bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Implementation for the RPG Boxing Game
Authors: Tsai Chi Ming , Huang Jian Ji , Chen Tsair Rong , Cin Siang Jhih , Chen Ching Mu
Published: September 2016

The analysis and implementation of this paper is applied to a real game boxing machine. The contents of this game boxing machine are consists of three parts that are the UNITY, programming and hardware development. Therefore, in order to have RPG role-play boxing game inside of real game boxing machine, this paper firstly analyzes user requirement and then implement the combined-use in the traditional large boxing machines that will let the players to face the need considering how to fight the contents of RPG role-play boxing game. Moreover, in order to save more time to make 3D animations, motion capture equipment is used called MOCAP to generate characteristics, hero, monsters, and beautiful girls. All body movements of characteristics inside of game boxing machine captured by MOCAP are tied to the body of the head, limbs and torso. Furthermore, those body movements will PhaseSpace to our servers via the Internet passing out after the signal processing MotionBuilder software for recording and output operation. The output file can be transformed into the skeleton and action graphic model and using MAYA software can also do the same way. All procedures in this RPG role-play boxing game design have been successfully interacted both machine side and play side with fun and game new life, and to integrate the actual situation of the game for the future.
Influence of Summer Outdoor Pedestrian Wind Environment Comfort with Height-to-Width Ratios of Arcade in Taiwan
Authors: Su Ying Ming , Chang Hui Ting
Published: September 2016

Arcade, a regional architecture style in Taiwan, is gradually replaced by sidewalk with the prevailing global trends of architecture design, thereby bringing greater challenges to pedestrians comfort. Past researches suggest optimal urban wind regime can mitigate heat island effect and enhance pedestrians comfort level. Therefore, the relationship between arcade and pedestrian wind comfort as well as the influence of arcade’s height-to-width ratios (H/W) on urban wind environment are worth a thorough research. This study takes Farglory Kyoto Community as the example. Arcades in three varied sizes are compared: In Case 1, height-to-width ratio (H/W) =1.25; Case 2(H/W=1.54); Case 3(H/W=0.75). In Aug 2016, field measurement was conducted comparable anal++ysis on outdoor environmental comfort. The field measurement result indicates that, wind environment is more stable for arcade than sidewalk, and that air temperature of arcade is 3.9 °C lower than sidewalk, thereby concluding arcade tends to generate more pedestrian wind comfort in summer. The measurement result of Thermo GEAR G100EXD suggests, during the hottest time at noon, the difference between air temperature on sidewalk and on arcade reaches 8 °C. This study also proves that in subtropical climates, arcade is more likely to provide pedestrians with higher comfort level, and that air temperature on arcade is 3.9°C lower than outdoors. The lower the height-to-width ratio is, the more comfortable the environment appears to be.
The Application of Research Methods in Soil Macropores in Vadose Zone of Well Vegetated Slope
Authors: Xu Zong Heng , Li Ling Xu , Ma Ming Chang
Published: September 2016

Currently, there are various research methods for soil macropores in vadose zone of well vegetated slope. They include theoretical and experimental research methods, which are water breakthrough curve and tension infiltrometer, dying and slicing. The emerging and noninvasive technique of CT and NMR technology break through many bottlenecks for soil macropores study that have many advantages such as nondestructive, accuracy, comprehensiveness, quickness compared to traditional methods that have disadvantages of destructive, qualitative and the accurate results , but themselves possess significant shortcomings, for example, operation need professional technology and high expense that restrict the popularize and apply. Combining with many years of research experience of the author in macropore, based on theoretical and experimental methods, this paper introduces the commonly used methods in macropores study and their advantages and disadvantages. In the end, the existing problems were discussed and the future research was put forward.
Investigating on the Hot Compression Behavior of 2101 Lean Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Yang Yin Hui , Bai Yu Liang
Published: September 2016

The high temperature deformation behavior of 2101 duplex stainless steel has been investigated in the temperature ranges of 900-1150°C and strain rate ranges of 0.001-1s-1. Increasing strain rate from 0.001 to 1s-1 was contributed to austenite dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of specimens with deformation temperature of 900°C, but the DRX effect was weakened due to coarsening of equiaxial grains by increasing deformation temperature to 1050 and 1150°C. The effect of ferrite dynamic recovery (DRV) was enhanced with deformation temperature from 900 to 1050°C, then which was weakened with further increasing deformation temperature to 1150°C. By regression, the deformation equation and activity energy of 457.93 kJ/mol in these deformation conditions was obtained.
The Green Building’s Spatial Characteristics in Traditional Residence
Authors: Yang Li , Qian Feng
Published: September 2016

With the rapid development of urbanization, human requirement of residential buildings becomes higher and higher. Ecological and environmental design are the main theme. This paper mainly introduces the nationality characteristics and ecological design idea of the traditional stilted building projecting in Kaili City, Miao and Dong Nationality Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. Stilted buildings are simple and practical, Ecological organic, energetic architecture which deserve to be developed.
Effect of Changes in Temperature on Resilient Materials Dynamic Stiffness and Floor Impact Sound
Authors: Kim Kyoung Woo , Jeong A Yeong , Shin Hye Kyung , Yeon Jun Oh
Published: September 2016

Floor impact sound is one noise in apartment houses that cannot be avoided. In order to reduce floor impact sound, a floating floor system using resilient materials has been generally applied. Floor impact sound insulation performance of the floating floor system is dependent on the physical property (dynamic stiffness) of resilient materials. This study investigated the effect of temperature changes on resilient materials used in the floating floor system and on dynamic stiffness. Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) were used as resilient materials, and dynamic stiffness was measured during three stages of temperature change condition. The measurement result showed that as the temperature decreased, dynamic stiffness also increased. This study also analyzed the effect of changes in outdoor temperature on the heavyweight impact sound level with respect to concrete buildings with wall slabs. The floor impact sound level tended to increase during the winter season, when the outdoor temperature was low.
The Study on the Relationship between the Deformation of Resistance and Temperature and Rate of Ti-IF Steel
Authors: Xia Liang Liang , Zhang Gui Jie , Ma Chun Hong , Liu Quan Yi , Li Kun Kun , Gao Hua
Published: September 2016

With the rapid development of automobile industry, automobile panel material has also gained great attention, the IF steel has got more and more applications in automobile panel production for its excellent deep drawing propertie s, such as, high strain ratio, high extensibility, high yield ratio, etc. In this paper, through the analysis of thermal simulation results and microstructure of IF steel, we studied the influences of microstructure changes on IF steel with different deformation parameters, obtained the influence laws of the deformation parameters on deformation resistanc e of IF steel. So there is a certain directive significance to control the rolling process of IF steel in the actual production of IF steel.
Seismic Analysis of a High Rise Antique-Style Pagoda with Steel Reinforced Concrete Composite Structure
Authors: Zhou Zi Chun , Lei Hong Gang
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we analyze the dynamic and seismic performance of a high rise antique-style pagoda by using the response spectrum analysis and the time history analysis method, which are implemented in finite element software. The result of our system can provide a reference to the structural designer to ensure the structure of such architecture meets the seismic fortification requirements.
Reinforced Lime Concrete with FRP: An Alternative in the Restoration of Architectural Heritage
Authors: Almerich-Chulia Ana , Fenollosa E. , Martin Pedro
Published: September 2016

Reinforced concrete has been the material mainly used in the repair of traditional structures of historic buildings. However, since the end of the 20th century, it began to question its use, especially for damages arising from corrosion of steel. An alternative is lime concrete reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars. Current lime concrete provides a high compressive strength and prevent problems such as cement alkalinity. GFRP bars provide the necessary tensile strength. Its modulus of elasticity and adhesion, improved by various mechanisms, allows good compatibility with concrete lime. Mechanical characteristics of the mixture are studied together to withstand the tensions and compressions in historic buildings. This new material is progressively replacing to Portland cement in the restoration of architectural heritage
Influences of Subgrade Structure Form on Dynamic Responses of Railway Subgrade under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Xiao Jun Hua
Published: September 2016

This paper presents conducted field tests of cyclic loading for railway subgrade. These tests studied the influences of subgrade structure forms of embankment and cutting on the dynamic responses of railway subgrade. The considered dynamic responses included the distribution of dynamic stress in railway subgrade, and the elastic deformation, dynamic stiffness, and cumulative plastic deformation on subgrade surface. The number of cyclic loading in testing was separately about two millions for an embankment and a cutting. The dynamic deviator stress applied on subgrade surface was 92kPa to simulate the maximum stress induced by moving train for the designed railway. Gathered data showed that the dynamic stiffness on subgrade surface for a cutting was approximately a half of the one for an embankment. However, the cumulative plastic deformation was essentially the same for the two forms of subgrade (i.e. the embankment and the cutting). These results provide references for the design of railway subgrade.
The Fatigue Properties of the M27 Higher Strength Bolt in the Grid Structure with Bolted Spherical Joints
Authors: Zhang Chao , Lei Hong Gang , Tian Shao Jie , Yang Xu
Published: September 2016

Under the suspended crane loading, the key to the fatigue of the grid structure with bolt-sphere joints is the fatigue of the higher strength bolt. By now, there are not any research reports about the fatigue properties of M27 higher strength bolt at home and abroad. With the aid of the fatigue-testing machine and the loading device, this paper will have 8 constant amplitude fatigue experiments on test-piece, and will get the S-N curve of the higher strength bolt. With the aid of the metallographic analysis, this paper studies the mechanism and influencing factors of the fatigue failure; and with the aid of the finite element software ABQUAS, it analyzes and gets the stress concentration factor of the M27 higher strength bolt, and verifies the position of the fatigue failure.
Cotton-Fibers Used as Pore Former for the Anode with High Porosity and Long Cylindrical Pores of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: You Hong Xin , Zhao Cong , Li Can , Qu Bin , Guan Guo Qing , Abuliti Abudula
Published: September 2016

The anode microstructure is crucial for the performance of solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC). The porous anode with high porosity and long cylindrical pores was prepared by using cotton-fiber as pore-former. With Ni-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as anode, La0.85Sr0.15MnO3-YSZ as cathode, YSZ electrolyte-supported cell was fabricated by slurry coating method. For a comparison, the unit cell with the conventional flour as anode pore former was prepared. All the as-prepared cells were measured in hydrogen at 650 to 800 °C. The microstructure of tested cells was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM shows that the long cylindrical pores produced by cotton-fibers were beneficial to provide continuous gas pathways for rapid diffusion of fuel and reaction products in the anode. Compared the flour of 373.74 mW·cm-2at 800 °C, the maximum density of unit-cell prepared by cotton-fibers was higher than 900 mW·cm-2, which was attribute to an enlarger active reaction sites created by cotton-fibers for hydrogen oxidation.
Experimental Study on the Max Crack Width of Steel Fiber Reinforced High-Strength Concrete Beams
Authors: Guan Qiao Yan , Wang Juan , Zhang Ming En
Published: September 2016

The effect of volume fraction of steel fiber and the strength of reinforcement on the maximum crack width of steel fiber reinforced high-strength concrete beams was analyzed based on experimental results. In addition, the formula to calculate the maximum crack width of steel fiber-reinforced high-strength concrete beams was established.
Innovative Preparation Calcium Hydroxyapatite from Duck Eggshell via Pyrolysis
Authors: Tangboriboon Nuchnapa , Suttiprapar Jularpar
Published: September 2016

Calcium hydroxyapatite made from duck eggshell react to phosphoric acid with the Ca/P mole ratio 1.67 and calcined at 800º, 900º, and 1000°C for each temperature 2 hr. Duck eggshell is a source of calcium carbonate having high purity content more than 98.101 %w/w and small amount of other metal oxides. Duck eggshell is a bio-material similar to other calcium sources i.e. coral, animal bone, and seashell. There are many advantages of using duck eggshell as a raw material such as abundant, low price, high purity of calcium carbonate content, easy to calcium phosphate formation, biocompatibility, bioactive, non-toxic for human, and the high percentage of ceramic yield 69.73%w/w. In addition, one of the most important advantages is to reduce the amount of duck eggshell waste from household and food industries as environmental conservation. The optimum condition to obtain high purity hydroxyapatite is sintering calcium phosphate at 1000°C for 2 hr. The average particle size, specific surface are, pore diameter, and true density of sample sintered at 1000°C for 2 hr are 39.92 µm, 2.12 m2/g, 98.96 Å, 3.02 g/cm3, respectively, in soft fine white powder. Furthermore, the results obtained by XRF, SEM, and XRD confirmed of sample fired at 1000°C for 2 hr to be calcium hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) of Ca/P mole ratio 1.67 and small amount of calcium phosphate (β-TCP, Ca3PO4) of Ca/P mole ratio 1.5. Therefore, the duck eggshell is a potentially bio-ceramic material to prepare calcium hydroxyapatite applied for biomedical, bio-dental, and many industries i.e. pharmaceutical, toothpaste, cosmetic, and nutrient food etc.
Experimental Studies on GFRP Reinforced Concrete Mixed with Sea Sand and Sea Water
Authors: Li Xing
Published: September 2016

The development of marine economy brings with it a need for marine buildings and port structures that require concrete. If these buildings were built with sea sand concrete mixed with sea water instead of traditional concrete and replaced FRP reinforced steel, raw materials can be procured locally, saving time and cost. Based on the above considerations, 8 GFRP reinforced SS-concrete (concrete with sea sand and sea water) beams were prepared to understand their workability and strength as their reinforcement ratio increases. Results show that an increase in reinforcement percentage, leads to an increase in strength and decrease in bonding property. Based on these experimental results it is assumed that only the horizontal sections are feasible. Although GFRP reinforced SS-concrete failure is primarily due to brittleness, obvious signs such as fully developed cracks and large deflections can be seen prior to the failure. So in the design, the ductility of the GFRP reinforced concrete with sea sand and sea water can be assured through controlled load and reinforcement rates.
Simulation and Optimization of the Construction Sequence of the Lock Gate of the Lock Gate Based on Numerical Analysis
Authors: Sang Tao , Wang Guang Ying
Published: September 2016

Previous studies on the construction of lock-head allow to state that not only provide the means to reduce the stress, but more accurately reflect the actual force of the structure, which are given but there is no effect on the timing of the commissure analysis for the joint project.Based on the design of Xiangjiang River in Changsha integrated hub project, this paper propose the lock structure and layout of the program, in full consideration of the lock complex foundation condition, complex structure, temperature stress and other factors.In this paper, numerical simulation is used to simulate a variety of reasonable construction sequence and construction process, to analysis the characteristics of the stress of the bottom plate of the sluice, the settlement of the foundation and anti-force distribution features. And then discusses the overall stress characteristics and working mechanism of the first structure of the lower gate. On the basis of this, the reasonable construction sequence and structure optimization scheme are put forward.
Oil Palm Frond as an Alternative Material to Reinforce the Fiber Brick
Authors: Sopajarn Arrisa , Suybangdum Panumas
Published: September 2016

Oil palm frond was utilized as a fiber biomass material for investigating the strength of the fiber bricks. This research aimed to enhance the potential of oil palm frond utilization to produce bio-fiber brick. It was developed as a composite material to be a choice for industrial construction, decorative interior, or others relevant. Plaster of Paris was identified as a binder of oil palm frond bricks. The oil palm frond, mixed with the plaster of Paris, was tested with three variable ratios of 0.5:0.5, 0.4:0.6, and 0.3:0.7 for brick production. In the performed tests and examinations, the characteristic properties of oil palm frond size, density, and compressive strength were analyzed. The results showed that the oil palm frond can be used to reinforce the fiber brick. It can increased the quality of plaster of Paris bricks of light weight, high modulus, high specific strength, and high fracture toughness depending on OPF size, raw material ratios, and binding.
Design of Multifunctional Children Electric Vehicle Based on Human Factors Engineering
Authors: Xia Zhen Cheng , Liu Li Li , Yang Li Juan
Published: September 2016

Based on the current development of children's electric cars on the market, the design takes human engineering research as the starting point. Analyzing the defects and problems of the existing children's electric vehicle, we decide to design a multi-function electric vehicle for children. It not only can perform multi-function conversion, but also increase the additional subordinate function. Eventually it can be used better and more convenient. What’s more, it can improve the comfort and utilization of the conversion. Since reform and opening up, the national economy is at the rapid development. People's living standard has been gradually improved, and now people are longing for a better life, which can be reflected in the daily choice and requirements of children's car. Children are the hope of every family, so early children's small cars have become one of the important furniture parents value. This paper research and analyze the existing problems in the use of electric vehicles for children. Based on the practical and functional design concept, the paper redesign the structure of children's electric vehicle and expand its use function.
Interaction of Genotype x Sowing Date on Yield and Associated Traits of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] over Two Cropping Seasons in a Humid Agro-ecological Zone of South-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Nwofia G.E. , Edugbo R.E. , Mbah E.U.
Published: September 2016

The study evaluated four soybean genotypes in 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons in the humid tropics for growth, seed yield and other reproductive characters. A split plot in randomised complete block design with four replications was used at National Cereals Research Institute, Amakanma sub-station, Abia State, Nigeria (latitude 05º 28´ N, longitude 07º 29´ E, 154.25 m asl). Sowing date was the main plot treatment while soybean genotypes were fitted into the subplots. Sowing date significantly affected soybean yield and yield components with the month of July pointing out as most appropriate sowing time for the crop in the humid tropics of southeast Nigeria. TGx1485-1D soybean genotype consistently exhibited high performance in seed yield and in most of the characters studied across both environments while TGx1987-10F had the least, hence can be tipped as good breeding material for development of high yielding soybean varieties that would have high adaptation to the agro-ecology. Correlation and path analysis revealed that number of pods plant-1 among other traits was the most important contributor to seed yield and demands close attention as selection index for crop improvement. TGx1485-1D though high yielding exhibited low yield stability across both environments in the GGE bi-plot ranking where it ranked closest to the ideal genotype, hence, can be recommended as suitable for cultivation in the humid tropics of southeast Nigeria. Also, the genotype could be exploited for future breeding programs aimed at boosting research in developing high yielding, adaptable, disease resistance and stable genotypes for the region.
Decision analysis for the determination of biomass in the territory Tuscia Romana by geographic information system and forest management plans
Authors: Colantoni A. , Recanatesi F. , Baldini S. , Felicetti M. , Romagnoli M.
Published: September 2016

The growing interest in the development of chains for the use of agroforestry biomass for energy demand, is due to the awareness they are a crucial element to mitigate the global climatic change effects. The true effort is to have a reliable estimation of biomass availability by some instruments like forest management plans, which allow to locate the forest supply and to know the forest biomass availability in a medium period. In this paper we carried out a decision analysis by geographic information system, in Tuscia Romana area comprising 11 municipalities for a total amount of 813 km2. An estimation was carried out taking into account the bibliographic data on the analyzed species, reporting the biomass in weight taken out by the forest cut utilization. A comparison was also performed in field on chestnut trees cut in a sampling area near Bracciano and in a close sawmill. The results show long, medium and short-term dynamics, but some critical points were found related to the process of estimation and to the real procurement of biomass in some years. The results suggest to be care in a possible project of a biomass plant.
Displacement length and velocity of tagged logs in the tagliamento river
Authors: Ravazzolo Diego , Mao L. , Garniga B. , Picco L. , Lenzi M.A.
Published: September 2016

Large wood enhance the dynamics of geomorphic processes in river systems, increases the morphological complexity of the channel bed, and provides habitats for fish and invertebrates. On the other side, if transported during high-magnitude events, large wood pieces can increase flood risks in sensitive places such as bridges and narrow cross sections prone to outbank flows. However, the dynamics and mobility of logs in rivers is poorly understood, especially in wide gravel-bed rivers. Recent studies have employed fixed video cameras to assess logs velocity, but little evidence is still available about travel length during flood events of different magnitude. This study was conducted in a valley reach of the Tagliamento river, located in the North East of Italy. The Tagliamento river is approximately 800 m wide in the study area, and is characterized by relatively high natural conditions and complex fluvial dynamics. Log mobility have been studied from June 2010 to October 2011, a period characterized by a relatively high magnitude flood in November 2010. Log mobility and displacement during floods have been measured by implanting active radio transmitters (RFID) in 113 logs and GPS track devices in 42 logs. The first devices allow to recover the log after flood events by using a portable antenna, and to derive the displacement length over the monitoring period, whereas the second devices allows to calculate instantaneous (1 sec) and average log velocity of moving logs. Recovery rate of logs equipped with RFID and GPS was about 50% and 60%, respectively. A preliminary analysis of the data collected indicates that there is a positive relationship between displacement length and the peak of flood events, as well as a positive relationship between log velocity and the flood magnitude. Also, a critical flow rate over which logs stranded on active bars can be transported has been identified. The ability to predict wood mobility in gravel-bed rivers could allow to define better strategies of river management and restoration, by improving the ability to understand wood transport processes and calibrate budgets of wood in rivers.
The contribution of chestnut coppice forests on slope stability in abandoned territory: a case study
Authors: Bassanelli Chiara , Bischetti Gian Battista , Chiaradia Enrico Antonio , Rossi Lorenzo , Vergani Chiara
Published: September 2016

Sweet chestnut has been for many centuries fundamental for the Italian mountainous economies, where this kind of forest was traditionally managed in short rotation to rapidly produce wood biomass. Due to the social and economic changes, which made such management scheme unprofitable especially on the steep and remote slopes, such practice has been mainly abandoned and most of chestnut forests became over-aged and very dense, causing an increase of localized slope instability. In this work the effect of over-aged chestnut coppice forests on shallow landslides was analysed by evaluating and comparing mechanical contribution to soil shear strength provided by root systems in differently managed chestnut stands. The study area is located in Valcuvia (Lombardy Prealps) where three different stands, one managed and the others abandoned (over 40 year aged), established on cohesionless slopes (quaternary moraine deposits) were chosen having care to select homogeneous conditions in terms of substrate, aspect and elevation. As slope steepness strongly affects forestry practices and steeper stands are more frequently abandoned, the considered stands have different terrain inclination, 30-35° in abandoned stands and 13° in the managed one. Slope stability of the three sites was evaluated by applying the infinite slope approach accounting for additional root cohesion and tree surcharge. Additional root cohesion was estimated through the Fiber Boundle Model approach by collecting roots in the field and measuring their resistance in laboratory, and by measuring root diameter and density distribution with depth by the wall technique method. The results, as expected, showed that over-aging does not affect root mechanical properties, whereas it significantly affects root distribution within the soil. In terms of slope stability, when steepness exceeds 35°, instability phenomena can be triggered by high level of soil saturation in the case of over-aged forests, whereas for less extreme cases chestnut forests, although over-aged, are able and fundamental to guarantee safe conditions.
Characterization of fluvial islands along three different gravel-bed rivers of North-Eastern Italy
Authors: Picco L. , Rainato R. , Mao L. , Delai F. , Tonon A. , Ravazzolo D. , Lenzi M.A.
Published: September 2016

River islands are defined as discrete areas of woodland vegetation located in the riverbed and surrounded by either water-filled channels or exposed gravels, exhibiting some stability and remaining exposed during bank-full flows. Islands are very important from both morphological and ecological points of view, representing the most natural condition of a fluvial system and are strongly influenced by human impacts. This study aims at analyzing the morphological and vegetation characteristics of three different typologies of islands (pioneer, young and stable) in three distinct rivers in the NE of Italy, affected by different intensities of human pressure. The study was conducted on several sub-reaches of the Piave, Brenta and Tagliamento rivers. The first is a gravel-bed river, which suffered intense and multiple human impacts, especially due to dam building and in-channel gravel mining. The same alterations can also be observed in the Brenta river, which also presents bank protections, hydropower schemes and water diversions. On the other hand, the Tagliamento river is a gravel-bed river characterized by a high level of naturality and very low human pressures. The analyses were conducted using aerial photographs and LiDAR data acquired in 2010 in order to define and distinguish the three different island typologies and to obtain a characterization of ground and vegetation features. The results suggest that the fluvial islands lie at different elevations and this fact implies a different resistance capacity during flood events. Pioneer islands and young islands lie at lower elevations than stable islands causing a lower capacity to survive during considerable flood events, in fact in most cases those islands typologies were removed by ordinary floods. Stable islands lie at higher elevations and only intense and infrequent flood events (RI > 10-15 years) are able to determine considerable erosions. Regarding the characteristics of vegetation, we can observe a strong distinction between the three typologies. Stable islands always exhibit the greatest vegetation height and the presence of these plants, sometimes higher than 30 m, contributes to increase the resistance and the stability of these components of fluvial systems.
Comparison of different methods to predict the mean flow velocity in step-pool channels
Authors: Michelini T. , D’Agostino V.
Published: September 2016

Steep mountain streams have irregular bed topography, where the mean flow velocity is heavily affected by the coarsest bed components and by their arrangement to form step pools, cascades, and rapids. According to literature findings the mean flow velocity is often related with water discharge, channel slope, and grain-size related variables through power relationships. Several approaches consider dimensionless hydraulic geometry terms to develop the analysis over a wide range of channel sizes and hydraulic conditions. The aim of this research is to test the performance of some literature formulas to directly compute the mean flow velocity (V) in step-pool sequences. The study area deals with two fish ladders located in the Vanoi torrent (Trento Province, Italy), which were built by mimicking the steppool morphology. Three reaches were selected to cover different channel slopes (2.6-10%). Data collection entailed three main phases: (1) topographical surveys, (2) granulometric analysis, and (3) flow discharge measurements (salt dilution method). Geometric and hydraulic variables were measured for the following step-pool cross sections: step head, pool center, and intermediate position between pool end next step. Particular attention has been reserved to determine the effective mean flow velocity over the whole path of each step pool sequence. The performance of different literature equations to predict V has been verified. The relations have been shared in three groups: dimensional (V), dimensionless with respect to the grain size (V*) or to a combination of grain size and slope (V**). In general, the V group of equations has produced the highest errors between computed and measured values. The dimensionless V*, V** groups have shown the best performance. In particular the V* equations, which use unit discharge and channel slope, have provided the better fitting, and the lowest root mean square error. The results highlight the difficult to estimate flow velocity in step-pool sequences, and the attitude of this channel-bed morphology to be highly dissipative. The good performance of some dimensionless equations to predict V could also support the hydraulic designer in case the ‘morphological rebuilding’ of mountain creeks is opportune. Further analyses are required to better understand the flow behavior in streams where very rough bed forms and hydraulic drops are the primary sources of flow energy dissipation.
Proposal of a local telemetry network for the monitoring the thermodynamic and environmental performances of farm tractors
Authors: Mazzetto Fabrizio , Bietresato Marco
Published: September 2016

The TRAKTnet.one project aims to identify and develop new solutions to remotely monitor the efficiency of farm-tractors engines included in a local voluntary network. The knowledge of tractors’ efficiency can give important information concerning machines’ consumption, emissions and need for servicing, thus contributing to a more environmentally-sustainable agriculture. Engines will be monitored by measuring rpms, exhaust gas temperature and oxygen content (through lambda sensors) and then analysing and inferring the data through procedures, which algorithms will be an integral part of the project’s results. Trials will be performed on different engines and at different speeds/loads. The choice of the thermocouple type and installation point must be done carefully for not influencing sensitivity and response time. The final outcome of the project is expected to be an automatic system, based on an inference software-engine able to correctly interpreting the sensors outputs. The advantage of this proposal is to exploit a farm monitoring network, previously designed for managing the information related to the automatic compilation of records in the country, by simply equipping data loggers with two additional sensors.
Speeding up innovation in agricultural IT
Authors: Haapala Hannu E.S.
Published: September 2016

An OECD funded research was conducted where methods and processes for speeding up innovation in agriculture were assessed. A global web-based questionnaire was sent to experts in agricultural engineering, research, marketing, education and users of new technologies. Interviews of selected experts were done to deepen the analysis. The results show that considerable part of the relatively slow innovation comes from the fact that users do not trust in new technologies or that the usability of them is unacceptable. 􀀀The experts suggest that education of the engineers and designers should include more elements from User-Centered Design (UCD) and also User-Driven Innovation methods should be more used. As a conclusion a new ‘Dream Team’ of agricultural innovation was developed where user interaction and marketing professionals were given more roles.
An automatic system for the detection of dairy cows lying behaviour in free-stall barns
Authors: Porto Simona M.C. , Arcidiacono Claudia , Anguzza Umberto , Giummarra Andrea , Cascone Giovanni
Published: September 2016

In this paper, a method for the automatic detection of dairy cow lying behaviour in free-stall barns is proposed. A computer visionbased system (CVBS) composed of a video-recording system and a cow lying behaviour detector based on the Viola Jones algorithm was developed. The CVBS performance was tested in a head-to-head free stall barn. Two classifiers were implemented in the software component of the CVBS to obtain the cow lying behaviour detector. The CVBS was validated by comparing its detection results with those generated from visual recognition. This comparison allowed the following accuracy indices to be calculated: the branching factor (BF), the miss factor (MF), the sensitivity, and the quality percentage (QP). The MF value of approximately 0.09 showed that the CVBS missed one cow every 11 well detected cows. Conversely, the BF value of approximately 0.08 indicated that one false positive was detected every 13 well detected cows. The high value of approximately 0.92 obtained for the sensitivity index and that obtained for QP of about 0.85 revealed the ability of the proposed system to detect cows lying in the stalls.
Environmental assessment of individual and collective manure management systems
Authors: Provolo Giorgio , Calcante Aldo , Perazzolo Francesca , Finzi Alberto , Volontè Filippo , Grimaldi Davide , Pinnetti Mauro , Cocolo Giorgia , Naldi Ezio , Galassi Giorgio , Riva Elisabetta
Published: September 2016

In intensive livestock area with large nutrient surplus collective management systems can be a suitable solution. However, the collective system should carefully evaluated for environmental sustainability to avoid cross effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental effects of the introduction of a collective treatment plant for energy production and nitrogen removal. For this purpose an assessment methodology, for individual farms and collective treatments plants, has been defined to estimate the emissions of the main pollutants to the air (CO2, CH4, N2O, NH3) and to the soil (N). The method devised has been assessed in a case study (a treatment plant collecting manure from 12 farms). The main effect of the introduction of the collective management system from the environmental point of view is a reduction of greenhouse gases emissions of 61% due to methane emission reduction and renewable energy production. Furthermore, it reduces the amount of nitrogen to be applied to land from 430 kg ha-1 to about 220 kg ha-1, decreases the emission of ammonia in the air by about 17% due to lower amount of nitrogen that is managed by farms in the storage and spreading operations.
Temperature conditioning in ornamental plant production with a prototype device: root zone cooling in protected environments
Authors: Burchi Gianluca , Cacini Sonia , Fedrizzi Marco , Pagano Mauro , Guerrieri Mirko
Published: September 2016

One of the greatest growing costs in greenhouse floriculture is for energy. To reduce energy costs for thermal conditioning was projected an innovative root zone cooling system characterized by two coaxial pipes with hydraulic countercurrent flows. This new system was compared with a traditional system with hydraulic flows cocurrent. The plants were equipped with coolers for obtaining flowering in the summer period by a culture of Alstroemeria spp and were measured energy consumption in each root zone cooling system. The tests also focused on a particular change, made during the tests of previous years, which allows the coaxial system in turning his operation from countercurrent flows to cocurrent flows. The results obtained show that the root zone coaxial cooling system allows to obtain, in comparison to the traditional type, a better temperature uniformity of the root zone ground, both when it is used with countercurrent flows both when it is used with cocurrent flow. The system also allows a slight overall reduction in energy consumption.
Screening of grated cheese authenticity by nir spectroscopy
Authors: Cevoli Chiara , Fabbri Angelo , Gori Alessandro , Caboni Maria Fiorenza , Guarnieri Adriano
Published: September 2016

Parmigiano–Reggiano (PR) cheese is one of the oldest traditional cheeses produced in Europe, and it is still one of the most valuable Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses of Italy. The denomination of origin is extended to the grated cheese when manufactured exclusively from whole Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese wheels that respond to the production standard. The grated cheese must be matured for a period of at least 12 months and characterized by a rind content not over 18%. In this investigation the potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), coupled to different statistical methods, were used to estimate the authenticity of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese PDO. Cheese samples were classified as: compliance PR, competitors, non-compliance PR (defected PR), and PR with rind content greater then 18%. NIR spectra were obtained using a spectrophotometer Vector 22/N (Bruker Optics, Milan, Italy) in the diffuse reflectance mode. Instrument was equipped with a rotating integrating sphere. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted for an explorative spectra analysis, while the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were used to classify spectra, according to different cheese categories. Subsequently the rind percentage and month of ripening were estimated by a Partial Least Squares regression (PLS). Score plots of the PCA show a clear separation between compliance PR samples and the rest of the sample was observed. Competitors samples and the defected PR samples were grouped together. The classification performance for all sample classes, obtained by ANN analysis, was higher of 90%, in test set validation. Rind content and month of ripening were predicted by PLS a with a determination coefficient greater then 0.95 (test set). These results showed that the method can be suitable for a fast screening of grated cheese authenticity.
Safety performance assessment of food industry facilities using a fuzzy approach
Authors: Barreca F. , Cardinali G. , Fichera C.R. , Lamberto L. , Modica G.
Published: September 2016

The latest EU policies focus on the issue of food safety with a view to assuring adequate and standard quality levels for the food produced and/or consumed within the EC. To that purpose, the environment where agricultural products are manufactured and processed plays a crucial role in achieving food hygiene. As a consequence, it is of the utmost importance to adopt proper building solutions which meet health and hygiene requirements and to use suitable tools to measure the levels achieved. Similarly, it is necessary to verify and evaluate the level of safety and welfare of the workers in their working environment. The safety of the workers has not only an ethical and social value but also an economic implication, since possible accidents or environmental stressors are the major causes of the lower efficiency and productivity of workers. However, the technical solutions adopted in the manufacturing facilities in order to achieve adequate levels of safety and welfare of the workers are not always consistent with the solutions aimed at achieving adequate levels of food hygiene, even if both of them comply with sectoral rules which are often unconnected with each other. Therefore, it is fundamental to design suitable models of analysis that allow assessing buildings as a whole, taking into account both health and hygiene safety as well as the safety and welfare of workers. Hence, this paper proposes an evaluation model that, based on an established study protocol and on the application of a fuzzy logic procedure, allows evaluating the global safety level of a building. The proposed model allows to obtain a synthetic and global value of the building performance in terms of food hygiene and safety and welfare of the workers as well as to highlight possible weaknesses. Though the model may be applied in either the design or the operational phase of a building, this paper focuses on its application to certain buildings already operational in a specific productive context.
An overview of emerging techniques in virgin olive oil extraction process: strategies in the development of innovative plants
Authors: Clodoveo Maria Lisa
Published: September 2016

Currently the systems for mechanically extracting virgin oils from olives are basically of two types: discontinuous-type systems (obsolete and dying out) and continuous-type systems. Systems defined as “continuous- type” are generally comprised of a mechanical crusher, a malaxer and a horizontal-axis centrifugal separator (decanter). The “continuous” appellation refers to the fact that two (mechanical crusher and decanter) out of the three machines making up the system operate continuously; the malaxer, which actually is a machine working in batches, is located between these two continuous apparatuses. Consequently the malaxation represents the bottleneck of the continuous extraction process. The entire virgin olive oil (VOO) process has changed very little over the last 20 years. One of the essential challenges of VOO industrial plant manufacturing sector is to design and build advanced machines in order to transform the discontinuous malaxing step in a continuous phase and improve the working capacity of the industrial plants. In recent years, rapid progress in the application of emerging technologies in food processing has been made, also in VOO extraction process. Ultrasounds (US), microwaves (MW), and pulsed electric fields (PEF) are emerging technologies that have already found application in the VOO extraction process on pilot scale plants. This paper aims to describe the basic principles of these technologies as well as the results concerning their impact on VOO yields and quality. Current and potential applications will be discussed, taking into account the relationship between the processing, the olive paste behavior and the characteristics of the resultant VOO, as well as recent advances in the process development.
Mechanical grading in PGI Tropea red onion post harvest operations
Authors: Bernardi Bruno , Zimbalatti Giuseppe , Proto Andrea Rosario , Benalia Souraya , Fazari Antonio , Callea Paola
Published: September 2016

The growing interest expressed by consumers toward food products quality as well as toward their linkage to the territory, has led producers to fit to the continuous rising demand for “typical products”, and to look for new and more efficient production and marketing strategies. An emblematic case is represented by Tropea red onion that, as a typical product, plays an important role in economical and rural development of the territory to which it is linked. The organoleptic features offered by “Tropea Red Onion”, PGI certified (Calabria), have to be associated as well to the quality of services that accompanies its processing. Technology application in post-harvest operations, has certainly contributed to make faster and less tiring all processing tasks. The main problem related to the mechanization of Tropea red onion post-harvest operations lies in the removal of the various layers of the external tunic, making it impossible for optical or electronic grader to achieve this task in a satisfactory way since the sensors are not able yet to separate the “bulb” from its involucre. In this context, the current study aims to assess the productivity of three different machines used for round Tropea red onion grading, and determine their work efficiency. The carried out analysis highlighted the ability of the studied machines to ensure a high work capacity, while maintaining a high level of precision during calibration process. Such precision allows to decrease laborer employment and increase processing chain speed, rising as well the annual use of the machines, allowing consequently processing cost savings. For a more profitable employment of such graders, it is, however, necessary from one hand, to properly form the technicians responsible of processing plants management, and from the other hand, to be able to take advantage of a technical assistance network, able to serve users in a short time.