<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">A kinetic study of the pyrolysis process of pine needles was examined using a thermogravimetric analyser. The weight loss was measured in nitrogen atmosphere at a purge flow rate of 100 ml/min. The samples were heated over a range of temperature of 19°C–600°C with a heating rate of 10°C/min. The results obtained from the thermal decomposition process indicate that there are three main stages: dehydration, active and passive pyrolysis. The kinetic parameters for the different samples, such as activation energy and pre-exponential factor, are obtained by the shrinking core model (reaction-controlled regime), the model-free, and the first-order model. Experimental results showed that the shrinking model is in good agreement and can be successfully used to understand degradation mechanism of loose biomass. The result obtained from the reaction-controlled regime represented actual values of kinetic parameters which are the same for the whole pyrolysis process; whereas the model-free method presented apparent values of kinetic parameters, as they are dependent on the unknown function ϕ(C), on the sum of the parameters of the physical processes, and on the chemical reactions that happen simultaneously during pyrolysis. Experimental results showed that values of kinetic constant from the first-order model and the SCM are in good agreement and can be successfully used to understand the behaviour of loose biomass (pine needles) in the presence of inert atmosphere. Using TGA results, the simulating pyrolysis can be done, with the help of computer software, to achieve a comprehensive detail of the devolatilization process of different types of biomasses.</abstract>

Mechanical Engineering Department, Limgiri Zee University, India

Applied Mechanics Department, Indian Institute of Technology, India

Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of pine needles

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This study examines the contribution of the Fadama III programme to the livelihood of the vulnerable group in Kwara State, Nigeria. Results revealed that the group was made up of mainly old, less-educated, small-scale farmers, with many years of farming experience. Benefits derived from the programme by the group include input support, asset acquisition, rural infrastructure, advisory services, capacity building, increased output, and income. The major constraints faced by the group were illiteracy, pests and diseases, inadequate inputs, and untimely funding. This study suggests policy measures on how to better the livelihood of the vulnerable group of farmers.</abstract>

Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Effect of agricultural programmes on the livelihood of the vulnerable group: a case study of the Fadama III programme in Kwara State, Nigeria

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Adsorption of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) on powdered orange peel (POP), a locally available adsorbent, has been studied. Experiment was performed on different 8HQ concentration, particle size, and adsorbent dosage. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm model has been tested. The obtained results best fitted the Langmuir model, suggesting monolayer adsorption of 8HQ on POP. The kinetic studies for the adsorption process were also carried out using pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order models, and the data obtained is best fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated for the adsorption process and the result showed that the values of ΔGads, ΔHads, and ΔSads are −1171.4J/mol, −140J/mol and −40.5 J/K at 303 K. Thus, it can be summarized that the adsorption of 8HQ is spontaneous, chemisorbed, monolayer, and exothermic</abstract>

8-Hydroxyqunoline adsorption from aqueous solution using powdered orange peel: kinetic and isotherm study

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Our PhD researches include brownfield revitalization,<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn1_w2aab2b8b5b1b7b1ab1aaAa">1</xref> the application of the methods of interim utilizations on greeneries,<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2_w2aab2b8b5b1b7b1ab1ab1Aa">2</xref> and the formation background and potential of community gardens.<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn3_w2aab2b8b5b1b7b1ab1ab2Aa">3</xref> We compared our systems of criteria in hope of extensive research conclusions. In order to trace the urban development possibilities in Budapest, we analysed brownfield revitalizations where the interim utilizations included allotment gardens, too. We concluded that such developments are likely to create environmental and social added value. Early results of the valorization process are important by themselves, but the perpetuation of interim land utilization holds even greater values.</abstract>

Department of Garden and Open Space Design, Corvinus University of Budapest

SzentIstván University, Ybl Miklós, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering School of Architecture

Department of Garden Art and Landscape Techniques, Corvinus University of Budapest

Sustainable revitalization of brownfield lands – possibilities of interim utilization in the form of urban community gardens

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">An essential condition for the success of rural areas is the harmonious enforcement of ecologic, economic, and other educational, cultural, aesthetic goods/services of landscape, diversity of landscape functions. Landscape function analysis is a useful tool for the complex evaluation of rural regions. Using statistic and spatial data, we explored the landscape resources, potentials, and limitations of two pilot regions. But what about the future? Based on the landscape function analysis, we have defined special types of regions/landscape visions according to the long-term ability to retain population by the comparison of economic, production, and habitat value of the landscape.</abstract>

Landscape function analysis as a base of landscape visions

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper endeavours to highlight three aspects of postmodern landscape design: theoretical basis, composition and design elements. Postmodern theories, philosophy influenced the language of the postmodern landscape architecture and got materialized in the use of narratives, eclecticism, the Rhizome-principle. Postmodern landscape composition can be associated with anti-hierarchy, unusual structures, landforms, and playful moods. Postmodern design elements consist of the strong graphical use of colour and pavements, bizarre water features, unusual structures and buildings, postmodern sculptures and thematic garden details. 25 analysed projects try to capture the essence of postmodernism in landscape architecture as well as to reveal points of intersection within these projects.</abstract>

Postmodern landscape architecture: theoretical, compositional characteristics and design elements with the analysis of 25 projects

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Persian garden is one of the most characteristic and notable element in the Iranian landscape. Considering Iran’s hot and dry climate along with water deficit for plantation, it becomes noticeable how important the art of making gardens is to Iranians.Water is one of the most crucial elements in the Persian garden, and we can state that gardens would be meaningless without it. Garden applications use water with its various abilities such as life, brightness, cleanliness, light, inertia, and motion, which bring forward numerous feelings in the human soul and enhance mental comfort. Also, its various running structures, such as basins, streams, water creeks, and fountains, provide mental comfort and technical functions.</abstract>

Special aspects of water use in Persian gardens

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In the last century, rapid transformations, industrialization, urbanization, tertiarization, the boom in services, modern counter-urbanization trends, social mobility, and bigger transport infrastructures could have been seen. The eastern Mediterranean area, located next to the Mediterranean Sea, was one of the most significantly changed parts of the agrarian lands in Europe. The recession left its mark everywhere in Europe. This paper focuses now on the land-use changes of the east coast of Spain, on the Huerta de Valencia. The objective of this paper is to assess spatial changes and to analyse the land-use changes between 2008 and 2013.</abstract>

Abandonment phenomenon in Europe

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">We determined the elemental profile of 16 edible mushroom species from the Făget Forest, near Cluj-Napoca, and of 12 species from the Apuseni Mountains. One-way ANOVA showed no difference in the elemental content of mushrooms when the two regions were compared. Some species accumulated high amounts of trace elements, i.e. <italic>Boletus edulis</italic> (Ag, S, Zn), <italic>Macrolepiota procera</italic> (Cu), <italic>Lactarius volemus</italic> (Co), <italic>Russula emetica</italic> (Mn), <italic>Armillariella mellea</italic>, and <italic>Chantarellus cibarius</italic> (Cr). The cadmium content was the highest in the case of <italic>Leccinum scabrum</italic> and <italic>Boletus edulis</italic>. These two species presented elevated risk levels for all age-groups when they are consumed regularly.</abstract>

Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Department of Environmental Science, 400193 Cluj-Napoca, Calea Turzii 4, Romania.

University of Debrecen, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, 4032, December, Egyetem tér 1., Hungary

Elemental profile of edible mushrooms from a forest near a major Romanian city

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The rodenticide brodifacoum is highly toxic to mammals and birds, and extremely toxic to fish. It is a highly cumulative poison due to its high lipophilicity and extremely slow elimination. For this reason, it may be interesting to find similar compounds in order to enlarge the spectrum of vitamin K epoxide reductase enzyme inhibitors used today in pest control. We used the Similar Compounds search type of the Chemical Structure Search of the PubChem Compound Database to locate records that are similar to the chemical structure of brodifacoum, using pre-specified similarity thresholds. Using the threshold ≥ than 95% for the similar structures criteria, we found 14 compounds (from over 30 million entries) that meet this criteria. Two of these compounds have a better binding affinity to vitamin K epoxide reductase enzyme than brodifacoum, but the binding energy of the other 12 substances is also high, having identical or lower lipophilicity; consequently, they will eliminate faster, possibly lacking a part of the adverse effects.</abstract>

Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Str. Sighişoarei 1C, Târgu-Mureş – Corunca, 540485, Romania

University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu-Mureș, Faculty of Pharmacy, Str. Gh. Marinescu 38, Târgu-Mureș, 540139, Romania

Identification of new superwarfarin-type rodenticides by structural similarity. The docking of ligands on the vitamin K epoxide reductase enzyme’s active site

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Corunca is situated at 4.5 km SE from Târgu-Mureș, near the Salt Stream, the Bozeni Stream, and the Vațman Stream. Its area is inhabited from ancient times. Both prehistoric and Roman findings were reported to have been found within the village boundaries. Its neighbouring medieval village, Sárvári, perished in the 16th century, while Kisernye was devastated by Turkish troops in 1661. The settlement was first recorded in 1332 as <italic>Korunka</italic>. The Reformed Church was built between 1769 and 1778, while its spire dates from 1793. The earlier church was surrended by high protective walls, which were demolished in 1769.The extremely ruinous castle with its neoclassical façade and a couple of neighbouring farm buildings appear on the left side of the European route E60 travelling from Târgu-Mureș to Sighișoara. Today, this is a barren place, although once it was surrounded by a grove the size of 120 cadastral acres [2].During the reign of John Sigismund Zápolya, Prince of Transylvania and ruler of a part of the Kingdom of Hungary, the village belonged to Thomas Mihályfy. The castle was ravaged in 1562 by the revolted Szeklers. After the fall of the Mihályfy family, the Chancellor of Transylvania, Farkas Kovacsóczi owned the estate, which later came down to the Tholdalagi family. The Tholdalagi family belongs to one of the great magnate families of Transylvania, with nicknames deriving from Ercea and Iclod, but originating from Toldal, Mureș County, Romania – their ancient demesne from the 16th century. Mihály I. Tholdalagi (1580–1673), one of the wisest diplomats in the Principality, reshaped the original building to an impressive castle in the 1630s, whose size and adjoining buildings are described in the Inventory dating from 1680. The first members of the Tholdalagi family came to Transylvania from Hungary. According to the family traditions, and also mentioned in their Certificate of Count, their ancestor is the extinguished Alaghi family member, András, who obtained Toldalag settlement together with its neighbouring Ercse in 1453; hence the nickname “Ercsei”. Thus, Mihály Tholdalagi’s parents were Balázs from Gáldtő and Borbála Bessenyei [1].</abstract>

A historical survey of the Corunca Castle, Romania, based on the military survey maps and present-day measurements

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Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Agriculture and Environment

The series Agriculture and Environment publishes exclusively original research papers, review papers, and in some cases technological descriptions (provided that new methods are presented) in various fields of agriculture – with specific focus on plant breeding and protection – and environment, including management, protection, and evaluation.  We particularly encourage empirical field studies addressing cross-scale interactions between agricultural practices and their environment. Papers must have well-elaborated methods, including well-designed replications over the seasons and years. Review papers must have well-documented and current data, including meta-analyses. New methods that include well-designed and modern technologies are encouraged.  All manuscripts are initially screened on their topic suitability. The Journal’s core subject-matter fields/topics include (but are not limited to):    Complex relationships and mechanisms between biological, chemical, and physical features and agroecosystems.  Particular crop production, protection, and their complex interrelations.  Plant–animal interactions in agroecosystems, with particular focus on plant protection, plant breeding, and plant chemical defences.  Abiotic interactions between agroecosystems and the environment (soil, air, water, toxins).  Biological and ecological processes that govern ecosystem services.  Complex relationships between anthropological factors and agroecosystems, including all human impacts on the environment and on agroecosystems.  Empirical studies related to land-use intensification and other human impacts (soil degradation and erosion, water and waste management, and associated mitigation approaches).  Empirical studies on biodiversity conservation, land management, and ecological restoration.  The following topics are discouraged:    Only locally important questionnaire-based surveys made on local populations and plots.  Studies involving only locally important crops.  Surveys on consumers’ preferences and opinions.  Animal breeding and health studies of any form.  Political opinions and any other related surveys.  Studies on theoretical models or methodologies with low application possibilities.   Why Submit  Fast process, strict review.    All submitted papers are screened carefully for their eligibility, checked with highly sophisticated anti-plagiarism software, and authors are informed about the results.  All papers are revised first by the series editors, and a decision on their suitability for any further external review is reported in a few days.  Decisions, based on external reviewers’ submitted reports on the papers, are made within 4–6 weeks.  Papers accepted are published online first within a short period of time.    Papers are published in the Gold Open Access regime – no fees or any charge from authors are requested.   The printed and online versions of the journal are identical.  Rejection Rate    65%    Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.  Article Processing Charge (APC)  The journal does not have article processing charges (APCs) nor article submission charges. 

Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Agriculture and Environment

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