Management of Brazilian hardwood species (Jatoba and Garapa) wood waste biomass utilization for energy production purposes

ArticleIn the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jatoba ( Hymenaea courbaril ) and Garapa ( Apuleia leiocarpa ) trees are intensively harvested . The yield of one log is approximately 45 – 55%, which indicates a great amount of produced wood waste biomass.Present research monitored the suitability of wood waste biomass from Jatoba and Garapa trees for bio – briquette for solid biofuel production. The research was focused on chemical parameters, and energ y potential of such biomass kinds. Jatoba wood waste biomass was used for the production of bio – briquette fuel and its final mechanical quality was investigated by determination of their mechanical quality indicators. Results of chemical analysis (in wet b asis) exhibited great level of ash content in case of both species ( Jatoba – 0.31%, Garapa – 3.02%), as well as high level of energy potential; net calorific value equal to 18.92 MJ kg – 1 for Jatoba and to 18.39 5 MJ kg – 1 for Garapa. Analysis of elementary composition proved following levels of oxygen content: J atoba – 41.10%, Garapa – 39.97 %. Mechanical analysis proved bio – briquette samples volume density ρ equal to 896.34 kg m – 3 which indicated quality bio – briquette fuel , while the level of rupture force R F occurred at a lower level – 47.05 N mm – 1 . Most important quality indicator, the mechanical durability DU, unfortunately, occurred at a lower level; DU = 77.6% compared to the minimal level of bio – briquette fuels intended for commercial sales which must be > 90%. Overall analysis proved materials suitability for energy generation purpose with certain limitations which can improve by changing production parameters of briquetting

Factors influencing use of fuelwood and its environmental impacts in Tapanuli Utara regency, North Sumatra

ArticleDeforestation and forest degradation, after burning of fossil fuels, is considered as the second leading cause of anthropogenic greenhouse emissions (accounting for over 17% of global carbon dioxide emissions) and has become an important issue concerning climate change mitigation. The provision of wood energy is generally thought to be a major contributor to forest loss. In Indonesia, more than half of the rainforest there, the third - largest swath in the world, has been felled in just a few years. Further more, permission has been granted to convert the majority of what remains into palm or acacia plantations. The logging and burning of forests to clear land for cultivation has made Indonesia one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the o bjective of this study was to assess the current level and influencing factors of the use of fuelwood among the rural population as well as the consequent environmental impacts in the target area in North Sumatra. The questionnaire survey using randomly se lected households (n = 196) was administered in Tapanuli Utara regency from July to August 2014; followed by several field visits from August to September 2016. Obtained data were analysed with descriptive statistics and cross tabulation. The results indic ate that fuelwood is a significant source of energy in the target area. For 31% of respondents it is the major energy source and for 64% it is a supplementary source. The high rate of use of wood as fuel corresponds to the poor financial situation of respo ndents and the easy accessibility of wood, but only from the surrounding area (own garden or adjacent land). Wood resources are often very distant (on average over 1,000 metres) as a consequence of high deforestation. This study reveals that there is a non - sustainable trend of forest conversion resulting in high land degradation in Tapanuli Utara regency

Agricultural residues in Indonesia and Vietnam and their potential for direct combustion: with a focus on fruit processing and plantation crops

ArticleEnergy consumption in Indonesia and Vietnam has grown rapidly in recent decades. To meet the energy needs of both countries, a higher utilisation of waste biomass sources may represent an adequate solution. Investigated samples represent major crop residues (waste biomass) originating mainly from the agriculture sector of the selected countries. Herbaceous waste biomass from Indonesia is, namely, cassava stems and root peelings ( Manihot esculenta ), coffee leaves ( Coffea arabica ), cacao leaves ( Theobroma cacao ), banana leaves ( Musa acuminata ), bamboo leaves ( Bambusoideae spp.) and aloe vera leaves ( Aloe vera ). Furthermore, fruit and aquatic waste biomass originating from Vietnam is, specifically, sugarcane bagasse ( Saccharum officinarum ), durian peelings ( Durio zibethinus ), rambutan peelings ( Nephelium lappaceum ), banana peelings ( Musa acuminata ), water milfoil ( Myriophyllum spicatum ) and water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ). All mentioned types of waste biomass were subjected to proximate and calorimetric analysis: moisture, ash and volatile matter contents (%) and higher and lower heating values (MJ kg – 1 ). Obtained values indicated the highest level of ash content in fruit bioma ss samples in the case of sugarcane bagasse (0.84%), in herbaceous biomass in the case of cassava stems (3.14%) and in aquatic biomass in the case of water hyacinth (14.16%). The highest levels of lower heating values were achieved by following samples (be st samples from each biomass type): cassava stems (17.5 MJ kg – 1 ); banana peelings (17.3 MJ kg – 1 ) and water hyacinth (12.8 MJ kg – 1 ). The overall evaluation of all observed samples indicated that the best suitability for energy utilisation by direct combusti on of investigated representatives is fruit waste biomass, followed by herbaceous waste biomass and then aquatic waste biomass

Livestock manure management practices in rural households in Tapanuli Utara regency of North Sumatra

ArticleLivestock manure management is a big challenge for low income economies including the region of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Currently, low percentages of manure managed cause illegal disposals, and negative impacts on public health and environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the current trends among livestock manure management practices in rural households and to recognize potential problems with it. The questionnaire survey using randomly selected households (n = 196) was administered in the province of North Sumatra, Tapanuli Utara regency, from July to August 2014; then followed by several field visits from August to September 2016. Data obtained in the survey were analysed with descriptive statistics and cross tabulation. Majority (81%) of rural households handle manure in the process of either composting (75%) or sun-drying (6%). Remaining 6% of the respondents does not handle manure at all. Manure could represent valuable energy and plant nutrition resource, if used appropriately. However, if not handled at all or handled inappropriately, it can lead to the environmental problems. Our results revealed that current ways of stabling of livestock are inappropriate from the environmental perspective. The stabling has got only dusty earthen floor, which makes difficult for farmers wash out the excrements and pollution. Hence, there is a need to improve manure management practice to eliminate potential threats as current practices do not protect either humans, animals or environment against the risk of contamination with potential zoonotic pathogens

Characterization of Individualized Glycemic Excursions during a Standardized Bout of Hypoglycemia-Inducing Exercise and Subsequent Hypoglycemia Treatment—A Pilot Study

The glycemic response to ingested glucose for the treatment of hypoglycemia following exercise in type 1 diabetes patients has never been studied. Therefore, we aimed to characterize glucose dynamics during a standardized bout of hypoglycemia-inducing exercise and the subsequent hypoglycemia treatment with the oral ingestion of glucose. Ten male patients with type 1 diabetes performed a standardized bout of cycling exercise using an electrically braked ergometer at a target heart rate (THR) of 50% of the individual heart rate reserve, determined using the Karvonen equation. Exercise was terminated when hypoglycemia was reached, followed by immediate hypoglycemia treatment with the oral ingestion of 20 g of glucose. Arterialized blood glucose (ABG) levels were monitored at 5 min intervals during exercise and for 60 min during recovery. During exercise, ABG decreased at a mean rate of 0.11 ± 0.03 mmol/L·min−1 (minimum: 0.07, maximum: 0.17 mmol/L·min−1). During recovery, ABG increased at a mean rate of 0.13 ± 0.05 mmol/L·min−1 (minimum: 0.06, maximum: 0.19 mmol/L·min−1). Moreover, 20 g of glucose maintained recovery from hypoglycemia throughout the 60 min postexercise observation window

Response to oral gliclazide in a pre-pubertal child with hepatic nuclear factor-1 alpha maturity onset diabetes of the young

The term “maturity onset diabetes of the young” (MODY) describes a heterogeneous group of monogenic diabetes of which hepatic nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF-1α) MODY is the most common. Patients with HNF-1α mutations typically present after puberty, and oral sulfonylureas (SU) have been shown to be effective in adults with this condition. A 7-year-old boy presented with asymptomatic hyperglycemia ranging between 6.2 and 10.1 mmol/L and glycosuria for nearly a year. The child's initial HbA1c was 6.9% and the pancreatic Islet cell autoantibodies were negative. His response to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed a large increment of glucose from basal level of 7.7 to 21.1 mmol/L in 120 min. The mild presentation, family history, and negative autoantibodies were suggestive of HNF-1α MODY, which was confirmed by mutation analysis. Initial management with diet alone was not sufficient, but he responded well to 20 mg oral gliclazide once a day with an improvement of HbA1C from 7.2% to 6.5% within 3 months of treatment. The case is an illustration of the clinical utility of molecular genetic tests in the management of childhood diabetes