Performance and emission of pollutants of an agricultural engine with two-power take-off settings

Farming operations are usually performed implements driven by a power take-off (PTO) from tractors. Some manufacturers offer PTO settings named as economic (540E). Such configuration drives implements at lower tractor’s engine rotation, thus providing lower fuel consumption. An engine performance using standard (540) or 540E settings are different and poorly studied. The amounts of pollutants emitted by engines vary mainly with the applied load and rotation. The aim of this study was to compare the performance and exhaust emissions of a farming tractor engine under different PTO loads, using both standard (540) and 540E settings. Specific fuel consumption using 540E was an average 14.7% less than the standard setting. However, 540E promoted increasing levels of gas opacity, CO, CO2, NOx, and HC for the highest PTO power demands.Postprint (published version

mahindra 86-110P

Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Sistema hidráulico dos tratores agrícolas

O sistema de levante hidráulico possibilitou que os tratores agrícolas se tornassem extremamente versáteis, desempenhando inúmeras operações com qualidade e eficiência. Isso se deve ao acoplamento de implementos montados e semimontados, por meio de três pontos de fixação, permitindo abaixar e levantar conforme o controle do operador. Ademais, permite a realização de diferentes regulagens em relação à posição do implemento, ao controle de altura e à profundidade. Com o passar do tempo os fabricantes foram aperfeiçoando esse mecanismo, por meio do aumento da capacidade de levante, da melhoria das condições ergonômicas de operação e da introdução de sistemas eletrônicos de acionamento, controle e memorização em sequência de etapas em manobras de cabeceira. Além disso, em determinados modelos, os fabricantes oferecem opcionalmente o sistema de levante hidráulico de três pontos na parte frontal, possibilitando a realização de operações combinadas. Coincidentemente, ocorreu a introdução das válvulas de controle remoto (VCR), permitindo o acionamento de mecanismos hidráulicos de máquinas e implementos agrícolas tracionados pela barra de tração. Simultaneamente, ocorreram avanços nos sistemas de bombeamento hidráulico, hoje disponibilizados na forma de circuito centro aberto e fechado, resultando numa oferta diferenciada de modelos de tratores em função das necessidades específicas no uso do controle remoto.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise. The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included.Peer reviewe

Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Sembradora Horsch

Nesta edição da Revista Cultivar Máquinas apresentamos um teste de campo com a semeadora da marca Horsch, modelo Maestro Evolution 36.50, realizado em Barreiras na Bahia. Este modelo é uma evolução da maestro SW, antes comercializada no Brasil. A qualidade da tecnologia alemã realmente, além do conceito mundial, apresentou-se plenamente nesta máquina. Esta série de máquinas da Horsch é oferecida com versões de 24, 30, 36, 39 e 40 linhas e espaçamentos de 45 a 60 cm. Contudo, o espaçamento de 60 cm só é oferecido no modelo de 30 linhas e a versão de 40 linhas somente com espaçamento de 45 cm. A versão de 39 linhas é chamada de Split row e só tem oferta com 45 cm e serve para o algodão de 90 cm de espaçamento. Nos demais casos o cliente pode escolher o espaçamento. O modelo que tivemos disponível para teste era de 36 linhas, com espaçamento de 50 cm e é um dos modelos mais comercializados para as regiões de grandes áreas de agricultura, como o Mato Grosso e o Nordeste. Embora esta máquina tenha projeto e tecnologia alemã, ela é fabricada em Curitiba, PR, com grande nacionalização de componentes, possuindo credenciamento no Programa Finame do BNDES desde 2017. Além de várias inovações tecnológicas a máquina caracteriza-se por ser articulada e auto transportável. Articulada porque possui uma barra de plantio com seções que se adaptam às ondulações do terreno e auto transportável porque a barra pode ser recolhida lateralmente ao depósito reduzindo a largura de transporte da máquina para 3,20 m.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

ENVISPRAY: A Methodology to Evaluate PAE (Pesticide Application Equipment) According to the Environmental Risk

Pesticide application equipment (PAE) is the last part of the chain during the plant protection process. The use-phase of plant protection products (PPP) has been addressed in two EU Directives: 128/2009/EC and 127/2009/EC. This last one covers all the mandatory technical requirements to be fulfilled by new sprayers prior to their placement in the market. The objective of this research was to develop a potential decision support system (DSS) to evaluate and quantify the degree of implementation of all the required characteristics of new sprayers, including not only the mandatory requirements but also specifications widely described in the corresponding harmonized standard ISO 16119. It includes 10 independent elements of the sprayer, including a list of technical specifications listed in the applied standards ISO 16119 and ISO 16122. The relative influence of every one of the different elements has been quantified based on previous research. The algorithm enables the establishment of an objective relative classification of the sprayers to differentiate among different machines, mainly based on their quantified environmental contamination risk. The DSS can also discriminate among sprayers that should not reach the market due to their non-compliance with any of the mandatory requirements

Performance and emission of pollutants of an agricultural engine with two-power take-off settings

Farming operations are usually performed implements driven by a power take-off (PTO) from tractors. Some manufacturers offer PTO settings named as economic (540E). Such configuration drives implements at lower tractor’s engine rotation, thus providing lower fuel consumption. An engine performance using standard (540) or 540E settings are different and poorly studied. The amounts of pollutants emitted by engines vary mainly with the applied load and rotation. The aim of this study was to compare the performance and exhaust emissions of a farming tractor engine under different PTO loads, using both standard (540) and 540E settings. Specific fuel consumption using 540E was an average 14.7% less than the standard setting. However, 540E promoted increasing levels of gas opacity, CO, CO2, NOx, and HC for the highest PTO power demands

Agricultural spray inspection according to ISO 16122: Part II—Determination of the state of use and conservation of agricultural sprayersc

Considering the need to reduce environmental contamination and uplift the effectiveness and quality of pesticide application, this work had the goal to determine the conditions of use and conservation of agricultural sprayers used in the Central and Western border of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and to identify the most frequent problems in agricultural sprayers. Fifty-six sprayers connected to a three-point hydraulic system and the tractor drawbar were inspected, evaluating the safety and operation items using the methodology described in the Standard ISO 16122. After the evaluations, the collected data were submitted to an exploratory analysis by using descriptive statistics with the use of percentage frequencyPostprint (published version