High Production Levels Research Articles

Economic and Ideological Reasons for the Use by the Third Reich of Forced Labor of “Eastern Workers”

The analytical part of this work consists in a special emphasis on the relationship and interdependence of ideological “justification” and economic “expediency” in the exploitation of forced labor by Ostarbeiters. The article notes the consonance of the ideas about the special status of the German worker and total mobilization put forward by the leaders of the Third Reich with the subsequent software and practical actions of the National Socialists in Germany on the issue of labor exploitation of millions of civilians and prisoners of war of countries — military opponents. These actions were not just aimed at reducing pressure on the German worker and maintaining a high level of production, but were accompanied by the imposition of ethnic myths and alien values on foreign workers, moreover, by “cleansing” territories from people during the retreat and destruction through back-breaking and often senseless labor of “racially — inferior” categories. An analysis of the views of modern researchers of the problem showed that rationalistic interpretations of the actions of the Nazi authorities in relation to foreign labor, especially “Eastern workers”, dominate. The ideas of war and domination, the priority of Germany and its interests, formulated by the leaders of the NSDAP, became dominant in the ideology and politics of the Third Reich, where the forced labor of citizens of the occupied states became an integral element.

Study of Chemical Additives for Optimization of Binary Systems Used for Downhole Thermochemical Treatment of Heavy Oil

Currently, most explored oil fields in Russia are at a late stage of development, and in order to maintain high levels of oil production, it is rational to put into operation fields with hard-to-recover reserves. For complicated oil fields, in particular fields with high-viscosity oil, the known traditional methods of development are ineffective. Therefore, the search for new technologies for the development and operation of such fields to significantly increase oil recovery and intensify production is of fundamental importance. One such method of heat treatment of the bottomhole formation zone is the use of heat and gas generating systems on site. In this work, new results were obtained on physical modeling of thermochemical reaction initiation with delayed-action catalyst (2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)butanoic acid) filtration tests on composite core models of sandstone and carbonate with foam heat generation and initiating additives of binary type. Using hydrodynamic modelling, the results of laboratory studies were reproduced, and the preliminary efficiency of the developed technology for thermochemical treatment of deposits in the Samara region (Russia) was evaluated.

Secondary production of Acartia tonsa Dana, 1849 and A. lilljeborgii Giesbrecht, 1889 in an Amazonian estuary (Brazil)

The dynamics of the copepods A. tonsa and A. lilljeborgii were described for the first time in the Taperaçu Estuary. The acartiids were collected using plankton nets (200 μm) in June 2012, March 2013 (rainy season) and September 2012 and 2013 (dry season). The oscillations in rainfall and the fluctuations in hydrological variables influenced the abundance, biomass, and production of both A. tonsa (17 ± 23 to 8501 ± 13,248 ind.m−3; 16,385.29 mg.C.m−3; 0.09 ± 0.21 to 355.17 ± 590.84 mg.C.m−3.d−1) and A. lilljeborgii (14 ± 11 to 1470 ± 1591 ind.m−3; 22,398.40 mg.C.m−3; 177.99 ± 263.13 mg.C.m−3.d−1) with clear monthly, seasonal, and spatial patterns. The high levels of production observed may be related to the presence of waters rich in particulate organic material derived from the adjacent mangrove forests. This material is consumed by a number of copepod species, in particular A. tonsa and A. lilljeborgii, favoring the development and reproduction of both species which are characterized by high rates of productivity in the study estuary. The present results indicate that the biomass and productivity in equatorial mangrove estuaries may be relatively high in comparison with the levels observed in other coastal systems around the world and that earlier stages of both species have a great relevance for biomass and production in Amazonian estuaries.

Capability of immobilized Clostridium beijerinckii for batch and repeated-batch butanol fermentation from sweet sorghum stem juice in various bioreactors

Mixing in bioreactors is important for butanol fermentations. The type of impeller (6-blade disc, 2-pitch blade and 3-pitch blade turbines) in a stirred-tank bioreactor (STR) did not affect butanol production by immobilized Clostridium beijerinckii TISTR 1461 on bamboo chopstick pieces. Using a spin-filter in the STR could reduce the fermentation time from 48 h to 36 h. Butanol production from sweet sorghum stem juice (butanol concentration, PB, ∼11 g/L and butanol productivity, QB, 0.30 g/L·h) by the immobilized cells in an internal loop gas-lift bioreactor using a carrier inside the draft tube were similar to those using an STR with a 6-blade disc turbine integrated with a spin-filter. Repeated-batch butanol fermentation in the internal loop gas-lift bioreactor could be operated for four cycles. However, high levels of butanol production could be maintained for only two cycles. Simultaneous immobilization and fermentation was a suitable process for repeated-batch fermentation by immobilized cells. An internal loop gas-lift bioreactor is a potential low-cost bioreactor for batch and repeated-batch butanol fermentation by the immobilized cells.

Characterization and Genetic Relationships of Vibrio spp. Isolated from Seafood in Retail Markets, Yala, Thailand

Vibrio spp. including Vibrio cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus are the major causative agent of diarrhea involved in seafood consumption. Yala is a southern border province in Thailand where no seafood sources are provided. Thus, it is necessary to import several seafood products from neighboring provinces. The risk of Vibrio spp. replication is increased during seafood transport. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to isolate and characterize V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus from seafood in Yala and to investigate their genetic relationships with virulent and clinical strains. A total of 100 Vibrio isolates were obtained from four different sample types in retail markets. It was found that two-thirds of all isolates were yellow colonies on TCBS agar. Using PCR with specific primers, 34 % of V. cholerae and 8 % of V. parahaemolyticus were identified. To classify the virulence strains, Vibrio spp. were positive for hlyA and tdh, 17 and 1 %, respectively. Moreover, 54 % of Vibrio isolates were able to produce biofilm and 28 % of those isolates showed a high level of biofilm production. All representative strains of V. cholerae presented ß-hemolysin on blood agar correlated to hlyA while representative strains of V. parahaemolyticus presented γ-hemolysin and ß-hemolysin on blood agar. In addition, ERIC-PCR provided different DNA profiles of representative V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus which some strains showed a correlation with clinical strains and virulent strains. Therefore, these findings might indicate the risk of Vibrio infections for seafood consumers, especially in Yala province where seafood needs to be imported from other provinces. HIGHLIGHTS The first report showed high risk of Vibrio cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus spread in non-seafood source area: Yala province The majority of Vibrio cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus isolated from seafood in retail markets, Yala, Thailand was classified as virulent strains which possess major virulence genes, hemolytic activity, and biofilm formation Several Vibrio isolates obtained from seafood showed genetic similarities with virulent and clinical strains GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

MWCNTs Decorated with TiO2 as Highly Performing Filler in the Preparation of Nanocomposite Membranes for Scalable Photocatalytic Degradation of Bisphenol A in Water.

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting compound with estrogenic behavior, is of great concern within the scientific community due to its high production levels and increasing concentration in various surface aquifers. While several materials exhibit excellent capacity for the photocatalytic degradation of BPA, their powdered nature and poor chemical stability render them unsuitable for practical application in large-scale water decontamination. In this study, a new class of nanocomposite membranes based on sulfonated polyethersulfone (sPES) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles (MWCNTs-TiO2) were investigated as efficient and scalable photocatalysts for the photodegradation of BPA in aqueous solutions. The MWCNTs-TiO2 hybrid material was prepared through a facile and inexpensive hydrothermal method and extensively characterized by XRD, Raman, FTIR, BET, and TGA. Meanwhile, nanocomposite membranes at different filler loadings were prepared by a simple casting procedure. Swelling tests and PFG NMR analyses provided insights into the impact of filler introduction on membrane hydrophilicity and water molecular dynamics, whereas the effectiveness of the various photocatalysts in BPA removal was monitored using HPLC. Among the different MWCNTs-TiO2 content nanocomposites, the one at 10 wt% loading (sP-MT10) showed the best photoactivity. Under UV irradiation at 254 nm and 365 nm for 240 min, photocatalytic oxidation of 5 mg/L bisphenol A by sP-MT10 resulted in 91% and 82% degradation, respectively. Both the effect of BPA concentration and the membrane regenerability were evaluated, revealing that the sP-MT10 maintained its maximum BPA removal capability over more than 10 cycles. Our findings indicate that sP-MT nanocomposite membranes are versatile, scalable, efficient, and highly reusable photocatalysts for the degradation of BPA, as well as potentially for other endocrine disruptors.

Vitamin interdependencies predicted by metagenomics-informed network analyses and validated in microbial community microcosms

Metagenomic or metabarcoding data are often used to predict microbial interactions in complex communities, but these predictions are rarely explored experimentally. Here, we use an organism abundance correlation network to investigate factors that control community organization in mine tailings-derived laboratory microbial consortia grown under dozens of conditions. The network is overlaid with metagenomic information about functional capacities to generate testable hypotheses. We develop a metric to predict the importance of each node within its local network environments relative to correlated vitamin auxotrophs, and predict that a Variovorax species is a hub as an important source of thiamine. Quantification of thiamine during the growth of Variovorax in minimal media show high levels of thiamine production, up to 100 mg/L. A few of the correlated thiamine auxotrophs are predicted to produce pantothenate, which we show is required for growth of Variovorax, supporting that a subset of vitamin-dependent interactions are mutualistic. A Cryptococcus yeast produces the B-vitamin pantothenate, and co-culturing with Variovorax leads to a 90-130-fold fitness increase for both organisms. Our study demonstrates the predictive power of metagenome-informed, microbial consortia-based network analyses for identifying microbial interactions that underpin the structure and functioning of microbial communities.

Induction of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor-mediated signaling regulates cell motility and survival to anticancer drugs in cancer cells treated with hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promotes malignant properties of cancer cells. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via LPA receptor (LPA1 to LPA6) regulates a variety of cellular functions, such as cell growth, migration and differentiation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LPA receptors on the cell motility and survival to anticancer drugs by H2O2 in colon cancer DLD-1cells. To obtain H2O2 treated (DLD- H2O2) cells, cells were maintained in culture medium containing H2O2 (60μM) for 2 months. LPAR2 and LPAR4 gene expressions were markedly elevated in DLD-H2O2 cells. The cell motility of DLD-H2O2 cells was significantly lower than that of DLD-1cells. DLD-H2O2 cell motility was suppressed by LPA2 knockdown and stimulated by LPA4 knockdown. The cell survival rates to fluorouracil (5-FU), irinotecan (CPT-11) and oxaliplatin (L-OHP) of DLD-H2O2 cells were significantly higher than those of DLD-1cells. The cell survival rate to 5-FU of DLD-H2O2 cells was decreased by LPA2 knockdown. Conversely, LPA4 knockdown enhanced the cell survival rate to 5-FU of DLD-H2O2 cells. In the tumor microenvironment, high levels of H2O2 production are observed under hypoxic conditions. The cell survival rate to 5-FU of DLD-H2O2 cells cultured at 1% O2 was significantly higher than that of DLD-1cells cultured at 1% O2, correlating with LPAR2 gene expression. The present results suggest that the induction of LPA receptor-mediated signaling plays an important role in regulating cellular functions of DLD-1cells treated with H2O2.

Design-to-Cost Approach Increases Project Value of Troll Phase 3

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 30954, “Troll Phase 3: The Next Step for a Groundbreaking Giant,” by Bjørn Laastad, Knut Ellevog, and Roger Oen Jensen, Equinor, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2021 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission. _ An important driver for maximizing value creation for the Troll Phase 3 gas project offshore Norway was to identify ways to reduce the pressure drop in the value chain from the reservoir to the onshore terminal. Using a design-to-cost approach in the concept-selection phase has affected design of the wells, subsea production system, pipeline, and a new inlet separator on the platform. The final design has enabled a significant increase of project value by accelerated gas deliveries, reduction of energy consumption, and lowered CO2 emissions. Troll Phase 3 Business Case and Development Concept The Troll Phase 3 business case is to develop the vast gas reserves in Troll West, thus recovering approximately 340 billion std m3 gas over a 40‑year period. Production from Troll West will be commingled with Troll East gas production at Troll A. The Troll West volumes will supply approximately 40% of the total Troll A delivery and enable a 5‑year continuation of the current high plateau production level of 36 billion std m3/yr and an extension of field lifetime by 15 years until 2062. A prerequisite for the Phase 3 project is that the annual summer/winter swing production will be from the Troll A wells. Consequently, Troll West production will be stable and not affected by seasonal variations in market demand. Following a comprehensive concept‑selection analysis made from the perspective of the field’s life cycle, it was decided in May 2017 to develop Troll Phase 3 as a subsea tieback to the Troll A platform. The subsea design facilitates possible future Troll West gas building blocks. The first section of the complete paper is devoted to a discussion of the flow‑assurance aspects of the development; this component is not included in this synopsis. Troll Phase 3 Well Design During the feasibility and concept‑selection phases, an important opportunity to maximize value creation was found to be improving individual well performance by enlarging the tubing size. The standard 7‑in. tubing would have been a considerable production restriction. By enabling a larger tubing size, the production from each well could be increased and the required number of wells could be reduced. The big-bore completion design was new to the operator but had been implemented successfully in other high‑rate gas fields in the industry. Using a design‑to‑value process, the tubing size for Troll Phase 3 was increased to 9⅝ in. Comparison of a big‑bore well to a standard 7‑in. well in 2030 gives a reduced pressure drop of more than 12 bars/well, with an increased production potential for the big‑bore well of greater than 1000 std m3/d. Consequently, the required number of wells could be reduced by approximately 40% (from 14 to eight). Factoring in the total cost of the final gas producers, six saved wells equals a total cost savings of $150 million ($300 million including the subsea facilities).

Quimantú: When a Political Emergency and Rapid Social Transformation Shape an Editorial Project

The diverse histories of national and transnational design have included research on institutions, collectives, and entities that developed projects concerned with the practice or teaching of design, with longer or shorter permanence, towards a historiographic construction built on their legacy. In this context, we examine the transience and exceptional nature of Empresa Editora Nacional Quimantú, a state publishing project carried out in Chile between 1971 and 1973 by a socialist and democratically elected government that ended abruptly due to a military coup. From a qualitative and quantitative methodological perspective, as well as archival work, we analyse the intersections between design and the editorial guidelines of its catalogue (books and magazines), in addition to the trajectory of the largest publishing enterprise formed in the country, during a brief operating period of two and half years. This instance opened a space for collaboration and experimentation between directors, designers, and workers within management structures. The presence of a large-scale social publishing model is studied for its unprecedented print runs in the national readership market, where the ‘design’ factor—in terms of form, content, and strategy—had a fundamental role, and the volume of printed books exceeded the country’s total population. Interrogating the archives, collections, and titles designed under Quimantú—a project that has acquired a ‘publishing mythology’ character for its fleetingness and high production levels—opens the possibility of looking into a heritage of editorial products designed with the urgency of taking culture to popular sectors, and the immediacy of a political process of radical changes that appealed for the mass production of images, texts, and discourses. Finally, the problem of production time becomes relevant as content production teams, collections’ designs, and the dissemination and sales spaces introduced some ideas and innovations into the Chilean publishing milieu.

Pengaruh Literasi Zakat dan Religiusitas terhadap Kepatuhan Membayar Zakat Pertanian:

Agriculture zakah is one of the obligations of a Muslim if their agricultural products have reached the nisab and haul. Pitu Riawa District is one of the areas with a fairly high level of paddy production. However, the realization of the collection of agricultural zakah is still very low. This study aims to determine the effect of zakah literacy and religiosity on obedience in paying zakah for agriculture communities in Pitu Riawa District, Sidenreng Rappang Regency. This research is quantitative. The research subjects were farmers in Pitu Riawa District, Sidenreng Rappang Regency, with a total sample size of 100 respondents using a purposive sampling technique. Data collection techniques using a closed-ended questionnaire The data analysis uses multiple linear regressions. The results showed that zakah literacy and religiosity had a positive and significant effect on compliance with paying zakah for agriculture in the Pitu Riawa District, Sidenreng Rappang Regency.
 Keywords: Zakah literacy; Religiosity; Obedience; Agriculture Zakah.

Human Macrophages Polarized by Interaction with Apoptotic Cells Produce Fibrosis-Associated Mediators and Enhance Pro-Fibrotic Activity of Dermal Fibroblasts In Vitro.

Apoptosis and subsequent removal of dead cells are an essential part of wound healing. Macrophages phagocytize apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) and contribute to the resolution of inflammation. However, their participation in fibrogenesis and the mechanisms of influence on this process remain unclear. In the present study, we focused on the fibrogenic properties of human monocyte-derived macrophages polarized in the M2 direction by interaction with apoptotic cells. We studied their influence on the proliferation ([3H]-thymidine incorporation), differentiation (by the expression of α-SMA, a myofibroblast marker) and collagen-producing activity (ELISA) of dermal fibroblasts compared to classically (LPS) and alternatively (IL-4) activated macrophages. Macrophages polarized by the interaction with apoptotic cells had a unique phenotype and profile of produced factors and differed from the compared macrophage subtypes. Their conditioned media promoted the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and the expression of α-SMA in them at the level of macrophages stimulated by IL-4, while the stimulating effect on the collagen-producing activity was more pronounced compared to that of the other macrophage subtypes. Moreover, they are characterized by the high level of production of pro-fibrotic factors such as TIMP-1, TGF-β1 and angiogenin. Taken together, M2-like macrophages polarized by efferocytosis demonstrate in vitro pro-fibrotic activity by promoting the functional activity of dermal fibroblasts and producing pro-fibrotic and pro-angiogenic factors.

Phthalate acid esters contribute to the cytotoxicity of mask leachate: Cell-based assay for toxicity assessment

After the COVID-19 outbreak, masks have become an essential part of people lives. Although several studies have been conducted to determine the release of hazardous substances from masks, how their co-presence poses a potential exposure risk to human health remains unexplored. In this study, we quantitatively compared the leaching of substances from six different common types of masks, including phthalate acid esters (PAEs), metals, and microplastics (MPs), and comprehensively evaluated the potential cytotoxicity of different leachates. MPs smaller than 3 µm were quantified by Py-GC-MS, and reusable masks showed greater releasing potentials up to 1504 µg/g. We also detected the prevalence of PAEs in masks, with the highest release reaching 42 μg/g, with dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) being the predominant types. Moreover, the antimicrobial cloth masks released 173.0 µg of Cu or 4.5 µg of Ag, representing 2.7% and 0.04% of the original masks, respectively. Our cell-based assay results demonstrated for the first time that mask leachate induced nuclear condensation with DNA damage, and simultaneously triggered high levels of glutathione and reactive oxidative stress production, which exacerbated mitochondrial fragmentation, eventually leading to cell death. Combined with substance identification and correlation analysis, PAEs were found to be the contributors to cytotoxicity. Masks containing Cu or Ag led to acidification of lysosomes and alkalinization of cells. These results strongly suggested that the levels of PAEs in the production of regulatory masks should be strictly controlled.

A new biomass-based hybrid energy system integrated with a flue gas condensation process and energy storage option: An effort to mitigate environmental hazards

The development of biomass-fueled cogeneration plants can be fruitful to achieve the sustainable development goals, due to the crises of fossil energy-fueled ones. Additionally, biomass fuels can offer higher reliability and more sustainable energy compared to the two more well-known renewables (i.e., solar and wind energies) due to the no dependence on environmental and weather conditions. The present article provides a comprehensive assessment (thermodynamic-design, exergoeconomic and environmental) and optimization of a new biomass-driven cogeneration plant cascaded with a heat recovery unit. The planned plant is based on a biomass gasification process, some thermodynamic power generation cycles based on steam and gas turbines (i.e., Rankine cycle, Brayton cycle, and organic Rankine cycle (ORC)), and flue gas condensation process. Besides, a compressed air energy storage system (CAESS) as an energy storage process is integrated with the considered plant to establish a balance between production and demand and reduce electricity costs. To achieve optimal performance, a multi-objective optimization (based on a genetic algorithm) is applied. The findings showed that by considering the multi-objective optimization techniques, the plant's exergy efficiency could improve by about 15%. At the same time, the exergy cost rate is reduced by almost 17.3%. Avoiding the payment of carbon tax and the high electricity production level in the on-peak consumption period are unique and competitive features of the proposed biomass-driven power plant. It was also found that the LCOE and the payback period were 13.27 USD/GJ and 2.03 years, respectively, therefore, the proposed power plant exhibits reasonable economic feasibility.

Response of the Coastal Phytoplankton Community to the Runoff from Small Rivers in the Northeastern Black Sea

River runoff is an important source of nutrients as well as suspended and dissolved organic matter that in coastal zones and on the shelf are transformed due to local production cycles. River runoff affects the hydrological regime, salinity, temperature, and irradiance in river–seawater mixing zone. Our study focuses on the response of phytoplankton to the impact of small Caucasian rivers in the Northeastern (NE) Black Sea, as one of the most sensitive components of marine ecosystems with respect to the changes in abiotic factors. The leading role of marine species of diatoms, dinoflagellates, and coccolithophores in the structure and functioning when impacted by runoff from small rivers is demonstrated in comparison to the freshwater community. Variability of the taxonomic composition and quantitative and productive characteristics of marine phytoplankton communities impacted by small rivers were comparable to or exceed the seasonal and interannual variability on the NE Black Sea shelf. This indicates the significant role of runoff from small Caucasian rivers in maintaining of a high production level of phytoplankton overall and of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi in particular in the coastal zone.

Replanting and yield increase strategies for alleviating the potential decline in palm oil production in Indonesia

CONTEXTMaintaining stable and high levels of palm oil production within the current oil palm extent is a potential strategy to relieve deforestation pressure. Recent exponential growth of oil palm plantation area has led to significant carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. However, halting palm oil expansion may have adverse effects on palm oil production and the impact on the palm oil industry has not been well studied. OBJECTIVESWe developed quantitative methods to assess the potential decline of regional oil palm productivity given the landscape-level age-distribution structure on existing oil palm plantation land and evaluated strategies to alleviate this potential decline. These could provide guidance to multiple stakeholders, including mill owners, plantations, farmers, and regional governments, interested in improving and stabilizing palm oil yield. METHODSWe developed a model of palm oil production for Riau, Indonesia, where two decades of extensive industrial and smallholder oil palm expansion has occurred. Using established age-related rates of production, we investigated how palm oil productivity in current plantation areas would change over time if existing oil palm trees were cut and replanted at 25 years. We also designed scenarios based on replanting rates and yield improvements (better management practices or adopting more productive cultivars) to show the different impacts of replanting strategies. For each scenario, the production level was projected to 2075. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe found that the production of fresh fruit bunches from oil palm could fluctuate around 45 million metric tons if all current oil palm was replanted at 25 years with no further planted-area expansion. Replanting 4% annually, with or without yield improvements, would achieve the most stable landscape-level production. With yield improvements, the regional production could be increased to higher levels under any replanting rate. However, improving yields alone would be insufficient to prevent declining productivity trends in current plantation areas. Combining replanting with yield improvements could more quickly overcome potential declines in regional production. The age structure of oil palms in Riau is spatially heterogeneous across different districts, mills and concessions, posing increased challenges for replanting efforts to stabilize landscape-level yields. SIGNIFICANCEOur study provides important information about the policy implications from different replanting and yield increase strategies on landscape-level palm oil production. Our findings demonstrate the need for collaborations among multiple stakeholders to maintain steady high levels of palm oil production in Riau, however varying stakeholder interests present major challenges for enabling and facilitating collaborations.

Thermochemical recovery of waste wood in a domestic wood stove: influence of the geometry of wood batch in the fireplace on pollutant emissions

In the current energy context, pallet boards represent a wood of opportunity strongly used on an individual scale as a means of heating at a low cost. However, French stoves are certified to burn only hardwood species. The main objective of this work is to study the combustion behavior of pallet boards in a commercial stove designed to burn hardwood. The novelty of this work lies in the study of the influence of the wood surface exposed to fire and the identification of the conditions that promote the production of ultrafine particles. The results of the combustion tests show that the surface exposed to the fire influences the combustion. Of the six wood dispositions tested, two stand out with gaseous and particulate emissions at similar levels of a conventional hornbeam log and a densified log. Low temperature conditions and high levels of unburned gaseous products were identified as promoters of ultrafine particles. Overall conclusion of the study is that it is possible to use pallets in a non-designed stove, provided that the user carefully manages the combustion. This opens the way to the clean and rational use of a new type of fuel in a low carbon circular economy.

Diversifikasi Olahan Pepaya menjadi Brownies Kering dan Abon Kering bagi UMKM PRIMA JATI di Desa Rintisan Budaya Jatimulyo, Bantul

Jatimulyo Village is one of the villages in Yogyakarta Special Region that will be submitted to Cultural Village establishment. Prima Jati MSME is community organization that processes the local potential of papaya fruit cultivated in Jatimulyo Kapanewon Dlingo Village, Bantul Regency. One of the problems faced is the high level of papaya fruit production with limited processed products and sales. The alternative solution is to diversify papaya into brownies and shredded papaya. The program was conducted through training and mentoring practices for Prima Jati. Both products have been successfully made continuously and have been packaged with plastic standing pouches and jars. There is an increase in community knowledge and understanding of processing papaya fruit into dried products, so as to increase the shelf life of the product. Prima Jati MSMEs have also sold offline at tourist attractions in Jatimulyo and online through social media accounts and marketplaces.

William Weir: architect of air power? The First World War chapter

As a successful engineering entrepreneur, William Weir took on government positions in the First World War and played a leading role in increasing British aircraft production in 1917–1918. The British Cabinet believed at the time that his policies were highly effective, a conclusion picked up in later historiography that dubbed him the ‘architect of air power’, responsible for ‘dazzling’ production results. This article looks afresh at Weir’s aeronautical career in the First World War, and highlights hitherto neglected quality problems with British aeroengines, and cost overruns in airframe production, which heavily qualify the apparently high levels of aircraft production attributed to him.

Variation of Water Quality in Intensive Aquaculture Areas of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The Mekong Delta produces about 70 % of Vietnam's national aquaculture output, and water quality management is a key factor in maintaining high levels of production and profitability. Effective water management strategies depend on understanding the spatial and temporal variations in water quality along major waterways. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the spatial and temporal fluctuation of water quality in the waterways of five provinces with intensive aquaculture operations in the Mekong Delta. The study sites included two inland provinces (An Giang and Can Tho) where striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878), is farmed, and three coastal provinces (Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau) where white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), and black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798, are cultured. At each sampling site, physicochemical parameters were monitored for 12 months on the main rivers which supply water to aquaculture systems. Water quality data were analysed and compared based on the coefficient of variation (CV), Pearson correlation coefficients to identify relationships among variables and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify 2–3 key parameters having the most significant influence on spatial and temporal variation in water quality in each province. BOD, COD, PO4 3-, S2-, NO2 - and NO3 - were highly variable (CV 40–120 %). Significant interrelationships ranged from -0.5 to 0.5 between many water quality parameters. Overall, water in most provinces was considered polluted. However, the water quality parameters, except for S2- and NO2 - , were within acceptable levels specified by National Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality for Protection of Aquatic Life.