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Pulsed electric fields (PEF) and cold plasma (CP) show the potential to improve drying efficiency, but the understanding of their comparison and combined effects in PEF-driven dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is lacking. This study aims to develop a non-chemical pre-treatment to improve drying efficiency and quality by exploring the effects of using PEF, atmospheric pressure plasma jet, and PEF-driven DBD for pre-treating wolfberry. Exploring the synergistic effects and mechanisms of PEF and CP in pre-treatment innovatively provided a new dimension for efficient drying. Results showed that DBD pre-treatment reduced the drying time by 50.6% and energy consumption by 46.0% compared to untreated wolfberry. DBD-pre-treated wolfberries showed better sensory quality and retained critical nutrients by reducing enzyme activities and drying time. DBD combined cold plasma etching and PEF cell disintegration to increase the surface area and pore volume of wolfberry. Furthermore, DBD affected the molecular and tissue structure, altering the binding state of water molecules. [Display omitted] • DBD reduced drying time by 50.6% and cut energy use by 46.0% than untreated. • Dried wolfberries obtained by DBD pretreated showed the best overall quality. • DBD reduced enzymatic browning and the accumulation of 5-HMF. • DBD combined CP etching and PEF cell disintegration to improve the drying rate. • DBD altered the water binding by affecting the molecular and tissue structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The space-occupation behavior of rural residents can occur in an "indoor air-conditioned environment" or a "courtyard natural environment." High-quality outdoor environments can attract residents to spend more time in the outdoor space, thereby reducing the use of indoor space and building energy consumption. Quantifying the complementary effects of indoor and outdoor spaces on the thermal environmental quality is fundamental in detecting the potential of behavioral activities in building energy-saving. This study on Chinese farmhouses and resident space-occupation behavior in nine districts across various climatic zones investigated the typical farmhouse physical models and resident occupancy rates. Indoor temperature and humidity parameters without air conditioning were simulated, and the predicted indoor and outdoor mean thermal sensation votes were measured and compared hourly. The number of hours of indoor space out of comfort zone but yard space in comfort zone were calculated and analyzed. Finally, the air conditioning energy consumption of farmhouses with and without yard spaces was calculated and compared, considering the difference in spatiotemporal behavior in various rural buildings. The results indicated that yard spaces in rural buildings had a complementary effect on thermal comfort environment provision and have the potential to reduce building energy consumption of farmhouses by 7.21%–33.99%. • Discuss the conception of energy-saving spatiotemporal behavior pattern. • Characteristics of spatiotemporal behavior of rural residents in China being summarized. • Yard spaces in rural buildings had a complementary effect on thermal comfort. • Courtyards reduced building energy consumption of farmhouses by 7.21%–33.99%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]