Rheological Properties of Sand-Laden Dairy Manure: Modeling by Concentration and Temperature

Liquid dairy manure is applied with irrigation water or injected into the soil, as well as being used for the production of biogas. One of the problems facing dairy operations is the slurry manure transportation and pumping through pipelines to distant locations of the farm, especially when the sand content (used as bedding material) increases. In this study, rheological properties of sand-laden dairy manure (SLDM) including total solids (TS%), density and apparent viscosity were determined at four levels of manure solids (7, 10, 13 and 16 %TS) as well as the liquid manure taken from a manure separator tested at shear rates of 1.76 to 225.28  using a concentric cylindrical rheometer. Effect of temperature on the apparent viscosity at five levels (10, 21, 30, 40 and 50 °C) and various shear rates was investigated. Fresh manure collected with a scraper contained 36% sand. Results of the study showed that sand-laden manure is a non-Newtonian fluid, and behaves as a shear thinning material (pseudoplastic), but approaches Newtonian fluid when concentration decreases. Increasing the sand content, will increase density and reduce the viscosity of the slurry manure. Apparent viscosity at a shear rate of 112.64  and ambient temperature of 21°C, for 7,10,13,16 TS% and effluent of separator was 37.1, 101.5, 352.9, 773.4 and 147.4 mPa.s, respectively. The relationship between temperature, concentration (TS%) and shear rate with apparent viscosity was represented  by an exponential model

Sugar beet performance affected by uniformity of N fertigation

In common with the majority of crop species, in sugar beet nutrition nitrogen is an important element due to its role in sucrose utilization and plant growth. Application of precision agriculture, in order to apply the right amount of input at the right time in the right area, is appropriate to decrease chemical use and increase plant growth. Problem statement: More often farmers apply fertilizers with low efficiency, low uniformity and high price such as spinner spreader, boom spreader or application with planting machines simultaneously. Fertigation can reduce labor cost and may improve uniformity, effectiveness and timeliness of application. Approach: The main objective of this study was to determine spatial variability of sugar beet performance affected by urea fertigation as well as established a management strategy based on spatial variability of tubers and soil total N. This study was conducted in Fesaran village, Isfahan Province of Iran and limited to sugar beet (monogerm seed). Urea applied through sprinklers. Soil samples were taken to determine soil total N as well as sugar beet tubers samples to specify yield. Results of soil and crop analysis were used to produce spatial variability maps through GS+ and ArcGIS 9.2 software. Semivariogram results were used to perform an ordinary kriging to obtain interpolated values of selected variables from the sample points through and across the study area. Results: It was found that there was a low spatial variability of soil total N and yield which indicates that the soil has a homogenous total N as well as homogenous yield through and across the field. Yield variability map of sugar beet properties demonstrated that the higher yield was seen in the southern part of the study area where laterals were closer to pump. Conclusion: The results of urea fertigation through sprinklers showed pipeline layout and pump station position impact on variability of sugar beet properties

The data set development for the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR): progress toward improving the quality of care.

Study designDescriptive study.ObjectivesThe aim of this manuscript is to describe the development process of the data set for the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR).SettingSCI community in Iran.MethodsThe NSCIR-IR data set was developed in 8 months, from March 2015 to October 2015. An expert panel of 14 members was formed. After a review of data sets of similar registries in developed countries, the selection and modification of the basic framework were performed over 16 meetings, based on the objectives and feasibility of the registry.ResultsThe final version of the data set was composed of 376 data elements including sociodemographic, hospital admission, injury incidence, prehospital procedures, emergency department visit, medical history, vertebral injury, spinal cord injury details, interventions, complications, and discharge data. It also includes 163 components of the International Standards for the Neurologic Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) and 65 data elements related to quality of life, pressure ulcers, pain, and spasticity.ConclusionThe NSCIR-IR data set was developed in order to meet the quality improvement objectives of the registry. The process was centered around choosing the data elements assessing care provided to individuals in the acute and chronic phases of SCI in hospital settings. The International Spinal Cord Injury Data Set was selected as a basic framework, helped by comparison with data from other countries. Expert panel modifications facilitated the implementation of the registry process with the current clinical workflow in hospitals