Influence of natural production conditions on efficient operation of wheel tractors

For the zones of “risky farming” characteristic of the Far East of the Russian Federation, the natural production conditions of the region are an important problem in preparing the soil for further basic agricultural work. So, when carrying out early spring agricultural work, due to presence of a solid underlying layer in the form of permafrost, they shall be completed in operational terms no more than 10 days, until the permafrost base thaws and the soil has not lost its bearing capacity. In addition, due to the peculiarities of the relief, the soil does not thaw equally in depth everywhere, which reduces the quality of field work and harrowing, as the most common operation, namely. This article provides theoretical and experimental studies on the adaptation of a wheeled tractor as part of a machine-tractor unit (MTU) used in harrowing to natural production conditions by installing a device that automatically regulates the load on the working body of the disc harrow or on the propellers of the energy device, depending on the conditions of use or the state of the motion surface.

Trial performance of the zero waste harvesting method in three forest concession companies, Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Currently, natural forest management companies (concession permit of timber forest products utilization-natural forest/IUPHHK-HA) have implemented Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) technology but timber harvesting is still carried out using the conventional method. Tree length logging is an alternative method of harvesting wood in an effort to reduced waste and increases the efficiency of the utilization of timber forest products and the preservation of natural production forests. The potential for wood harvesting waste is estimated at 2.21 million m3year−1 and has remained left in the cutting compartment for decades. The purpose of this paper is to obtain technical and financial information about forest harvesting on a zero waste basis. Data collection was carried out by experimental methods. Productivity, efficiency, cost, and stand damage data were collected. The results of the research in three IUPHHK-HA in Central Kalimantan show that the zero waste logging method can reduced harvesting waste by 5.1% and increase the efficiency of wood utilization from 87.7-92.8%. Another advantage of the zero waste logging method is that the additional waste from the trunk above the first branch is about 5.8%. The productivity of the conventional method averaged 26.333 m3hour−1 at a cost of IDR 33,941 m−3 while the tree length logging method was 27.320 m3hour−1 at a cost of IDR 35,251 m−3. It is suggested that the tree length logging method be implemented in natural production forest harvesting.

Reduced impact logging in the dried land natural production forests in Indonesia

Timber harvesting in natural production forests in Indonesia is still carried out to his day in the form of a bussines license for the utilization of timber forest products-natural forests (IUPHHK-HA). IUPHHK-HA holders have not fully implemented Reduced Impact Logging (RIL). Forest harvesting activities consisting of felling, skidding, bucking, loading, unloading, and transportation of logs are aimed at without significantly disturbing log production and its environment. The purpose of this review is to provide information on RIL in Indonesia. The collection of data was done by using a desk study. Data on productivity, efficiency, costs, damage to the residual stands, and the impact of RIL on emissions were collected. Several research results showed that: (1) logging productivities generally decreased when compared to Conventional Logging (CL), (2) logging efficiency generally increased when compared to CL, (3) logging costs generally increased in the short term, (4) residual stand damages generally reduced when compared to CL, and (5) RIL has potential to reduce emissions compared to CL. It is necessary to do the following: harvest planning such as mapping and distribution of trees, skid trail alignment, design of landings; harvest preparation such as the opening of skid trails, opening of landing places; harvesting such as determining felling direction, felling, skidding, and closure of harvesting such as closure of skid trails and landings.

Bio-based optical and photonic materials: towards nature-based production methods for photonics

Nature has been a source of inspiration for the fabrication of new optical materials for centuries. During the last decades, the rapid developments in nanofabrication allowed mimicking the photonic properties of living organisms towards more efficient functional devices. But nanophotonics still relies on nanofabrication techniques and materials not compatible with the current environmental challenges. Bio-based optical materials have emerged as a sustainable alternative combining the best of both worlds: precise nanostructuring and unique optical properties with environmentally friendly natural production protocols.

Evidence for an N-halohistidyl Intermediate in the Catalytic Cycle of Vanadium Chloroperoxidase (VCPO) and an Artificial Enzyme derived from VCPO: A Computational Investigation

Vanadium haloperoxidases play an important catalytic role in the natural production of antibiotics which are difficult to make in the laboratory. Understanding the catalytic mechanism of these enzymes will aide in the production of artificial enzymes useful in bioengineering the synthesis of drugs and useful chemicals. However, the catalytic mechanism remains not fully understood yet. In this paper, we investigate one of the key steps of the catalytic mechanism using QM/MM. Our investigation reveals a new N-haloxy histidyl intermediate in the catalytic cycle of vanadium chloroperoxidase (VCPO). This new intermediate, in turn, yields an explanation for the known inhibition of the enzyme by substrate under acidic conditions (pH<4). Additionally, we examine the possibility of replacing V in VCPO by Nb or Ta using QM modeling. We report the new result that the Gibbs free energy barrier of several steps of the catalytic cycle are lower in the case of artificial enzymes, incorporating NbO43- or TaO43- instead of VO43-. Our results suggest that these new artificial enzymes may catalyze the oxidation of halide faster than the natural enzyme.

GIS-BASED LAND SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR EX-SITU PRODUCTION OF THREATENED Citropsis articulata IN UGANDA

Citropsis articulata (Spreng.) is a potent medicinal plant that is increasingly threatened by unsustainable harvesting and habitat destruction due to deforestation. This calls for enhancement of ex-situ conservation of C. articulata through offsite production. However, the success of offsite production of this species heavily rests on precisely assessing the suitability of the land for its production. In this study, an integrated GIS based multi-criteria evaluation approach was used to depict suitable areas for production of C. articulata based on key factors of; climate, soil and topography. Results revealed that only 13.04% (31495.77 km2) of Uganda’s land is very suitable to support natural production of C. articulata and is mainly situated in the western and central regions. Findings further revealed that 76.4% (24062.77 km2) of very suitable land area is situated outside protected areas, thus implying availability of potential sites for ex-situ and commercial production of C. articulata in the country. Findings also indicated that C. articulata has potential of thriving in well drained, moderately acidic soils and pleasantly warm regions endowed with moderately high precipitation and humidity. Since current stocks of C. articulata are mainly restricted to protected areas, cultivating this species will provide alternative sources of the plant harvest. This will help to relieve current pressures on the wild populations of C. articulata, thus providing a safety backup to the current in-situ conservation efforts.

A Systematic Review of Listeria Species and Listeria monocytogenes Prevalence, Persistence, and Diversity throughout the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

Listeria monocytogenes is an increasing food safety concern throughout the produce supply chain as it has been linked to produce associated outbreaks and recalls. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review to investigate Listeria species and L. monocytogenes prevalence, persistence, and diversity at each stage along the supply chain. This review identified 64 articles of 4863 candidate articles obtained from four Boolean search queries in six databases. Included studies examined naturally detected/isolated Listeria species and L. monocytogenes in fresh produce-related environments, and/or from past fresh produce associated outbreaks or from produce directly. Listeria species and L. monocytogenes were detected in each stage of the fresh produce supply chain. The greatest prevalence of Listeria species was observed in natural environments and outdoor production, with prevalence generally decreasing with each progression of the supply chain (e.g., packinghouse to distribution to retail). L. monocytogenes prevalence ranged from 61.1% to not detected (0.00%) across the entire supply chain for included studies. Listeria persistence and diversity were also investigated more in natural, production, and processing environments, compared to other supply chain environments (e.g., retail). Data gaps were identified for future produce safety research, for example, in the transportation and distribution center environment.

Informational basis for assessing the resource potential of agricultural land

The authors consider an array of information that can become the basis for assessing the resource potential of a field, a land parcel, or a municipality. The article analyzes possible information sources to determine the values of soil, natural, production or market potential, as well as the potential of location. The authors made the conclusions about the differences in the collection of initial information to determine the resource potential at different territorial levels.

IDENTIFICATION OF CURVATURE RADIUS FOR CURVED SECTIONS ON FOREST ROADS IN THE PROCESS OF UTILISATION

This article reviews the problem of measuring the actual radius of curvature for curved sections of existing forest roads, as forestry enterprises require reliable technical information about the current conditions of operated transport networks. It was identified that at this moment, a selection of methods are used for measuring the radii of horizontal curved sections of roads, which have certain advantages and disadvantages in specific natural production conditions. For calculating the radius of curvature for auto forest road projects it is recommended to apply the method of measured angles by chord angle deviation, which is sufficiently accurate for engineering purposes and does not require usage of special high-precision equipment and tools.