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However, the efficacy of these bots hugely relies on its design, characteristic of materials, properties of the medium, types of fuel, and surface functional groups. Minute variation for one of these things may lead to a change in its performance and hinders its dynamics of propulsion. It is deemed that nanobots might be a smart choice for using these as the new generation devices for treating industrial effluents before discharging it in the water bodies, which is a major concern for human health and the environment.An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to simulate the convective drying process of watermelon rind pomace used in the fabrication of non-traditional flour. Also, the drying curves obtained experimentally were fitted with eleven different empirical models to compare both modeling approaches. Lastly, to reduce the required fossil fuel in the convective drying process, two types of solar air heaters (SAH) were presented and experimentally evaluated. The optimization of the ANN by a genetic algorithm (GA) resulted in an optimal number of neurons of nine (9) for the first hidden layer and ten (10) for the second hidden layer. Also, the ANN performed better than the best fitted empirical model. Simulations with the trained ANN showed very promising generalization capabilities. The type II SAH showed the best performance and the highest air temperature it reached was 45 °C. The specific energy consumption (SEC) needed to dry the watermelon rind at this temperature and the CO2 emissions were 609 kWh.kg-1 and 318 kg CO2.kWh-1, respectively. Using the type II SAH, this energy amount would be saved without CO2 emissions. To reach higher drying temperatures the combination of the SAH and the electrical convective dryer is possible.Competition for resources can affect growth and increase mortality in forest stands. The effects of this process are little known, especially in areas subjected to forest management which show distinct growth dynamics when compared to unmanaged natural areas. This study aimed to estimate, evaluate and select the best fit competition indices (CI) for individual trees in a managed forest in the eastern Amazon. The data used originated from 18 permanent plots of 1 ha each, which were monitored for 12 years after Reduced Impact Logging (RIL). For the competition analysis, 23 indices were tested. CIs were evaluated based on graphical analyses and linear correlation coefficients(r)between each index and variables, basal area growth(ΔG), probability of mortality(Pm), and post-logging period (PLP). In addition, the partial F-test was applied to verify how well the calculated CIs explain the variations observed in ΔGandP(m). The distance-independent index for BAL (Basal Area Larger) performed the best. 6-hydroxydopamine For the distance-dependent and semi-independent indices, the best interactions with the variables tested occurred in radii of 15 and 20 m away from the object tree. The largest trees presented higher values ofΔG. While P(m)was similar among the three tree classes, larger trees had a slightly higher P(m)due to thier low density of individuals. The results obtained in this study may help to include CIs in growth and production models at the individual tree level in tropical rainforests, especially in those managed in the Brazilian Amazon.Hydroponic cultivation is revolutionizing agricultural crop production techniques all over the world owing to its minimal environmental footprint, enhanced pest control, and high crop yield. However, waste nutrient solutions (WNS) generated from hydroponic systems contain high concentrations of N and P; moreover, they are discharged into surface and subsurface environments, leading to eutrophication and subsequent ecosystem degradation. In this study, the nutrient concentrations in WNS from 10 hydroponic indoor tomato, capsicum, and strawberry farms (greenhouses) were monitored for up to six months. The concentrations of N and P in WNS discharged from these farms were 48.0-494.0 mg L-1 and 12.7-96.9 mg L-1, respectively, which exceeded the Korean water quality guidelines (40.0 mg L-1 N and 4.0 mg L-1 P) for effluents. These concentrations were varied and dependent on the supplied nutrient concentrations, crop types, and growth stages. In general, the concentrations of N and P were in the following order tomato > capsicum > strawberry. High N as NO3- and P as PO43- but low organic C in WNS warrant subsequent treatment before discharge. Therefore, this study tested a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system as a potential technology for WNS treatment. The SBR system had BOD, COD, nitrate, and phosphate removal efficiency of 100, 100, 89.5, and 99.8%, respectively. In addition, the SBR system removed other cations such as Ca2+, dissolved Fe, K+, Mg2+, and Na+ and the removal efficiencies of those ions were 48, 67, 18, 14 and 15%, respectively. Lower methanol addition (0.63 mg L-1) and extended aeration (~30 min) improved SBR performance efficiency of C, N, and P removal. Thus, SBR showed significant promise as a treatment alternative to WNS pollutants originating from hydroponic systems.

This study aims to measure the effect of guided imagery and hand massage on self-rated wellbeing and pain for palliative care patients.

This study adopted a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design. The sample consisted of n=20 adult palliative care patients who received one session of guided imagery and hand massage. Self-reported levels of wellbeing and pain were measured on a scale of 0-10 before and after the intervention. Results were analyzed using a one-tailed sign test in SPSS Software.

The intervention elicited a statistically significant improvement in self-reported levels of wellbeing (p=.029) and pain (p=.001). Feedback from participants showed the intervention was helpful and relaxing.

The intervention had an immediate positive effect on wellbeing and pain among palliative care patients. Considering the promising results of this pilot study, guided imagery and hand massage should be studied further in the palliative care setting.

The intervention had an immediate positive effect on wellbeing and pain among palliative care patients.