A primary influence vertex approach to identify driving factors in complex integrated agri-industrial systems – an example from sugarcane supply and processing systems

Integrated agri-industrial systems (IAISs), such as sugarcane supply and processing systems, are complex systems and hence generally difficult to understand and manage. The large number factors in IAISs coupled with the complex interrelationships among the factors make it challenging to identify the points of intervention for improving their overall performance. Several approaches, such as the network theory and the Theory of Constraints have been used to identify important factors in systems with variations in success. This paper demonstrates a primary influence vertex approach for identifying and ranking the factors that drive the performance of IAISs. The approach is based on comprehensive causal network analyses and was tested in four relatively diverse large-scale sugarcane milling operations in South Africa. Results from the analyses were found to be consistent with the literature and external knowledge of the milling areas as at the time of the study. It is concluded that the approach can proffer a sound basis from which deeper rooted problems in systems can be identified on an ongoing basis. It is, however, recommended that the approach should be systematically compared with other relevant methods that are used to analyse complex systems.     

Voltage-controlled SAW filter on berlinite

An electrically tunable narrow-bandwidth SAW filter described. This new device works similarly as a SAW voltage controlled oscillator. Because of stability requirements ar recent availability, experiments are reported on berlini (AlPO4) crystal.     

Introduction to description of phase diagram of solid wüstite: I. Structural evidence of allotropic varieties

The stability field of solid wüstite has been the subject of many thermodynamic and structural investigations. These reveal three varieties - W₁, W₂ and W₃ - above 911°C and three other varieties - W′₁, W′₂ and W′₃ - below this temperature. A statistical analysis of our measurements, and of those found in recent literature, of the lattice parameter of wüstite as a function of composition and temperature confirms the existence of the three high-temperature varieties. A dilatometric study leads to the same conclusion. A similar analysis could be made for the three other varieties before studying their structure, but their existence has already been directly evidenced by thermogravimetric and structural investigations.     

Gases evolved from a high-methane coal using a Bleuler mill and mass spectrometry

Desorption of gases during the pulverizing of a coal in vacuum, air and oxygen for different periods has been studied. Results are discussed with reference to spontaneous combustion and other relevant factors.     

Continuous soapstock acidulation

A newly developed process is described for the continuous acidulation of soapstocks derived from alkali refining of vegetable oils. Results are presented for cottonseed, soybean, coconut and corn oil based soapstocks. The acidulation is accomplished by continuously reacting hot soapstock with H₂SO₄ and separating and countercurrently water washing in a Podbielniak centrifugal contactor. This process offers savings in labor, H₂SO₄ and steam over conventional batch acidulations, with improved recovery of fat. Typical performance data indicate around 98% recovery of the available TFA, acidulated greases containing less than 0.01% mineral acid, and acid water containing ca. 1% mineral acid. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, New Orleans, 1964.     

Contribution a l'etude du monoxyde de fer solide non-stoechiometrique. Diagramme T-P-X

A statistical numerical analysis from equilibrium thermogravimetric measurements obtained earlier by Raccah leads to describe a new T-p-x diagram of iron monoxide or wüstite. The external boundaries of the field of stable existence are precisely stated with the aid of some results from the literature. Three subphases W₁, W₂ and W₃ are revealed above 911°C; three others W′₁, W′₂ and W′₃ are revealed below 911°C, The related diagram shows their subfields. It shows also 23 invariant points between stable phases and 8 eventual invariant points between metastable phases. An almost complete bibliography of the work of Vallet's School about wüstite is given.     

A two-permeability approach for assessing flow properties in metal foam

One of the key properties for understanding the fluid flow and pressure drop in metal foam is the permeability. This paper investigates a non-traditional approach for evaluating this critical transport property by considering the physics of energy dissipation, i.e., the viscous dissipation and form drag and the fact that they are linked. The current work emphasizes the necessary initial step of clearly distinguishing between different flow regimes prior to evaluating the permeability. This distinction is usually either absent or overlooked in several previous studies, which may lead to significant errors. The approach presented in this study is applied to wind-tunnel steady-state unidirectional pressure-drop measurements for airflow through isotropic open-cell aluminum foam samples having different pore densities. The results show that the porous medium exhibits two different permeabilities—one is calculated and only valid in the Darcy regime, while the other is calculated and only valid in the Forchheimer regime.     

Dove coos and flashed lights: Interruptibility of "song" in a nonsongbird.

The vocal control mechanism of the collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) was examined by analyzing the effect of a light flash on the interruptibility of the perch coo. Flashes sometimes resulted in an immediate startle response, which often coincided with a distortion of the ongoing vocalizations. Some flashes led to an interruption of cooing, usually some time after the flash and startle response. Stops occurred between coos, but also between or during the elements within a coo. Flashes during pauses between elements resulted in more stops that flashes during elements. The findings suggest that the element the unit of vocal production. Some features of the vocal control mechanism in songbirds may be more general than assumed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical characteristics of adults reporting repressed, recovered, or continuous memories of childhood sexual abuse.

The authors assessed women and men who either reported continuous memories of their childhood sexual abuse (CSA, n = 92), reported recovering memories of CSA (n = 38), reported believing they harbored repressed memories of CSA (n = 42), or reported never having been sexually abused (n = 36). Men and women were indistinguishable on all clinical and psychometric measures. The 3 groups that reported abuse scored similarly on measures of anxiety, depression, dissociation, and absorption. These groups also scored higher than the control group. Inconsistent with betrayal trauma theory, recovered memory participants were not more likely to report abuse by a parent or stepparent than were continuous memory participants. Rates of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder did not differ between the continuous and recovered memory groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)