Understanding Seasonal and Spatial Variation of Water Quality Parameters in Mangrove Estuary of the Nyong River Using Multivariate Analysis (Cameroon Southern Atlantic Coast)

To evaluate the actual status of water quality and conclude on the mains source of pollution in the Nyong estuary River, seasonal and spatial variation of water quality parameters was interpreted by multivariate statistical techniques (Principal Component analysis). Nine (09) environmental variables were monitored at four surface stations in the estuary for two seasonal cycles. The fieldwork was conducted from 2018 to 2019 during high tide and low tide for each survey. In situ physical parameters were measured for a total of 64 samples (32 samples for each tide). The laboratory works consisted of some physicochemical analyses and processing of these data by descriptive and multidimensional statistical analyses. Temperature, suspended particle matter, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate change significantly in the estuary with season (p < 0.05), while salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and ammonium do not vary significantly with season (p > 0.05). Principal Component analysis found temperature, salinity, pH, ammonium to be the most important parameters contributing to the fluctuations of surface water quality in the Nyong estuary during the dry seasons whereas suspended particle matter, nitrate, and phosphate are the most important parameters contributing to the fluctuation of surface water quality in the Nyong estuary during the rainy seasons. Based on spatial variation, the Principal Component analysis found that, suspended particle matter, nitrate and phosphate contribute to the fluctuation of surface water quality parameters upstream of the estuary while downstream salinity, pH, and ammonium contribute the most to the fluctuation of surface water quality. This study shows us the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques used in assessing water quality data sets that would help us in understanding seasonal and spatial variations of water quality parameters to manage estuarine systems.

Predictive Model for Cement Clinker Quality Parameters

Managers of cement plants are gradually becoming aware of the need for soft sensors in product quality assessment. Cement clinker quality parameters are mostly measured by offline laboratory analysis or by the use of online analyzers. The measurement delay and cost, associated with these methods, are a concern in the cement industry. In this study, a regression-based model was developed to predict the clinker quality parameters as a function of the raw meal quality and the kiln operating variables. This model has mean squared error, coefficient of determination, worst case relative error and variance account for (in external data) given as 8.96 × 10–7, 0.9999, 2.17% and above 97%, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that the developed model can provide real time estimates of the clinker quality parameters and capture wider ranges of real plant operating conditions from first principle-based cement rotary kiln models. Also, the model developed can be utilized online as soft sensor since they contain only variables that are easily measured online.

Influence of broken kernels content on soybean quality during storage

Although it is recognized that the post-harvest system is most responsible for the loss of soybean quality,the real impact of this loss is still unknown.Brazilian regulation allows 15%and 30%of broken soybean for group I and group II(quality groups),respectively.However,the industry is not informed about the loss in the quality parameters of soybeans and its impacts during long-term storage.Therefore,the objective was to evaluate the effect of the breakage kernel percentage of soybean stored for 12 months.Content of 15% of breakage kernels did not affect soybean quality.However,content of 30% of breakage kernels affected significantly soybean quality,which was evidenced by the increase of up to 75% in moldy soybeans,72% in acidity,50% in leached solids,27% in electrical conductivity,and the decrease of up to 12% in soluble protein,6.4% in germination and 3.5% in thousand kernel weight after 8 months of storage.Although the legislation establishes a percentage limit,it is recommended to store soybeans with up to 15% breakage kernels.On the contrary,values higher than that can cause a significant reduction in soybean quality,resulting in commercial losses.

Implications of Dynamic Interactions between Meteorological Patterns and Surface Water Quality on Environmental Health—A Case Study of the Nairobi River

Urban areas face significant challenges in maintaining water quality amidst increasing urbanization and changing climatic patterns. This study investigates the complex interplay between meteorological variables and water quality parameters in Nairobi City, focusing on the impacts of rainfall and temperature on surface water quality. Data from multiple sources, including the Water Resources Authority, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, and the World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal, were analyzed to assess the relationships between meteorological variables (rainfall and temperature) and water quality parameters (such as electroconductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, chloride, and pH). The analysis reveals varying impacts of rainfall and temperature on different water quality parameters. While parameters like iron and pH show strong relationships with both rainfall and temperature, others such as ammonia and nitrate exhibit moderate relationships. Additionally, the study highlights the influence of runoff, urbanization, and industrial activities on water quality, emphasizing the need for holistic management approaches. Recommendations encompass the establishment of annual publications on Nairobi River water quality, online accessibility of water quality data, development of hydrological models, spatial analysis, and fostering cross-disciplinary research collaborations. Implementing these recommendations can enhance water quality management practices, mitigate risks, and safeguard environmental integrity in Nairobi City.

Physicochemical water quality parameters in typical rice-crayfish integrated systems(RCIS)in China

To determine the variation of water quality in rice-crayfish(Procambarus clarkii)integrated systems(RCIS)in China,eleven water quality parameters were measured monthly in a typical RCIS located in Qianjiang City(Hubei Province)from July 2014 to June 2015,the parameters were analyzed with principal component analysis(PCA)and compared between the trenches and rice areas during the rice fallow period(Nov-May).The trench and rice area comprehensive results showed that pH(7.48-8.68),NH_(4)^(+)-N(0.2-1.09 mg/L),NO_(2)^(-)-N(<0.052 mg/L)and conductivity(435-951μS/cm)were within the suitable ranges for P.clarkii and that turbidity(TU)was high during the crayfish harvesting and rice planting season.Annual averages of total nitrogen(TN),total phosphorus(TP),permanganate index(CODMn),and chlorophyll a(Chl.a)content were<2(except in Nov-Dec),0.25,10 mg/L,and 50 mg/m^(3)(especially in Nov-May,<10 mg/m^(3)),respectively.Dissolved oxygen(DO)was below 4 mg/L in Mar-Sep,with a minimum of~1 mg/L,and much higher in Oct-Feb.The maximum and minimum monthly average water temperature(WT)were 31.4°C in July and 5.7°C in December,while the maximum and minimum instantaneous WT were 39.7°C and 2.5°C,respectively.PCA analysis showed that the first three axes,which were mainly correlated with DO,WT and nutrient level,described most information of the parameters,and parameters showed seasonal changes.Some differences were observed in water parameters between the trenches and rice areas,i.e.,trenches generally had higher TU,WT and DO,and lower TN,TP and CODMn,although no significant differences were found in some months and some parameters.The study revealed relatively low water nutrient level,probable extreme WT and DO level in some seasons,and certain differences between the trenches and rice areas in typical CRIS in China.Accordingly,some measures should be taken to improve the negative parameters:1)enhance the water fertility;2)increase DO,especially in Mar-Sep;3)increase the trench and water depth to avoid extreme WT.And water quality management should be addressed in both trenches and rice areas.

Relationships of nitrous oxide fluxes with water quality parameters in free water surface constructed wetlands

The effects of chemical oxygen demand(COD)concentration in the influent on nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emissions,together with the relationships between N_(2)O and water quality parameters in free water surface constructed wetlands,were investigated with laboratoryscale systems.N_(2)O emission and purification performance of wastewater were very strongly dependent on COD concentration in the influent,and the total N_(2)O emission in the system with middle COD influent concentration was the least.The relationships between N_(2)O and the chemical and physical water quality variables were studied by using principal component scores in multiple linear regression analysis to predict N_(2)O flux.The multiple linear regression model against principal components indicated that different water parameters affected N_(2)O flux with different COD concentrations in the influent,but nitrate nitrogen affected N_(2)O flux in all systems.

Evaluation of seed quality and oil parameters in native Iranian almond(Prunus L.spp.) species

We assessed chemical composition and variation in oil content and seed weight of 40 wild-growing almonds（Prunus L. spp.） accessions collected from different parts of Iran. There were significant differences in kernel weight and oil parameters. Accessions ranged from0.20 to 1.5 g in kernel weight, 0.2–3.0 mm in shell thickness, and 16–55 % in oil content. The predominant vegetable oil components of kernels were 4.6–9.5 % palmitic acid, 0.4–0.8 % palmitoleic acid, 1.0–3.4 % stearic acid,48.8–88.4 % oleic acid and 11.3–33.2 % linoleic acid.Linolenic acid was detected in 15 accessions. High heritability was recorded for all studied traits and was maximum for shell thickness（98.5 %） and minimum for oil content（97.1 %）. Maximum and minimum ‘Euclidean＇pair wise dissimilarities were 17.9 and 0.5, respectively.All 40 accessions were grouped into two major clusters.

Effect of Altitude and Maturity Stages on Quality Attributes of Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a premier fruit crop which ranks in first position of the total fruit industry in Nepal. Studies were conducted to assess the maturity indices and quality parameters of mandarin at three altitudes i.e. 1300 m·asl, 1000 m·asl, and 700 m·asl with six maturity stages i.e. 11 Oct, 21 Oct, 31 Oct, 10 Nov, 20 Nov, and 30 Nov. The most important and reliable judging criteria of fruit maturity in mandarin i.e. fruit weight, external fruit colour, firmness, TSS, acidity, and TSS/Acid ratio, and vitamin C were experimented. The experiment results revealed that 1000 m·asl location was showed the highest fruit weight (104.9 g) and juice percentage (55.23) followed by 1300 m·asl altitude (99.5 g and 53.75% respectively) at 20th of November. The maturity advanced at lower altitude with 50 percent yellow orange rind colour, 10.98 TSS/acid ratio and 4 kg/cm2 firmness from 10th November at lower altitudes whereas it was appeared in 20th November at higher altitudes. The TSS/acid ratio was significantly higher (10.98) in the fruits of 700 m·asl as compared to 1300 m·asl (9.76) on 10th November, however, on 20th November 1300 m·asl showed the highest ratio (17.76). The fruit weight, juice content, TSS was found in increasing trends up to 20 November and then showed constant and decreasing trend. However, TA, firmness and vitamin C were showed in decreasing trends with time. The 1000 - 1300 m·asl was the best location for the mandarin production and 10-20 November was the best period for the mandarin harvesting for optimum maturity.

Parameter selection and model research on remote sensing evaluation for nearshore water quality

Using remote sensing technology for water quality evaluation is an inevitable trend in marine environmental monitoring. However, fewer categories of water quality parameters can be monitored by remote sensing technology than the 35 specified in GB3097-1997 Marine Water Quality Standard. Therefore, we considered which parameters must be selected by remote sensing and how to model for water quality evaluation using the finite parameters. In this paper, focused on Leizhou Peninsula nearshore waters, we found N, P, COD, PH and DO to be the dominant parameters of water quality by analyzing measured data. Then, mathematical statistics was used to determine that the relationship among the five parameters was COD〉DO〉P〉N〉pH. Finally, five-parameter, fourparameter and three-parameter water quality evaluation models were established and compared. The results showed that COD, DO, P and N were the necessary parameters for remote sensing evaluation of the Leizhou Peninsula nearshore water quality, and the optimal comprehensive water quality evaluation model was the four- parameter model. This work may serve as a reference for monitoring the quality of other marine waters by remote sensing.

Brazilian Sugar in Domestic Retail: The Quality of Sugar Consumed in the State of Sao Paulo

Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane and its derivatives in the world, and one of the largest consumers of sugarcane derivatives. Sugar places a position of great prominence in Brazilian feed, either by direct consumption or as a component of industrialized products, from increasing consumption in the country. Sugar samples taken from local market were analyzed as the quality of table sugar consumed in the state of Sao Paulo (Brazil). The analysis of the parameters and basic attributes of characterization of sugar was according to the methodology developed by ICUMSA (2005;2011) and ICUMSA modified by Copersucar (2002). Samples of sugar from this region showed that medium-low quality. It can be observed in fundamental aspects such as purity and insoluble residues, which were below the standard. In addition, it should be noted the difficulty of obtaining information about the limit values for each attribute, by virtue of Legislation not be assertive to the product and, also, the scientific studies have not been unified to present the specifics for each type of sugar.

The Influence of Weather and Climate Variability on Groundwater Quality in Zanzibar

Climate change and variability have been inducing a broad spectrum of impacts on the environment and natural resources including groundwater resources. The study aimed at assessing the influence of weather, climate variability, and changes on the quality of groundwater resources in Zanzibar. The study used the climate datasets including rainfall (RF), Maximum and Minimum Temperature (Tmax and Tmin), the records acquired from Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) Zanzibar office for 30 (1989-2019) and 10 (2010-2019) years periods. Also, the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA) monthly records of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Ground Water Temperature (GWT) were used. Interpolation techniques were used for controlling outliers and missing datasets. Indeed, correlation, trend, and time series analyses were used to show the relationship between climate and water quality parameters. However, simple statistical analyses including mean, percentage changes, and contributions to the annual and seasonal mean were calculated. Moreover, t and paired t-tests were used to show the significant changes in the mean of the variables for two defined periods of 2011-2015 and 2016-2020 at p ≤ 0.05. Results revealed that seasonal variability of groundwater quality from March to May (MAM) has shown a significant change in trends ranging from 0.1 to 2.8 mm/L/yr, 0.1 to 2.8 μS/cm/yr, and 0.1 to 2.0℃/yr for TDS, EC, and GWT, respectively. The changes in climate parameters were 0.1 to 2.4 mm/yr, 0.2 to 1.3℃/yr and 0.1 to 2.5℃/yr in RF, Tmax, and Tmin, respectively. From October to December (OND) changes in groundwater parameters ranged from 0.2 to 2.5 mm/L/yr 0.1 to 2.9 μS/cm/yr, and 0.1 to 2.1℃/yr for TDS, EC, and GWT, whereas RF, Tmax, and Tmin changed from 0.3 to 1.8 mm/yr, 0.2 to 1.9℃/yr and 0.2 to 2.0℃/yr, respectively. Moreover, the study has shown strong correlations between climate and water quality parameters in MAM and OND. Besides, the paired correlation has shown significant changes in all parameters except the rainfall. Conclusively, the study has shown a strong influence of climate variability on the quality of groundwater in Zanzibar, and calls for more studies to extrapolate these results throughout Tanzania.

Comparative Study of the Effects of Thermal and Photochemical Accelerated Oxidations on Quality of “Green Type” and “Black Type” French Olive Oils

Oxidative stability of two commercial olive oils of different specificity (green type and black type) has been studied during thermal and photochemical accelerated processes through the evolution of quality indices. It might help to assure a good utilisation of olive oil. In most of works described in literature, they are measured individually. In this study, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has been performed to emphasize their variation and describe in concise way the quality and the safety of extra-virgin olive oil after two oxidative stresses. No difference had been detected between both type oils when they are heated. Peroxides, aldehydes and conjugated dienes and trienes were formed but rapidly degraded into final oxidation compounds, mainly acid compounds. During the photochemical process, similar changes occurred slower and the green type oil had shown better stability because of its higher phenolic content. The fatty acids had been more impacted (higher disappearance of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)) when the oils were heated than when irradiated. Saturated fatty acids (SFA), MUFA and PUFA were the most relevant indicators to characterize non-oxidized oils and PV characterized the early stage of oil oxidation.

Reinforcement Learning to Improve QoS and Minimizing Delay in IoT

Machine Learning concepts have raised executions in all knowledge domains,including the Internet of Thing(IoT)and several business domains.Quality of Service(QoS)has become an important problem in IoT surrounding since there is a vast explosion of connecting sensors,information and usage.Sen-sor data gathering is an efficient solution to collect information from spatially dis-seminated IoT nodes.Reinforcement Learning Mechanism to improve the QoS(RLMQ)and use a Mobile Sink(MS)to minimize the delay in the wireless IoT s proposed in this paper.Here,we use machine learning concepts like Rein-forcement Learning(RL)to improve the QoS and energy efficiency in the Wire-less Sensor Network(WSN).The MS collects the data from the Cluster Head(CH),and the RL incentive values select CH.The incentives value is computed by the QoS parameters such as minimum energy utilization,minimum bandwidth utilization,minimum hop count,and minimum time delay.The MS is used to col-lect the data from CH,thus minimizing the network delay.The sleep and awake scheduling is used for minimizing the CH dead in the WSN.This work is simu-lated,and the results show that the RLMQ scheme performs better than the base-line protocol.Results prove that RLMQ increased the residual energy,throughput and minimized the network delay in the WSN.

Variability and divergence in horsegram (Dolichos uniflorus)

Horsegram is an important and unexploited tropic and sub-tropic legume crop grown mostly in dry land agriculture. The study involving 23 cultivars of horsegram （Dolichos uniflorus） was conducted at the Seed Research ＆ Technology Centre in Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India during the early spring seasons of 2008 and 2009 to assess the nature and magnitude of variability in the existing species and also to identify diverse parents for use in further breeding programmes. The results indicated significant differences among the 23 cultivars for all characters studied, indicating the presence of sufficient genetic variation. High variability and heritability coupled with high genetic advance were reported for seed yield per plant and pod hulm per plant, indicating additive gene action and a possible scope for the improvement of these characters. Mahalanobis D2 statistics grouped all the 23 cultivars of horsegram into six ,clusters. The maximum inter cluster distance （62.39） was noticed between cluster IV （HG 50） and cluster V （HG 11）. The maximum Jntra cluster distance ranged from 0 （clusters III, IV, V and VI） to 15.17 （cluster I）, indicating that the genotypes in these clusters were relatively more diverse than the genotypes within other clusters. Seed yield per plant contributed the maximum （33.20%） to the genetic divergence.

Factors Affecting Dermo Disease(Perkinsus marinus)in Eastern Oysters(Crassostrea virginica)in Galveston Bay,Texas

The oyster disease Dermo(Perkinsus marinus)affects the viability of oyster reefs of Galveston Bay,Texas.Documenting the relationships between distribution and prevalence of Dermo disease in the eastern oyster(Crassostrea virginica)and environmental conditions is beneficial to management of the eastern oyster in Galveston Bay.We sampled four sites located in Galveston Bay every other month from November 2014 through September 2015.The focus of the study was the relationship of water quality parameters(i.e.,fresh-water flow,salinity,water temperature,and water turbidity)to prevalence and parasite concentration of Dermo disease in oysters.Dermo was present in oysters at all reefs sampled,and Dermo prevalence was greatest at April Fool and Confederate reefs,but declined after heavy rainfall.Linear regression analysis indicated water variables such as temperature,salinity,turbidity,and fresh water inflow explained different amounts of the variability in the Mackin Dermo Intensity Scale among sampled reefs.We found combinations of low fresh-water inflow,high salinity,and high temperatures accounted for majority of the variance of Dermo in oysters located in Galveston Bay.

The Role of an Independent Netherlands Laboratory in the Trade and Industry of Edible Oils and Fats

The task of an independent laboratory within the trade of edible oils and fats is to determine the quality of shipped goods. Samples of the cargo are taken upon loading and discharge of a vessel and tested for the contractual quality specifications. The testing is performed according to contractual agreed methods of analyses. The laboratory should be recognised by the trade organisations and be tested every year on its performance. Also there is an increasing demand for analyses on contaminants, e.g. pesticide residues. This is enforced by national and international legislation. Therefore, the laboratory should be equipped with the newest analytical instruments in order to detect the requested low levels of contaminants and should keep up with the latest methods of analyses. A brief introduction of the independent laboratory in the Netherlands, the main analytical indexes agreed in the contract in the oil and fat trade, the important quality parameters, the key pollutants (including pesticide residues, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mineral oil, phthalate, dioxin,monochloropropane, etc.) are summarized in this paper, in order to make readers understand the quality control and technical progress of the goods in the oil and fat trade by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Union (EU), provide some references for facilitating technology exchange.

Microscopic pore-fracture configuration and gas-filled mechanism of shale reservoirs in the western Chongqing area,Sichuan Basin,China

Taking the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation to Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale reservoirs in western Chongqing area as the study target,the argon ion polishing scanning electron microscope and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)experiments of different saturated wetting media were carried out.Based on the image processing technology and the results of gas desorption,the pore-fracture configuration of the shale reservoirs and its influence on gas-filled mechanism were analyzed.(1)The reservoir space includes organic pores,inorganic pores and micro-fractures and there are obvious differences between wells in the development characteristics of micro-fractures;the organic pores adjacent to the micro-fractures are poorly developed,while the inorganic pores are well preserved.(2)According to the type,development degree and contact relationship of organic pore and micro-fracture,the pore-fracture configuration of the shale reservoir is divided into four types.(3)Based on the differences in NMR T_(2) spectra of shale samples saturated with oil and water,an evaluation parameter of pore-fracture configuration was constructed and calculated.The smaller the parameter,the better the pore-fracture configuration is.(4)The shale reservoir with good pore-fracture configuration has well-developed organic pores,high porosity,high permeability and high gas content,while the shale reservoir with poor pore-fracture configuration has micro-fractures developed,which improves the natural gas conductivity and leads to low porosity and gas content of the reservoir.(5)Based on pore-fracture configuration,from the perspective of organic matter generating hydrocarbon,micro-fracture providing migration channel,three types of micro gas-filled models of shale gas were established.

Network video quality assessment based on fuzzy inference system

The objective assessment method of network video quality is a challenge, because the video quality will be distorted by various factors, including transmission and compression. In order to improve the objective method, an objective assessment method based on fuzzy inference system of Mamdani is proposed. Firstly, six quality parameters are introduced. All the quality parameters are inputted to fuzzy logic controller system. Secondly, the outputs are used as next inputs and inferred by another fuzzy logic controller system to obtain the objective quality of network video. Lastly, the performance of proposed method is validated on four videos with different network environment. Meanwhile this method is compared with other methods. The experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the similarity between subjective and objective assessment.

Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens L-1 for Biocontrol of Pear Ring Rot

Considering the heavy losses caused by pear ring rot(Botryosphaeria berengeriana) disease, the potential biocontrol agent against B. berengeriana was isolated and characterized in this work. Bacteria, isolated from pear orchard rhizosphere soil, were screened for the biological control of pear ring rot caused by B. berengeriana. Among them, strain L-1 showed noticeable inhibitory activities against B. berengeriana and six other commonly occurring postharvest pathogens. Molecular methods indicated strain L-1 was Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The potential of strain L-1 as an effective biocontrol agent was further estimated. Results showed strain L-1 could successfully colonize in pear wounds, its colonies reached 142.35 folds on 4 days post inoculation, and maintained at a high level during storage. In addition, strain L-1 caused abnormal hyphae growth of B. berengeriana,and its inhibitory percentage against pear ring rot reached 76.55% in vivo on 11 days post inoculation. Strain L-1 significantly induced the peroxidase(POD) and catalase(CAT) activities and delayed the accumulation of malondialdehyde(MDA) in pears. What's more, strain L-1 did not impair the fruit quality. All these results suggest that B. berengeriana L-1 is a promising agent for the biocontrol of pear ring rot.

Nutritional,rheological and sensory properties of butter processed with different mixtures of cow and sheep milk cream

This study assessed the quality parameters and consumer perception and behavior of butter processed with different ratios of cow and sheep milk cream.Cow milk cream butter(CMCB)showed lower moisture content and higher fat content,smaller fat globules,and higher concentrations of long-chain saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids,resulting in improved potential health indices.In addition,CMCB showed yellow color,little salt,and butter taste as the main sensory characteristics,resulting in grateful and good digestibility perceptions.Sheep milk cream addition improved the rheological properties of the products(lower viscosity,consistency index,and rigidity(J0),and higher fluidity and viscoelastic behavior(J1)),mainly due to the increased concentrations of short-chain and medium-chain saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.However,sheep milk cream butter(SMCB)was characterized by a greasy and striking aroma,with a lower perception of good digestibility and good appearance,and a higher bitter taste.The association of cow and sheep milk cream could be an exciting option to obtain products with improved fatty acid profiles,health indices,and yet maintain desired rheological and sensory properties.The formulation with 60%sheep milk cream and 40%cow milk cream would be the suggested combination.