Preliminary Laboratory Tests Research Articles

Introduction to the Investigation of reproduction of the real geometry of UBM panels

The article concisely describes UBM technology (Ultimate Building Machine), that can be used as a solution for buildings and roof structures. The structure of this technology is made of double corrugated thin-walled steel profiles manufactured on the construction site by a self-contained UBM manufacturing factory on wheels. These panels serve as both the building envelope and the structural system. The specificity of the construction poses many design problems, especially the determination of the strength parameters and stiffness of the double-corrugated panels from which the structure is made. The article presents the results of spatial scanning tests of double-corrugated steel sheets, which were carried out using commonly available 3D scanning devices: Leica 3D Disto and MagiScan app. Additionally, results of numerical analyses performed on scanned samples and a comparison of these results with preliminary laboratory tests have been presented in the article. The purpose of scanning was to obtain an accurate and real geometry of the UBM panels, to implement it into a numerical software, and then to perform numerical analyses. Commonly available 3D scanning devices were used because using advanced 3D scanners is not popular nowadays for economic reasons, and hand-built geometric models pose a lot of problems and are not accurate enough. Promising results were obtained, which form the basis for further research.

Case Report: Soft tissue infection with Burkholderia thailandensis capsular variant: case report from the Lao PDR

Background Burkholderia thailandensis is an environmental bacteria closely related to Burkholderia pseudomallei that rarely causes infection in humans. Some environmental isolates have shown to express a capsular polysaccharide known as B. thailandensis capsular variant (BTCV), but human infection has not previously been reported. Although B. thailandednisis has been identified in environmental samples in Laos before, there have not been any human cases reported. Case A 44-year-old man presented to a district hospital in Laos with a short history of fever and pain in his left foot. Physical examination identified a deep soft-tissue abscess in his left foot and an elevated white blood count. A deep pus sample was taken and melioidosis was suspected from preliminary laboratory tests. The patient was initially started on cloxacillin, ceftriaxone and metronidazole, and was then changed to ceftazidime treatment following local melioidosis treatment guidelines. Laboratory methods A deep pus sample was sent to Mahosot Hospital microbiology laboratory where a mixed infection was identified including Burkholderia sp. Conventional identification tests and API 20NE were inconclusive, and the B. pseudomallei-specific latex agglutination was positive. The isolate then underwent a Burkholderia species specific PCR which identified the isolate as B. thailandensis. The isolate was sent for sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system and multi-locus sequence typing analysis identified the isolate had the same sequence type (ST696) as B. thailandensis E555, a strain which expresses a B. pseudomallei-like capsular polysaccharide. Conclusion This is the first report of human infection with B. thailandensis in Laos, and the first report of any human infection with the B. thailandensis capsular variant. Due to the potential for laboratory tests to incorrectly identify this bacteria, staff in endemic areas for B. thailandensis and B. pseudomallei should be aware and ensure that appropriate confirmatory methods are used to differentiate between the species.

Impact of a new pesticide on rhizosphere microbes and plant health: case study of Y17991 against sharp eyespot in wheat

Sharp eyespot (Rhizoctonia cerealis) is a widespread soil-borne fungal disease that poses a severe threat to wheat health, and it is one of the main obstacles to achieving stable and high-quality wheat yields in China. Our collaborative team has developed a novel, efficient, and low-toxicity fungicide named Y17991 (N-(2-(2,4-bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)phenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide). Preliminary laboratory tests confirmed the significant inhibitory effect of this agent on R. cerealis. Large-area field trials also demonstrated its efficacy, with a disease prevention index of 83.52%, which is 1.97% greater than that of the widely used thifluzamide, and it significantly increased the wheat yield. Moreover, this study explored the impacts of Y17991 on the structure and function of the microbial community in wheat rhizosphere soil. Bacterial communities were more strongly affected than fungal communities. Y17991 significantly modulated key amino acid metabolic pathways and certain biosynthetic processes in diseased wheat rhizospheres, and it also enhanced certain biosynthetic pathways and metabolic activities in healthy wheat rhizospheres. Additionally, the application of Y17991 regulated rhizosphere metabolites, thus exerting significant control over the microbial community. We identified 15 microbial strains potentially involved in the prevention and treatment of R. cerealis, and Y17991 treatment promoted the growth of Pedobacter and Bacillus strains. These strains not only aid in plant growth but they also have the potential for disease prevention. In summary, Y17991 application at a reasonable dose does not cause significant disruption to nontarget rhizosphere microbial communities. In future studies, we will continue to investigate the impacts of Y17991 on nonmicrobial components in soil ecosystems, such as protozoa and nematodes. Our research provides a theoretical basis for the scientific application and promotion of new fungicides and offers a significant reference for establishing a comprehensive system for assessing the ecological impact of pesticides on the environment.

Comparison between Direct and Indirect Heat Flux Measurement Techniques: Preliminary Laboratory Tests

Direct and indirect approaches can be employed for estimating the heat flow through components in different application fields. In the building sector, the thermometric method is often applied by professionals for thermal transmittance evaluations. However, miscalculations can derive from inaccurate total heat transfer coefficients, and a consensus regarding the appropriate value to employ remains to be determined. Here, an apparatus was realized for laboratory tests and heat flux measurements were performed following direct and indirect approaches. Data acquired through a common heat flow sensor were compared with those computed through a post-processing based on radiative and convective estimations. The results were affected by the specific correlation adopted for computing the convective coefficients, with the percentage differences ranging from −9.8% to −0.4%. New measurement systems could be designed for automatically computing heat fluxes through indirect approaches, thus providing alternative solutions in the panorama of non-destructive tests for building energy diagnosis.

Acidovorax bellezanensis sp. nov., a novel bacterium from uranium mill tailings repository sites with selenium bioremediation capabilities

A Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain designated Be4T, belonging to the genus Acidovorax, was isolated from mining porewaters sampled in uranium mill tailings repository sites, located in Bellezane, near Bessines-sur-Gartempe (Limousin, France). Cells were facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming and motile with flagella. The mean cell size was 1.25–1.31 μm long and 0.70–0.73 μm wide. Colonies were light yellow, opaque, circular, convex with smooth margins, and 1–2 mm in diameter. Growth occurs at 4–37 °C and between pH 5.5–9.0. It differed from its phylogenetically related strains by phenotypic and physiological characteristics such as growth at 4 °C, presence of acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase and β-glucosidase enzymatic activities, and fermentation of l-xylose and esculin. The major fatty acids were C16:0, C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c, C17:0 cyclo and C18:1 ω7c. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and 938 core genes, confirmed its placement within the genus Acidovorax as a novel species. Strain Be4T showed highest 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Acidovorax antarcticus (98.2 %), Acidovorax radicis (97.9 %), Acidovorax temperans (97.8 %) and Acidovorax facilis (97.7 %). The genome of strain Be4T is 5,041,667 bp size with a DNA G + C content of 65.15 %. By automatic annotation numerous sequences involved in the interaction with metals/metalloids including some genes related to Se uptake and selenite resistance were detected in its genome. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values calculated from whole genome sequences between strain Be4T and the most closely related strains A. radicis and A. facilis were below the threshold value of 95 %. Thus, the data from the phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical, and genomic analyses clearly indicates that strain Be4T represents a novel species with the suggested name Acidovorax bellezanensis sp. nov. The type strain is Acidovorax bellezanensis Be4T (=DSM116209T = CECT30865T). This novel species, due to its unique isolation source, genomic analysis, and preliminary laboratory tests where it was able to reduce toxic Se(IV) to less harmful Se(0) in the form of nanoparticles, holds great potential for further investigation in bioremediation, particularly concerning Se.

Entomopathogenic Fungi in Forest Habitats of Ixodes ricinus.

(1) Background: In addition to the microclimate, host availability, and tick microbiota, soil environmental microorganisms can affect tick populations. This study aimed to (1) determine the presence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) in forests, where ticks are abundant, and (2) estimate the effectiveness of the isolated EF strains against Ixodes ricinus. (2) Methods: EF were isolated using the trap insect method from soil collected from tick sites. A bioassay was used to estimate the effectiveness of EF against ticks. (3) Results: The presence of EF was found in all tested forest habitat types. A total of 53 strains belonging to the genera Metarhizium, Beauveria, and Isaria were isolated. All the six strains subjected to the bioassay showed potential efficacy against both adult and nymphal stages of I. ricinus; however, the strains differed in their effectiveness. The most effective isolate against I. ricinus was the soil environmental strain of Metarhizium anisopliae. (4) Conclusion: The study indicates that tick habitats can be the source of entomopathogenic fungi, which have a lethal effect on ticks, as demonstrated in preliminary laboratory tests with I. ricinus. However, for practical use, extensive field tests and further research on application methods and long-term effects are necessary to develop effective and sustainable tick management strategies.

The Role And Impact Of Outdoor Walks, Combined With A Special Recreational Exercise Program, In Improving Lower Limb Strength And Motor Balance In 55-65 Year Olds

Sports participation is declining in most countries starting at age 12, with the tendency becoming considerably more noticeable as people get older. The most industrialized nations experience a demographic shift that leads to an older population due to declining birth rates and improvements in healthcare. The objective of this literature review is to analyse the existing data to discover the rates, current trends of sports participation, health problems and ways of preventing and improving it through exercise therapies of a recreational nature in the 55-65 age group in Albania and the world. 54 articles from Google Scholar, 16 articles from Crossref, 22 articles from PubMed, 14 papers from Research Gate, and 11 books (a total of 117 references) that were chosen for preliminary screening were evaluated using a methodical methodology. Upon through examination, 29 articles, or 25% of the total, satisfied the requirements to be regarded as legitimate for the subject at hand. The current condition of lower limb strength and balance in both the experimental and control groups will be determined through preliminary laboratory testing. Two instruments from the Sports University of Tirana biomechanics lab; the Leonardo Platform and the Isokinetic Dynamometer will be employed for the aforementioned measurements. We estimate that the study sample will consist of 60–90 working-age men and women who fall into the 55–65 age range. The systematic literature review and meta-analysis aims to define quantitative relationships of lower limb strength with balance improvement. Due to the accelerated aging process, the middle-aged population experiences a decline in strength, endurance, flexibility, and muscle mass (sarcopenia), which impairs coordination, stability, and balance. Keywords: outdoor walks, special recreational exercises, lower limb strength, age group 55-65, balance, quality of life.

STUDY OF LUBRICANT ADDITIVES FOR EXPANSION PIPE EXPANSION IN MONODIAMETER WELLS

There is a need to improve well design and completion in order to reduce material intensity while maintaining sufficient casing cross-sections. One of the possible solutions for this is the construction of mono-diameter wells using expandable casing technology. The technology of drilling wells with the same fixed bore diameter from the wellhead to the productive formation could solve many problems and limitations in the construction of wells, opening up opportunities for the development of large oil and gas reserves that are currently classified as difficult to recover or inaccessible. The technology of drilling monodiameter wells also reduces drilling volumes, reduces the adverse impact on the environment and, ultimately, leads to minimization of construction costs.For purposeful choice of flushing fluid components, especially reagents of complex action and lubricating additives necessary for drilling of mono-diameter wells, their preliminary laboratory tests on experimental installations providing physical similarity of interaction processes (wear) of friction pairs in relation to drilling technology are required. The task of this article is to study lubricating additives for reaming of reaming pipe in mono-diameter wells for subsequent selection of the most optimal of them. The experiments were carried out on the wellknown universal machine II 5018, designed for testing friction and wear of metals and alloys, hard engineering plastics and composites. The loading system and the II 5018 work unit were upgraded to simulate the processes being studied. During the experiments, the friction coefficient and wear rate of the sample were measured. To carry out the research, various lubricating and cooling media used in drilling technology were selected.

Resistance of a mixed bacterial culture isolated from bee dysbiosis to disinfectant in laboratory conditions

Disinfection is one of the components of preventive actions to prevent disease in animals by infectious agents. Through the elimination of agents of infectious diseases in the environment, it is able to interrupt the mechanisms of the epizootic process. For the development of beekeeping and obtaining quality and products, it is necessary to carry out activities in apiaries, which include disinfection. The introduction of new disinfectants in the field is possible after preliminary laboratory tests. The aim of our research objective to investigate the resistance of a mixed bacterial culture isolated from bees with the symptoms of dysbiosis to disinfectant under laboratory conditions. Bacteriological investigations carried out in Petri dishes using meat-peptone agar and Mueller-Hinton agar. The disinfectant diluted with distilled water at concentrations of 0.25 %, 0.5 %, 1,25 % and 2,5 %. On the Mueller Hinton agar, the bacterial elimination zones recorded at 1.25 % (11,6 ± 0,45 mm) and 2.5 % (12,4 ± 0,27 mm) concentration of disinfectant at 1 day of investigation, and 7,4 ± 0,27 mm (1,25 %), 11,2 ± 0,42 mm (2.5 %) at 72 hours of the experiment, respectively. In addition, the bacterial growth inhibition effect increased with experimental time and ranged from 24.0 ± 0.35 mm (0.5 %) to 28.2 ± 0.22 mm (2.5 %) on day 3 of the study. Bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects appeared to be less pronounced on meat-peptone agar. The highest diameters of inhibition of the processes of reproduction and development of microorganisms from mixed microbial association on this medium were recorded at 1.25 % and 2.5 % concentrations of the disinfectant at the 3rd day of the investigation with diameters of the zones of inhibition of growth 15.6 ± 0.45 mm and 26.4 ± 0.27 mm, respectively. The specificity of diffusion of the investigated active substance from the discs into the agar medium thickness was also noted. This effect has a varying effect on infectious agents in in vitro experiments. Thus bacteriological laboratory experiments should be performed on several culture media in purpose of obtaining accurate results. The analysis of the obtained results indicates the demonstration of antimicrobial effect of the investigated disinfectant against mixed bacterial culture in the form of bactericidal and bacteriostatic actions. Therefore, a promising direction of research for veterinary doctors and apiary business owners is the search for effective and efficient disinfectants. Laboratory investigation of the activity of a remedy are the first step before it is approbation.

Histopathological assessment of Atlantic salmon exposed to calcium oxide particles: a controlled clinical study

Particulate calcium oxide (CaO) has been successfully used for the control of sea urchin and starfish populations. Recent studies have proven its efficacy in killing planktonic copepods, making it a promising and cheap option for salmon louse control in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farming industry. Additionally, preliminary laboratory tests demonstrated that exposure to 0.2 g/L–0.6 g/L of fine CaO particles induced significant mortality of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) in the planktonic stages. The present study investigated the effects of water treatment with fine CaO particles [0.2 g/L or 127.4 g/m2; 0.1 mm–0.3 mm], conducted twice a week for three consecutive weeks at 5°C and 12°C on Atlantic salmon post-smolt in a flow-through system. The study compared mortality rates and histopathology of skin, eyes, gills, and intestines between treated and untreated control salmon. The results indicated that CaO exposure did not induce fish mortality or histopathological damages in the skin, eyes, or intestines. Although there were no significant effects of CaO exposure on gill inflammation or hyperplasia, the exposure did increase the occurrence of gill vascular injuries and necrosis in small portions of the tissue (< 10% of the respiratory gill tissue in most of the samples) by 60% and 35%, respectively. The effect was not modulated by temperature or time. The results indicate that the CaO treatment protocol used in this study is not lethal to Atlantic salmon and is safe for most analyzed tissues. Nonetheless, the induction of vascular damage and necrosis in the gill, albeit in small tissue portions, emphasizes the need for further research. It is crucial to develop a protocol that avoids such lesions, ensuring the secure application of CaO as an antiparasitic treatment in salmon aquaculture.

Design and development of a vegetable plug seedling transplanting mechanism for a semi-automatic transplanter

The most important operation in the vegetable cultivation is transplanting of vegetable seedling which can be acomplished efficiently by transplanters. A transplanting unit is a crucial component of the vegetable transplanter since it can substantially impact its overall effectiveness. The current study designed and developed a transplanting unit of a two-row tractor-mounted semi-automatic type vegetable seedling (plug type) transplanter. It includes a 5-bar planting mechanism, a hopping dibber planter with a bearing-fitted lever, and a half-open double-door planter opening mechanism. The planting geometry of 0.60×0.45 m was considered during the design process. To evaluate the functional viability and basic machine settings, the transplanting unit underwent preliminary laboratory testing. The field testing investigated the impact of the two types of germination tray cavities, three feeding systems, soil-covering wheel tilt angle, and plant age on the upright plant percentage. For the tomato and eggplant crops, the mean value of the upright plants transplanted by machine ranging from 89.35-94.21 % and 91.32-94.91 % across all treatment combinations; at a 5 % significance level, the differences were not statistically significant. However, the main effect of the soil-covering wheel tilt angle and the plant age on the upright plant percentage was statistically significant at a 5 % significance level in both crops. The mechanism has the ability to significantly raise transplanting quality, which may satisfy the mechanism's design and manufacturing requirements.

Methanol Poisoning: A Diagnostic Challenge in High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis

A 47-year-old gentleman was admitted with decreased responsiveness and vomiting. Clinically, he had altered mental status, pupils sluggish to light and laboured breathing. Thoracoabdominal examination and computed tomography of the brain were normal. Preliminary laboratory testing revealed high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA). Blood acetaminophen and urine paraquat were negative. Serum salicylate was not measured however respiratory alkalosis typical of salicylate intoxication was absent. Normoketonaemia and normoglycaemia rendered diabetic ketoacidosis improbable, whilst uraemia was ruled out as renal profile was only moderately impaired. Raised plasma lactate was inadequate to account for the magnitude of HAGMA, leading to a suspicion of ethylene glycol or methanol poisoning. Despite early treatment with intravenous ethanol, the patient died at day three of admission. Blood methanol concentration which was obtained on admission and reported three days later by the referral toxicology lab affirmed the diagnosis of methanol poisoning. Methanol poisoning can be challenging in situations where patient is obtunded and methanol analysis not widely available.

International Guideline for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy-Associated Cancer Screening: an International Myositis Assessment and Clinical StudiesGroup (IMACS)initiative.

Adult-onset idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) is associated with an increased cancer risk within the 3 years preceding and following IIM onset. Evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for IIM-associated cancer screening can potentially improve outcomes. This International Guideline for IIM-Associated Cancer Screening provides recommendations addressing IIM-associated cancer risk stratification, cancer screening modalities and screening frequency. The international Expert Group formed a total of 18 recommendations via a modified Delphi approach using a series of online surveys. First, the recommendations enable an individual patient's IIM-associated cancer risk to be stratified into standard, moderate or high risk according to the IIM subtype, autoantibody status and clinical features. Second, the recommendations outline a 'basic' screening panel (including chest radiography and preliminary laboratory tests) and an 'enhanced' screening panel (including CT and tumour markers). Third, the recommendations advise on the timing and frequency of screening via basic and enhanced panels, according to risk status. The recommendations also advise consideration of upper or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, nasoendoscopy and 18F-FDG PET-CT scanning in specific patient populations. These recommendations are aimed at facilitating earlier IIM-associated cancer detection, especially in those who are at a high risk, thus potentially improving outcomes, including survival.

Evidence of gas formation and venting in organic soils: experimental evidence and modelling approach

Peatlands have been recognised to provide a natural carbon sink thanks to waterlogged conditions, which keep summertime temperatures relatively low, increase their water holding capacity, decrease the organic soil decomposition rate by creating anoxic conditions and eventually keeping high water table. However, unfavourable environmental conditions due to increasing temperatures and more frequent droughts will reduce water retention of peats and the summertime insulation, in turn increasing their temperature sensitivity and their decomposition rate [1]. As a result, peatlands may start inverting their positive cycle and emitting greenhouse gases, including CO2 and CH4 [2], which suggests better investigating how increasing climate stresses will affect the efficiency of peats in the greenhouse gases cycle and CO2 sequestration.
 Some evidence of gas production from increasing decomposition rate in the Netherlands is coming from continuous pore pressure measurements in saturated layers below the water table, which are monitored to assess the safety of the water defence and the transportation infrastructures. Increasing water pressure in closed piezometers compared to vented ones seem to suggest that gas is produced and capped in the ground, until the breakthrough pressure is reached and the gas vents from cracks opened in the soil matrix. Besides the environmental issues, increasing gas production from decomposition is becoming of concern for the stability of embankments made of organic soils, where the effective stress may be lowered to such an extent to endanger their stability. As a matter of fact, in the last ten years, gas overpressure has been claimed to be a triggering or a contributing factor in few small failures experienced by regional dykes in the Netherlands. In spite of the evidence [e.g. 3] and the risk increasing with heat waves and drought events, the role of gas on the coupled hydromechanical response of organic soils has been seldom investigated nor properly understood yet.
 In the section of Geoengineering at TU Delft, a research effort has been undertaken in the last years to investigate in depth the role of gas formation and venting on the coupled hydro-mechanical response of organic layers in the subsoil of water defence embankments. Preliminary laboratory tests performed on peats to fill this gap showed the role of increasing gas content on their compressibility and on the mobilised shear strength at given strains [4, 5]. The volumetric response of peats including gas was tentatively interpreted with a simple non-linear elastic model, which proved able to model the experimental results [6].
 A similar model was used to numerically investigate the relevance of gas production and venting on the response of a regional dyke in the Netherlands, where gas bubbles from venting were observed after excavating - unloading - the toe of the dyke during a stress test. Fully coupled three-phases hydromechanical numerical analyses were performed with CODE_Bright [7] to include gas overpressure. A gas content of 6% in volume was artificially generated in the peat layer, capped by a clay layer on top, and let reaching an equilibrium distribution, which depends on the stress-strain response of the different layers and their volumetric compressibility (Figure 1(a)). Gas venting is triggered by simulating excavation at the toe of the dyke, which allows gas escaping after the capping clay is removed.
 The variation in the operative stress, on which stiffness and strength are assumed to depend [6], is shown in Figure 1(b) over gas generation and venting. In spite of the small amount of gas generated, the predicted overpressure is enough to bring the operative stress to zero in the upper meter of soil at the toe of the embankment due to the light weight of peat and cover soil, which temporarily reduces the factor of safety of the water defence against global stability. As soon as the gas overpressure is released, the operative stress increases above the effective stress which would characterise saturated conditions, bringing the system back to safer conditions.
 These preliminary analyses are supporting an undergoing experimental and numerical thorough effort to better quantify the dynamics of gas generation and venting in organic soils to reduce the hazard associated with increasing climatic stresses.

Photoluminescent Sensor of Scarification Efficiency of Fodder Plants' Seeds.

Optoelectronic sensors open up new possibilities for predicting the yield for their possible correction, including increasing the seed germination of forage plants. The luminescent properties of unscarified and scarified seeds of various germination galega, clover and alfalfa are compared. The dependence of germination on the photoluminescence flux is approximated by linear equations with a determination coefficient R2 = 0.932-0.999. A technological process for analyzing the scarification quality of forage seed plants is proposed, including sample preparation, photoluminescence excitation and registration, amplification of the received electrical signal and determination of germination based on calibration equations. This is followed by a decision on sowing, or re-scarification. The scheme of the scarification quality control device has been developed for which the LED, as well as the radiation receiver and other elements, has been selected according to the energy efficiency criterion. Mechanical scarification of the forage plants' seed surfaces has a significant effect on their photoluminescent properties. The flux increases by 1.5-1.7 times for galega, 2.0-3.0 times for clover and 2.3-3.9 times for alfalfa. Linear approximation of the flux dependence on germination with a high coefficient of determination allows us to obtain reliable linear calibration equations. Preliminary mock-up laboratory tests allow us to talk about the developed method's effectiveness and device.

Influence of harvest method on the quality and storage of highbush blueberry

Blueberry quality is one of the most important elements that needs to be evaluated when automatisation processes, such as harvest automation, occur along the supply chain. The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of two blueberry cultivars, of new introduction for the area of study, to the mechanical harvest. Particularly the influence of harvest method was evaluated on the quality of cv. Cargo® and Top Shelf® for a short storage time (max. 28 days) in normal atmosphere assuming so an immediate sale of blueberries. Samples mechanically harvested were compared in terms of qualitative performance with samples manually picked throught two activity carried on two years. In the activity 1 a preliminary laboratory test simulation of mechanical harvest was carried on to evaluate the attitude of both cultivars to the automatisation process and the berries were evaluated immediately after the harvest time. The activity 2 was aimed to evaluate the quality of berries mechanically harvested in field and after the storage process at 2 ± 1 °C and 90% RH in a cold room for 28 days under normal atmospheric conditions (NA). The higher percentage of shrivelled berries for the simulation of mechanical harvest samples (SEH) (activity 1) and berries harvested with the Easy Harvester machine® (EH samples) (activity 2) in the post-harvest period was probably due to the low % of pruin on berries skin content at the harvest time (0 days). All samples although achieved a quality assessment equivalent to still marketable berries after 28 days of storage. TSSC were significantly higher in the EH group for both years. TSSC and TA were higher in Cargo® than in Top Shelf®. In general the automatisation of the harvesting process did not significantly affect blueberry quality after storage. • This work highlights how the way of harvest can affect the quality of fruits during the storage time. • New blueberry cultivar ( ‘Cargo’® and ‘Top Shelf’®) for the market are evaluated in this studies; limited studies are reported on these cultivars. • Limited studies are reported on the mechanized harvest on blueberries in Italy

Experimental investigations and numerical simulations of the vibrational performance of composite timber-lightweight concrete floor structures

The dynamic behavior of timber and lightweight concrete composite floor structures was examined in this paper. The need to reduce the additional load on the existing foundations of the structure, leads to the increasing use of lightweight concrete in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of buildings. The aim of this paper is to examine the basic dynamic characteristics of timber floor structures repaired with lightweight concrete of various volumetric densities. The dynamic behavior was analyzed in a way that the first three natural frequencies of four floor composite structures with identical cross sections and fasteners, but with different class of lightweight concrete volumetric density in the upper concrete slab, were calculated. Preliminary laboratory testing of the relevant properties of four types of lightweight concrete, timber and fasteners, which were used in the bonding of timber and lightweight concrete, provided the necessary input data for numerical research. For analytical research, a simple method of dynamic calculation of natural frequencies of elastically coupled structures has been proposed. The accuracy of the results of the proposed dynamic calculation was confirmed experimentally, and by comparison with the results of the Ansys software package.

Behaviour of a weakly bonded residual soil subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading

Residual soils are found all around the world. Their behaviour is different from ‘classic’ soils due to the structure resulting from the geological formation processes, which can eventually undergo degradation under static and cyclic loads, with a decrease in both stiffness and strength. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the behaviour of weakly bonded residual soil in the face of loading and unloading cycles using field plate load tests. Preliminary field and laboratory tests were carried out to characterise the residual soil at the experimental site. Monotonic and cyclic plate load tests – with circular and square plates – were performed under three different load amplitudes. The results showed no shape effect of the loaded area for both monotonic and cyclic loading, considering the same loading pattern. Also, there is a threshold load, which indicates a yielding point and a change in soil behaviour and can be estimated from simple laboratory tests. Below this load, the residual soil presented a rigid behaviour even when subjected to cyclic loads.

Silicon foliar spraying in the reproductive stage of cotton plays an equivalent role to boron in increasing yield, and combined boron-silicon application, without polymerization, increases fiber quality

Foliar spraying of a boron (B) + silicon (Si) mixture (1.50 g L-1 of B + 1.15 g L-1 of Si) during the reproductive stage of cotton plants could benefit both crop yield and fiber quality; however, further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis. Two experiments were carried out under field conditions, using the FM 906 GLT cotton cultivar, with experiment I conducted in the 2018/2019 growing season and II in 2019/2020. A randomized block design was used for both experiments, consisting of four treatments: water; foliar boron; foliar silicon; and foliar boron + silicon and six replications. A preliminary laboratory test was performed to assess the turbidity of B and Si solutions and determine their compatibility in a mixture. Four foliar applications were performed, beginning in reproductive stage B1, at intervals of 7–11 days. Foliar spraying of B alone was efficient in increasing concentrations of the micronutrient in cotton leaves and fiber. Silicon foliar application was also efficient in raising concentrations in leaves and fiber. Silicon + boron proved to be efficient in supplying cotton plans with both the micronutrient and the element. The internal CO2 concentration and photosynthetic rate of plants treated with B, Si or B+Si were higher than those observed in controls, with no difference between these treatments. The addition of Si to the boron spray solution (B+Si) and Si application alone (Si) increased WUE, with no difference between these treatments, compared with B and controls. Boron, Si and B+Si increased cotton fiber yield, in relation to the control treatment. Individual and combined (B+Si) application of B and Si increased the micronaire values and cotton fiber length in both growing seasons studied. Applying only B or Si also improved the tensile strength of cotton fibers in relation to controls and the highest value for this variable in both experiments was obtained when plants were treated with the B+Si mixture. Foliar spraying of B reduced the short fiber content when compared to controls and applying Si alone or added to the boron solution produced the lowest result for this parameter. Our results demonstrate that foliar Si spraying has an equivalent effect to B on the yield and fiber quality of cotton, and that combining the two elements is particularly beneficial to cotton fiber, improving its tensile strength and reducing short fiber content.

The Study of Flow Behavior and Performance of Polymer Injection in Homogenous Porous Media Using Etched Micromodel

The implementation of polymer injection on a field scale needs a preliminary laboratory test to analyze the performance and flow behavior of polymer injection in a porous media. Compared to coreflooding method, micromodel provides the visualization of oil displacement mechanism and facilitating a more detailed process description. Understanding the effect of polymer concentration on the incremental of oil recovery factor and its displacement mechanism are essential to know the polymer injection performance with the intention of avoiding failures in the implementation of polymer injection at field scale. We used dry etching technique for the fabrication of acrylic micromodel with homogenous characteristic. In this work, pre-flush (waterflooding) is performed first before doing the polymer injection to determine the incremental oil recovery factor and analyze the effect of polymer concentration on oil recovery factor enhancement in homogenous porous media. They were positioned horizontally then saturated with synthetic brine and light crude oil as the initial condition before starting the injection scenario. The experiment was conducted at room temperature. The entire process of micromodel flooding test was monitored by camera and then for the further analysis was done using Digital Image Analysis (DIA). According to the polymer rheology and aqueous stability test, it can be proven that polymer is a non-newtonian fluid indicated by shear thinning behavior and it can be observed that FP3630S polymer is a good candidate for micromodel flooding test. The micromodel flooding result confirmed that the increasing of polymer concentration will result in higher incremental oil recovery factor. In addition, based on the final condition of the micromodel after the polymer injection process, there is improvement of sweep efficiency due to the front stability resulted by the decreasing of mobility ratio between displacing fluid (polymer solution) and the oil bank.