Characteristics of impregnated wood by nano silica from betung bamboo leaves

Abstract, Sengon (Falcataria moluccana Miq.) as a fast-growing wood species that has low quality. Therefore, wood modification is needed to improve its wood qualities. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of monoethylene glycol (MEG) and nano silica of betung bamboo leaves impregnation treatment on physical, mechanical properties and durability of sengon wood. 5-years-old Sengon wood from community forest, MEG and nano silica (average size = 436.16 nm) from betung bamboo leaves were used. The impregnation solutions were consisted of water treated (untreated), MEG, MEGSilika 0.5% and MEGSilika 1%. Impregnation process with 0.5 bar (60 minutes) vacuum and 2.5 bar (120 minutes) pressure. Physical properties (density and colour alteration), mechanical properties (Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and hardness) and durability against subterranean (Coptotermes curvignathus) attack. The results showed that the weight percent gain (WPG) and density of treated Sengon wood were increased as the nano silica concentration increased. While colour alteration (Δε) of treated samples were declining. Mechanical properties (MOE, MOR and hardness) were also improved. Durability based on laboratory tested against subterranean attack resulted that the percentage of termite mortality from the treated samples increased, while the percentage of weight loss decreased.

Potention of Giving Earth-Worm Food Lumbricus rubellus Toward Colour Alteration To The Guppy Poecilia reticulata

The research entitled “Potention of Giving Earth-Worm Food Lumbricus rubellus Toward Colour Alteration to The Guppy Fish Poecilia reticulata” was aimed to find the influence of earth-worm Lumbricus rubellus extra increment toward colour alteration to the guppy fish Poecilia reticulata. The research was conducted for a month using three kind treatments of food, those were W0 (food composed of fish meal without earth-worm, Lumbricus rubellus), W1 (composed of fish meal with earth-worm Lumbricus rubellus), and W2 (composed of earth-worm Lumbricus rubellus without fish meal). The available aquariums were 3 units with sized 12cm x 20cm x 20 cm. The cultivated test fish (± 3 cm) were acclimated for 2 days. Three test fish placed into three experiment aquarium each. Formulation of food intake was 3% based on the weight of the fish and was given 2 times a day. The parameter of water quality measured in this research were temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Data analysis using henry and grime formula (1993). The result of the research showed that there was an increasing of caratenoid in guppy fish Poecilia reticulata for each treatment of W0, W1 and W2 treatments. The high carotenoid increasing occured in W2.

Tectonothermal evolution of a major thrust system: the Esla–Valsurbio unit (Cantabrian Zone, NW Spain)

The tectonothermal evolution of a unit in the foreland fold-and-thrust belt of the Iberian massif is established using the conodont colour alteration index (CAI). The unit consists of two parts with different tectonothermal histories – the Esla nappe region and the Valsurbio region – separated by a synorogenic Carboniferous basin (Guardo–Valderrueda basin). The Esla nappe region evolved in diacaizonal conditions (corresponding to the diagenetic conditions of the pelites) whose palaeotemperatures were controlled by rock burial. Maximum values were reached before the emplacement of the thrust nappes, so tectonic superimposition is not registered by the CAI. Overburial due to the emplacement of the thrust units was prevented by simultaneous intense erosion. The geothermal gradient obtained for burial wasc. 35 °C km−1and the temperature reached by the older Cambrian rocks wasc. 210–230 °C. The Valsurbio region was affected by an extensional tectonothermal post-orogenic event that gave rise to metamorphism with ancaizonal or epicaizonal conditions (corresponding to anchizone or epizone of the pelites). The most common maximum palaeotemperatures reached in this event fall within the range 305–415 °C, although higher palaeotemperatures could be reached locally as a consequence of contact metamorphism. This event gave rise to subhorizontal cleavage that cuts the main Variscan folds. Coal rank data indicate an increase in maximum palaeotemperatures eastwards from the Esla nappe region to the Valsurbio region through the Guardo–Valderrueda basin.