Correlation between climatic environment and characteristic components of 14 kinds of huajiao by thermal analysis techniques, GC-MS and HS-IMS.

Huajiao (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.) is extensively cultivated in various countries, including China, Korea, and India, owing to its adaptability to diverse environments. This study comprehensively analyzed the volatile substance composition of 14 varieties of red huajiao with distinct geographical origins. Thermal analysis methods, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and headspace-ion mobility chromatography (HS-IMS) were employed to evaluate the total volatile substance composition and content. The study revealed minor variations in water content, volatile matter content, and fractions among the geographically sourced huajiao samples. Utilizing correlation analysis based on GC-MS and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) with HS-IMS, a robust classification method for the 14 types of huajiao was developed. Applying the variable importance in the projection (VIP) method, seven distinctive components were identified as potential markers for distinguishing the geographical origins of red huajiao. By integrating climatic and topographical factors of the 14 huajiao varieties, the correlation analysis of GC-MS, and OPLS-DA classification outcomes from HS-IMS elucidated the influence of geo-environmental factors on huajiao components and contents. This research provides insights into the impact of diverse geographic environments on the constituents and characteristics of huajiao. It offers valuable guidance for selecting optimal cultivation locations to enhance huajiao quality, aiding consumers in making informed choices.

Evaluation of Quality Properties of Brown Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) Tubers from Six Major Growing Regions of China: A New Source of Vegetable Oil and Starch.

Tigernut has been recognized as a promising resource for edible oil and starch. However, the research on the quality characteristics of tigernut from different regions is lagging behind, which limits the application of tigernut in food industry. Tigernut tubers were obtained from six major growing regions in China, and the physicochemical properties of their main components, oil and starch, were characterized. Tigernut tubers from Baoshan contained the most oil (30.12%), which contained the most ß-carotene (130.4 µg/100 g oil) due to high average annual temperature. Gas chromatography analysis and fingerprint analysis results indicated that tigernut oil (TNO) consists of seven fatty acids, of which oleic acid is the major component. Changchun TNO contained the least total tocopherols (6.04 mg/100 g oil) due to low average annual temperature. Tigernut tubers from Chifeng (CF) contained the most starch (34.85%) due to the large diurnal temperature range. Xingtai starch contained the most amylose (28.4%). Shijiazhuang starch showed the highest crystallinity (19.5%). Anyang starch had the highest pasting temperature (76.0°C). CF starch demonstrated superior freeze-thaw stability (syneresis: 50%) due to low mean annual precipitation. The results could be further applied to support tigernut industries and relevant researchers that looks for geographical origin discrimination and improvements on tigernut quality, with unique physicochemical and technological properties.

An impact assessment of energy undesirable output on climate-carrying capacity: a case study of Shanghai.

It is important to evaluate the impact of undesirable energy output on the climate-carrying capacity of the power grid-based economy to promote the green development. Three indicators-climate natural capacity, urban climate pressure, and urban coordinated development capacity-are used as input factors to study the climate-carrying capacity. The Nemerow index method and comprehensive evaluation method based on entropy weight are employed to calculate inputs. Pollution emissions such as carbon dioxide emissions, waste gas, wastewater, and solid waste pollution are included as energy undesirable outputs, and industry output value is included as a desirable output to calculate the non-radial directional distance of the output of climate-carrying capacity that combines desirable and undesirable outputs. The total factor non-radial directional distance function and energy-environmental non-radial directional distance function are used to obtain the efficiency index of total factor climate-carrying capacity and the efficiency of climate-carrying capacity performance, respectively. These two indices are included in the analysis to estimate the impact of energy undesirable output on climate-carrying capacity. Results from empirical analysis showed that when two types of undesirable outputs, namely waste gas and wastewater outputs, in Shanghai are constrained, the efficiency and performance efficiency of climate environmental carrying capacity are both lower than 0.8, indicating that undesirable outputs had a substantial influence on the climate-carrying capacity. In Shanghai, the major approach to improve the regional climate-carrying capacity is to improve energy efficiency and reduce undesirable outputs of power grid-based economy.

Comparison of thermal imaging and rectal temperature in the diagnosis of pyrexia in pre-weaned calves using on farm conditions.

Measuring core body temperature is used as part of the diagnostic process in assessing the health of animals. Typically in calves, this is carried out using a rectal thermometer which can be time consuming, stressful to the calf and is invasive by nature. A non-invasive technique that is gaining recognition is thermal imaging. This study investigated the use of thermal imaging as a technique to assess core body temperature in pre-weaned artificially reared calves. A total of 125 male and female calves had rectal temperatures measured daily from day 7 until day 40 of life, and at the same time had a thermal image taken of the area around the medial canthus of the eye. A weak correlation (r = 0.28) was found between calf rectal temperature and thermal image temperature. A multivariable predictive model for core body temperature increased the correlation (r = 0.32) when including the environmental parameters of air temperature (p < .001) and wind speed (p < .001) as well as reconstituted milk replacer consumption (p < .01). The effectiveness of a predictive model including these parameters for the detection of calves with a core body temperature ≥ 39.5 °C was examined and found to have a sensitivity of 0% and a specificity of 100%. The results of this study demonstrate the need to take thermal environmental parameters into consideration when using thermal imaging to assess body temperature. However, the results suggest that accurate measures of core body temperature using thermal imaging cannot be achieved under commercial farm conditions. Further research is needed to determine what other factors could be measured to increase predictive ability.

HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL IN COLD CLIMATIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS.

Indian Armed Forces are constrained to deploy a large number of troops in the western Himalayas in the interest of national security and territorial integrity. The region represents extremely rugged, arid and cold climatic conditions. The altitude ranges from 8000 to 23000 feet with winter temperatures ranging from -35°C to - 55°C in some regions. Low environmental humidity, hypo-baric hypoxia and high solar ultra-violet radiation with its attendant problems further compound the hardships faced by the troops in these climatic conditions. The role of the Armed Forces medical personnel is extremely challenging, as they have to ensure maintenance of health and physical fitness of the troops to ensure optimal performance during peace and during operations. These considerations include nutrition, physical fitness programmes suitable for the terrain and climatic conditions, protection against cold and hypoxia induced health problems, clothing and shelter taking into consideration the ergonomic factors, human waste disposal and prompt medical attention and evacuation in case of illness. An overview of the effects of cold hypoxic environment on health and performance of Indian troops, measures employed by the Armed Forces to maintain health of troops including psychological factors and the incidence of various cold induced health problems during peace time compared to operational period over the last 10 years is presented in this paper.