Biomass is a promising sustainable and renewable energy source, due to its high diversity of sources, and as it is profusely obtainable everywhere in the world. It is the third most important fuel source used to generate electricity and for thermal applications, as 50% of the global population depends on biomass. The increase in availability and technological developments of recent years allow the use of biomass as a renewable energy source with low levels of emissions and environmental impacts. Biomass energy can be in the forms of biogas, bio-liquid, and bio-solid fuels. It can be used to replace fossil fuels in the power and transportation sectors. This paper critically reviews the facts and prospects of biomass, the pyrolysis process to obtain bio-oil, the impact of different pyrolysis technology (for example, temperature and speed of pyrolysis process), and the impact of various reactors. The paper also discusses different pyrolysis products, their yields, and factors affecting biomass products, including the present status of the pyrolysis process and future challenges. This study concluded that the characteristics of pyrolysis products depend on the biomass used, and what the pyrolysis product, such as bio-oil, can contribute to the local economy. Finally, more research, along with government subsidies and technology transfer, is needed to tackle the future challenges of the development of pyrolysis technology.Energies 2018, 11, 3115 2 of 24 growth and ongoing economic and technological advancement around the world [4]. Currently, fossil fuels are the main source of energy because of their high calorific values, good anti-knocking properties, and high heating values; meanwhile, reserves are limited. Therefore, the development of alternative energy resources can lower the depletion of fossil fuel by reducing their consumption [5][6][7]. On the other hand, the world's heating condition is increasing every day. The atmospheric CO 2 level has crossed the risky level that was forecast to happen in another 10 years [8]. Furthermore, the depletion of fossil fuels and extreme change of climate have driven the search for alternative energies and renewable energy sources that can meet the world's energy demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb pollution, and maintain the planet's temperature at a stable level [9][10][11].Among the alternative energy sources, biomass can become a promising sustainable energy source, due to its high diversity and availability [12]. Biomass can be defined as all biodegradable organic material derived from animals, plants, or microorganisms. This definition also includes products, by-products, waste originating in agricultural activities, as well as non-fossil organic waste produced by industrial and municipal waste [13]. Biomass is the third most important source used to generate electricity and thermal applications [14,15]. The most common biomass feedstocks are banana peel, rice and coffee husks, sugarcane bagasse, palm oil processing residues, and the waste of animals [16,17]. ...

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This study quantifies the impact and cost-effectiveness of training poor rural women in Bangladesh in home gardening and nutrition. We use baseline and follow-up data for 646 intervention and control households and apply a difference-in-difference estimator. We find that the intervention significantly (p < 0.01) increased vegetable production (+16.5 g/person/day), vegetable consumption and the micronutrient supply from the garden. Using the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) approach, we show that the intervention can be considered cost-effective in abating iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies. Home garden interventions can therefore make an effective contribution to addressing micronutrient undernutrition. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Total cross sections (Qr's) have been measured for I -500-eV positrons and electrons scattered by 02, CH4, and SF6 using a beam-transmission technique. The positron Qr s are compared with the corresponding electron Qr's for each target gas. It is found that the positron Qr's are, in general, lower than the electron results. There are no prominent structures observed for positron scattering at low energies that would be comparable to the narrow shape resonances observed for electrons scattering from various molecules, such as SF6. The positron Qr curve for CH4 reveals a significant increase in the vicinity of its positronium formation threshold, while the 02 and SF6 curves are monotonically increasing in this vicinity. At the highest energies investigated, there are indications of a tendency toward merging of the positron and electron Qr s for these gases. Interesting similarities are found in a comparison of the present positron and electron Qr curves for CH4 with prior comparison measurements for argon.

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Background While vaccines ensure individual protection against COVID-19 infection, delay in receipt or refusal of vaccines will have both individual and community impacts. The behavioral factors of vaccine hesitancy or refusal are a crucial dimension that need to be understood in order to design appropriate interventions. The aim of this study was to explore the behavioral determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and to provide recommendations to increase the acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh. Methods We employed a Barrier Analysis (BA) approach to examine twelve potential behavioral determinants (drawn from the Health Belief Model [HBM] and Theory of Reasoned Action [TRA]) of intended vaccine acceptance. We conducted 45 interviews with those who intended to take the vaccine (Acceptors) and another 45 interviews with those who did not have that intention (Non-acceptors). We performed data analysis to find statistically significant differences and to identify which beliefs were most highly associated with acceptance and non-acceptance with COVID-19 vaccines. Results The behavioral determinants associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Dhaka included perceived social norms, perceived safety of COVID-19 vaccines and trust in them, perceived risk/susceptibility, perceived self-efficacy, perceived positive and negative consequences, perceived action efficacy, perceived severity of COVID-19, access, and perceived divine will. In line with the HBM, beliefs about the disease itself were highly predictive of vaccine acceptance, and some of the strongest statistically-significant (p<0.001) predictors of vaccine acceptance in this population are beliefs around both injunctive and descriptive social norms. Specifically, Acceptors were 3.2 times more likely to say they would be very likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine if a doctor or nurse recommended it, twice as likely to say that most people they know will get a vaccine, and 1.3 times more likely to say that most close family and friends will get a vaccine. The perceived safety of vaccines was found to be important since Non-acceptors were 1.8 times more likely to say that COVID-19 vaccines are “not safe at all”. Beliefs about one’s risk of getting COVID-19 disease and the severity of it were predictive of being a vaccine acceptor: Acceptors were 1.4 times more likely to say that it was very likely that someone in their household would get COVID-19, 1.3 times more likely to say that they were very concerned about getting COVID-19, and 1.3 times more likely to say that it would be very serious if someone in their household contracted COVID-19. Other responses of Acceptors on what makes immunization easier may be helpful in programming to boost acceptance, such as providing vaccination through government health facilities, schools, and kiosks, and having vaccinators maintain proper COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Conclusion An effective behavior change strategy for COVID-19 vaccines uptake will need to address multiple beliefs and behavioral determinants, reducing barriers and leveraging enablers identified in this study. National plans for promoting COVID-19 vaccination should address the barriers, enablers, and behavioral determinants found in this study in order to maximize the impact on COVID-19 vaccination acceptance.