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【Background and Objective】 The arid and semi-arid regions in Northwest Liaoning Province are characterized by low precipitation and high evaporation, leading to desertification, soil erosion and degradation. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on variation and determinants of saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils in these regions. 【Method】 This study was conducted in grasslands exhibiting various levels of desertification. We measured the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils at different depths, along with various influencing factors across different regions. 【Result】 The impact of desertification on soil hydraulic conductivity varied with soil depth. In the top 0-30 cm soil, the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil in non-deserted, slightly deserted, moderately deserted, and severely deserted regions was 2.46 mm/min, 5.57 mm/min, 8.72 mm/min and 9.04 mm/min, respectively. The impact of desertification on hydraulic conductivity of soil in the 30-70 cm layer is similar, with the saturated soil hydraulic conductivity in the non-deserted regions being 30% of that in the severely deserted region. In the 70-100 cm layer, the saturated soil hydraulic conductivity in different regions was ranked in the order of non-deserted < slightly deserted < severely deserted < moderately deserted, with the saturated soil hydraulic conductivity in the non-deserted region being 40% of that in the moderately deserted region. Saturated soil hydraulic conductivity was negatively correlated with soil phosphatase and positively correlated with sand content, bulk density, and porosity of non-capillary pores. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity linearly decreases with soil desertification in y=13.13x-31.80, which could explain 98.70% of the variation in the hydraulic conductivity. It was also found that, regardless of the level of desertification, soil hydraulic conductivity tended to increase with soil depth and vegetation coverage. 【Conclusions】 The saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils in the grasslands in the northern Liaoning Province varies with both soil depth and the degree of desertification. Key factors influencing this variation include sand content, phosphatase content, bulk soil density, and presence of large non-capillary pores.

Objective: To study the effects of different drying processes on the quality of high moisture wheat. Methods: Investigates the changes of wheat quality under different drying processes in three dimensions: appearance quality, nutritional quality and processing quality. Three indicators, namely colour, wet gluten content and drying rate, were selected as response values and combined with response surface analysis to predict the optimal drying process for high moisture wheat. Results: Drying temperature was the main influencing factor. As the temperature increased, the colour of the wheat deepened, the crude protein content decreased, the wet gluten content decreased, the water absorption of the dough increased, the formation time increased, the stabilization time increased, the degree of weakness decreased, the flour quality index under increased, The wheat skin changed from a small raised rectangle to a small sunken pit, and the internal starch granules changed from a smooth round or oval shape to a rough irregular shape. The optimal processing conditions of the response surface were drying temperature 45 ℃, wind speed 0.94 m/s, tempering time 30.4 min. The colour L* 58.811, the wet gluten content of 27.292%, the drying rate of 8.146×10-2%/min and the comprehensive score of 0.613 were obtained with this parameter. Conclusion: The study proved that the optimization of the hot air drying process improved the post-drying quality of wheat to some extent on the basis of ensuring the drying efficiency.

BACKGROUND: The delayed drying of newly harvested tiger nuts can lead to mold and rancidity. Timely drying is therefore important. However, few studies have analyzed the impact of hot‐air drying on the quality of tiger‐nut oil and starch, making it essential to establish optimal drying conditions. RESULTS: The results showed that the drying temperature was the most important factor affecting the drying speed, followed by drying airflow rate and loading capacity. A logarithmic model can describe the hot‐air drying process of tiger nuts. The oil yield of tiger nut was highest after drying at 60 °C, reaching 22.40%. Meanwhile, the starch extracted from after drying at 60 °C had the highest solubility and expansion rate, 4.77% and 9.74%, respectively. Starch has the highest viscosity after drying at 70 °C, and it forms gel easily after aging. CONCLUSION: High‐quality tiger nuts should be produced under optimal conditions: a hot‐air drying temperature of 60 °C, an airflow rate of 1.0 m s−1, and a loading capacity of 100 g. The results of this study have practical implications for the effective drying of tiger nuts. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research has dealt with the gaps in the previous literature and the preponderant problems in the Ghana telecom industry. The main objective is to explore the roles of innovation capability and environmental turbulence on the relationship between customer relationship management and business performance in the Ghana telecommunication industry. Hierarchical linear regression and structural equation models through STATA and AMOS statistical software were employed to analyze the obtained data from a structured questionnaire. These models were used based on the type of analyses employed in our study and since they are robust in determining and validating the proposed causal relationships among variables. To summarize the findings, (1) the study found that customer relationship management constructs have a positive impact on innovation capability and business performance. (2) We discovered that innovation capability constructs have a positive effect on business performance. (3) Innovation capability mediates the relationship between customer relationship management and business performance. (4) Environmental turbulence moderates the relationship between customer relationship management and business performance. These findings contribute immensely to managerial and practical implications by entreating managers to intensify their commitment to CRM and innovation activities such as sharing indispensable information, involving customers, solving problems jointly, building long‐term relationships, and using modern technologies in building powerful partnerships with customers to meet their needs in order to accelerate performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]