8,018 research outputs found
Practical determination of cane wagon derailment forces for the Australian sugar industry
No full textDerailments are a significant cost to the Australian sugar industry with damage to rail infrastructure and rolling stock in excess of $2 M per annum. Many factors can contribute to cane rail derailments. The more prevalent factors are discussed. Derailment statistics on likely causes for cane rail derailments are presented with the case of empty wagons on the main line being the highest contributor to business cost. Historically, the lateral to vertical wheel load ratio, termed the derailment ratio, has been used to indicate the derailment probability of rolling stock. When the derailment ratio reaches the Nadal limit of 0.81 for cane rail operations, there is a high probability that a derailment will occur. Contributing factors for derailments include the operating forces, the geometric variables of the rolling stock and the geometric deviations of the railway track. These combined, have the capacity to affect the risk of derailment for a cane rail transport operating system. The derailment type that is responsible for creating the most damage to assets and creating mill stops is the flange climb derailment, as these derailments usually occur at speed with a full rake of empty wagons. The typical forces that contribute to the flange climb derailment case for cane rail operations are analysed and a practical derailment model is developed to enable operators to better appreciate the most significant contributing factors to this type of derailment. The paper aims to: (a) improve awareness of the significance of physical operating parameters so that these principles can be included in locomotive driver training and (b) improve awareness of track and wagon variables related to the risk of derailment so that maintainers of the rail system can allocate funds for maintenance more effectively
The water relations and irrigation requirements of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum): a review.
No full textThe results of research on the water relations and irrigation needs of sugar
cane are collated and summarized in an attempt to link fundamental studies on
crop physiology to irrigation practices. Background information on the centres
of production of sugar cane is followed by reviews of (1) crop development,
including roots; (2) plant water relations; (3) crop water requirements; (4)
water productivity; (5) irrigation systems and (6) irrigation scheduling. The
majority of the recent research published in the international literature has
been conducted in Australia and southern Africa. Leaf/stem extension is a more
sensitive indicator of the onset of water stress than stomatal conductance or
photosynthesis. Possible mechanisms by which cultivars differ in their responses
to drought have been described. Roots extend in depth at rates of 5-18 mm d-
1 reaching maximum depths of > 4 m in ca. 300 d providing there are no physical
restrictions. The Penman-Monteith equation and the USWB Class A pan both give
good estimates of reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo). The corresponding
values for the crop coefficient (Kc) are 0.4 (initial stage), 1.25 (peak season)
and 0.75 (drying off phase). On an annual basis, the total water-use (ETc) is in
the range 1100-1800 mm, with peak daily rates of 6-15 mm d-1. There is a linear
relationship between cane/sucrose yields and actual evapotranspiration (ETc)
over the season, with slopes of about 100 (cane) and 13 (sugar) kg (ha mm)-1
(but variable). Water stress during tillering need not result in a loss in yield
because of compensatory growth on re-watering. Water can be withheld prior to
harvest for periods of time up to the equivalent of twice the depth of available
water in the root zone. As alternatives to traditional furrow irrigation, drag-
line sprinklers and centre pivots have several advantages, such as allowing the
application of small quantities of water at frequent intervals. Drip irrigation
should only be contemplated when there are well-organized management systems in
place. Methods for scheduling irrigation are summarized and the reasons for
their limited uptake considered. In conclusion, the ‘drivers for change',
including the need for improved environmental protection, influencing technology
choice if irrigated sugar cane production is to be sustainable are summariz
Colonos, central factories, and renegotiation:. A Fixed Effects Analysis of the Adoption of New Technologies in the Cuban Sugar Industry, 1899-1929.
No full textThis paper focuses on the relationship between technical and institutional changes in Cuba a leader in the use of continuousprocess technologies being applied to cane sugar manufacture in the first three decades of the twentieth century. Using a fixed effects model of the sugar manufacturer's decision to invest in new technologies, we show that a change in institutional factors had an impact on the adoption of the new technologies. The results show that differences in cane contracting arrangements affected the ease with which mills adopted new technologies. These differences were based on historical factors in the evolution of the cane farming institution in Cuba that affected whether the cane lands were the property of the farmer or the mill. This distinction created differences in the cane farmers' bargaining positions in the renegotiation of contracts with the mill, and it resulted in variation in the long-run costs of procuring cane at different mills.Economic History; Institutional Economics; Vertical integration; Economics of technology;
Caratteristiche dell'emogramma nel Cane da Montagna dei Pirenei
No full textSono stati raccolti i risultati di 150 emogrammi (CBC) di Cani da Montagna dei Pirenei eseguiti presso il Laboratorio di Biochimica ed Ematologia Clinica Veterinaria, Dipartimento di Clinica Veterinaria dell’Università di Pisa. Da questi sono stati selezionati 133 emogrammi appartenenti a soggetti clinicamente sani. Sono stati presi in esame 12 parametri ematologici: conta eritrocitaria (RBC), emoglobina (HGB), ematocrito (HCT), concentrazione emoglobinica corpuscolare media (MCHC), volume corpuscolare medio (MCV), ampiezza di distribuzione eritrocitaria (RDW), piastrine (PLT), conta leucocitaria (WBC), valori assoluti di neutrofili, eosinofili, linfociti e monociti con l’obiettivo di individuare caratteristiche proprie di questa razza ed eventuali variazioni dei parametri ematologici rispetto agli intervalli di riferimento per la specie canina in uso presso il suddetto laboratorio. Il CBC è stato effettuato su campioni di sangue addizionati con K3-EDTA, tramite un contaglobuli a impedenza elettrica; la formula leucocitaria e la valutazione morfologica degli eritrociti sono state realizzate attraverso l’osservazione al microscopio dello striscio ematico colorato con metodica Diff-Quik. Nel 50% degli strisci ematici sono state osservate alterazioni della morfologia eritrocitaria con maggior frequenza per poichilocitosi, anisocitosi e policromasia; tra le alterazioni della forma sono risultati di più frequente riscontro echinociti e acantociti, seguiti da altri tipi di poichilociti. I dati ottenuti dagli emogrammi hanno evidenziato una differenza significativa in base all’età per i parametri RBC, HGB, RDW, WBC e una differenza significativa in base al sesso per MCV e PLT. Gli intervalli di riferimento sono stati convalidati per 9 parametri ematologici (RBC, HGB, MCHC, RDW, PLT, WBC, valori assoluti di neutrofili, linfociti e monociti), mentre sono stati variati per gli altri 3 (HCT, MCV ed eosinofili), con la creazione di nuovi intervalli di riferimento razza-specifici per il Cane da Montagna dei Pirenei. La futura elaborazione di intervalli di riferimento razza-specifici potrebbe rendersi utile poiché costituisce un ulteriore criterio per la corretta interpretazione clinica dei dati di laboratorio nella specie canina
A Fixed Effects Analysis of the Adoption of New Technologies in the Cuban Sugar Industry, 1899-1929
No full textThis paper focuses on the relationship between technical and
institutional changes in Cuba a leader in the use of continuousprocess
technologies being applied to cane sugar manufacture in
the first three decades of the twentieth century. Using a fixed
effects model of the sugar manufacturer's decision to invest in
new technologies, we show that a change in institutional factors
had an impact on the adoption of the new technologies. The
results show that differences in cane contracting arrangements
affected the ease with which mills adopted new technologies.
These differences were based on historical factors in the
evolution of the cane farming institution in Cuba that affected
whether the cane lands were the property of the farmer or the
mill. This distinction created differences in the cane farmers'
bargaining positions in the renegotiation of contracts with the
mill, and it resulted in variation in the long-run costs of
procuring cane at different mills
Control of the sugar cane harvester topper
No full textOperation of a mechanical sugar cane harvester is a skill and labour intensive task. The operator has many functions to manually control under difficult conditions. The focus of this paper will be one of these functions: the topper. The height at which the topper cuts the cane stalk has considerable effect on the quality of the product, and ultimately the return to the grower. A sensor has been constructed that will measure and return a real-time signal of the height of cut on the cane stalk by the topper. It is proposed that the introduction of some form of closed loop control system for the topper may reduce the responsibility of the harvester operator
Production of microbial transglutaminase on media made from sugar cane molasses and glycerol
No full textTransglutaminase is an enzyme that catalyses an acyl transfer reaction between γ-carboxamide groups of glutaminyl residues and lysine residues in proteins. Due to this property, this enzyme is used for enhancing textural properties of protein-rich food. The transglutaminase used as food additive is obtained by microorganisms, mainly by Streptoverticillium ladakanum. On the other hand, sugar cane molasses is a viscous liquid rich in noncrystallized carbohydrates (saccharose, glucose and fructose). In this work, the feasibility of using sugar cane molasses as a carbon source for the production of microbial transglutaminase by Streptoverticillium ladakanum NRRL 3191 has been studied. Carbon sources including sugar cane molasses (60 g of total sugars per L), glycerol (60 g/L) and their mixture in a ratio of 1:1 (30 g/L of each) were evaluated. Time course of microbial growth, transglutaminase activity and carbon source consumption were determined every 24 h during 120 h of fermentations at three agitation speeds (200, 300 or 400 rpm). The results showed that with the increase in agitation speed, the biomass concentration increased up to 8.39 g/L in the medium containing sugar cane molasses alone or the mixture of molasses and glycerol. The highest transglutaminase activity was obtained at 400 rpm in the medium containing a mixture of molasses and glycerol, reaching 0.460 U/mL, while in the medium containing sugar cane molasses alone, the activity was 0.240 U/mL, and using glycerol alone it was 0.250 U/mL. These results show that sugar cane molasses is a suitable medium for transglutaminase production when it is combined with glycerolA grant from FOMIX CONACYT – Gobierno de Tamaulipas (Ref. 2004/1055) to author Portilla-Rivera is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are grateful to Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain) for the financial support of this work (Project: AGL2006-08250/ALI)S
Exclosures as a means of controlling the impact of cane toads
No full textA review of the impact and control of cane toads in Australia with recommendations for future research and management approaches: A report to the Vertebrate Pests Committee from the National Cane Toad Task Force / R. Taylor and G. Edwards (eds.): pp. 25-33Here we address the exclusion strategy as a means of mitigating cane toad impacts and
provide estimates of the cost of isolating long-term viable populations of potentially
susceptible native fauna, and managing these areas to remain free of cane toads. We also
describe briefly the physical means of applying exclusion structures and analyse the
potential capital and recurring costs.Barry W. Brook and Peter J. Whitehea
Survey of plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes in New South Wales cane-growing areas
No full textPlant-parasitic nematodes are important pests of sugarcane worldwide, causing more than $80 million loss in productivity per year in Australia. A second group of nematodes are known as 'free-living' and feed on bacteria, fungi or on other nematodes. Free-living nematodes are vital contributors to soil health through their involvement in mobilisation of nitrogen and carbon and are important indicators of soil health. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of plant-parasitic nematodes and their potential impact on sugarcane production in three mill areas in New South Wales, and the use of nematode community analysis to determine the soil health of the surveyed sugarcane farms. Soil samples were collected from 43 locations from three mill areas, Broadwater, Condong, and Harwood. Sixteen farms (37%) surveyed had medium (>300 nematodes/200 g soil) and 19 farms (44%) had high (>800 nematodes/200 g soil) numbers of root-lesion nematodes. Spiral nematodes were the only other abundant species and occurred in all farms surveyed. A nematode hazard index (HI) was developed by adding the weighted number of plant-parasitic nematodes. Approximately 93% of surveyed farms had medium (>300) to high (>800) HI values, an indication of moderate (5% to 20%) to high (>20%) potential yield loss. Soil food-web indices and metabolic-footprint indices also indicated perturbation of sugarcane soil and a farming system dominated by herbivorous nematodes. This survey demonstrated that plant-parasitic nematodes are prevalent in New South Wales cane-growing areas and are probably causing yield loss.Full Tex
Características nutricionais com ênfase no ferro e capacidade antioxidante de melados produzidos em Santa Catarina
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição, Florianópolis, 2010O melado é um alimento natural, doce e de boa aceitação pelos consumidores, mas ainda pouco estudado. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar as características nutricionais de melados produzidos em Santa Catarina. Para isso, foram observadas algumas características da produção, foi feita a composição centesimal, a determinação do teor de ferro, cálcio, cobre, polifenóis totais e capacidade antioxidante. Além disso, foi realizada uma entrevista sobre o conhecimento e o consumo de melado em uma amostra populacional. Foram analisadas 13 amostras de melados catarinenses, as quais são produzidas em tachos de ferro, cobre ou aço inoxidável. As amostras apresentaram em média 75,51g% de carboidratos, 0,94g% de proteínas, menos de 0,2g% de lipídeos, 0,7g% de cinzas, 19,72g% de umidade, 24,02mg% de cálcio e 1,34mg% de cobre. Foi verificado um valor médio de 0,54mg% de ferro no caldo da cana. Em 13 amostras de melado, foram encontrados em média, 3,30mg% de ferro e 2,958mg GAE/g de polifenóis totais. Quanto à capacidade antioxidante, os melados tiveram a média de EC50 = 0,00014g /g DPPH. Foi verificado que os melados de Santa Catarina contêm ferro em quantidades variáveis, que a cana também apresenta ferro na sua composição e o material dos utensílios parece não influenciar o teor de ferro dos produtos. Foi observado também um alto conteúdo de polifenóis e uma alta capacidade antioxidante. A aplicação do questionário mostrou que o melado é consumido de diversas formas por mais da metade dos entrevistados e destes, 36% fez menção ao melado ser rico em ferro ou indicado para combater a anemia ferropriva. São necessários mais estudos com melados de diferentes locais, investigando seu teor e biodisponibilidade de ferro, conteúdo de polifenóis e efeitos de sua atividade antioxidante.Sugar cane syrup is a natural food, sweet and well received by consumers, but still little studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the nutritional characteristics of sugar cane syrup produced in Santa Catarina. For this, some aspects of the production were observed, nutricional composition was determined and iron, calcium, copper, total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity were determined. In addition, an interview was conducted on the awareness and consumption of sugar cane syrup in a population sample. Thirteen samples of sugar cane syrups from Santa Catarina were analyzed, which are produced in pots of iron, copper or stainless steel. The samples had an average of 75,51g% carbohydrate, 0,94g% protein, less than 0,2g% lipids, 0,7g% ash, 19,72g% moisture, 24,02mg% calcium and 1,34mg% copper. It was observed an average of 0,54mg% of iron in the cane juice. In 13 samples of sugar cane syrup, were found on average 3.30mg% iron and 2.958mg GAE/g of total polyphenols. The antioxidant capacity, the sugar cane syrup had a mean EC50= 0.00014g/g DPPH. It was found that the sugar cane syrup from Santa Catarina contain iron in varying quantities, the cane also has iron in its composition and material of the utensils does not influence the iron content of the products. It was also observed a high content of polyphenols and a high antioxidant capacity. The application of the questionnaire showed that the sugar cane syrup is consumed in various forms for more than half of respondents and of these, 36% mentioned the sugar cane syrup as rich in iron or effective to combat anemia. Further studies are needed with sugar cane syrup from different locations, investigating its iron content and bioavailability, polyphenol content and effects of its antioxidant activity
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