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Apple fruit can be stored for long periods of time, especially with the use of controlled atmosphere storage, but like many fruits and vegetables are susceptible to water loss. Water loss can result in compromised appearance such as skin shriveling, as well as loss of firmness, and reduced saleable weight, which in turn affect the income of growers and other industry stakeholders. Preharvest factors that can influence water loss in apples during the postharvest period include climate, cultivar, fruit size, tree age, orchard practices, and harvest maturity. Postharvest factors such as the storage temperature, relative humidity, storage type, and duration can also affect water loss in apple fruit during storage. The mechanisms of cuticle biosynthesis in water permeance, the role of stomata and lenticels, microcracking, crosstalk with mechanical injuries, storage disorders, and decay incidence during the storage of apples are reviewed. Additionally, the review summarizes: preharvest and postharvest factors influencing water loss; recent management strategies including pre-cooling, cold storage, controlled atmospheres, packaging, and anti-senescence chemicals; the use of edible coatings, as well as other non-chemical approaches for modulating water loss and maintaining storage quality. The review also provides direction for the industry to manage this destructive problem in the postharvest supply chain of apple fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) has potential to regulate fruit ripening and quality. 'Yoho' and 'Jiro' persimmons were sprayed with MJ (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM), four weeks before anticipated harvest to evaluate its effects on fruit colour and bioactive compounds. Preharvest MJ application significantly improved fruit colour with increased a* , b* , chroma, and colour index. The MJ 6 mM application had significantly enhanced soluble solids content (SSC), reduced total chlorophyll content in peel and pulp, and soluble and total tannins in persimmons. MJ treatments exhibited higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, and antioxidant activities. Additionally, MJ treatments enhanced the activities of shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes. Overall, pre-harvest MJ application at 6 mM four weeks before anticipated harvest could be useful for advancing colour and improving bioactive compounds in 'Yoho' and 'Jiro' persimmons. [Display omitted] • Preharvest methyl jasmonate (MJ) application modulates persimmon fruit ripening. • Preharvest MJ spray advances fruit colour in persimmon cultivars. • MJ spray application reduces tannins and chlorophyll in persimmon fruit. • MJ improves phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids in fruit at harvest time. • Preharvest MJ application regulates antioxidant enzymatic activities in persimmon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Aloe vera (ALV) coating was studied on chillies at 10 ± 1°C for 28 days. ALV gel-coated chillies showed reduced weight loss, disease incidence, red chili percentage, respiration rate, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion contents. The ALV coating maintained general acceptance in terms of visual quality and marketability index with higher chlorophyll contents, ascorbic acid contents, total phenolic contents, and total antioxidants. In addition, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activities were markedly higher in coated chillies compared to control. The biochemical attributes such as soluble solids content, acidity, sugar: acid ratio, and juice pH were non-significantly affected by ALV application; however, the said attributes were comparatively higher in contrast to control. In conclusion, ALV edible coating could be used as an eco-friendly approach for delaying senescence and maintaining the postharvest quality of green chillies up to 28 days. Practical applications: Green chilies being highly perishable exhibit limited postharvest life with rapid loss of water, shrivelling, wilting, disease incidence, and reduced consumer acceptability. ALV gel coating significantly delayed postharvest senescence, reduced disease spread, maintained higher antioxidant activities of green chilies during cold storage. Therefore, ALV coating [50%] would be the suitable alternative to synthetic preservatives for extending the storage life and conserving the quality of green chilies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloe vera (ALV) with its unique nutritional profile is being used for food, health, and nutraceutical industries globally. Due to its organic nature, ALV gel coating has created lot of interest for exploring its potential in extending the shelf and storage life of fresh produce. ALV gel coating plays imperative role in delaying fruit ripening by lowering ethylene biosynthesis, respiration rate, and internal metabolic activities associated with fruit softening, color development, enzymatic browning, and decay. ALV gel coating reduces the microbial spoilage due to its antifungal properties and maintains visual appearance, firmness, sugar: acid ratio, total antioxidants, and phenolic contents with conserved eating quality. ALV coated fruits and vegetables showed reduced weight loss, superoxide ion (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ion leakage, and soluble solids content and exhibited higher acidity, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. It also delayed the enzymatic browning by inducing peroxidase (POD) activity during storage. Recent local studies also revealed that ALV gel coating markedly conserved higher consuming quality and extended storage period (>1.34-fold) of different fruits and vegetables. Overall, Aloe vera gel coating alone or in combination with other organic compounds has shown great potential as a food-safe and eco-friendly coating for maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables over extended period and reducing postharvest losses in the supply chain. Practical applications: ALV gel is a plant-based natural coating of eco-friendly nature. The present review summarizes the updated information of ALV gel coating application, methods of extraction, combinations with other postharvest coatings, and its impact on quality of various fruits and vegetables. It also provides future insights for the development of commercially applicable ALV gel coating protocols through simulation studies. So, being a natural coating, ALV gel has tremendous potential to be used in fruit and vegetable industries around the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango is highly valued crop traded worldwide. Fruit fly is serious issue in mango producing countries, and being a quarantine pest, needs specific disinfestation treatments to fruit before export. This study was aimed to assess the effect of hot water quarantine treatment on two commercial mango cultivars for mango export to China. Mature, physically de-sapped mangoes of both cultivars (Sammar Bahisht Chaunsa and Sufaid Chaunsa) were subjected to hot water treatment (HWT; 48°C for 60 min) as obligatory quarantine protocol for export to China and held at simulated air freight conditions (24 ± 2 °C, 80% RH) for six and eight days till ripening, respectively. At eating soft ripe stage, HWT-treated fruits appeared to maintain visual quality, skin colour, and flesh colour, with substantially reduced disease incidence (stem end rot, side and body rot), skin defects and flesh defects, as compared to control. It was noted that HWT-treated fruits had higher marketability index, taste, flavor, slightly increased soluble solid contents, sugar acid ratio and ascorbic acid in both cultivars, respectively. Fruit weight loss, skin shriveling, firmness, flesh texture, aroma, titratable acidity and antioxidant activities were not significantly affected by HWT. However, HWT-treated fruits exhibited higher total phenolics and carotenoid contents as compared to untreated control fruits. Conclusively, hot water quarantine treatment maintained better fruit physical, biochemical quality and marketability index compared to control, and thus can be used effectively at commercial scale for export of both cultivars to China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxalic acid (OA) is a unique organic acid that commonly occurs in plants with distinct functions in modulating metabolic processes. To date, the role of OA has primarily been studied in the deactivation of copper-containing preservatives, detoxification of aluminium toxicity and remediation of organic pollutants. During the last two decades, OA has been considered as an antioxidant compound with focus on its potential to enhance crop yield, improve fruit quality, boost nutritional profile, and delay postharvest senescence in fruit and vegetables. It has been established that pre- and postharvest OA application delays ripening and senescence by down-regulating physiological processes such as water loss, ethylene production and respiration. OA treatment controlled adverse storage effects including chilling injury, enzymatic browning, as well as flesh softening by lowering oxidative stress. OA application has also been found to reduce decay in fresh fruit and vegetables by inducing systemic resistance against pathogens, decontamination from surficial microbial load and pesticide residues. Additionally, OA treatments have shown to effectively improve enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and maintain attributes for eating quality. Effectively, OA application has been deemed to be a potentially food-safe natural and suitable alternative to synthetic chemicals for up-regulating bioactive compounds in harvested fruit and vegetables and extending storability within the postharvest supply chain. This extensive review covers aspects of OA including its: history, chemistry, biosynthesis in plants, quantification in fruit and vegetables, crosstalk with ripening physiology, past attempts and recent advancements in storage life extension, safety as well as quality management of fruit and vegetables. [Display omitted] • Oxalic acid (OA) is an organic acid containing potential antioxidant capacity. • Pre-harvest OA spray improves yield and bioactive compounds in horticultural produce. • Pre- and postharvest OA treatment reduces microbial spoilage during storage. • Pre- and postharvest OA treatment delays ripening and senescence during storage. • OA application alleviates storage disorders including chilling injury and browning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) is a critical component of the neural circuitry that regulates glucostasis. Astrocyte glycogen is a vital reserve of glucose and its oxidizable metabolite L-lactate. In hypoglycemic female rats, estradiol-dependent augmentation of VMN glycogen phosphorylase (GP) protein requires hindbrain catecholamine input. Research here investigated the premise that norepinephrine (NE) regulation of VMN astrocyte metabolism shapes local glucoregulatory neurotransmitter signaling in this sex. Estradiol-implanted ovariectomized rats were pretreated by intra-VMN administration of the monocarboxylate transporter inhibitor alpha-cyano-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid (4CIN) or vehicle before NE delivery to that site. NE caused 4CIN-reversible reduction or augmentation of VMN glycogen synthase and phosphorylase expression. 4CIN prevented NE stimulation of gluco-inhibitory (glutamate decarboxylase 65/67) and suppression of gluco-stimulatory (neuronal nitric oxide synthase) neuron marker proteins. These outcomes imply that effects of noradrenergic stimulation of VMN astrocyte glycogen depletion on glucoregulatory transmitter signaling may be mediated, in part, by glycogen-derived substrate fuel provision. NE control of astrocyte glycogen metabolism may involve down-regulated adrenoreceptor (AR), e.g. alpha 1 and alpha 2 , alongside amplified beta 1 AR and estrogen receptor-beta signaling. Noradrenergic hypoglycemia was refractory to 4CIN, implying that additional NE-sensitive VMN glucoregulatory neurochemicals may be insensitive to monocarboxylate uptake. Augmentation of circulating free fatty acids by combinatory NE and 4CIN, but not NE alone implies that acute hypoglycemia induced here is an insufficient stimulus for mobilization of these fuels, but is adequate when paired with diminished brain monocarboxylate fuel availability. Highlights • The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) governs glucose counter-regulation. • VMN glycogen phosphorylase (GP) up-regulation in hypoglycemic females is catecholamine-reliant • Intra-VMN norepinephrine (NE) inhibited VMN glycogen synthase, while augmenting GP. • Monocarboxylate transporter inhibition prevented VMN gluco-regulatory marker protein responses to NE. • Monocarboxylate transporter inhibition during NE-induced hypoglycemia elevates free fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant offers efficient power generation due to possibility of co-firing (i.e., coal with biomass), co-production (electricity, methane, ammonia, etc.) and ease of carbon capture. Thermo-economic analysis of the IGCC power plant is carried out to assess its performance under flexible operation. Motivation of flexible operation comes from the demand variation and volatility of market prices. At the time of peak electricity demand, production of methane and ammonia may be reduced to meet peak electricity demand at high selling price to increase the total product value. Effect of capture level reduction on the total product value is also considered. Various scenarios for the production of electricity, methane and ammonia were generated and simulations were performed for all these scenarios using Aspen Plus ® . Then, nine scenarios for variation in market price were considered and economic analysis was performed. This thermo-economic analysis has shown that total product value can be increased significantly by changing the production decisions against the variable market prices. The total product value was more sensitive to the variations in electricity market price as compared to methane and ammonia prices. However, the effect of capture level reduction was not found to be significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evapotranspiration is the main element of aridity and desertification and to balance the natural hydrological processes. Pakistan has a high degree of evapotranspiration, as it is in subtropical belt, with long sunshine duration and low cloudiness in summers. June is the warmest month, when the evapotranspiration exceeds 7mm (0.28inches), whereas, January is the coldest month, when evapotranspiration of the country falls to 1mm (0.04inches). The maximum evapotranspiration has been recorded at the southern latitudes of the country (Hyderabad and Jacobabad), while it decreases towards northwest (mountainous region) and Gilgit- Baltistan (Astore and Skardu). This variation in evapotranspiration is due to fluctuation in temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, wind speed, relative humidity, physical relief and latitudinal as well as altitudinal extend of the country. The average evapotranspiration of Pakistan is 4.5mm with an increase of 1.0mm during 1931-2015. In winter and summer season, the lower Indus basin, has recorded high evapotranspiration as compared to the northern mountainous region. The average evapotranspiration of Pakistan during winter season is 2.7mm, while in summer it is 6.3mm. This variation is due to the variation in the length of day and night, humidity, precipitation, surface pressure, wind speed, and topography of the land. During cold season the average evapotranspiration of the country is 13.7mm, pre-monsoon season 17.1mm, monsoon season 15.8mm and post monsoon season 8mm. Obviously, the highest evapotranspiration of Pakistan has recorded during pre-monsoon season with extreme temperature, scarce precipitation, long sunshine duration, lowest relative humidity, low pressure, and calm winds and chilly condition. Furthermore, during cold (0.1mm), pre-monsoon (3.5mm), and monsoon season (2.2mm) the evapotranspiration shows an increase, where as it reveals a negative deviation of -5.6mm in post monsoon season due to increase in the precipitation from reversible monsoon lows at the southern latitudes of the country. Generally, the evapotranspiration of Pakistan increases from northwest to southeast and a main agent of delimitation of the arid region of the country. The main factors that cause variation in the evapotranspiration of the country from south towards north are temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, relative humidity, surface pressure, wind speed, fogs, cloudiness, topography, latitudinal and altitudinal extend of the country that required further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at exhibiting the symbols used in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings from the perspective of the Holy Quran. Tolkien's religious background and the use of the symbols in The Lord of the Rings referring to the Holy Quran have been demonstrated by examples. Tolkien was a Catholic so his religious education and upbringing play a significant role in his work. The creatures and characters used in The Lord of the Rings are representative of the ones mentioned in the Holy Quran. The concept and philosophy of heaven and hell, good and evil, even darkness and light mentioned in Tolkien's work resemble the concept of heaven and hell mentioned in the Holy Quran. Two towers used by Tolkien refer to heaven and hell, good and evil. The speaking trees or Ents used by Tolkien to help the good ones referring to the Quran have also been dealt with. How Tolkien uses Elves in his work has been compared to Jinns mentioned in the Holy Quran. And the Prophet David's armour making have been compared to Biblos Mithril in The Lord of the Rings. In Al Jinn Surah the Almighty describes Jinn as a kingdom with its own king and soldiers as the portrait of Elves depicted in the Lord of the Rings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous solution of rose bengal dye has been studied spectrophotometrically as a gamma-ray dosimeter for the measurement of low doses of radiation. The useful dose range was found to be from 50 to 1000 Gy when the measurements were made at 549 nm. The effects of temperature and light conditions on the stability of response during post-irradiation storage were also investigated. When stored in dark at room temperature, the dosimetric solutions showed a stable response up to 22 days. The storage of irradiated solutions in diffused sunlight showed a stable response only up to 6 days. When exposed to direct sunlight, very prominent and fast bleaching of dye solution occurred. At low storage temperature (ca. 11 °C), dosimetric response was found to be stable up to 22 days while at higher temperature (ca. 30 °C), the response of dosimetric solution was stable only up to 6 days. The rose bengal aqueous solution showed promising characteristics as a low dose radiation dosimeter when stored at lower temperatures (<25 °C) in dark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measuring students' self‐regulation skills is essential to understand how they approach their learning tasks in order to identify areas where they might need additional support. Traditionally, self‐report questionnaires and think aloud protocols have been used to measure self‐regulated learning skills (SRL). However, these methods are based on students' interpretation, so they are prone to potential inaccuracy. Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilizing learning analytics (LA) to capture students' self‐regulated learning (SRL) by extracting indicators from their online trace data. Objectives: This paper aims to identify the indicators and metrics employed by previous studies to measure SRL in higher education. Additionally, the study examined how these measurements were validated. Methods: Following the protocol of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA), this study conducted an analysis of 25 articles, published between 2015 and 2022, and sourced from major databases. Results and Conclusions: The results showed that previous research used a variety of indicators to capture learners' SRL. Most of these indicators are related to time management skills, such as indicators of engagement, regularity, and anti‐procrastination. Furthermore, the study found that the majority of the reviewed studies did not validate the proposed measurements based on any theoretical models. This highlights the importance of fostering closer collaboration between learning analytics and learning science to ensure the extracted indicators accurately represent students' learning processes. Moreover, this collaboration can enhance the validity and reliability of data‐driven approaches, ultimately leading to more meaningful and impactful educational interventions. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Measuring students' self‐regulation skills is essential for understanding their learning approaches and identifying areas requiring further support.Traditionally, questionnaires and interviews have been used to measure learners' self‐regulation; however, these methods rely on students' own views, which can sometimes be unreliable.Recently, there has been more interest in using learning analytics to measure students' self‐regulation based on data extracted from their online activities. What this paper adds?: This paper systematically analyses how previous studies used learning analytics to measure students' self‐regulation in higher education.It examines how these measurements were validated. Implications for practise and/or policy: More collaboration is needed between researcher in learning science and learning analytics is essential to ensure that the metrics and methods developed are not only theoretically sound but also practically relevant. This collaboration ultimately contributes to the design of enhanced learning experiences and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of preharvest methyl jasmonate (MeJA) spray application on the physicochemical quality, metabolism of phenolics, and cell wall components in raspberries were investigated during a 10-day cold storage period. MeJA spray reduced firmness loss, decay incidence, and weight loss, while maintained higher levels of soluble solids content, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and flavonoids in raspberries. Furthermore, MeJA application resulted in increased total pectin and protopectin levels, as well as lowered water-soluble pectin, and activities of pectin methyl esterase, polygalacturonase and cellulase enzymes. Additionally, MeJA treatment upregulated the phenylpropanoid pathway, leading to higher endogenous phenolics and activities of phenylalanine-ammonia lyase and shikimate dehydrogenase. In conclusion, preharvest MeJA spray application could be adopted to enhance the storage potential of cold-stored raspberries for 10 days by maintaining higher firmness, assuring better physicochemical quality, and increasing phenolic metabolism, while reducing cell wall hydrolysis. • • Preharvest MeJA treatment improves physicochemical quality and storage life. • • MeJA treatment upregulates phenolic metabolism and antioxidant capacity. • • MeJA delays cell wall polysaccharides hydrolysis and activities of hydrolases. • • Preharvest MeJA has the potential to maintain postharvest quality of raspberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh fruits and vegetables have higher moisture contents and deteriorate over a short period of time if not handled appropriately. Available storage technologies such as refrigeration and controlled atmospheres are expensive as these need continuous energy for system operation throughout the whole supply chain. So, the use of drying techniques is being encouraged as it reduces the postharvest losses and provides easiness in storage, transport, and ensures product availability round the year. Drying of fruits and vegetables through conventional approaches such as sun or open‐air drying found a slow process and may lead to the inferior quality product due to contamination. Various advanced drying techniques such as solar, microwave, vacuum, infrared, freeze, oven drying, and different hybrid drying technologies have been developed around the globe as being successfully used for various fruits and vegetables. This paper mainly focuses to review crop‐specific operations, its impact on quality, efficiency, cost‐effectiveness, and nutrient retention ability. Practical applications: Dried products are broadly used by the industries related to confectionery, bakery, and sweet and distilling industries in the development of versatile by‐products including sauces, teas, puddings, garnishments, and food supplements for infants as well as children. Fruits and vegetables can be dried with suitable retention of nutrients and health‐promoting compounds. Crop‐specific drying technologies have been optimized for the quality conservation of dehydrated products. Several novel drying techniques discussed in this review could be helpful to researchers and relevant industry stakeholders for application and improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), also known as 'vegetarian's meat', is an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and several phytochemicals. It is a climacteric fruit that exhibits an increase in ethylene biosynthesis and respiration rate during fruit ripening. The market value of jackfruit is reduced due to the deterioration of fruit quality during storage and transportation. There is a lack of standardized harvest maturity index in jackfruit, where consequently, fruit harvested at immature or overmature stages result in poor quality ripe fruit with short storage life. Other factors responsible for its short postharvest life relate to its highly perishable nature, chilling sensitivity and susceptibility to fruit rot which result in significant qualitative and quantitative losses. Various postharvest management techniques have been adopted to extend the storage life, including cold storage, controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere packaging, edible coatings, chemical treatment, and non-chemical alternatives. Diversified products have been prepared from jackfruit to mitigate such losses. This comprehensive review highlights the nutritional profile, fruit ripening physiology, pre and postharvest quality management, and value addition of jackfruit as well as the way forward to reduce postharvest losses in the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilling injury (CI) causes significant losses in fruits and vegetables during cold storage. CI symptoms exhibited as browning, off-flavour and sunken spots, reduced juice content, uneven ripening and softening in fresh horticultural produce. Application of melatonin (MT) effectively mitigates CI in cold-stored fruits and vegetables. This comprehensive review focuses at discussing symptoms, the mechanism of CI, regulation of melatonin-mediated chilling tolerance, and meta-analysis of CI reduction in horticultural produce. Melatonin mitigates CI, maintains quality of cold-stored horticultural produce by upregulating early hydrogen peroxide signalling, activities of antioxidant enzymes after inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and membrane leakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) is a specialized web transfer protocol which is intended to be used for constrained networks and devices. CoAP and its extensions (e.g., CoAP observe and group communication) provide the potential for developing novel applications in the Internet-of-Things (IoT). However, a full-fledged CoAP-based application may require significant computing capability, power, and storage capacity in IoT devices. To address these challenges, we present the design, implementation, and experimentation with the CoAP handler which provides transparent CoAP services through the ICN core network. In addition, we demonstrate how the CoAP traffic over an ICN network can unleash the full potential of the CoAP, shifting both overhead and complexity from the (constrained) endpoints to the ICN network. The experiments prove that the CoAP Handler helps to decrease the required computation complexity, communication overhead, and state management of the CoAP server. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raspberries are highly perishable and have a short storage life. To extend its storage life, we evaluated the impact of preharvest melatonin (MEL) application (0, 50, 100, 200 µmol L−1), three days before harvest, on the activities of oxidative and antioxidative enzymes and quality attributes in 'Esperanza' raspberries up to 10 d cold storage. The 200 µmol L−1 MEL-treated raspberries exhibited a significant reduction in disease incidence while maintaining higher marketable fruit and activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase as compared to control. Additionally, it reduced activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and lipoxygenase enzymes and increased flavonoids and ascorbic acid levels. However, preharvest spray of 100 µmol L−1 MEL mitigated fruit weight loss and maintained higher anthocyanins, and glutathione than control. In conclusion, MEL application (100–200 µmol L−1), three days before harvest, supressed oxidative stress by maintaining higher activities of antioxidant enzymes in raspberries during 10 d of cold storage. • Preharvest MLT spray maintained fruit quality of raspberries during cold storage. • MLT suppressed H2O2 radicals, MDA and activities of LOX, POD and PPO. • MLT increased TPC, TAC, TFC and activities of CAT and SOD. • MLT treatment upregulated the AsA-GSH pathway in raspberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackberry (Rubus spp.) is susceptible to red drupelet reversion (RDR) during postharvest supply chain which has been associated with anthocyanin degradation. The efficacy of preharvest melatonin spray application (0, 50, 100 and 200 µmol L−1) two weeks before anticipated harvest on RDR, anthocyanin degradation, antioxidant capacity and postharvest quality of blackberries was investigated. Following the harvest, the blackberry fruit was stored at 2 ± 1 °C and 85–90 % relative humidity up to 12 d. Blackberries sprayed with 100 µmol L−1 melatonin mitigated RDR (40.9 %), reduced weight loss (44.8 %) and fruit decay (FD) (24.6 %) as compared to control. Melatonin spray application (100 µmol L−1) significantly delayed the degradation of total anthocyanins, glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AsA) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazile (DPPH) radical scavenging in cold stored blackberries. Similarly, fruit treated with 100 µmol L−1 melatonin expressed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Conversely, fruit treated with 50 µmol L−1 melatonin improved soluble solids content (SSC), total flavonoids, phenolics, carotenoids and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, melatonin spray applications considerably reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide radicals (H 2 O 2), total chlorophyll, and activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) during the entire period of storage. In conclusion, melatonin spray application (100 µmol L−1) two weeks before anticipated harvest alleviated RDR in blackberry fruit by improving antioxidant potential and retaining better postharvest quality for 12 d of cold storage. • Preharvest melatonin spray alleviated RDR and maintained postharvest quality. • Melatonin spray maintained higher TAC, TPC and TFC, and activities of CAT and SOD. • Melatonin application suppressed H 2 O 2 , MDA and activity of PPO enzyme. • Melatonin sprayed application upregulated AsA-GSH cycle in blackberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: PurposeTo evaluate the corneal-wetting property of lignocaine 2% jelly.: SettingA district general hospital.: MethodsFifty patients having cataract surgery were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 comprised 20 patients who had topical eyedrop anesthesia and corneal irrigation with balanced salt solution (BSS®) during surgery as necessary. Group 2 comprised 15 patients who received lignocaine jelly on arrival and just before the corneal incision was made as well as corneal moisturizing by BSS during surgery. Group 3 comprised 15 patients who received lignocaine jelly on arrival and additional lignocaine jelly if necessary just before the corneal incision was made to maintain corneal clarity. The duration of efficacy and the frequency of the applications of the 2 agents were recorded. Corneal clarity and reflections were noted intraoperatively. Corneal status was assessed postoperatively in the ward.: ResultsPreoperative lignocaine 2% jelly maintained corneal clarity longer than BSS (P < .001). A second application of lignocaine was needed when surgery was prolonged.: ConclusionThe corneal-wetting property of lignocaine 2% jelly can be useful during cataract surgery by avoiding repeated corneal irrigation with BSS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new Schiff base, 4-((1E,2E)-3-(furan-2-yl)allylidene)amino)-N-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl) benzene-sulfonamide (L), was synthesized by thermal condensation of 3-(2-furyl)acrolein and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and the furan Schiff base (L) was converted to a phenol Schiff base (L') according to the Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction and studied experimentally. The structural and spectroscopic properties of the Schiff base were also corroborated by utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Furthermore, a series of lanthanide and transition metal complexes of the Schiff base were synthesized from the nitrate salts of Gd, Sm, Nd, and Zn (L1, L2, L3, and L4), respectively. Various spectroscopic studies confirmed the chemical structures of the Schiff-base ligand and its complexes. Based on the spectral studies, a nine-coordinated geometry was assigned to the lanthanide complexes and a six-coordinated geometry to the zinc complex. The elemental analysis data confirmed the suggested structure of the metal complexes, and the TGA studies confirmed the presence of one coordinated water molecule in the lanthanide complexes and one crystalline water molecule in the zinc complex; in addition, the conductivity showed the neutral nature of the complexes. Therefore, it is suggested that the ligand acts as a bidentate through coordinates to each metal atom by the isoxazole nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the sulfur dioxide moiety of the SMX based on FTIR studies. The ligand and its complexes were tested for their anti-inflammatory, anti-hemolytic, and antioxidant activities by various colorimetric methods. These complexes were found to exhibit potential effects of the selected biological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron sulfide (FeS 2) serves as tempting anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to their higher theoretical specific capacity and truncated cost. However, the huge volume expansion during electrochemical cycling lowers the electro-conductivity and restricts their practical usage. In this study, a FeS 2 /carbon hybrid composite has been prepared through hydrothermal reaction and tested as a negative electrode for SIBs. The morphological analysis presents void betwixt p-FeS 2 particles, ensuring structural reliability. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques are executed to examine the chemical environment and oxidation states for discharged/charged FeS 2 /C. When tested as an anode, the initial sodiation/desodiation capacity was recorded as 679/562 mAh g−1 at a rate of 0.05 C (where 1 C = 447 mA g−1). The rate performance of FeS 2 /C was evaluated in a range of 0.05–10.0 C where the material delivers a capacity of 319 mAh g−1 at 10.0 C. The FeS 2 /C composite exhibited an excellent Na storage capacity of 402 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.05 C with capacity retention and coulombic efficiency of 72% and 99.5%, respectively. The improved adsorption of Na-ions, good rate capacity and cycling stability is promoted from the synergistic interaction among FeS 2 particles sited on the conductive sheets of mesoporous carbon matrix. Moreover, mesoporous carbon matrix is deemed responsible for better charge transfer and suppressing volume expansion during insertion/extraction cycles. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry fruits are highly perishable and susceptible to microbial decay. In this study, influence of atmospheric pressure, postharvest delay in hypobaric treatment, and combined effect of pressure and exposure duration on storage quality of strawberries were evaluated. Treatment at 40 kPa for 4 h without postharvest delay inhibited fungal decay and retained visual quality which contributed to 13% increase in marketable life of strawberries compared with control. Further study revealed that microbial control and storage quality of strawberries treated either at 20 kPa for 2 h or 40 kPa for 4 h were statistically comparable. After 12 days, strawberries treated at 20 kPa for 2 h had 14.3% higher radical scavenging activity, 13.9% higher phenolic contents and 17.7% higher ascorbic acid than control fruits. Thus, pre‐storage treatment at 20 kPa for 2 h without postharvest delay effectively retained fruit quality and extended storage life of strawberries for 6 more days compared with control. Novelty impact statement: Hypobaric treatment is a potential non‐chemical technique used to disinfect and extend storage life of strawberries. Results showed that hypobaric treatment at 20 kPa for 2 h without any postharvest delay can be adopted to disinfect strawberries from microbial infection and to extend marketable life. These findings may help in developing commercial hypobaric technology for perishable and decay‐susceptible fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guava being highly chilling sensitive fruit exhibits limited storability. In two separate studies, guava cv. Sandhuri fruit treated with L‐arginine (0, 1, 2, or 3 mM) were kept at either 10 ± 1°C with 90 ± 5% RH (Study‐1) and 5 ± 1°C with 90 ± 5% RH (Study‐2). Results indicated that application of 1 mM arginine was effective for maintaining higher firmness (16.17 N), total soluble solids (4.9°Brix), carotenoids (3.01 mg 100 ml−1 FW) at 10°C. However, no signs of chilling injury (CI) were observed in guava when stored at 10°C. During study‐2, application of 1 mM arginine to guava fruit significantly retained higher fruit firmness (29 N), marketability (58.3%), anthocyanins (0.13 ∆A g−1 FW), phenolic contents (647 mg GAE 100 g−1 FW) with reduced CI during storage at 5°C than control. Conclusively, the application of 1 mM arginine enhanced chilling tolerance and maintained the quality of guava fruit kept at 5°C for 24 days. Practical applications: The major constraint of guava industry is short postharvest life which limits long‐term storage and distant marketing. Cold storage of guava at low temperature causes chilling injury and reduces fruit quality. Present work identified that pre‐storage application of L‐arginine (1 mM) helpful for mitigating chilling injury and maintaining fruit quality at low storage temperature (5°C). The technology can be implemented in the guava industry for long storage and transport to distant markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of gum arabic (GA) coating was studied on apricot fruit at 20 ± 1°C for 8 days. GA coating substantially reduced weight loss, disease incidence, malondialdehyde concentration, and hydrogen peroxide compared to the control. GA coating resulted in significantly higher total phenols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity in contrast to the control. GA coating also suppressed cellulase, pectin methylesterase, and polygalacturonase activity in contrast to the non-coated fruit. In addition, GA-coated apricot fruit had substantially higher catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes activities in contrast with the control. Similarly, GA coating inhibited soluble solids content increase and inhibited the reduction in titratable acidity in coated fruit. The fruit coated with GA coating also had significantly better sensory and overall eating quality compared to the control apricots. In conclusion, GA could be considered an appropriate edible coating for quality conservation of apricots. Practical applications: Apricot is a well renowned and nutrients rich fruit. However, apricot has comparatively short shelf life potential due to its susceptibility to rapid senescence and deterioration under ambient conditions. GA is an eco-friendly and biodegradable coating which is considered relatively cheap as compared with other coating types. In our present work, application of gum arabic [GA (10%)] edible coating maintained significantly higher quality of harvested apricot fruit as compared with the control. The outcomes of the present work are of global significance with respect to apricot industry. So, GA coating could be considered an appropriate edible coating for quality conservation of the harvested apricot fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Trauma surgeons are essential in hospital-based trauma care systems. However, there are limited data regarding the impact of their presence on the outcome of multi-trauma patients. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of multi-trauma road traffic crash (RTC) cases attended by trauma surgeons versus those attended by non-trauma surgeons at a tertiary hospital in Oman. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in December 2015. A previously published cohort of 821 multi-trauma RTC patients admitted between January and December 2011 to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, were reviewed for demographic, injury and hospitalisation data. In-hospital mortality constituted the main outcome, with admission to the intensive care unit, operative management, intubation and length of stay constituting secondary outcomes. Results: A total of 821 multi-trauma RTC cases were identified; of these, 60 (7.3%) were attended by trauma surgeons. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (P = 0.35). However, patients attended by trauma surgeons were significantly more likely to be intubated, admitted to the ICU and undergo operative interventions (P <0.01 each). The average length of hospital stay in both groups was similar (2.6 versus 2.8 days; P = 0.81). Conclusion: No difference in mortality was observed between multi-trauma RTC patients attended by trauma surgeons in comparison to those cared for by non-trauma surgeons at a tertiary centre in Oman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the decomposition of clofibric acid (CLF) by different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as UV (254nm), VUV (185 nm), UV / TiO2 and VUV / TiO2. The removal efficiencies of applied AOPs were compared in the presence and absence of dissolved oxygen. The removal efficiency of the studied AOPs towards degradation of CLF were found in the order of VUV / TiO2 + O2 > VUV/TiO2 + N2 > VUV alone > UV / TiO2 + O2 > UV / TiO2 +N2 > UV alone. The decomposition kinetics of CLF was found to follow pseudo-first order rate law. VUV / TiO2 process was found to be most cheap and effective one for decomposition of CLF as compared to other applied AOPs in terms of electrical energy per order. Degradation products resulting from the degradation processes were also investigated using UPLC-MS /MS, accordingly degradation pathway was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied on aonla fruit chilling injury (CI). • GABA treatment reduced electrolyte leakage and suppressed lipid peroxidation. • GABA reduced oxidative stress and increased its endogenous content in aonla fruit. • GABA treatment conserved enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants with better quality. • GABA treatment could be considered suitable for CI mitigation of cold stored aonla fruit. Aonla is a nutrients rich underutilized subtropical fruit. It has short shelf life and is prone to chilling injury (CI) below 6 °C. So, the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid [5 mmol L−1 (GABA)] was investigated on aonla fruit CI mitigation during low temperature storage at 5 ± 1 °C for 24 d. Results showed that GABA treatment markedly suppressed CI, decay incidence, membrane permeability, malondialdehyde, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in contrast with control. Treated fruit showed higher activity of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T) enzymes which ultimately resulted in increased endogenous GABA content accumulation. Similarly, GABA application stimulated the activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) enzymes which thus enhanced proline accumulation. The GABA treated fruit exhibited higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity and showed higher total phenols accumulation. In addition, total flavonoids, ascorbic acid and glutathione content were also significantly higher in GABA treated aonla fruit. In addition, GABA treated aonla fruit exhibited markedly higher ascorbate peroxidase (APX) catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in comparison with the control. In addition, GABA treated fruit showed lower total soluble solids, ripening index and juice pH along with markedly higher concentration of titratable acidity. In conclusion, GABA treatment could be used for CI mitigation and overall quality maintenance of cold stored aonla fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparency loss and excess excitation loss are responsible for relatively lower conversion efficiency of single junction solar cell. One way to reduce these two losses is to use multijunction solar cell. In this research InxGa1-xN based single, double and triple junction solar cells were simulated employing AMPS-1D simulator. The band gap of each layer depends on the composition percentage of InN and GaN within InxGa1-xN. In this simulation the authors found 24.51, 33.89, and 42.12% efficiencies for single, double and triple junctions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hot water (HW) and methyl salicylate (MS) effect was studied on sweet pepper fruits. • HW + MS reduced chilling injury and showed higher antioxidant enzymes activity. • HW + MS suppressed electrolyte leakage, O 2 – and H 2 O 2 and conserved visual quality. • HW + MS treatment maintained ascorbic acid, phenolics and antioxidant activity. • HW + MS combination is suitable for chilling injury reduction of sweet pepper fruits. Chilling injury (CI) is the major limitation in shelf life extension and quality conservation of sweet pepper fruits subjected to below optimum storage temperature (<10 °C). In the current work, the effect of hot water (HW) treatment (45 °C for 15 min), methyl salicylate (MS, 0.05 mmol L−1), and the combined treatment (HW + MS) of HW and MS was investigated. Results exhibited that HW + MS treated fruits exhibited reduced chilling injury, mass loss, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, and malondialdehyde content, in contrast with control. Likewise, ascorbic acid concentration, total phenolics content, and radical scavenging capacity were observed to be markedly higher in HW + MS treated sweet pepper fruits, as compared to control. In addition to this, HW + MS treatment showed markedly higher activity of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, in contrast with control. In conclusion, our study suggested that pre-storage treatment with HW + MS could be considered as a potential approach for reducing chilling injury and maintaining a better quality of sweet pepper fruits during shelf life following cold storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]