Abstract: Different techniques for estimating seasonal water
use from soil profile water depletion frequently do not account for
flux below the root zone. Shallow water table contribution to supply
crop water use may be important in arid and semi-arid regions.
Development of predictive root uptake models, under influence of
shallow water table makes it possible for planners to incorporate
interaction between water table and root zone into design of irrigation
projects. A model for obtaining soil moisture depletion from root
zone and water movement below it is discussed with the objective to
determine impact of shallow water table on seasonal moisture
depletion patterns under water table depth variation, up to the bottom
of root zone. The role of different boundary conditions has also been
considered. Three crops: Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Corn (Zea
mays) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum), common in arid & semi-arid
regions, are chosen for the study. Using experimentally obtained soil
moisture depletion values for potential soil moisture conditions,
moisture depletion patterns using a non linear root uptake model have
been obtained for different water table depths. Comparative analysis
of the moisture depletion patterns under these conditions show a wide
difference in percent depletion from different layers of root zone
particularly top and bottom layers with middle layers showing
insignificant variation in moisture depletion values. Moisture
depletion in top layer, when the water table rises to root zone
increases by 19.7%, 22.9% & 28.2%, whereas decrease in bottom
layer is 68.8%, 61.6% & 64.9% in case of wheat, corn & potato
respectively. The paper also discusses the causes and consequences
of increase in moisture depletion from top layers and exceptionally
high reduction in bottom layer, and the possible remedies for the
same. The numerical model developed for the study can be used to
help formulating irrigation strategies for areas where shallow
groundwater of questionable quality is an option for crop production.
Abstract: Most agricultural crops cultivated in Brazil are highly
nutrient demanding. Brazilian soils are generally acidic with low base
saturation and available nutrients. Demand for fertilizer application
has increased because the national agricultural sector expansion. To
improve productivity without environmental impact, there is the need
for the utilization of novel procedures and techniques to optimize
fertilizer application. This includes the digital soil mapping and GIS
application applied to mapping in different scales. This paper is
based on research, realized during 2005 to 2010 by Brazilian
Corporation for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA) and its partners.
The purpose was to map soil fertility in national and regional scales.
A soil profile data set in national scale (1:5,000,000) was constructed
from the soil archives of Embrapa Soils, Rio de Janeiro and in the
regional scale (1:250,000) from COMIGO Cooperative soil data set,
Rio Verde, Brazil. The mapping was doing using ArcGIS 9.1 tools
from ESRI.
Abstract: The comparative analysis of different taxonomic
groups of microorganisms isolated from dark chernozem soils under
different agricultures (alfalfa, melilot, sainfoin, soybean, rapeseed) at
Almaty region of Kazakhstan was conducted. It was shown that the
greatest number of micromycetes was typical to the soil planted with
alfalfa and canola. Species diversity of micromycetes markedly
decreases as it approaches the surface of the root, so that the species
composition in the rhizosphere is much more uniform than in the
virgin soil. Promising strains of microscopic fungi and yeast with
plant growth-promoting activity to agricultures were selected. Among
the selected fungi there are representatives of Penicillium bilaiae,
Trichoderma koningii, Fusarium equiseti, Aspergillus ustus. The
highest rates of growth and development of seedlings of plants
observed under the influence of yeasts Aureobasidium pullulans,
Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Metschnikovia pulcherrima. Using
molecular - genetic techniques confirmation of the identification
results of selected micromycetes was conducted.
Abstract: The studies concerned an effect of six variants of ion
exchange substrate (nutrient carriers with a different potential impact
on pH of soil solution) on vegetation of orchard grass during two
different periods (42 and 84 days). In the pot experiment plants were
grown on sand (model of degraded soil) and six mixtures of sand and
2% (v/v) additions of particular variants of ion exchange substrate
(with pH ranged from 5.5 to 8.0). The study results showed that the
addition of the substrate at pH=6.5 caused the highest increase in
plant yield after shorter vegetation period whereas the addition of the
substrate at pH=5.5 increased dry stem and root biomass of orchard
grass after longer vegetation period. Thus, the ion exchange substrate
at pH=6.5 can be recommended for restoration of exhausted soils
when shorter vegetation period is planned; the ion exchange substrate
at pH=5.5 can be used for the same purpose when longer periods of
vegetative growth are considered.
Abstract: Crude oil blending is an important unit operation in
petroleum refining industry. A good model for the blending system is
beneficial for supervision operation, prediction of the export
petroleum quality and realizing model-based optimal control. Since
the blending cannot follow the ideal mixing rule in practice, we
propose a static neural network to approximate the blending
properties. By the dead-zone approach, we propose a new robust
learning algorithm and give theoretical analysis. Real data of crude
oil blending is applied to illustrate the neuro modeling approach.
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the optimum
levels of glutamine (Gln) supplementation in broiler diets. A total of
32 one-day-old male chicks with initial body weight 41.5 g were
segregated into 4 groups (8 chicks per group) and subsequently
distributed to individual cages. Feed and water were provided ad
libitum for 21 days. Four dietary treatments were as follows: control
and supplemented Gln at 1, 2 and 3%, respectively. The results found
that the addition Gln had no negative effects on dry matter, organic
matter, ash digestibility or nitrogen retention. Birds fed with 1% Gln
had significantly higher villi wide and villi height : crypt depth ratio
in duodenum than the control chicks and 2 and 3% Gln chicks. It is
suggested that the addition of Gln at 1% indicated a beneficial effect
on improving small intestinal morphology, in addition Gln may
stimulate immune organ development of broiler chickens.
Abstract: A new mechanism responsible for structural life
consumption due to resonant fatigue in turbine blades, or vanes, is
presented and explained. A rotating blade or vane in a gas turbine can
change its contour due to erosion and/or material build up, in any of
these instances, the surface pressure distribution occurring on the
suction and pressure sides of blades-vanes can suffer substantial
modification of their pressure and temperatures envelopes and flow
characteristics. Meanwhile, the relative rotation between the blade
and duct vane while the pressurized gas flows and the consequent
wake crossings, will induce a fluctuating thrust force or lift that will
excite the blade.
An actual totally used up set of vane-blade components in a HP
turbine power stage in a gas turbine is analyzed. The blade suffered
some material erosion mostly at the trailing edge provoking a
peculiar surface pressure envelope which evolved as the relative
position between the vane and the blade passed in front of each other.
Interestingly preliminary modal analysis for this eroded blade
indicates several natural frequencies within the aeromechanic power
spectrum, moreover, the highest frequency component is 94% of one
natural frequency indicating near resonant condition.
Independently of other simultaneously occurring fatigue cycles
(such as thermal, centrifugal stresses).
Abstract: Due to the excess of a vehicle operation through its life, some elements may face failure and deteriorate with time. This leads us to carry out maintenance, repair, tune up or full overhaul. After a certain period, the vehicle elements deteriorations increase with time which causes a very high increase of doing the maintenance operations and their costs. However, the logic decision at this point is to replace the current vehicle by a new one with minimum failure and maximum income. The importance of studying vehicle replacement problems come from the increase of stopping days due to many deteriorations in the vehicle parts. These deteriorations increase year after year causing an increase of operating costs and decrease the vehicle income. Vehicle replacement aims to determine the optimum time to keep, maintain, overhaul, renew and replace vehicles. This leads to an improvement in vehicle income, total operating costs, maintenance cost, fuel and oil costs, ton-kilometers, vehicle and engine performance, vehicle noise, vibration, and pollution. The aim of this paper is to find the optimum replacement policies of Kuwait Passenger Transport Company (KPTCP) fleet of busses. The objective of these policies is to maximize the busses pure profits. The dynamic programming (D.P.) technique is used to generate the busses optimal replacement policies
Abstract: In this work, biohydrogen production via dark
fermentation from alcohol wastewater using upflow anaerobic sludge
blanket reactors (UASB) with a working volume of 4 L was
investigated to find the optimum conditions for a maximum hydrogen
yield. The system was operated at different COD loading rates (23,
31, 46 and 62 kg/m3d) at mesophilic temperature (37 ºC) and pH 5.5.
The seed sludge was pretreated before being fed to the UASB system
by boiling at 95 ºC for 15 min. When the system was operated under
the optimum COD loading rate of 46 kg/m3d, it provided the
hydrogen content of 27%, hydrogen yield of 125.1 ml H2/g COD
removed and 95.1 ml H2/g COD applied, hydrogen production rate of
18 l/d, specific hydrogen production rate of 1080 ml H2/g MLVSS d
and 1430 ml H2/ L d, and COD removal of 24%.
Abstract: Amphawa is the most popular weekend destination for
both domestic and international tourists in Thailand. More than 112
homestays and resorts have been developed along the water
resources. This research aims to initiate appropriate environmental
management system for riverside tourist accommodations in
Amphawa by investigating current environmental characteristics.
Eighty-eight riverside tourist accommodations were survey from
specific questionnaire, GPS data were also gathered for spatial
analysis. The results revealed that the accommodations are welled
manage in regards to some environmental aspects. In order to reduce
economic costs, energy efficiency equipment is utilized. A substantial
number of tourist accommodations encouraged waste separation,
followed by transfer to local administration organization. Grease
traps also utilized in order to decrease chemical discharged, grease
and oil from canteen and restaurants on natural environment. The
most notable mitigation is to initiate environmental friendly cleansers
for tourist accommodation along the riverside in tourism destinations.
Abstract: Desert regions around the Nile valley in Upper Egypt
contain great extent of swelling soil. Many different comment
procedures of treatment of the swelling soils for construction such as
pre-swelling, load balance OR soil replacement. One of the measure
factors which affect the level of the aggressiveness of the swelling
soil is the direction of the infiltration water directions within the
swelling soils. In this paper a physical model was installed to
measure the effect of water on the swelling soil with replacement
using fatty acid distillation residuals (FADR) mixed with sand as
thick sand-FADR mixture to prevent the water pathway arrive to the
swelling soil. Testing program have been conducted on different
artificial samples with different sand to FADR contents ratios (4%,
6%, and 9%) to get the optimum value fulfilling the impermeable
replacement. The tests show that a FADR content of 9% is sufficient
to produce impermeable replacement.
Abstract: Organic farmers across Saskatchewan face soil
phosphorus (P) shortages. Due to the restriction on inputs in organic
systems, farmers rely on crop rotation and naturally-occurring
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for plant P supply. Crop rotation
is important for disease, pest, and weed management. Crops that are
not colonized by AMF (non-mycorrhizal) can decrease colonization
of a following crop. An experiment was performed to quantify soil P
cycling in four cropping sequences under organic management and
determine if mustard (non-mycorrhizal) was delaying the
colonization of subsequent wheat. Soils from the four cropping
sequences were measured for inorganic soil P (Pi), AMF spore
density (SD), phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA, for AMF
biomarker counts), and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPase,
related to AMF metabolic activity). Plants were measured for AMF
colonization and P content and uptake of above-ground biomass. A
lack of difference in AMF activity indicated that mustard was not
depressing colonization. Instead, AMF colonization was largely
determined by crop type and crop rotation.
Abstract: Due to rapid economic growth, Indonesia's energy needs is rapidly increasing. Indonesia-s primary energy consumption has doubled in 2007 compared to 2003. Indonesia's status change from oil net-exporter to oil net-importer country recently has increased Indonesia's concern over energy security. Due to this, oil import becomes center of attention in the dynamics of Indonesia's energy security. Conventional studies addressing Indonesia's energy security have focused on energy production sector. This study explores Indonesia-s energy security considering energy import sector by modeling and simulating Indonesia-s energy-related policies using system dynamics. Simulation result of Indonesia's energy security in 2020 in Business-As-Usual scenario shows that in term of supply demand ratio, energy security will be very high, but also it poses high dependence on energy import. The Alternative scenario result shows lower energy security in term of supply demand ratio and much lower dependence on energy import. It is also found that the Alternative scenario produce lower GDP growth.
Abstract: Biplot can be used to evaluate cultivars for their oil
percent potential and stability and to evaluate trial sites for their
discriminating ability and representativeness. Multi-environmental
trial (MET) data for oil percent of 10 open pollinating sunflower
cultivars were analyzed to investigate the genotype-environment
interactions. The genotypes were evaluated in four locations with
different climatic conditions in Iran in 2010. In each location, a
Randomized Complete Block design with four replications was used.
According to both mean and stability, Zaria, Master and R453, had
highest performances among all cultivars. The graphical analysis
identified best cultivar for each environment. Cultivars Berezans and
Record performed best in Khoy and Islamabad. Zaria and R453 were
the best genotypes in Sari and Karaj followed by Master and Favorit.
The GGE bi-plot indicated two mega-environments, group one
contained Karaj, Khoy and Islamabad and the second group
contained Sari. The best discriminating location was Karaj followed
with Khoy, Islamabad and Sari. The best representative genotypes
were Zaria, R453, Master and Favorit. Ranking of ten cultivars based
their oil percent was as Zaria > R453 ≈ Master ≈ Favorit > Record ≈
Berezans > Sor > Lakumka > Bulg3 > Bulg5.
Abstract: The effects of irrigation with dairy factory wastewater
on soil properties were investigated at two sites that had received
irrigation for > 60 years. Two adjoining paired sites that had never
received DFE were also sampled as well as another seven fields from
a wider area around the factory. In comparison with paired sites that
had not received effluent, long-term wastewater irrigation resulted in
an increase in pH, EC, extractable P, exchangeable Na and K and
ESP. These changes were related to the use of phosphoric acid,
NaOH and KOH as cleaning agents in the factory. Soil organic C
content was unaffected by DFE irrigation but the size (microbial
biomass C and N) and activity (basal respiration) of the soil
microbial community were increased. These increases were
attributed to regular inputs of soluble C (e.g. lactose) present as milk
residues in the wastewater. Principal component analysis (PCA) of
the soils data from all 11sites confirmed that the main effects of DFE
irrigation were an increase in exchangeable Na, extractable P and
microbial biomass C, an accumulation of soluble salts and a liming
effect. PCA analysis of soil bacterial community structure, using
PCR-DGGE of 16S rDNA fragments, generally separated individual
sites from one another but did not group them according to irrigation
history. Thus, whilst the size and activity of the soil microbial
community were increased, the structure and diversity of the
bacterial community remained unaffected.
Abstract: The problem of incompressible steady flow simulation around an airfoil is discussed. For some simplest airfoils (circular, elliptical, Zhukovsky airfoils) the exact solution is known from complex analysis. It allows to compute the intensity of vortex layer which simulates the airfoil. Some modifications of the vortex element method are proposed and test computations are carried out. It-s shown that the these approaches are much more effective in comparison with the classical numerical scheme.
Abstract: This paper presents the stabilization potential of Class
F pond ash (PA) from a coal fired thermal power station on tropical
peat soil. Peat or highly organic soils are well known for their high
compressibility, natural moisture content, low shear strength and
long-term settlement. This study investigates the effect of different
amount (i.e., 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of PA on peat soil, collected from
Sarawak, Malaysia, mainly compaction and unconfined compressive
strength (UCS) properties. The amounts of PA added to the peat soil
sample as percentage of the dry peat soil mass. With the increase in
PA content, the maximum dry density (MDD) of peat soil increases,
while the optimum moisture content (OMC) decreases. The UCS
value of the peat soils increases significantly with the increase of PA
content and also with curing periods. This improvement on
compressive strength of tropical peat soils indicates that PA has the
potential to be used as a stabilizer for tropical peat soil. Also, the use
of PA in soil stabilization helps in reducing the pond volume and
achieving environment friendly as well as a sustainable development
of natural resources.
Abstract: This paper discusses site selection process for
biological soil conservation planning. It was supported by a valuefocused
approach and spatial multi-criteria evaluation techniques. A
first set of spatial criteria was used to design a number of potential
sites. Next, a new set of spatial and non-spatial criteria was
employed, including the natural factors and the financial costs,
together with the degree of suitability for the Bonkuh watershed to
biological soil conservation planning and to recommend the most
acceptable program. The whole process was facilitated by a new
software tool that supports spatial multiple criteria evaluation, or
SMCE in GIS software (ILWIS). The application of this tool,
combined with a continual feedback by the public attentions, has
provided an effective methodology to solve complex decisional
problem in biological soil conservation planning.
Abstract: The paper is included within the framework of a
complex research program, which was initiated from the hypothesis
arguing on the existence of a correlation between pineal indolic and
peptide hormones and the somatic development rhythm, including
thus the epithalamium-epiphysis complex involvement. At birds,
pineal gland contains a circadian oscillator, playing a main role in the
temporal organization of the cerebral functions. The secretion of
pineal indolic hormones is characterized by a high endogenous
rhythmic alternation, modulated by the light/darkness (L/D)
succession and by temperature as well. The research has been carried
out using 100 chicken broilers - “Ross" commercial hybrid,
randomly allocated in two experimental batches: Lc batch, reared
under a 12L/12D lighting schedule and Lexp batch, which was photic
pinealectomised through continuous exposition to light (150 lux, 24
hours, 56 days). Chemical and physical features of the meat issued
from breast fillet and thighs muscles have been studied, determining
the dry matter, proteins, fat, collagen, salt content and pH value, as
well. Besides the variations of meat chemical composition in relation
with lighting schedule, other parameters have been studied: live
weight dynamics, feed intake and somatic development degree. The
achieved results became significant since chickens have 7 days of
age, some variations of the studied parameters being registered,
revealing that the pineal gland physiologic activity, in relation with
the lighting schedule, could be interpreted through the monitoring of
the somatic development technological parameters, usually studied
within the chicken broilers rearing aviculture practice.
Abstract: The results of an experimental study of the process of
convective and boiling heat transfer in the vessel with stirrer for
smooth and rough ring-shaped pipes are presented. It is established
that creation of two-dimensional artificial roughness on the heated
surface causes the essential (~100%) intensification of convective
heat transfer. In case of boiling the influence of roughness appears on
the initial stage of boiling and in case of fully developed nucleate
boiling there was no intensification of heat transfer. The similitude
equation for calculating convective heat transfer coefficient, which
generalizes well experimental data both for the smooth and the rough
surfaces is proposed.