scholarly journals Mechanized recovery of olive pruning residues: ash contamination and harvesting losses

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Assirelli ◽  
A. Acampora ◽  
S. Croce ◽  
R. Spinelli ◽  
E. Santangelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
A Value ◽  
Pruning Residues ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Harvesting Costs ◽  
Biomass For Energy

Agricultural residues represent an important source of biomass for energy. Among the available biomass suitable for energy and available in Italy, pruning represents about the 20% of the total. About 1.184 million of hectares are planted with olive trees; the pruning residues coming from these plantations represent a wide source of biomass at National level. The authors tested six commercial pruning harvesters to determine harvesting losses and product contamination when recovering pruning residues. All harvesters used a mechanical pick-up to collect the residues and a shredder to reduce them into chips. Three different pick-up settings were tested and namely: 1 cm above ground level, manufacturer’s specification and 3 cm above ground level. Ash content in the shredded material was taken as a measure of contamination: the uncontaminated branch material collected directly from the trees had a value of 3.5%, whereas in shredded residues varied between 4.5% and over 5.5%, for the shortest and the longest distance between the pick-up and the soil surface, respectively. Harvesting losses were slightly, but significantly, related to pick-up setting, and mainly depended on machine type. Both machines have shown a good quality of the work performed and the results obtained indicates that the work phases could be simplified in order to reduce both the time of use and the harvesting costs.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Work Productivity and Costs of a Stationary Chipper Applied to the Harvesting of Olive Tree Pruning for Bio-Energy Production

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Suardi ◽  
Francesco Latterini ◽  
Vincenzo Alfano ◽  
Nadia Palmieri ◽  
Simone Bergonzoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Machine Performance ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Biomass Resources ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Pruning Residues ◽  
Olive Trees

Pruning residues could represent an important biomass resources for energy production. Only in Italy it has been estimated that an annual quantity of biomass of over 2600 kt of dry matter could be obtained from olive residues. Several machines developed for pruning harvesting are available in the market, most of which are tractor-driven, while limited knowledge is available on performance, quality of work and costs of harvesting logistics based on stationary chippers. The aim of the present paper is to analyze machine performance of a forestry stationary chipper applied to pruning harvesting for what concerns work productivity, quality of the comminuted product and harvesting operating costs. This system is actually applied by Fiusis Company, an Italian enterprise which manages a biomass power plant exclusively powered by olive trees’ pruning residues, and it has never been analyzed in literature. The results obtained showed consistent work productivity, which resulted the highest ever found in olive pruning harvesting systems and equal to 5.23 ± 0.81 tdm·h−1. This high work productivity allowed also to obtain a little economic gain from a matter, which is actually considered a problem for olive groves’ owners and not a potential source of income. In particular, the use of a stationary chipper seemed very efficient in olive groves with a consistent amount of wooden residues to be processed and with big branches not harvestable by the most common towed pruning harvester. In addition, the stationary chipper has the advantage of avoiding the preliminary raking operation, which results in reduced costs for the farmer.

scholarly journals Multi-point temperature measuring equipment for crop environment, with some results on horizontal homogeneity in a maize crop. 1. Field results.

1976 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-237
Author(s):  
C.J. Stigter ◽  
J. Birnie ◽  
P. Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Measuring Equipment ◽  
Radiation Effects ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Surface Conditions ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
Point Temperature ◽  
Crop Environment

The use of temperature measurements above, below and within plant stands in physiological and ecological studies is briefly reviewed and the choice of sensor and protection from radiation effects in measuring temperatures within a maize crop are discussed. The horizontal homogeneity of temperature was investigated. Measurements in 1973 and 1974 showed the greatest horizontal temperature difference at 1.8 m above ground level due to an increase in leaf area density just above the height where the crop became closed and air flow was reduced; at lower levels temperature differences increased as turbulence was reduced, and differences in soil surface conditions influenced temperature measurement. The need for a large number of measuring points in the lower parts of the canopy is emphasized. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

Evaluation of the Properties of Humus Liquid of Earthworm Eisenia Foetida Obtained from Different Rachis

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramiro Remigio Gaibor Fernández ◽  
Abraham Adalberto Bayas Zamora ◽  
Galo Israel Muñoz Sánchez ◽  
Cristhian Adrián Rivas Santacruz
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Fulvic Acids ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Eisenia Foetida ◽  
Humic And Fulvic Acids ◽  
Livestock Manure ◽  
A Value ◽  
The One ◽  
Liquid Slurry

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the physical characteristics of the vermicompost and the quality of the purine of the red Californian (Eisenia foetida) using different substrates of feed for these worms. For this purpose, nine treatments were studied: 75% African palm rachis + 25% cattle manure, 50% African palm rachis + 50% cattle manure, 25% African palm rachis + 75% livestock manure, 50% manure of cattle, 50% of manure of cattle, 25% of manure of cattle, 50% of manure of cattle, 50% of manure of cattle, 50% of rach of coconut + 50% of manure of Livestock, 25% coccus rachis + 75% livestock manure. The substrate made up of 50% of rachis of coconut and 50% of livestock manure can be used in nurseries or nurseries for being the one that registered a value of pH 7.3 plus the closest to the neutral compared to the others, besides this (75% of oil palm rachis and 25% of cattle manure) showed a higher content of humic and fulvic acids (0.87 and 0.45 p / p, respectively), compounds that are important for agriculture by stimulating plant growth, in addition to this reflection 0.06% sulfur content, 4.0 ppm boron, 7.0 ppm copper, 47.5 ppm iron, 6.0 ppm manganese, with a presence of microorganisms of the species Trichoderma, Penicillium, Cladosporium sp. in amounts of 1.91x105 UFC / ml, however in this substrate was obtained between 13.3 and 43.5% less liquid slurry in Comparison with other treatments.

DAYA SAING EKSPOR PRODUK CPO INDONESIA DAN POTENSI HILIRISASI DIOLAH MENJADI BIODIESEL

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danar Agus Susanto
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Comparative Advantage ◽  
Global Market ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Revealed Comparative Advantage ◽  
Crude Palm Oil ◽  
A Value ◽  
World Demand ◽  
Domestic Use

ABSTRACTIndonesia is the world's largest producer of crude palm oil (CPO). Even so, the trend of international trade in Indonesian CPO products has decreased in the last 10 years with a value of -10.19%. The decline in world demand for CPO can be dealt with by utilizing CPO as a biofuel for domestic use, like biodiesel. The purpose of this study is to determine the competitiveness of Indonesian CPO in global trade and determine the parameters of the quality requirements of CPO and biodiesel. The competitiveness analysis method uses the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) method, while the analysis of the potential quality of CPO as a biofuel is carried out by analyzing the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). CPO trade in the global market is controlled by Indonesia with a market share of 50% and Malaysia 25.6%, with the declining trade trend in the last 10 years relatively (2010-2019) of -6.91%. The level of competitiveness of Indonesian CPO products in 2019 is very strong, but on average in the last 10 years, the level of competitiveness of Indonesian CPO is no better than that of Malaysia. Indonesia has SNI 01-2901-2006 and SNI 7182: 2015 as a determinant of the quality of CPO and biodiesel products developed in Indonesia so that the CPO and biodiesel produced fullfil sacurity and safety aspects when used by consumers.Keywords: crude palm oil (CPO), competitivenessv, quality, Indonesian National Standard (SNI) ABSTRAKIndonesia merupakan negara produsen minyak kelapa sawit mentah/ Crude Palm Oil (CPO) terbesar di dunia. Meskipun demikian, tren perdagangan internasional produk CPO Indonesia mengalami penurunan dalam sepuluh tahun terakhir dengan nilai -10,19%. Penurunan permintaan dunia terhadap CPO, dapat disiasati dengan memanfaatkan CPO sebagai bahan bakar nabati untuk keperluan dalam negeri sebagai biodiesel. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui daya saing CPO Indonesia dalam perdagangan global dan mengetahui parameter persyaratan mutu CPO dan biodiesel. Metode analisis daya saing menggunakan metode Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), sedangkan analisis potensi kualitas CPO sebagai biofuel dilakukan dengan menganalisis Standar Nasional Indoensia (SNI). Perdagangan CPO dalam pasar global dikuasai oleh Indonesia dengan pangsa pasar 50% dan Malaysia 25,6%, dengan tren perdagangan relatif menurun dalam 10 tahun terakhir (2010-2019) sebesar -6,91%. Tingkat daya saing produk CPO Indonesia pada tahun 2019 sangat kuat, namun secara rata-rata dalam 10 tahun terakhir, tingkat daya saing CPO Indonesia tidak lebih baik dari Malaysia. Indonesia memiliki SNI 01-2901-2006 dan SNI 7182:2015 sebagai penentu kualitas produk CPO dan biodiesel yang dikembangkan di Indonesia, sehingga CPO dan biodiesel yang dihasilkan memenuhi aspek keamanan dan keselamatan ketika digunakan oleh konsumen.Kata kunci: crude palm oil (CPO), daya saing, kualitas, Standar Nasional Indonesia (SNI)

The effectiveness of a digital pelvic floor training program in thetreatment of urinary incontinence – a real-world evaluation (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Keim ◽  
Alexandra von Au ◽  
Lina Maria Matthies ◽  
Stephanie Wallwiener ◽  
Sarah Brugger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
First Line ◽  
First Line Therapy ◽  
A Value ◽  
Pelvic Floor Training ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Pelvic Floor Weakness

BACKGROUND Background: Many women experience urinary incontinence (UI) during andafter pregnancy due to pelvic floor weakness. First-line therapy is conservative treatment, which nowadays can be facilitated by using digitalsolutions. OBJECTIVE The aim ofthe present study was to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of pelvinain patients with existing UI. METHODS Methods: In the present observational study we analyzed the effectivenessof pelvina, a certified digital pelvic floor training course, in reducing UI symptoms by regularly applying “The Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis” (QUID) and furthermore examining quality of life (QoL) by conducting the SF-6D. RESULTS Results: In this prospective study, 373 patients with a median age of 36 years (IQR 33 - 47 years) were included. At baseline the patients had a median QUID of 11 (IQR 11 - 15). During the course, incontinence improved significantly to a QUID of 5 (IQR 2 – 11; p<0.001). Additionally, the patients had also shown a significant impairment in their QoL at baseline with a value of 19 (IQR 16 - 22) in SF-6D. After completing the course, the QoL had risen to 24 (IQR 20 - 26). CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: Use of the certified digital pelvic floor course pelvinasignificantly reduces existing UI due to pelvic floor weakness over the timespan of the course. At the same time QoL is significantly improved. CLINICALTRIAL The present study was approved by the ethics committee of the Heidelberg University Hospital (S-392/2019)

scholarly journals Spatial Analysis (Measurements at Heights of 10 m and 20 m above Ground Level) of the Concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1.0) and Gaseous Pollutants (H2S) on the University Campus: A Case Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Robert Cichowicz ◽  
Maciej Dobrzański
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Leeward Side ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
High Concentrations

Spatial analysis of the distribution of particulate matter PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas pollution was performed in the area around a university library building. The reasons for the subject matter were reports related to the perceptible odor characteristic of hydrogen sulfide and a general poor assessment of air quality by employees and students. Due to the area of analysis, it was decided to perform measurements at two heights, 10 m and 20 m above ground level, using measuring equipment attached to a DJI Matrice 600 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The aim of the measurements was air quality assessment and investigate the convergence of the theory of air flow around the building with the spatial distribution of air pollutants. Considerable differences of up to 63% were observed in the concentrations of pollutants measured around the building, especially between opposite sides, depending on the direction of the wind. To explain these differences, the theory of aerodynamics was applied to visualize the probable airflow in the direction of the wind. A strong convergence was observed between the aerodynamic model and the spatial distribution of pollutants. This was evidenced by the high concentrations of dust in the areas of strong turbulence at the edges of the building and on the leeward side. The accumulation of pollutants was also clearly noticeable in these locations. A high concentration of H2S was recorded around the library building on the side of the car park. On the other hand, the air turbulence around the building dispersed the gas pollution, causing the concentration of H2S to drop on the leeward side. It was confirmed that in some analyzed areas the permissible concentration of H2S was exceeded.

scholarly journals A Climatology of Nocturnal Low-Level Jets at Cabauw

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1627-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Baas ◽  
F. C. Bosveld ◽  
H. Klein Baltink ◽  
A. A. M. Holtslag
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Geostrophic Wind ◽  
Stable Stratification ◽  
Radiative Cooling ◽  
Inertial Oscillation ◽  
Stable Boundary Layers ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Low Level Jets

Abstract A climatology of nocturnal low-level jets (LLJs) is presented for the topographically flat measurement site at Cabauw, the Netherlands. LLJ characteristics are derived from a 7-yr half-hourly database of wind speed profiles, obtained from the 200-m mast and a wind profiler. Many LLJs at Cabauw originate from an inertial oscillation, which develops after sunset in a layer decoupled from the surface by stable stratification. The data are classified to different types of stable boundary layers by using the geostrophic wind speed and the isothermal net radiative cooling as classification parameters. For each of these classes, LLJ characteristics like frequency of occurrence, height above ground level, and the turning of the wind vector across the boundary layer are determined. It is found that LLJs occur in about 20% of the nights, are typically situated at 140–260 m above ground level, and have a speed of 6–10 m s−1. Development of a substantial LLJ is most likely to occur for moderate geostrophic forcing and a high radiative cooling. A comparison with the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) is added to illustrate how the results can be used to evaluate the performance of atmospheric models.

Content of antenatal care and perception about services provided by primary hospitals in Nepal: a convergent mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yubraj Acharya ◽  
Nigel James ◽  
Rita Thapa ◽  
Saman Naz ◽  
Rishav Shrestha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
National Level ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
World Health ◽  
Outcome Variable

Abstract Background Nepal has made significant strides in maternal and neonatal mortality over the last three decades. However, poor quality of care can threaten the gains, as maternal and newborn services are particularly sensitive to quality of care. Our study aimed to understand current gaps in the process and the outcome dimensions of the quality of antenatal care (ANC), particularly at the sub-national level. We assessed these dimensions of the quality of ANC in 17 primary, public hospitals across Nepal. We also assessed the variation in the ANC process across the patients’ socio-economic gradient. Methods We used a convergent mixed methods approach, whereby we triangulated qualitative and quantitative data. In the quantitative component, we observed interactions between providers (17 hospitals from all 7 provinces) and 198 women seeking ANC and recorded the tasks the providers performed, using the Service Provision Assessments protocol available from the Demographic and Health Survey program. The main outcome variable was the number of tasks performed by the provider during an ANC consultation. The tasks ranged from identifying potential signs of danger to providing counseling. We analyzed the resulting data descriptively and assessed the relationship between the number of tasks performed and users’ characteristics. In the qualitative component, we synthesized users’ and providers’ narratives on perceptions of the overall quality of care obtained through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Results Out of the 59 tasks recommended by the World Health Organization, providers performed only 22 tasks (37.3%) on average. The number of tasks performed varied significantly across provinces, with users in province 3 receiving significantly higher quality care than those in other provinces. Educated women were treated better than those with no education. Users and providers agreed that the overall quality of care was inadequate, although providers mentioned that the current quality was the best they could provide given the constraints they faced. Conclusion The quality of ANC in Nepal’s primary hospitals is poor and inequitable across education and geographic gradients. While current efforts, such as the provision of 24/7 birthing centers, can mitigate gaps in service availability, additional equipment, infrastructure and human resources will be needed to improve quality. Providers also need additional training focused on treating patients from different backgrounds equally. Our study also points to the need for additional research, both to document the quality of care more objectively and to establish key determinants of quality to inform policy.

Influence of community satisfaction with individual happiness: comparative study in semi-urban and rural areas of Tikapur, Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 22-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myung-Bae Park ◽  
Chun-Bae Kim ◽  
Chhabi Ranabhat ◽  
Chang-Soo Kim ◽  
Sei-Jin Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
National Level ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Community Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

Happiness is a subjective indicator of overall living conditions and quality of life. Recently, community- and national-level investigations connecting happiness and community satisfaction were conducted. This study investigated the effects of community satisfaction on happiness in Nepal. A factor analysis was employed to examine 24 items that are used to measure community satisfaction, and a multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of these factors on happiness. In semi-urban areas, sanitation showed a positive relationship with happiness. In rural areas, edu-medical services were negatively related to happiness, while agriculture was positively related. Gender and perceived health were closely associated with happiness in rural areas. Both happiness and satisfaction are subjective concepts, and are perceived differently depending on the socio-physical environment and personal needs. Sanitation, agriculture (food) and edu-medical services were critical factors that affected happiness; however, the results of this study cannot be generalized to high-income countries.

693. A rejection test for raw milk

1958 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy B. Taylor ◽  
L. F. L. Clegg
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Ferric Chloride ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Milk Proteins ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Ph Change ◽  
Yellow Colour ◽  
A Value ◽  
Keeping Quality

The determination of apparent lactic acid has been used as a basis for a rejection test for raw milk. The method consists of precipitation of milk proteins with barium chloride, sodium hydroxide and zinc sulphate, and the addition of ferric chloride to the filtrate to produce the yellow colour of ferric lactate. Lactic acid is not solely responsible for the production of the yellow colour, which, nevertheless, gives a good relationship with keeping quality of milk (measured as hours to the C.O.B. end-point at 22° C.) and the values have been expressed as ‘apparent lactic acid’.The relationship of winter and summer milks to keeping quality has been studied, and a value of 0·03% apparent lactic acid in milk is equivalent to an average keeping quality of 5¾ and 8½ hr. for winter and summer milks, respectively. A value of 0·03% is recommended as the earliest value of apparent lactic acid at which milk could be rejected.The apparent lactic acid in colostrum and late-lactation milk and in milk from cows suffering from mastitis has been determined, and only in late-lactation milk were the values found to be significantly higher than usual in fresh raw milk, and an inverse relationship between yield and apparent lactic acid is suggested.Permanent glass matching disks have been prepared for use in a Lovibond comparator. This permits the intensity of the yellow colour produced with 1% ferric chloride to be determined and the apparent lactic acid in milk estimated.Grateful acknowledgement is made to the management and staff of the Dairy Department of the Reading Co-operative Society and the Farmer's Clean Milk Dairy, Reading, and local milk producers for supplying samples for experiments; to the N.M.T.S. staff in Reading for help in finding suitable farmers, and to the Dairy Husbandry Department of the N.I.R.D. for information about and samples of abnormal and late-lactation milk. Our particular thanks are due Miss Marie Gruber for technical assistance, to Dr N. J. Berridge for the suggestion and help on the work on pH change as an indication of keeping quality (given in the appendix), and to Dr A. T. R. Mattick for the advice given in this work.

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