In Nigeria, before the removal of subsidy on kerosene in 2016, the product was accessible to low-income individuals and is intended to be used as a fuel for cooking, lighting, or heating. Recently, kerosene is rapidly vanishing from rural families and it is becoming inaccessible due to its ever-rising cost. Therefore, to ease the hardship of low-income individuals to have access to high thermal efficiency cookers with affordable fuel, a study was carried out to determine the thermal efficiency and fuel consumption rate of a pressure cooker fueled with a blend of waste vegetable oil and kerosene. Based on this, a low-cost pressure cooker was developed with locally available materials to aid the atomization of fuel during cooking. Along with this, vegetable oil was blended with kerosene to enhance the quantity of kerosene used to fuel the pressure cooker. This cooker fueled with blends of vegetable oil and kerosene was analyzed for its thermal efficiency and fuel consumption rate and was also compared to the conventional kerosene stove. The result shows that the constructed pressure cooker has a thermal efficiency of 52% which is 20% more than the conventional kerosene stove but the developed pressure cooker consumes more fuel (48.62 ml) than the conventional kerosene wick stove (33.78 ml). Though the pressure cooker consumes more fuel, the thermal efficiency per time with respect to the fuel consumed is much better than conventional kerosene stoves which makes the developed cooker cheaper and more affordable both to low-income earners and for rural dwellers.

This study investigated the effects of different processing techniques and sol-gel coating on the physical properties of biocomposite material. Two dispersion series from corn starch, clay, and sorbitol were prepared by conventional and microwave-assisted processing, and casting technique. One film from each series was sol-gel coated by immersion. All the samples were subjected to moisture content (MC), water solubility (WS), water absorption (WA), FT-IR, DSC, and SEM/digital microscopy tests. The results showed that the coated films contained higher MC (11.5±0.5%) than the non-coated films (5.3±0.6%) and absorbed less water (44.7±12.4%), compared to the non-coated ones (166.3±2.5%). Non-coated films exhibited less solubility in water (26.1±0.2%) than the coated ones (51.0±0.7%). FT-IR test detected cross-linking (1723 cm-1 ester) in the microwave-assisted coated film. The sol-gel coating increased the latent heat of melting and specific heat values by 14.9% and 19.4% for conventionally fabricated samples, and 22.3% and 25.3% for microwaved films, respectively, whereas it reduced the temperature of melting by 23.1% for conventionally fabricated ones, and 6.6% for microwaved ones. Microscopic tests revealed that microwaved compact morphology indicated better gelatinization of starch. Overall, microwaving and sol-gel coating need further investigation to improve the physical properties of biocomposite materials for food packaging.

It is critical that Bangladesh faces water scarcity during the dry season, affecting lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) yield and some yield components during seedling and flowering stages. Thus, a two-factorial pot experiments (The experiment comprises Factor A: three fertilization levels i.e. F1 = Control [inorganic], F2 = poultry litter-based compost [20 ton/ha], F3 = poultry litter-based compost [30 ton/ha]; Factor B: two irrigation levels such as W1 = 100% field capacity [FC] and W2 = 70% FC) were designed at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, from November 2018 to April 2019. And it was investigated how the poultry litter-based composts affected the morpho-physiology, yield and yield components of the lentil (BARI Masur-4) variety under different irrigation stress levels. Obtained results revealed that the tallest plant (30.7 cm at 75 DAS) and maximum branch number per plant (14.1 at 65 DAS), leaf chlorophyll a (0.30 mg/g), highest RLWC (70.28%), lowest proline content (1.57 µ moles g-1 FW), maximum number of pods per plant (39.4 at 75 DAS) and total grain yield (3.62 kg/m2) were recorded from compost F3 (poultry litter-based compost 30 tons/ha) with W1 (100% FC). Results also showed that the yield contributing attributes and yield of lentils were drastically reduced by water stress conditions with different rates of fertilization. In drought conditions (W2 = 70% FC), F3 (30 ton/ha poultry litter-based compost) fertilization produced the highest plant height (30.20 cm at 75 DAS), number of branches (11.5 at 65 DAS), stem dry weight (0.35 g), lowest proline (3.88 µ moles g-1 FW), highest pod number per plant (33.1), weight of 100-seed (2.36 g), total grain weight (2.77 kg/m2), harvest index (58.84%) compared to other fertilizations (F1 and F2). In summary, F3 (30 tons), a compost made from poultry litter, provides better soil conditions under drought conditions compared to F1 and F2 in the year of 2018-19 at the 0 and 20 tons/ha, respectively under the field conditions.

Innovative farming techniques are essential for food security and sustainable farming practices. Innovative agricultural approaches utilize modern technologies and the latest inventions, as well as traditional agricultural practices. The main purpose of this study is to address the relationship between sustainable agriculture and bioeconomy and to examine innovative approaches that are expected to have a significant impact on the agricultural sector in the near future. The study was carried out in compilation format. Bioeconomy is an economic model or methodology based on the economic evaluation of biological resources and processes. Abiotic resources such as microbes, vegetation, animals, and biodiversity are all included in this strategy. On the other hand, sustainable agriculture, which aims to protect natural resources and take into account ecosystem benefits while maintaining food production, is an agricultural paradigm. The primary goals of bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture are economic evaluation, efficient use of natural resources and reduction of environmental impacts. Considered from these perspectives, it can be said that both concepts have common purposes and are closely related. It is possible to say that with the increasing use of sustainable agricultural methods and bioeconomy, the agricultural sector can move towards a more environmentally friendly, efficiently managed and sustainable structure in the future.

Watermelon is a widely cultivated cucurbitaceous crop with economic and dietary significance. The plant's ability to reproduce effectively relies on the harmonious growth and maturation of both its male and female flowers. At the farm level, determining the exact amount of ethylene required to regulate the development and sexual expression of individual floral buds remains uncertain, despite the known influence of exogenously applied ethylene on these processes. The goal of the research was to explore how the ethephon doses influence vegetative characteristics, sex expression, and watermelon yield. The experiment, employing a one-factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising five treatments and four replications, was conducted in a farmer's field in Buttabari, Jhapa. Using R-stat software, the data were analyzed at a 5% level of significance. Treatment consisted of Ethephon with four doses namely; 100ppm, 200ppm, 300ppm, 400ppm, and a control. Ethephon application was done twice, once at the two true-leaf stages and another at four true-leaf stages. The study revealed that plant height decreased with ethephon compared to the control, reaching a minimum of 280.1 cm at 400 ppm and a maximum of 307.1 cm in the control. Additionally, the highest branch numbers were observed with ethephon at 200 ppm. The plot treated with 200ppm ethephon was found to be more effective than alternative doses at increasing the total number of female flowers, bearing 15.25 female flowers per plant. Control (166.50 per plant) and 400 ppm (150.00 per plant) had the highest and lowest male flower counts per plant, respectively. A maximum yield of 25.12 t/ha and a minimum yield of 19.1 t/ha were determined at 200 ppm and control, respectively. Hence, farmers are found to benefit from ethephon doses of 200 ppm.

In the present study, 47 PMEI type 1 genes and 57 PMEI type 2 genes were identified with bioinformatic analysis. The PMEI genes were localized separately on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 and 22, but mainly at the level of the scaffold. The biological functions of the PMEI type 1 genes were found to be in the areas of biological regulation, metabolism and cellular functions. Their cellular localization appears to be associated with cell parts. For the PMEI type 2 genes, the biological functions were determined as biological regulation, metabolic and cellular functions. A total of 393 Arabidopsis miRNAs targeting 47 olive PMEI type 1 genes were identified. Two specific miRNAs targeting the OePMEI1-07 gene were found (ath-miR8168 and ath-miR774b-5p). For the PMEI type 2 genes, 269 Arabidopsis miRNAs were found, including 14 specific miRNAs targeting OPMEI2-02, OPMEI2-03, OPMEI2-27, OPMEI2-28, OPMEI2-29, OPMEI2-30, OPMEI2-40 and OPMEI2-54. These results suggest that PMEI genes in olives may not only play a role in cell development, germ cell formation and plant growth, but also play an important role in abiotic and biotic stress conditions in the olive.

One of the most crucial elements influencing the efficacy of artificial insemination applications is semen quality. It is known that post-thaw semen quality was affected by thawing method. Errors made during the thawing process can compromise the motility, viability, morphology and DNA integrity of spermatozoa after thawing. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of four distinct thawing procedures on post-thaw semen quality in bulls. The first group was designated as 24°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 24°C for 60 seconds. Second group was designated as 32°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 32°C for 60 seconds. Third group was designated as 38°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 38°C for 30 seconds. And the fourth group was designated as 70°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 70°C for 7 seconds. Following the thawing process, motility, sperm morphology, viability, and DNA damage rate in spermatozoa were evaluated. Results showed that in 32°C group and 24°C group sperm motility significantly decreased when compared to 70°C and 38°C groups. Additionally, the 24°C group exhibited a significantly elevated DNA damage rate compared to the 70°C group, while no differences were observed in the other groups. In conclusion, the most ideal thawing procedures are at 70°C for 7 seconds and at 38°C for 30 seconds are recommended to get optimum sperm quality from frozen bull semen after thawing.

This study aimed to show the effect of acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, on B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) gene expression, which plays an important role in apoptotic mechanisms in liver tissue. The study consisted of four groups in total, in which three doses of acetamiprid (5, 10, and 15 mg kg-1) were administered, together with the negative group, in which no substance was administered. Liver tissues resected from mice sacrificed by cervical dislocation after 14 days of acetamiprid administration by gavage were fixed in a 10% formaldehyde solution for histological and immunohistochemical analyses and blocked in paraffin after routine tissue follow-up, and sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and immunostaining. Histological analysis revealed normal liver tissue in the control group; whereas, sinusoidal dilatation, vasodilatation, and necrosis and steatosis in the parenchyma were found in the acetamiprid-treated group at an increasing rate depending on the dose amount. The immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 in liver tissue was observed in the sinusoidal epithelium. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was observed severely in the control and 5 mg kg-1 groups and moderately in the 10 mg kg-1 and 15 mg kg-1 acetamiprid-treated groups. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was observed homogenously in the region from the central vein to the Kiernan’s space. It was observed that acetamiprid used in the study showed a toxic effect on liver tissue, affected bcl-2 expression, an important biomarker in apoptotic pathways, and induced a dose-dependent decrease in bcl-2 immunoreactivity.

Since the ban on the use of antibiotics to promote growth in animal production in 2006, there has been a growing interest in alternative feed additives for animal production. Postbiotics, which have been utilized for this purpose in recent years, are highly promising feed additives that substitute banned substances like antibiotics. In recent years, there have been numerous studies on the utilization of postbiotics in ruminant animal nutrition. This article includes the definition of postbiotics, their properties, methods of obtaining them, and their potential applications in ruminant animal nutrition and health.

This study deals with an information system developed to effectively manage and optimize the maintenance processes of the urban furniture used in Tayfun Gürsoy Park located in Altınordu district of Ordu province. Within the framework of the study, Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to make an inventory of the equipments in the coastal parks, to determine their location and to monitor their condition. GIS was used to collect and analyze the location data of the equipments, allowing for more efficient planning of maintenance and management processes. The results of the study show that it will increase the efficiency of the maintenance and management processes of the equipments in the coastal parks and will provide savings in the use of resources.