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The massive introduction of technology in agriculture lead to a revolution in farming, in terms of a huge increase in productivity, energy savings, lower environmental impact, and improvement of drivers' working conditions. Technological innovation, however, raises some issues about its acceptability and perceived comfort. With regard to this, ergonomics considers users involvement and subjective ratings fundamental to improve efficiency, safety, and human well-being. In particular, the involvement of novice users is useful to identify the most severe issues. This study investigates the subjective assessment of comfort made by a group of novices approaching a tractor equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Electronics plays a major role in controlling the performance of this type of transmission and the working station (the cab) has been designed to hold and integrate the specific controls this technology requires. Eight tractor drivers participated in the study. After they had driven the tractor performing definite tasks they filled in a questionnaire about the arrangement and operation of the controls and of the touch-screen display and the general perception of safety, comfort, ease of use and solidity. The results of the study shows that participants didn't find the vehicle particularly user-friendly because it was equipped with controls and devices that made difficult to learn how they had to be triggered. The study points out that novice users have some difficulties when interacting for the first time with technological and electronic devices equipping the tractor's working station. These difficulties highlight the importance of training when a new machine has to be operated to improve user's comfort, operator's health and safety, and machine performance.

Presentazione dei dati di incidenti di lavoro in agricoltura, in particolare legati all'impiego di macchine, in relazione alle caratteristiche del sistema produttivo agricolo nazionale.

In Piemonte lavoratori immigrati rappresentano il 53.5% della forza lavoro non familiare (Media nazionale circa 25 %) Un fattore di rischio critico dei lavoratori immigrati riguarda la scarsa conoscenza della lingua italiana e quindi la conseguente difficoltà nella comprensione di tutta la comunicazione interna inerente la sicurezza (dai segnali di pericolo alle procedure, dalle istruzioni sul funzionamento di macchine o impianti all'etichettatura di prodotti chimici, e così via). Il D.Lgs 81/08, all'art. 36 afferma: "Il datore di lavoro provvede affinché ciascun lavoratore riceva una adeguata informazione (...) Il contenuto della informazione deve essere facilmente comprensibile per i lavoratori e deve consentire loro di acquisire le relative conoscenze. Ove la informazione riguardi lavoratori immigrati, essa avviene previa verifica della comprensione della lingua utilizzata nel percorso informativo." L'art. 37 del medesimo D.Lgs. stabilisce inoltre che "Il contenuto della formazione deve essere facilmente comprensibile per i lavoratori e deve consentire loro di acquisire le conoscenze e competenze necessarie in materia di salute e sicurezza sul lavoro. Ove la formazione riguardi lavoratori immigrati, essa avviene previa verifica della comprensione e conoscenza della lingua veicolare utilizzata nel percorso formativo (...)." Lo studio è realizzato mediante un approccio scientifico basato su un disegno di ricerca quasi sperimentale con gruppi di controllo non equivalenti e con valutazione ripetuta nel tempo (pre-intervento, post-intervento e follow up).

Il report illustra le analisi delle prove POWERSHIFT per modelli di trattore equipaggiati di trasmissione Full Power-Shift (FPS). Le prove POWERSHIFT sono prove di cambio marcia condotte utilizzando gli appositi pulsanti. Le prove sono eseguite a partire da velocità costante inserendo la marcia superiore (Upshift) e ritornando in quella di partenza (Downshift).

Chipping is an essential element in the energy supply chain and mobile chippers are very popular because they can work directly in the forest or at the roadside landing. Due to space constrain, drum chippers are dominating forest biomass operations. Drum chipper are less efficient then disc chipper but they are also less sensitive to feedstock quality. Drum chippers come in two main design types: closed drum with full-length knives and open drum with staggered narrow knives. The goal of this study was to analyse the specific effect of these design types on productivity, fuel consumption and product quality, using different raw material types. For this purpose, two commercial chipper models with almost identical characteristic were selected to represent the alternative drum designs. Both machines were fed with two different feedstock types: chestnut logs and chestnut branches. The study included 12 repetitions per combination of drum design, feedstock type and knife condition (new or worn out) for a total of 2 x 2 x 2 x 12 = 96 repetitions. Both chippers were attached to the same instrumented tractor, and all product obtained from each chipping bout was blown into big bags and weighed with a load cell attached to a forklift. The study showed that the closed drum design was better suited to handle branch material, compared to the open drum design, especially when knives were dull. Under these conditions, productivity was higher, fuel consumption lower and chip quality better for the closed drum design. No significant differences between the two designs were found when processing logs or when the knives were new. In general, the performance of both designs was significantly affected by feedstock type and knife wear.

Il report illustra le attività d'analisi delle prove alla PTO eseguite su modelli di trattori equipaggiati di trasmissione Full Power Shift (FPS) e Semi Power Shift (SPS) destinate alla caratterizzazione della loro efficienza.

È stato richiesta l'esecuzione di prove su trattrici agricole riconducibili alla procedura DLG denominata PowerMix. Questa prevede che siano applicati contemporaneamente carichi resistenti al sistema idraulico di potenza della trattrice agricola abbinati a carichi resistenti al sistema di propulsione. Per poter eseguire queste operaioni è necessario poter controllare in maniera automatica il carico esercitato in trazione da un veicolo dinamometrico secondo una curva di carico predeterminata e ripetibile. Quello in dotazione ad IMAMOTER era controllato esclusivamente in maniera manuale. In questa prima realizzazione, considerati i tempi ristretti per la progettazione e messa a punto del sistema richiesti per assolvere al contratto di ricerca, è stato adottata la soluzione di integrazione dell'hardware esistente (Arduino UNO) con il controllo del sistema in catena aperta. Questa soluzione ha consentito di mantenere gli scostamenti tra setpoint e valore reale entro l'11%. In particolare sono stati intercettati i segnali di comando della frenatura gestiti da PLC e resi accessibili dall'esterno. In seguito è stata effettuata la caratterizzazione della risposta del sistema fornendo in ingresso un segnale in tensione nel range 0-12V, esattamente come quello fornito dai potenziometri manuali esistenti, misurando la forza resistente prodotta sugli assali mediante la cella di carico di cui è equipaggiato il veicolo. Questa operazione è stata effettuata per ogni singolo canale, corrispondente ad ognuno (2) degli assali frenati del veicolo dinamometrico. Dall'analisi dei dati ottenuti, si sono ricavate le equazioni caratteristiche tensione/forza che sono state in seguito utilizzate nello sviluppo del software di gestione del sistema. La parte hardware consiste in una parte "intelligente" in grado di interpretare i comandi inviati da pc (tramite porta seriale virtualizzata via USB) e convertirli dapprima in un segnale PWM con duty cycle variabile tra 0 e 100% e successivamente, tramite un'interfaccia optoisolata, nel livello di tensione voluto nel range 0-12V. Il sistema di controllo realizzato consente di regolare in maniera automatica e predeterminata la frenatura del veicolo dinamometrico nel range 0-100% corrispondente a valori in forza tra 4.3 e 34.7 kN. I punti critici del sistema sono i tempi di risposta e la ridotta precisione nella regolazione. Il primo non può essere modificato in quanto è dettato dalla dinamica intrinseca del sistema, mentre la seconda può essere migliorata con l'adozione di un sistema di controllo in catena chiusa.

The need to mitigate climate change and the progressive fossil fuel exhaustion have engendered a great interest for renewable fuels. This boosted the demand for wood fuel in all industrialized Countries creating a considerable business opportunity for the different stakeholders of the forestry sector. To increase the efficiency of the entire wood fuel supply chain, it is necessary to reduce the cost of harvesting, processing and transportation. One possible way to cut the handling costs is the densification of the chips. This paper reports the results of a study conducted on the densification process of chips, with particular focus on the demand of energy required by the process and on the density achieved. The investigation has been carried out on chips from hybrid poplar (PC) chestnut (CC), and a mixture of spruce and eastern white pine (MC) at different pressures (20, 30, 50, 80 and 110 MPa). The study pointed out that average values for density ranges between 546-898, 559-1082 and 543-913 kg m-3 for PC, CC and MC respectively. Specific energy demand ranges between 22.5-58.1, 18.8-43.3 and 19.4-50.2 kJ kg-1 for PC, CC and MC respectively.

L'attività di ricerca condotta presso l'Istituto per le Macchine Agricole e Movimento Terra (IMAMOTER) del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) è stata predisposta in modo che nei primi tre mesi si eseguisse l'analisi di mercato, la business value proposition e la valutazione sulle potenzialità produttive e delle caratteristiche qualitative del prodotto propedeutica allo sviluppo di un protocollo di produzione standardizzato. L'ente ospitante ha già svolto attività di ricerca in merito alla densificazione della frazione solida dei liquami zootecnici e ha già comprovato la validità di questo processo in termini agronomici (concentrazione di sostanza organica e nutrienti) e logistici (riduzione costi di trasporto), ma non erano ancora state affrontate nel dettaglio le implicazioni di carattere economico che consentono di valutare questo processo dal punto di vista imprenditoriale.

Sul piano della fattibilità tecnica, a partire dai risultati dalle prove di compostaggio e pellettizzazione svolte a livello sperimentale, si può concludere che la possibilità di densificare, attraverso pellettizzazione, la frazione solida dei liquami zootecnici è verificata. Il prodotto può essere realizzato ottemperando alle caratteristiche richieste dal mercato e dagli utilizzatori finali e nel rispetto delle disposizioni di legge; restano però delle criticità e delle incognite circa la possibilità di renderlo completamente standardizzato. Come emerso anche dalle prove sperimentali, le difficoltà maggiori si riscontrano nel monitoraggio dei parametri di compostaggio, nel controllo dei livelli di metalli pesanti e nella regolazione del contenuto di umidità del materiale, in fase pre- e post-pelletizzazione. La visita presso alcune realtà aziendali, già operanti nel settore dei fertilizzanti pellettati, ha tuttavia confermato l'impossibilità in alcuni casi, di scongiurare a priori una certa aleatorietà che caratterizza i processi di produzione. Effettuando una valutazione globale dei costi e dei benefici dell'idea imprenditoriale è emerso che all'interno della realtà agricola la realizzazione di un sito di compostaggio per la produzione di ammendante a partire dalla frazione solida separata dei reflui zootecnici è una scelta che, poste certe condizioni, può essere intrapresa e rivelarsi redditizia. In particolare l'azienda presa in esame presenta diverse condizioni di base favorevoli alla realizzazione del progetto imprenditoriale: i. la consistenza zootecnica aziendale è tale da permettere una gestione extra-aziendale dei reflui zootecnici; ii. l'impresa possiede già un pellettificio ed è dotata in buona parte delle strutture necessarie a stoccare i materiali; iii. la società ha già esperienza nella commercializzazione all'ingrosso iv. è un esempio di azienda agricola molto grande ed economicamente solida, può contare quindi su più garanzie per la copertura dei capitali investiti. Va sottolineato che pur presentando delle condizioni di partenza favorevoli, come dimostrato dall'analisi finanziaria, per portare avanti il progetto imprenditoriale sarà comunque necessario compiere gli adeguati investimenti in strutture e macchinari. Un'ultima considerazione può essere compiuta circa la prospettiva di coinvolgere in questa filiera di trasformazione del refluo altre realtà aziendali che attuino la separazione solido-liquido e il compostaggio. La gran parte degli allevamenti infatti è già dotata di separatori solido-liquido perciò con questo sistema di gestione non verrebbero richiesti altri investimenti. Inoltre le aziende "conferenti" il separato solido potrebbero essere maggiormente incentivate a prendere parte alla filiera qualora si intravedesse anche un'opportunità economica affianco all'opportunità di gestione extra aziendale del refluo zootecnico. In tal senso occorrerà definire i termini di collaborazione tra aziende, ipotizzando ad esempio, il raggruppamento nella forma del consorzio.

Experimental trials on the recovery of hilly marginal land were conducted in the NW Italy to study the interaction between coppice and pasture management. The favorable effects of the coppice used for grazing cattle were primarily physical, resulting in better herbage utilization and control for shrubs development. The more intensely grazed areas showed a lower content of organic matter and carbonate, and bulk density and penetration resistance increased.

Air pollution and fossil fuel reserves exhaustion are increasing the importance of the biomass-derived products, in particular wood, as source of clean and renewable energy for the production of electricity or steam. In order to improve the global efficiency and the entire production chain, we have to evaluate the energetic aspects linked to the process of transformation, handling and transport of these materials. This paper reports results on a comparison between two chippers of similar size using different cutting technology: disc and drum tool respectively. During trials, fuel consumption, PTO torque and speed, processing time and weight of processed material were recorded. Power demand, fuel consumption, specific energy and productivity were computed. The machine was fed with four different feedstock types (chestnut logs, poplar logs, poplar branches, poplar sawmill residues). 15 repetitions for each combination of feedstock-tool were carried out. The results of this study show that the disc tool requires, depending on the processed material, from 12 to 18% less fuel per unit of material processed than the drum tool, and consequently, from 12 to 16% less specific energy. In particular, the highest difference between tools was found in branches processing whereas the smallest was in poplar logs. Furthermore the results of the investigation indicate, that, in testing conditions, the productivity of drum tool is higher (8%) than disc tool. Introduction

The agricultural management techniques and mechanization adopted in sloping areas under temperate and sub-continental climate can affect the physical and hydrological characteristics of the soil with an increase of the soil erosion rates. Vineyards have been reported among the land uses most prone to erosion. Agricultural operations can be conducted to enhance the soil conservation, it is therefore important to know the site-specific characteristics and conditions of adopted practices. A long-term monitoring to evaluate the influence of management systems in hilly vineyard on erosion and runoff and soil properties has been carried out in the north-western Italy since 2000 properties has been carried out in the north-western Italy since 2000. Three different inter-rows tillage systems were compared: conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and controlled grass cover (GC). To record the rainfall amount and duration, an agrometeorological station was located near experimental plots. The three plots are hydraulically isolated, thus runoff and sediment have been collected at the bottom by a drain, connected with a tipping bucket device to measure the discharge of runoff. The system was implemented with electromagnetic counters that allow the automatic accounting with data capture by a control unit, powered by a photovoltaic panel and transmitted to a data collection center for remote viewing via web page. A portion of the runoff-sediment mixture was usually sampled and analyzed for soil and nutrients losses. In order to analyze with more detail the erosion process by means of predictive models, a micro-plot system was placed in the experimental site in 2012. Splash cups have been installed in each plot since 2011 to evaluate how the soil management affects the in-field splash erosion process. Rapid measurement of soil moisture content and temperature were performed starting from August 2011 to allow continuous monitoring of parameters that can provide an evaluation of space-time hydrological processes, determining the surface runoff response to a given precipitation events. Electromagnetic sensors were installed in the topsoil and measures were recorded in one-hour intervals by a data collection device. Some physical and hydrological properties were considered to provide information on the degree of soil compaction and its influence on soil status. The parameters analyzed are bulk density by core method and soil compaction by static and dynamic recording penetrometers. Since autumn 2011 the reduced tillage management was replaced with conventional tillage with a grass strip in the bottom of each inter-row (CTS). At the same time the grass cover of the GC plot was renewed after execution of tillage operation. Recurring measurements of the soil water content up to a depth of 60 cm and hydraulic conductivity tests with the Simplified Falling Head Technique (SFH) have been started in 2012, to observe the spatial and temporal variability of hydraulic behavior in the experimental plots.

Una campagna di monitoraggio volta a verificare l'evoluzione delle caratteristiche fisico-meccaniche dei terreni è stata condotta presso l'Istituto IMAMOTER di Torino e in collaborazione con Pirelli Tyre SpA, nell'ambito di un'attività di ricerca volta allo studio della trattività degli pneumatici tipologia - truck su fondi incoerenti. I risultati di tale attività, necessari per stabilire il livello di performance degli pneumatici simulandone l'utilizzo per il trasferimento dei materiali su piazzali o fondi sterrati durante le attività di consegna e di carico/scarico presso le aziende, sono stati presentati da Pirelli Tyre SpA come valutazione preliminare di un lavoro di benchmarking presso la Organizzazione Tecnica Europea per gli Pneumatici e i Cerchi (E.T.R.T.O. - The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation). Le attività condotte per conto di IMAMOTER hanno riguardato l'esecuzione di prove penetrometriche statiche e valutazione dei valori di densità apparente e umidità del suolo, secondo le modalità e con i risultati di seguito descritti.

Il progetto FITRAREF (Filiera Integrata di Trasformazione del Refluo Zootecnico in Fertilizzante Organico Pellettato per Colture Specializzate) intende sviluppare una filiera innovativa per la trasformazione della frazione palabile dei reflui zootecnici in fertilizzante organico pellettato in modo da offrire una valida alternativa alla fertilizzazione tradizionale nelle colture specializzate tipiche del Nord Italia, valorizzare il contenuto in elementi nutritivi dei reflui zootecnici e concorrere alla riduzione del carico della quantità di azoto nei suoli vulnerabili da nitrati della Pianura Padana. Questo documento presenta i risultati degli incontri del 5 marzo 2012 a Savigliano (CN) e del 16 Aprile 2012 a Castagnito (CN) a cui hanno partecipato tecnici agrari che forniscono consulenza agronomico gestionale agli agricoltori operanti nel settore vitivinicolo. Con essi si è instaurata una discussione guidata da un questionario durante la quale si sono indagati gli aspetti che guidano i tecnici a consigliare l'uso di un ammendante compostato piuttosto che di un altro. Dopo la discussione guidata sono stati presentati ai tecnici cha hanno partecipanto agli incontri dei campioni di ammendanti compostati pellettati - alcuni realizzati durante la fase sperimentale del progetto, altri attualmente disponibili sul mercato - e si è chiesto loro di confrontarli e valutarli. Il tema del costo del prodotto non è stato oggetto di discussione

Our objective was to assess the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) with riluzole on disability and mortality of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Definite/probable ALS patients, 40-70 years of age, duration 6-24 months, self-sufficient (i.e. able to swallow, cut food/handle utensils, and walk), and with forced vital capacity (FVC) > 80% entered a pilot double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial and were followed for 48 weeks. ALC or placebo 3 g/day was added to riluzole 100 mg/day. Primary endpoint: number of patients no longer self-sufficient. Secondary endpoints: changes in ALSFRS-R, MRC, FVC and McGill Quality of Life (QoL) scores. Analysis was made in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) population, completers and completers/compliers (i.e. taking > 75% of study drug). Forty-two patients received ALC and 40 placebo. In the ITT population, 34 (80.9%) patients receiving ALC and 39 (97.5%) receiving placebo became non-self-sufficient (p = 0.0296). In the PP analysis, percentages were 84.4 and 100.0% (p = 0.0538), respectively. Mean ALSFRS-R scores at 48 weeks were 33.6 (SD 10.4) and 27.6 (9.9) (p = 0.0388), respectively, and mean FVC scores 90.3 (32.6) and 58.6 (31.2) (p = 0.0158), respectively. Median survival was 45 months (ALC) and 22 months (placebo) (p = 0.0176). MRC, QoL and adverse events were similar. In conclusion, ALC may be effective, well-tolerated and safe in ALS. A pivotal phase III trial is needed.

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Sloan Foundation Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Belgian Federal Science Policy Office Fonds pour la Formation a la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture (FRIA-Belgium) Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie (IWT-Belgium) Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) of Czech Republic Council of Science and Industrial Research, India Compagnia di San Paolo (Torino) HOMING PLUS programme of Foundation for Polish Science EU, Regional Development Fund Thalis and Aristeia programmes EU-ESF Greek NSRF RosAtom The angular distributions and the differential branching fraction of the decay B-0 -> K*(892)(0)mu(+)mu(-) are studied using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.2 fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector at the LHC in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV. From more than 400 signal decays, the forward-backward asymmetry of the muons, the K*(892)(0) longitudinal polarization fraction, and the differential branching fraction are determined as a function of the square of the dimuon invariant mass. The measurements are in good agreement with standard model predictions. (C) 2013 CERN. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 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Republ Egypt, Egyptian Network High Energy Phys, Cairo, Egypt NICPB, Tallinn, Estonia Univ Helsinki, Dept Phys, Helsinki, Finland Helsinki Inst Phys, Helsinki, Finland Lappeenranta Univ Technol, Lappeenranta, Finland CEA Saclay, DSM IRFU, F-91191 Gif Sur Yvette, France Ecole Polytech, CNRS, IN2P3, Lab Leprince Ringuet, F-91128 Palaiseau, France Univ Haute Alsace Mulhouse, Univ Strasbourg, Inst Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, CNRS IN2P3, Strasbourg, France CNRS, IN2P3, Ctr Calcul Inst Natl Phys Nucl & Phys Particules, Villeurbanne, France Univ Lyon 1, Univ Lyon, CNRS IN2P3, Inst Phys Nucl Lyon, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France Tbilisi State Univ, Inst High Energy Phys & Inform, GE-380086 Tbilisi, Rep of Georgia Rhein Westfal TH Aachen, Phys Inst 1, Aachen, Germany Rhein Westfal TH Aachen, Phys Inst A 3, Aachen, Germany Rhein Westfal TH Aachen, Phys Inst B 3, Aachen, Germany Deutsch Elektronen Synchroton, Hamburg, Germany Univ Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany Inst Expt Kernphys, Karlsruhe, Germany NCSR Demokritos, INPP, Aghia Paraskevi, Greece Univ Athens, Athens, Greece Univ Ioannina, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece KFKI Res Inst Particle & Nucl Phys, Budapest, Hungary Inst Nucl Res ATOMKI, Debrecen, Hungary Univ Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary Natl Inst Sci Educ & Res, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India Panjab Univ, Chandigarh 160014, India Univ Delhi, Delhi 110007, India Saha Inst Nucl Phys, Kolkata, India Bhabha Atom Res Ctr, Bombay 400085, Maharashtra, India Tata Inst Fundamental Res EHEP, Bombay, Maharashtra, India Tata Inst Fundamental Res HECR, Bombay, Maharashtra, India Inst Res Fundamental Sci IPM, Tehran, Iran Univ Coll Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland INFN Sez Bari, Bari, Italy Univ Bari, Bari, Italy Politecn Bari, Bari, Italy INFN Sez Bologna, Bologna, Italy Univ Bologna, Bologna, Italy 1NFN Sez Catania, Catania, Italy Univ Catania, Catania, Italy INFN Sez Firenze, Florence, Italy Univ Florence, Florence, Italy INFN Lab Nazl Frascati, Frascati, Italy INFN Sez Genova, Genoa, Italy Univ Genoa, Genoa, Italy INFN Sez Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy Univ Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy INFN Sez Napoli, Naples, Italy Univ Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy Univ Basilicata Potenza, Naples, Italy Univ G Marconi Roma, Naples, Italy INFN Sez Padova, Padua, Italy Univ Padua, Padua, Italy Univ Trent, Padua, Italy INFN Sez Pavia, Pavia, Italy Univ Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy INFN Sez Perugia, Perugia, Italy Univ Pergia, Perugia, Italy 1NFN Sez Pisa, Pisa, Italy Univ Pisa, Pisa, Italy Scuola Normale Super Pisa, Pisa, Italy INFN Sez Roma, Rome, Italy Univ Roma, Rome, Italy INFN Sez Torino, Turin, Italy Univ Torino, Turin, Italy Univ Piemonte Orientate Novara, Turin, Italy INFN Sez Trieste, Trieste, Italy Univ Trieste, Trieste, Italy Kangwon Natl Univ, Chunchon, South Korea Kyungpook Natl Univ, Taegu, South Korea Chonnam Natl Univ, Inst Univ & Elementary Particles, Kwangju, South Korea Korea Univ, Seoul, South Korea Univ Seoul, Seoul, South Korea Sungkyunkwan Univ, Suwon, South Korea Vilnius Univ, Vilnius, Lithuania Ctr Invest Estudios & Avanzados IPN, Mexico City, DF, Mexico Univ Iberoamer, Mexico City, DF, Mexico Benemerita Univ Autonoma Puebla, Puebla, Mexico Univ Autonoma San Luis, San Luis Potosi, Mexico Univ Auckland, Auckland 1, New Zealand Univ Canterbury, Christchurch 1, New Zealand Quaid i Azam Univ, Natl Ctr Phys, Islamabad, Pakistan Natl Ctr Nucl Res, Otwock, Poland Univ Warsaw, Inst Expt Phys, Fac Phys, Warsaw, Poland Lab Instrument & Fis Expt Particulas, Lisbon, Portugal Joint Inst Nucl Res, Dubna, Russia Petersburg Nucl Phys Inst, Gatchina, Russia Inst Nucl Res, Moscow, Russia Inst Theoret & Expt Phys, Moscow, Russia PN Lebedev Phys Inst, Moscow, Russia Lomonosov Moscow State Univ, Skobeltsyn Inst Nucl Phys, Moscow, Russia State Res Ctr Russian Federat, Inst High Energy Phys, Protvino, Russia Univ Belgrade, Fac Phys & Vinca Inst Nucl Sci, Belgrade, Serbia CIEMAT, Madrid, Spain Univ Autonoma Madrid, Madrid, Spain Univ Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain CSIC Univ Cantabria, ICFA, Santander, Spain CERN, European Org Nucl Res, Geneva, Switzerland Paul Scherrer Inst, Villigen, Switzerland Swiss Fed Inst Technol, Inst Particle Phys, Zurich, Switzerland Univ Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Natl Cent Univ, Chungli, Taiwan NTU, Taipei, Taiwan Chulalongkorn Univ, Bangkok, Thailand Cukurova Univ, Adana, Turkey Middle Tech Univ, Dept Phys, Ankara, Turkey Bogazici Univ, Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul Tech Univ, TR-80626 Istanbul, Turkey Kharkov Inst Phys & Technol, Natl Sci Ctr, Kharkov, Ukraine Univ Bristol, Bristol, Avon, England Rutherford Appleton Lab, Didcot OX11 0QX, Oxon, England Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, London, England Brunel Univ, Uxbridge, Middx, England Baylor Univ, Waco, TX 76798 USA Univ Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL USA Boston Univ, Boston, MA 02215 USA Brown Univ, Providence, RI 02912 USA Univ Calif Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA Univ Calif Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA Univ Calif Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521 USA Univ Calif San Diego, 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Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Ohio State Univ, Columbus, OH 43210 USA Princeton Univ, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA Univ Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR USA Purdue Univ, W Lafayette, IN 47907 USA Purdue Univ Calumet, Hammond, LA USA Rice Univ, Houston, TX USA Univ Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627 USA Rutgers State Univ, Piscataway, NJ USA Univ Tennessee, Knoxville, TN USA Texas A&M Univ, College Stn, TX USA Texas Tech Univ, Lubbock, TX 79409 USA Vanderbilt Univ, Nashville, TN 37235 USA Univ Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA Wayne State Univ, Detroit, MI USA Univ Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA Vienna Univ Technol, A-1040 Vienna, Austria CERN, European Org Nucl Res, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland Univ Strasbourg, Univ Haute Alsace, CNRS IN2P3, Inst Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Strasbourg, France Univ Estadual Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil IN2P3 CNRS, Ecole Polytech, Lab Leprince Ringuet, Palaiseau, France Zewail City Sci & Technol, Zewail, Egypt Suez Canal Univ, Suez, Egypt Cairo Univ, Cairo, Egypt Fayoum Univ, Al Fayyum, Egypt British Univ Egypt, Cairo, Egypt Ain Shams Univ, Cairo, Egypt Univ Haute Alsace, Mulhouse, France Brandenburg Tech Univ Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany Eotvos Lorand Univ, Budapest, Hungary King Abdulaziz Univ, Jeddah 21413, Saudi Arabia Univ Visva Bharati, Santini Ketan, W Bengal, India Univ Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka Isfahan Univ Technol, Esfahan, Iran Sharif Univ Technol, Tehran, Iran Islam Azad Univ, Sci & Res Branch, Plasma Phys Res Ctr, Tehran, Iran Univ Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy Univ Michoacana, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico Univ Belgrade, Fac Phys, YU-11001 Belgrade, Serbia Univ Rome, Fac Ingn, Rome, Italy Scuola Normale, Pisa, Italy Sezione Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Pisa, Italy Inst Theoret & Expt Phys, Moscow 117259, Russia Albert Einstein Ctr Fundamental Phys, Bern, Switzerland Gaziosmanpasa Univ, Tokat, Turkey Adiyaman Univ, Adiyaman, Turkey Cag Univ, Mersin, Turkey Mersin Univ, Mersin, Turkey Izmir Inst Technol, Izmir, Turkey Ozyegin Univ, Istanbul, Turkey Kafkas Univ, Kars, Turkey Suleyman Demirel Univ, TR-32200 Isparta, Turkey Ege Univ, Izmir, Turkey Mimar Sinan Univ, Istanbul, Turkey Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Univ, Kahramanmaras, Turkey Univ Southampton, Sch Phys & Astron, Southampton, Hants, England Univ Perugia, INFN Sez Perugia, I-06100 Perugia, Italy Utah Valley Univ, Orem, UT USA Vinca Inst Nucl Sci, Belgrade, Serbia Argonne Natl Lab, Argonne, IL 60439 USA Erzincan Univ, Erzincan, Turkey Yildiz Tekn Univ, Istanbul, Turkey Texas A&M Univ, Doha, Qatar Univ Estadual Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil MoERSF0690030s09

A search for a Higgs boson decaying into a Z boson and a photon is described. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collision datasets recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. Events were collected at center-of-mass energies of 7 TeV and 8 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5.0 fb(-1) and 19.6 fb(-1), respectively. The selected events are required to have opposite-sign electron or muon pairs. No excess above standard model predictions has been found in the 120-160 GeV mass range and the first limits on the Higgs boson production cross section times the H -> Z gamma branching fraction at the LHC have been derived. The observed at 95% confidence level limits are between about 4 and 25 times the standard model cross section times the branching fraction. For a standard model Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV the expected limit at the 95% confidence level is 10 and the observed limit is 9.5. Models predicting the Higgs boson production cross section times the H -> Z gamma branching fraction to be larger than one order of magnitude of the standard model prediction are excluded for most of the 125-157 GeV mass range. (C) 2013 CERN

In sloping vineyard soil is subjected to a series of degradation processes, among which compaction caused by tillage operation and vehicular traffic, that can influence soil physical and hydrological properties with effects on crop production and quality of environment (Lagacherie et al., 2006). Considering the significance of these impacts, soil compaction has been recognized as one of the threats related to land degradation identified by the European Soil Framework Directive (2006). The aim of the study was to assess the influence of soil management on compaction in hillside vineyard surface, in a long period of monitoring. The experimental trial has been conducted since 2004 and data of penetration resistance (PR) and bulk density (DB) have been collected from three plots of a Barbera vines with rows along the slope. Soil PR was measured by means of a recording penetrometer (Walczak et al., 1973) and BD by core method (Blake and Hartge, 1986). Changes in soil structure due to compaction by tractor traffic and different inter-row tillage (conventional tillage vs. reduced tillage vs. grass cover), analyzing spring and autumn sampling, are reflected in cone index (CI) of penetrometer and BD trend. Cone index was significantly higher with grass cover and reduced tillage than conventional tillage, with the opposite trend for BD where the grass cover appeared to have suffered to a lesser extent the effects of compaction due to vehicle traffic. In general CI was higher in the tractor tracks than in the middle, and showed lower values during the spring following the recovery of soil compaction occurred after winter precipitation.

Runoff and soil losses caused by natural rainfall events were monitored through a 10-years period of observation in three vineyard experimental plots, located in Alto Monferrato, a vine-growing area of Piedmont, NW Italy. The plots are characterized by slope of about 15% and clay soil . Different soil managing practices were adopted in inter-rows of each plot, i.e. controlled grass cover (GC), conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT). The rainfall characteristics, runoff discharge, concentration in the water of soil and nutrients were measured. More than 150 rainfall events produced runoff, 63 resulted to be erosive and 55 events recorded losses of nutrients. The data set was elaborated to investigate relationships among runoff, soil and nutrient losses, with rainfall amount, intensity and kinetic energy. The amounts of water, soil and nutrients that run away from the vineyard resulted to be differently related to the season, rainfall characteristics, soil surface conditions. Each year, few rainfall events were responsible of most of the annual soil erosion. The collected data showed that the soil management practices have strongly affected runoff and soil losses. Particularly, considering the soil losses and the vine production, the reduced tillage has proved to be the worst practice for managing the inter-rows. Conversely, the grass cover has a relevant role in reducing water (up to 36%) and soil losses (up to 88%) , mainly during summer events characterized by high rainfall intensities. The protective effect of grass cover was also noted in the reduction of nitrogen losses, about 60%.

Four different pelleted organic fertilizer formulations, made by composting swine manure solid fraction (SMSF) both by itself and with sawdust (SMSF-SD), wooden chips (SMSF-WC) and wheat straw (SMSF-WS) were tested to highlight differences in physical, chemical and distribution features in comparison with two pelleted organic fertilizers ordinarily available at retailers (namely, "Mixed Manure" and "Chicken Manure"). Spreading trials were carried out by means of one rotating spreader on one perfectly plan and paved area. Results show that, as far as physical and chemical features are concerned, the greatest difference from the used references is found in pellet size distribution after spreading since the disintegrating action of the rotating spreader does not affect the tested formulation with the same intensity of the commercial products. Distribution tests showed that SMSF-SD, was the formulation with the better longitudinal and transverse distribution while SMSF was the one showing good transverse but poor longitudinal distribution.

Il processo di stabilizzazione aerobica della frazione solida dei reflui zootecnici è responsabile dell'emissione di ammoniaca (NH3) in atmosfera con conseguenti effetti deleteri sull'ambiente. L'obiettivo della sperimentazione era la determinazione delle emissioni di ammoniaca in atmosfera che scaturiscono dal processo di compostaggio della frazione solida separata del liquame suino miscelata con segatura non trattata. La valutazione dei flussi emissivi è stata eseguita confrontando due modalità di gestione del materiale in compostaggio in cumuli: con rivoltamento della massa e senza alcun rivoltamento. L'emissione ammoniacale derivante dal processo di compostaggio è stata determinata utilizzando un sistema basato sulla tecnica delle dynamic chamber. Tale sistema è costituito da captatori forati e completamente rivestiti con PTFE (teflon), trappole acide, flussimetri, un misuratore di volume ed una pompa a vuoto. L'ammoniaca presente nell'aria campionata è stata fissata nelle trappole acide e la sua concentrazione è stata determinata mediante successiva titolazione. Per tutta la durata del processo sono state monitorate in continuo la temperatura ambiente e le temperature sviluppatesi all'interno dei cumuli a tre differenti profondità (0.4 m, 0.8 m e 1.2 m da terra). L'umidità del materiale in compostaggio è stata mantenuta intorno ad un valore prossimo al 50% mediante la periodica distribuzione di acqua per aspersione. Per entrambi i cumuli l'emissione maggiore è stata osservata durante la fase termofila del processo (temperature >45°C). La sperimentazione ha messo in evidenza che i rivoltamenti determinano un sensibile incremento dell'emissione di ammoniaca in atmosfera. Adottando questa modalità di gestione le emissioni cumulate di NH3 hanno raggiunto valori pari a 52 g.m-3 di materiale sottoposto al processo. La gestione statica ha ridotto sensibilmente l'emissione di NH3 in atmosfera ottenendo valori di emissioni cumulate pari a 18 g.m-3 di materiale in compostaggio. In assenza di rivoltamenti inoltre il picco emissivo è stato riscontrato in corrispondenza dell'aspersione di acqua. In base ai risultati ottenuti è possibile affermare che adottando la gestione statica è possibile contenere, grazie alla maggior compattazione del materiale all'interno del cumulo, l'emissione di ammoniaca in atmosfera.

This paper presents an ergonomic evaluation of a teleoperated compost spreader. Besides eliminating operator's exposure to vibration, the main advantage of remotely controlling the machine is reduction of operator's risks. A fully operational prototype was used by 6 participants to distribute compost between vineyard rows. Questionnaires, interviews and observation grids were used to collect data. Results show that the evaluation helped identifying aspects which needed to be modified in order to improve the quality of the operator's experience in interacting with the machine. For example, participants found difficult to control the movement of the vehicle along the slope and during a 180°-turn, due to operation time lag. Moreover the system violets one of Nielsen's heuristics (visibility of system status) by not keeping the user always informed with appropriate feedback.

One of the problems that farmers have to deal with is animal garbage disposal. At the same time the increasing demand of acoustic performance of building materials, leads the research for new materials (Hosseini Fouladi et al., 2010). One of the main factors to consider in building construction is the sound absorption properties of the materials used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acoustic characteristics of the solid fraction resulting from the solid-liquid separation of pig slurry in order to use this material in building construction.

Several ergonomic studies have shown that operators are more productive when their work environment is designed for the best human performance. Ergonomic requirements are issued in various standards and EU directives with obligatory propose for tractor manufactures. Among those, ISO 9241-11 defines usability as the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which users achieve specified goals in a particular context. The aspect of satisfaction in use is the most difficult to investigate as it is based on the evaluation of comfort and acceptability of the system by its users. Indeed, comfort is a subjective construct, requiring operators' direct involvement. The objective of this study was to evaluate tractors cabin comfort focusing on operators' perspective. Twenty tractor operators completed a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview after performing a series of tasks on an agricultural medium power tractor. Operators' opinions on ease of accessing the seat and the cabin, ease of exiting the cabin, concentration required in tasks execution, ease of locating and operating the controls, noise and visibility were collected. Results showed the need of improvements in different design aspects. Indeed, elements of bad ergonomic design were identified (e.g. some controls of the control panel did not match operators' task mental image).

In accordance to European Regulation (91/676/CEE), which limits the amount of nitrogen available for distribution on agricultural lands that fall in nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZ), livestock farms have to find alternative solution for manure management. In order to avoid water pollution several technologies have been developed and one of these is solid-liquid separation allowing to obtain a solid fraction and a clarified liquid. As a consequence of low bulk density, the solid fraction is very difficult to handle, transport and store. One possible solution to these problems is densification of biomass materials into pellets, briquettes or cubes. Two techniques are used for size enlargement of particulate materials: tumble agglomeration and pressure agglomeration. This paper reports the results of a first investigation on physical behavior of swine solid fraction during pressure agglomeration in a cylindrical die. The investigation was carried out using a hydraulic press prototype equipped with measuring sensors to record the variables influencing the densification process. Two different types of materials have been used: swine solid fraction derived from mechanical separation and compost obtained by mixing the first material with wood chips. The initial bulk density values (?0) were 250 kg.m-3 and 450 kg.m-3 for the first and the second material respectively. Seven levels of compaction pressure between 20 MPa and 80 MPa and two application times for each pressure level (10 and 40 s) were considered. During the pressure agglomeration the density increase was distinctly nonlinear and different in the two materials. At the upper limit of this pressure range the density was about 1337 kg.m-3 and 1129 kg.m-3 for swine solid fraction and compost respectively. The tests carried out showed that, although there were significant differences between the final density values obtained at different pressure levels, the densification process efficiency decreased with increasing applied pressure.

Presso l'Istituto IMAMOTER del CNR di Torino, è stata allestita una prova su suolo in vaso allo scopo di verificare l'effetto di differenti tipologie di ammendante organico sulla mineralizzazione della sostanza organica e sull'attività microbiologica del terreno in esame, in conformità dei Metodi ufficiali di analisi chimica del suolo (GU n. 121 del 25/05/1992) e dei Metodi ufficiali di analisi biochimica del suolo (GU n. 61 del 13/03/2004). I quattro materiali testati sono costituiti da un separato solido compostato derivante da liquame suino, addizionato o meno con materiale lignocellulosico (segatura), sia in forma tal quale che a seguito del processo di pellettizzazione, da destinare ad uso agronomico. Il loro utilizzo non ha prodotto elevate emissioni di CO2 se comparate a quelle emesse naturalmente dal suolo, ed anzi ha inibito l'attività microbiologica permettendo, probabilmente, una minor degradazione della sostanza organica presente e apportata, e favorendo il processo di stabilizzazione e stoccaggio del carbonio nel suolo. Tra le differenti matrici, il separato solido con segatura e in forma pellettizzata è sicuramente quello da scartare poiché ha mineralizzato molta sostanza organica, generando elevate emissioni di CO2, con elevato indice di stress per la microflora del suolo. Lo stesso materiale non pellettizzato invece ha mostrato comportamento opposto, dove probabilmente la segatura, in forma libera, ha svolto un ruolo protettivo della materia organica nei confronti della degradazione.

Questo documento presenta i risultati della giornata di incontro del progetto FITRAREF (Filiera Integrata di Trasformazione del Refluo Zootecnico in Fertilizzante Organico Pellettato per Colture Specializzate) svoltasi il 5 marzo 2012 a Savigliano (CN). Il progetto intende sviluppare una filiera innovativa per la trasformazione della frazione palabile dei reflui zootecnici in fertilizzante organico pellettato in modo da offrire una valida alternativa alla fertilizzazione tradizionale nelle colture specializzate tipiche del Nord Italia, valorizzare il contenuto in elementi nutritivi dei reflui zootecnici e concorrere alla riduzione del carico della quantità di azoto nei suoli vulnerabili da nitrati della Pianura Padana. In questo incontro si sono discussi con gli utilizzatori finali gli aspetti importanti che portano alla scelta d'uso di un ammendante compostato e si sono valutati gli ammendanti compostati pellettati realizzati durante la fase sperimentale del progetto, mettendoli a confronto con altri prodotti attualmente commercializzati (il tema del costo del prodotto non è stato trattato durante l'incontro)

L'obiettivo dell'articolo è quello di divulgare i risultati del progetto triennale di ricerca sulla produzione di sostanza organica di qualità attraverso il compostaggio aziendale, allo scopo di promuovere l'impiego dei reflui zootecnici per la fertilizzazione delle colture specializzate e favorire l'integrazione tra le aziende ad alto reddito e gli allevamenti intensivi.

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous sectors in both developing and industrialized countries. In the European Union (EU) agriculture activity is in 3rd place for injuries and deaths at workplace after manufacturing industry and construction. Machines are the most important responsible of injuries and fatalities in agriculture. Enhancement of occupational safety is one of the main objective of the European legislation. The European Directive 2010/52/EU introduces requirements for technical solutions to be adopted on agricultural tractors to provide protection to the driver against risk of falling objects that can occur carrying out normal operations in some agricultural tasks. When there is a risk for the driver because of falling object the tractor driving station has to be equipped of Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS). The roofs of agricultural tractors act as FOPS. They are rarely made of metal, nearly often they are made of PolyEthylene (PE) or Sheet Molding Compound (SMC). Experimental trials have been carried out to investigate the effectiveness and behavior of the PE and SMC overhead protective structures fitted on agricultural tractors. Tests have been performed on cabs and rear roll-bars with cantilever overhead protections. The effectiveness of the FOPS has been assessed in accordance to standards OECD Code 10. The experimental trials showed that the prototype of PE and SMC FOPS do not always satisfy the safety requirements requested by the reference standard. To enhance the protection of the driver against the falling object risk is requested to improve the design and the construction specifications of the PE and SMC roofs to increase their strength.

The IMAMOTER-CNR monitored a 10-years period of soil erosion in vineyards of the Piedmont Experimental Vine and Wine Centre, in the Alto Monferrato area (NW Italy). To support and continue the monitoring period, this study applies a spatially-distributed soil erosion model in three vineyard areas characterized by different inter-rows practices, i.e. controlled grass cover (GC), conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT). For that purpose, we implemented the Modified MMF model as module for the FOSS GIS SAGA. In order to improve model performance, our implementation of this model includes i) the use of a channel network layer, by which the sediment and runoff are concentrated, ii) the use of a multiple flow direction algorithm for sediment and runoff routing, and iii) a time-span parameter which indicates the number of simulation days. In total, 63 runoff and sediment measurements of single or accumulative rainfall events were used during model evaluation. After preprocessing the input data, the model was calibrated separately for spring, summer and autumn season based on the channel network density which in fact follows the tractor paths. Evaluation of model performance was carried out by using the effectiveness coefficient introduced by Nearing. The results show that the differences between measured and predicted soil erosion are in an acceptable range and imply that the Modified MMF model is not only effective as a monitoring tool but can also be used for simulating different conservation scenarios in order to reduce the soil erosion problem in vineyards.

I risultati delle prove condotte dal Cnr Ivalsa sull'orizzontale Caravaggi Bio 900

Las normas establecidas en Europa para el control de los gases de escape en los motores de los tractores y máquinas agrícolas obligan a una considerable reducción de las emisiones de óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx) y de partículas (PM). Esto da lugar a cambios importantes en la tecnología de los motores. Dos son las alternativas que están utilizando los fabricantes para reducir estas emisiones, adaptándose a la normativa vigente: la recirculación de los gases de escape (EGR) unida a un filtro de partículas diesel (DFP), o la reducción catalítica selectiva (SCR) mediante la inyección de urea. En el primero de los casos, se recupera una cierta cantidad de gases de escape que se refrigeran y pasan al colector de admisión del motor. Esto permite reducir al mínimo las emisiones de NOx en el gas de escape, aunque se produce un aumento de partículas (PM), que son retenidas en el filtro situado en el escape. Este filtro se "limpia" eliminando las partículas acumuladas mediante un proceso de regeneración durante el funcionamiento normal del motor. Con los sistemas SCR se consigue que en el motor se mejore la combustión, reduciendo al emisión de partículas (PM) y el consumo de combustible, aunque aumenten los óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx), que hay que eliminar antes de que salgan por el escape

The study refers the evaluation of the performance of a small chipper which uses an innovative cutting system based on a rotating disc with a series of frontal tubular knives. Tests has been performed to investigate the relationship between energy requirements, hourly production and type of processed material. The chipper was powered by an agricultural tractor equipped with a fuel flow meter, a torque meter and a shaft revolution meter to evaluate fuel consumption, power output and engine speed. The tests were performed on logs of different feedstock type (sweet chestnut, hybrid poplar and robinia). Each log was weighed and measured in length and average diameter. The tests were conducted processing medium size logs (0.07÷0.12 m of diameter, 0.12÷0.20 m of length and 2÷16 kg of weight) with a random sequence, one by one 35 logs for each type of feedstock. The analysis of the data collected during the tests pointed out that chestnut requires the highest net energy, in terms of average fuel consumption and average power required: 4.1 dm3h-1 and 15.4 kW. On the other hand poplar require the lowest average net energy, equal to 3.3 dm3h-1 and 12.2 kW. The net energy required by robinia wood are between the previous feedstock types: 4.0 dm3h-1 and 14.9 kW.

Soil conservation is particularly important in hilly agricultural areas, where management techniques and mechanization can affect the physical and hydrological characteristics of the soil, resulting in an high risk of erosion (Tropeano, 1983). Soil moisture content and temperature are key-factors in determining the surface runoff response to a given precipitation events (Fitzjohn et al., 1998; Ramos & Martínez-Casasnovas, 2007), and rapid measurements by means of sensor-readings allow a more detailed evaluation of space-time hydrological processes. The experimental site is located in the "Alto Monferrato" vine-growing region of Piedmont (N-W Italy), at 290 m asl. The climate is temperate, with a mean annual temperature of 13°C and an average annual precipitation of 850 mm, mainly concentrated in spring and autumn. The hillside vineyard is composed of three 1221 m2 plots accommodated along the slope, with different inter-row soil cultivation techniques: conventional tillage (P1), reduced tillage (P2) and controlled grass cover (P3). The rainfall and runoff amounts were recorded during the period August 2011-November 2011. To allow continuous monitoring of soil moisture and temperature parameters, electromagnetic sensors were installed at 9 cm depth in two locations on each plot, both in the central part of the inter-row and in the lateral portion of the wheels, where the traffic of agricultural machinery is repeated on fixed routes. The total rainfall data recorded during the study period in the experimental area was 434 mm, of which one major event in early November produced 350 mm. In October, all three plots were tilled, with sub-soiler at 25 cm depth (P1) and sub-soiler followed by roto-tiller at 15 cm depth (P2). Controlled grass plot (P3) was tilled as in P2 to renew the cover. During the summer rainfall event, soil water content in the P3 was higher than the other two plots, with lower values in P1, that reflects the protective role played by cover crop in storing water and reducing runoff. On plots, values were higher in the upper position than downslope. After the tilling operations, the event of greater magnitude happened: soil moisture follows similar trends in all plots, for the short period between tilling and precipitations. Soil water content was highest at the beginning of the rainfall event in the P1, where evident rills developed along the tracks of the sub-soiler's tools. These soil conditions may have allowed less water infiltration during the following rainfalls, thus favouring runoff, that resulted greater than in the other two plots. The different soil management techniques do not affect significantly the soil temperature.

Questo documento presenta la valutazione di usabilità condotta sul prototipo di trasportatore cingolato con controllo a distanza Cingo, sviluppato per la distribuzione del compost sui vigneti collinari, e ne illustra i risultati ottenuti. Oggigiorno i dispositivi mobili sono integrati in tutte le attività quotidiane, rappresentando la tecnologia più comune e più diffusa. Il controllo a distanza (teleopeation) è ampiamente applicato nell'industria moderna [Fong and Thorpe, 2001] grazie a una serie di vantaggi, fra i quali ad esempio la possibilità di usare i macchinari come sostituti dell'uomo negli ambienti di lavoro difficili o pericolosi, migliorando la produttività e riducendo i rischi ed i costi [Gulliksen, Gross, and Kotzé, 2009]. Anche il settore agricolo è sempre più guidato dalla tecnologia e dalle sue innovazioni, ma nonostante ciò la tecnologia per il controllo a distanza rimane ancora sottoutilizzata [Grantham and Tsekouras, 2005]. Un tipico esempio di ambiente di lavoro pericoloso per l'attività agricola è rappresentato dal vigneto collinare. In questo tipo di ambiente di lavoro la macchina utilizzata per la distribuzione del concime, del compost, oppure per la diffusione e l'applicazione di pesticidi tra i filari è soggetta al rischio di ribaltamento. Più è pesante la massa dalla macchina (risultante dalla somma della massa del veicolo, più la massa del prodotto, cioè della sostanza organica o della soluzione di acqua e prodotti chimici), maggiore è la pendenza del terreno e maggiore è la distanza da terra del centro di gravità di queste masse, maggiore è il rischio di ribaltamento del veicolo, e di conseguenza il pericolo per l'operatore. Una soluzione per portare a zero il rischio per l'uomo è quello di progettare e sviluppare un sistema di controllo a distanza per la diffusione del compost, evitando la presenza dell'operatore sulla macchina, o la sua distanza ravvicinata ad essa. Il prototipo di trasportatore cingolato con controllo a distanza Cingo è quindi una buona soluzione in questa direzione, ma è necessario tenere presente che quando una nuova tecnologia viene introdotta in un campo di attività, le richieste poste ai lavoratori aumentano [Plant, 2001] e il successo della tecnologia dipende in gran parte dall'usabilità della macchina e dalla comunicazione tra utenti e potenziali utenti dei suoi meriti [Rogers, 1995]. Pertanto, lo sviluppo di una macchina secondo i principi dell'user-centered design e la conduzione di studi di valutazione di usabilità sono un passo verso il successo del prodotto stesso [Nielsen, 1994; Nielsen, 2000; Norman, 1988]. Il rapporto è strutturato come segue: nella sezione 2 viene descritto il dispositivo cingolato a controllo remoto Cingo; nella sezione 3 viene affrontato il tema dell'usabilità, ne vengono riportate le definizione ed i principi; la sezione 4 è dedicata alla descrizione della metodologia utilizzata per la valutazione di usabilità condotta sul dispositivo cingolato con controllo a distanza; la sessione 5 è dedicata alla descrizione dei risultati della valutazione di usabilità e, infine, nella sezione 6 sono riportate le conclusioni.

This work presents a methodological approach to the study of ancient wooden artefacts by using FT-IR techniques. Sampling is one of the most important steps in investigating works of art. However, samples should be taken only when this operation does not appreciably modify any of the parts, or change the integrity, of the wooden artefacts in question. Although it was invasive, a low-destructive method of sampling was used on wood meal in order to obtain reproducible results. Moreover, two modes of operation were compared, namely the transmission mode (carried out on pellets of wood meal mixed with KBr) and the Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) mode (carried out directly on wood meal). For the former, the effect of the concentration of wood in KBr also was considered. The results evidenced a similar quality of spectra, although a different sensitivity between the two techniques in some spectral ranges was observed. The final focus of this research will be on validating the use of IR spectra to date wooden materials.

The solid fraction of swine slurry resulting from mechanical separation has been co-composted with two organic materials: wheat straw and wood chips. Chemical parameters (C/N ratio, Humification Ratio, NH4-N content and NH4-N/NO3-N ratio) and biological assays (germination and plant growth tests on Lepidium sativum L., Raphanus sativus L. and Sinapis alba L.) have been used to evaluate the compost maturity. Compost fertilizing capacity has been evaluated with a long duration growth test carried out in pots with the most common crop of northern Italy, Zea mays L.. The analysis of chemical parameters and bioassays showed that both composts (with wheat straw and woodchips) are stabile and mature. The long duration growth test highlighted that both composts could take the place of the mineral fertilizers generally used as basal dressing in maize growing with environmental and economical advantages.

In order to be economically competitive in global context agriculture in developed countries is getting more and more specialized leading some productions to prevail on other in limited and specific areas, which are, frequently, not functionally connected each other, and having impact on environment, human and social activities. In NW Italy, in the Piedmont Region, there are two important agricultural specialized production areas: an animal husbandry district, with pig and cattle farms, in SW flat well-watered part and a vine and hazelnut district in SE hilly dry part. The two areas are 50 km apart. In the animal husbandry district pig breeding farms are very common. They are very intensive with high meat productivity; they produce mostly liquid manure and supplies the highest amount of manure (266 kg N ha-1) to crops, maize for grain production and to poplar trees (Bassanino, 2007). A large number of pig breeding farms are on area included in the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) where the nitrogen (N) from animal manure allowed to be distributed on field does not exceed 170 kg ha-1 stated by local regulation enforcing Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC). Here breeding farms do not have enough crop surface to spread manure with respect the limit set by the regulation (Cavallo, 2004), thus they have a surplus of N. In order to solve this excess of N liquid manure pig breeding farms adopt different strategies. One of them is the separation of the high dry-matter and nutrient-rich solid fraction (SF) from the liquid manure. The solids could be cost-effectively transported to short and medium distance for off-farm users. Vine and hazelnut are cultivated on area that have the maximum erosion threat and low (>1%) organic matter (OM) content (IPLA, 2007; IPLA 2006). This is due to the texture of the soil, the steep slope, the intensive cultivations of vines and hazelnuts, maintaining the soil bare with continuous tillage, and the lack of manure to be use for organic fertilization. (Regione Piemonte, 2007). Vineyards are the lands that incur the highest runoff and soil losses (Ramos, 2004). Application of cattle manure or organic material with similar characteristics, could improve the physical properties of soil, such as soil porosity, structure and water holding capacity, beneficial for soils susceptible to erosion, and could be important sources of nutrients (N and P) and other elements, reducing fertilisation costs (Ramos 2006). The farms growing vine and hazelnut rarely supply the crops with organic manure from animal dejections, because of the cost of the material and the difficulties to find it. Most of the livestock farms in this area had stopped activities since at least 2 decades. The paper reports about a demonstration action - funded by the local administration - involving farms from these 2 areas carried out in order to show that the SF separated from pig slurry, rich in organic nitrogen and organic matter, could be transported and spread as organic fertilizer and source of organic carbon in vineyards and hazelnut cultivations.

Separation of solid fraction (SF) is an easy and cheap treatment to simplify the storage, the management and the application of a part of the nitrogen contained into swine slurry. Composting of SF under controlled conditions can give a higher degree of stability and improve agronomic value compared with raw material (Chiumenti et al., 2007). Well composted manure improves soil structure, increases soil organic matter, suppresses soil-borne plant pathogens, enhances plant growth and reduces the cost of fertilization (Ramos and Martìnez-Casasnovas, 2006). Composting cannot be considered a new technology but it is gaining interest in waste management strategies as an alternative way of recycling the manure in farms without enough agricultural land for their direct use as fertilizer (Bernal et al., 2008). SF from liquid animal manure can be composted successfully when optimal conditions are satisfied: temperature of the material during the process must not exceeding 70-75 °C, moisture content (MC) should be between 50-60%, C/N is near 30, pH is between 6.5 and 8.0, porosity is 35-50% and aeration operations assure oxygen to the aerobic microorganisms responsible of the process. The addition of bulking agents to nitrogen rich-waste such as SF optimizes substrate porosity, MC, pH, C/N ratio affecting positively the decomposition. Cellulose crop residues with high C/N ratio can be used as raw materials to add to animal manure (Bernal et al., 2008). In Europe swine manure composting at farm level is not a substantially practiced process (Chiumenti et al., 2007). Composting could be justified in some high revenue farms, such as vines and tree crops, where organic fertilizers are preferred to chemical fertilizers. These crops make available 1.5-3 t ha-1 of the woody material from pruning, at the moment generally shredded in the inter-row, as bulking material to improve animal waste SF. The paper investigates the feasibility of small scale and low technology farm composting process of the swine manure SF to produce organic fertilizer for viticulture and crops tree.