Honeycomb Research Articles

Breeding Efforts on Wild Honey Bee Apis cerana Fabr. within Coconut Plantations in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra

In order to maximize the potential of wild honey bee Apis cerana, there have been ongoing breeding efforts conducted in three coconut plantations in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra. The searching for wild honey bee colonies was performed in potential sites in Lancang, Batu Gadang and Pakandangan Villages. There were 20 colonies found in the wild and relocated using hive-to-stub method; 10 colonies were then bred in its original sites while other 10 stubs transferred into farm located in Pakandangan Village. To support the breeding efforts, there was inventory survey carried out at the surrounding of breeding farms to list plants that are food sources for honey bee. From total 60 bee hives found, 32 of them built inside the hollow of dead timber, 18 nests existed in living tree crevices and other 10 nests in various hollowing structures. The successfulness of breeding effort using hiving method before transferred to distance farming location reached 76.66%, much higher than letting the stubs in the original location of wild nests (23.34%). Number of honey combs grew on the first month after transferred was variable between 3-9 frames and 124 frames (35.38%), the breadth of comb up until 75%. Plants for food sources were enlisted until 65 species, in which 20 of them categorized as cultivated and year-round flowering plants.

Magnetic Characteristics of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) is 2D material made of honey comb carbon structure as backbone and decorated by oxygen functional groups in both sides. These functional groups have role to the GO properties, such as magnetic susceptibility, band gap, conductivity. There are several processes to reduce its oxygen content, such as chemical, photo and thermal reduction, resulted reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Several studies reported the magnetic properties of GO and rGO correlating with the process of synthesis and reducing oxygen contents. We report the magnetic characteristic of a commercial GO 0.5 mg/ml dispersed in H2O from Graphenia and RGO that were synthesized through thermal reduction process of GO precursor. In this process, we use oven vacuum system at 200 °C for 1 hour. All samples were prepared as GO and rGO thick films. The GO and rGO samples structure were indentified from XRD data and SQUID data for magnetic characteristics. We explored the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility by applying magnetic field of 500 Oe in Zero Field Cooling (ZFC) and Field Cooling (FC). The result shows different susceptibility behavior of GO and rGO samples in all wide range of temperature between 0 to 300 Kelvin. The value of magnetic susceptibility rGO is higher than that of GO and has splitting curve of ZFC and FC at low temperatures below 200 Kelvin. However, GO has the splitting curve of ZFC and FC occurred at high temperatures above 200 Kelvin.

Lung Abscess Carcinomatous

Introduction: Pulmonary malignancies may easily be overlooked and valuable time may be lost. Lung cancer is sometimes diagnosed as a tuberculous cavity or an abscess. Abscess formation can appear in several different ways. Carcinoma that occurs in medium-sized bronchi causes partial bronchial obstruction, atelectasis, and infection due to retention. Inflammation can progress to damage to lung tissue, resulting the formation of multiple suppurative foci or more localized lung abscess. The link between lung abscess and lung cancer has been known, but the presence of malignancy in lung abscesses often undiagnosed. Obstruction from lung cancer can predispose to the development of a lung abscess. Case of a 54 year old man with increased pain at the right chest when breathing in since two months. On physical examination, it was found decreased of fremitus at the right hemithorax, deafness and decreased breath sounds as high as the II - V thoracic right hemithorax. Thorax CT-scan showed a round, homogeneous (HU: 17-30), with a cavity-like image with air fluid level, size: 7,88 cm x 8,2 cm x 9,29 cm and honey comb appearance around it. On the examination of TTNA (Transthoracic Needle Aspiration) results obtained Squamous Cell Carcinoma. A lobectomy is planned for the patient.
 Conclusion: We reported a rare case, a 54 year old male patient, with the diagnosis of Carcinomatous Lung Abscess. This case report was prepared with the aim of increasing awareness of malignancy in patients with a clinical presentation of abscesses, especially in old age.

Lung Abscess Carcinomatous

Introduction: Pulmonary malignancies may easily be overlooked and valuable time may be lost. Lung cancer is sometimes diagnosed as a tuberculous cavity or an abscess. Abscess formation can appear in several different ways. Carcinoma that occurs in medium-sized bronchi causes partial bronchial obstruction, atelectasis, and infection due to retention. Inflammation can progress to damage to lung tissue, resulting the formation of multiple suppurative foci or more localized lung abscess. The link between lung abscess and lung cancer has been known, but the presence of malignancy in lung abscesses often undiagnosed. Obstruction from lung cancer can predispose to the development of a lung abscess. Case of a 54 year old man with increased pain at the right chest when breathing in since two months. On physical examination, it was found decreased of fremitus at the right hemithorax, deafness and decreased breath sounds as high as the II - V thoracic right hemithorax. Thorax CT-scan showed a round, homogeneous (HU: 17-30), with a cavity-like image with air fluid level, size: 7,88 cm x 8,2 cm x 9,29 cm and honey comb appearance around it. On the examination of TTNA (Transthoracic Needle Aspiration) results obtained Squamous Cell Carcinoma. A lobectomy is planned for the patient.
 Conclusion: We reported a rare case, a 54 year old male patient, with the diagnosis of Carcinomatous Lung Abscess. This case report was prepared with the aim of increasing awareness of malignancy in patients with a clinical presentation of abscesses, especially in old age.

Fabrication and characterization of nano structured honeycomb absorbers and thermal analyses on solar air heating collector

Fabrication of nano structured absorber is mandatory for reaping the enhanced thermal performance of solar collectors. In this connection, the nano carbon and aluminium composite was coated on aluminium substrate, which was similar to the hexagon shaped honey comb, and the solar absorber was developed. It was characterized through X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and UV–Visible spectrophotometer (UV). It was also thermally analyzed not only in outdoor conditions but also in stagnant conditions in solar air heating collector. The research results pertaining to characterization of solar absorber showed that the crystallite size was in nano ranges and the nano particles had face-centre cubic structure. The research results pertaining to characterization of solar absorber also showed that the nano composite had excellent absorption in UV and visible region. The research result related to thermal analysis in outdoor environment revealed that the enhancements of temperature on solar absorbers coated with carbon and aluminium nano composite in the mass ratio of 60:40, 70:30 and 80:20 were 23.5oC, 25.1oC and 24.4oC respectively. The research result related to thermal analysis in stagnation environment also revealed that the enhancements of temperature on glass cover, carbon and aluminium nano composite coated absorber and working fluid were 69.4oC, 110.6oC and 99.0oC respectively. On the basis of research outcomes, it could be concluded that nano carbon and aluminium composite coated solar absorber would be used for photo thermal applications due to their desirable optical and thermal properties. It could also be concluded that nano carbon and aluminium composite coated solar absorbers would be used in photo thermal appliances due to their positive impact on thermal performances.

Computer simulation for stability analysis of the viscoelastic annular plate with reinforced concrete face sheets

This article deals with the frequency analysis of viscoelastic sandwich disk with graphene nano-platelets (GPLs) reinforced viscoelastic concrete (GPLRVC) face sheets and honeycomb core. The honeycomb core is made of aluminum due to its low weight and high stiffness. The rule of the mixture and modified Halpin–Tsai model are engaged to provide the effective material constant of the concrete. By employing Hamilton's principle, the governing equations of the structure are derived and solved with the aid of the Generalize Differential Quadrature Method (GDQM). In this paper, viscoelastic properties are modeled according to Kelvin-Voigt viscoelasticity. The deflection as the function of time can be solved by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta numerical method. Afterward, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of the outer to inner radius ratio, hexagonal core angle, thickness to length ratio of the concrete, the weight fraction of GPLs into concrete, and the thickness of honeycomb core to inner radius ratio on the frequency of the viscoelastic sandwich disk with honeycomb core and FGGPLRVC face sheet.

Modeling the Dimeric Structure of Partly Deprotonated Trimesic Acid Molecules

We propose a model and determine the formation conditions of the deprotonated dimeric structure, which is known to substitute the honeycomb (HON) phase in a trimeric acid (TMA) molecular assembly s...

Firefly Algorithm-Based Photovoltaic Array Reconfiguration for Maximum Power Extraction during Mismatch Conditions

This studyaimed at improving the performance and efficiency of conventional static photovoltaic (PV) systems by introducing a metaheuristic algorithm-based approach that involves reconfiguring electrical wiring using switches under different shading profiles. Themetaheuristicalgorithmused wasthe firefly algorithm (FA), which controls the switching patterns under non-homogenous shading profiles and tracks the highest global peak of power produced by the numerous switching patterns. This study aimed to solve the current problems faced by static PV systems, such as unequal dispersion of shading affecting solar panels, multiple peaks, and hot spot phenomena, which can contribute to significant power loss and efficiency reduction. The experimental setup focusedon software development and the system or model developed in the MATLAB Simulink platform. Athorough and comprehensive analysis was done by comparing the proposed method’s overall performance and power generation with thenovel static PVseries–parallel (SP) topology and totalcross-tied (TCT) scheme. The SP configuration is widely used in the PV industry. However, the TCT configuration has superior performance and energy yield generation compared to other static PV configurations, such as the bridge-linked (BL) and honey comb (HC) configurations. The results presented in this paper provide valuable information about the proposed method’s features with regard toenhancing the overall performance and efficiency of PV arrays.

Mechanical performance of honeycomb sandwich structures built by FDM printing technique

Honey Comb Sandwich Structures (HCSS) have numerous applications in aerospace, automobile, and satellite industry because of their properties like high strength to weight ratio, stiffness and impact strength. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a process which, through its flexibility, simple processing, short manufacturing time, competitive prices and freedom of design, has an ability to enhance the functionality of HCSS. This paper investigates the mechanical behavior (i.e. flexural, edgewise compression and Interfacial bond strength) of FDM-built HCSS. The influence of face/core material was examined by manufacturing four types of specimens namely ABS core with Composite (PLA + 15% carbon fibers) face sheets, ABS core with PLA face sheets, TPU core with composite face sheets and TPU core with PLA face sheets. To measure the effect of face sheets geometry, raster layup was varied at 0°/90° and 45°/−45°. The mechanical characterization revealed that an optimum combination of materials is ABS core with composite face sheets having raster layup of 0°/90°. This study indicates that HCSS with complex lamination schemes and adequate mechanical properties could be manufactured using FDM which may widen the applications of FDM on an industrial scale.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAYS CONFIGURATION TO MITIGATE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF PARTIAL SHADING CONDITIONS

Growth of photovoltaic systems that require more and more productive alternatives, not only in micro-fabrication techniques but also in methods of energy extraction. In recent years, a large number of Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms with various complexities over decades the ability to efficiently locate the global maximum under partial shading was followed by evolved. Partial Shading Conditions (PSC) play a major role in determining the energy and power productivity of a solar photovoltaic (SPV) system. Under PSC, the SPV panels receive varying levels of solar irradiance, resulting in a decrease in the power generation of the SPV system, and these losses in SPV panels can be minimized by adjusting the configuration of the array/module panels. The panels can be designed to increase production energy and power quality in several different configurations, such as Series(S), Parallel (P), Series-Parallel (SP), Complete Cross Tied (TCT), Bridge Linked (BL) and Honeycomb (HC). This work is aimed at presenting all the configurations already presented in the literature and referencing and evaluating the findings of PSC on SPV systems. In this paper, there are four 4-4 array configurations of solar photovoltaic panels to be addressed. Parallel series (SP), complete cross-linked (TCT), the bridge linked (BL) and honeycomb are four configurations (HC). To decide on the effect of shadow with 10 shading patterns, four simulated models were carried out. For the above-mentioned configuration, the simulated results indicate a power against voltage (PV) curve of 4 to 4 SPV array under PSC. This thesis will be a reference point for useful and important knowledge for researchers in the field of solar panels.

A novel adaptive dynamic photovoltaic reconfiguration system to mitigate mismatch effects

Unequal solar irradiance of the Photovoltaic (PV) modules diminishes the PV array's maximum power output; this effect is due to Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs). There are a few technical options to fix this issue. One of these is the dynamic reconfiguration technique, which means that the electrical connections between the PV modules in the array are dynamically modified to spread shading effects and increase the power output. This paper proposed a novel adaptive reconfiguration method for 3×3 Total-Cross-Tied (TCT) PV array to enhance the maximum power under partial shading conditions. In this work, the PV module's electrical connections are altered dynamically with the proposed logic algorithm's help to maintain the identical row currents in the array. This technique is implemented on 3×3 size of an array using MATLAB and validated experimentally using OPAL-RT software. Further, the proposed technique performance is compared with the existing PV array connections such as Series-Parallel (SP), Total-Cross-Tied (TCT), Bridge-Link (BL), Honey-Comb (HC), and Shade Dispersion Positioning (SDP). Additionally, for different reconfiguration methods, revenue generation from energy savings is estimated. Based on the observations from the results, it is understood that the proposed technique enhanced the maximum power of the TCT array at a higher level as compared to the other PV array connections under PSCs.

On Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulinae) in hives of Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Campeche, México

This paper reports for the first time the presence of Aethina tumida Murray, 1867 in hives of Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, established in the locality of Pucnachen Municipality of Calkini the State of Campeche, México. Nitidulids were collected manually on the honey combs in the frames of A. mellifera hives, defecating on honey and on the floor of the hives, fermenting honey making it useless. A. tumida is a potential pest in beekeeping due to direct damage caused to honey as a food product, causing significant economic losses for beekeepers of this region of México. Also, the presence of this beetle was verified for the first time in stingless bee colonies, which are of great importance in traditional honey production. A detailed morphological description of the beetle is provided.

Porous structure of bioceramics carbonated hydroxyapatite-based honeycomb scaffold for bone tissue engineering

In this work, bioceramic carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) was synthesized from abalone mussel shells (Halioitis asinina) using a co-precipitation method; CHA-based scaffolds were fabricated with honeycomb (HCB) as the porogen agent. The concentration of HCB porogen varied among 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%. The Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the Ca/P molar ratio of CHA was 1.73, which was close to natural bone’s Ca/P molar ratio of 1.71. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) tests revealed that the formed phase of the synthesized CHA was of the B-type. Analysis of the pores structure showed an increasing porogen concentration, pores size, and porosity of the scaffold. The addition of HCB porogen also decreased the crystallite size. This was very good for bone growth because the low crystallinity created dislocations, making it easier for cells to proliferate. Based on the results of cell viability assay on scaffold CHA + HCB 40 wt%, the growth of MC3T3E1 cells was inhibited beginning at a scaffold concentration of 500 μg/mL because the percentage of viability decreased to ∼ 115 % and the IC50 value of MC3T3E1 cells on the scaffold to 691830.97 μg/mL. Based on to the one-way ANOVA, those result reflected no statistically significant differences in the average of cell viability value in the five groups (p> 0.05). The cell metabolic activity and morphology of the CHA + HCB 40 wt% scaffold enable it to facilitate the attachment of MC3T3E1 cells on its surface. Thus, HCB 40 wt% was the best concentration to fabricate the scaffold based on the criteria for pores structure, crystallographic properties, chemical decomposition process and cell viability for biomedical applications.

User Experience Validation Using the Honeycomb Model in the Requirements Development Stage

User Experience Validation Using the Honeycomb Model in the Requirements Development Stage

Bioceramic hydroxyapatite-based scaffold with a porous structure using honeycomb as a natural polymeric Porogen for bone tissue engineering

BackgroundThe application of bioceramic hydroxyapatite (HA) derived from materials high in calcium to tissue engineering has been of concern, namely scaffold. Scaffold pores allow for cell mobility metabolic processes, and delivery of oxygen and nutrients by blood vessel. Thus, pore architecture affects cell seeding efficiency, cell viability, migration, morphology, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, angiogenesis, mechanical strength of scaffolds, and, eventually, bone formation. Therefore, to improve the efficacy of bone regeneration, several important parameters of the pore architecture of scaffolds must be carefully controlled, including pore size, geometry, orientation, uniformity, interconnectivity, and porosity, which are interrelated and whose coordination affects the effectiveness of bone tissue engineering. The honeycomb (HCB) as natural polymeric porogen is used to pore forming agent of scaffolds. It is unique for fully interconnected and oriented pores of uniform size and high mechanical strength in the direction of the pores. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of HCB concentration on macropore structure of the scaffolds.MethodsBioceramic hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesized from abalone mussel shells (Halioitis asinina) using a precipitation method, and HA-based scaffolds were fabricated with honeycomb (HCB) as the porogen agent. Pore structure engineering was successfully carried out using HCB at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 wt%.ResultsThe Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the Ca/P molar ratio of HA was 1.67 (the stoichiometric ratio of HA). The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra results for porous HA-based scaffolds and synthesized HA showed that no chemical decomposition occurred in the HA-based scaffold fabrication process. The porosity of the scaffold tended to increase when higher concentrations of HCB were added. XRD data show that the HCB was completely degraded from the scaffold material. The cell metabolic activity and morphology of the HA + HCB 30 wt% scaffold enable it to facilitate the attachment of MC3T3E1 cells on its surface.ConclusionHCB 30 wt% is the best concentration to fabricate the scaffold corresponding to the criteria for pores structure, crystallographic properties, chemical decomposition process and cell viability for bone tissue engineering.

COMPARISON OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF HONEY AGAINST AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

Objective: To compare the antibacterial activity of honey against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
 Methods: Honey is extracted from the honey comb by trained persons. Antimicrobial activity of honey is performed by Agar Cup Diffusion technique for 3 bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Clostridium perfringens.
 Results: By performing the technique with proper guidance, it is observed that the Staphylococcus aureus specimen shows sensitivity to honey whereas the other two specimens Escherichia coli and clostridium perfringens doesn’t show any sensitivity to honey.
 Conclusion: Due to its vast antibacterial activity of honey, it can be used along with other antibiotics to increase its efficiency.

The mechanism of θ- to α-Al2O3 phase transformation

The mechanism of θ- to α-Al2O3 phase transformation is proved by the “synchro-shear” model through the first-principles calculations. The proposed model is based on a reorganization of oxygen anions sublattice from f.c.c. to h.c.p. which is achieved by series of shears of the oxygen closed-stacking plane (201̅) along the direction of [102] and a migration of Al-cations to the near octahedral interstices to form a ‘‘honey comb’’ lattice. On this basis, it is concluded that there is a critical size of ~22.88 nm at which θ-Al2O3 is thermodynamically able to transform to an α form. The obtained data is in a good agreement with the experimental observations.

Numerical investigation of geocell reinforced slopes behaviorby considering geocell geometry effect

The present study evaluates geocell reinforced slope behavior. A three dimensional analysis is carried out to simulate soil and geocell elastoplastic behavior using the finite difference software FLAC3D. In order to investigate the geocell reinforcement effect, the geocell aperture size, thickness, geocell placement condition and soil compaction had been considered as variable parameters. Moreover, a comparison is evaluated between geocell reinforcing system and conventional planar reinforcement. The obtained results showed that the pocket size, thickness and soil compaction have considerable influence on the geocell reinforcement slope performance. Moreover, it was found that the critical sliding surface was bounded by the first geocell reinforcement and the slope stability increases, by increasing the vertical space between geocell layers. In addition, the comparison between geocell and geogrid reinforcement indicates the efficiency of using cellular honeycomb geosynthetic reinforcement.

Analysis of Selected Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals in Honey Obtained from Plateau State, Nigeria

Honey bees derive their nutrients from nectars and other plant materials. These naturally available materials are affected by the residual presence of pesticides. The concentration of pesticides in honey comb then reflects the leftover after degradation. In this study, samples of honey were collected from five different farms in Plateau State and analyzed for pesticide residues (atrazine, cypermethrin) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe and Mn) using GC-MS and AAS techniques. Results of the analysis indicated that atrazine and cypermethrin were found in the range (0.01 - 0.36 and 0.11 - 0.26) mg/kg, respectively in all the samples. Mn and Fe were found across the samples while Cd was detected only in the sample obtained from Maraban Jos (0.0013 mg/kg). Except Bokkos and Maraban Jos, Pb was detected in other samples. This study revealed that all samples contained the selected pesticide residues above the maximum residue limits recommended by European Union, while concentration of heavy metals in all the samples except Mn was below the maximum concentration limits recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization. The high concentration of pesticide residues in the samples indicates contaminated environment in which the bees fed; therefore intermittent monitoring of the quality of honeys produced would be necessary as this calls for urgent attention.

Power Losses Reduction of Solar PV Systems Under Partial Shading Conditions Using Re-Allocation of PV Module-Fixed Electrical Connections

The paper gives a review of the investigation, which is being imported under different shading scenarios on the solar photovoltaic (PV) array arrangements. Under non-uniform irradiations, the authors pursue voluminous interpretation to scrutinize the mismatch power losses (PL) in PV array systems. In addition to power, the partial shading also reveals non-linearity along with multiple maximum power points (MPP) on performance curves i.e. power-voltage (P-V) and current-voltage (I-V). The inspection of the optimal layout of PV modules during the study helps us to extract maximum power and reduce the number of power peaks, when arranged in an array under partial shading conditions (PSCs). In the vicinity of PV array configurations such as series-parallel (SP), honey-comb (HC), bridge-link (BL), total cross-tied (TCT), and hybrid series-parallel-Total cross-tied (SP-TCT), bridge link-honey comb (BL-HC), and bridge link-total cross-tied (BL-TCT) are considered to investigate the performance under shadowing conditions. Moreover, Latin square (LS) puzzle is introduced to reconfigure the PV array and extensive comprehensive comparison with conventional is presented and entitled as “LS-TCT” configuration. The MATLAB/Simulink environment helps in modelling all the considered PV array configurations. The recommended LS-TCT configuration is turned out to be superior (for MATLAB/Simulink study) among all configurations during PSCs in terms of location of global maximum power point (GMPP), minimized PL and improved fill factor (FF). To show the superiority of proposed Shape-do-Ku (SPDK) puzzle based configuration, an experimental comparison is shown with conventional TCT and LS-TCT, Su-do-Ku (SDK) puzzle based configurations under new shading pattern-4. In addition, presented experimental study is validated the results obtained during MATLAB/Simulink study.