Soil Compaction after Increasing the Number of Wheeled Tractors Passes on Forest Soils in West Carpathians

Soil disturbance and compaction are inherent in ground-based harvesting operations. These changes are affected by numerous factors, related mainly to the technical parameters of the machines, soil conditions, and the technology used. This study aimed to analyze the changes of surface layers of soil caused by skidder traffic without loads on the Cambisols of Western Carpathians. We observed changes in the soil bulk density and penetration resistance. The results showed that only machine traffic caused a 0.32 to 0.35 (g cm−3) increase in soil bulk density. Besides machine traffic, bulk density was affected by soil moisture content. Penetration resistance of soil increased by 0.15 to 1.04 (MPa) after traffic of 40 machines. Penetration resistance showed a lower increase after traffic, and regression and correlation analysis proved a relationship between penetration resistance, skeleton content, and penetration depth, besides the number of machine passes (r = 0.33–0.55). Observing the changes in the physical properties of soils caused by machine traffic allows for a more detailed view of the effects of forest harvesting machinery on forest soils.

Cost Estimation Process of Remote Sensing Satellites

Forecasting cost of satellites is not a recent development in space agencies, they were in practice from the beginning using traditional methods. The attempt to make it simpler, quicker and accurate; established the path to build a model by incorporating statistics, technology and technical knowledge. Building relationships between satellite cost and the technical parameters affecting them directly or indirectly became the basis of the model. The building of the cost model is more vexing than it looks. It requires data to perform regression analysis, which can be linear or nonlinear along with transformations. This paper also specifies the significance of the uncertainty impacting the cost associated with the technical parameters and the method of estimation. The overall model is mapped into three parts; the manpower and facility cost model being the deterministic bottom-up model and the combination of probabilistic and deterministic model for satellite cost.

Study of the Landscape Pattern of Shuiyu Village in Beijing, China: A Comprehensive Analysis of Adaptation to Local Microclimate

The paper used technical parameters to investigate optimized solutions to protect the ecological environment and improve the microclimate adaptability among the traditional villages in Beijing. Shuiyu Village was used as a case study to analyze the coupling relationship between landscape patterns and the microclimate of traditional villages, with a focus on the ecological relationship between residents and the microclimate. This study also developed a climate index system, which includes computer numerical simulation and microclimate comprehensive analysis methods. The distinct types of landscape patterns were studied using the system. In addition, this paper studied the adaptive design mechanism in-depth, the form parameters of comfort evaluation controllability, and map expression technology of morphological parameters. The findings of this study include the optimized value of the environment based on landscape pattern and the map through the Rhino modeling platform. An interactive platform was developed, and a parametric-assisted optimization design process for traditional villages in the northern part of China was proposed. Moreover, this study concluded optimized strategies and technical guidelines for future planning of the rural areas in northern China with a goal to protect traditional villages and transform them into smart villages with microclimate adaptability.

Patient exposure dose in interventional cardiology per clinical and technical complexity levels. Part 1: results of the VERIDIC project

Background Patients can be exposed to high skin doses during complex interventional cardiology (IC) procedures. Purpose To identify which clinical and technical parameters affect patient exposure and peak skin dose (PSD) and to establish dose reference levels (DRL) per clinical complexity level in IC procedures. Material and Methods Validation and Estimation of Radiation skin Dose in Interventional Cardiology (VERIDIC) project analyzed prospectively collected patient data from eight European countries and 12 hospitals where percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), chronic total occlusion PCI (CTO), and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures were performed. A total of 62 clinical complexity parameters and 31 technical parameters were collected, univariate regressions were performed to identify those parameters affecting patient exposure and define DRL accordingly. Results Patient exposure as well as clinical and technical parameters were collected for a total of 534 PCI, 219 CTO, and 209 TAVI. For PCI procedures, body mass index (BMI), number of stents ≥2, and total stent length >28 mm were the most prominent clinical parameters, which increased the PSD value. For CTO, these were total stent length >57 mm, BMI, and previous anterograde or retrograde technique that failed in the same session. For TAVI, these were male sex, BMI, and number of diseased vessels. DRL values for Kerma-area product ( PKA), air kerma at patient entrance reference point ( Ka,r), fluoroscopy time (FT), and PSD were stratified, respectively, for 14 clinical parameters in PCI, 10 in CTO, and four in TAVI. Conclusion Prior knowledge of the key factors influencing the PSD will help optimize patient radiation protection in IC.

Feasibility Assessment of Grape Vineyards in the Midwest U.S.A.

The production of grapes in the Midwest U.S.A. is not free of challenges. Growers are presented with a long list of strategic and operational decisions when planning a vineyard. This article uses survey data and secondary data to prepare sample budgets and examine costs, expected returns, and economic feasibility of grape vineyards under different production systems. Departing from two sample budgets that resemble the reality of American-hybrid and vinifera grape growers in the Midwest, we examine the economic feasibility of 24 plausible production scenarios by simulating changes in operational and technical parameters of production. Our results show that economies of scale, level of automation, and adequate balance between capital and labor use are determining factors for economic feasibility. Small-scale hybrid vineyards (10 acres or less) are seldom feasible as a stand-alone project. Vinifera vineyards tend to reach superior performance due to scale, decisions regarding automation, and efficiency of field operations. Following the feasibility analyses and results, our discussion helps explain why grape vineyards are frequently integrated with wineries and other business units across the Midwest.

Economic efficiency of livestock organic waste processing into biонumus

The processing of organic livestock waste into biohumus is one of the direction areas in agribusiness, which contributes to the efficient resource allocation involved while achieving a high level of greening of production. The article presents the results of the study of economic efficiency of extensive form of vermiculture, which is characterized by minimal start-up investment, ease of organization and accessibility for the vast majority of livestock producers, including small farms, as it does not involve additional premises. Compared to intensive technology, which requires indoor heated premises to organize the production of biohumus throughout the year. The need for fixed and working capital for the organization of organic livestock waste processing into compost has been determined. Planning and analysis of costs for the organization of production and sale of vermiculture products. The main technical parameters of the organization of the production process are determined, which will ensure high efficiency of this type of business. Based on the definition of the main indicators of economic efficiency, the expediency of introducing an extensive form of organic livestock waste processing into biohumus is substantiated. According to the research results, it is established that the organization of extensive technology of processing organic livestock waste on compost is more appropriate for small farms in the livestock industry with a limited investment budget. As about 6 million UAH is needed to organize the processing of 2.400 tons of livestock waste. (in 2021 prices) of advanced capital, which is 30–40 % less compared to intensive technology of similar scale. The projected payback period of extensive vermiculture technology will be three years when it reaches 25 % of the level of profitability of sales. Also, the organization of extensive technology for processing animal waste into biohumus requires less time compared to intensive.

Designing for the Environment: An Example of Multi-Criteria Analysis Used for Solar Hot Water System Selection

In the European Union, the building sector accounts for more than 40% of final energy consumption, contributing to the deterioration of the quality of the environment. Among the various solutions that aim to reduce the negative environmental impact caused by the operation of buildings, solar hot water systems (SHW) are popular. The choice of a SHW system is associated with the comfort of use and the access to low-cost energy. The design guidelines include the technical parameters for system operation such as materials, dimensions, sizing and operation temperatures. However, the legitimacy of choosing a particular solution and the available technical parameters are key issues. In the presented study, a multi-criteria analysis was proposed as a basis for the proper selection of system parameters, e.g., collector type, solar tank volume. A model of the SHW system was used to calculate the possible solutions, ensuring the same comfort of usage for several design options. The analyzed model was then used for the calculation of three various indicators: Simple Payback Time (SPBT), Primary Energy consumption (PE) and IMPACT 2002+. The application of a multi-criteria analysis based on a Life Cycle Assessment allowed for beneficial solutions to be found from the point of view of economics, non-renewable resources and environmental protection.

Assessment of Technical and Ecological Parameters of a Diesel Engine in the Application of New Samples of Biofuels

The technical and environmental parameters of the diesel internal combustion engine using two new samples of biofuels SAMPLE 1 and SAMPLE 2 were evaluated in this paper. SAMPLE 1 and SAMPLE 2 biofuels were tested on a LOMBARDINI LDW 502 internal combustion engine, which was loaded on a dynamometer according to the applicable national and international standards. This method can also be applied to marine engines and contribute to a higher level of marine ecology. The result of the testing was to determine the impact of tested biofuels on the technical parameters engine power and torque and the environmental parameters emissions of smoke, nitrogen oxides, and economy of the internal combustion engine-specific fuel consumption. From the measured data, another parameter was calculated, such as the injected fuel dose and the overall efficiency of the internal combustion engine. The results show that the new samples of SAMPLE 1 and SAMPLE 2 biofuels tested could be a suitable alternative to standard diesel.

Biomimetic Artificial Joints Based on Multi-Material Pneumatic Actuators Developed for Soft Robotic Finger Application

To precisely achieve a series of daily finger bending motions, a soft robotic finger corresponding to the anatomical range of each joint was designed in this study with multi-material pneumatic actuators. The actuator as a biomimetic artificial joint was developed on the basis of two composite materials of different shear modules, and the pneumatic bellows as expansion parts was restricted by frame that made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A simplified mathematical model was used for the bending mechanism description and provides guidance for the multi-material pneumatic actuator fabrication (e.g., stiffness and thickness) and structural design (e.g., cross length and chamber radius), as well as the control parameter optimization (e.g., the air pressure supply). An actuation pressure of over 70 kPa is required by the developed soft robotic finger to provide a full motion range (MCP = 36°, PIP = 114°, and DIP = 75°) for finger action mimicking. In conclusion, a multi-material pneumatic actuator was designed and developed for soft robotic finger application and theoretically and experimentally demonstrated its feasibility in finger action mimicking. This study explored the mechanical properties of the actuator and could provide evidence-based technical parameters for pneumatic robotic finger design and precise control of its dynamic air pressure dosages in mimicking actions. Thereby, the conclusion was supported by the results theoretically and experimentally, which also aligns with our aim to design and develop a multi-material pneumatic actuator as a biomimetic artificial joint for soft robotic finger application.

COMPARISON OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION SERVICES IN THE BALTIC STATES

The problem of the study is that Latvian citizens often express dissatisfaction with vehicle registration prices, speculating that these services are available at lower prices in the neighbouring countries – Lithuania and Estonia. The aim of the research: to compare and analyse vehicle registration services in the Baltic States in order to provide suggestions for the improvement of the services. The research uses general scientific research methods: the monographic and descriptive methods, the document analysis method, the comparative analysis method, the horizontal analysis, the ranking method, the logical construction method and the graphical method. Based on the cases analysed, the authors conclude that vehicle registration costs are the lowest in Lithuania, yet these costs may depend on factors such as vehicle age and technical parameters, so not always the cheapest price is reported in Lithuania. Vehicle registration costs in Estonia, regardless of any parameters, for all light vehicles are the same at 192,00 euro. The authors compared and analysed vehicle registration services in the Baltic States, evaluated the price of services and the elements included in them. The study shows that when receiving vehicle registration services in the Baltic States, the conditions and price for receiving them differ. It is mainly influenced by the tax policies and pricing strategies of each country.