Use Of Buckets Research Articles

Pitfall trap efficiency in sampling small vertebrates (Anura, Squamata, and Mammalia) in fragments of the Southeastern Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Pitfall traps are a sampling method broadly used in studies with small terrestrial vertebrates. In this paper, we compared the efficiency of modified pitfall traps in sampling anurans, squamates, and mammals. In two forest fragments of the Seasonal Semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest, we set up 26 arrays of drift fences and pitfall traps, composed of four 30-liter buckets, each set up arranged in a ‘Y’ shape linked by a fence of 4 m in length and 0.5 m in height. We tested for the effect of an internal rim on the border of the buckets by comparing buckets with and without a rim on capture efficiency. In general, we did not observe any effect of the rims in capture efficiency, independently of the bucket position where the rim was present. Still, terminal buckets with rims were less efficient in capturing rodents. We hypothesized that the use of buckets with rims did not increase the capture of small vertebrates due to the animal’s ability to perceive the rim due to substrate instability. However, the pitfall trap efficiently captures small vertebrates, and we do not recommend using the internal rims.

ENERGY-SAVING ADAPTATION OF THE VIBRATION-IMPACT BUCKET OF THE MANIPULATOR TO THE VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The paper study of the vibrating bucket of the manipulator as an excavator or tunnelling shield, with energy-saving adaptation to the aspects of the working environment for use in the construction and mining industry. The use of buckets and vibro-impact devices with automated operation allows a reduction of energy consumption for the destruction of rocks and hard soils with adaptation to their properties. The article proposes an algorithm for optimal control of the vibro-impact bucket element - a vibro-impact device using restrictions on the cutting resistance force and impact energy. The range of functioning of the vibro-impact device is determined. The optimal area of switching on the device is established, depending on the variable aspects of the working environment. 
 The integral characteristic, such as the cutting resistance force of the soil, were used. It finds that this characteristic depends on the angle of rotation of the manipulator's bucket and the soil density's attribute by the number of impacts of the DorNDI impactor. The influence of thermodynamic parameters on the impact energy during the functioning of the vibration impact device in a real environment is observed by considering the polytope index of the gas compression process in the pneumatic accumulator.
 The work establishes the critical level of the force of static cutting of soils by an excavator of the IV size group for Ukrainian production and the criterion for the transition of the cutting process from static to dynamic mode depending on the variable characteristics of the working environment. The energy characteristics of the adaptive vibration-impact bucket of the manipulator are given. Introducing the vibro-impact bucket into the industrial production of Ukraine is recommended.

Large-size fattening calves’ lots fed with automatic milk feeders may have an increased risk for Mycoplasma bovis infection spread and for antibiotic use

Bovine respiratory disease is the leading user of antibiotics (AB) in calf production. Mycoplasma (M.) bovis could lead to greater use of AB as it is a persistent and AB resistant causative agent for respiratory diseases. Two cross-sectional studies were set up to assess the effects of lot size and feeding system on M. bovis infection and the effects of M. bovis seroconversion, lot size and feeding system on AB use in calves’ feedlots. Twenty-six lots in 22 fattening farms were monitored for 41–81 days, from all-in entry of calves until three consecutive weeks without using any collective antibiotics. M. bovis spread was estimated by measuring seroconversion at entry and at the end of study period in 10–15 calves randomly sampled in each lot. All AB treatments used in the meanwhile were recorded. The lots were selected according to feeding system, i.e. individual bucket (n = 7) vs. automated milk feeder (AMF, n = 19), and lot size (30–519 calves), less than 50 calves (n = 9) vs. more than 50 calves (n = 17). Statistical analysis was performed using multivariable generalised linear models with fattening farms as random effect. M. bovis spread increased with lot size (odds ratio (OR) 2.9[1.4; 5.8] per two-fold increase in lot size). This proportion of seroconverted calves was lower in bucket-fed lots compared to lots fed with the AMF using a shared nipple (OR = 0.03[0.003; 0.41]). The main risk factor for AB use was the lot size, with an increase of 1.5[0.94; 1.98] treatments per two-fold increase in lot size. For same size lots, the use of bucket can decrease AB consumption by up to 1.03[−2.18; 0.14] treatments per calf compared to AMF. Analysis of the association between seroconversion to M. bovis and AB use was inconclusive. We found that bucket feeding in small-size lots, i.e. up to a maximum of 50 calves in the same space, limits seroconversion to M. bovis and enables lower use of AB in veal calf production.

Factors and impacts of informal settlements residents' sanitation practices on access and sustainability of sanitation services in the policy context of Free Basic Sanitation

Abstract Through the Free Basic Sanitation (FBSan) service policy, many informal settlements in South Africa have been provided with basic sanitation facilities. However, access to these facilities remains challenging for many residents. These challenges have compelled residents to adopt a range of alternative sanitation practices. Through interviews, observation and focus group discussions in five informal settlements in the Western Cape, South Africa, 383 randomly selected respondents identified factors that shape their sanitation practices and how these practices impact on access to, and sustainability of sanitation services in the policy context of the FBSan. Residents' sanitation practices include the use of buckets, porta-potties, plastic bags, and existing facilities within and outside their settlements for either defecating or discharging the bucket contents and open defecation. These sanitation practices are informed by factors including safety concerns, poor conditions of the facilities, lack of privacy and choice. These findings suggest that the provision of facilities through the FBSan policy should consider the multiple and varied needs of residents, practices and conditions of their settlements prior to the selection and deployment of facilities to informal settlements in South Africa. This article has been made Open Access thanks to the generous support of a global network of libraries as part of the Knowledge Unlatched Select initiative.

Chronic kidney disease and household behaviors in Sri Lanka: Historical choices of drinking water and agrochemical use

This paper examines whether there are systematic differences in the historical behaviors of households that are affected and unaffected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka pertaining to their water source choices, water treatment practices, and agrochemical use. This analysis is motivated by the Sri Lankan government’s largest policy response to this epidemic – to encourage communities to switch from untreated well water to publicly provided alternatives. We use recall methods to elicit information on the drinking water source and treatment choices of households over an 18-year period from 2000–2017. Our analysis is based on a survey of 1497 rural ground-water dependent households in the most CKD-affected areas of the 10 districts of Sri Lanka with the highest prevalence of CKD. Our main findings are that (a) households that have ever used a pump to extract (typically deep) drinking water from a household well are more likely to be affected by CKD; (b) we fail to find a relationship between disease status and households’ use of buckets to extract (typically shallow) groundwater from their wells; and (c) those who have ever treated their shallow well water by boiling it are less likely to be affected by CKD. We also find that a greater share of CKD affected households historically used agrochemicals, used wells that were geographically removed from surface water sources, and displayed lower proxies of wealth. The implications of these findings are fourfold. First, since the systematic differences in the historical patterns of water sources and treatments used by CKD affected and non-affected households are modest, the sources of water and the treatment practices themselves may not be the sole risk factors in developing CKD. Second, although we find a negative association between boiling water and the probability of CKD, it is not obvious that a public policy campaign to promote boiling water is an appropriate response. Third, the hydrochemistry of deep and shallow well water needs to be better understood in order to shed light on the positive relationship between deep well water and disease status, and on why boiling shallow but not deep well water is associated with a lower probability of CKD. Fourth, there is a need for a deeper understanding of other risk factors and of the efficacy of preventative programs that provide alternative sources of household drinking water.

A Time and Motion Study for Evaluation of Apple Harvest Processes with Different Harvest Methods

HighlightsWorkers’ apple harvest processes with three harvest methods were evaluated and compared.All three harvest methods had low overall harvest efficiency.Harvest efficiency for the ladder-and-bucket method can be improved by reducing non-picking activities.Innovation for harvest platform systems should focus on improving fruit picking activities.Abstract. In recent years, harvest platforms are being increasingly used by apple growers in the U.S. and many other countries to replace the traditional ladder-and-bucket harvest method. However, the current harvest platforms still have low levels of automation, which limits their potential to achieve greater productivity improvement. This study was therefore aimed at analyzing the harvest process by fruit pickers with three distinct harvest methods and determining potential areas for efficiency improvement. Video recordings of workers with the traditional ladder-and-bucket method, DBR vacuum harvester, and Huron Fruit Systems harvest platform were collected at three commercial orchards during the 2018 harvest season. The videos were then analyzed, using the time and motion technique, and categorized into picking and non-picking activities. Results showed that the average picking time by workers for the ladder-and-bucket, DBR, and Huron harvest methods were 64%, 78%, and 83% of the total time, respectively. After further dividing the picking activity into approaching, detaching, and transporting actions, it was found that the detaching action, which is essential in fruit picking, accounted for only 30% to 32% of the total picking time for the three methods, with the remaining 2/3 of the time spent on the approaching and transporting actions. The ladder-and-bucket, DBR, and Huron harvest methods had a low overall apple detaching efficiency of 21%, 23%, and 26%, respectively, and an overall time index of 45%, 71%, and 80%, respectively (these two parameters were introduced for measuring harvest efficiency). Hence, significant opportunities exist for improving harvest efficiency for the three methods. For the ladder-and-bucket method, efforts should be made on improving non-picking activities, i.e., fruit unloading and minimizing the walking distance to the fruit unloading station or bin. For harvest platforms, efforts should be devoted to the development of innovative fruit catching or receiving and bin filling technologies to reduce fruit picking time (i.e., reducing the time needed to reach fruit on trees and transport picked fruit to conveyors) as well as alleviate the physical demand and occupational hazard for workers by eliminating the use of buckets. Keywords: Apple, Fruit picking, Harvest efficiency, Harvest platform, Horticulture crops, Vacuum harvest.

A Time and Motion Study for Evaluation of Apple Harvest Processes with Different Harvest Methods

HighlightsWorkers’ apple harvest processes with three harvest methods were evaluated and compared.All three harvest methods had low overall harvest efficiency.Harvest efficiency for the ladder-and-bucket method can be improved by reducing non-picking activities.Innovation for harvest platform systems should focus on improving fruit picking activities.Abstract. In recent years, harvest platforms are being increasingly used by apple growers in the U.S. and many other countries to replace the traditional ladder-and-bucket harvest method. However, the current harvest platforms still have low levels of automation, which limits their potential to achieve greater productivity improvement. This study was therefore aimed at analyzing the harvest process by fruit pickers with three distinct harvest methods and determining potential areas for efficiency improvement. Video recordings of workers with the traditional ladder-and-bucket method, DBR vacuum harvester, and Huron Fruit Systems harvest platform were collected at three commercial orchards during the 2018 harvest season. The videos were then analyzed, using the time and motion technique, and categorized into picking and non-picking activities. Results showed that the average picking time by workers for the ladder-and-bucket, DBR, and Huron harvest methods were 64%, 78%, and 83% of the total time, respectively. After further dividing the picking activity into approaching, detaching, and transporting actions, it was found that the detaching action, which is essential in fruit picking, accounted for only 30% to 32% of the total picking time for the three methods, with the remaining 2/3 of the time spent on the approaching and transporting actions. The ladder-and-bucket, DBR, and Huron harvest methods had a low overall apple detaching efficiency of 21%, 23%, and 26%, respectively, and an overall time index of 45%, 71%, and 80%, respectively (these two parameters were introduced for measuring harvest efficiency). Hence, significant opportunities exist for improving harvest efficiency for the three methods. For the ladder-and-bucket method, efforts should be made on improving non-picking activities, i.e., fruit unloading and minimizing the walking distance to the fruit unloading station or bin. For harvest platforms, efforts should be devoted to the development of innovative fruit catching or receiving and bin filling technologies to reduce fruit picking time (i.e., reducing the time needed to reach fruit on trees and transport picked fruit to conveyors) as well as alleviate the physical demand and occupational hazard for workers by eliminating the use of buckets. Keywords: Apple, Fruit picking, Harvest efficiency, Harvest platform, Horticulture crops, Vacuum harvest.

Analysis for cleaner production implementation strategy in batik industry in Bogor

The batik industry potentially pollutes the environment with the liquid waste of synthetic dyes. Cleaner production approach can be implemented to minimize pollution concerning environmental, technical as well as economic aspects. This study was aimed to analyze the strategy for implementing a cleaner production concept in the batik industry located in Bogor concerning technical, environmental and financial aspects. The methods used in this study were a quick scan for waste identification along with with the production flow, fishbone diagram for problems’ mapping, and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for selecting the best strategy. The quick scan result indicated that dyeing, soaking and rinsing processes were main contributors of the dye waste. The use of natural dyes was considered as the best strategy to achieve environment-friendly and sustainable batik industry, whereas the production process and batik industry were the most important factor and actor, respectively. The use of bucket under drying fabrics to retain falling water is recommended as the best option, with low investment cost and a payback period of 6 months. Sustainable batik industry through institutional development is also recommended for optimizing the use of resources to provide natural dyes, as well as skillful entrepreneurs, and workers of dyes-extracting and batik industries.

Microbiological Evaluation of 5 L- and 20 L-Transparent Polypropylene Buckets for Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS).

Background: Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is an appropriate technology for household treatment of drinking water in low-to-middle-income communities, as it is effective, low cost and easy to use. Nevertheless, uptake is low due partially to the burden of using small volume polyethylene terephthalate bottles (1.5–2 L). A major challenge is to develop a low-cost transparent container for disinfecting larger volumes of water. (2) Methods: This study examines the capability of transparent polypropylene (PP) buckets of 5 L- and 20 L- volume as SODIS containers using three waterborne pathogen indicators: Escherichia coli, MS2-phage and Cryptosporidium parvum. (3) Results: Similar inactivation kinetics were observed under natural sunlight for the inactivation of all three organisms in well water using 5 L- and 20 L-buckets compared to 1.5 L-polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) bottles. The PP materials were exposed to natural and accelerated solar ageing (ISO-16474). UV transmission of the 20 L-buckets remained stable and with physical integrity even after the longest ageing periods (9 months or 900 h of natural or artificial solar UV exposure, respectively). The 5 L-buckets were physically degraded and lost significant UV-transmission, due to the thinner wall compared to the 20 L-bucket. (4) Conclusion: This work demonstrates that the 20 L SODIS bucket technology produces excellent bacterial, viral and protozoan inactivation and is obtained using a simple transparent polypropylene bucket fabricated locally at very low cost ($2.90 USD per unit). The increased bucket volume of 20 L allows for a ten-fold increase in treatment batch volume and can thus more easily provide for the drinking water requirements of most households. The use of buckets in households across low to middle income countries is an already accepted practice.

Municipal water resources management: evaluation of water consumption by car wash facilities in Bauchi Town, Nigeria

Car wash can be defined as a facility used to clean the exterior and in some cases, the interior of motor vehicles. These facilities are common in Bauchi and other cities in Nigeria. They use water as a major input thereby causing serious challenges to water resources management. Car wash facilities in Bauchi depend on municipal water supply by water board. The study aimed at determining the rate of municipal water consumption by car wash facilities in Bauchi. It was carried out by measuring the volume of water used in washing cars by some selected car wash facilities in the town using both bucket and hose methods. The data collected were analysed using statistical method such as random sampling techniques and simple descriptive method like Tables, Figures and mean. The result shows that 1,710,091.2L is withdrawn daily from the municipal water supply by car wash facilities. This is more than the quantity of water serving zone ‘L’ of the 16-zones of Bauchi Water Demand Zones. It also shows that the use of hose consume 441.2L/day and the use of bucket consume 115.5L/day which indicate that more water is wasted using hose method. Therefore, car wash facilities consume significant amount of water supplied by the Water Board. If the current trend continues and with the proliferation of car wash in Bauchi, there will be water shortage to the populace who are the primary beneficiaries.Keywords: car wash, Bauchi, input,Water Board, consumption, volume

Use of Buckets as Tools by Western Lowland Gorillas

While all great apes have been documented to use tools, gorillas are arguably the least proficient tool users. In 2009, a Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at the Buffalo Zoo was observed using a bucket, which had been provided as part of normal enrichment, as a tool to collect water. We conducted a brief, ad libitum investigation to confirm the validity of the initial observation. We then carried out a systematic investigation of the behavior in 2010. We collected 72 hr of videotaped data and tested the null hypothesis that the gorillas did not differ in their prevalence of engaging in bucket-use behaviors. We documented that all four adult gorillas in the group used buckets as drinking tools; however, there was significant individual variation in frequency and type of use of buckets. Four of the eight behaviors showed significant variation among individuals. The silverback male and the youngest adult female contacted and held the bucket significantly more than the remaining two adult females. The young female carried and drank from the bucket significantly more than any other individual. Furthermore, she was observed to fill the bucket with water four of the six times during which this behavior was observed. These data provide evidence of the ability of gorillas to utilize tools, given the appropriate environmental conditions. We continue to explore the abilities of gorillas to recognize the functionality of buckets as tools.

Buckets

Current discussion of digital libraries (DLs) is often dominated by the merits of the respective storage, search and retrieval functionality of archives, repositories, search engines, search interfaces and database systems. While these technologies are necessary for information management, the information content is more important than the systems used for its storage and retrieval. Digital information should have the same long-term survivability prospects as traditional hardcopy information and should be protected to the extent possible from evolving search engine technologies and vendor vagaries in database management systems. Information content and information retrieval systems should progress on independent paths and make limited assumptions about the status or capabilities of the other. Digital information can achieve independence from archives and DL systems through the use of buckets. Buckets are an aggregative, intelligent construct for publishing in DLs. Buckets allow the decoupling of information content from information storage and retrieval. Buckets exist within the Smart Objects and Dumb Archives model for DLs in that many of the functionalities and responsibilities traditionally associated with archives are pushed down (making the archives dumber) into the buckets (making them smarter). Some of the responsibilities imbued to buckets are the enforcement of their terms and conditions, and maintenance and display of their contents.

Rebuilding shattered lives

There was a massive and generous response within India to the earthquake disaster in Maharashtra, and many volunteers came to the affected areas to offer assistance. The majority of volunteers were men, and it was important to ensure that this did not mean, as so often has been the case, that the experience and particular needs of women were not fully identified and addressed. In the first weeks after the disaster women suffered increased stress because of the lack of privacy. There was no opportunity to communicate in privacy with partners, families and intimate friends. Other problems related to women's domestic roles as managers of food and water. There were complaints about the poor quality of the relief grain, the lack of fresh vegetables, and the difficulties and cost of cooking with kerosene rather than on the wood-fired stoves, destroyed in the disaster. The use of buckets rather than water-pots made the water more liable to contamination, and the delivery of water by tanker was not well-organised, leading to a free-for all, and spillage. The following reports describe some of the problems women faced. Eileen Maybin notes the especial vulnerability of widows, and the denial of their rights to land and property. This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis. For the full table of contents for this and previous issues of this journal, please visit the Gender and Development website.

Experience with design and operation of bucket dredges for excavating sand-gravel-boulder soils

1. The use of bucket dredges capable of excavating water-covered, dense sand-gravel-boulder deposits is advisable and effective. 2. The standard bucket ladder can be lightened by reducing the bucket wall thickness, or the bucket capacity can be increased, using the same weight. 3. As a grading device, use should be made of barscreens of the heavy type, SM-690 for instance. 4. With regard to the type of soil transportation to the bank, the machine should be universal, permitting hydrotransportation or use of floating conveyors. 5. Erection and disassembly of bucket dredges is labor- and time-consuming, hence, development of demountable, easily transportable machines should be sped up.