A Static Pulling Test Is a Suitable Method for Comparison of the Loading Resistance of Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth.) between Urban and Peri-Urban Forests

In urbanized areas, wind disturbances can be intensified by anthropogenic stresses under which trees may become hazardous, creating serious threats and damages to nearby targets. Therefore, species with notably lower both wood mechanical properties and compartmentalization, such as pioneers, are considered to have higher wind damage risk if subjected to unfavorable growing conditions. Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), are frequently found in both urban and peri-urban forests in Northeastern and Central parts of Europe, which strengthen the necessity for the evaluation of mechanical stability of such species. Therefore, static pulling tests were performed to compare the mechanical stability of the studied species in both urban and peri-urban forests. The loading resistance of the studied species differed, with birch being more stable than aspen, indicating aspen to be more prone to wind damage. Additionally, the mechanical stability of birch did not differ between trees growing in urban and peri-urban forests, suggesting static pulling tests are a suitable method for comparing trees from completely different growing conditions.

CLT beam analysis using classical elastic theory of layered beams

The classical elastic theory of layered beams is used for the analysis of cross laminated timber (CLT) beams. A brief introduction of the theory is given and followed by examples. The theory of layered beams offers a widely studied, well established method for the analysis the CLT beams including displacements and stresses of each layer of the beam. It is shown that the theoretical basis of the widely used Shear Analogy is the same as the theoretical basis of the theory of layered beams. The results are compared to test results and to results of the finite element calculations. It is seen that the deflections and strains are in 10 % fractals in mean in the considered cases. The theory of layered beams seems to be suitable method in the analysis of the CLT beams at the elastic phase.

Nanoparticle sterilization methods for biomedical applications in animals

Objective: To review different nanoparticle sterilization methods for their use in biomedical applications in animals. Approach: Sterilization is used to obtain a microorganism-free product without altering its physicochemical characteristics during its preparation, storage, or administration route. This review explores different sterilization methods and their advantages and disadvantages on the nanoparticle level. Study limitations/implications: Nanoparticles are used in animal production, including their parenteral administration. Therefore, establishing the characteristics of different technologies applied to sterilize nanoparticles is essential to ensure the delivery of sterile products preventing health risks. Conclusions: The use of nanotechnology in livestock production offers several advantages for animal nutrition, reproduction, and health, among other things. When nanoparticles must be sterilized, choosing the most suitable method is essential. This depends on the amount of product and its compound type because each technique has specific requirements that must be taken into account to be ready for potential changes in the structure and availability of the final product.

Effect of voltage and anodizing time on nano colloidal silver

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of voltage and anodizing time on the average particle size of nano colloidal silver. The results of the zeta sizer analysis showed that the average particle size of the nano colloidal silver increased with increasing the voltage. On the other hand, anodizing time did not show a specific effect on the average particle size of the nano colloidal silver. The results also show that the samples prepared at 20 V with anodizing time of 2 hours exhibits an average particle size of less than 100 nm, which is potential to be used as disinfectant spray. Also, it shows that electrolysis is a suitable method to produce nano colloidal silver.

Extraction and Formulation of Perfume from Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

This work aimed to extract perfume from the leaves of Cymbopogon citratus using three extraction methods viz: distillation, solvent extraction and expression or effleurage. About 150 g of dried lemons grass were extracted using ethanol as the solvent to obtain essential oils required for the formulation of perfumes. The result of the hydrodistillation process showed that 1.23 g of essential oil per 130g of dry lemongrass produce 0.95% oil at 78 °C, while the effleurage method was 2.55 g of essential oil per 130 g of dry lemongrass sample thereby producing 1.96% oil yield. The solvent extraction method gave 2.7 g of essential oil per 130 g of dry lemongrass sample. This gives about 2.08 % yield of essential oil at a temperature of 78°C i.e. the boiling point of ethanol. The solvent extraction method yielded 2.08%, the effleuragemethod yielded 1.96% and the hydrodistillation method yielded 0.95% essential oil respectively. In conclusion, solvent extraction gave the highest yield because of less exposure to air and heat, which is highly recommended as the most suitable method for the extraction of essential oil.

ANALISIS KEKERINGAN DI KABUPATEN SRAGEN DENGAN METODE PALMER, THORNTHWAITE, DAN STANDARDIZED PRECIPITATION INDEX

El Nino and La Nina in Indonesia are one of the reasons that caused climate changes, which has possibility of drought and flood disasters. Sragen Regency wherethe dry season occurs, drought happened meanwhile other areas experience floods and landslides. A study on drought needs to be carried out so as to reduce the risk of losses due to the drought hazard. This study is to determine the drought index in Sragen Regency based on several methods and the correlation of each methods and its suitability to the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and rainfall. Drought was analyzed using several methods such as Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), Thornthwaite-Matter, and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) then correlated with SOI to determine the most suitable method for SOI. The variables are applied in this method are rainfall, temperature, and evapotranspiration. The results showed that the drought potential of the Palmer method is only in Near Normal conditions, which is 1%, Severe drought conditions are 29% for the Thornthwaite-Matter method, and Extreme Dry conditions only reach 1,11% for the SPI method. The PDSI and SPI methods are inversely proportional to the Thornthwaite-Matter method and the most suitable method for SOI values or rainfall is the SPI method. These three methods can be identified the potential for drought with only a few variables so that they could be applied if they only have those data.Keywords: Drought, PDSI, Thornthwaite-Matter, SPI, SOI

Success Story of First Malaysia Flare Tips Decommissioning in Sarawak Offshore Field Platform

The project was for part production enhancement project which to cater for brownfield & greenfield project. To cater to the production (oil) increment for the brownfield project, the existing flare tips and separation system need to be upgraded with higher capacity. The inclusive project was upgrading existing. Part of the scope was decommissioning the existing flare tip and associated system, e.g., ignition panel and ignition pipe. The project will decommission the current flare tips and replaced it with new higher capacity flare tips with Low Pressure (LP) & High Pressure (HP) connection. The existing flare panel was a single-type ignition system. The existing flare tip had LP & HP tip with 8″ inch size; the weight for both tip was estimated at 300 kg. The concept selection was discussed on the suitable method to lifting down the decommissioning flare tip at the offshore platform. There were 2 suitable techniques selected at the initial of the concept selection. One was lifting down the decommissioning flare tip directly from flare boom to vessel. Another method was manual rigging of the flare tips from the flare boom to the lower deck. After several discussions and workshops, it was decided to proceed with manual rigging of the decommissioning flare tip to the safe deck area. The removal of the decommissioning flare tip was performed during turnaround. The total days for the overall activity of the decommissioning & installation of the new flare tip was 3 days, 2 days ahead from planned duration 5 days.

A cross sectional study assessing six different methods to predict the ideal position of umbilical venous catheters in neonates of different weight categories

Background: This was a cross sectional study done to find the most suitable method of assessing umbilical venous catheter (UVC) length in seventy two neonates of four different weight categories using six methods.Methods: Neonates were grouped into A (upto 1 kg), B (>1-1.5 kg), C (>1.5-2.5 kg) or D (>2.5 kg) based on their birth weight. UVC was placed using Shukla-Ferrara method and x-ray taken to finalize the catheter length. The predicted catheter length was also measured by Dunn method, umbilicus to nipple length, umbilicus to xiphisternum length, umbilicus to midpoint of inter mammary distance, and umbilicus to symphysis pubis length. ANOVA test was used to find the methods which did not have statistically significant difference with the final length from x-ray (p>0.5). The method with the least mean difference from final length was taken as the most suitable.Results: UVC length assessed by Shukla Ferrara method and umbilicus to midpoint of inter mammary distance did not have statistically significant difference with final catheter length on x-ray in all groups. UVC length assessed by Dunn method did not have statistically significant difference with final catheter length on x-ray in group A, C and D while UVC length assessed by umbilicus to nipple length did not have statistically significant difference in group D.Conclusions: Umbilicus to the midpoint of inter-mammary distance was the most suitable method to estimate length of insertion of UVC in neonates.

Interference of Antioxidant Flavonoids with MTT Tetrazolium Assay in a Cell Free System

Introduction: The tetrazolium salt 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) used extensively to measure the quantitative survival and proliferation of mammalian cells. The analysis is based upon the reduction of MTT by metabolically active cells to insoluble formazan crystals. Flavonoids are a large group of natural compounds found in plants with variable phenolic structures. Flavonoids, as they are potential reducing agents, they act as a free radical scavenger. The aim of the study is to assess the reducing effect of some of the flavonoids on tetrazolium salt and their interference with the colorimetric analysis of MTT. The cell viability obtained from the MTT assay was compared with that of SRB assay in the determination of flavonoids cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods: The present study examined the effect of few bio-flavonoids like Quercetin, EGCG, Rutin and Resveratrol to reduce MTT in the absence of cells under different experimental conditions such as concentration of flavonoids, incubation time and results were compared with SRB assay findings. The study also involves the analysis of flavonoid cytotoxicity on lung cancer cells NCIH-460 and NCIH-522 by MTT and SRB assay to establish the suitable cell viability assay for flavonoids. Results: All the flavonoids showed the instant formation of the dark blue formazan salt in the absence of the cells with MTT assay. Whereas SRB assay of flavonoids in the absence of cells, results showed the absorbance similar to that of the blank, indicating that SRB did not interfere with flavonoids in a cell-free system. Conclusion: From the results, it is evident that MTT is not a suitable method to determine the effect of flavonoids on cell viability and proliferation as flavonoids itself reduces the MTT to formazan crystals. Study also suggests that SRB assay is more suitable method to determine the effect of flavonoids on cell viability.