Empty Cone Research Articles

Baseline Study on Pine Nuts Industry in Khost City, Afghanistan

This study was conducted on the pine nuts industry in the southeast of Afghanistan. This is a baseline study, which has conducted between May 2019 and December 2020. This study aims to provide essential information about the pine nuts industry, especially focused on the supply chain of pine nuts. A structured questionnaire has been used for the data collection to collect demographic information, and information regarding the pine nuts supply chain, pine nuts processing, challenges and opportunities, trade, and marketing, Due to the small size of the population, the census method was used. I interviewed directly the stakeholder and entrepreneurs who are working in the pine nuts industries; the interview has been conducted on local language (Pashto). Chilgoza plays an important role in the socio-economic development of rural societies existing nearby Chilgoza forests. Chilgoza pine forests not only provide pine nuts as a cash crop product but also provide fuelwood, medicinal plants, pasture, and shelter for livestock as well as environment habitat and other ecological services. Nuts of Chilgoza pine are highly valued, collected, and sold by local villagers is a good source of income for them. After extracting nuts from the cones, the owner, sells the empty cones to the people of Khost province of Afghanistan, usually used as fuelwood.

Optimization of the Opening Shape in Slot Spray Nozzles in a Field Boom Sprayer

The European Standard ISO 16122-2:2015 requires that the coefficient of variation for sprayed liquid fall should not exceed 10%. Field sprayers generate a stream of liquid sprayed at an angle that depends on the design of the nozzles. Among field boom sprayers, previous methods for selecting the shape of the opening of a single-slotted spray nozzle have been based on the following rectangular, triangular, normal, beta, and truncated normal distributions; distribution obtained from a nozzle with a stream in the form of an empty cone; and glued square functions. These methods, however, have provided a limited range of uniformity. Consequently, the initial assumption that the monotonicity of the function corresponds to the shape of a quarter of the symmetrical oval nozzle opening allows for a full computerized optimization of nozzle shape with a spray angle of α = 110° (or α = 120°). In this case, the spray uniformity parameter is controlled and freely declines almost to zero. In this study, based on the nonlinear shape obtained, we developed the shape of the nozzle outlet opening with a coefficient of variation of 0.388% using spline linear functions. Further applications of the symmetry of the developed model would allow for multiple modifications of the shape of this opening, and therefore, without changing the spray uniformity parameter, nozzles with slightly different characteristics could be obtained.

Spray nozzles, working pressures and use of adjuvant in reduction of 2,4-D herbicide spray drift

Background: The study of the interactions between equipment, application methods, and spray mixtures is fundamental to optimize the application of pesticides. The determination of the best combination of these factors can reduce the drift during the application of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Objective: The objective this paper is to study the influence of nozzle models, working pressures, and surfactant adjuvant in reducing the drift of 2,4-D. Methods: The spectrum of nozzle drops was determined for a conventional flat jet; flat jet with air induction; double plane jet with air induction; deflector flat jet with air induction; and an empty cone with air induction at pressures of 200, 300, 400, and 500 kPa. This was quantified in a wind tunnel with four drifts: water; water + surfactant adjuvant; water + 2,4-D; and water + 2,4-D + surfactant adjuvant, applied by the five nozzle models at four working pressures. The data was evaluated by analysis of variance and, when significant, by the Tukey test and regression at 5% significance level. Results: The interactions between the nozzle models, working pressure, and spray mixture directly influenced the 2,4-D drift. Conclusions: The use of surfactant adjuvant must be carried out carefully, according to the nozzle model, working pressure, and spray mixture. The conventional single fan jet nozzle is more sensitive to increased working pressure and has a high potential to cause drift compared with the models with air induction.

Parâmetros técnicos da tecnologia de aplicação aplicados à pulverização hidropneumática em diferentes condições operacionais

Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of coffee in the world, and has been facing difficulties due to the cultivar’s susceptibility to the occurrence of insects. This study aimed to evaluate the application parameters using the hydro pneumatic sprayer with different volumes of spray mix and sprayer nozzles, in the presence and in the absence of agricultural adjuvants. The work was carried out in an experimental area in the city of Monte Carmelo / MG, with the evaluation of the hydro pneumatic application efficiency with different volumes of spray mix, 200 and 400 L ha-1, two empty cone sprayer nozzles (JA-01 and TVI -800075), presence / absence of agricultural adjuvant in the application spray mix, Cartape Hydrochloride 500 g i.a ha-1, Cartape Hydrochloride (500 g i.a ha-1) + orange oil at a dose of 75 mL 100 L-1 of syrup. The use of orange oil interfered in parameters of droplet size and relative amplitude. The use of coarse droplets is a viable alternative for the application efficiency in low air humidity times. The higher volume of spray mix resulted in an increase in percentage of coverage and size of droplets.

Reduction in the spray drift of 2,4-D in tomato using hydraulic nozzles with air induction and LI-700 adjuvant

ABSTRACT The drift of hormonal effect herbicides is a major problem for agriculture, because, even in small amounts, it may cause high losses in crops with plants that are sensitive to their action mechanism. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of hydraulic spray nozzles with air induction, as well as the use of the LI-700 adjuvant, in the reduction of the 2,4-D herbicide drift, in tomato crop. A complete randomized split-plot experimental design, with eight replications, was used. Two herbicide solutions were assigned in the plots (with or without the use of adjuvant) [2,4-D (670 g ha-1) and 2,4-D (670 g ha-1) + LI-700 (712.88 g ha-1)], and, in the subplots, five nozzle models [simple fan (JSF11003), simple fan with air induction (AD-IA11003), dual fan with air induction (AD-IA/D11003), simple hammer fan with air induction (TTI11003-VP) and empty cone with air induction (CV-IA10003). The treatments were applied in a wind tunnel, under a pressure of 300 kPa. In a laser analyzer, applying only water, the volumetric median diameter, the relative amplitude and the percentage of drops with diameter lower than 150 µm were measured for all nozzle models. The CV-IA10003 and TTI11003-VP hydraulic nozzles outstand by reducing the 2,4-D herbicide drift and decreasing the damage to tomato plants. The addition of the LI-700 adjuvant to the 2,4-D syrup, independently of the nozzle model, reduces the drift of this herbicide and its effects on the tomato plant root. However, even when adopting these technologies, the application of the 2,4-D herbicide near the tomato crop should be avoided.

The influence of petrol injection parameters on the structure of geometry of fuel spray injected from outward-opening injectors

The paper deals with the issue of determining the geometry of fuel spray generated by the outward-opening type of injectors. The design of the outward-opening type injector is the reason for the initial fuel flow taking a circular shape (an empty cone). With increasing pressure of the injected fuel this geometry changes into a square one. The aim of the research was to determine the conditions of these changes and to propose how to define the geometry in the form of an indicator z (accepting positive values – for circular geometry, and negative values – for square geometry) as well as to generalize the equation zeq making it possible to determine the indicator of the fuel spray geometric structure changes. The defined indicator z shows that fuel injection pressure exceeding 15 MPa plays an important role in changing the geometric structure of the fuel spray. The back pressure of the medium into which the fuel is injected does not affect the determined value of the indicator. Additionally, an indicator of variation of radial penetration of the fuel spray CoV(Sr) and the indicator of linear to radial fuel spray penetration Sl/Sr-av were determined, which only under certain conditions can replace the z indicator.

Influence of spray volumes, nozzle types and adjuvants on the control of phoma coffee rust

O controle fitossanitário do cafeeiro muitas vezes é realizado em condições incorretas como utilização de pontas inadequadas no pulverizador e volume de calda excessivo. Tais erros resultam em deriva, escorrimento superficial provocando a ineficiência do controle de pragas e doenças, além de contaminação ambiental. Objetivou-se por meio deste trabalho avaliar a viabilidade de se reduzir o volume de calda, na ausência e presença de adjuvante, utilizando três pontas de pulverização, analisando a uniformidade de distribuição da calda nos terços da planta, bem como sua penetração e a eficácia de produtos fitossanitários. Os tratamentos foram dispostos no esquema fatorial 3 x 2 x 2 + 1, delineados em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, em parcelas subsubdivididas. Os tratamentos foram três pontas do tipo cone vazio (ATR Amarela; JA Preto e Disc e Core AD2AC23), dois volumes de calda (300 e 500 L ha-1), e ausência e presença de adjuvante (TRUMP), além de uma testemunha sem controle de doenças. Concluiu-se que o volume de calda pode ser reduzido para 300 L ha-1, sem prejudicar a qualidade de pulverização e o controle de doenças. O adjuvante não trouxe benefícios à aplicação. A ponta mais indicada é a ATR Amarela.

Comparison of heat of combustion and calorific value of the cones and wood of selected forest trees species

Abstract Every year, scaling plants buy (up to tens of tons) cones which needs to be peeled. After the process of scaling, the cones themselves are waste, which is partly sold. The problem of waste disposal is especially severe in plants where the processing is performed by electrically-powered scaling cabinets, but the problem does not apply to facilities where pellets are burned to produce beat. We examined the beat of combustion and calorific value of the residues from scaling plants that can be used in the production of refined wood fuels. The residues consist of the empty cones of pine, spruce, larch as well as husks and stems of silver fir. Additionally, we conducted measurements of the beat of combustion for wood and cones of each species and compared them to their respective calorific values. The results revealed that the average calorific value of the cones is in the range 17.81-19.86 MJ/kg. Our work showed that empty cones have a significantly higher calorific value and beat of combustion than the wood of spruce, larch and fir. In the case of pine, cones and wood did not differ significantly. These results led us to the conclusions that empty de-scaled cones can be utilised as a valuable primary solid fuel or fuel additive for the production of refined products for the local market. Due to the low annual production of cones in comparison to other materials such as sawdust and wood chips, pine cones should be used as a supplement, to enrich fuels of inferior quality by enhancing their energetic properties.

Quantidade de transposição do líquido pulverizado sobre palha de cana-de-açúcar com pontas de pulverização tipo leque e cone

A colheita da cana-crua promove aumento de restos culturais de cobertura morta sobre o solo. Esse novo componente altera a dinâmica de infestação de plantas daninhas e atua também como barreira física e química à ação dos herbicidas. Visando melhorar a qualidade da deposição dos herbicidas no solo, objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a eficiência das pontas de pulverização e sua capacidade de transposição sobre a palha de cana-deaçúcar. O experimento foi instalado em Maringá-PR. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 8 x 7, sendo oito pontas de pulverização (AD 110 02, ADIA 110 02, TT 110 02, TTIA 110 02, CV-IA02, MAG 2, ST 02 e TJ60 110 02) e sete quantidades de palha (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 t ha-1). Assim, observou-se que grandes quantidades de palha reduzem a quantidade do líquido pulverizado que foi depositado na superfície coletora. As pontas de pulverização leque antideriva (AD 110 02) e cone vazio com indução de ar (CV-IA 02) foram as mais eficientes.

Avaliação da deposição da calda de pulverização em função da vazão e do tipo de bico hidráulico na cultura da soja

The experiment was carried out in Cascavel, Parana State, using the soybean cultivar CD 202, with the objective of evaluating the amount of spraying suspension deposited on soybean leaves. Samples were collected containing 15 leaves per plot in five plants in different extracts - one leaf of the lower extract, one of the medium and one of the upper extract - with the objective of evaluating the amount of suspension deposited in function of flow and nozzle type. The treatments were constituted of four spraying nozzles (simple fan, double fan, double fan with air injection and empty cone) and three suspension volumes (100, 200 and 300 L ha -1 ). The suspension volume that presented the highest depositions in the different extracts of the soybean plants was 300 L ha -1 ; the spraying nozzle that presented the highest depositions, in the upper plant extract was the double plane jet; for the medium and lower extracts, the jet empty cone nozzle. The depositions in middle and lower thirds of the soybean plants were significantly lower to those obtained in the upper third, regardless of the nozzle and flow used; for higher depositions in the upper third of soybean plants, the best combination is to use double plane jet nozzles, with suspension volumes of 300 L ha -1 ; for higher depositions in the medium and lower third of soybean plants, the best combination is to use conical jet nozzles, with suspension volumes of 200 or 300 L ha -1

Análise da pulverização de um fungicida na cultura do feijão, em função do tipo de ponta e do volume aplicado

A cultura do feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é uma das mais importantes na agricultura brasileira. A ocorrência de doenças é um sério fator de influência no seu desenvolvimento e produtividade. Objetivou-se com o experimento instalado no município de Ponta Grossa (PR) analisar diferentes condições de pulverização para aplicação de um fungicida. Semeou-se a cultivar carioca FT-Bonito em janeiro de 2001. Realizou-se a pulverização do ingrediente ativo azoxystrobin com pulverizador costal pressurizado com CO2. Os tratamentos foram compostos por dois tipos de pontas (jato plano e cônico vazio) e por dois métodos de determinação do volume de calda aplicado, fornecido pelo fabricante e pelo índice de área foliar - IAF. O volume definido pelo IAF foi acurado pela proporcionalidade com o máximo valor do referido índice, obtido previamente por meio de ensaio em estufa. Avaliaram-se a incidência e severidade das doenças e a produtividade. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos casualizados e as médias obtidas, comparadas pelo teste de Tukey e os grupos de médias, pelo teste de Scheffé. Os dados obtidos demonstraram que foi necessário o tratamento fúngico para a região dos Campos Gerais, na safra das secas, principalmente para o controle de mancha-angular (Phaeoisariopsis griseola). Verificou-se que o tipo de ponta utilizado foi indiferente em relação ao controle quando se aplicou azoxystrobin. O volume de calda pulverizado pode ser calculado com base no IAF da cultura, com economia até de 69% do custo de aplicação, nas condições do ensaio.

アパタイト・セラミックスによる眼か壁再建

To treat bony defects following fracture of the orbital floor, autogenous bone or exogenous material has been used.For an autogenous bone transplant (ex. pelvic bone or rib cartilage), it is difficult to obtain an adequate volume and shape. Silicon plates are frequently used as exogenous material, but there are various complications.We are using porous hydroxyapatite ceramics (PHAC) to reconstruct orbital defects. PHAC has attracted special attention as a prosthetic inlay on account of its good biostability, biocompatibility, and bioactivity; it has been used successfully for the reconstruction of bony defects in recent years.In order to obtain a natural curve, we prepared “PHAC for the orbital floor” by measuring the orbital floor.It is a fan-shaped piece formed by dividing an empty cone (upper diameter of 20mm, lower diameter of 40mm, height 20mm, and thickness of 2mm) into three equal parts.PHAC was shaped, adapted, and perforated with a diamond bar of “Torx” intraoperatively. Then it was fixed with Nylon, screw of mini-plate, or only inserted into the bony defect.To date, we have used “PHAC for orbital floor” in 9 places in 7 patients. No changes were noted during of follow-up periods 10 to 30 months.Thus, it seems to be useful for the reconstruction of bony defects.We describe a representative case and experiments with its use.

Probabilities for gravitational lensing by point masses in a locally inhomogeneous universe

Probability functions for gravitational lensing by point masses that incorporate Poisson statistics and flux conservation are formulated in the Dyer-Roeder construction. Optical depths to lensing for distant sources are calculated using both the method of Press and Gunn, which counts lenses in an otherwise empty cone, and the method of Ehlers and Schneider, which projects lensing cross sections onto the source sphere. These are then used as parameters of the probability density for lensing in the case of a critical (q_0_ = 1/2) Friedmann universe. A comparison of the probability functions indicates that the effects of angle-averaging advocated by Ehlers and Schneider can be well-approximated by adjusting the average magnification along a random line of sight so as to conserve flux, as had been done in previous treatments by Canizares. In particular, it is demonstrated that a difference in lens populations as large as 50% between the two approaches leads to identical probabilities in the high magnification limit.

A phenological and cytological study of pollen development in western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)

Pollen-cone development, which was divided into nine phenological stages, was compared with pollen cytology in eight field-grown western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) clones in 1983 and three container-grown clones in 1984. Phenology proved to be an accurate indicator of cytology, independent of collection dates and rate of development. The breaking of dormancy, the resumption of development, and meiosis occurred during stage 1 (quiescent bud). During stage 2 (swollen pollen-cone bud) the tetrad of microspores separated. The exine wall was completely developed during stage 3 (bud burst). The one-celled microspores began to expand as a result of accumulation of reserves during stage 4, when the pollen cones were one-quarter to one-half emerged through the bud scales. The first cell division occurred during stage 5, when the cones were greater than half emerged. The second and third cell divisions occurred during stage 6, after the cones had completely emerged through the bud scales. The fourth and final cell division, resulting in mature five-celled pollen grains occurred during stage 7 (stalk elongation). Mature pollen consisted of two prothallial cells and a stalk, a body, and a tube cell. Pollen shed occurred at stage 8. The empty cones (stage 9) remained on the trees until the following winter. Some practical implications of relating pollen-cone phenology to cytology are discussed.

Light propagation in inhomogeneous universes

Refsdal's (1970) method is generalized to study the propagation of light rays through an inhomogeneous universe. The probability distribution for the linear component of the cumulative shear (CS) along light rays is derived, and it is shown that the CS can be dominated by nonlinear components, espcially for light rays in empty cones. The amplification tail of the amplification probability distribution is compared with analytic results; these linear investigations are shown to underestimate the high-amplification probability and hence the importance of the amplification bias in source counts. The distribution of the ellipticity of images of infinitesimal circular sources is derived, and it is shown that this can be dominated by the nonlinear contributions to the CS.

Inherent limitations in ectomography

Ectomography, a general tomographic method currently being implemented in nuclear medicine, is described. The object is viewed from different directions from the same projection angle, and the reconstruction process can be described as a two-dimensional filtered back-projection technique. One limitation of this limited-angle approach is that a three-dimensional Fourier representation of the acquired projections has a cone where data are missing. This empty cone can cause distortions in the tomogram by insufficient elimination of details outside the reconstructed tomographic section and by distortion of details in the section. The degree of distortion is dependent on the extension of the object in all directions and on the projection angle. Despite these limitations ectomography can be superior to single-photon-emission computed tomography for imaging sections that are close and parallel to the surface of the object, as in imaging of the hip joint or the heart.