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Production of low-cost blended bricks from various solid leather wastes for use in the construction industry is effective waste management and an important approach to prevent pollution. Using leather sludges as a raw material in building materials have the potential to reduce environmental pollution. In this study, various solid leather industrial wastes were used, such as chrome shavings powder (CSP), buffing dust powder (BDP), and finished leather powder (FLP), respectively, and Clay: CSP, Clay: BDP, and Clay: FLP bricks were prepared by mixing clay. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the bricks were investigated. The structure and compactness of the bricks were revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The blended bricks have unique mechanical characteristics and are promising models for new construction applications. Compared to clay, an improvement was observed in the mechanical properties with an increase in the ratio of leather waste (50%) in the sample composition. The blended bricks are environmentally safe and cost effective for the novel brick manufacturing approaches., TUBITAK [118C350], This work received support form 2232-International Fellowship for Outstanding Researcher Program of TUBITAK (Grant No. 118C350).

Lentils, a popular foodstuff worldwide, are gaining more interest for their use in alternative diets. In addition, we are observing an ever-growing demand for new raw materials in the malting and brewing industry and an overall rising interest in a low-gluten lifestyle. Therefore, in this study, malt was produced from green lentils and used in both laboratory- and pilot-scale brewing trials. Malted lentils were used as 10% and 20% adjuncts at the laboratory scale, following the Congress mash procedure, and the most important parameters (e.g., filtration time, pH, color, extract, fermentability) of the wort and beer samples were analyzed with a special focus on the concentrations of metal ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Fe) in wort. The production of beer with lentil malt as an adjunct was then scaled up to 1 hl, and several beer parameters were analyzed, including the gluten content and foam stability. The results showed that the gluten content was decreased by circa 35% and foam stability was enhanced by approximately 6% when adding 20% lentil malt. Furthermore, the use of lentil malt reduced the filtration time by up to 17%. A trained panel evaluated the sensorial qualities of the produced beers. Overall, the use of green lentil malt shows promising results for its potential use in brewing.

The Armenian highlands encompasses rugged and environmentally diverse landscapes and is characterized by a mosaic of distinct ecological niches and large temperature gradients. Strong seasonal fluctuations in resource availability along topographic gradients likely prompted Pleistocene hominin groups to adapt by adjusting their mobility strategies. However, the role that elevated landscapes played in hunter-gatherer settlement systems during the Late Pleistocene (Middle Palaeolithic [MP]) remains poorly understood. At 1640 m above sea level, the MP site of Kalavan 2 (Armenia) is ideally positioned for testing hypotheses involving elevation-dependent seasonal mobility and subsistence strategies. Renewed excavations at Kalavan 2 exposed three main occupation horizons and ten additional low densities lithic and faunal assemblages. The results provide a new chronological, stratigraphical, and paleoenvironmental framework for hominin behaviors between ca. 60 to 45 ka. The evidence presented suggests that the stratified occupations at Kalavan 2 locale were repeated ephemerally most likely related to hunting in a high-elevation within the mountainous steppe landscape. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Surface characteristics were studied for particleboards produced from hydro-thermally treated (HTT) and non-treated (NT) wheat stalk (WS). Wood and wheat stalk particles were used as experimental materials. The wheat stalk particles were subjected to HTT at a temperature of 180 degrees C for 8 minutes in a steam explosion machine. HTT and NT WS particles were added at 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% to the wood particles. The surface roughness and wettability of the produced panels were determined. The roughness measurements, average roughness (R-a), maximum roughness (R-max), and mean peak-to-valley height (R-z) were performed using a fine stylus tracing technique. The wetting behavior of the panels was characterized by the contact angle method (goniometer technique). The contact angle (CA) measurements were obtained by using a KSV Cam-101 Scientific Instrument connected with a digital camera and computer system. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in the surface roughness and wettability of the particleboards following hydro-thermal modification. The addition of WS to the panels significantly decreased the roughness values. However, all of the HTT groups exhibited higher roughness compared to NT groups. The CA values decreased when the WS content increased. The wettability of the particleboard containing HTT WS particles was improved. Duzce University Research FundDuzce University [2017.02.03.550] This work was supported by Duzce University Research Fund (Project Number: 2017.02.03.550). WOS:000583802900028

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are important for monitoring the performance in the industry. They can be used to identify poor performance and the improvement potential. KPIs can be defined for individual equipment, sub-processes, and whole plants. Different types of performances can be measured by KPIs, for example energy, raw-material, control & operation, maintenance, etc.Benchmarking KPIs with KPIs from similar equipment and plants is one method of identifying poor performing areas and estimating improvement potential. Actions for performance improvements can then be developed, prioritized and implemented based on the KPIs and the benchmarking results. An alternative to benchmarking, which is described in this paper, is to identify the process signals that are strongest correlated with the KPI and then change these process signals in the direction that improves the KPI. This method has been applied to data from a combined heat and power plant and a suggestion are given on how to improve boiler efficiency.

Alkaline pretreatment assisted with hydrothermal and microwave irradiation as heating mechanisms were evaluated for their efficiency to develop a lignocellulosic biorefinery from arecanut husk. Hydrothermal treatment was carried out at 121 degrees C for 1, 1.5 and 2 h and microwave irradiation was performed at three power levels of 900, 540 and 180 W at two time periods (1 and 3 min). Hydrothermal treatment (1 h) of biomass soaked in 20% w/v NaOH solution resulted in average recovery of 82% hemicellulose with 69.7% lignin removal. Whereas, for hydrothermal treatment (1 h) of alkali-biomass mixture (no soaking), 74.9% of hemicellulose were recovered with 64.6% lignin removal. Increasing the reaction time from 1 to 1.5 h resulted in significant increase in average hemicellulose yield (83.5%). However, prolonging hydrothermal treatment time to 2 h did not result in further increase in average hemicellulose yield (82.3%). The residue obtained after hydrothermal pretreatment (1.5 h) was concentrated in cellulose (average 69.2%). Compared to hydrothermal treatment, microwave treated biomass yielded low hemicellulose recovery and maximum yield (52%) was obtained at 900W and 3 min exposure. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups associated with xylan of hemicellulose precipitate. Enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated residue (unbleached and bleached) using cellulase and beta-glucosidase released 75-79% reducing sugars from cellulose. The amount of glucose released from pretreated biomass was 71.5 +/- 1.9% in comparison to 2.2 +/- 0.1% as obtained from enzymatic hydrolysis of untreated biomass. Thus, the developed process generated cellulose rich residue, hemicellulose as precipitate and liquor rich in lignin. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of cultivar choice and nitrogen supply on biomass yield and dry matter partitioning of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] were studied under irrigated conditions in the arid temperate climate of north-west China. Two hybrid cultivars, Zaoshu-1 (ZS 1) and Chuntian-2 (CT 2), and two inbred cultivars, Rio and Lvneng-3 (LN 3) were grown in a field trial at two nitrogen fertilizer levels (0 and 150 kg/ha of N) in Urumchi (43°01'N, 88°37'E). Hybrid cultivars produced much higher aboveground dry biomass yields, amounting to on an average 27.2 t/ha than inbred cultivars with on an average 24.3 t/ha. Crop growth rates amounted to 30.8 g/m2/day on an average during the period from elongation to heading as well as from heading to maturity, however; the growth rates of the inbred cultivars slowed down after heading, while those of the hybrids still increased. Inbred cultivar Rio had the highest plant height (328 cm) and stem dry weight (16.5 t/ha). Average grain yield was 11.2 and 5.5 t/ha for hybrids and inbreds, respectively. Partitioning of dry matter differed between the inbred cultivars, but did not for the hybrids. Application of fertilizer nitrogen resulted in a higher plant height, stem dry biomass, dry biomass of leaves and aboveground biomass in inbred and hybrid cultivars. In conclusion, hybrid and inbred cultivars of sweet sorghum performed well in the environment of north-west China when irrigated. Biomass and grain yields of hybrids turned out to be higher than those of inbreds.

A agroindústria da maçã no Brasil utiliza como matéria-prima frutas de descarte provenientes dos processos de seleção para o mercado de frutas in natura. Esse descarte pode representar 30% da produção total. Essas frutas são processadas à medida que são encaminhadas para a indústria. Em países europeus, entretanto, tanto para a obtenção de sucos quanto para sidras, são utilizadas frutas de cultivares selecionadas para tal fim, sendo usados como marcadores de qualidade industrial os teores de acidez, taninos e açúcares. Esses componentes são importantes para a qualidade do produto e envolvem os critérios de cor, sabor e aromas, atributos envolvidos no processo de compra e no hábito dos consumidores. Neste trabalho, foram avaliadas seis cultivares de maçãs (Gala, Eva, Rainha, Fred Hough, Imperatriz e Sansa) em relação aos parâmetros: teores de sólidos solúveis totais, açúcares totais e redutores, sacarose, glucose, frutose e compostos fenólicos totais, além da acidez total titulável. Foram determinadas as razões entre açúcares totais/acidez total, grau brix/acidez total e a proporção entre glucose, sacarose e frutose. Pelos resultados, verificou-se que a cultivar Imperatriz apresentou a maior porcentagem de frutose: 66%. O indicador industrial, calculado a partir da razão açúcar/acidez, que apresenta como critério o valor 20, estabelece que essas cultivares podem ser classificadas como de interesse comercial, e não industrial, uma vez que as seis cultivares apresentaram valores superiores a esse critério, ou seja, com baixa acidez. As cultivares Sansa, Rainha e Imperatriz apresentaram valores superiores a 200 ppm de compostos fenólicos (valor referencial), o que lhes confere características interessantes para serem exploradas pelo setor industrial. The apple processing in Brazil is done with fruits that do not reach the standart of quality stablished for commercial purposes, which are named industrial apple. Such a discharge may sometimes represent around 30% of total production, which reached 300.000 metric tons in 2000. In some European countries the processing of apples in order to obtain apple juices and hard ciders utilizes selected cultivars and the indicators of quality are the total contents of acids, tannins and sugars. These components are related to quality and comprehend the criteria of color, taste and flavors, attributes that are involved with the process of purchase by consumers. In this work, samples of apple fruits cv namely Gala, Eva, Rainha, Fred Hough, Imperatriz and Sansa were evaluated concerning attributes such as contents of total soluble solids, total and reducing sugars, sucrose, glucose, fructose, total phenolics compounds and total acidity. It was also considered the relationship of total sugars/ acidity and the relative proportion of glucose, sucrose and fructose. The cultivar Imperatriz fruits showed the highest percentage of fructose (66,3%) and the lowest percentage of sucrose (15,2%). The sugars/acidity ratios of all cultivars were higher than 20, which is the value of cut off for commercial appeal as table fruits, so that all cultivars were classified as of commercial interest. Sansa, Rainha and Imperatriz cultivars showed contets of phenolic compounds higher a 200 ppm and so they have a feature to be explored by the industrial sector.

A reversed-phase liquid chromatography method for determination of maduramicin in feedingstuffs and premixtures was developed, validated, and interlaboratory studied. The extraction solvent was methanol. Maduramicin was detected at 520 nm after postcolumn derivatization with vanillin. Recovery was >90%. The repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr) in feeds (1-5 mg/kg) and premixtures (500 mg/kg) ranged between 2.7 and 7.7%; the within-laboratory reproducibility was between 3.7 and 8.5%. The limit of quantitation was 2 mg/kg. Other feed additives did not interfere in the assay. The method showed ruggedness against small changes in the extraction conditions, eluant composition, and conditions for postcolumn derivatization. The presence of water in the extraction solvent negatively affected the recovery. In the collaborative study, 5 feeds (4 positive at 2.5-9 mg/kg, 1 blank) and 1 premixture (450 mg/kg) were analyzed by 10 laboratories. The RSDr of the feedingstuffs varied between 3.29 and 8.53%. The HORRAT ranged between 1.10 and 1.98. Recoveries were >90%, except for one participant (80%). One laboratory detected small signals in the blank sample, corresponding to 0.7 and 0.8 mg/kg. For the premixture, the RSDr was 3.15% and the HORRAT was 1.80.

The correct choice of the specific lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment allows obtaining high biomass conversions for biorefinery implementations and cellulosic bioethanol production from renewable resources. Cynara cardunculus (cardoon) pretreated by steam explosion (SE) was involved in second-generation bioethanol production using separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) or simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) processes. Steam explosion pretreatment led to partial solubilisation of hemicelluloses and increased the accessibility of residual polysaccharides towards enzymatic hydrolysis revealing 64% of sugars yield against 11% from untreated plant material. Alkaline extraction after SE pretreatment of cardoon (CSEOH) promoted partial removal of degraded lignin, tannins, extractives and hemicelluloses thus allowing to double glucose concentration upon saccharification step. Bioethanol fermentation in SSF mode was faster than SHF process providing the best results: ethanol concentration 18.7 g L-1, fermentation efficiency of 66.6% and a yield of 26.6 g ethanol/100 g CSEOH or 10.1 g ethanol/100 g untreated cardoon. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatial approaches of Solutrean lithic remains have are frequently limited to the definition of regional groups, based on the geographical distribution of site or peculiar lithic point types. The adaptation of new approaches initiated by geographers and ethnologists has open two new avenues, in terms of spatial and time organisation of the activities inside a settlement and comparison between different sites, integrating lithic raw material procurement data. In order to improve our reconstitution of techno-economical strategies and Upper Palaeolithic societies, we expose the approach developed from the Maîtreaux site, crossing several scales of analysis., L’approche spatiale des vestiges solutréens est longtemps restée cantonnée à la définition de groupes régionaux à partir de cartes de distribution des sites et de répartition de types de pointes lithiques. L’adaptation de nouvelles problématiques issues de la Géographie et de l’Ethnologie a ouvert deux nouvelles voies aux études spatiales : d’une part, l’analyse de l’organisation et le déroulement des différentes activités à l’échelle d’un site, d’autre part, leur comparaison avec d’autres sites, tout en intégrant les données spatiales fournies par la connaissance de l’origine des matières premières utilisées. L’application se heurte à plusieurs problèmes. Les principaux sont les lacunes du registre archéologique, la conservation différentielle des vestiges d’occupation en fonction de l’environnement géologique et des activités qui s’y sont déroulées et l’évaluation de l’homogénéité et de la dimension temporelle des faits observés. Afin de passer outre ces limitations pour une reconstitution des stratégies techno-économiques et des sociétés du Paléolithique supérieur, nous exposons l’approche spatiale développée à partir du site des Maîtreaux, basée sur le croisement des résultats issus de plusieurs échelles spatiales d’analyse., Aubry Thierry. Approches spatiales du solutréen : le dessous des cartes et des plans / Spatial Approaches of the Solutrean : Beyond Maps. In: Le Solutréen 40 ans après Smith’66. Tours : Fédération pour l'édition de la Revue archéologique du Centre de la France, 2013. pp. 199-211. (Supplément à la Revue archéologique du centre de la France, 47)

Effects of cultivar choice and nitrogen supply on biomass yield and dry matter partitioning of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] were studied under irrigated conditions in the arid temperate climate of north-west China. Two hybrid cultivars, Zaoshu-1 (ZS 1) and Chuntian-2 (CT 2), and two inbred cultivars, Rio and Lvneng-3 (LN 3) were grown in a field trial at two nitrogen fertilizer levels (0 and 150 kg/ha of N) in Urumchi (43°01'N, 88°37'E). Hybrid cultivars produced much higher aboveground dry biomass yields, amounting to on an average 27.2 t/ha than inbred cultivars with on an average 24.3 t/ha. Crop growth rates amounted to 30.8 g/m2/day on an average during the period from elongation to heading as well as from heading to maturity, however; the growth rates of the inbred cultivars slowed down after heading, while those of the hybrids still increased. Inbred cultivar Rio had the highest plant height (328 cm) and stem dry weight (16.5 t/ha). Average grain yield was 11.2 and 5.5 t/ha for hybrids and inbreds, respectively. Partitioning of dry matter differed between the inbred cultivars, but did not for the hybrids. Application of fertilizer nitrogen resulted in a higher plant height, stem dry biomass, dry biomass of leaves and aboveground biomass in inbred and hybrid cultivars. In conclusion, hybrid and inbred cultivars of sweet sorghum performed well in the environment of north-west China when irrigated. Biomass and grain yields of hybrids turned out to be higher than those of inbreds.