Mechanical Shaking and Baling of Balsam Fir Trees Influence Postharvest Needle Senescence and Abscission

This study investigated the influence of both shaking duration and number of trees per bale on postharvest needle characteristics such as percentage needle loss, needle retention duration and explored the physiological roles of endogenous ethylene and volatile terpene compounds (VTCs). To accomplish these objectives, 25 six-year-old trees were detached and exposed to a range of shaking durations (0 to 60 sec.), and 30 six-year-old detached trees were exposed to baling treatments from 0 to 5 trees. Response variables measured were percent needle loss, needle retention duration, average water use, ethylene and volatile terpene compound evolution. Trees shaken for 60 seconds lost 16% less needle compared to control, which was consistent with the decrease in percent needle loss with increasing shaking duration. Baled trees lost 13% more needles compared to control, but percent needle loss was observed to decrease with increasing number of trees in a bale. These trends corresponded with increasing ethylene and VTC evolutions, where the longer the shaking duration or larger number of trees in a bale, the higher the ethylene and VTC evolutions. One can therefore draw inference that mechanical perturbation as a result of shaking and baling induce biosynthesis and regulation of ethylene and VTC in balsam fir trees in an effort to regulate postharvest needle abscission.

Harvesting Technologies and Costs for Switchgrass Production

As today’s society searches for renewable energy sources that could be an alternative to fossil fuels, biomass and biofuels provide a promising solution. Switchgrass is one of feedstocks that can be utilized as a renewable energy source. When farming, one of the most important considerations is efficiency. This consists of several factors, including time, fuel use, economic and power efficiencies of equipment. Inefficient field operations could increase harvesting costs and in turn could cause hesitation when a farmer decides to participate in biomass production. This literature review will cover the main elements of biomass and biomass handling relating to determining harvesting efficiency and biomass quality for switchgrass round bales. Specifically, the following sections include past research activities relating to biomass harvesting, biomass bale quality during outdoor storage, logistics models, and data collection methods during biomass harvesting. The objective of this review is to examine status and needs for switchgrass round bale harvesting operations and the expenses that come with it.

The Effect of Mechanical Conditioning on Physical Conditions of Miscanthus Plants

Miscanthus is an emerging dedicated energy crop, which can provide excellent yield on marginal lands. However, this crop is more difficult to harvest than many conventional energy crops such as corn stover and switchgrass due to its tall and rigid stalks. Crop samples for laboratory studies were collected from the field and the effects of roll spacing, roll speed, and crop input of a mechanical conditioning device on the physical conditions of miscanthus were studied in a lab setting. Test results showed that mechanical conditioning is effective to change the physical conditions of miscanthus to make baling possible or easier. Results also showed that the roll spacing had the most significant impact on the physical conditions of miscanthus, shown by a 115% increase in conditioning over a 0.95 cm (75%) reduction in roll spacing. Increased roll spacing and speed were shown to decrease the amount of torque required to condition the miscanthus.

哮喘、慢支和过敏性肺炎的支气管肺泡灌洗液细胞学分析

目的：为了解支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）细胞学在哮喘、慢性支气管炎（慢支）和过敏性肺炎（HP）的特征。方法：分别对16例哮喘，15例慢支，16例过敏性肺炎患者的BALF中细胞分类计数、T淋巴细胞亚群及HLA－DR进行了测定。结果：哮喘患者BALF中嗜酸细胞及淋巴细胞表面HLA－DR明显高于慢支和过敏性肺炎组（P＜0．01）；过敏性肺炎的淋巴细胞、CDS8+细胞明显高于哮喘和慢支组（P＜0．01）；慢支组中性粒细胞明显高于哮喘和过敏性肺炎组（P＜0．01）。结论：测定BALF中细胞分类计数、T细胞亚群及HLA－DR，对鉴别哮喘、慢支和过敏性肺炎有指导作用，对研究各自不同的病理生理学过程也可提供有益的线索。

产品消费中ALE、BALE与满意和口传行为关系的实证研究

消费情绪对满意有重要影响。在产品消费中,以往研究主要针对产品属性和商店环境引发的情绪与满意的关系进行,本文在文献回顾的基础上,将产品消费中由营销者可控因素引发的消费情绪进一步划分为属性水平的情绪(Attribute-level Emotions,简称ALE)和属性水平以外的情绪(Beyond Attribute-level Emotions,简称BALE),并深入研究二者与满意的关系。定性研究和定量研究的结果表明,BALE在产品消费中确实存在;引发BALE的营销者可控因素主要有服务、商店环境、广告、销售促进和公共关系;属性水平的正面情绪和负面情绪、属性水平以外的负面情绪对满意都有直接影响,并通过满意对口传行为产生间接影响。文章最后提出了本研究对管理实践的启示、研究的局限之处及未来的研究方向。

产品消费情绪与满意的关系研究

将产品消费中由营销者可控因素引发的消费情绪划分为属性水平的情绪(Attribute-level Emotions,简称ALE)和属性水平以外的情绪(Beyond Attribute-level Emotions,简称BALE)两类,建立ALE、BALE与满意关系的结构模型。以333份有效样本对假说进行了检验。实证研究的结果表明:属性水平的正面情绪和负面情绪、属性水平以外的负面情绪对满意有显著影响。最后提出研究结果的启示。

Structure and Natural Regeneration Status of Woody Plants of Berbere Afromontane Moist Forest, Bale Zone, South East Ethiopia;Implication to Biodiversity Conservation

The study was conducted on Berbere Forest in Bale Zone of Oromia Regional State, south east of Ethiopia with the objective of determining the structural analysis and natural regeneration status of the forest. Systematic sampling method was used to collect vegetation data. Seventy two nest quadrat sizes of 400 m2 (20 m × 20 m) for trees and shrubs were used. Within the main quadrat, two opposite side of each sub-quadrat of 25 m2 (5 m × 5 m) for sapling, 4 m2 (2 m × 2 m) for seedling of woody plants. The diameter and height were measured for all individual trees and shrubs having DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) ≥ 10 cm thick and ≥2 m height by using a diameter tape or caliper and clinometer respectively. For description and analysis of vegetation structure Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), basal area, tree density, height, frequency and important value index were used. Structural analysis of some selected tree species was revealed four different population patterns (bell shaped, inverted J-shaped, irregular and U-shaped). The total basal area of Berbere forest was 87.49 m2/ha, but most of the basal area was contributed by few large sized Moraceae family (Ficus vasta, Ficus ovate and Ficus thonningii) plant species. Analysis of regeneration status of woody plants in the forest showed 37.09% trees/shrubs species exhibited “good”, 19.35% showed “fair”, 6.45% showed “poor” and 25.81% trees/shrubs species were “not regenerating” at all and 11.29% trees/shrubs species were available only in sapling or seedling stage. Studies on the structure and regeneration of the forest indicated that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. Therefore, based on the results of this study, we recommended detail regenerating studies of seed bank in relation to various environmental factors such as soil type and properties.

Climate change under CMIP5-RCP scenarios in Ethiopia:The Bale mountains ecoregion

The Bale mountains ecoregion in Ethiopia provides a number of benefits for the local communities mainly in terms of water supply,power generation,tourism activity,and irrigation development.Notwithstanding,the ecoregion has been characterized primarily by recurring floods and droughts,as well as crop failure due to a variety of natural and human-activity-driven change factors.As a matter of fact,the purpose of this study would be to examine long-term changes and fluctuation in precipitation(PCP),maximum temperature(T_(max)),and minimum temperature(T_(min))in the Bale mountains ecoregion using ensembles of three climate models with three representative concentration pathways(RCPs)scenarios from the coupled model inter-comparison project phase five(CMIP5)dataset.Statistical downscaling model(SDSM)was applied to project PCP,T_(max),and T_(min)in the forthcoming period considering three RCPs:low emission(RCP2.6),intermediate(RCP4.5),and high emission(RCP8.5).SDSM's performance in capturing historical daily PCP,T_(max),and T_(min)has been validated using standard statistical metrics such as coefficient of determination(R^(2)),Nash Sutcliff efficiency(NSE),and root mean square error(RMSE).SDSM has the potential to generate a statistical transfer function between large-scale variables and local climate,allowing PCP,T_(max),and T_(min) to be downscaled to a point scale for the ecoregion.The magnitude of mean yearly changes in PCP,T_(max),and T_(min) were investigated throughout three thirty-year time slices,corresponding to the 2020s,2050s,and 2080s.The Mann-Kendall non-parametric test was used to analyse trends in PCP,T_(max),and T_(min) from 2011 to 2100.Inter-annual variability in PCP,T_(max),and T_(min) were investigated for the aforementioned period,taking standard deviation into account under each RCP scenarios.The results reveal that mean annual PCP,T_(max),and T_(min) are rising in all three time slices and in all three CMIP5 RCP scenarios as compared to the baseline scenario.Mean annual PCP is projected to increase within the uncertainty range of 6.68% to 17.93%(RCP2.6),7.45% to 21.94%(RCP4.5),and 19.70% to 33.69%(RCP4.5)(RCP8.5).T_(max) increases from 0.04℃ to 0.24℃(RCP2.6),0.05℃ to 0.31℃(RCP4.5),and 0.04℃ to 0.42℃(RCP8.5),whereas T_(min) increases from 0.22℃ to 0.52℃(RCP2.6),0.23℃ to 0.67℃(RCP4.5),and 0.26℃ to 1.14℃(RCP8.5)(RCP8.5).For future projections at the end of the 21^(st) century,the mean annual PCP,T_(max),and T_(min) for all three analysed climate models and RCPs have shown a positive trend.The inter-annual variability of PCP,T_(max),and T_(min) is higher in the RCP8.5 than RCP4.5 and RCP2.6 in all climate models.The findings clearly implied that prior understanding of long-term climate change and variability need to be addressed to plan effective and efficient mitigation strategies,as well as to maintain adequate quantity and quality of water supplies to the communities residing in the ecoregion.

Stress Relaxation and Creep of Straw Bales

Loading ability of straw bales was tested by using an Electronical Testing Machine.Linear regression models were proposed to describe the loading ability as a function of failure density and compressing energy.Based on an exponent model,the testing compression coefficients of straw bales were estimated by using the Levenberg–Marquardt Method.Results showed that the relation among failure density,loading ability and compressing energy was linear in the phase of high density.Loading ability of straw bales could meet the requirement for building bills.

Evidence for Neurotoxicity from Quinoline Antimalaria Drugs: Four Personal Accounts

Background: The adverse effects of mefloquine and other quinoline antimalaria drugs can be severe and long-lasting. We believe that the trigger for these effects may be drug-induced hepatocellular damage that causes, firstly, a spillage of retinoids into the circulation (and hence a direct toxic effect on the brain and other target organs), and secondly, disruption of the liver-thyroid axis (and hence a pattern of specific bipolar symptoms such as is often seen in thyroid disease). Methods: We sought recently-published lay accounts of adverse effects in users of quinoline antimalaria drugs, to test these lay descriptions against our hypothesis on the likely pathogenesis of these effects. Results: We found six lay accounts that described four different experiences of adverse effects arising from the prophylactic use of quinoline antimalaria drugs. All four travellers were healthy, at the start of travel. Two of the travellers experienced severe psychoses, and one had a mild psychosis. The fourth traveller, a serving US soldier, killed 16 unarmed Afghan civilians. Analysis of these accounts shows that, based on our hypothesis, all four travellers had at least one risk factor (most commonly, concurrent alcohol use), for developing a severe reaction to their quinoline antimalaria drug. Our hypothesis therefore predicted a severe adverse drug reaction in each of these four travellers. We also identified a hitherto unrecognized risk factor for developing a severe reaction to quinoline antimalaria drugs—namely, the concurrent use of anabolic steroids. Conclusions: Lay accounts of drug adverse effects can help initiate or further develop medical hypotheses of their pathogenesis. We advise that the quinoline class of antimalaria drugs should be prescribed cautiously, and that mefloquine should not now be prescribed for malaria prophylaxis, under any circumstances whatsoever. Where persistent adverse effects have resulted from the historical use of quinoline antimalaria drugs, we propose a five-point management strategy that we believe will in most cases cause symptoms to abate rapidly: 1) stop taking the quinoline drug;2) stop alcohol, and stop all other liver-damaging drugs, including anabolic steroids, hormonal contraception, hormone replacement therapy, recreational drugs, antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics;3) maintain good hydration, using non-fluoridated drinking water;4) temporarily eliminate dietary vitamin A;as an additional and optional therapeutic measure, 5) lower the concentration of circulating retinoids through phlebotomy, plasmapheresis or hirudotherapy.

Verification of RFID System Usability in Silage Bale Life Cycle Management

Digitalization has nowadays raised interest in variable applications of farming.Increase of knowledge level,by means of unique identification,automation and control,farmers gain relevant business profit.This research is focused on the utilization of passive radio frequency identification(RFID)technology in silage bale application,both manual and automated level.Challenges arise due to silage conservation,varying environmental and seasonal conditions,different identification environments and RFID operation principle.Further maximum communication signal strength is limited by telecommunication standard regulations(e.g.,ETSI).The applicability of RFID technology with different commercial passive transponders is measured manually in a silage bale of 160 cm in diameter,covering 360 degrees around the bale.In addition,automated field tests are conducted in a real environment,where the data collection system is appended to a tractor and RFID reader antenna in a baler.Manual measurements are conducted as identification distance(meters)and transponder population(number of tags),while automated measurements are based on the number of successfully identified silage bales.Based on the manual measurement results,the most suitable tags for the automated field measurements were chosen,and the applicability to silage bale identification was verified.Field tests showed 100%success,with 151/151 uniquely identified silage bales.Achieved results prove that passive RFID operates well enough in silage bale identification,further enabling the development of digitalization of silage bale life cycle.

Utilization of mechanical compression as a disinfestation technique for Hessian fly(Mayetiola destructor(say))in timothy hay:Field test

Baled timothy hay underwent testing at a hay processing plant in Canada to determine if mechanical compression(rebaling)could be used as a disinfestation protocol for Hessian fly(Mayetiola destructor(Say))puparia.Pressure sensitive films were randomly placed throughout the hay material,on the chamber walls,and in different orientations,to assess the hay compaction unit’s ability to induce the required pressure to crash a Hessian fly puparium in the hay.Attached to the pressure films were organdy cages containing wheat seedlings infested with Hessian fly puparia.The variables which were tested included the hold time(0.5 and 2.0 s),applied pressure(10.34 and 12.41 MPa),and timothy hay quality(low-moisture first cut,high-moisture first cut and high-moisture second cut hay).A total of 36 tests were conducted.For each test,10 Hessian fly cages and 10 pressure sensitive films were used.Each test cage contained approximately 168.56 Hessian fly puparia,translating into a total Hessian fly count of 60681 for the entire field test.Analysis of the pressure sensitive films showed that 100%of the hay experienced at least 200 kPa(29 psi)of pressure.Following the 75-day post experiment emergence period,0.0066%of the puparia survived,which may be due to the fact that the emerged puparia might have not been crushed and not subjected to a pressure of at least 20.6 kPa.The applied pressures affected Hessian fly emergence by considerably reducing the number of puparia that emerged.However,Hessian fly emerged from one of the cages in two tests.Most of the Hessian fly puparia were destroyed irrespective of the applied pressure,hold time or hay quality.

Study on round rice straw bale wrapping silage technology and facilities

Specific to problems of the existing round bale wrapping machine in China,such as small application scope and failing to satisfy the wrapping demands of round bales of different specifications,a tumbler-type round bale wrapping machine based on wrapping silage with stretch film was designed.By theoretical analysis and preliminary experiments of the corresponding wrapping process,revolving speed of tumbler,speed ratio between tumbler and carrier rollers,and pre-load force of stretch film were determined as experimental factors,while wrapping time and consumption of stretch film per unit mass of round bale were determined as evaluation indexes.Furthermore,quadratic regression orthogonal rotational combination experimental design was adopted to carry out the wrapping experiment.The regression models were set up,and influencing rules of experimental factors on evaluation indexes were also analyzed.The optimal parameter combination scheme was revolving speed of tumbler of 31-32 r/min,speed ratio between tumbler and carrier rollers of 2.6,and pre-load force of stretch film of 20-22 N.Under such a circumstance,the corresponding wrapping time required was 37.7-38.9 s and consumption of stretch film per unit mass of round bale was 3.21-3.46 kg/t.The predicted values and the measured values of evaluation indexes basically coincided with each other and the relative error fell below 5%,which indicated that both the optimized regression models acquired through the wrapping experiment and the relevant parameter optimization results were reliable.To guarantee the quality of rice straw silage,the round bale should be wrapped by no less than five layers of stretch films through the utilization of the tumbler-type round bale wrapping machine.The study results could be used as references for research and development of the round bale wrapping machine.

Performance test and process parameter optimization of 9FF type square bale straw crusher

In order to solve the problem of low productivity,unqualified segment length and high energy consumption during the process of crushing square bale straw caused by improper operation parameters,a 9FF square bale straw crusher was developed.In this study,by taking maize straw as the test material,the feeding speed,spindle speed of the crushing device and the state of the crushing device were taken as influence factors,and standard straw length rate,productivity per net working hour(hereinafter referred to as NWH)and energy consumption per ton of product as test indicators,the influence of the factors on the indicators were studied,and tests were carried out on the process of square bale straw crushing.By adopting the single factor test on the effect of the feeding speed,the spindle speed of the crushing device and the state of the crushing device on the test indicators,the suitable range of each factor was determined,respectively.Using the orthogonal test method,range method,variance method and comprehensive balance method,the experiment analyzed the significance of the influence of the three factors on various indicators and the order of priority.The test results showed that:the feeding speed was 5 m/min,spindle speed was 3000 r/min,and the state of the crushing device was a mixing cutter hammer,which was the best parameter combination(A1B1C1)for the processing technology of the square bale forage crusher.The standard straw length rate was 93.7%,and the productivity per NWH was 2.80 t/h,with energy consumption per ton of 4.72 kW·h/t,in which the standard straw length rate and productivity per NWH reached optimal values,and the energy consumption per ton of product was slightly higher than the optimal value in the experiment.The research results can provide a reference for the optimal design of the special crusher for square bale straw.

Changes and drivers of afro-alpine forest ecosystem: future trajectories and management strategies in Bale eco-region, Ethiopia

Introduction:Ecosystem change and respective conservation needs were at top priority areas in the globe especially at biodiversity hotspot zones and places of endemism like Bale eco-region.In this aspect,this study had tried to assess historical landscape changes of afro-alpine forest ecosystem with its respective driving forces and effectiveness of different institutional arrangements to protect this ecosystem.Methods:The study utilized satellite imagery from Landsat series starting from 1986 to 2016,ground truth data from GPS-based field survey,focus group discussions,and reconnaissance field survey.Historical landscape maps were prepared with a mix of supervised and unsupervised image classification methods.Future landscape change simulation was undertaken by using cellular automata modeling on Dynamic Environment for Geoprocessing Objects(Dinamica EGO)software.Beyond areal change and transition of landscape elements,level of ecosystem fragmentation was assessed with FRAGSTAT software.Results:Results have shown that there is encroachment of human-induced land use patterns especially agriculture and grazing while closed canopy forest and woodland ecosystems have decreased in their extent.Simulation outputs for the coming three decades have also shown similar patterns with historical trends.Beyond changes in areal extent,landscape matrix analysis results indicated that there is increasing class and landscape level fragmentation both in its historical and future probable likelihoods.Effectiveness of different management strategies at different institutional arrangement were differ in their effectiveness that federal and regional government were not able to curve landscape change.Conclusions:In conclusion,increasing population pressure and weak policy implementation and legal enforcement has caused threats for alpine forest ecosystem in Bale eco-region.Except participatory forest management,management strategies at different institutional arrangements were failed to conserve forest.These calls reinnovated participatory forest management strategies that base community participation while simultaneously keeps livelihoods demands of local community.

通天大圣 GARETH BALE

降魔伏妖 进入2013年后攻入7粒英超进球,名列联赛第一;近7场俱乐部比赛连进9球(期间国际比赛日上还代表威尔士队进l球);本赛季已打入16粒联赛进球,仅次于苏亚雷斯(21球)和范佩西(19球),也超越了2007-2008赛季贝尔巴托夫创造的托特纳姆单赛季个人进球纪录;本赛季从禁区外攻入6球,五大联赛中仅梅西与他并列;本赛季联赛在客场攻入11粒进球,托特纳姆队史上此前只有2人英超单赛季客场进球上双,分别是谢林汉姆(1994-1995赛季)和罗比·基恩(2005-2006)…… 如果这么多华丽的数据还不能将贝尔的大爆发描述出来,那接下来的数据将更为震撼:贝尔本赛季各项赛事已经攻入20球,将个人赛季纪录(上赛季的12球)大幅刷新;托特纳姆最近11球中,贝尔进了9个(另外两个由西于尔兹松和伦农分别攻入);托特纳姆一度连续5粒英超进球全由贝尔包办,队史上此前只有2人拥有这一成就:谢林汉姆(1993-1994赛季)和卡努特(2003-2004赛季);贝尔的16粒联赛进球,直接为球队带来了18个积分,这在英超仅次于范佩西,荷兰人的19球为曼联带来了22分.凭借这样的状态,贝尔获得了英超2月最佳球员的称号,而主帅博阿斯也利益均沾,拿到了最佳教练奖.