Assessment of Thermophysical and Mechanical Properties of Composite Panels Fabricated from Untreated and Treated Coconut Husk Particles for Structural Application

Large quantities of coconut husks generated are under-utilized. In developing countries, this situation warrants their disposal by open burning or indiscriminate dumping. Either practice adversely affects the environment and public health. In this study, test samples were fabricated from untreated coconut husk particles (UCP) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% weight proportions with treated coconut husk particles (TCP) using epoxy resin as binder. Five representative samples were prepared per formulation and then subjected to various intended tests. The test results revealed water absorption, bulk density, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, nailability, flexural strength, and compressive strength to be (24.88 ± 0.04) %, (459.78 ± 0.05) kgm-3, (0.0867 ± 0.0001) Wm-1K-1, (1573.76 ± 1.14) Jkg-1K-1, (1.198 ± 0.002) x 10-7 m2s-1, (100.0 ± 0.0) %, (11.94 ± 0.03) N/mm2, and (22.86 ± 0.04) N/mm2 respectively for the control sample with UCP content. Also, the respective values of the properties were (29.05 ± 0.06) %, (583.87 ± 0.05) kgm-3, (0.1009 ± 0.0002) Wm-1K-1, (1402.66 ± 1.45) Jkg-1K-1, (1.232 ± 0.004) x 10-7 m2s-1, (100.0 ± 0.0) %, (14.58 ± 0.03) N/mm2, and (33.27 ± 0.02) N/mm2 for the counterpart sample containing the TCP. All the samples showed better tendencies for thermal insulation performance compared to conventional ceilings like plywood, PVC, and asbestos. Thus, utilization of coconut husks as described in this study could alternatively help to solve the disposal problems of such wastes while availing building industries with suitable raw materials to manufacture cost-effective heat-insulating ceilings.

Lead Accumulation of Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata) Grown in Hydroponics Under Drought-stressed Conditions

The phytoremediation potential of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) was tested in lead (Pb) contaminated nutrient media with 5% (w/v) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 induced drought stress conditions. The plant was treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/L Pb for 15 days. Different concentrations of Pb or in combination with PEG had no effect on plant growth parameters. Drought reduced water content (WC) (p<0.05), but did not affect the reduction of chlorophyll content and photochemical efficiency in plant tissues after 15 days of treatment. Under drought conditions, plants showed the largest Pb accumulation in roots (5,503.7 mg/kg) and exhibited the highest uptake at 50 mg/L solution (18.24 g/plant), but the translocation factor values (TFs) of Pb from root to shoot were all less than 1. Under both drought and non-drought conditions, the bioconcentration factor values (BCFs) decreased with increasing Pb concentrations. According to BCFs and TFs, C. odorata may be promising for phytostabilization of Pb. Based on high biomass, tolerance, and Pb uptake, the result of this hydroponic study test reveals that C. odorata has a good potential for developing Pb phytoremediation strategies in drought-stressed conditions.

Is Pupil Activity Associated With the Strength of Memory Signal for Words in a Continuous Recognition Memory Paradigm?

Research on pupillometry provides an increasing evidence for associations between pupil activity and memory processing. The most consistent finding is related to an increase in pupil size for old items compared with novel items, suggesting that pupil activity is associated with the strength of memory signal. However, the time course of these changes is not completely known, specifically, when items are presented in a running recognition task maximizing interference by requiring the recognition of the most recent items from a sequence of old/new items. The sample comprised 42 healthy participants who performed a visual word recognition task under varying conditions of retention interval. Recognition responses were evaluated using behavioral variables for discrimination accuracy, reaction time, and confidence in recognition decisions. Pupil activity was recorded continuously during the entire experiment. The results suggest a decrease in recognition performance with increasing study-test retention interval. Pupil size decreased across retention intervals, while pupil old/new effects were found only for words recognized at the shortest retention interval. Pupillary responses consisted of a pronounced early pupil constriction at retrieval under longer study-test lags corresponding to weaker memory signals. However, the pupil size was also sensitive to the subjective feeling of familiarity as shown by pupil dilation to false alarms (new items judged as old). These results suggest that the pupil size is related not only to the strength of memory signal but also to subjective familiarity decisions in a continuous recognition memory paradigm.

Case Study on Large Ingots Cracking Failure

Use of Metal and its alloys have become the need of this world. high strength pipes and equipment are required for the extraction of bituminous oil from soil. For this High strength Low Alloy Steel (Micro-alloyed steels) can be used. HSLA required large size ingots for its manufacturing therefore in recent years, large size ingots demand is increased. Large size ingots are subjected to cracking while manufacturing during open die forging process. Optical Scanning Electron Microscopies and Energy dispersion Spectroscopy techniques are carried out for the investigation of root causes of the cracking during forging of large size ingots. Microstructure of large size ingots sample are reviewed at different locations and grain boundaries. Results of these chemical techniques shows the enrichment of chromium and oxygen content at the boundaries which clearly differentiated a cracked boundary and non-cracked locations. This writing comprises the literature study, test procedures and analyzing the results to review that abnormal grain growth was the cause of cracking of large size ingots during forging process. The report also reviewed, alternate heat treatments and possible solution.

Effects of Venusia Max Lotion on skin hydration and skin barrier in patients with dry skin

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), after the application of the test product (Venusia Max Lotion [Paraben, Alcohol, Mineral Oil, and Animal Origin (PAMA)] free). Material and Methods: The study was a single-center, non-randomized, observational study. Test product was compared to control sites after application on volar forearms of women with dry skin. Hydration and TEWL measurements at baseline, after 12 hours, 24 hours and 36 hours of product application were done under the occluded and unoccluded condition. Results: The study was completed with 30 female subjects. Increase in the mean MMSC values was significantly greater on test product site as compared to control site, at all-time points. For TEWL readings over 36 h, when kept occluded and unoccluded, respectively, there were no significant differences in TEWL readings between the test product site and control site at any time points. Conclusion: The test product, Venusia Max Lotion (PAMA free), can be useful in maintaining the skin barrier properties and significantly improving skin hydration in individuals with dry skin or dry skin-related conditions.

A Simple Planning Problem for COVID-19 Lock-down, Testing, and Tracing

We study the optimal lock-down for a planner who controls the fatalities of COVID-19 while minimizing the output costs of the lock-down. The policy prescribes a severe lock-down beginning a few weeks after the outbreak, covering almost 50 percent of the population after a month, with a total duration shy of 4 months. The intensity of the optimal lock-down depends on the gradient of the fatality rate with respect to the infected and the availability of antibody testing, which yields a welfare gain of 2 percent of GDP. We also study test-tracing-quarantine, which we show to be complementary to lock-down. (JEL E23, I12, I15, I18)

Ultra-short periods of wakeful rest promote the viewpoint-invariance of entities mnemonic representations

Humans can recognize thousands of visual objects after a single exposure, even against highly confusable objects, and despite viewpoint changes between learning and recognition. Memory consolidation processes like those taking place during wakeful rest contribute to such a feat, possibly by protecting the fine details of objects’ representations. However, whether rest-related consolidation promotes the viewpoint invariance of mnemonic representations for individual objects remains unexplored.Fifteen participants underwent a speeded visual recognition memory task tapping on familiarity-based recognition of individual objects, across four conditions manipulating post- encoding rest. Viewpoints of target items were modified between study and test while controlling study-test perceptual distance, and targets and lures shared the same subordinate category, making recognition independent from perceptual and conceptual fluency. Performance was very accurate, even without post-encoding rest, which did not enhance memory. However, rest uniquely made target detection immune to study-test perceptual distance.These findings suggest that very short periods of wakeful rest (down to 2-sec post-stimulus) suffice to achieve complete mnemonic viewpoint-invariance, pushing forward the strength of post-encoding rest in learning and memory. They also strongly argue for a holistic, viewpoint- invariant, mnemonic representation of visual objects.

Ecovillages, Environment and Sustainability Practice

This paper focuses on the Ecovillages operation, environment, and sustainable practices implemented among the current operating Ecovillages worldwide. The main objective is to examine the critical factors affecting the sustainability of Ecovillages and their practice in managing their surroundings and environment. This study proceeds with a quantitative research method to further investigate the sustainability practice issues among the existing Ecovillages in the world. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire using an online platform. This study test four independent variables, namely energy efficiency, organic food, telework, and social media, towards the sustainability practice of the Ecovillages operation worldwide. Keywords: Ecovillages; Environment; Sustainable; Practice eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i17.2819

Residual characteristics of etofenprox in the processing stages of rice cakes and cookies

The changes in residual amounts of an insecticide (etofenprox) in processed rice cakes and cookies were investigated in this study. Test samples were sprayed with etofenprox during rice cultivation, and brown rice samples were dipped in a pesticide solution to investigate the effects of washing and processing. A multiresidue method for multiclass pesticides was employed for etofenprox analysis using a high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detector setup. Etofenprox was not detected in polished rice that was processed into rice cakes and cookies. The etofenprox residue levels were 2.13 mg/kg in each processing stage of brown rice products that were dipped in 400 mg/kg etofenprox solutions. The residual amounts of etofenprox in washed/polished rice and rice flour obtained by grinding were 1.25 and 0.77 mg/kg, respectively. The residual levels were 0.38 mg/kg in rice cakes prepared by cooking rice flour in a steamer for 20 min (a decrease of 82.1% compared to that in polished rice), 0.47 mg/kg in rice cookies baked in an oven for 20 min (a decrease of 78.0%), and 0.21 mg/kg in fried rice cookies (a decrease of 90.2%). Overall, the residual levels of etofenprox decreased in a range of 40–100% during the processing of rice cakes and cookies.

Validity and Reliability of Turkish Self Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale

Introduction: The most common nutritional problem observed among the aged is malnutrition. The study was conducted as methodological research to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish Self Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale (Self-MNA) among Turkish elderly people. Methods: Data were collected from 131 aged individuals with the Sociodemographic Information Form, Mini Nutritional Assessment long-form (MNA), Mini Nutritional Assessment short-form (MNA-SF) and Self-MNA. In the study, test-retest, parallel form methods, lower 27%-upper 27% discrimination, ROC and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the validity and reliability of the scale. The scale was translated and then the final version was created by the views of three experts. A correlation analysis was conducted between MNA, MNA-SF and Self-MNA which are used as parallel forms. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between test-retest scores of Self-MNA scores for reliability (p > 0.05). Positive relationships were found between Self-MNA and MNA and MNA-SF. Self-MNA scores of the upper 27% group were significantly higher than the Self-MNA scores of the lower 27% group. The appropriate cut-off value of Self MNA is determined as 12. Self-MNA scores below 12 points indicate that there may be a risk of malnutrition. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC = 0.718) were statistically significant (p < 0.05). At the cut-off value, the sensitivity is determined to be 75 and the specificity is 56.63. Conclusion: Self-MNA is a valid and reliable tool for screening the malnutrition status of the aged in Turkey.