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The Multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) approaches are utilized to aggregate ambiguous and imprecise information based on different aggregation operators (AOs). The aim of this article is to explore the notion of single-valued neutrosophic (SVN) set (SVNS), wich is the modified structure of an intuitionistic fuzzy sets and picture fuzzy sets. Some appropriate operations of Aczel Alsina tools under the system of SVN information are also presented. By using the theory of prioritization aggregation model, we developed a class of new approaches including SVN Aczel Alsina prioritized average (SVNAAPA) and SVN Aczel Alsina prioritized geometric (SVNAAPG) operators. We also presented a series of new methodologies in the light of SVN information such as SVN Aczel Alsina prioritized weighted average (SVNAAPWA), and SVN Aczel Alsina prioritized weighted geometric (SVNAAPWG) operators. To verify discussed aggregation approaches, we also presented some notabe characteristics. We established a MADM technique to solve complexities and difficulties during decision-making in our real-life problems. By utilizing a practical numerical example to select an appropriate research scientist for the vacant post of a public university. To find the validity and flexibility of our invented approaches, sensitive analysis, and comparative study by comparing the results of existing approaches with currently proposed aggregation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of a freeze–thaw pre-treatment (FTP) on the peeling process of cassava tubers was investigated in this study. The length and weight of the cassava tubers varied from 200 to 280 mm and 500 to 900 g, respectively. A prototype abrasive cassava peeling machine was used. The operational parameters were the rotational speed of the brushes (550–1150 rpm), peeling time (1–5 min), thawing temperature (50–90 °C), and incubation time of the thawing treatment (0–120 s). Response surface methodology was applied to optimize FTP to improve the peeling process of cassava tubers. Peeled surface area and peel loss were measured as the responses. Results revealed that the peeled surface area and peel loss were significantly influenced by the rotational speed of the brushes, peeling time, and the incubation time of the thawing treatment (p < 0.05). Under optimal peeling conditions, with a rotational speed of 1000 rpm, a peeling time of 3.4 min, a thawing temperature of 59 °C, and an incubation time of 90 s, the peeled surface and the peel loss were approximately 99.5 and 19%, respectively. The results show that the use of FTP can improve cassava peeling by softening the peels and increasing the peeled surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detoxified Jatropha protein isolate ( DJPI), prepared from Jatropha seed cake was hydrolysed using Alcalase 2.4L FG. Both DJPI and hydrolysed DJPI ( HDJPI) were evaluated as a fish meal ( FM) replacement in common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) diets. The peptide concentration in HDJPI was determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometer ( MALDI- TOF). Twenty-two peptides with molecular mass ranging from m/z 906.455 to 1774.943 Da were identified. Fingerlings (45; av. wt. 10.1 ± 0.4 g) were randomly distributed in five groups with three replicates. An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to compare the nutritional quality of the HDJPI, DJPI and FM. Fish were fed on iso-nitrogenous diets: control ( FM based protein), J50 (50% of FM protein replaced by DJPI), J75 (75% of FM protein replaced by DJPI), JH50 (50% of FM protein replaced by HDJPI) and JH75 (75% of FM protein replaced by HDJPI). Growth performance was higher for FM fed group compared with the other groups, while nutrient utilization parameters were similar for control and J50 groups and superior ( P < 0.05) to J75 and both the HDJPI fed groups. No variation ( P > 0.05) was observed in blood albumin and hepatosomatic index among all different groups. Blood urea nitrogen, calcium, sodium and potassium ions in the blood were similar among all five groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the development of a mild processing method for cassava leaves to remove cyanogenic compounds with minimum nutritional loss is evaluated. Fresh leaves were reduced in size using a mixer at temperatures of 25 (room temperature), 55, 80, and 100 °C for 1 min before screw pressing to separate the juice and press cake fractions. Cyanide content in the fresh leaves was reduced by 60% at 100 °C and by 57% in the juice sample processed at 25 °C. The press cake cyanide content was low (210 ppm) in both the control and the sample that was processed at 55 °C. An increase in the temperature for processing cassava leaves to 100 °C resulted in a loss of 5–13% of the CP and 7–18% of the vitamin C content. The press-cake fraction had high beta-carotene, lutein, and chlorophyll a and b content, and low values were registered for the juice fraction. Processing fresh cassava leaves at 25 and 55 °C resulted in fractions with high beta-carotene and lutein content. The protein quality of press cake was better than that of juice for feed. Short thermal shredding with pressing resulted in minimal loss of nutrients and a significant reduction of cyanide in the leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition and quality of the M. concanensis seed oil extracted through an aqueous-enzyme-assisted technique, using three commercial enzyme-mixtures (Natuzyme, Kemzyme, and Feedzyme) was compared to those of the control-, (without enzymes) and solvent-extracted oils. Aqueous enzyme-extracted M.concanensis seed oil content ranged from 23.54 to 27.46% and was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the control (15.41%). Analyses of the oilseed residues (meals) revealed no significant (P>0.05) variation in the contents of fiber and ash within the three extraction methods. However, the protein content of the meal obtained through the aqueous-enzyme and control methods was significantly (P>0.05) lower as compared to that of the solvent-extracted. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in iodine value (67.1-68.0 g of iodine/100 g of oil), density at 24 °C (0.865-0.866 g mL-1), refractive index at 40 °C (1.4622-1.4627) and unsaponifibale (0.69-0.76%) matter of the M. concanensis seed oils extracted using the three methods. The specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm, peroxide value, p-anisidine, free fatty acid contents and color values of the aqueous-enzyme-extracted oil were found to be lower than that of solvent-extracted oil and thus revealed good quality. The oils extracted through the three methods exhibited no significant (P>0.05) variation in their contents of major fatty acids except stearic (18:0) and linoleic (18:2) acids. The level of γ-tocopherol in enzyme-extracted oil, even though comparable to the control, was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of solvent-extracted oil. The content of α-tocopherol in the enzyme-extracted oil was found to be higher than that of the control but lower than that of solvent-extracted oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is native to tropical America and has been introduced into many other countries as an ornamental and hedge plant. The species has been spreading quickly and has naturalized in more than 60 countries as an invasive noxious weed. It is considered to be one of the world's 100 worst alien species. L. camara often forms dense monospecies stands through the interruption of the regeneration process of indigenous plant species. Allelopathy of L. camara has been reported to play a crucial role in its invasiveness. The extracts, essential oil, leachates, residues, and rhizosphere soil of L. camara suppressed the germination and growth of other plant species. Several allelochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, and a flavonoid, were identified in the extracts, essential oil, residues, and rhizosphere soil of L. camara. The evidence also suggests that some of those allelochemicals in L. camara are probably released into the rhizosphere soil under the canopy and neighboring environments during the decomposition process of the residues and as leachates and volatile compounds from living plant parts of L. camara. The released allelochemicals may suppress the regeneration process of indigenous plant species by decreasing their germination and seedling growth and increasing their mortality. Therefore, the allelopathic property of L. camara may support its invasive potential and formation of dense monospecies stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change influences the ecological environment and affects the recruitment of plants, in addition to population dynamics, including Scots pine regeneration processes. Therefore, the impact of cover-dominant species extracts on the germination of pine seeds and morpho-physiological traits of seedling under different environmental conditions was evaluated. Increasing temperature reinforces the plant-donor allelochemical effect, reduces Scots pine seed germination, and inhibits seedling morpho-physiological parameters. Conditions unfavourable for the seed germination rate were observed in response to the effect of aqueous extracts of 2-year-old Vaccinium vitis-ideae and 1-year-old Calluna vulgaris under changing environmental conditions. The lowest radicle length and hypocotyl growth were observed in response to the effect of 1-year-old C. vulgaris and 2-year-old Rumex acetosella under increasing temperature (+4 °C) conditions. The chlorophyll a + b concentration in control seedlings strongly decreased from 0.76 to 0.66 mg g−1 (due to current environmental and changing environmental conditions). These factors may reduce the resistance of Scots pine to the effects of dominant species and affect the migration of Scots pine habitats to more favourable environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical profile and allelopathic effect of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by a dominant shrub Serphidium kaschgaricum (Krasch.) Poljak. growing in northwestern China was investigated for the first time. Serphidium kaschgaricu was found to release volatile compounds into the surroundings to affect other plants' growth, with its VOCs suppressing root elongation of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Poa annua L. by 65.47% and 60.37% at 10 g/1.5 L treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, volatile oils produced by stems, leaves, flowers and flowering shoots exhibited phytotoxic activity against A. retroflexus and P. annua. At 0.5 mg/mL, stem, leaf and flower oils significantly reduced seedling growth of the receiver plants, and 1.5 mg/mL oils nearly completely prohibited seed germination of both species. GC/MS analysis revealed that among the total 37 identified compounds in the oils, 19 of them were common, with eucalyptol (43.00%, 36.66%, 19.52%, and 38.68% in stem, leaf, flower and flowering shoot oils, respectively) and camphor (21.55%, 24.91%, 21.64%, and 23.35%, respectively) consistently being the dominant constituents in all oils. Eucalyptol, camphor and their mixture exhibited much weaker phytotoxicity compared with the volatile oils, implying that less abundant compounds in the volatile oil might contribute significantly to the oils' activity. Our results suggested that S. kaschgaricum was capable of synthesizing and releasing allelopathic volatile compounds into the surroundings to affect neighboring plants' growth, which might improve its competitiveness thus facilitate the establishment of dominance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar from crop residues such as corncobs can be used for soil amendment, but its negative effects have also been reported. This study aims to evaluate the phytotoxic effects of different biochar treatments and application rates on cress (Lepidium sativum). Corncob biochar was produced via slow pyrolysis without using purging gas. Biochar treatments included fresh biochar (FB), dried biochar (DB), washed biochar (WB), and biochar water extract (WE). Biochar application rates of 10, 20, and 30 t/ha were investigated. Significant phytotoxic effects of biochar were observed on germination rates, shoot length, fresh weight, and dry matter content, while severe toxic effects were identified in FB and WE treatments. Germination rate after 48 h (GR48) decreased with the increase of biochar application rates in all treatments. The observed order of performance of the biochar treatments for germination, shoot length, and shoot fresh weight for every biochar application rate was WB>DB>WE>FB, while it was the reverse order for the shoot dry matter content. WB treatment showed the best performance in reducing the phytotoxicity of biochar. The mitigation of the phytotoxicity in fresh corncob biochar by washing and heat treatment was found to be a simple and effective method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]