p > 0.05) in the emergence and overall number of plants as well as fresh mass was observed after electromagnetic field stimulation. For the MAVKA and MERLIN cultivars, the concentration of proteins in the leaves was noticeably higher in plants grown from seeds stimulated using a constant magnetic field.

Response Surface Methodology Approach for Predicting Convective/Infrared Drying, Quality, Bioactive and Vitamin C Characteristics of Pumpkin Slices.

In this research, a convective/infrared (CV/IR) dryer was used to dry pumpkin slices. For optimization of the drying conditions, the influence of three levels of independent variables including air temperature (40, 55, and 70 °C), air velocity (0.5, 1, and 1.5 m/s), and IR power (250, 500, and 750 W) were assessed by response surface method (RSM) through a face-centered central composite design. Analysis of variance (non-fitting factor and R2 value) was employed to determine the desirability of the model. Response surfaces and diagrams were also utilized to show the interactive influence of the independent variables with the response variables (drying time, energy consumption, shrinkage, total color variation, rehydration ratio, total phenol, antioxidant, and vitamin C contents). According to the results, optimal drying conditions involved a temperature of 70 °C, air velocity of 0.69 m/s, and IR power of 750 W. At the mentioned conditions, response variables of drying time, energy consumption, shrinkage, color, rehydration ratio, total phenol, antioxidant, and vitamin C contents were 72.53 min, 24.52 MJ/kg, 23%, 14.74, 4.97, 617.97 mg GA/100 g dw, 81.57%, and 4.02 mg/g dw, with a confidence level of 0.948, respectively.

Impact of electromagnetic stimulation on the mechanical and photophysical properties of alfalfa leaves.

The aim of the study was to measure the tensile strength of 4-year-old alfalfa leaves cultivated from seeds exposed to pre-sowing stimulation with He-Ne laser light for 1 or 5 min (designated respectively as F1 and F5) and alternating magnetic field with the exposure time of 1 or 5 min (respectively, L1 and L5). The leaves were measured in terms of blade length and width as well as petiole thickness prior to the tensile test. Measurements were also conducted to determine the chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime and content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, a + b and carotenoids). The observed tensile strength was between 1.59 and 2.45 N. In the test group, the observed strength was lower in leaves collected from the top and central section of the stem but higher in the bottom part of the stem as compared to the control. The maximum increase of the tearing tensile force relative to the control (C) was observed for the L1 and F1 stimulation samples in leaves collected from the top and bottom parts of the stem, while the maximum decrease for that force was recorded for L5 leaves from the middle and top part of the stem. Chlorophyll fluorescence lifetimes and the overall content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids) were noticeably decreased in the leaves subjected to the stressors/stimulants applied. The results obtained for F1, L5 and, L1 stimulation revealed a decrease in fluorescence lifetimes. The content of photosynthetic pigments was also decreased under the influence of laser light stimulation (L1). This was a clear indication of plant ageing.

Interaction of Different Drying Methods and Storage on Appearance, Surface Structure, Energy, and Quality of Berberis vulgaris var. asperma.

Seedless barberry fruit is native small fruit in Iran. To examine the impact of various drying methods and storage on the biochemical attributes (Vitamin C, Anthocyanin, Phenol, pH, TA), color index (a*, b*, L*, ab, and Chroma), drying time, and fruit microstructure (by SEM) of seedless barberry (Berberis vulgaris var. asperma), and effective moisture diffusivity coefficient (Deff), specific energy consumption (SEC), energy efficiency (EE) of the dryers, this experiment was performed. Drying treatments include microwave (100, 170, and 270 W), oven (60 and 70 °C), cabinet (50 and 70 °C), shade, sun, and fresh samples (control) and storage 6 months after drying (in polyethylene packaging and at a temperature of 5-10 °C). Results showed minimum and maximum drying times (50 min and 696 h), were related to microwave (270 W) and shade methods, respectively. The highest color values were observed in fruits treated with control, shade and sun treatments and the lowest values were observed in cabinet (70 °C) methods. According to the SEM results, microwave significantly affected surface structure of the dried sample compared to others. The findings indicated that the use of artificial drying methods than natural methods (sun and shade) cause a more significant reduction in color indexes, while vitamin C, soluble solids, and anthocyanin were significantly maintained at a high level. Storage reduced anthocyanin content of fruits almost 12%. Moreover, it was discovered EE and SEC values varied in the range of 1.16-25.26% and 12.20-1182 MJ/kg, respectively. Deff values were higher in microwave 270 W.

Inner Properties Estimation of Gala Apple Using Spectral Data and Two Statistical and Artificial Intelligence Based Methods.

Fruits provide various vitamins to the human body. The chemical properties of fruits provide useful information to researchers, including determining the ripening time of fruits and the lack of nutrients in them. Conventional methods for determining the chemical properties of fruits are destructive and time-consuming methods that have no application for online operations. For that, various researchers have conducted various studies on non-destructive methods, which are currently in the research and development stage. Thus, the present paper focusses on a non-destructive method based on spectral data in the 200-1100-nm region for estimation of total soluble solids and BrimA in Gala apples. The work steps included: (1) collecting different samples of Gala apples at different stages of maturity; (2) extracting spectral data of samples and pre-preprocessing them; (3) measuring the chemical properties of TSS and BrimA; (4) selecting optimal (effective) wavelengths using artificial neural network-simulated annealing algorithm (ANN-SA); and (5) estimating chemical properties based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) and hybrid artificial neural network known as the imperialist competitive algorithm (ANN-ICA). It should be noted that, in order to investigate the validity of the methods, the estimation algorithm was repeated 500 times. In the end, the results displayed that, in the best training, the ANN-ICA predicted the TSS and BrimA with correlation coefficients of 0.963 and 0.965 and root mean squared error of 0.167% and 0.596%, respectively.

Development and Laboratory Evaluation of an Online Controlling Algorithm for Precision Tillage.

Soil compaction management relies on costly annual deep tillage. Variable-depth tillage or site-specific tillage modifies the physical properties of the soil at the required zones for the growth of crops. In this study, a depth control system was designed for the subsoiler of the tillage at various depths. For this purpose, an algorithm was written to investigate the subsoiler location and soil compaction. A program was also developed to implement this algorithm using Kinco Builder Software to control the subsoiler depth, which was evaluated on the experimental platform. In this study, four compression sensors were used at a distance of 10 cm up to a depth of 40 cm on the blade mounted at the front of the tractor. The data of these sensors were used as the input and compared with the pressure baseline limit (2.07 MPa), and with the priority to select the greater depth, the depth of subsoiler was determined. At all three modes of sensor activation (single, collective, and combined), this system was able to operate the hydraulic system of the tractor and place the subsoiler at the desired depth through the use of the position sensors.

Comprehensive Assessment from Optimum Biodiesel Yield to Combustion Characteristics of Light Duty Diesel Engine Fueled with Palm Kernel Oil Biodiesel and Fuel Additives.

Biodiesel is considered as a key prospective renewable energy source in India. Hence, a study was carried out for the improvement of palm kernel oil biodiesel production using a transesterification process at different molar ratios. This study comprehensively examined all aspects of biodiesel from optimum production to the effect of additives on its combustion behavior. The optimum yield condition was validated with the MINITAB-17 software and analyzed using the Taguchi method. Two different additives, 5% diethyl ether (DEE) and 2000 ppm Butylated hydroxyltoluene (BHT), were also experimented. Engine experiments were conducted at constant speed (1500 rpm) and five different engine loads (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) on a single-cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Heat release rate, brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, engine emissions, such as CO, HC, NOx, and smoke opacity were analyzed. The maximum palm kernel oil (PKO) biodiesel yields, obtained at 55 °C, for the KOH and NaOH catalysts were 86.69% and 75.21% at the molar ratio of 6:1. B20BHT combustion showed 4.6% higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE). NOx emission was reduced by 19.4%, compared to the diesel fuel values. DEE resulted in higher CO and HC emissions compared to diesel fuel values by 39.2% and 7.6%, respectively, whereas smoke emission was improved by 11.5%.

Estimation of moisture ratio for apple drying by convective and microwave methods using artificial neural network modeling.

Two different drying methods were applied for dehydration of apple, i.e., convective drying (CD) and microwave drying (MD). The process of convective drying through divergent temperatures; 50, 60 and 70 °C at 1.0 m/s air velocity and three different levels of microwave power (90, 180, and 360 W) were studied. In the analysis of the performance of our approach on moisture ratio (MR) of apple slices, artificial neural networks (ANNs) was used to provide with a background for further discussion and evaluation. In order to evaluate the models mentioned in the literature, the Midilli et al. model was proper for dehydrating of apple slices in both MD and CD. The MD drying technology enhanced the drying rate when compared with CD drying significantly. Effective diffusivity (Deff) of moisture in CD drying (1.95 × 10-7-4.09 × 10-7 m2/s) was found to be lower than that observed in MD (2.94 × 10-7-8.21 × 10-7 m2/s). The activation energy (Ea) values of CD drying and MD drying were 122.28-125 kJ/mol and 14.01-15.03 W/g respectively. The MD had the lowest specific energy consumption (SEC) as compared to CD drying methods. According to ANN results, the best R2 values for prediction of MR in CD and MD were 0.9993 and 0.9991, respectively.

Evaluation of Different Models for Non-Destructive Detection of Tomato Pesticide Residues Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

In this study, the possibility of non-destructive detection of tomato pesticide residues was investigated using Vis/NIRS and prediction models such as PLSR and ANN. First, Vis/NIR spectral data from 180 samples of non-pesticide tomatoes (used as a control treatment) and samples impregnated with pesticide with a concentration of 2 L per 1000 L between 350-1100 nm were recorded by a spectroradiometer. Then, they were divided into two parts: Calibration data (70%) and prediction data (30%). Next, the prediction performance of PLSR and ANN models after processing was compared with 10 spectral preprocessing methods. Spectral data obtained from spectroscopy were used as input and pesticide values obtained by gas chromatography method were used as output data. Data dimension reduction methods (principal component analysis (PCA), Random frog (RF), and Successive prediction algorithm (SPA)) were used to select the number of main variables. According to the values obtained for root-mean-square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (R) of the calibration and prediction data, it was found that the combined model SPA-ANN has the best performance (RC = 0.988, RP = 0.982, RMSEC = 0.141, RMSEP = 0.166). The investigational consequences obtained can be a reference for the development of internal content of agricultural products, based on NIR spectroscopy.

Analysis of bone osteometry, mineralization, mechanical and histomorphometrical properties of tibiotarsus in broiler chickens demonstrates a influence of dietary chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) inclusion as a primary protein source.

This study was focused on analyzing the effects of dietary inclusion of raw chickpea seed as a replacement of soybean meal as a primary protein source on bone structure in broiler chickens. Broiler chickens (n = 160) received in their diet either soybean meal (SBM) or raw chickpea seeds (CPS) as a primary protein source throughout the whole rearing period (n = 80 in each group). On the 42th day randomly selected chickens from each group (n = 8) were slaughtered. Collected tibiotarsus were subjected to examination of the biomechanical characteristics of bone mid-diaphysis, microstructure of the growth plate and articular cartilages; the analysis of mineral content and crystallinity of mineral phase, and the measurements of thermal stability of collagen in hyaline cartilage were also carried out. The inclusion of chickpea seeds resulted in increase of bone osteometric parameters (weight, length and mid-diaphysis cross-sectional area) and mechanical endurance (yield load, ultimate load, stiffness, Young modulus). However, when loads were adjusted to bone shape (yield and ultimate stress) both groups did not differ. Mineral density determined by means of densitometric measurements did not differ between groups, however the detailed analysis revealed the differences in the macro- and microelements composition. The results of FT-IR and XRD analyses showed no effect of diet type on mineral phase crystallinity and hydroxyapatite nanocrystallites size. In trabecular bone, the increase of real bone volume (BV/TV) and number of trabeculae was observed in the CPS group. Total thickness of articular cartilage was the same in both groups, save the transitional zone, which was thicker in the SBM group. The total thickness of the growth plate cartilage was significantly increased in the CPS group. The area of the most intense presence of proteoglycans was wider in the SBM group. The structural analysis of fibrous components of bone revealed the increase of fraction of thin, immature collagen content in articular cartilage, trabeculae and compact bone in the CPS group. The dietary inclusion of CPS affected the thermal stability of collagen, as decrease of net denaturation enthalpy was observed. This study showed a beneficial effect of CPS on the skeletal development, improving the overall bone development and the microarchitecture of cancellous bone. It suggests that CPS can be a promising replacement for SBM in broilers feeding in the aspect of animal welfare related to the development of the skeletal system.

Modal analysis and acoustic noise characterization of a grain crusher.

INTRODUCTION: Noise is one of the most important physical factors occurring in private farmers' working environment. Hazardous noise exposures and hearing loss have been documented among farmers and farm workers for many years. In most cases, reducing the amplitude of vibratory motion of elements in a machine will reduce the noise generated by the machine element. The authors present the results on studies performed on a grain crusher with the aim of optimizing their acoustic behaviour. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The dynamic behaviour of a grain crusher was investigated by identification of its natural frequency and damping parameters. The study was conducted using the experimental modal analysis technique. The excitation was generated at one single point by a vibration exciter, and the response signals were acquired by an accelerometers fixed at different points of the grain crusher. The modal parameters were determined from a set of frequency response measurements between a reference point and a number of measurement points of the structure. RESULTS: The introduced structural modifications reduced the noise level by 3dB (A)5 dB[lin]) for the hopper component frequencies related to the vibration of the hopper (180 Hz) and the crusher support structure (240 to 480 Hz). The level of these components determines the level of noise at the operator's work station for the average conditions of filling the hopper with grain. The total noise level at the crusher operator was reduced by 2.6 dB (A). CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the amplitude of vibratory motion of the elements in a machine will reduce the noise generated by the machine element. The obtained results confirm that structural dynamic modification is an effective tool for changing the dynamical properties of vibrating systems.

Molecular Organization of Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine Bilayers Containing Bioactive Compounds 4-(5-Heptyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) Benzene-1,3-diol and 4-(5-Methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) Benzene-1,3-diols.

This article presents the results of spectroscopic studies of two compounds from the 1,3,4-thiadiazole group, that is, 4-(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diol (C1) and 4-(5-heptyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diol (C7), present at different molar concentrations in 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposome systems. In the case of both investigated compounds, fluorescence measurements revealed the presence of several emission bands, whose appearance is related to the molecular organization induced by changes in the phase transition in DPPC. On the basis of the interpretation of Fourier transform infrared spectra, we determined the molecular organization of the analyzed compounds in multilayers formed from DPPC and the 1,3,4-thiadiazoles. It was found that the compound with a longer alkyl substituent both occupied the lipid polar head region in the lipid multilayer and interacted with lipid hydrocarbon chains. In turn, the compound with a shorter alkyl substituent interacted more strongly with the membrane polar region. On the basis of the knowledge from previous investigations conducted using different solvents, the fluorescence effects observed were related to the phenomenon of molecular aggregation. The effects were strongly influenced by the structure of the compound and, primarily, by the type of the alkyl substituent used in the molecule. The substantial shortening of fluorescence lifetimes associated with the effect of long-wave emission (with a maximum at 505 nm) decay also confirms the model of aggregation effects in the analyzed systems. Similar effects can be very easily distinguished and associated with respective forms of the compounds in biologically relevant samples.

Absorbed power distribution in the whole-body system of a tractor operator.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Many people are exposed to vibration (WBV) in their occupational lives. The biodynamic responses of the human body in sitting conditions have been widely measured under whole-body vibration (WBV). The measures are most often expressed in terms of force-motion relations at the driving-point, namely, mechanical impedance, apparent mass and absorbed power, and flow of vibration through the body, such as seat-to-head and body segments vibration transmissibility. The absorbed power is a measure of the energy absorbed by the subject due to the external forces applied to the system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The body behaves like a vibrating physical system with distributed energy-storage elements (masses, springs) and energy-dissipation elements (dampers). The total quantity of power can be divided into 2 components - one real and one imaginary. The real component reflects the energy-absorbing part of the system, due to the transformation of friction into heat within the tissues. The imaginary component reflects the energy-storing part of the system which does not consume any vibration energy. RESULTS: The seated human is modeled as a series 4-DOF dynamic models. After introduction of the excitation, the response in particular segments of the model can be analyzed. As an example, the vibration power dissipated in an operator's body segments has been determined as a function of the agricultural combination operating speed 1.4 - 2.75 ms(-1). CONCLUSIONS: The concept of absorbed power as a measurement for evaluation of WBV exposure opens a new area for research. The important character of absorbed power is that it has physical significance and therefore can be measured as well as computed analytically. The absorbed power relates to dissipation of energy attributed to relative motions of the visco-elastic tissues, muscles and skeletal system, which under prolonged exposures could lead to physical damage in the musculoskeletal system. A structural model of the human operator allows determination of the dynamic characteristics of the model, and study of the energy flow between the elements of the model.