Validation of a methodology for grouping intakes of pressurized irrigation networks into sectors to minimize energy consumption

A methodology to optimise the amount of energy consumed in pressurized irrigation systems was presented by Jimenez-Bello et al. (2010a). These authors proposed grouping pressurized irrigation network intakes, each of the water turnouts resulting from a shared hydrant, into sectors via a genetic algorithm. In the present research, the methodology was applied and validated in a water users association. Several energy efficiency indicators were calculated and compared during five consecutive seasons (2006-2010). The first two seasons, when the methodology was not employed, were used as reference for the results obtained from 2008 onwards, when the methodology was applied to the management of irrigation network. Results obtained in seasons 2008-2010 showed that the average energy savings were 16% in comparisons to the 2006 season. However, it should be noted that the potential, theoretical savings, could have been as high as 22.3% if the modelled grouping networks would have been accurately followed. There was in fact some discrepancy between the theoretical model outputs and the final groupings due to some intake restrictions. In addition, during the irrigation campaigns, the number of irrigation intakes that operated within each sector was not always equal to the modelled sectoring, a fact that reduced the overall water users association energy efficiency. This occurred particularly during rainy periods, when some users deliberately decided to close their manual irrigation intakes valves. Overall, results showed the potential of the validated methodology for optimising energy use. However, the final overall system efficiency might depend on specific constraints that need to be taken into account when attempting to use model output predictions.This research was supported by funds from Interreg IV SUDOEB project "Telerieg" and from MICIIN project Rideco CSD2006-0067. The authors would like to thank the Company Tecnicas Valencianas del Agua (TECVASA) and the IMPIVA institute for their support in this research study.Jiménez Bello, MÁ.; Martínez Alzamora, F.; Castel, JR.; Intrigliolo Molina, DS. (2011). Validation of a methodology for grouping intakes of pressurized irrigation networks into sectors to minimize energy consumption. Agricultural Water Management. 102(1):46-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2011.10.005S4653102

Methodology to improve water and energy use by proper irrigationscheduling in pressurised networks

With the aim of reducing energy consumption and improving water use in pressurised irrigation systems, the methodology to minimise energy consumption by grouping intakes of pressurised irrigation networks into sectors, as developed by Jimenez Bello et al. (2010a), was modified to enable irrigation intakes to operate during the scheduled period for each intake instead of operating during restricted irrigation periods of the same length. Moreover, a method was developed to detect the maximum number of intakes that can operate without extra energy if the source has sufficient head to feed at least some of the intakes. These methods were applied to a Mediterranean irrigation system, where the total cropped area was mainly citrus orchards. In this case study, water was allocated to two groups of intakes, one fed by gravity and the other by pumps. A saving of 36.3 % was achieved by increasing the total volume supplied by gravity, decreasing the injection pump head, and improving the pump performance. Therefore, all the intakes only operated during the irrigation periods at the minimum required pressure.This research was supported by funds from Climate-KIC AGADAPT and from EU 7th Framework Programme FIGARO projects. The authors wish to acknowledge the support provided by Picassent Sector XI staff. The revision of this paper was funded by "The Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain".Jiménez Bello, MA.; Royuela Tomás, Á.; Manzano Juarez, J.; García Prats, A.; Martínez Alzamora, F. (2015). Methodology to improve water and energy use by proper irrigationscheduling in pressurised networks. Agricultural Water Management. 149:91-101. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2014.10.026S9110114

Efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms of different locations: data from the SEPTRALU study

Neuroendocrine tumor; Radionuclide therapyTumor neuroendocrí; Teràpia amb radionúclidsTumor neuroendocrino; Terapia con radionúclidosBackground Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Nevertheless, its role in certain tumor sites remains unclear. This study sought to elucidate the efficacy and safety of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in NENs with different locations and evaluate the effect of the tumor origin, bearing in mind other prognostic variables. Advanced NENs overexpressing somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) on functional imaging, of any grade or location, treated at 24 centers were enrolled. The protocol consisted of four cycles of 177Lu-DOTATATE 7.4 GBq iv every 8 weeks (NCT04949282). Results The sample comprised 522 subjects with pancreatic (35%), midgut (28%), bronchopulmonary (11%), pheochromocytoma/ paraganglioma (PPGL) (6%), other gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) (11%), and other non-gastroenteropancreatic (NGEP) (9%) NENs. The best RECIST 1.1 responses were complete response, 0.7%; partial response, 33.2%; stable disease, 52.1%; and tumor progression, 14%, with activity conditioned by the tumor subtype, but with benefit in all strata. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 31.3 months (95% CI, 25.7–not reached [NR]) in midgut, 30.6 months (14.4-NR) in PPGL, 24.3 months (18.0-NR) in other GEP, 20.5 months (11.8-NR) in other NGEP, 19.8 months (16.8–28.1) in pancreatic, and 17.6 months (14.4–33.1) in bronchopulmonary NENs. [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE exhibited scant severe toxicity. Conclusion This study confirms the efficacy and safety of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in a wide range of SSTR-expressing NENs, regardless of location, with clinical benefit and superimposable survival outcomes between pNENs and other GEP and NGEP tumor subtypes different from midgut NENs.The SEPTRALU registry received external funding from Novartis

Analysis, assessment, and improvement of fertilizer distribution in pressure irrigation systems

[EN] The transformation of traditional irrigation systems into pressure irrigation networks allows water users associations to use central fertigation systems. For efficient fertigation management, however, it is essential to obtain uniform distribution of the injected fertilizer through the system and to understand the hydraulic processes that take place in the central fertigation system. This will allow users to implement strategies that improve fertilizer distribution. In this work we develop a new methodology to improve fertilizer distribution uniformity and apply it to a case study. The results show how fertilizer distribution can be improved by means of proper scheduling of irrigation deliveries. The best results are obtained when fertigating sectors operate without non-fertigating sectors and there are not intermediate irrigations without fertilizer, achieving an improvement of the fertilizer distribution of 10.5%. In addition, this work highlights the difficulties of obtaining uniform distribution of fertilizer in a centralized irrigation system when there are users that do not want to make use of it.Jiménez Bello, MA.; Martínez Alzamora, F.; Bou Soler, V.; Bartolín Ayala, HJ. (2010). Analysis, assessment, and improvement of fertilizer distribution in pressure irrigation systems. Irrigation Science. 29(1):45-53. doi:10.1007/s00271-010-0215-7S4553291Arviza J y Balbastre I (2002a) “Redes de Riego a presión. Consideraciones sobre la fertirrigación colectiva”. Revista Levante Agrícola nº 359. 1º trimestre. Págs. 70–81. Ediciones y promociones LAV SL. ValenciaArviza J y Balbastre I (2002b) “Redes de Riego a presión. Consideraciones sobre la fertirrigación colectiva. Parte II”. Revista Levante Agrícola nº 360. 2º trimestre. Págs. 133–139. Ediciones y promociones LAV SL. ValenciaArviza J, Martínez F, y Balbastre I (2002) Análisis de la distribución de fertilizantes en sistemas colectivos de riego a presión. XX Congreso Nacional de Riegos. Ciudad Real. EspañaBracy RP, Parish RL, Rosendale RM (2003) Fertigation uniformity affected by injector type. Horttechnology 13:103–105Goldberg DE (1989) Genetic algorithms in search, optimization and machine learning. Addison-Wesley, ReadingJiménez MA, Martínez F, Arviza J, Manzano J (2006) Herramientas para el uso racional del agua con el apoyo de un GIS (HuraGIS). XXIV. Congreso nacional de riegos. Lugo (Spain). (Jun 2006)Jiménez MA, Martínez F, Arviza J, Manzano J (2008) Optimización de la sectorización de redes de riego a presión mediante algoritmos genéticos XXVI. Congreso nacional de riegos. Huesca. (Jun 2008)Jiusheng L, Yibin M, Bei L (2007) Field evaluation of fertigation uniformity as affected by injector type and manufacturing variability of emitters. Irrigation Sci 25:117–125Kalyanmoy D (2001) Multi-objective optimization using evolutionary algorithms. Willey, EnglandRossman LA (2000) Epanet 2, Users Manual. Water Supply and Water Resources Division. National Risk Management Research Laboratory, CincinnatiSavic D, Walters G (1997) Genetic algorithms for least-cost design of water distribution networks. J Water Resour Plann Manag 123(2):67–77 (March/April 1997

Effects of Calcium Soaps from Palm, Canola and Safflower Oils on Dry Matter Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Milk Production, and Milk Composition in Dairy Goats

Articulo estudio en cabras suplementadas con jabones de calcioThis study determined the e ect of protected dietary oils on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility and milk production in dairy goats. Nine Saanen goats were used in a 3 3 Latin square design with three periods of 25 days. A basal diet based on barley hay and corn silage was supplemented with 2.7% DM of calcium soaps of either palm (PO), canola (CO) or sa ower (SO) oils. Data for dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and milk production was analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS. Gas production data was analyzed using the procedure of non-linear regression analysis (PROC NLIN) from SAS. Nutrient intakes were not a ected by treatments. However, compared with CO, the digestibility of dry matter (653 vs. 552 and 588 g/kg), organic matter (663 vs. 559 and 606 g/kg) and neutral detergent fiber (616 vs. 460 and 510 g/kg) were lowered (p < 0.001) by SO and PO. Compared with CO, in vitro gas production increased (p < 0.001) in PO and SO (174 vs. 201 and 206 mL gas/g incubated DM). Compared with PO and CO, milk production increased (p < 0.001) with SO (0.88 and 0.95 vs. 1.10 kg/d, respectively). With regard to PO and SO, CO decreased fat (34 and 35 vs. 32 g/d) and protein (35 and 38 vs. 30 g/d) in milk. In conclusion, compared to the traditional use of calcium soaps manufactured from PO, protected SO resulted in increased milk yield without negative e ects on digestibility and nutrient intake.This research was funded by Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (Project ID UAEMex 3060-2011 and UAEMex4974/2020)

Effect of different growth stages of rapeseed (brassica rapa L.) on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation kinetics in sheep diets

The objective of the present study was to determine the dietary effect of different growth stages of rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation kinetics in sheep.The objective of the present study was to determine the dietary effect of different growth stages of rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation kinetics in sheep. Four dietary treatments were utilised. A basal control diet based on alfalfa hay, oat hay, soybean meal and corn grain. Then alfalfa hay was replaced with 300 g/kg DM of rapeseed forage harvested at three different growth stages: Vegetative, Flowering and Pod. In vitro gas production was determined using three rumen cannulated Suffolk sheep in a completely randomised design, and nutrients intake and digestibility of each diet were determined using four Suffolk sheep in a 4 4 Latin square design with 21 d periods consisting of 14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for sample collection. Feed intake and excretion of faeces and urine were recorded. Dry matter intake was higher for control and Pod compared to Vegetative and Flowering. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were similar among treatments. Nitrogen intake was higher for control and Pod and lower for Vegetative and Flowering. In vitro gas production was similar among treatments (P > .05). In vitro gas yield at 24 h was higher (P < .05) for control than the rest of the treatments. Overall, inclusion of 300 g/kg DM of rapeseed forage harvested at pod stage as a substitute for alfalfa hay is an alternative source of protein without affecting nutrient intake and digestibility.Amelia Zetina Sanchez thanked the National Council for Science and Technology (Conacyt, Mexico) for the scholarship for her studies at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Lizbeth Esmeralda Robles Jimenez was awarded a Conacyt-Mexico scholarship during her PhD program at the Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de México. During the study, Dr. Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez was a visiting scholar also supported by project number 4974/2020CIB from Universidad Autonoma del Estado de México

Production Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Milk Composition of Dairy Ewes Supplemented with Crushed Sunflower Seeds and Sunflower Seed Silage in Corn Silage-Based Diets

Se evaluo la adicion de semillas de girasol, ensiladas y sin ensilar, en ovejas lecherasThis study determined production performance, nutrient digestibility, and milk composition of dairy ewes supplemented with crushed sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) and sunflower seed silage in corn silage-based diets. Six ewes were grouped in a double 3 × 3 Latin square design with three periods of 21 days. All treatments were based on ad libitum corn silage. Control diet was based on alfalfa hay (333 g/kg DM), sorghum grain (253 g/kg DM), triticale grain (200 g/kg DM), soybean meal (167 g /kg DM), and vitamin and mineral premix (47 g/kg DM). Sunflower seeds (SF) and sunflower seed silage (SFS) treatments consisted of alfalfa hay (333 g/kg DM), sorghum grain (267 g/kg DM), triticale grain (100 g/kg DM), soybean meal (167 g /kg DM), SF or SFS (87 g/kg DM) and vitamin and mineral premix (47 g/kg DM). Compared to control, SF and SFS increased intake and digestibility of fiber components, such as neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Body weight, nitrogen balance, milk yield, milk fat yield, milk protein yield, lactose yield and milk urea N were similar between treatments. Overall, results demonstrated that crushed sunflower seeds and ensiled seeds do not change significantly productive parameters of dairy sheep.UAEM 4974/2020CI

Relevador portátil de curvas I-V de paneles fotovoltaicos como herramienta de diagnostico <i>in situ</i> de sistemas de generación fotovoltaica

En este trabajo se analiza la funcionalidad de un equipo portátil para relevamiento de características I-V de panales fotovoltaicos, desarrollado por el GER – Grupo en Energías Renovables – FaCENA – UNNE. Se verificó la funcionalidad del equipo a través de ensayos, bajo diversas condiciones, de módulos fotovoltaicos nuevos de 50 Wp de potencia nominal, 26 módulos de la empresa CONERGY y 31 de la empresa PHOTON. También fue realizado el trazado de la curva I-V de un panel fotovoltaico de 400 Wp instalado en una escuela rural cercana a la ciudad de Corrientes. El levantamiento de las características eléctricas de los dispositivos fotovoltaicos puso en evidencia un comportamiento anómalo en 6 de los 26 módulos CONERGY. Ensayos realizados con diferentes valores de temperatura de los módulos muestran que estas anomalías aparecen cuando la la temperatura del módulo supera los 40ºC, lo que sugiere la aparición de puntos calientes. Como parte de los ensayos, se examino también, el efecto que tiene el sombreado parcial de celdas sobre la curva I-V. Este último análisis fue realizado sobre módulos individuales y sobre el panel de 400 Wp y, de esta forma, se determinó una disminución de eficiencia del orden del 9% y 16% respectivamente. En términos generales, se verifico que el equipo tiene utilidad práctica tanto en laboratorio como en campo, siendo su uso rápido, sencillo y confiable. Sin embrago, se detectó un error sistemático producido por el algoritmo de control que está en vías de corrección.This paper analyzes the functionality of a portable equipment for surveying IV characteristics of photovoltaic modules by GER – Grupo en Energias Renovables - FaCENA - UNNE. The equipment was tested under various situations, on photovoltaic modules of different brand with no use at all, 26 PHOTON, 31 CONERGY, and on a photovoltaic array of 400 Wp installed at a rural school near the city of Corrientes. An average IV characteristic was determined for each set which, in the absence of reliable data from the manufacturer, may be taken as representative for the brand. An anomalous behavior was also revealed in 6 out of the 26 CONERGY modules. Test at variable panel temperature show that this behavior is induced for Tpanel> 40 º C and could result in the formation of hot spots. The impact of partial shading on the I-V panel characteristic was also investigated. This analysis was performed on individual modules and on the array of 400 Wp. as well. A loss of 9% and 16% respectively was determined as consequence of partial shading. In general terms, the portable equipment has proven to be adequate for both laboratory and field use, being fast, simple and reliable. However, there was a systematic error produced by the control algorithm of the active load which is being corrected.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES