This paper concerns a miniature gasifier fed with a constant ambient-pressure flow of air to study the pyrolysis and subsequent combustion stage of a single wood pellet at T = 800 ℃. The alkali release and the concentration of simple gases were recorded simultaneously using an improved alkali surface ionisation detector and a mass spectrometer in time steps of 1 s and 1.2 s, respectively. It showed alkali release during both stages. During combustion, the MS data showed almost complete oxidation of the charred pellet to CO₂. The derived alkali release, “O₂ consumed”, and “CO₂ produced” conversion rates all indicated very similar temporal growth and coalescence features with respect to the varying char pore surface area underlying the original random pore model of Bhatia and Perlmutter. But, also large, rapid signal accelerations near the end and marked peak-tails with O₂ and CO₂ after that, but not with the alkali release data. The latter features appear indicative of alkali–deprived char attributable to the preceding pyrolysis with flowing air. Except for the peak-tails, all other features were reproduced well with the modified model equations of Struis et al. and the parameter values resembled closely those reported for fir charcoal gasified with CO₂ at T = 800 ℃.

The main objective of the study is to discuss the application of a participatory approach that involves the community of a small rural area in Italy to develop and maintain a sustainable local food system based on a very ancient and high-quality typical local bean. The efficacy of the approach in terms of the active involvement of local actors (farming communities, local administration, social associations, and civil society) and knowledge transfer for preserving the local food culture has been demonstrated. Possible improvements to the approach through digital technologies for stimulating the effective engagement of teenagers have also been discussed.

Fruits are a source of vitamins. Mango is one of the abundantly nutritional fruits. Vitamin B9, or folic acid, is one of the important vital amines due to its role in preventing neural deficiency. Several beneficial micro-organisms are used for the synthesis of folic acid. In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used. Saccharomyces cerevisiae synthesized folic acid as compared to other organisms. There were five different concentrations of mango pulp that were analyzed for folic acid synthesis (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30%). The initial concentration of pulp was 133.37 mg kg⁻¹, but after fermentation with four micro-organisms it got reduced. As compared to the other three organisms, Saccharomyces cerevisiae synthesizes 17.15 mg kg⁻¹, 30.14 mg kg⁻¹, 28.62 mg kg⁻¹, 21.70 mg kg⁻¹, and 21.78 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, at different pulp concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15, 20%, and 30%. Vitamin C increased to 320 mg as compared to the control, and there was no significant difference between the four micro-organisms. Antioxidants also showed positive results at different concentrations of pulp. There was an increase in titratable acidity and a decrease in pH recorded for the 24 h fermentation period. In this variety, the color of mango pulp slightly changes to yellow shades due to the breakdown of pigments, so this effects the *b value in between the pulp concentrations. Data supports the enrichment of folic acid, which will further support the utilization of beneficial micro-organisms in food beverages. 

The purpose of this study is to predict the frequency of mortality from urban traffic injuries for the most vulnerable road users before, during and after the confinement caused by COVID-19 in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to the frequency of traffic crash frequency to identify vulnerable road users. Spatial georeferencing was carried out to analyze the distribution of road crashes in the three moments, before, during, and after confinement, subsequently, the behavior of the most vulnerable road users at those three moments was predicted within the framework of the probabilistic random walk. The statistical results showed that the most vulnerable road user was the cyclist, followed by motorcyclist, motorcycle passenger, and pedestrian. Spatial georeferencing between the years 2019 and 2020 showed a change in the behavior of the crash density, while in 2021 a trend like the distribution of 2019 was observed. The predictions of the daily crash frequencies of these road users in the three moments were very close to the reported crash frequency. The predictions were strengthened by considering a descriptive analysis of a range of values that may indicate the possibility of underreporting in cases registered in the city’s official agency. These results provide new elements for policy makers to develop and implement preventive measures, allocate emergency resources, analyze the establishment of policies, plans and strategies aimed at the prevention and control of crashes due to traffic injuries in the face of extraordinary situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar events.

In the process of seeking sustainable development, enterprises have chosen international business strategy. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the degree of internationalization of Chinese listed firms and financial reporting quality, as well as whether audit committees can moderate the impact of enterprise internationalization on financial reporting quality. The empirical analysis results of Chinese listed manufacturing firms from 2014 to 2018 show that: the degree of corporate internationalization has a significant U-shaped relationship with earnings management. This new finding solves the problem that scholars have inconsistent views on the internationalization of enterprises and the quality of financial reporting. The study also found that audit committees with experience working in accounting firms can inhibit firm earnings management behavior in the early stage of internationalization; audit committees with experience working overseas can inhibit firm earnings management behavior in the later stage of internationalization; the higher the remuneration of audit committee experts, the more it can inhibit firm earnings management behavior in the early stage of internationalization. In the later stage of internationalization, the higher the remuneration of audit committee experts, it helps the earnings management behavior of firms. This provides new evidence on the functioning of the audit committee’s role; however, the independence of the audit committee and the proportion of financial experts do not have a significant effect on the inhibition of earnings management.