Empirical Studies on Biomass Briquette Production: A Literature Review

The densification of raw material into fuel briquettes is one of the routes to convert biomass into energy. This method provides uniformity to the solid fuel, better physical and energy properties, facilitating its storage and transport, in addition to more homogeneous combustion. Given the importance of these characteristics, this work presents a literature review, emphasizing the experimental levels of the variables of the briquetting process, as well as on the most relevant quality parameters for obtaining briquettes. We also carry out a survey of the main technologies used in the production of briquettes, as well as the experimental methodologies and statistical analysis used in the planning and validation of processes. It was observed among the studies that the raw material granulometry, followed by pressure, initial moisture, compaction time and binder are the most used process variables for the production of briquettes. Other factors, such as the proportion of biomass, process temperature and thermal pre-treatments are used to obtain greater energetic and physical responses. Among the works, divergences were observed regarding the relevance and interaction of some process variables on the quality variables of the briquettes, indicating the need for the experiments to be mathematically modeled.

Enlargement of female pupils when perceiving something cute

It is reported that women’s pupils dilate when they see a baby; it is unclear if this pupillary response is caused by the perception of cuteness itself. Since many objects besides babies can be perceived as cute, we investigated whether the perception of cuteness, or the type of object observed, is related to pupil dilation. In the first experiment, female participants were requested to rate the subjective cuteness of greyscale pictures of objects such as animals and foods; their pupil sizes were measured. The results showed a significant positive correlation between perceived cuteness and participants’ pupil dilation. In the second experiment, participants rated the cuteness of images of female faces. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between perceived cuteness and pupil dilation. In our study, perceiving cuteness enlarged female observers’ pupils except when observing female faces. Positive reactions associated with cuteness may be premised on the existence of unconscious perceptual alterations and physical responses.

Linear equation systems for structural analysis: imagining resolutions

This work is based on a study into new ways of resolving the equilibrium equation systems for manual analyses of certain structures commonly found in building. It suggests finding solutions based on images that reproduce the operations of current methods, which may inspire the design of others that qualitatively reflect those of other more effective procedures. To date three methods (Gauss, Cholesky & Crout) have been imagined: (i) by “visualising” their operations through the mechanical behaviour of models during the equilibrium phase. These visualisations may help suggest other physical responses that can balance models more quickly and identify with new, more direct numerical methods; (ii) by “geometrising” operations by means of lines sketched freehand. This geometrisation may reveal hidden links between the parts of the calculation of current methods that enable more direct but equally precise new methods to be created. The paper shows four images to reinforce these viewpoints. Two visualise the methods of Gauss-Jordan and Cramer, confirming that the abstract procedures that resolve the systems may be linked to specific mechanical behaviours. The other two geometrise the resolutions by Gauss and Gauss-Jordan when the stiffness matrices are asymmetric. Their systems could emerge from the analysis of cracked models or from obtaining the equivalent actions in the P-Δ method, in line with a procedure drawn up previously. The paper ends by geometrising the resolution of a system at different scales and comparing the outcomes with those of numerical methods. The results (i) confirm that geometrising scalar and vectorial magnitudes for numerical analysis procedures reduces application times if they are calculated freehand; and (ii) point to possible lines of research for developing further graphic methods that can analyse other types of structure directly and accurately.

Development and psychometric properties of the Anticipatory Anxiety Inventory

Background: Anticipatory Anxiety (AA) is defined as a course of thoughts, feelings, and actions occurring just and only "before" an anxiety-provoking event. In order to explore this construct, the Anticipation Anxiety Inventory (AAI) was developed and its psychometric properties have been investigated in two studies. Methods: Study 1 used an Exploratory Factor Analysis approach to determine the factor structure of the items of the scale. In study 2, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed to assess the scale structure, the validity of the factor solution, and convergent and discriminatory validity. Results: Exploratory factor analysis from study 1 suggested 13 items across four factors for the AAI: Emotional Hypersensitivity, Physical responses to AA, Dysfunctional Cognitions, and Daily Functioning. In study 2, the Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that the 4-factor solution of the AAI had an acceptable fit, excellent internal consistency (α= 0.92), and displayed good convergent and discriminatory validity. Conclusion: The AAI could be proposed as a useful valid and reliable tool to investigate AA. For future implications, more research is needed regarding the utility of this measure in experimental designs or clinical settings.

Music Accompaniment Of Japin Carita South Kalimantan

This research was conducted due to the lack of public knowledge about the music accompaniment of Japin Carita from South Kalimantan. This research focused more on the theory and practice of music science regarding the music accompaniment of this local South Kalimantan theater. This research used naturalistic qualitative method because it was held in natural conditions (natural setting), this method is also called the ethnographic method. Data gathering techniques include; observation, interview, documentation. Data analysis techniques include data reduction, data presentation, and verification. Japin Carita is a traditional theater art from South Kalimantan which is derived from the art of Japin, a dance that originates from Arab. The word Japin in Arabic originating from the word zafin which means fast footwork, and just like the definition Japin dance movement is indeed prioritizing foot movements. The structure of musical forms that can be used as music accompaniment to Japin Carita are; Gasim, Takzim, Rawis, Melagu, Nyanyian, and Tahtim. Japin music in Japin Carita theater is not only for the opening music, but also when the actors enter and leave the stage, and for the closing music. Music illustrations depicting the atmosphere of a place or the mood of an actor, whether sad, afraid, anxious, happy and so on must also follow the rhythm of Japin music. Japin Carita musical instruments consist of baboons, gongs, violins, keprak, and gambus. The function of Japin music accompaniment includes entertainment media, communication media, symbolic tribute, physical responses, continuity media, cultural statistics, and atmosphere proponent of the Japin Carita play/ script.

Domestic Environmental Experience Design

The term ‘domestic environmental experience’ was defined as users’ experiences of cognitive perceptions and physical responses to their domestic built environments. Domestic environments can be enriched through the implementation of environmental experience design (EXD) by combining users’ environmental, spatial and contextual factors that may accommodate occupants’ needs and demands as well as their health and wellbeing. Here, an EXD theoretical concept has been developed based on the ‘User-Centred Design’ thematical framework.

Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks

Newly hatched male layer chicks are considered as “by-products” in the egg industry and must be humanely euthanized at the hatchery. Instantaneous mechanical destruction (maceration) is the predominant euthanasia method applied in poultry hatcheries and is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). However, maceration is not perceived by the public to be a humane means of euthanasia. The effects of alternative euthanasia methods, including carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrogen (N2) inhalation, and a commercial negative pressure stunning system on behavioral and physiological responses of day-of-hatch male layer chicks, were evaluated in a field trial. Chick behaviors, including ataxia, loss of posture, convulsions, cessation of vocalization, and cessation of movement, were monitored. Serum hormones were assessed at the end of each of the alternative euthanasia treatments, including a control group allowed to breathe normal atmospheric air. The N2 method induced unconsciousness and death later than the CO2 and negative pressure methods, and increased serum corticosterone concentrations of neonatal chicks. Carbon dioxide inhalation increased serotonin concentrations as compared to controls, as well as the N2 and the negative pressure methods. The behavioral and physical responses observed in this study suggest that both CO2 inhalation and negative pressure stunning can be employed to humanely euthanize neonatal male layer chicks.

Diverse Physiological and Physical Responses among Wild, Landrace and Elite Barley Varieties Point to Novel Breeding Opportunities

Climate change from elevated [CO2] may reduce water availability to crops through changes in precipitation and higher temperatures. However, agriculture already accounts for 70% of human consumption of water. Stomata, pores in the leaf surface, mediate exchange of water and CO2 for the plant. In crops including barley, the speed of stomatal response to changing environmental conditions is as important as maximal responses and can thus affect water use efficiency. Wild barleys and landraces which predate modern elite lines offer the breeder the potential to find unexploited genetic diversity. This study aimed to characterize natural variation in stomatal anatomy and leaf physiology and to link these variations to yield. Wild, landrace and elite barleys were grown in a polytunnel and a controlled environment chamber. Physiological responses to changing environments were measured, along with stomatal anatomy and yield. The elite barley lines did not have the fastest or largest physiological responses to light nor always the highest yields. There was variation in stomatal anatomy, but no link between stomatal size and density. The evidence suggests that high photosynthetic capacity does not translate into yield, and that landraces and wild barleys have unexploited physiological responses that should interest breeders.