A rapid method for loss assessment in stored maize and dried cassava. Interim report for project R5103

This paper describes a new method for the rapid assessment of losses in stored maize cobs and dried cassava chips (cossettes): the use of visual damage scales. The scales can be calibrated against conventional weight loss assessment techniques to permit the estimation of percentage weight losses in stores. The scales were first developed for a survey of Larger Grain Borer beetle (Prostephanus truncatus (Horn)) damage in farm stores in central Togo. They were constructed by sorting infested maize and cassava by eye into different damage classes(four classes for maize cobs and five for cassava chips). In the survey, each sampled cob or chip was scored for damage on the appropriate visual scale, using reference photos to ensure consistency. Advantages of the method include: it is quick and easy to use, increasing the number of stores which can be sampled; data loss or fabrication is reduced; anomalous results can be checked on the spot; and it increases farmer participation in the survey work. Methods of data analysis are discussed in detail. The raw (ranked) data can be analysed by chi-square tests, rank correlation and ordinal logistic regression. Alternatively, if the scales are used to estimate weight losses, this permits the use of more powerful techniques such as analysis of variance. The scales have potential for many types of survey work, especially rapid appraisal. one of the most interesting applications could be to estimate parameters such as loss in market value and loss of final food product (rather than whole grain), but more work is needed to devise appropriate ways of calibrating the scales for this purpose

Influence of target material impurities on physical results in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

This paper presents the studies on the influence of the target material impurities on physical observables registered in heavy ion collisions collected by fixed target experiments. It mainly concerns the measures of multiplicity fluctuations which can be used to searches for critical point of strongly interacting matter, e.g. in the {NA61/SHINE} fixed-target experiment at CERN SPS. The elemental composition of the targets used in the NA61/SHINE experiment was determined applying wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) technique. The influence of measured target impurities on multiplicity distributions and scaled variance was estimated using simulation events. The modification of the standard analysis was proposed to reduce this influence.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figure

Interlinkages: Governance for Sustainability Chapter 8

The Earth functions as a system: atmosphere, land, water, biodiversity and human society are all linked in a complex web of interactions and feedbacks. Environment and development challenges are interlinked across thematic, institutional and geographic boundaries through social and environmental processes. The state of knowledge on these interlinkages and implications for human well-being are highlighted in the following messages: Environmental change and development challenges are caused by the same sets of drivers. They include population change, economic processes, scientific and technological innovations, distribution patterns, and cultural, social, political and institutional processes

X-ray Diffraction and Elemental Analysis of Medical and Environmental Samples

The results of the elemental and chemical composition analysis of human medical samples (blood, serum, hair, urine, tooth, kidney stones, gallstones) and environmental samples (slag, cereal, vegetables, flour, pork bones, pork meat, fish) are presented. The analysis were performed by application of the total reflection X-ray fluorescence, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence and X-ray powder diffraction methods. With X-ray fluorescence methods the following elements were identified: O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, I, Ba, and Pb, whose concentrations were from a few ng/g to tens of percent. For some samples the elemental analysis was extended by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. With this method the chemical composition was determined. In the paper the experimental setups, methodology of samples preparation and methods of carrying out the measurements are described. As an example the X-ray spectra registered for gallstone sample are discussed in detail. Finally, the results of X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis for selected medical and environmental samples are summarized