A comparative study on the application of various artificial neural networks to simultaneous prediction of rock fragmentation and backbreak

AbstractIn blasting operation, the aim is to achieve proper fragmentation and to avoid undesirable events such as backbreak. Therefore, predicting rock fragmentation and backbreak is very important to arrive at a technically and economically successful outcome. Since many parameters affect the blasting results in a complicated mechanism, employment of robust methods such as artificial neural network may be very useful. In this regard, this paper attends to simultaneous prediction of rock fragmentation and backbreak in the blasting operation of Tehran Cement Company limestone mines in Iran. Back propagation neural network (BPNN) and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) are adopted for the simulation. Also, regression analysis is performed between independent and dependent variables. For the BPNN modeling, a network with architecture 6-10-2 is found to be optimum whereas for the RBFNN, architecture 6-36-2 with spread factor of 0.79 provides maximum prediction aptitude. Performance comparison of the developed models is fulfilled using value account for (VAF), root mean square error (RMSE), determination coefficient (R2) and maximum relative error (MRE). As such, it is observed that the BPNN model is the most preferable model providing maximum accuracy and minimum error. Also, sensitivity analysis shows that inputs burden and stemming are the most effective parameters on the outputs fragmentation and backbreak, respectively. On the other hand, for both of the outputs, specific charge is the least effective parameter

Geo-Mechanical Modelling for Optimization of Rock Slope in an Opencast Coal Mine

Jharia Coalfield, in India, is a prime storehouse of the coking coal. It contains as many as thirty contiguous seams. Multiplicity of seams has contributed to a number of problems, fire, inundated workings, goaf out area and disturbed strata condition. However, due to various geotechnical problems, it was not possible to fully extract coal by underground mining method. Opencast mining is now planned for extraction of virgin coal seams upto an ultimate depth of 500 m for ensuring maximum resources recovery. There are various modeling methods to analyze the behaviour of slopes. To achieve the objective for ensuring the safe slopes with steepest possible angle, the prototype of one of the mine was simulated in physical model i.e. Equivalent material model (EM) incorporating all the pertinent characteristics of rock mass, mining method and geological discontinuities properties. The results of EM are corroborated by Numerical method using Computer code FLAC- 2D. It was observed that when slope reached near the bottom seam the resultant vector of various monitoring points showed toppling tendency of slopes whereas high stress concentration was observed in the toe region and decreases towards the surface

Determination of CPUA and distribution pattern of families Haemulidae, Nemipteridae and Ariidae in the Oman Sea

This trawl survey was carried out during 2013 for the stock assessment of families Haemulids, Nemipterids and Ariids in the Oman Sea. Sampling was carried out at five different stratum and depths. The highest value of CPUA of Haemulidae was estimated for Pomadasys stridens in “B” stratum (885.78 kg nm^-2), for Pomadasys kaakan at depths of 10-20 m (330.35 kg nm^-2), and for Nemipteridae it was estimated for Nemipterus japonicus in “D” stratum (1042.31 kg nm^-2) at 30-50 m depths (1734.97 kg nm^-2), and for Ariidae, it was estimated for Netuma thalassina in the stratum B (752.64 kg nm^-2) at 20-30 m depths (428.33 kg nm^-2). The highest biomass for Haemulidae was estimated in stratum B (320.53 ton) at 50-100 m depths (282.98 tons), and for Nemipteridae in “D” stratum (559.72 tons) and at depths of 30-50 m (604.04 tons), and for Ariidae it was estimated in “B” stratum (272.35 tons) and at 50-100 m depths (255.12 ton). Based on the results obtained, the highest species diversity for Haemulids was in “A” stratum at depths less than 50 m, while for Nemipterids it was similar in the total study area and different depth layers. Highest species diversity for Ariids were found in “A” and “D” strata at depth layers of 10-20 m and 30-50 m, respectively. In light of the fact that fishing efforts decreased during these years, our results illustrate that CPUA and biomass have ascending trends which indicate the relative stability of the stocks of these families

Measurement of Losses in a Austoft Sugarcane Harvester Case 7000

IntroductionSugarcane is one of the strategic products of Khuzestan province, which is cultivated in 10 active agro-industrial sites and covers an area of about 110,000 hectares of irrigated farms in the province. Sugarcane harvesting, like most crops, is done by special sugarcane harvesters. Due to the life of machines and also the amount of heavy machine operations in each season of sugarcane harvest, the loss is inevitable. On the other hand, in Khuzestan province, due to lack of studies, there is little information in this area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the extent of losses during sugarcane harvesting operations, taking into account factors such as cultivars, age of sugarcane, and reaping speed of the Astaf 7000 model. The study will be conducted at the sugarcane agro-industrial site of Dehkhoda in 2021.Materials and MethodsThe experiment was conducted as a factorial split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks (RCBD) with three replications. The first factor included four levels of cultivars (IRC-12, CP48-103, CP 73-21, and CP69-1062), the second factor included three levels of harvest age (plant, Ratoon 1, Ratoon 2), and the third factor included three levels of speed (3, 5, and 7 km h-1). Sampling was carried out under the same and constant conditions with respect to soil moisture content, harvester operator, harvester characteristics, harvester settings, and crop density in each field.Results and DiscussionThe results of analysis of variance of the data obtained from measuring sugarcane losses showed that the effect of cultivar on yield, full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane and splinter sugarcane had a significant effect at a probability level of one percent. The effect of age had a significant effect on yield, full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane with a probability level of one percent, but had no significant effect on the amount of splinter sugarcane. The interaction between cultivar and age had a significant effect on yield, chopped sugarcane, and full-length sugarcane with a probability level of one percent and on splinter sugarcane with a probability level of five percent. The effect of machine speed had a significant effect on full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane and splinter sugarcane with a probability level of one percent, but had no significant effect on yield. The interaction of cultivar and machine speed had a significant effect on yield, full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane and splinter sugarcane with a probability level of one percent. The interaction effect of age and machine speed on yield had a significant effect on full-length sugarcane and splinter sugarcane with a probability level of one percent and on the amount of splinter sugarcane with a probability level of five but had no significant effect on yield. Also, the interaction of cultivar, age and machine speed had a significant effect on yield, full-length sugarcane and chopped sugarcane with a probability level of one percent, but had no significant effect on the amount of splinter sugarcane. The results showed that the highest yield in CP69-1062 variety was observed in the plant farm with average machine speed (144.33 tons per hectare). Also, the highest amount of sugarcane losses in cultivar CP48-103 in Raton II and with 7 km h-1 machine speed (3.32 tons per hectare), the highest amount of chopped sugarcane losses in cultivar CP48-103 in plant farm and with average speed (1.78 tons per hectare) was observed. According to the results under the interaction of cultivar and device speed, the highest amount of sugarcane losses in CP69-1062 cultivar and high speed (0.314 tons per hectare) as well as IRC-12 cultivar and high speed (0.308 tons in Hectares), and under the interaction of farm age and speed of the harvester, the highest amount of sugarcane losses was observed in Ratoon farm and the high speed of the harvester (0.300 tons per hectare).ConclusionTherefore, in order to reduce the amount of losses in sugarcane fields, it is recommended to use resistant and somewhat later cultivars for cultivation, because early cultivars are more fragile during harvest due to stem fragility and the rate of losses increases. Also, Harvester speed optimization reduces the amount of losses, and due to the increase in the rate of losses in reclaimed farms, it is recommended to create more resistant stem tissue by proper plant nutrition and more care to reduce the rate of losses in ratoon farms

CAR-T cell. the long and winding road to solid tumors

Adoptive cell therapy of solid tumors with reprogrammed T cells can be considered the "next generation" of cancer hallmarks. CAR-T cells fail to be as effective as in liquid tumors for the inability to reach and survive in the microenvironment surrounding the neoplastic foci. The intricate net of cross-interactions occurring between tumor components, stromal and immune cells leads to an ineffective anergic status favoring the evasion from the host's defenses. Our goal is hereby to trace the road imposed by solid tumors to CAR-T cells, highlighting pitfalls and strategies to be developed and refined to possibly overcome these hurdles

A Network Model for Time Management in Overhaul of Sugarcane Harvester

Introduction Mechanized harvesting of sugarcane by harvesters and the lack of proper management of harvesting, increase the cost of production and eventually become unprofitable. In the case of sugarcane harvester, because the systems are used to be repaired, increasing in system consumption will reduce machine reliability (Failure rate will increase). So, timely annual overhaul has effective role in enhancing the reliability of sugarcane harvesting machines. Because of time importance indicator for reducing timeliness cost and work breakdown, project scheduling techniques and work study especially network models are used. In this study, because of the ability of GERT networks capabilities in planning and scheduling, GERT networks were used and overhaul scheduling of sugarcane harvester in Amir Kabir Agro-Industry of Khuzestan province, Iran as a case study was analyzed. Materials and Methods The study was carried out in Khuzestan province of Iran in 2016. Data were collected from variety sources such as opinions and comments of experts and reports and statistics of Sugarcane Agro-Industry. All activity times are given in hour. At first, the project activities are determined and the work breakdown structure was drawn. Finally, GERT network was plotted and analyzed. GERT is a procedure, which combines the disciplines of the flow graph theory, Moment Generating Function (MGF) and Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) for analyzing stochastic networks having logical nodes and directed branches. Each branch has a probability that the activity associated with it will be performed. Therefore, GERT provides a visual picture of the system by means of the corresponding graph and makes it possible to analyze the given system in a less inductive manner. The following steps are employed, when applying GERT: 1. Convert a qualitative description of a system or problem to a model in a stochastic network form. 2. Collect the necessary data to describe the transmittances of the network. 3. Apply Mason’s rule to determine the equivalent function or functions of the network. 4. Convert the equivalent function into the following two performance measures of the network: (a) The probability that a specific node is realized. (b) The moment generating function of the time associated with a node, if it is realized. 5. Make inferences concerning the system under study from the information obtained in the Step 4. Results and Discussion In this paper the GERT method has been presented for operations modeling in overhaul sugarcane harvester. Correct scheduling of the agricultural mechanization project (overhaul) is the required condition for the project success therefore the GERT network of overhaul sugarcane harvester was plotted. A network is a powerful tool for scheduling and simulating a project. The project network is defined as a set of activities performed according to the precedence constraint of the activities. The advantage of the GERT network in the present context is two-fold. Firstly, this procedure gives the visual picture of the inspection system and secondly, it enables a thorough characterization of overhaul sugarcane harvester. In this project, after defining activities, we estimate for each activity as a time. Then we solved the network with the GERT method. According to the materials and methods, the probability and mean of the completion time of overhaul sugarcane harvester obtained. The worth of different parts of the network is calculated. For each node, to conclude about the probability and mean can use the above procedure and predict various events during operations. So with due attention to certain events that are occurring in the tracks of operation, good decisions can be adopted. Time completion of overhaul scheduling of the sugarcane harvester is equal to 1164.64 man-hours. Results showed that the network model is increasingly powerful tool to help project manager who could able to make optimum decision. Conclusions Optimized overhaul planning is a fundamental activity in business profitability because it can increase the returns from an operation with low additional costs. In this paper, a specific scheduling model for an overhaul operations scheduling is developed along with an optimal solution GERT method. The purpose of this paper is studying the application of project scheduling in agriculture, for overhaul scheduling of sugarcane harvester using GERT method in Khuzestan province of Iran. Time completion of overhaul scheduling of sugarcane harvester is equal to 1164.64 man-hours

Evaluation of Loss Resources during Sugarcane Production Process and Provide Solutions to Reduce Waste

Introduction No use of advanced mechanization and weakness in post harvesting technology are the main reasons of agricultural losses. Some of these wastes (agricultural losses) are related to crop growing conditions in field and the remaining to processing of sugar in mill. The most useful priority setting methods for agricultural projects are the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). So, this study presents an introduction of application manner of the AHP as a mostly common method of setting agricultural projects priorities. The purpose of this work is studying the sugarcane loss during production process using AHP in Khuzestan province. Materials and Methods The resources of sugarcane waste have been defined based on expert’s opinions. A questionnaire and personal interviews have formed the basis of this research. The study was applied to a panel of qualified informants made up of thirty-two experts. Those interviewed were distributed in Sugarcane Development and By-products Company in 2015-2016. Then, with using the analytical hierarchy process, a questionnaire was designed for defining the weight and importance of parameters effecting on sugarcane waste. For this method of evaluation, three main criteria considered, were yield criteria, cost criteria and income criteria. Criteria and prioritizing of them was done by questionnaire and interview with sophisticated experts. This technique determined and ranked the importance of sugarcane waste resources based on attributing relative weights to factors with respect to comments provided in the questionnaires. Analytical Hierarchy Process was done by using of software (Expert choice) and the inconsistency rate on expert judgments was investigated. Results and Discussion How to use agricultural implements and machinery during planting and harvesting of sugarcane, can increase or decrease the volume of waste. In planting period, the losses mainly consists of loss of setts during cutting them by machine, injury the setts by biological and physical agents, loss of growth in sett field, unsuitable sett covering and replanting the gaps. During cultivation period the losses include late in field harvesting and so late in regrows the cane, unsuitable ratooning and use of cultivator, varying the size of the furrows and ricks in around the field and destroyed the stubbles during rationing. In harvesting the losses easily seen and mainly associated by efficiency of harvester machines. Billets loss of the fleet in the transmission roads toward mill and late in harvest the burnet cane and then transport to mill are main sources of quantities and qualities of losses. The Expert Choice software performed well in conjunction with the panel of experts for choosing the criteria and assigning weights under the AHP methodology. According to the results, effective parameters on sugarcane waste consist of caused by harvesting, transportation, industry, planting, preserve operations, ratooning and land preparation. Weight of effective criteria (yield, cost and income) on losses of sugarcane obtained from paired comparison in the experts’ view which has been calculated with Expert choice software. The result of this survey by AHP techniques showed that yield criteria had the most and income criteria had the least importance for expert in sugarcane production. In this stage of research, alternatives of paired comparison relative to criteria was separately formed and information of questionnaire which relates to paired comparison of criteria was obtained. Between effective parameters on losses of sugarcane, harvesting with 0.243 weighted average was the most effective factor and transportation with 0.187 weighted average, industry with 0.179 weighted average, planting with 0.156 weighted average, preserve operations with 0.109 weighted average, ratooning with 0.071 weighted average, and land preparation with 0.055 weighted average was later, respectively (Inconsistence Rate =0.04). The results are examined by monitoring sensitivity analysis while changing the criteria priorities. Since different judgments are made on comparison of criteria, we use sensitivity analysis in order to provide stability and consistence of analysis. With increasing or decreasing of the criteria, we will conclude that ratio of other indices will not change. Conclusions This paper looks at AHP as a tool used in Sugarcane Agro-Industries to help in decision making. Results show that criteria studied in this research can help prioritizing of loss resources during sugarcane production process. According to the results, effective parameters on sugarcane waste consist of caused by harvesting, transportation, industry, planting, preserve operations, ratooning and land preparation

Effect of acidic environment on slake durability of iron ore — An experimental approach

182-184Forces of weathering and erosion reduce the strength of rocks leading to various types of failures in slopes and strata. The present paper deals with the variation in the strength of iron ore bearing rocks with the acidity of the solutions to which they are exposed. Slake durability index is a measure of the durability of the rock when exposed to a slaking fluid medium. The variations in the slake durability indices of iron ore samples were studied by exposing them to acidic solutions of different pH values. The results indicate that the slake durability of iron ore rocks decreases with increase in the acidity of the solutions to which they are exposed. This behaviour is attributed to combined forces of weathering and corrosion acting on iron ore in acidic slaking media

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) tolerance to some post-emergence herbicides

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) is a medicinal plant, but its cultivation is restricted by weed competition. Therefore, three rates (0.75X, 1X, and 1.25X, where X is equal to the recommended dose of haloxyfop-R (methyl ester), sethoxydim, oxadiargyl, bentazon, oxadiazon, and oxyfluorfen) were applied at the 3–4 leaf stages to valerian plants. This application was done to select the herbicide type and rate for post-controlling broadleaf and grasses weeds in this species. Herbicide injury, Soil-Plant Analyses Development (SPAD) reading, number of leaves per plant, stem diameter, and fresh and dry weights were determined 10, 20, and 30 days after herbicide application. Oxyfluorfen application caused the most herbicide injury followed by bentazon. Injury increased as the rate and the days after application increased. Oxadiazon only caused significant damage 30 days after application under all three rates. Other treatments showed no marked injuries under any rate or date after application, as compared with the control. Effects on other measured traits depended on the trait, herbicide, and herbicide rate. The highest SPAD, leaf number, shoot diameter, fresh weight and dry weight, was recorded under application of 30 mg a.i. ∙ kg–1 soil oxadiargyl and 90 mg a.i. ∙ kg–1 soil oxadiazon, 81 mg a.i. ∙ kg–1 soil haloxyfop-R, 37.5 mg a.i. ∙ kg–1 soil oxadiargyl, 22.5 mg a.i. ∙ kg–1 soil oxadiargyl, 81 mg a.i. ∙ kg–1 soil haloxyfop-R, and 81 mg a.i. ∙ kg–1 soil haloxyfop-R, respectively. To sum up, the results showed that sethoxydim, oxadiargyl, and haloxyfop-R produced no significant symptoms of phytotoxicity or reduction of measured traits. This means that oxadiargyl, haloxyfop-R, and sethoxydim may be used safely for weed control of valerian at the rates used in this experiment under similar conditions

Shear behaviour of jointed rockmass of sandstone quarry, Mizoram state, India

66-70The shear behaviour of jointed rockmass in a sandstone quarry of south Hlimen, Mizoram were investigated for the slope stability analysis. A computer program was developed in ‘C’ language, to predict the shear strength and dilation of rock joints, based on Barton-Bandis Model. The program further helps to obtain field equivalents of physico-mechanical properties of such rock joints by using laboratory test data. Detailed joints survey were carried out in the field and basic geotechnical description (BGD) of the rockmass was described for rock joints as per recommendations of International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM). Tilt apparatus was used to determine the angles of tilt for the natural joint surfaces as well as for the smooth core samples. Jointwall compressive strength (JCS) and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of intact rock were also determined by using Schmidt’s hammer. The present study showed that the shear behaviour of the rock joints influenced by many factors, among which joint roughness, level of normal effective stress and size of blocks (joint spacing) are of paramount importance