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Assessment of Cold Storage Potential in the Senegalese Fishing Industry: Analysing the Use of Equipment and Refrigerants in Context of Climate and Environmental Challenges
No full textThis study evaluates the cold storage capabilities of the Senegalese fishing industry, where over 90% of processed products are exported in frozen form. Based on a survey of 77 industrial units across four regions (Dakar, Thiès, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor), representing 62.6% of the national total, the study aims to assess freezing and refrigeration capacities, identify refrigerants in use, inventory refrigeration equipment (cold rooms, tunnels, containers, ice factories), and evaluate the overall condition of facilities. The findings indicate a strong presence of local enterprises (67.5%), predominantly young (5–15 years old) and focused on negative refrigeration. Negative cold rooms account for the largest installed capacity (38,971.5 m³). R-404A is the most widely used refrigerant, representing 81.4% of total consumption, despite its significant environmental impact. The average operating temperatures are -34.97°C for freezing and -20.93°C for storage, with storage durations extending up to 365 days. Africa is the primary export market (35%), followed by Europe, Asia, and the United States. However, several challenges hinder sector performance, including high electricity costs (cited by 22.4% of respondents), frequent power outages, equipment corrosion, lack of leak detection systems, and a shortage of skilled personnel in hygiene and industrial refrigeration. While 64% of the equipment is deemed to be in good condition, maintenance is irregular. Given these constraints, the sustainable modernization of the cold chain is critical. The study underscores the need for enhanced technical training, a strategic energy transition, and stricter regulations on refrigerants to sustainably improve the competitiveness of the Senegalese fisheries sector
Farmers’ Attitude towards Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies under National Agricultural Technology Program in Bangladesh
No full textThe aim of study was to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of farmers, to determine the farmers’ attitude towards Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies as well as to explore the relationship between the characteristics of farmers and attitude to CSA technologies. The primary data were collected using an interview schedule from a sample of 98 farmers in Dinajpur district of northern Bangladesh. Besides the descriptive statistical parameter, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used for statistical analysis. Findings indicated the highest proportion (77.6%) of the farmers had moderately favorable attitude followed by 11.2% highly favorable attitude and similarly 11.2% slightly favorable attitude towards CSA technologies. Rank order of farmers’ attitude towards climate smart technologies indicated that the statements such as “vermi-compost increases the productivity of crop” ranked 1st while “regular monitoring for eco-friendly cultivation is difficult” had 2nd position. According to the computed correlation coefficients (r) value, among 10 socio-demographic characteristics of farmers, five characteristics such as education, farm size, annual income, organizational participation, and extension media contact had positive significant relationship with attitude of farmers towards CSA technologies. The highest problem faced by the farmers in implementing climate smart technologies was found on ‘price of vermi species is high and not easily available’. It is recommended that problems faced by the farmers should give emphasis and be overcome during executing the programs of climate-smart agricultural technologies. However, Government and non-government organizations should take necessary steps to maximize individual, group and mass contact methods on CSA technologies as well as to increase the opportunities for organizational participation, training and credit facilities. The findings of this research can also serve as a model for similar studies in other part of the country or in other developing regions where climate-smart agriculture is essential for food security and livelihood development
Preparation of All Solid Waste Low-Carbon Cementitious Materials Using Response Surface Methodology
No full textTo achieve the green and low-carbon transformation of the building materials industry and promote the resource utilisation of industrial solid waste, this study uses silicon-aluminium solid waste, such as fly ash and slag powder, as the main raw materials, and uses carbide slag and desulfurization gypsum as composite activators. The Box Behnken design in response surface methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the proportion of geopolymer cementitious materials for all solid waste. The system investigated the effects of fly ash content (10%~30%), carbide slag content (8%~20%), and desulfurization gypsum content (5%~10%) on the 3D and 28 day compressive strength of cementitious materials, and established a quadratic regression model with the 28-day compressive strength as the response value. The results showed that the model fitting effect was good (R ²=0.8847), and there were significant interactions between various factors. The theoretical optimal ratio obtained through model optimisation is 20% fly ash, 14% carbide slag, and 7.5% desulfurization gypsum (with the remainder being slag powder). The 28-day compressive strength of the cementitious material prepared under these conditions can reach 27.72 MPa. This all-solid-waste system not only avoids the high-temperature calcination process in traditional cement production, significantly reducing carbon emissions, but also achieves "waste treatment" by incorporating activators such as carbide slag and desulfurization gypsum into the category of solid waste utilization. It has the dual advantages of low cost and environmental friendliness, and has broad application prospects in the field of non-structural materials in civil engineering
Mitigating Insider Threat’s IP Spoofing through Enhanced Dynamic Cluster Algorithm (EDPU Based HCF)
No full textInsider Threat has always been a major problem to computer security due to unauthorized system misuse by users in an organization. Understanding the concept and the inherent adverse consequences of the insider threat can assist in postulating mitigating approaches and techniques to the menace. Insider intrusion, from researches, experiences and literature have proved to be more expensive and destructive more than external attacks due the comprehensive understanding of the internal operations of the organization by the perpetrator. Many researchers have explored into the unhealthy nature of insider activity with the aim of eliminating the threat, thereby identifying the various categories as theft of intellectual property, fraud, sabotage, espionage. This work tends to address the menace by studying models for detecting, reducing and eliminating the threat through IP Spoofing in order to propose a better model for the intrusion. Certain experimental research through analysis of network data measurement has shown that HCF (Hop Count Filtering) can discover and discard almost 90% of spoofed IP packets but an improvement on this experiment called DPU (Dynamic Path Update) Based Hop Count Filtering has proved to identify and discard more than 90%. This was carried out in Linux Kernel environment to substantiate the effectiveness of its measurements. However, enhancing enhancing the performance of the DPU-based HCF by reducing the packet size of packets at the point of entry in order to decrease the network traffic, and to permanently discard 100% spoofed packets is the research direction of this wor
Seismic Vulnerability Assessment in Tunnels: A Review
No full textVulnerability analysis is an important method for earthquake prevention and disaster reduction research in the field of tunnel engineering. Firstly, a detailed overview of the research history and current status of tunnel seismic vulnerability at home and abroad was provided; Secondly, the main methods for analyzing the seismic vulnerability of tunnels at home and abroad were summarized, and the practical applicability of various methods was summarized; Subsequently, the steps for evaluating the seismic vulnerability of tunnels were proposed, and three key contents in establishing theoretical vulnerability curves using numerical simulation as the main method were discussed: (1) Input parameter determination; (2) Classification of destructive states; (3) Calculation of relevant uncertainty parameters; Finally, point out some urgent problems and future research directions in this field. By summarizing the existing studies on the seismic vulnerability of tunnels at home and abroad, the results show that the seismic vulnerability analysis of tunnels can reflect the performance of tunnels under seismic loading by considering the relevant uncertainty factors, which is conducive to the future risk assessment and loss estimation, and is of great significance to the development of performance-based seismic design of tunnels
Design and Development of a Screw Jack: An Input Repair Tool for Light Vehicles
No full textThis study introduces an innovative investigation into the development and utilization of a specially designed jack screw tailored for lifting lightweight objects. While screw jacks are well-established for their efficacy in mechanical lifting applications, this research aims to broaden their adaptability by specifically addressing the unique demands of lifting lighter loads. The exploration encompasses a thorough examination of the design principles, materials, and operational facets associated with the proposed screw jack innovation. The primary impetus behind this research is to fill an existing void in lifting solutions that are customized to the requirements of tasks involving light objects. By delving into the intricacies of screw jack design, the study seeks to improve the efficiency and safety of lifting operations in diverse contexts, such as small-scale workshops, where precision and controlled lifting of lighter loads are crucial. Anticipated outcomes of this study include the development of a specialized screw jack prototype that provides a dependable, cost-effective, and ergonomic solution for lifting light objects. The research findings aim to contribute valuable insights to the fields of mechanical engineering and lifting technology, laying the groundwork for further advancements in the design and application of lifting devices tailored to specific load requirements. Based on the study\u27s findings, the following conclusions were drawn: the device effectively raises objects with a 2-ton capacity, its safety has been successfully verified, and the materials used are locally available. However, it is essential to note that this design is limited to light loads. Therefore, in applications requiring a screw-type mechanical jack for heavy loads, a different design is necessary. Recommendations include adherence to the device\u27s capacity, implementation of safety measures to prevent accidents during operation, and potential modifications for further enhancement in future research endeavors
The Potential of Katmon Fruit (Dellenia philippinensis) Extract as a Natural Food Preservative
No full textThis study investigates the potential of Katmon fruit (Dellenia philippinensis) extract as a natural food preservative. The methodology encompassed the extraction of key components from the fruit and their subsequent Analysis. Computational evaluations, based on data from Tables 1, 2, and 3, reveal a significant correlation between the acetic acid concentration in the extract and its antimicrobial effectiveness. Results demonstrate the extract\u27s substantial capability to inhibit microbial growth, which is attributed to its high antioxidant and acetic acid content. Sensory evaluations suggest the extract does not compromise food quality. The discussion underscores the advantages of Katmon fruit extract over synthetic preservatives, highlighting its natural, cost-effective, and eco-friendly nature. The study adds to the understanding of natural food preservation, proposing a viable alternative to synthetic additives, with implications supported by computational data analyses
Studies on the Impact of Microbial Consortia towards Enhancing the Growth of Red Sanders
No full textThe use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, either alone or combined, as bioinoculants presents an economical and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. This method provides a comprehensive solution for enhancing plant growth and yield. This study aimed to develop robust microbial consortia possessing plant growth-promoting capabilities and evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing tree seedling growth. Six bacterial strains were collected and screened for specific traits linked to promoting plant growth. Selected strains were then assessed for compatibility with each other, resulting in the formation of bacterial consortia. These consortia demonstrated diverse plant growth-promoting properties, including the production of the plant growth hormone indole acetic acid and the synthesis of exopolysaccharides. Consequently, these bacterial consortia exhibit significant potential as bioinoculants, offering a promising approach to enhancing plant growth and productivity in an environmentally friendly manner. This contributes to the progress of efforts aimed at promoting seedling growth
Empowering Farmers to Enhance Water Use Efficiency: Innovative Practices in SSPC
No full textThe Sardar Sarovar project, featuring a gravity dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat, stands as one of the largest in terms of concrete volume globally. This study investigates the project\u27s extensive canal network and its impact on agricultural productivity in the command area. Covering a vast expanse across multiple states, the project\u27s irrigation allocation and water management strategies are examined. Special attention is given to addressing soil degradation issues, particularly salinity, and implementing farmer-centered interventions to enhance water use efficiency. Methodologies include land rejuvenation efforts, reclamation of salt-affected land, participatory irrigation management, and promoting improved agricultural practices. Results indicate successful mitigation of soil degradation and increased crop yields through strategic interventions like cotton-castor relay cropping which has demonstrated a 1.5-fold increase in income compared to sole cropping. Intercropping with isabgul/ajwain, and implementing deficit irrigation have resulted in a substantial 43% increase in overall yield, particularly in cumin cultivation. Farmers have also embraced innovative water-saving techniques, such as alternative furrow irrigation and strategic timing of irrigation during critical growth stages, resulting in water savings of 30-35%. However, challenges remain in achieving widespread adoption of participatory irrigation management practices. The study concludes with insights into the necessity of sustained social engineering efforts and community engagement for long-term water resource management and agricultural sustainability in the project area
Studies on the Persistence of Pyraclostrobin 10% CS in Acidic, Neutral and Basic Waters by Validated HPLC-DAD Method
No full textThis paper presents a method for the determination of pyraclostrobin 10% CS, a fungicide used in agriculture, in water samples with different pH values. The method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and uses a reversed-phase column and a gradient elution. The method was validated according to the SANCO guidelines and showed good linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity and selectivity. The method was applied to study the persistence of pyraclostrobin 10% CS in acidic, neutral and basic water under laboratory conditions. The results showed that pyraclostrobin 10% CS was degraded rapidly in basic water with a half-life of less than ten days. The degradation products were identified by HPLC. The study involved exposing water samples to direct sunlight until the end of the experiment. The water samples had different pH levels: acidic (4.0), neutral (7.0) and basic (9.0). The water samples also contained Pyraclostrobin, a fungicide. The researchers collected aliquots of the water samples at various time intervals: 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days. The analysis continued until the Pyraclostrobin residues were below the detection limit. The DT50 can vary significantly depending on environmental conditions, such as pH levels.
At pH 4, pH 7, and pH 9, the reported DT50 ranges between 6 to 8.1 days, indicating a moderate rate of degradation or dissipation in these conditions. These values suggest that the substance is relatively stable across a range of acidic to basic conditions, with only slight variations in the degradation rate