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The rotary crusher allows you to qualitatively grind pressed roughage. The authors proposed and developed an improved technological scheme of an impact crusher equipped with two beaters for dosed transfer to the grinding chamber. The impact crusher consists of a transfer chute, metering beaters, a chopping chamber, a rotor, chopping knives, fixed knives, an exit chute, a feed bin and an electric motor. The efficiency of work is determined by the following parameters: length, width and thickness of knives, rotor speed. The purpose of the work is to substantiate the parameters of the rotor and its knives. Analytical dependencies are obtained to determine the parameters of the knife. Theoretical studies have established that the minimum length of the knife should be 6.9 cm, the width of the knife is 50 mm, and its thickness is 4 mm. A model for the theoretical calculation of the probability of grinding roughage of the required size within the limits of zootechnical requirements has been obtained. Based on the calculations, the probability of cutting the feed of the required size, depending on the number of rotation of the rotors, was established.

The article presents the results of laboratory studies of a modernized threshing device of a combine harvester. The change in the design of the thresher was carried out in order to change the parameters of air flows in the gap between the threshing drum and the concave deck. It is shown that the introduced design changes contribute to a better separation of grain from the straw grate of the separated material and prevent the reverse movement of air masses from the threshing gap between the thresher beaters.

The rotary crusher allows you to qualitatively grind pressed roughage. The authors proposed and developed an improved technological scheme of an impact crusher equipped with two beaters for dosed transfer to the grinding chamber. The impact crusher consists of a transfer chute, metering beaters, a chopping chamber, a rotor, chopping knives, fixed knives, an exit chute, a feed bin, and an electric motor. Work efficiency is determined by the following parameters: length, width, and thickness of knives, rotor speed. The purpose of the work is to substantiate the parameters of the rotor and its knives. Analytical dependencies are obtained to determine the parameters of the knife. Theoretical studies have established that the minimum length of the knife should be 6.9 cm, the width of the knife should be 50 mm, and its thickness should be 4 mm. A model for the theoretical calculation of the probability of grinding roughage of the required size within the limits of zootechnical requirements has been obtained. Based on the calculations, the probability of cutting the feed of the required size, depending on the number of rotations of the rotors, was established.

ObjectivesSince the 1970s studies have shown that vehicle collision repair workers are at risk of exposure to organic solvent mixtures and their neurotoxic effects. Solvent exposures in this industry have generally declined in the past 20 years, but it is unclear whether this has been sufficient to prevent health effects. We have conducted a cross-sectional study to assess contemporary solvent exposures and neurotoxic symptoms in workers from the collision repair industry in New Zealand.MethodsNeurobehavioural symptoms were assessed in 370 collision repair workers (spray painters and panel beaters) and 215 reference workers from the construction industry using the EUROQUEST questionnaire. Full-shift solvent exposure levels were also determined in a subset (n = 92) of collision repair workers.Results Current solvent exposures were higher in spray painters than in panel beaters, but levels were well below current exposure standards. Collision repair workers were more likely to report neurobehavioural symptoms than reference workers with ORs of 2.0, 2.4 and 6.4 (p < 0.05) for reporting greater than or equal to 5, greater than or equal to 10 and greater than or equal to 15 symptoms respectively. Panel beaters generally had the greatest number of symptoms. Associations with specific symptom domains showed increased risk for neurological (OR 4.2), psychosomatic (OR 3.2), mood (OR 2.1), memory (OR 2.9) and memory and concentration symptoms combined (OR 2.4). Regardless of duration of employment in the industry collision repair workers were at higher risk of neurobehavioural symptoms than reference workers and some evidence of a dose-response trend was observed. However, this was likely weakened by a 'healthy worker survivor bias'.ConclusionsDespite general reductions in solvent exposure in the collision repair industry and low measurements in the workshops involved, spray painters and panel beaters still appear to be at significant risk of neurobehavioural symptoms.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the effect of process parameters of blow room machines on openness degree and quality of cotton tufts in a blow room.Design/methodology/approachFor this purpose, an experimental Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used, and the process parameters were the angles of the grid bars underneath the opening rollers of CVT3 beaters and the distance between feed roller of the first opening roller of CVT3.FindingsIt was found that the cotton tuft openness increased by increasing the angles of grid bars and by decreasing the distance between the feed roller and first opening roller on CVT3 beater. Further, the optimization procedure showed that an optimum value of cotton tuft openness (in laser method) was determined for specific levels of the process parameters.Originality/valueThe originality of this investigation is that it showed the individual effects and interactions of the most important factors in two tufting machines instead of only one machine. This study is important because it helps cotton yarn spinners to improve the quality of the final yarns by optimizing the levels of tuft openness which in turn improves fiber cleaning.

The description of the researched barrel mixer with flat blades is carried out. Basing on experimental data, the authors have derived regression equations between barrel filling degree and drive power input and barrel capacity and angle of its setting, between coefficient of variation and mixing duration, between the share of the check component and barrel capacity and angle of its setting. An integrated functional model has been developed for the relationship between the main indicators of the mixer and the studied factors. Discrepancy between experimental data and calculated values of the functional model is about 15% of the calculated granularity of mixture. Inclination of the barrel at the angle of 15° to the horizontal is rational. Production of dry compound feed mixtures (with the density of 500-600 kg/m3) on farms in the existing small-capacitance mixers is irrational in view of long duration of mixing. Mixers need upgrading with the help of beaters' construction change.

Mechanical harvesting of ripe fruit should significantly increase fruit picking productivity and reduce harvesting times and operating costs. This study presents the optimal average gravitational acceleration of grapefruit tree branches obtained with a self-propelled citrus canopy shaker that varied the number, vibrational speed, and canopy penetration depth of the beating arms. Accelerometer sensors measured vibration and acceleration, and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm analyzed the vibration data. The acceleration values reflected the behavior of the tree branches in response to harvester shaking and varied with different harvester configurations and accelerometer placements in the tree canopy. The magnitude of the gravitational acceleration (g) increased significantly by increasing the number of shaking beaters, the shaker’s penetration into the tree canopy, and increasing the harvester’s shaking speed. The initial 14 beaters only provided acceleration values of 8.00 g maximum, 1.93 g minimum, and 5.044 g averages. Using 26 beaters yielded a maximum of 14.09 g, a minimum of 6.27 g, and an average of 8.65 g. Increasing the shaking speed also increased the forces applied to the tree canopy. An average of 7.387 g, achieved at 45.3 in/s, increased to 8.004 g at 65.9 in/s. Higher (g) values resulted in increased grapefruit fruit dislodgement, with 100% fruit removal on some trees.

ObjectivesWe have recently shown that solvent-exposed collision repair workers (spray painters and panel beaters) in New Zealand are at an increased risk of both self-reported and objectively assessed neurobehavioural effects, indicating a need for more effective exposure controls. This study assessed the association between personal protective equipment (PPE) use and workplace hygiene and symptoms of neurotoxicity in vehicle spray painters.MethodsExposure controls including PPE-use and workplace hygiene practices and symptoms of neurotoxicity were assessed in 267 vehicle repair spray painters. Symptoms were assessed using the EUROQUEST questionnaire.ResultsFrequent respirator and glove use was inversely associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05 for trend). The strongest protective effect was found for consistent glove use (OR 0.1and 0.2, p<0.01, for reporting ≥10 and≥5 symptoms, respectively). A dose-response trend (p<0.05) was also observed when combining frequency of respirator and glove use, with an overall reduction in risk of 90% (OR 0.1 for reporting ≥10 and≥5 symptoms, p<0.01) for those who consistently used both. Protective effects were most pronounced for psychosomatic (p<0.05 for trend, for combined PPE use), mood (p<0.05) and memory and concentration symptoms combined (p<0.05), with reductions in risk of >80%. Poor hygiene workplace practices, e.g. solvent exposure to multiple body parts were associated with an increased risk of symptoms, but this was not statistically significant. When using a general workplace hygiene score derived from a combination of PPE-use and (good) workplace hygiene an inverse dose-response trend was observed for reporting ≥5 (p<0.01) and ≥10 symptoms (p<0.01).ConclusionsThis study has shown that PPE-use and good workplace hygiene are associated with a strongly reduced risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity in solvent-exposed vehicle spray painters. Glove use was most protective, suggesting dermal exposures may be of particular importance in the development of symptoms.

The Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) is an endangered and insufficiently studied galliform occurring in upland habitats dominated by shrublands in Spain, France, and Andorra. Aiming to develop tailored management to favour the species, we studied the effect of habitat management on a partridge population located in Zamora province within the Galician–Duero mountains as part of a long-term project promoted by the regional government (Junta Castilla y León). Management was based on carrying out conservation and recovery of optimal habitats through clearing shrublands (either plots or linear) distributed in a “core area” of 45 km2, conducting tracks with beaters and pointing dogs during autumn in three areas, and comparing the partridge abundance before (2000–2006) and after (2007–2023) management. Habitat management increased partridge abundance values in two areas (1.46 and 1.68 times higher) and had no effect on the remaining one. The pattern of grey partridge abundance during the study was irregular and not influenced by the weather, and the highest abundance values were reached 8–10 years after habitat measures were implemented for the first time. Habitat management allowed high autumn abundance to be reached (mean kilometre abundance values of 2.94 and 3.74 birds/km in two areas), while the mean number of birds per family group was not affected by management (nine birds/group). When aiming to recover Pyrenean grey partridge populations, habitat management should be based on the conservation and management of shrublands to provide mixed habitats in the medium and long term, ensuring regular partridge monitoring.

Traditional centrifuges, extensively employed in biology, chemistry, medicine, and other domains for tasks such as blood separation and pathogen extraction, have certain limitations. Their high cost, substantial size, and reliance on electricity restrict their range of application. Contemporary centrifuges, inspired by everyday items like paper trays and egg beaters, boast characteristics such as ease of operation, independence from electricity, and portability. These features offer unique advantages in specific situations, such as electricity shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and challenging medical conditions. Consequently, we designed a hand-powered portable centrifuge driven by pulling a rope. Our experiments revealed significant performance factors, including load capacity, rope length, and frequency of rope pulling. The results demonstrated that the revolutions per minute (RPM) of a hand-powered portable centrifuge were directly proportional to the length of the rope and the frequency of pulling, up to a certain limit, while inversely proportional to the load. When used for separating and washing polystyrene microspheres, the portable centrifuge’s performance equaled that of traditional centrifuges. According to relevant calculations, this centrifuge could be capable of meeting the application of blood separation. Therefore, we believe this portable centrifuge will find meaningful applications in similar areas, particularly in resource-poor settings.