Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sergio Riccardo Sirotti.pdf: 2358635 bytes, checksum: 4cb8090b98a38996274bd21ad82a5533 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-11 / However, if high rainfall rates, oscillations in the relative air humidity and temperature variations occur during the maturation period, there will be high liabilities in the seed s physiological and pathological quality. An experiment was conducted on the Vovó Palmira Farm, Jardim Olinda PR Brazil and in the Laboratory of Seed Analysis of the Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE) so that the ideal moment for the application of desiccating herbicides could be chosen and the viability of harvest anticipation and its effects on yield and physiological quality of soybean seeds could be evaluated. Cultivar BMX Potência RR was planted in the usual manner, with an approximate population of 266,667 plants.ha-1. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with five replications in a factorial 2 x 5 + 1, two herbicides applied at 5 different times, totaling 11 treatments with 5 replicates and one witness, a total of 55 plots. The portion adopted as experimental unit consisted of five rows with 5.5 meters long. The results showed that application of Gramoxone data presented more homogeneous, while the Reglone applied to 03 and 06 days have the best results, with the application of herbicides closest to the crop caused a decrease in weight and an increase in the content moisture in the grain, causing reduction in grain quality and requiring greater drying time.Therefore, herbicide application, brought serious problems in the quality of seeds, with abnormal seedlings and dead.The herbicides were effective in the reduction of plant dry matter, thus improving the collection process. / Com o objetivo de estudar o momento ideal para a aplicação de herbicidas dessecantes, a viabilidade da antecipação da colheita e seus efeitos sobre o rendimento e a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja, foi instalado um experimento no Sítio vovó Palmira, no município de Jardim Olinda PR, e no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Para tanto, utilizou-se o Cultivar BMX Potência RR, a qual foi semeada na safra normal, com uma população de aproximadamente 266.667 plantas.ha-1. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos inteiramente casualizados com cinco repetições em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 + 1, sendo dois herbicidas aplicados em 5 épocas diferentes, totalizando 11 tratamentos com 5 repetições e 1 testemunha, num total de 55 parcelas. A parcela adotada como unidade experimental, constitui-se de cinco linhas com 5,5 metros de comprimento.Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação do Gramoxone apresentou dados mais homogêneos, enquanto que, o Reglone aplicado aos 03 e 06 dias tem os melhores resultados, sendo que a aplicação dos herbicidas mais próximo da colheita, promoveu um decréscimo no peso e um acréscimo no teor de umidade no grão, provocando redução na qualidade do grão e exigindo maior tempo de secagem. Portanto, a aplicação dos herbicidas, trouxe sérios problemas na qualidade da sementes, com plântulas anormais e mortas. A aplicação dos herbicidas mostraram-se eficientes na diminuição de matéria seca das plantas, assim melhorando o processo de colheita.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo a avaliação do efeito de estádios de maturidade de cultivares de milho (Zea mays L.) para produção de silagem sobre os parâmetros agronômicos e qualitativos da planta e das frações que a compõem. Foram avaliados seis híbridos de milho para silagem, colhidos em oito estádios de maturidade, em dois anos agrícolas, safra de 2002 e 2003. As plantas atingiram o teor de matéria seca (MS) recomendado para ensilagem (32 a 35% MS) entre 92 e 112 dias após a semeadura (DAS). O híbrido CO 32 apresentou os maiores (P<0,05) teores de MS da planta e do colmo, e as menores (P<0,05) produções MS do colmo ao longo do período de avaliação, enquanto o híbrido P 3041 obteve os menores (P<0,05) teores de MS da planta e do colmo. Os híbridos DKB 333B e AG 1051, de ciclo normal, apresentaram as maiores (P<0,05) produções de colmo no 1&#186;, 3&#186;, 4&#186;, 5&#186; e 8&#186; corte. O avanço da maturidade resultou em aumentos (P<0,05) no teor de MS da planta (de 14,5 para 46%) e do colmo (de 16,9 para 28%), produção de MS da planta (de 9,6 para 20,9 t MS/ha) e produção de grãos (de 0 para 9,3 t MS/ha). Aumentos (P<0,05) nos teores de MS das frações folha (de 23,2 para 48,8%), sabugo (de 10,0 para 55,5%) e grãos (de 50,4 para 70,9%) também foram observados ao longo do tempo. Além disso, observou-se aumentos (P<0,05) nas porcentagens de sabugo (de 1,6 para 9,2%) e grãos (de 0 para 43,4%), e redução (P<0,05) na porcentagem de colmo (de 63,4 para 29,5%) e folhas (de 27,5 para 10,8%). Com o avanço da maturidade foram observados aumentos (P<0,05) nos teores médios de amido da planta (1,8 a 26,1%) e do grão (60,2 a 91,9%); e na produção de matéria seca digestível (PMSD) da planta (7,2 a 16,3 t/ha) e do grão (3,3 a 8,9 t/ha). Em contrapartida, verificou-se redução (P<0,05) nos teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) da planta (71,9 para 52,8%); FDN digestível da planta (64,7 para 54,4%) e do colmo (55,2 para 39,6%); proteína bruta (PB) da planta (12,5 para 7,0%) e do colmo (7,0 para 4,2%); e na digestibilidade verdadeira in vitro da MS (DVIVMS) do colmo (66 para 53,7%) e do grão (99,1 para 96,4%). No ponto de ensilagem, os híbridos P 3041, AG 1051 e Z 8550 foram os materiais que apresentaram as características mais desejáveis na confecção de silagem de qualidade. Para a fração colmo, o híbrido Z 8550 apresentou os menores (P<0,05) teores de PB e FDN, e os maiores (P<0,05) teores de FDN digestível, DVIVMS e PMSD. Os híbridos P 3041, DKB 333B e AG 1051, de endosperma duro, apresentaram juntamente com o híbrido Z 8550, as maiores (P<0,05) PMSD do colmo. No ponto de ensilagem, o maior (P<0,05) teor de amido do grão foi observado para os híbridos de endosperma duro (P 3041 e DKB 333B), enquanto que a maior (P<0,05) DVIVMS do grão foi verificada para os materiais de endosperma dentado (AG 5011 e AG 1051). A avaliação detalhada da planta, levando em consideração a produtividade, a participação percentual dos seus componentes, além da composição química intrínseca dos mesmos é fundamental para a adequação do processo de ensilagem e êxito dos sistemas de produção. / The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the maturity stage of corn (Zea mays L.) cultivars for silage production on agronomic and qualitative parameters of plant and its compounds. Six corn silage cultivars were evaluated in eight maturity stages, and two harvesting seasons (2002 and 2003). The plants reached the recommended dry matter (DM) content for silage production (32 to 35% DM) between 92 and 112 days after sowing (DAS). The cultivar CO 32 showed the highest (P<0.05) plant and stem DM content, and the lowest (P<0.05) stem DM production along the evaluation period, while P 3041 cultivar achieved the lowest (P<0,05) plant and stem DM content. The normal maturity cycle cultivars DKB 333B and AG 1051, showed the highest (P<0.05) stem production at 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th harvesting age. As maturity advance there were increases (P<0.05) of plant DM content, (from 14.5 to 46%), stem DM content (from 16.9 to 28%), plant DM production (from 9.6 to 20.9 t DM/ha) and grain production (from 0 to 9.3 t DM/ha). Increases (P<0.05) of leaves DM content (from 23.2 to 48.8%), cob DM content (from 10 to 55.5%), and grains DM content (from 50.4 to 70.9%) were observed according to the maturity stage. Furthermore, resulted in increases (P<0.05) in cob percentage (from 1.6 to 9.2%) and grain percentage (from 0 to 43.4%), and decreases (P<0.05) in stem percentage (from 63.4 to 29.5%) and leaves percentage (from 27.5 to 10.8%) as plants matured. Plant maturing resulted in increases in plant (1.8 to 26.1%) and grain (60.2 to 91.9%) starch content, and in the plant (7.2 to 16.3 t/ha) and grain (3.3 to 8.9 t/ha) digestible DM production. However there were verified decreases (P<0.05) in plant (71.9 to 52.8%) neutral detergent fiber (NDF), plant (64.7 to 54.4%) and stem (55.2 to 39.6%) digestible NDF, plant (12.5 to 7.0%) and stem (7.0 to 4.2%) crude protein (CP), and stem (66 to 53.7%) and grain (99.1 to 96.4%) in vitro true dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD) content. At the ensilage moment, P 3041, AG 1051 and Z 8550 cultivars showed the most desirable characteristics for silage production with quality. For the stem fraction, Z 8550 cultivar showed the lowest (P<0.05) CP and NDF content, and the highest values (P<0.05) for stem digestible NDF, IVTDMD, and digestible DM productions. The cultivars P 3041, DKB 333B and AG 1051, with hard endosperm, showed together with Z 8550 cultivar, the highest (P<0.05) stem DDMP. For the grain, it was observed that at the ensilage moment, the highest (P<0.05) starch content was verified for the hard endosperm cultivars (P 3041 and DKB 333B), while the highest (P<0.05) IVTDMD was observed for the soft endosperm cultivars (AG 5011 e AG 1051). Grain DDMP was similar (P>0.05) for the evaluated cultivars.

Tremendousadvancement inultra-low powerelectronics and radiocommunica tionshas significantly contributed towards the fabrication of miniaturized biomedical sensors capable of capturing physiological data and transmitting them wirelessly. However, most of the wearable sensors require a battery for their operation. The battery serves as one of the critical bottlenecks to the development of novel wearable applications, as the limitations offered by batteries are affecting the development of new form-factors and longevity of wearable devices. In this work, we introduce a novel concept, namely Intra-Body Power Transfer (IBPT), to alleviate the limitations and problems associated with batteries, and enable wireless, batteryless wearable devices. The innovation of IBPT is to utilize the human body as the medium to transfer power to passive wearable devices, as opposed to employingon-boardbatteries for each individual device. The proposed platform eliminates the on-board rigid battery for ultra-low power and ultra-miniaturized sensors such that their form-factor can be flexible, ergonomically designed to be placed on small body parts. The platform also eliminates the need for battery maintenance (e.g., recharging or replacement) for multiple wearable devices other than the central power source. The performance of the developed system is tested and evaluated in comparison to traditional Radio Frequency based solutions that can be harmful to human interaction. The system developed is capable of harvesting on average 217µW at 0.43V and provides an average sleep/high impedance mode voltage of 4.5V.

Farmers run complex operations to fully plant, manage, grow, and harvest crops through the seasons. To help alleviate the tough decision-making process, tools have been created to inform farmers about their machinery and field status. GPS localization and machine state identification provides useful information to farm managers. A tool was created that successfully utilizes GPS data taken from loggers on tractors, combines, and grain trucks to successfully identify the states of all the machines in the field, including, idle, active, on the go, and stationary unloading. Initial results of the algorithm provide a 96% success rate in determining the state of the combine during harvest. Additionally, the algorithm was accurate at determining the state of grain carts and grain trucks at the boundaries of the field 94% of the time. In addition to GPS state identification, LoRa was identified as a potential technology which could link grain trucks and combines in real time providing useful information for in field decision making. Using a mobile end node and stationary gateway, testing was done to evaluate the performance and range of LoRa at long range and speeds ranging from 8 km/h to 96 km/h. Testing revealed a packet reliability of 77% at 8 km/h and a packet reliability of 43% at 96 km/h. A sharp decline in packet reliability was identified around a speed of 16km/h. <br><br>

Energy Harvesting from Exercise Machines (EHFEM) is an ongoing project pursuing alternate forms of sustainable energy for Cal Poly State University. The EHFEM project seeks to acquire user-generated DC power from exercise machines and sell that energy back to the local grid as AC power. The end goal of the EHFEM project aims to integrate a final design with existing elliptical fitness trainers for student and faculty use in Cal Poly’s Recreational Center. This report examines whether including the DC-DC converter in the EHFEM setup produces AC power to the electric grid more efficiently and consistently than an EHFEM system that excludes a DC-DC converter. The project integrates an overvoltage protection circuit, a DC-DC converter, and a DC-AC microinverter with an available elliptical trainer modified to include an energy converting circuit. The initial expectation was that a DC-DC converter would increase, when averaged over time, the overall energy conversion efficiency of the EHFEM system, and provide a stable voltage and current level for the microinverter to convert DC power into AC power. In actuality, while including a DC-DC converter in a test setup allows the EHFEM system to function with less frequent interruptions, this occurs at the cost of lower efficiency. Testing demonstrates the EHFEM project can convert user-generated DC mechanical power into usable AC electrical power. Retrofitting existing equipment with the EHFEM project can reduce Cal Poly’s energy cost.

Der Klimawandel wird künftig die landwirtschaftlichen Erträge beeinflussen. Die Studie schätzt die Auswirkungen der projizierten Klimaänderungen auf die Entwicklung der Erträge von Winterweizen, Winterroggen, Wintergerste, Winterraps und Silomais ab. Die Auswertungen erfolgten mit den statistisch orientierten Modell YIELDSTAT für den Zeitraum bis 2050 auf der Grundlage des Klimaszenarios WEREX IV A1B. Unter pessimistischen Annahmen sind durchgängig leichte Ertragseinbußen bis 2050 zu erwarten. Allerdings sind weder CO2-Düngungseffekte noch der wissenschaftlich-technischen Fortschritt hierbei berücksichtigt worden. Dagegen kann bei optimistischen Betrachtungen von einer weiteren Ertragssteigerung vor allem bei Wintergetreide und Winterraps gerechnet werden. Das Regionalmodell WEREX IV projiziert eine vergleichsweise moderate Klimaänderung bis 2050. Mit einer stärkeren Ertragsbeeinflussung, insbesondere auf den leichten, diluvialen Standorten, ist dann zu rechnen, wenn sich das künftige Klima schneller und extremer verändert als gegenwärtig mit WEREX IV berechnet wurde. Infolge zunehmender Extremereignisse wird die Ertragsstabilität künftig abnehmen.

Across the western United States, most populations of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) are managed through hunter harvest (Sandrey 1983). In hunted populations, human harvest is the leading source of mortality (Ballard 2000). With the exception of elk in national parks, populations are primarily managed through hunter harvest. Other sources of mortality include disease, automobile collisions, and predation from mountain lions, coyotes, wolves, and black bears (Childress 2003, Hornocker 1970). As a species of management concern and high economic value (Pickton 2008), hunted populations of elk are carefully managed to target population sizes to guarantee a sustainable supply and ensure available harvest in the future. Estimates of survival, an understanding of cause-specific mortality, and knowledge of high-risk harvest areas are essential to effective management strategies (Stussy 1994). In the first chapter, I examined habitat use of elk during the hunting season and determined habitat characteristics that best predicted vulnerability to harvest. In the second chapter, I calculated annual survival and determined cause-specific mortality of elk.

In recent years there has been a considerable amount of work done on developing chemicals that would inhibit mold growth when applied to fresh fruit, and at the same time, be acceptable to man when taken orally. This would save many thousands of tons of fresh produce that are lost each year by spoilage before it ever reaches the consumer. Along with the development of new chemicals to inhibit mold growth there is a substantial amount of research being done on developing a packaging film that will prevent recontamination of the produce, at the same time allowing the passage of gasses into and out of the package to allow respiration of the fruit. During the present century much emphasis has been placed on growing certain varieties of fruit for our specific needs. It has been found that particular varieties are better for canning and that other varieties are better for freezing. With the release of atomic energy for peaceful use in 1933 by the United States Congress, a new era of food preservation was introduced. Men in the scientific fields believe it is possible to extend the shelf-life of fresh fruits without altering their physical condition to great extent. Many institutions have been awarded grants and contracts to work on various phases of food preservation with atomic energy. Utah State University was awarded a contract by the United States Army Quartermaster Corp to study the use of gamma radiation for extending the shelf-life of fresh produce. It was with this idea in mind that work for this thesis was conducted to study the effects of gamma radiation, fungicides, and packaging film on the microbial growth on certain varieties of strawberries and cherries. In addition, experiments were conducted using fungicides and packaging films in order to lower the dose of radiation necessary to prevent mold growth. In order for this method of preserving fresh fruit to become successful, new and more economical methods and techniques in handling the materials will have to be developed.

In the semi-arid west, moisture is often the limiting factor in plant growth. High crop production is dependent upon rainfall and supplemental moisture supplied through irrigation. Plants for these areas, which are most efficient in use of water, other things being equal, would be more desirable.

Interactions among commercial fisheries and birds have been studied in open ocean ecosystems and at aquaculture facilities. On the Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, USA, a commercial harvest of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) eggs (i.e. cysts) occurs annually during fall and winter. Coinciding with commercial harvest is the use of the GSL by millions of waterbirds which has the potential to result in conflict among industry and birds. The objectives of my research were to examine fall and winter ecology of birds using the GSL and interactions with the brine shrimp cyst harvest. I examined the influence of temperature and food availability on the number and distribution of waterfowl and eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis). I also assessed the diets of the same species to see how much cyst biomass is being consumed by birds compared to removal by commercial harvest. A mass die-off (i.e. downing) of migrating eared grebes occurred during my research, so I assessed differences among birds that died and those that did not to better explain this phenomenon. Finally, I assessed the breeding origin of northern shovelers (Anas clypeata) wintering on the GSL using stable isotopeand banding data.I found that commercial harvest boats did not influence duck population numbersor distribution; rather temperature and food availability most influenced abundance and distribution, though this influence varied by species. Compared to commercial harvest, northern shovelers, green-winged teal (Anas crecca), and eared grebes removed a small fraction of the total amount of cysts that were removed from the GSL. Waterfowl diets were mainly wetland plant seeds during fall and spring, but when freshwater marshes were frozen in winter, ducks ate mostly brine shrimp cysts and brine fly (Ephydra spp.) larvae. Eared grebes are highly associated with saltwater habitats and they consumed adult brine shrimp most of the fall. Eared grebes that perished during the downing had mercury and selenium concentrations above levels seen in pre- and post-downing birds and higher than observed concentration that impact bird species, providing a potential ultimate cause of death during snowstorms that accompany most downings. Stable isotope analysis indicated northern shovelers that winter on the GSL had breeding origins throughout the specie’s range, but most came from local or southern Prairie Pothole Region breeding populations.