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Assessing User eXperience (UX) maturity is mandatory in the free and open-source software (FOSS) community to avoid wasting resources on projects that may fall short of expectations. Best practices suggest employing UX Capability Maturity Models (UXCMMs), which often specify an evolutionary plateau toward developing a UX-matured system and quantify organizational UX maturity into maturity levels ranging from no or ad hoc improvement to integrated continuous improvement. Numerous generically developed UXCMMs exist. However, none is created for the FOSS community, and less information is available to support their perfect match. Thus, raise suspicions if they have proper UX maturity influencing factors (UXMIFs) for the FOSS community or measure the right thing. The FOSS community differs from traditional software-developing communities and may have different dynamics and UXMIFs, necessitating unique and new methodologies for their discovery. This study, therefore, aims to identify the FOSS community's UXMIFs and evaluate the community's knowledge of UX maturity-related concepts. Its findings may help future researchers, practitioners, and other FOSS developers to develop UXCMMs exclusive to the FOSS community. The study's design is both qualitative and quantitative. It adopted a systematic literature review, interviews, fuzzy Delphi Method, and thematic analysis to collect and analyze data and present the findings. The study's sample included sixty-two active FOSS projects, fifteen FOSS stakeholders, and twelve UX experts. The outcome shows that 84% of UX experts agreed on the thirty-six FOSS's UXMIFs with threshold d = 0.143 and crisp values greater than α-cut = 0.5. User feedback and adopted technologies were ranked first, while learnability and use speed were ranked last. Similarly, FOSS stakeholders have shown a shared understanding of UX maturity, connected concepts, and impacting factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-two coal (lignite-bituminous in rank) and carbonaceous shale samples, ranging from immature to overmature, were collected from the various coal-bearing basins (Saurashtra Basin, Bikaner Nagaur Basin, Damodar Basin, Mahanadi Basin, and Foreland Basin) in India and characterized petrographically (vitrinite reflectance and maceral composition), geochemically (total organic carbon and total sulfur) and chemically (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, FTIR). This paper explores utilization of FTIR study on bulk non-demineralized carbonaceous shale and coal to examine the interference between mineral and organic matter visible on FTIR spectra and application of such techniques to assess organic matter chemistry based on FTIR signal. Mineral matter is considerably affecting the organic matter FTIR signal in the region between 1700–1350 and 900–700 cm−1, while the 3100–2800 cm−1 region is unaffected. The general trends of organic matter evolution with thermal maturity, i.e. a decrease of aliphatic and oxygen-bearing groups and increase in aromatic signal, are visible in bulk non-demineralized samples; however, the interpretation of the signal is problematic due to the dilution-related signal weakening and region-specific overlapping. The quality of the FTIR signal is lower than the signal from demineralized kerogens or targeted specific maceral grains via combination of FTIR with microscopy. The spectra can still be useful for more qualitative aspects of FTIR, like assessment of organic functional groups, study of coal impurities, or as a complementary method in conjunction with other analytical techniques such as X-ray for mineral matter characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peaches are highly valued for their rich nutritional content. Traditional fruit quality accessing methods (i.e., manual squeezing the fruit for firmness) are both subjective and destructive, which tend to diminish the integrity of fruit samples, consequently undermining their market value. Compared to traditional detection methods, nondestructive technology offers efficient and noninvasive solutions for rapidly and accurately assessing internal external quality of peaches. This can significantly enhance product classification and quality assurance while reducing the need for extensive human resources and minimizing potential physical damage to peaches. This review provided a comprehensive overview of nondestructive techniques for peach quality evaluation, including visible/near‐infrared spectroscopy, machine vision technology, hyperspectral imaging, dielectric and optical properties, fluorescence spectroscopy, electronic nose/tongue, and acoustic vibration methods. It also evaluates the effectiveness of each technique in assessing internal quality, maturity, and disease detection of peaches. The advantages and limitations of each method were also summarized. This study focuses specifically on peaches and encompasses all existing nondestructive testing methods, providing valuable insights and references for future studies in the field of peach quality analysis using nondestructive testing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizational maturity can inform decision-making, build strategy and underpin development. This paper argues that 'Governance Maturity Theory' (GMT) can act as a developmental modality for school Governing Bodies – and offers an alternative to disciplinary mechanisms such as inspections. Evidence generated by governors, Chairs, and Governance Professionals of Boards in England were used to map the value of inspections for developing school governance and to co-construct GMT. Grounded in organizational maturity theory and governmentality, the project developed two key findings. First, despite inspections driving much of what schools and Boards did, they had diminished the role of governance and had negligible value as either a developmental framework or for ascertaining the value of governors' work. Second, GMT could support Boards to build their decision-making and strategic leadership capabilities and drive their development. The paper concludes that GMT can enable Boards to resist the inspectorate's gaze and its notions of undemocratic 'good' governance and move towards mature strategic leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The duration of flowering and maturity is an important agricultural trait determining the suitability of a variety for cultivation in the target region. In the present study, we used genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) to search for loci associated with soybean flowering and maturity in the Central and West Siberian regions of Russia. A field experiment was conducted in 2021/2022 at two locations (Orel and Novosibirsk). A germplasm collection of 180 accessions was genotyped using SoySNP50K Illumina Infinium Bead-Chip. From the initial collection, we selected 129 unrelated accessions and conducted GWAS on this dataset using two multi-locus models: FarmCPU and BLINK. As a result, we identified 13 loci previously reported to be associated with duration of soybean development, and 17 new loci. 33 candidate genes were detected in these loci using analysis of co-expression, gene ontology, and literature data, with the best candidates being Glyma.03G177500, Glyma.13G177400, and Glyma.06G213100. These candidate genes code the Arabidopis orthologs TOE1 (TARGET OF EAT 1), SPL3 (SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE 3), the DELLA protein, respectively. In these three genes, we found haplotypes which may be associated with the length of soybean flowering and maturity, providing soybean adaptation to a northern latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the reproductive biology of fishes is essential for effective fisheries management. Information derived from an understanding of fish reproduction, such as size and age at maturity, is used in models to assess fish stocks and can affect estimates of important ecological processes such as recruitment, abundance, and trophic interactions. Common practices for determining the reproductive status of teleost fishes include macroscopic evaluation of gonads as well as histological analysis. However, macroscopic evaluation can be biased and histological analysis is time-consuming, resulting in limitations to spatial and temporal data availability. Here, we explore Raman spectroscopy of ovaries as a novel approach to rapidly determine the reproductive status of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), a commercially and ecologically important species in theNorth Pacific. We used a twostage partial least-squares (PLS) regression analysis followed by a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to classify walleye pollock ovary samples as physiologically mature or immature and to subsequently predict their histologically-determined reproductive stage based on the Raman spectra. Biologically mature samples with visible yolk differentiated from mature and immature samples (non-yolked; 99% accuracy). Nonyolked ovaries that were physiologically mature (either mature non-developing or previously spawned) were further differentiated from physiologically immature ovaries (93% accuracy). In addition, detailed, histologically-determined reproductive stages of yolked samples also differentiated via Raman spectroscopy, but with reduced accuracy (79% - 86% accuracy). Our results indicate that accurate identification of maturity status and the reproductive staging of oocytes of walleye pollock based on spectral data from ovaries is possible. This can provide a fast and efficient way to increase the availability of a key component of reproductive data to inform fisheries research and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The design, delivery and operation of a large-scale infrastructure project are challenging at best. For the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype powerplant (SPP), the challenges increased dramatically. In addition to being a large-scale infrastructure project, it is a cutting edge, first of a kind (FOAK) technology demonstrator. The design teams are working in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment, where technology is constantly emerging, maturing and changing. STEP will be unlike any power plant ever built and requires the development of new technologies and capabilities, but also a novel approach to planning and maturing the design. By taking a holistic view of the engineering life cycle from the start, the programme will be better positioned to achieve an SPP that is fit for purpose and can be used to show a path to ultimate commercial viability for subsequent power plants. This paper will review the key challenges in maturing a FOAK fusion power plant and look in depth at how the STEP team are maturing the required capabilities and planning to ensure successful delivery of the SPP. This article is part of the theme issue 'Delivering Fusion Energy – The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Development of high-yielding potato cultivars represents the most efficient and sustainable strategy to secure global food and nutrition. In the past decades, numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping studies have identified various QTLs associated with morphological traits in potato. However, the varying genetic backgrounds of germplasm and the diverse QTL analysis algorithms restrict the utility of identified QTLs for research. Aims: One of the primary objectives of breeders is to identify consistent chromosomal regions linked to economically significant quantitative traits associated with yield through QTL analysis. To achieve this, an investigation was conducted to pinpoint the most stable QTLs for traits such as maturity, harvest index, plant height, stem diameter, tuber starch content, sprouting, and flesh colour. Methods: In order to detect stable QTLs for major agronomic traits, metaQTL analysis was performed using 294 QTLs from 14 publications. Key results: A total of 10 metaQTLs were found to be associated with seven morphological traits. Meta-analysis was considerably refined as compared to the initial QTLs and provided the closest flanking markers for investigated traits and reduce confidence interval mainly to five folds as compared to the mean confidence interval of initial QTLs. The metaQTLs of morphological traits juxtaposed along Chromosomes II, III, IV, and V from independent studies were considered the most stable QTLs over different field trails and genetic background. Conclusions: Ten metaQTLs were identified that contain major consensus QTLs for various morphological traits in potato. Implications: This study will enable the integration of QTLs to create new cultivars with targeted quantitative traits, thereby accelerating breeding initiatives. For decades, potato breeding has been hindered by high diversity and genetic complexity. We identified the individual locations of genes that contribute to potato yield, by analysing data from 14 prior studies. This knowledge will accelerate breeding programmes. This article belongs to the Collection Plant breeding- and genetics-based tools for food security under changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology (1008-0864) is the property of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Changes in the different stages of fruit processing are becoming a differentiating factor in coffee quality. Currently, generating delays in the processing of the fruit, that is, reserve, is a practice that can modify the sensory profile of the beverage. In this study, the fruit was reserved in three stages of maturity, two temperatures (15° and 20°C) and at two timepoints (24 and 48 h), establishing its chemical composition and sensory characteristics using analytical techniques such as liquid and gas chromatography. The state of maturity 1 showed an effect on malic and quinic acids due to the interaction of temperature and reserve time, while stage of maturity 3 showed an effect on glucose and fructose. The state of maturity 2 showed an effect of the reserve time on the same compounds of states 1 and 3, in addition to the content of defective beans and sucrose. The sensory quality expressed as the total SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) score and the attributes did not show treatments effect, the reserve of the fruit under the evaluated conditions presents an effect on the descriptors of the flavor. Extending the fruit reserve time from 24 to 48 h showed an increase in the groups of flavor descriptors associated with fruit and red fruits from 33.33 to 66.66% and from 34.04 to 65.95%. This implies that the constituent parts of the fruit such as the exocarp and mesocarp interact with the bean, leading to changes in the chemical composition and the improvement of the qualitative complexity of the sensory quality. This is a consequence of the increase in the frequency of the flavor descriptors of the fruit and red fruit category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world in terms of adaptability, yield potential, and nutritional advantages. This study aimed to conduct potato breeding work for cultivation in Kazakhstan; potato breeding for further processing into chips with cultivation in the northern regions; and the selection of potatoes for processing into frozen French fries with cultivation in the southern and south-eastern regions. Potato varieties (Fontane, Santana, and Punchy) were used as reference varieties to check molecular markers linked to maturity, tuber shape, and flesh color. A total of 42 potato breeding lines crossed from Yagodnyi 19 and CIP clone 397079-6 were used in this study to identify prospective breeding lines. The research was carried out between 2023 and 2024 and under greenhouse conditions. According to the results of molecular analysis and phenotypic data, 21 breeding lines were identified as prospective potato breeding lines. The majority of these potato breeding lines had a round tuber shape and were recommended for chip processing. Three breeding lines had a long oval tuber shape, making them suitable for French fries. Six breeding lines with short-oval and oval tuber shapes were found for consumer potato processing. It is recommended that the breeding process and studies of biochemical properties are continued in all of these identified potato breeding lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tender jackfruit is quite popular for culinary preparations. Technologies and value-added products of matured and ripened jackfruit are in the commercial domain, but there is a high demand to work on the processing and value addition of tender jackfruit. Especially, interventions are required for the mechanization of different post-harvest operations and to develop process protocols. Minimal processing of tender jackfruit has immense commercial potential as it can make handling easy and reduce transportation costs. Controlling the browning of cut tender jackfruit is a challenge and requires research interventions to develop a safe process protocol minimizing or avoiding the use of chemicals. Tender jackfruit powder, also called flour, is a novel product being invented to explore its possible applications in different food products. However, scientific interventions are required to develop a process protocol for tender jackfruit powder production along with the development of machines for operations like shredding and grinding. Conventional grinding operations lead to nutritional loss of jackfruit powder; hence, there is a great opportunity to develop a low-temperature grinding system for the production of quality powder. The available literature, particularly on tender jackfruit processing, has been summarized in the present paper with its critical analysis and future prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: CIELAB color variables can be used to monitor a composting process and evaluate the maturity of the compost with a new, rapid, easy, and low‐cost colorimetric analysis. However, to date there are no available data to support the ability of CIELAB color changes to depict the different stages of a composting procedure. This study aims to examine the correlation of CIELAB color variables with composting time to elucidate how color changes can be used to detect the different stages of a composting process. Two green waste industrial scale composting processes with different added materials were monitored using typical physicochemical and CIELAB color analyses. RESULTS: During composting, color variables a*, b*, C*, and ΔΕ* exhibited fluctuations following a constant variation trend that correlated with each composting phase. This behavior depicts the transformation of the organic composition of compost, as described by Organic Carbon (OC), Carbon‐to‐Nitrogen ratio (C/N), Humic Acids (HA), and Fulvic Acids (FA). Moreover, color variables a*, b*, and C* showed strong relationships with OC, C/N, and HA/FA (R2 > 0.83) and with HA (R2 > 0.74). These results indicate that CIELAB color change follows the same general pattern for each composting procedure that utilizes the same main composting substrate, regardless of any differing additional materials. CONCLUSION: Monitoring the CIELAB color variables made it possible to depict the different phases of composting, especially the transformation of the organic composition of the compost. Accurately monitoring CIELAB color variables distinguishes the different stages of a composting process through a rapid analysis at radically reduced costs compared to complex physicochemical analyses. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Redson' is a new triploid, red-fleshed pomelo x grapefruit hybrid. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of rainfall, harvest time, tree age, and yield on the postharvest storage performance of 'Redson' fruit. During 2022/23, two postharvest storage trials were conducted with early- and late-harvested fruit. The fruit from the early harvest retained good quality for up to 16 weeks of storage at 7.5 °C plus 1 week at 22 °C, whereas the late-harvested fruit suffered from a high decay incidence. During 2023/24, we expanded the postharvest trials to nine different fruit sets harvested from early season (late October) until the end of the season (January). Fruit quality was examined under the same storage conditions after 6 and 16 weeks, and the results indicated that early- and mid-season fruit retained good quality with minimal decay incidence even after prolonged storage for 16 weeks, whereas the late-season fruit suffered from significant decay incidences of 17–22% and a decline in flavor acceptability. Further analysis revealed strong and significant correlations between various rainfall parameters and harvest time and decay incidences. Overall, early-harvested fruit during the autumn had a superior postharvest storage performance, whereas late-harvested fruit during the rainy winter suffered from decay development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postponed parenthood is considered one of the most extensive changes in the process of family formation. Among the many reasons for deferred parenthood, those related to greater feelings of incompetence as a potential parent, self-focus, perceiving parenthood as a burden, fearing the changes that the birth of a child may bring to a person's life, financial insecurity, and worrying about the child's future seem particularly important. Since little is known about the motives for delayed parenthood in relation to anxiety and psychological maturity, the main goal of our study was to verify how these variables may be related to each other and whether maturity for parenthood mediates the direct association between anxiety and the motives for delayed parenthood. The sample consisted of 223 Polish adults (the age range of the participants was 18–44 years). The respondents completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Maturity to Parenthood Scale (MPS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Motives for Postponing Parenthood (MSMPP-18). The results showed positive correlations between anxiety and four (uncertainty, burden, change, and finance) of the six motives for postponing parenthood and postponed parenthood overall. Maturity for parenting and all its dimensions correlated negatively with anxiety and all factors of postponed parenthood, except worry about the child's future. In all six of the seven models (except "worry"), at least one of the factors of maturity to parenthood mediated the relationship between trait anxiety and motives for postponing parenthood/total score. Based on the results it can be assumed that a tendency to direct attention to a threat related to the context of child-bearing and child-rearing may lead to lower maturity to parenthood, which in turn may result in various motives for postponing parenthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Mediterranean, the bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838, presents a minor socioeconomic impact and the assessment of any environmental impact requires more relevant data. The congeneric red cornetfish Fistularia petimba Lacepède, 1803, has expanded its distribution range within the basin but only small numbers have been reported to date. A total of 207 individuals of F. commersonii were collected between April 2021 and March 2022 from the Levantine coast of Rhodes and 92 more from various locations. Additionally, 13 individuals of Fistularia petimba were caught in March 2024 from the Aegean coasts of the island. We aim to assess the current progression of the population of the two cornetfish, the possible further exploitation of F. commersonii to boost the local fishing economy, their possible dietary overlaps and to add valuable biological and ecological data. In F. commersonii, male to female ratio (1:1.33) significantly departed from 1:1, with length–weight relationships exhibiting positive allometric growth. Six age groups were identified. The highest reproductive intensity was observed during summer. The onset of sexual maturity was estimated at 65.52 cm in total length (1.8 years). Longevity was estimated at 11.1 years with females growing larger than males. The exploitation rate (E = 0.47) indicated that the population is underexploited. The optimum and target fishing mortality were higher in comparison with the present fishing mortality (F = 0.48), indicating a potential for commercial exploitation of the species. For F. petimba, the sex ratio was 1:2.25. The species preys on crustaceans, followed by fish and molluscs. The finding of Vanderhorstia mertensi (Klausewitz, 1974) in the stomach content of both cornetfishes constitutes the second published record for Hellenic waters and the first for the Dodecanese Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shale formations globally are widely distributed with abundant resources and varied thermal maturation ranges. However, the understanding of shale's oil generation peak, diagenetic stages, and pore evolution remains incomplete. This study investigates shale samples of varying maturities and organic matter content from representative oil and gas basins in China and the United States. Comprehensive characterization was conducted using thermal simulation, rock X-ray diffraction analysis, N2 and CO2 adsorption, and mercury injection analysis. The study delineates the hydrocarbon generation process in shale, identifies the oil generation threshold, determines the peak oil generation, and categorizes shale's diagenetic stages based on clay minerals and pore evolution. The results indicate: (1) highly mature shale exhibits delayed hydrocarbon expulsion and peak oil generation, starting at Ro values greater than 0.75% and reaching peak oil generation at Ro levels surpassing 1.2%. In contrast, peak oil generation in less mature shale initiates at Ro values of 1.1%, providing a more precise depiction of the shale's diagenetic evolution stages; (2) the higher the TOC content of shale, the greater its hydrocarbon generation capacity, showing a robust positive correlation between hydrocarbon generation and TOC; (3) the diagenesis and pore evolution of shale can be categorized into four distinct stages: the early diagenesis stage (Ro < 0.5%), dominated by mesopores, and with reduced pore volume and surface area; the middle diagenesis stage A (0.5%–1.1%), where shale pore volume has been enhanced while the surface area has been reduced; the middle diagenesis stage B (1.1%–2.0%), where an initial decrease followed by an increase in mesopore volume occurs, along with a modest increase in macropores; and the late diagenesis stage (Ro > 2.0%), with increased organic pores and microfractures, while both pore volume and surface area expand. The study suggests that a Ro of 1.1% marks the peak oil generation period for shale, occurring during the early stage of middle diagenesis, characterized by larger pore volume and surface area, crucial for shale oil and gas enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Scotia Sea is the most densely distributed area of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) resources, and is also the traditional fishing ground for krill fishery, but population structure of krill is complex and varies widely in this region. It plays the key role of females in the population for stabling structure and maintaining size of population. In order to understand the population dynamics of krill in this region, the temporal and spatial variability in female stock of krill resource in this region was analyzed using samples randomly collected by fishery surveys from January to September, 2016 to 2022. The results showed that there were significant differences in the development stages of krill annually. During 2016-2022, female krill stock was mainly dominated by subadults, followed by adults, and the proportion of juveniles was low. For the perspective of the annual variation of sexual maturity, the proportions of subadults (stages 2FC and 2FD) were generally higher than that of stage 2FB individuals. In terms of seasons, the female stock structure was relatively simple in winter and spring, while that was very complex in summer and autumn, the subadults was predominant in the stock. In addition, the structure of female krill stock was different between regions, the proportion of adults in the South Orkney Islands was the highest (65. 4%), while the subadults was predominant in the stock (89. 9%) and no juveniles occurred at South Georgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Guizotia abyssinica is a plant cultivated mainly in Ethiopian and Indian climate conditions. Its seeds can be used to produce oil or as feed for ornamental birds. In recent years, interest has increased in its use as a catch crop between crops in European conditions. However, owing to its rapid growth rate, attention has also been paid to the possibility of ensiling this plant and using it to prepare feed for cattle after harvesting 58, 68, and 90 days after seed sowing. The results of this research indicate that collecting silage material on the 90th day after sowing allows for the preparation of very good-quality silage. Guizotia abyssinica is currently being used for soil improvement; however, owing to its rapid growth and high productivity, it may have value as feed for ruminants, although this has not been well studied. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the silage quality of Guizotia abyssinica grown during the short season (July–October) as a catch crop in northern Europe when harvested 58, 68, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) over two production years. Ensiled material was analyzed to compare silage quality for the three different DAS. Two factors were analyzed factorially in the experiment: the silage preparation year (2018 or 2019) and the form of the ensiled material (fresh or wilted). We used 36 replications, 18 for each variant of the experimental factor. Harvesting at 58 DAS resulted in unsatisfactory forage fermentability, even after wilting. At 68 DAS, silage quality was satisfactory, but the dry matter content before ensiling was below 20% for both fresh and wilted forage, indicating limitations for silage use without additional wilting for that DAS harvest time. Dry matter content and water-soluble carbohydrates consistently increased as harvest was delayed. Thus, the highest silage quality was obtained from forage harvested 90 DAS regardless of differences in dry matter content. Therefore, it is possible to prepare silage at lower temperatures when the wilting process is limited by environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the PRODEC scenario‐based design method is the incremental cross‐fertilization and refinement of procedural scenarios and declarative configurations. It uses virtual prototypes of the developed systems (mainly life‐critical systems) to conduct human‐in‐the‐loop simulations (HITLSs). Based on human systems integration (HSI) principles and criteria, as well as expertise and experience in the domain at stake, this HSI approach grounded in virtual environments requires a clear definition of physical and cognitive tangibility metrics to assess the distance between virtual and tangible (grasp) dimensions of the system being developed when it is put to work. PRODEC considers human and machine systems described in terms of structures and functions incrementally designed using procedural scenarios (i.e., stories) in task and activity networks, which provide life to declarative configurations (i.e., system's functions and structures). This active modeling and simulation process enables the discovery of emergent structures and functions of the system being developed when it is virtually operated. PRODEC's use is illustrated in an example. We discuss the use of PRODEC and its results as to how they can be used with digital twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expedient repair of damaged airfield pavements is important to eliminate long closure periods. Rapid-setting cement (RSC) is promising for achieving target strength in a much shorter duration (4–6 h) compared to conventional repair methods. However, when the objective is to reopen the pavement within 1–2 h, there is a lack of methods to quantify the development of mechanical properties during the first few hours. In this study, a simplified maturity method is proposed to monitor the very early-strength development of two commercially available RSC mixes with different strength development mechanisms. The results were validated using hydration chemistry data from scanning electron microscope (SEM) experiments and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests. The experimental results show that such a maturity-based approach is effective and robust in characterizing the early-strength development of the two RSC mixes despite variations in ambient temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A well-developed measurement scale is worthwhile for developing a theory and assessing a specific activity within a firm. In the past, many studies investigated the alignment between information technology (IT) and business strategy and knowledge management (KM) strategy. However, currently, there needs to be a scale for measuring KM and IT alignment maturity in nature, resulting in a research gap. Therefore, the main purpose of this present study is to empirically develop and examine an instrument to measure KM-IT strategic alignment maturity. Following the scale development procedure, reliability, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmation factor analysis are employed to validate the instrument. According to the 3 stage empirical data collections from companies in Taiwan, finally, a revision containing 35 items that include 6 sub-constructs for measuring the maturity of KM-IT strategic alignment is generated, namely communications maturity, value maturity, governance maturity, partnership maturity, technology scope maturity, and skills maturity. These assessment criteria can provide practitioners and researchers for understanding and assessing the characteristics and status of KM-IT strategic alignment maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the relationships between physicochemical properties of freshly harvested tobacco leaves and the quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves, the harvest maturity test coupled with different nutrient conditions was conducted in the field. The differences in the physicochemical properties of fresh leaves and their correlations with appearance and major chemical compositions of the cured leaves were analyzed. Regression prediction models of chemical compositions in the flue-cured leaves were established based on physicochemical indexes of the fresh leaves. The results showed that: 1) The physicochemical properties of the fresh leaves with different maturity degrees were different, and the rules of middle and upper leaves were basically the same. The nitrogen and moisture contents (mass fractions) in unripe fresh leaves were relatively higher, while their starch contents were lower. There was little difference in the physicochemical properties between mature and ripe fresh leaves. 2) Within the scope of this study, the curing loss rate of the fresh leaves increased and the oiliness of the flue-cured leaves decreased with the increase of total nitrogen and nicotine contents in the fresh leaves, while the curing loss rate of the fresh leaves decreased and the oiliness of the flue-cured leaves increased with the increase of starch content in the fresh leaves. 3) The coefficients of determination of the established regression prediction model based on total nitrogen content in the fresh leaves for reducing sugar and total nitrogen contents in the flue-cured leaves were 0.629 and 0.579, respectively; and that of the regression prediction model based on starch content in the fresh leaves for reducing sugar content in the flue-cured leaves was 0.632. 4) The total nitrogen content in the fresh leaves could be used to accurately predict the total nitrogen content in the flue-cured leaves with the average relative error less than 7%. Based on the starch and total nitrogen contents in the fresh leaves, the prediction model for reducing sugar content and sugar-nicotine ratio of the flue-cured leaves could be established with the average relative errors less than 14% and 18%, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the fresh tobacco leaves were closely related to the quality of the flue-cured tobacco leaves, the total nitrogen and starch contents in the fresh leaves can be used to predict the total nitrogen and reducing sugar contents and sugar-nicotine ratio of the flue-cured leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, kitchen waste which is otherwise discarded or allowed to putrefy and pose environmental discomfort is co-composted with biochar to assess the effects of the biochar on the composting of kitchen waste as well as the quality of the final compost. To achieve this, biochar was composted with kitchen waste (w/w) in ratios of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% to determine its effect on composting process and the final compost product compared to cow dung-fortified kitchen waste as a control. Results indicate that pH and EC were not affected by biochar content during composting; however, biochar content had a profound effect on the attainment of thermophilic temperatures during composting, nitrification and other maturity/stability indexes such as germination index (GI), humification index (HI), degree of polymerization (DP) and HA/FA ratio. In effect, higher biochar content (more than 10% biochar/feedstock ratio) favored faster humification, higher available P and S content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to sustainable development goals 13 which emphasized on Infrastructure, Innovation and Industry. Innovation through creation and development of device is important in order for developing countries like Nigeria to attain her self-realization in industrialization. In this paper, a concrete sensor called "ConSor" was developed to measure onsite strength of concrete using the principle of maturity described in ASTM C-1074. The materials used are DB1386 thermocouple, arduino board having wireless modules and components to enable seamless and wireless communication of data to the web. The device was programmed using C++ to read temperature (heat data) generated from the concrete and convert it using the maturity function (equation) to maturity. The maturity was thereafter converted to strength through calibration from crushed laboratory samples of same mix. The results obtained from the developed device was compared with industry-established concrete sensors (Commandcenter sensor and Hilti concrete sensor) and laboratory samples using appropriate standards of concrete testing. The results obtained at each curing ages for the Consor was closer in accuracy of ±0.05N/mm² to the industry-established concrete sensors for strength and ±0.5°C and for temperature readings. This is a clear indication that the developed device has capacity and suitability to be deployed for onsite strength of concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed storage proteins are a major protein source due to their readily available bioactive peptides. Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L) seeds have a promising potential for massive production in Indonesia because of their high protein content. The composition and protein content of these seeds depends on their stage of maturity. This study investigated the effect of melinjo seed proteins at green (GG), yellow (YG), and red (RG) stages of maturity on their antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Also, this study aimed to determine seed maturity's impact and identify the seeds most active stage on free radical scavenging (antioxidant) and antidiabetic activity. This study analyzed the amino acid composition, protein profiles, free radical scavenging, and in vitro antidiabetic activities of GG, YG, and RG seed proteins. The concentration of amino acids in melinjo seed samples was 0.36-9.69 g/100 g protein, with the total amino acid content in GG seeds (59.92 g/100 g protein) being significantly higher than in YG (53.91 g/100 g protein) or RG (52.79 g/100 g protein) seeds. The protein from GG seeds also exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher free radical scavenging and in vitro antidiabetic activities than YG or RG seeds. The free radical scavenging activities were measured using ABTS, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide radical assays. The antidiabetic activity was assessed based on a-amylase and a-glucosidase inhibitory activities. The results indicated that the maturity stage of the seed proteins significantly affected (p<0.05) free radical scavenging and in vitro antidiabetic activities. GG seed protein showed high potential as an antioxidant and antidiabetic agent, suggesting its possible use in future nutraceuticals and human health applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maturity of digital transformation refers to an organization’s development level in adopting and integrating digital technology into its business processes. The level of maturity of digital transformation in the Indonesian Navy Staff and Command College as a military education institution is very essential. The problem is the information on digital transformation maturity has not been obtained. The qualitative method through in-depth interviews was conducted on the leadership elements, namely the director and departmental heads to answer the question of digital transformation maturity. Interviews were developed in the policy and strategy, technology and infrastructure dimensions, the use of IT in the business process of educational institutions, IT-based learning, lecturers and education, data, digital leadership, efficiency and IT-based performance, and IT culture. Determination of maturity level was carried out using DTMM at initial, developing, defined, managed, and optimized. The results of the study show that overall, the level of maturity of digital transformation at the Naval Staff and Command School has reached a defined (systematic) level. The strategy for increasing the maturity of digital transformation at the Naval Staff and Command School needs to be continuously developed and implemented in each dimension.

The annual forage crop production system, enclosing silage corn (Zea mays L.) and following cool-season annual forage, can enhance forage production efficiency where available land is limited for pasture production. In this forage production system, successful silage corn cultivation has a significant value due to the great yield of highly digestible forage. However, some untimely planting or harvesting of corn due to changing weather often reduces biomass and feeding values. Therefore, a study was conducted to quantify the corn silage biomass reductions by the deviations from optimum planting soil temperature and optimum growing degree day (GDD). The approximations of maximum corn production were estimated based on field trial data conducted between 1978 and 2018 with early, medium, and late-maturity corn groups. Based on weather data, the recorded planting dates and harvest dates were converted into the corresponding trials’ soil temperatures at planting (STP) and the GDD. The silage corn biomass data were regressed against STP and GDD using a quadratic function. The maximum biomass point was modeled in a convex upward quadratic yield curve and the optimum STP and GDD were defined as those values at the maximum biomass for each maturity group. Optimized STP was at 16.6°C, 16.2°C, and 15.6°C for early, medium, and late maturity corn groups, respectively, while optimized GDD at harvest was at 1424, 1363, and 1542°C. The biomass reductions demonstrated quadratic functions by the departures of STP or GDD. The 5% reductions were anticipated when STP departed from the optimum temperature by 2.2°C, 2.4°C, and 1.4°C for early, medium, and late maturity corns, respectively; the same degree of reductions were estimated when the GDD departed by 200, 180, and 130°C in the same order of the maturity groups. This result indicates that biomass reductions of late-maturity corn were more sensitive to the departures of STP or GDD than the early-maturity corn. Therefore, early maturing cultivars are more stable in biomass production in a silage corn–winter annual forage crop production system to enhance forage-based livestock production efficiency.

In the Mediterranean, the bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838, presents a minor socioeconomic impact and the assessment of any environmental impact requires more relevant data. The congeneric red cornetfish Fistularia petimba Lacepède, 1803, has expanded its distribution range within the basin but only small numbers have been reported to date. A total of 207 individuals of F. commersonii were collected between April 2021 and March 2022 from the Levantine coast of Rhodes and 92 more from various locations. Additionally, 13 individuals of Fistularia petimba were caught in March 2024 from the Aegean coasts of the island. We aim to assess the current progression of the population of the two cornetfish, the possible further exploitation of F. commersonii to boost the local fishing economy, their possible dietary overlaps and to add valuable biological and ecological data. In F. commersonii, male to female ratio (1:1.33) significantly departed from 1:1, with length–weight relationships exhibiting positive allometric growth. Six age groups were identified. The highest reproductive intensity was observed during summer. The onset of sexual maturity was estimated at 65.52 cm in total length (1.8 years). Longevity was estimated at 11.1 years with females growing larger than males. The exploitation rate (E = 0.47) indicated that the population is underexploited. The optimum and target fishing mortality were higher in comparison with the present fishing mortality (F = 0.48), indicating a potential for commercial exploitation of the species. For F. petimba, the sex ratio was 1:2.25. The species preys on crustaceans, followed by fish and molluscs. The finding of Vanderhorstia mertensi (Klausewitz, 1974) in the stomach content of both cornetfishes constitutes the second published record for Hellenic waters and the first for the Dodecanese Islands.

Abstract Postponed parenthood is considered one of the most extensive changes in the process of family formation. Among the many reasons for deferred parenthood, those related to greater feelings of incompetence as a potential parent, self-focus, perceiving parenthood as a burden, fearing the changes that the birth of a child may bring to a person’s life, financial insecurity, and worrying about the child’s future seem particularly important. Since little is known about the motives for delayed parenthood in relation to anxiety and psychological maturity, the main goal of our study was to verify how these variables may be related to each other and whether maturity for parenthood mediates the direct association between anxiety and the motives for delayed parenthood. The sample consisted of 223 Polish adults (the age range of the participants was 18–44 years). The respondents completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Maturity to Parenthood Scale (MPS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Motives for Postponing Parenthood (MSMPP-18). The results showed positive correlations between anxiety and four (uncertainty, burden, change, and finance) of the six motives for postponing parenthood and postponed parenthood overall. Maturity for parenting and all its dimensions correlated negatively with anxiety and all factors of postponed parenthood, except worry about the child’s future. In all six of the seven models (except “worry”), at least one of the factors of maturity to parenthood mediated the relationship between trait anxiety and motives for postponing parenthood/total score. Based on the results it can be assumed that a tendency to direct attention to a threat related to the context of child-bearing and child-rearing may lead to lower maturity to parenthood, which in turn may result in various motives for postponing parenthood.

Project management maturity models (PMMMs) have evolved significantly over the years, eliciting both enthusiasm and critique from professionals in the field. The former reflects the promising prospects for enhancing organizational value through the adoption of refined practices, while the latter underscores concern regarding the associated costs, applicability challenges, and the resilience of these models. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration, surveying the landscape of established models while pinpointing the principal obstacles linked with their implementation. Acknowledging both the significance and the shortfall of current models, there is a growing consensus within the literature regarding the imperative for further advancements in project management practices. Criticisms directed towards existing models often revolve around economic feasibility hurdles, inflexibility, scalability issues, and overly prescriptive frameworks. This paper undertakes a critical examination, contemplating the integration of digital capabilities as a means to mitigate these drawbacks and refine project management maturity models. Central to our paper is the notion of leveraging digital affordances to enhance the efficacy of PMMMs. By amalgamating technological innovations with established methodologies, we endeavor to address prevalent criticisms and propel the evolution of project management frameworks. Our approach is multifaceted, encompassing a thorough exploration of the technological substrates underpinning PMMMs. In delineating the technological landscape, we identify three primary layers of technology integration in PMMM development: Microsoft Excel, Online Questionnaires, and Advanced Platformization Initiatives. Each layer presents distinct opportunities and challenges, underscoring the complexity inherent in modernizing PMMMs. Proposing a forward-looking strategy, we advocate for the development of PMMMs that capitalize on the latest digital affordances. By prioritizing user-friendly interfaces and streamlining the completion process, we aim to foster greater engagement and uptake among stakeholders. This approach promises to transcend the limitations of traditional models, catalyzing a paradigm shift towards more dynamic and responsive project management practices.

Soybean is a broadly popular and extensively cultivated crop, however, many high-yield and high-quality varieties require specific growth conditions, restricting their widespread adoption. The appropriate light conditions and photoperiod must be attained for these varieties to thrive in new environments. In this study, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 to design two sgRNAs aimed at knocking out the maturity-related gene E4 in a major American soybean variety called ''Jack'', which belongs to maturity group MGII. E4 gene is primarily involved in the photoperiodic flowering and maturity in soybean, making it an ideal candidate for genetic manipulation. We successfully obtained 1 homozygous E4-SG1 mutant type with 1-bp insertion, and 4 homozygous E4-SG2 mutants type with 2-bp deletion, 7-bp deletion, 61-bp deletion, and 1-bp insertion, respectively. The homozygous e4 mutant plants contained early termination codons devoid of transgenic elements. Additionally, no potential off-target sites of the E4 gene were detected. A comparative analysis revealed that, unlike the wild-type, the maturity time of homozygous e4 mutants was early under both short-day and long-day conditions. These mutants offer novel germplasm resources that may be used to modify the photoperiod sensitivity and maturity of soybean, enhancing its adaptability to high-latitude regions.

In this essay, I want to address two main aspects of the arguably central topic of Kant's treatise on Enlightenment, namely maturity: these concern the notion of the freedom of thought (Section I) and the idea of emancipation that is conveyed by maturity, the fact that it involves a process of growing up to become a citizen (Section II). Freedom of thought denotes the idea of self-agency which all human beings possess in principle whereas emancipation points to the fact that maturity is something that is not a matter of course, neither in individual cases nor for society at large. Maturity is not a natural disposition that one either possesses or not but must be developed. This means that not all human beings are de facto mature always, everywhere and all of the time. That this situation is not something that is in principle unalterable can be demonstrated by way of assessing Kant's apparent views on women's presumable minority 'according to sex'.

For Ukrainians, potatoes are a key foodstuff and the most important strategic crop in the vegetable segment, and therefore it is vital to investigate the quality characteristics of potato tubers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of various meteorological factors on the taste and starch content of tubers of different potato cultivars. The study employed laboratory, analytical, mathematical, and statistical methods. Both positive and negative correlation between starch content in tubers, taste, average monthly temperature, and precipitation were found in cultivars of different ripeness groups. For some potato cultivars, the positive effect on the starch content in tubers was due to the synergistic interaction of temperatures in August and precipitation in July, while for other cultivars this effect was determined by temperature and precipitation in August. It was found that an increase in temperature in August contributed to the improvement of the taste characteristics of early-ripening cultivars, while for middle early and mid-ripening genotypes, increased temperatures in June and August were key factors, and middle-late cultivars responded to increased precipitation in August. For each of the 19 cultivars studied, periods with a positive effect of average monthly temperature and precipitation on the improvement of taste were identified. The cluster analysis helped to identify potato cultivars with high starch content – Lietana, Opillia, Vzirets, and Oleksandryt, with high taste qualities – Lietana, Mezhyrichka 11, Vzirets, Avanhard, Partner, Oleksandryt, Fanatka, Rostavytsia, and Opillia. The findings of this study can serve as a scientific basis for the formulation of policies aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting existing cultivars to support sustainable potato production in a particular region and creating new plastic potato genotypes with sustainable quality characteristics

The subject of study in this study is differences in ideas about love. Using the example of women from Russia, the hypothesis was tested that ideas about love change slightly over time depending on age. 94 women took part in the study. For comparison, the women were divided by age (the first group - mature women of the first stage (21-35 years old), the second group - mature women of the second stage (36-55 years old). The methods used were the questionnaire “Ideas about love" (Dzhidaryan I A., Belovol E.V., Maslova O.V., 2014) and the classic associative experiment (Vlasenkova I.N., 2009). A comparative analysis of the data obtained showed that ideas about love have statistically significantly more similarities than differences. In the ideas about love of mature women of the first and second stages, the hypothesis that the ideas about love of women of the first and second stages will not have significant differences was confirmed in the ideas of “love is a hindrance” and “love as self-giving.” The hypothesis that women belonging to the first group will have more specific concepts of love in their associations, while women of the second group will have more extensive concepts of what love is, was confirmed.

Abstract The sustainability of plastic materials and products requires the continuous improvement of the circular pathways for the material. A key strategy in the circularity of plastic is plastic recycling. Improving the circular pathways requires an understanding of the maturity level of the plastic recycling system. This study evaluated the maturity of the plastic recycling system in South Africa across the plastic value chain. Both secondary and primary data were collected, analysed and cross-validated. The results put the maturity of the country’s system at “Visionary” (Level 3) for the value chain stages of primary plastic production, product manufacturing and recycling, whereas waste generation, collection and handling, sorting and recyclate market were rated as “Structured” (Level 2). Furthermore, a set of initiatives to advance the maturity of the system to the desired level of “Connected and Dynamic” (Level 5) were identified. The paper provides a benchmark of performance and determines the stages of the system requiring additional attention. This is aimed at providing insight into policymaking to advance plastic recycling and circularity.

This study seeks to examine the notion of marital maturity through the lens of Islamic jurisprudence. It employs a normative legal research methodology, combining philosophical insights, statutory regulations, and contextual analysis. The analytical techniques involve surveying, conducting question-and-answer sessions, thoroughly reading legal materials, and employing deductive analysis. The research results show that in Islamic law, maturity in marriage refers to the boundaries of individuals who have reached puberty. The importance of building a household based on maturity is to create psychological maturity in both partners, both husband and wife. Islamic law underscores the importance of individuals being mentally, physically, and psychologically prepared for marriage, emphasizing that it is a form of worship. Therefore, building a mature and responsible household is expected in Islamic teachings.

Striostrea prismatica is an oyster of commercial importance present in several locations of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sex ratio, gametogenic cycle, maturity stages, size at first maturity (SH50) and monthly variation in the condition index of this species over the course of an annual cycle on the coast of Colima, Mexico. The oysters found in the shallow sublittoral areas near Faro de Campos were larger and heavier than those in Cuyutlan lagoon. The sex ratio was significantly shifted towards males at both sites. The gonad showed a prolonged undifferentiated stage lasting from November to April, a spawning period limited to June through October and an extended post-spawning period from August to December. SH50 was higher in females in the lagoon as well as in the shallow sublittoral. Monthly variation in surface temperature and chlorophyll a in both study areas only correlated with the condition index of populations in the shallow sublittoral and inner lagoon in the months of lowest temperatures and highest chlorophyll a. These findings provide basic information on the reproductive cycle of rock oysters that may prove useful for the development of improved harvesting practices in the study region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the potential for using low-cost depth cameras to estimate the maturity of green table grapes after they have been harvested. Time-of-flight (Kinect Azure) and LiDAR (Intel L515) depth cameras were used to capture depth scans of green table grape berries over time. The depth scans of the grapes are distorted due to the diffused scattering of the light emitted from the cameras within the berries. This causes a distance bias where a grape berry appears to be further from the camera than it is. As the grape aged, the shape of the peak corresponding to the grape became increasingly flattened in shape, resulting in an increased distance bias over time. The distance bias variation with time was able to be fitted with an R 2 value of 0.969 for the Kinect Azure and an average of 0.904 for the Intel L515. This work shows that there is potential to use time-of-flight and LIDAR cameras for estimating grape maturity postharvest in a non-contact and nondestructive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Gulf of Papua, at the easternmost end of the Papuan Basin, has been subjected to extended seawater loading during the Cenozoic, allowing an investigation into the influence of seawater loading on the thermal development of the underlying rock layers in the oceanic basin. Utilising paleontological, lithologic and paleobathymetric data, along with present-day temperature fields, this study reconstructed the burial history, thermal history and maturity of the eastern Papuan Basin using PetroMod2012.2 1D software. Burial history curves for the virtual wells were employed to trace the evolutionary stages in different regions, revealing a positive relationship between predicted vitrinite reflectance (Ro) and modelled thermal history. Ro values displayed a gradual decrease from northeast to southwest, with higher Ro values observed in areas unaffected by seawater loading. The presence of seawater loading had a notable impact on thermal history, particularly influencing the upper boundary condition and the sediment–water interface temperature of the temperature field. This research enhances our understanding of the Meso-Cenozoic thermal history of the eastern Papuan Basin and reveals the factors influencing stratigraphic thermal evolution. KEY POINTS: The burial history curves record different tectonic backgrounds and coincide with the tectonic evolution of the basin, which is divided into four evolutionary stages. The trends of heat flow and maturity distribution in the study area are similar but show a gradual decrease from both northeast and southwest directions towards the central region. Seawater loading mainly affects the upper boundary condition of formation temperature (sediment–water interface temperature) and has little effect on the lower boundary condition (heat flow). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Guava (Psidiumguajava L.), being highly nutritious possesses commercial importance in the tropical and subtropical region of the world. The climacteric guava, however, records highest postharvest loss and needs to be processed for higher shelf life and utility. This study entails evaluation of fruit maturity stage and prior freezing for development of calcium enriched guava crisps through atmospheric frying. The sliced fruits (of three maturity stages) were subjected to vacuum impregnation to infuse maltodextrin, salt, ascorbic acid and calcium lactate. Fracturability and crispness was significantly affected by fruit maturity, freezing pre‐treatment and calcium impregnation. Freezing pre‐treatment enhanced the texture, decreased toughness and gave superior crisps with crunchy mouthfeel. While browning increased due to freezing pre‐treatment, calcium impregnation led to decreased browning. More than 15‐fold increase in the calcium content of crisps was realised upon 1% calcium lactate impregnation. The average ascorbic acid and lycopene retention in the crisps was 36.18 and 37.58%, respectively. Mature guava showed highest lycopene retention (43.07%) in crisps. Based on MANOVA analysis, all the main effects, two factor interaction and three factor interaction were statistically significant at 1% level. The first three PCs could explain 73.64% variation in data. The highest ascorbic acid retention, crispiness and sensory scores were recorded for crisps from ripe stage of guava fruits given freezing and calcium infusion pre‐treatments. Thus, ripe guava fruits could be converted to shelf stable and attractive crisps, which would provide essential nutrients and potential health benefits, ensuring off‐season availability of perishable guava in the form of crisps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the medium-early maturing varieties ('HQY971' and 'QY1719') and the medium-late maturing varieties ('SY21' and 'SY28') were used to analysis the effects of meteorological factors on the grain water content of rapeseed varieties at different maturity stages. The Logistic power model was used to fit the active accumulated temperature (≥ 0°C) and grain water content of four rapeseed varieties from pollination to harvest between 2019 and 2020. The results showed that: (1) the grain water content of the four rapeseed varieties showed a slow decline first and then a rapid decline at the pollination-harvest stage. The average grain water content of the medium-early maturing varieties at physiological maturity stage was higher than that of the medium-late maturing cultivars. The average grain water content at harvest stage decreased with the extension of growth period. Among them, the grain dehydration rate of the medium-early maturing variety 'HQY 971' was 9.66 percentage points·d-1, which was significantly different from the other three rapeseed varieties. (2) The trend water content fitting curves of medium-early maturing varieties and mid-late maturing varieties showed an "S" shaped change trend. Moreover, the meteorological water content of medium-early maturing varieties was greatly affected by meteorological factors, while the meteorological water content of mid-late maturing varieties was less affected by meteorological factors. (3) The dehydration of rapeseed varieties at different maturity stages was mainly affected by meteorological factors such as average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature and accumulated temperature. The average temperature (-1.125) had an indirect effect on the meteorological water content of the mid-early maturing varieties, while the maximum temperature (-0.347), minimum temperature (-0.472) and accumulated temperature (-0.936) had a direct effect. For the mid-late maturing varieties, the average temperature (-0.847) was indirect, while the maximum temperature (-0.288), minimum temperature (-0.250) and accumulated temperature (-0.877) were direct effects. (4) The path analysis showed that the R2 of each factor to the determinants of meteorological water content was 0.8433 (mid-early maturing varieties) and 0.8130 (mid-late maturing varieties), respectively, which indicated that accumulated temperature had the greatest impact on the meteorological water content of rapeseed varieties at different maturity stages. The fitting results of all equations in the stepwise regression analysis reached the extremely significant level, indicating that the influence of meteorological factors on meteorological water content can be explained to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]