204 research outputs found
I ciottoli-segnacolo
No full textIl primo dei due tomi che costituiscono l’opera è dedicato alle ricerche e scavi effettuati nella necropoli di Casinalbo a partire dal 1880, e con particolare riguardo alle ricerche effettuate fra il 1994 e il 2009 che hanno portato in luce diverse centinaia di sepolture (cap.1). Segue il catalogo delle tombe con l’edizione grafica di ogni tomba, delle relative planimetrie e sezioni e le analisi dei resti umani (cap. 2). Il secondo tomo include la classificazione tipologica (cap 3), estesa a tutte le necropoli emiliane, venete e della Lombardia orientale, la cronologia (cap. 4), che ha permesso di collocare la necropoli fra il BM2B/3 A e il BR2 (ca. 1450 -1150 a.C.), l’analisi antropologica (cap. 5), l’integrazione dei dati archeologici e antropologici e il conseguente commento alle evidenze distributive e “sociali” (cap. 6), la sequenza pedostratigrafica, le ricerche archeobotaniche, archeozoologiche, lo studio petrografico dei ciottoli segnacolo, le analisi archeometriche della ceramica e due note riguardanti il disco aureo dell’età del bronzo da Casinalbo e il restauro delle urne (capp. 7-13). Conclude il secondo tomo il capitolo delle considerazioni conclusive
Combined Effects of Different LED Light Recipes and Slow-Release Fertilizers on Baby Leaf Lettuce Growth for Vertical Farming: Modeling through DoE
No full textThe modern agriculture system based on open-field crops requires a lot of energy and
resources in terms of soil, water, and chemicals. Vertical farming (VF) systems could be a viable alternative for some types of cultivation that are receiving interest thanks to their high modularity, optimized water and nutrients use, and LEDs employment as an energy-efficient light source. However, VF design and installation are expensive and require well-tailored optimization depending on the specific crop to increase its competitiveness. This work analyzed the effects of different combinations of NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) slow-release fertilizers and LED-based light recipes on the growth of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), taking advantage of the Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology. The type of slow-release fertilizer, its quantity measured as the number of aggregates from 0 to 6, and the type of light recipe were considered as input factors, and their possible influence on the growth of lettuce (in terms of morphological parameters) in a controlled indoor farming system was measured. Results suggest that using higher fertilizer inputs equal to six aggregates leads to an increase of average leaf area equal to 46% (from 13.00 cm2 to 19.00 cm2), while the fresh weight of lettuce increases by 65% (from 1.79 g to 2.96 g). However, the height of plants also depends on the combination of the light recipes. In particular, the separate coupling of higher inputs of two fertilizers and light recipes leads to an increase in the height of lettuce equal to 33% (from 6.00 cm to 8.00 cm)
Experiencing visible and invisible metal casting techniques in the bronze age Italy
No full textL'articolo si concentra su aspetti legati all'archeometallurgia. Si tratta di aspetti "visibili" e cioè legati ad effettivi ritrovamenti archeologici (realizzazione di forme di fusione in pietra e processo di fusione) ma anche "invisibili" come la modalità di realizzazione di oggetti come spade in bronzo con la tecnica della fusione in sabbia
Effects of Different LED Light Recipes and NPK Fertilizers on Basil Cultivation for Automated and Integrated Horticulture Methods
No full textThis study aims to optimize the conditions for “Genovese” basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
germination and growth in an indoor environment suitable for horticulture through a synergic effect
of light and fertilizers addition. In fact, several studies determined that specific light conditions
are capable of enhancing basil growth, but this effect is highly dependent on the environmental
conditions. In this study, the effect of different light sources was determined employing a soil
with a negligible amount of fertilizer, demonstrating substantial improvement when light-emitting
diode (LED) lights (hyper red and deep blue in different combinations) were applied with respect to
daylight (Plants height: +30%, Total fresh mass: +50%). Thereafter, a design of experiment approach
has been implemented to calculate the specific combination of LED lights and fertilizer useful
to optimize the basil growth. A controlled-release fertilizer based on nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium (NPK) derived from agro-residues was compared with a soil enriched in macronutrients.
The results demonstrate significant improvements for the growth parameters with the employment
of the controlled-release NPK with respect to enriched soil combined with a ratio of hyper red and
deep blue LED light equal to 1:3 (Total fresh mass: +100%, Leaves number: +20%)
Preliminary Study on Sustainable NPK Slow-Release Fertilizers Based on Byproducts and Leftovers: A Design-of-Experiment Approach
No full textIn this study, an organic nitrogen-based coating was developed based on black soldier fly (BSF) prepupae reared on
poultry dejections and deposited on ceramic lightweight aggregates (LWAs), containing phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) from
agroresidues, leading to a complete nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer. To obtain a resistant coating with good
adhesion to LWAs, different plasticizing agents were tested (e.g., glycerol, cellulose, and polyethylene glycol). The coating
formulation was optimized through a design-of-experiment (DoE) approach to correlate the effect of each mixture component on
the coating’s performance. BSF biomass was characterized through chemical and thermal routes, as well as the final coated LWAs,
confirming their general agreement to fertilizer’s requirements. Release tests in static conditions highlighted the barrier action of the
coating, preventing uncontrolled release of potassium and phosphorus contained in the LWAs as well as the release of nitrogen after
21 days (near to 20%). Germination and growth tests indicated a valuable increase of the growth index, whereas the germination
process is limited by the coating barrier effect. This work proposes a new product in the field of slow-release fertilizers designed by
rational methodologies and innovative materials based on waste valorization, fully in agreement with a circular economy perspectiv
Statistical optimization of a sustainable fertilizer composition based on black soldier fly larvae as source of nitrogen
No full textIn the present work, a statistical optimization of a sustainable coating for core–shell NPK (Nitrogen–Phosphorus–Potassium) fertilizers was investigated. The environmental green coating was enriched in nitrogen using a biomass and renewable source, namely the nitrogen rich fraction of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia Illucens, Diptera: Stratiomyidae) reared on vegetable waste. A rational approach was proposed with the aim of calculating the best formulation of the coating, considering both its manufacturing behavior, such as adhesion to the core, and its physical properties, such as homogeneity or plasticity. From a circular economy perspective, together with the nitrogen-rich fraction from BSFL (from 51 to 90 wt.%), water and glycerol were considered for the coating formulation in different proportion: from 10 to 32 wt.% and from 0 to 17 wt.% respectively. The Design of Experiments technique was implemented to limit the total number of tests for the coating formulation (18 tests). ANOVA was employed, with the aim of obtaining mathematical models to derive a better precise and objective formulation. The results show that the use of glycerol can be avoided, as well as only a limited amount of water (11 wt.%) is necessary to obtain an optimized coating formulation, thereafter, satisfying the more relevant technological and physical properties for the coating manufacturin
Experimental and computer simulation study of glasses belonging to diopside-anorthite system
No full textThe glasses belonging to the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 quaternary system are materials largely used in industrial applications by virtue of their melting and devitrifible properties. A systematic study of several compositions falling in the anorthite (CaO-Al(2)O(3)2SiO(2))-diopside (CaO-MgO-2SiO(2)) system has been carried out by means of thermal and physical measurements in order to obtain the relationships between the structure and the properties of the glasses. The experimental evidence has been compared to molecular dynamic simulation results. Attention has been devoted to the definition of the structural role in the glass formulation played by Al3+ and Mg2+ which can behave as network formers or modifiers depending on their coordination number in the structure
Quantitative Calculation of the Most Efficient LED Light Combinations at Specific Growth Stages for Basil Indoor Horticulture: Modeling through Design of Experiments
No full textIndoor farms are a promising way to obtain vegetables in standard quantity and quality. As opposed to previous studies, this study attempts to calculate optimized LED light conditions for different growth stages (five-days time step) of basil (Ocimum basilicum) to enhance its indoor growth through a statistical approach. Design of Experiments (DoE) was used to plan a limited number of experiments (20) and to calculate quantitatively the effect of different light recipes on four responses: the number of plants, their height, the Leaf Area Index, and the amount of water used. Different proportions (from 25% to 77%) of Hyper Red (660 nm) and Deep Blue (451 nm), intensities in terms of LEDs–plant distance (60, 70 and 80 cm), and the addition of Warm White (3000 K) LEDs were considered as independent variables. The obtained models suggest that a light recipe tailored for every growth step in the plant’s life is beneficial. Appropriate LEDs must be carefully chosen at the beginning of growth, whereas distance becomes relevant at the end. This is confirmed by the results analysis carried out at the end of an additional growth test where the optimal light recipe extracted from the DoE’s results were used
Effects of LED Lights and New Long-Term-Release Fertilizers on Lettuce Growth: A Contribution for Sustainable Horticulture
No full textThe horticulture sector has been directed by European guidelines to improve its practices related to environmental sustainability. Moreover, the practice of horticulture in urban areas is increasing since it provides fresh products that are locally produced. At the same time, horticulture needs to implement circular economy approaches and energy-efficient models. Therefore, to address these issues, this study investigated the effects of an integrated fertilizer-box-based cultivation system equipped with LED lights and coated porous inorganic materials (C-PIMs), which was applied as fertilizer, on Lactuca sativa L. growth. Two different types of lightweight aggregates were formulated considering agri-food and post-consumer waste, and they were enriched with potassium and phosphorus. Involving waste in the process was part of their valorization in the circular economy. Using PIMs as fertilizers enabled the controlled release of nutrients over time. The tests were carried out in controlled conditions using two LED lighting systems capable of changing their light spectrum according to the growth phases of the plants. The effects of two different lighting schemes on the growth of lettuce plants, in combination with different amounts of aggregates, were studied. The results showed that increasing the amount of C-PIMs statistically improved the lettuce growth in terms of dry biomass production (+60% and +34% for two different types of PIM application) when the plants were exposed to the first LED scheme (LED-1). Plant height and leaf areas significantly increased when exposed to the second LED scheme (LED-2), in combination with the presence of C-PIMs in the soil. The analysis of the heavy metal contents in the lettuce leaves and the soil at the end of the test revealed that these elements remained significantly below the legislated thresholds. The experimental achievements of this study identified a new approach to improve the environmental sustainability of horticulture, especially in an urban/domestic context
Statistical Optimization of a Hyper Red, Deep Blue, and White LEDs Light Combination for Controlled Basil Horticulture
No full textThis study aims to optimize artificial LEDs light conditions, for “Genovese” basil germination and growth in an indoor environment suitable for horticulture. Following a previous study on the synergic effect of LEDs light and a tailored fertilizer, in this study, the effect of white LED in combination with hyper red and deep blue, as well the plants–lights distance, was correlated to 14 growth and germination parameters, such as height, number of plants, etc. A design of experiments approach was implemented, aiming to derive mathematical models with predictive power, employing a restrained number of tests. Results demonstrated that for the germination phase, it is not possible to derive reliable mathematical models because almost the same results were found for all the experiments in terms of a fruitful germination. On the contrary, for the growth phase, the statistical analysis indicates that the distance among plants and lights is the most significant parameter. Nevertheless, correlations with LED light type emerged, indicating that white LEDs should be employed only to enhance specific growth parameters (e.g., to reduce water consumption). The tailored models derived in this study can be exploited to further enhance the desired property of interest in the growth of basil in horticulture
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