Effect of Adhesive Type on the Quality of Coconut Shell Charcoal Briquettes Prepared by the Screw Extruder Machine

Indonesia is one of the largest coconut-producing countries in the world.The utilization of coconut shell waste into briquettes will increase the selling value and become a great export opportunity.However,the effect of adhesives on the quality of coconut shell charcoal briquettes made using screw extruder machine has not been widely studied.This study aims to determine the effect of adhesive type on the quality of coconut shell charcoal briquettes.The process of fabricating briquettes in this study included crushing,mixing,blending,pressing,and drying.In the mixing process,3 types of adhesives were used,namely tapioca flour(Briquette_1),cassava flour(Briquette_2),and modified cassava flour(Briquette_3)with a concentration of 5%of the weight of coconut shell charcoal powders.The quality of the resulting briquettes and commercial briquettes will be evaluated by moisture content,ash content,volatile matter,fixed carbon,calorific value,density,compressive,and drop test testing.The results of this research showed that the type of adhesive had a significant effect on the quality of the briquettes produced.Specimen Briquette_1 had better quality than commercial briquettes(Briquette_4)and other briquette specimens.The test results showed that Briquette_1 produced briquettes with better compressive strength and friability than the other specimens,at 6.95 N/mm^(2) and 4.44%,respectively.The moisture content,ash content,fixed carbon,and calorific value of Briquette_1 have met the requirements set by the Indonesian National Standard(SNI)number 01-6235-2000.Meanwhile,the volatile matter content and density of Briquette_1 are by the standards of Japan and the United States America(USA).

Systemic Acquired Resistance of Cotton, Soybean and Common Bean to <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>and <i>Sclerotium rolfsii</i>Induced by Shale Water Seed Treatment

Root rots of cotton, soybean and common bean caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii are basically soil-borne diseases and are difficult to control through the use of fungicides. One of the alternatives to control these diseases could be through the induction of Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). It is believed that shale water as a by-product obtained during the process of extraction of petroleum from fossil rock may act as an inducer of SAR to some pathogens of some crop plants. The objective of the present investigation was to verify the effect of seed treatment with shale water in inducing SAR to R. solani and S. rofsii root rots of cotton, soybean and common bean. Seed treatment experiments were conducted in the greenhouse on seedlings of these three crops using naturally or artificially infested soil with R. solani or with S. rolfsii. Treatments with seeds treated with shale water significantly reduced the average number of plants infected with the two pathogens. Consistent results were obtained in repeated experiments. SAR in cotton and common bean to R. solani varied between 86.16% and 91.13%, while for S. rolfsii in soybean and common bean varied between 84.0% and 57.54% and was long lasting. This is the first report giving strong indication of SAR of the three crops to R. solani and to S. rolfsii. Patent regarding this investigation is obtained with Petrobras, Brazil, under the number IVP 12/039.

Road traffic nanoparticle characteristics:Sustainable environment and mobility

Human effects and environment impacts associated with nanoparticles generated from road traffic have recently attracted wide attention.Knowledge of the influencing variables on both number and mass of nanoparticles,sources,characteristics and limitations of advanced commercially accessible instruments for monitoring nanoparticles,are still scarce and not sufficient to make regulatory decision on solid particles smaller than 23 nm(SPN<23 nm).Given the harmful effects of nanoparticles on human health(i.e.visibility impairment,cardiac-rhythm disturbance,heart attacks,premature death,etc.),their control and assessment seem to be an absolute priority.In this overview,we classify and analyze the existing knowledge of nanoparticles in road traffic atmosphere,recent progress,and emerging priorities in research related to these topics.The major aspects of ongoing research in this field,and a brief discussion of the main sources of atmosphere nanoparticles are presented.The subsequent section focuses on the influencing parameters of nanoparticles including climate conditions,height above the road surface and distance between source(road traffic)and sampling site.The next section provides a comprehensive summary on sampling measurement methodologies and instrumental techniques.We also review the health and environment implications associated with particle exposure.Finally,an evaluation of the state of research related to nanoparticles together with highlights for future research activities are also presented.

Study of Reinforcement Distribution,Adhesion between Layers,and Porosity Induced by FDM

This study aims to understand the distribution of reinforcement material in the matrix,evaluate the adherence between layers,and determine the air gap between printing roads.We printed the specimen with two different composite materials,Polylactic Acid(PLA)reinforced with acrylic particles,and another filament reinforced with short carbon fibers.For the observations of the samples,we used a Confocal Microscope.We estimated the porosity of the material by comparing the expected mass with that achieved after manufacture.By pixel count,after binarization,we found the average percentage of acrylate particulate.They showed fair distribution through the PLA matrix even after the manufacturing process.The determination of fibers alignment was made by binarization of image,together with k-means and edge detection.This combination of methods allows estimating the fiber alignment by orientation straight lines.The manufacturing process did not offer good alignment of the fibers,even with the filament initially well aligned.

Optimal Experiment Design for the Identification of the Interfacial Heat Transfer Coefficient in Sand Casting

The interfacial heat transfer coefficient(IHTC)is one of the main input parameters required by casting simulation software.It plays an important role in the accurate modeling of the solidification process.However,its value is not easily identifiable by means of experimental methods requiring temperature measurements during the solidification process itself.For these reasons,an optimal experiment design was performed in this study to determine the optimal position for the temperature measurement and the optimal thickness of the rectangular cast iron part.This parameter was identified using an inverse technique.In particular,two different algorithms were used:Levenberg Marquard(LM)and Monte Carlo(MC).A numerical model of the solidification process was associated with the optimization algorithm.The temperature was measured at different positions from the mould/metal interface at d=0 mm(mould/metal interface),30 mm,60 mm and 90 mm.the thicknesses of the cast part were:L1=40 mm,60 mm and 80 mm.A comparative study on the IHTC identification was then carried out by varying the initial value of the IHTC between 500 Wm^(-2)K^(-1) and 1050 Wm^(-2)K^(-1).Results showed that the MC algorithm used for estimating the IHTC gives the best results,and the optimal position was at d=30 mm,the position closest to the mould/metal interface,for the lowest thickness L1=40 mm.

Malaria epidemiology in the Democratic Republic of East Timor

Objective:To investigate malaria prevalence and socio-economic conditions in East Timor. Methods:Blood samples were collected from 650 individuals distributed among six districts in East Timor.434 and 216 individuals were sampled by passive and active case detection, respectively(PCD,ACD).Results:The results showed that the plasmodium infection prevalence was 18.9%with predominance of Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) infections(60.2%). The majority of cases were detected in children between 2-14 years old in both PCD and ACD. Participants residing in Same and Lospalos were at a higher risk of malaria.The percentage of infections associated to the lack of bed net use was twice as high as users(25.2%vs 12.5%). The prevalence of malaria among participants who lived in brick/cement houses(8.3%) was two times less than those who lived in other types of houses(3.7%).There was a significantly lower prevalence of infection detected in individuals living in complete housing constructions with absence of domestic animals in or near the houses.Conclusions:The major risk factors for malaria in East Timor are age,lack of bed net use,incomplete housing constructions and exposure to mosquitoes.

Discussing an Expected Utility and Weighted Entropy Framework

In this paper, it is discussed a framework combining traditional expected utility and weighted entropy (EU-WE)—also named mean contributive value index—which may be conceived as a decision aiding procedure, or a heuristic device generating compositional scenarios, based on information theory concepts, namely weighted entropy. New proofs concerning the maximum value of the index and the evaluation of optimal proportions are outlined, with emphasis on the optimal value of the Lagrange multiplier and its meaning. The rationale is a procedure of maximizing the combined value of a system expressed as a mosaic, denoted by characteristic values of the states and their proportions. Other perspectives of application of this EU-WE framework are suggested.

Systemic Acquired Resistance of Soybean to Soybean Rust Induced by Shale Water

Shale water as a by-product obtained by Petrobras, Brazil, during the process of extraction of petroleum from fossil rock may act as an inducer of Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) to some plant pathogens. The objective of the present investigation was to verify the effect of seed treatment and foliar application with shale water in inducing SAR of soybean to soybean rust under greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse experiments, seed treatment alone with shale water significantly reduced the severity of soybean rust and the control efficiency after 11 and 14 days after inoculation was between 54.1% and 57.8%. Whereas seed treatment and only one foliar application with shale water the control efficiency due to SAR 14 and 11 days after inoculation was between 99.7% and 100%, respectively. Such treatments gave similar results under field experiments where the control efficiency of soybean rust was between 79.0% and 99.35% in shale water treated plots as compared to the untreated plots, in 2015. Consequently, this resulted in yield increase between 14.8% and 28.8% depending upon the seed treatment and foliar applications with shale water alone or in mixture with a fungicide. Seed health testing revealed lower number of seeds infected with some pathogens in treatments where either shale water or fungicide was used. Seed treatment and one foliar application were sufficient to induce SAR against soybean rust. This is the first report to demonstrate SAR of soybean to soybean rust induced by shale water. Patent regarding this investigation is deposited with Petrobras, Brazil, under the number EVP 14/022.

Chemistry of the groundwater of the Eastern MitidjaBasin, Algeria

In this article,we present the results of Eastern Mitidja basin groundwater chemical analysis realized by the Algerian water laboratory at National Water Resources Agency(Algiers)in October-November 1991.We try to show a synthetic cartography of some physic-chemical parameters in this area,the spatial quality evolution of groundwater and its irrigation aptitude.The groundwater of Eastern Mitidja basin are bicarbonate-calcareous with magnesium by place sulfated.The mineralization of groundwaters is weak in the high stream and strong in downstream(proximity of the sea).The concentrations of nitrates remain below from the World Health Organization norms over the whole of basin study.Eastern Mitidja basin groundwaters are not dangerous and can be used for irrigation.

Mycosphaerella areola—The Teleomorph of Ramularia areola of Cotton in Brazil, and Its Epidemiological Significance

While Ramularia leaf blight of cotton caused by Ramularia areola is of top most importance for Brazil, information is lacking regarding the survival mechanism of this pathogen during the cotton-free period. The teleomorph of R. areola is expected to belong to the genus Mycosphaerella. In the present study attempts were made to verify occurrence of this teleomorph in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Decaying cotton leaves were collected two months after harvest of 2014 from 44 commercial and experimental fields where aerial fungicidal applications were made or not during the crop cycle to control the Ramularia leaf blight. Examination of the decaying cotton leaves revealed presence of abundant sclerotia, spermagonia and ascoma of Mycosphaerella sp. intermingled with each other during the cotton-free period in most of the leaf samples. Mono-ascospore isolations were obtained from the ascoma and considering their cultural, morphological, pathological and DNA sequence analysis they were identified as Mycosphaerella areola. M. areola and R. areola isolates produced similar symptoms under glasshouse inoculations. Reisolation of the pathogen from the symptoms produced by M. areola isolates yielded R. areola. Some cotton leaves showing such symptoms were kept on the soil surface on plastic trays for two months under natural field condition. After this period the decaying leaves showed abundant perithecia identical to their original M. areola. ITS rDNA sequence analyses revealed identical sequences from M. areola and R. areola isolates. Occurrence and the viability of the perfect stage M. areola during the cotton-free period on the left-over stubble from one season to another were interpreted as the survival mechanism of the pathogen and were considered responsible for the Ramularia blight epidemics in the State of Mato Grosso. Disease management practices for the State of Mato Grosso are discussed. This is the first report about the occurrence of the M. areola in Brazil.

Study of the Positioning Influence in the Water Activity Measurement during Leak Test of Iodine-125 Seeds

In the prostate cancer treatment, brachytherapy with iodine-125 seeds has been used. lodine-125 seeds are sealed radioactive sources, made by a titanium capsule containing the radioisotope inside. In the final phase of the seeds production, it is necessary to ensure that there is no leakage of the radioactive material. A leakage test is performed, immersing the seeds in water during 24 h and measuring the resulting activity in the water. This measurement is made in a sodium iodide detector. The immersion water is transferred to a plastic tube with a cap. The tube is placed by an automated positioning system, in the detector chamber. This study aims to determine the best positioning of the tube for the detection. It is also important to determine the influence of the positioning variation intrinsic of the automated positioning system during the iodine-125 seeds production. The results obtained will be used as a reference to adjust the equipment and process control system, in the production of the iodine-125 seeds.

Turmeric and Vitamin E on the Performance and Quality of Eggs from White Layers

A 112-day experiment was conducted to evaluate turmeric and vitamin E levels on the productive performance and quality of hen eggs. A total of 432 20-week-old white layers were used, distributed in an entirely randomized design, in a 4 × 3 factor scheme (turmeric extract levels and vitamin E levels), with 6 repetitions of 6 birds per cage. The treatments consisted of four levels of turmeric extract inclusion (0;0.1;0.2 and 0.3) and three levels of vitamin E inclusion (0;50 and 100 IU/kg). Egg quality was evaluated at each 28-day cycle through the variables specific gravity, yolk percentage, albumen percentage, shell percentage and thickness, Haugh unit, yolk index and staining, and production performance: weight, egg production and mass, feed intake, feed conversion (kg/kg;kg/dz), and mortality. The addition of vitamin E alone worsened feed intake, egg weight and feed conversion of layers. Turmeric added to 100 IU of Vit E improved egg mass indices, Haugh Unit and yolk index and intensified yolk staining. The amount of turmeric used in this experiment was not sufficient to improve the performance or egg quality of the birds.

Laying Egg Production Supplemented with Antioxidants: An Economical View

A 112-day experiment was conducted to economically evaluate the production of eggs from commercial layers submitted to diets supplemented with levels of plant extracts (dried turmeric powder) added or not to vitamin E. A total of 432 20-week-old white layers were used, distributed in an entirely randomized design, in a 4 × 3 factor scheme (turmeric extract levels and vitamin E levels), with 6 repetitions of 6 birds per cage. The treatments consisted of four levels of turmeric extract inclusion (0;0.1%;0.2% and 0.3%) and three levels of vitamin E inclusion (0;50 and 100 IU/kg). The results calculated at work were favorable to the activity, and the items that most influenced the expenses in the effective production cost were: poultry, feed and labor, respectively. The best economic response in egg production was obtained by layers that consumed 100 IU/kg vitamin E and 0.2% turmeric;because the leveling point represents that the activity equals the revenues with the costs. The best profitability index was found in treatment that contained 50 IU/kg vitamin E and 0.1% turmeric com (16.78%).

巴西戈亚斯州阿拉瓜亚河中亚马孙河巨龟(Podocnemis expansa)的巢穴布局

在旱季,亚马孙河巨龟(Podocnemis expansa)将巢穴修筑在河槽边缘和内部的广阔沙洲上。这些巢穴在某些沙滩上的某些具体地点的大量聚集表明巢穴位置的选择不是随机的,而是与一些地质状况有关,如沙洲边缘的倾斜度和砂质高台的存在。通向高台顶端的通道或斜坡结构的存在是巢穴位置选择的决定性因素。被侵蚀的以及陡峭的沙滩边缘阻碍了亚马孙河龟到达最理想的筑巢位置。随着时间的推移,沙滩形态的变化会改变巢穴的分布。

Analysis of the Drop-in Operation of a RefrigerationSystem by the Response Surface Methodology

The objective of this study is to evaluate the gains in a drop-in process of refrigerants in a basic refrigeration system usingthe RSM （response surface methodology） to optimization. A central composite design and analysis of variance are also used. Inaddition, the model will be analyzed and compared to experimental results, consolidating various parameters to get the best regionsin a broad universe of options, with a reduced number of experiments. The RSM is a set of statistical tool, which describes the entireregion of interest through experimental specific points, by appropriate polynomial equation. The experimental results were extractedfrom a cooling test bench compound for a reciprocating compressor, evaporator, condenser and expansion valve. R22, R290, R1270,R438A, R404A, R134a, R410A and R32 were tested at the same experimental apparatus, the lubricating oil was replaced in somecases. The higher value of coefficient of performance and cooling capacity were investigated. The results obtained with the responsesurface methodology technique showed good agreement with the experimental work, （coefficient of determination exceeding 0.8）which indicates, good representation of the output variables of the cooling system. The tested optimization tools were able to identifyareas of maximum, allowing for better comparison of results obtained by different refrigerants.

Identification of Phenotypic and Genotypic Variability among the Isolates of Ramularia areola of Brazilian Cotton

Genotypic and phenotypic variation among 16 isolates of Ramularia areola of Gossypium hirsutum collected from five different geographical regions of Brazil was studied through virulence spectrum on three cultivars in the glasshouse and through ERIC- and REP-PCR and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA analysis. Difference in virulence spectrum and molecular analysis of some isolates was observed. ERIC- and REP-PCR showed similar results and revealed a high level of diversity among the isolates. A unique profile for both ERIC and REP was obtained for most isolates. On the other hand, the ITS rDNA analysis did not show different PCR-RFLP patterns. While some isolates differed among each other considering genotypic and phenotypic reactions, no clear cut evidence was found about the existence of genetic lineages of R. areola in Brazil. Identification of genetic variability among the R. areola isolates originated from different geographic regions would permit screening of Brazilian germplasm and achieve sources with a wide spectrum of resistance. This is the first report of the genotypic and phenotypic variability among the R. areola isolates originated from five cotton growing regions of Brazil.

Spore Types and Spore Production of Ramularia areola for Screening Cotton Germplasm for Resistance

Spore production ofRamularia areolahas always been a difficult task. Brazilian isolates ofR. areolaproduce spores of variable size and shape. The typical spores are 3 septate, rarely 4 and 5 septate, together with abundant single celled oblong to round bodies—a phenomenon not reported earlier forR. areola. Budding of spores is a continuous process as observed in our isolates. By repeated culturing the pathogen either ceases to produce typical spores or loses its pathogenic character. To solve this problem, a technique was developed to produce large quantity of typical spores under laboratory conditions. Sporulating cultures produced on Petri plates containing V8 juice-agar were kept on the laboratory bench till they became dry and then stored at 5°C for reisolation and/or for production of fresh inoculum. In such dried cultures spores remain viable for a period of over 12 months, and hence isolates ofR. areolaoriginatedfrom different geographic regions can be maintained in sporulating form. Results of the present investigation would aid cotton breeders and pathologists in screening germplasm resistant toRamulariaand in other genetical studies under glasshouse conditions.

Response of Moderate Pest Resistant and Susceptible Cultivar of Sugarcane to Silicon Application

In this study, the effects of a silicon (Si) application on the biomass, chlorophyll level and silicon level of sugarcane moderate pest resistance (RB72454) and susceptible (SP801842) cultivars were tested. Investigations were also carried out to assess the effect of silicon on Diatraea saccharalis infestation. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using the treatments consisting moderate pest resistant and susceptible culivar, with or without silicon application. The silicon was applied to the soil around the plants. The experiment was laid in complete randomized design with 4 treatments and 10 replicates. The data were subjected to an analysis of variance, and the averages were compared using the Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). Significant changes were observed in the fresh and dry masses of the aerial portions and the root system, as well as in the plant chlorophyll and silicon levels. The silicon content increased in the susceptible variety which was significantly equal for moderate resistance variety. Chlorophyll content increased in silicon treated cultivars. Sixty days after the last application, 10 adult D. saccharalis moths were released onto each pot. However, due to the low infestation, the effects of silicon on the insect incidence could not be determined. One can conclude that silicon is beneficial for the growth of the aerial portions of sugarcane and causes a significant increase in chlorophyll levels.

Harmonia axyridis Pallas(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae):Biological aspects and thermal requirements

The aim of this study was to determine the biological aspects and thermal requirements of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed daily with Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lep-idoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. Under laboratory conditions, the experiment was carried out in acclimatized chambers set to 18°C, 21°C, 24°C, 27°C, and 30°C. Larvae of H. axyridis were separated, kept in a glass tube, and fed with A. kuehniella eggs. The Asiatic lady beetle adults were separated into 20 couples and kept in plastic cups receiving the same food as the larvae. The length of the larval, pupal, and total biological cycle (from egg to adult) stages declined significantly from 18°C to 27°C, but was stable between 27°C and 30°C. Survival was similar for larvae from the first to the fourth stadium when kept at 18°C, 21°C, and 24°C with a higher total biological cycle survival at 27°C. H. axyridis males presented higher longevity at 18°C and 21°C in comparison to females that had a longer life and a higher fecundity at 24°C and 27°C, respectively. The lower thermal limit for biological cycle development was 12.4°C, and the thermal constant was 243.9 degree-days.

Corynespora Leaf Blight of Cotton in Brazil and Its Management

In recent years, Corynespora leaf blight is on the increase in cotton and has become an important disease in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It attacks several plant species including soybean. It is not yet known whether the same strain of this pathogen attacks both the crops. The objectives of the present investigation were to verify the genotypic and phenotypic variation between the isolates attacking cotton and soybean and to verify the sources of resistance in cotton. Differential response of 23 cotton genotypes was studied under glasshouse conditions using mixture of two randomly selected isolates of C. cassiicola of cotton in equal proportion. Genotypic variation among three cotton and two soybean isolates was studied using ERIC/REP-PCR and rDNA molecular techniques. With one exception, all the cotton genotypes tested so far were susceptible to C. cassiicola isolates of both cotton and soybean. Similarly, results of both molecular techniques indicated that the C. cassiicola isolates attacking cotton and soybean belong to the same strain of the pathogen in Brazil. Since Corynespora blight is a newly immerging disease of cotton and soybean in Brazil, integration of crop rotation and the sanitary practices are suggested to manage the disease.