<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The Six Sigma DMAIC can be considered a guide for problem solving and product or process improvement. The majority of companies start to implement Six Sigma using the DMAIC methodology. The paper deals with application of Six Sigma using the DMAIC methodology in the process of product quality control. The case study is oriented on the field of metallurgical operations. The goal of the Six Sigma project was to ensure the required metallurgic product quality and to avoid an increase in internal costs associated with poor product quality. In this case study, a variety of tools and techniques like flow chart, histogram, Pareto diagram, analysis of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) data, cause and effect diagram, logical analysis was used. The Sigma level has improved by approximately 13%. The achieved improvements have helped to reduce the quantity of defective products and the processing costs (technology for re-adjusting). Benefits resulting from the DMAIC implementation can be divided into three levels: the qualitative, economic and safety level.</abstract>

Application of Six Sigma Using DMAIC Methodology in the Process of Product Quality Control in Metallurgical Operation

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> This paper deals with milk processing with emphasis on pasteurization. The heat treatment of milk is important in terms of product quality and health safety. The goal of this paper is determination of heat consumption, inactivation effect and Pasteur criterion, by which pasteurization effectiveness is evaluated. The methodical part contains calculations, which were used for estimation of results and description of a pasteurization station used for milk processing. Results obtained in usual working time confirmed that necessary heating and cooling performance were achieved for guarantee of high-quality milk production. Real specific heat consumption was 51.69 kJ/kg. It was achieved by use of regeneration sections in the pasteurizer. These sections allow for a repeated use of 82 % of heat used for heating of raw milk in pasteurization.</abstract>

Heat Consumption and Quality of Milk Pasteurization

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The present study was undertaken to determine the weight loss of pots made of different ratios of biomaterials and banana peels. Two types of biodegradable pots were produced using different ratios of biomaterials (B) and banana peels (BP). The ratios of B to BP tested in this study were B50% : BP50% and B30% : BP 70%. The weight loss of biodegradable pot with ratio B30% : BP70% was significantly higher than biodegradable pot with ratio B50% : BP50% after the empty biodegradable pots were left to decompose on the ground for 60 days. This result suggests that higher content of banana peels increase the microbial decomposition of the biodegradable pot. On the contrary, the weight loss of biodegradable pot with ratio B50%:BP50% was higher when they were filled with soil and left to decompose on the ground for 60 days. This is probably due to the lower content of banana peels, what decreased the tensile strength of biodegradable pot filled with soil, making it highly decomposable in such manner. In terms of degradability, biodegradable pot with ratio B30% : BP70% is more appropriate than pot with ratio B50% : BP50%.</abstract>

Effect of Different Ratios of Biomaterials to Banana Peels on the Weight Loss of Biodegradable Pots

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study compared the total solid content and compound properties of <italic>Hevea</italic> rubber latex produced from material collected during different periods. Samples were collected from five trees, with the collection replicated three times with tapping task as replication. Observed parameters included total solid content, vulcanization characteristics, technical and physical properties. The results exhibited that the longer latex flowed, the more total solid content tended to decrease. Results indicate that compound of latex collected 20 minutes (C20), 60 minutes (C60), and 300 minutes (C300) after tapping qualified for SIR 20. Other parameters did not show a significant difference among the three tested compounds. Considering the products requiring high dry rubber content, it is suggested not to blend the late collection with main collected latex.
</abstract>

Total Solid Content and Compound Properties from Different Collection Time of <italic>Hevea brasiliensis</italic> Latex

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Presented paper is focused on comparison of certain physical properties of selected vegetable oils. Physical properties, such as density, dynamic, kinematic viscosity and fluidity, were experimentally determined. All experiments were conducted on two samples of vegetable oils: sunflower and extra virgin olive oils with approximate temperature range of 5–32 °C. Density of oils was determined by oscillation method utilizing digital densimeter Anton Paar DMA 4500M at different temperatures. Dynamic viscosity was measured by means of rotational viscometer Anton Paar DV-3P. The rest of rheological parameters were determined on the basis of their definitions. Obtained results are depicted as graphical dependencies of rheological parameters and density on temperature. These dependencies of vegetable oils on dynamic and kinematic viscosity showed decreasing exponential shape, which is in compliance with Arrhenius equation; temperature dependencies on fluidity showed an increasing exponential shape for both samples. Density dependencies of samples on temperature were characteristic with decreasing linear function within measured temperature range. Similar results were achieved by other researchers. On the basis of measured values, it is evident that dynamic viscosity of extra virgin olive oil shows higher values than sunflower oil viscosity, which is a result of different composition of oils.</abstract>

Selected Physical Properties Assessment of Sunflower and Olive Oils

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The effect of loading rate as well as the cocoa content on the tensile strength of dark chocolate has been studied. Tensile strength was measured using the Brazilian test. The main advantage of this test consists in the use of a specimen of simple geometry in comparison with a specimen for tensile tests. Tensile strength increases with loading rate. The cocoa content exhibits the same effect.</abstract>

Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic

Institute of Thermomechanics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

Tensile Strength of Dark Chocolate

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The primary objective of this research was to utilise near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy as a swift, non-destructive method for identifying chlorogenic acid in whole coffee beans. Additionally, this investigation explored the efficacy of different spectral improvement techniques alongside partial least square regression to construct predictive models. NIR spectral data was gleaned from whole coffee beans spanning a wavelength range of 1000–2500 nm, while the chlorogenic acid content was ascertained via high-performance liquid chromatography procedures. Our findings revealed that the highest coefficient of determination reached for chlorogenic acid was 0.97, and the root mean square error for calibration was 0.31% when using the multiplicative scatter correction method. Furthermore, upon testing the model using an external validation dataset, a determination coefficient of 0.91 and a ratio error to range index of 11.56 with a root mean square prediction error at 0.51% was attained. From these results, it can be inferred that the near-infrared technology, coupled with an effective spectral enhancement process, can facilitate quick, non-invasive determination of chlorogenic acid in whole coffee beans.
</abstract>

Near Infrared Technology Coupled with Different Spectra Correction Approaches for Fast and Non-Destructive Prediction of Chlorogenic Acid on Intact Coffee Beans

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This research investigated the performance of a model traction combine harvester (TCH) for harvesting several varieties of peanuts. The effect of independent factors including tested varieties at three levels (local Moghan, Goli Astana, and Turkish), tractor forward speed (FS) at three levels (4, 5, and 6 km·h−1), and rotational speed (RS) of the thresher at three levels (500, 600, 700 rpm) on losses and wastes were studied and investigated. To analyse the obtained data, a factorial experimental design was used in the form of randomised complete blocks, and Duncan‘s multi-range test was used to compare the mean values. According to the findings, the effects of tractor FS and rotary speed of the thresher on the percentage of threshing losses were significant at the probability level of 1%. Also, the interaction effects of variety type and tractor FS, tractor FS, and rotary speed of the thresher on the percentage of threshing losses were significant at the 1% probability level. Also, the effects of variety type, tractor FS, rotary speed of the thresher, and all mutual effects on the percentage of threshing waste were significant at the 1% probability level. The results of comparing the average effects of the main factors showed that the FS of 6 km·h−1 had the highest average threshing loss (82.89%). Threshing losses were obtained in the Turkish variety with the lowest average value (2.51%) and in the local variety with the highest average value (3.53%).
</abstract>

Investigating the Essential Factors for Thresher Losses and Waste in Peanut Harvester Considering Several Varieties of Crop

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Spent mushroom compost is one of the main potentials for biogas production. In recent years, several studies employed adding nanoparticles and alkaline pretreatment for improving biogas production. The present study is one of the pioneer studies that employ hybrid alkaline pretreatment (0, 5, and 15 mg of NaOH) and zero-valent iron nanoparticles (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg) for improving the co-digestion of spent mushroom compost and rice straw. According to the results, retention time (RT) and nanoparticle (NP) concentrations have the most significant impact on biomethane production (significant at 1% probability level), while the NaOH concentration has the lowest impact on biomethane production (significant at 5% probability level) in comparison with RT and NP concentration. Also, the maximum biomethane production is related to NP40Na15 (about 200% higher than the control). The minimum cumulative biomethane production is related to NP0Na15 (about 30% lower than the control). The lowest relative environmental midpoint impact is related to NP40Na15, which was on average about 60% lower than the control. Adding NPs at high concentrations of NaOH reduces the midpoint impacts. The results of the study could lead to new, ecologically friendly biomethane production methods that make better use of agricultural and organic wastes.
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Comparative Environmental and Economic Analysis of Biomethane Production from Co-Digestion of Rice Straw and Spent Mushroom Compost: Application of Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The current study sought to determine the potential of cacao pod husks for energy use. Biogas potential, the kinetics of anaerobic digestion at bench scale, and physicochemical characterisation of materials were evaluated for cacao pod husks (CPH), depectinised cacao pod husks (CPH-D), and cacao pod husks treated by <italic>Pleurotus</italic> spp. (CPH-DF). These materials showed accumulated biogas productions of 314.86 ±4.45 l·kg−1 VS−1, 369.49 ±15.98 l·kg−1 VS−1, and 342.52 ±10.98 l·kg−1 VS−1, respectively. The calorific values in CPH-DF, CPH, and CHP-DF were 17.65 MJ·kg−1, 15.43 MJ·kg−1, and 17.21 MJ·kg−1, respectively. These values indicate that the evaluated materials have a high potential to be used as biofuels.
</abstract>

Use of Cacao Pod Husks Under Different Pretreatments for Bioenergy Production

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The two-phase method is quite widespread when harvesting grain crops and forage grasses. For its implementation, farmers prefer harvesting units with a front-mounted header. The main disadvantage of such units is that after their passage in the space between the swaths of mown crops, open soil falls under the direct influence of sunlight. Subsequently, this leads to an intensive loss of its moisture. A harvesting unit has been designed to eliminate this shortcoming, consisting of a tractor with a front harvester and a soil-cultivating machine (disc harrow) mounted at the rear. The latter chops stubble and soil in the space between the swaths of the mowed crop, contributing to soil moisture conservation. In the diagram plan, the tillage machine can have a swivel or fixed conjunction with the tractor in a horizontal plane. A mathematical model of the harvesting unit plane-parallel movement in the horizontal plane has been designed to choose these conjunctions better. In the study, it is used to analyze the corresponding amplitude (AFC) and phase (PFC) frequency characteristics of a dynamic system when it is working out a control action in the form of the sighting point transverse shift. As a mathematical modeling result, it was found that the fixed conjunction of a tillage machine with a tractor is preferable. In this case, the natural AFC practically approaches the perfect one for servo dynamical systems. The correlation degree between the tractor‘s steered wheels‘ rotation and heading angles increases by almost 37%. As a result, this leads to a significant decrease in this parameter variance fluctuations, which contributes to an increase in the harvesting unit controllability movement as a whole.
</abstract>

Justification of the Unit Design Diagram for Mowing Agricultural Crops Simultaneously with Their Stuble Chopping

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The present paper deals with the evaluation of the impact of newly developed biofuels together with a comparison with conventionally produced fuel, diesel, in terms of their impact on the technical and emission condition of a studied vehicle. The main energy and emission parameters of the internal combustion diesel engine were evaluated. For laboratory experiments, a discrete test method was used for comprehensive assessment, the procedure of which is described in the methodology of the paper together with a description of the measurement chain designed to achieve the determined results. The paper deals with the evaluation of the measured results of power, torque, consumption, and emissions such as CO2 and absorption coefficient. Among the technical parameters, the power and torque drop were observed for each biofuel. The decrease is attributed to lower values of calorific value, viscosity, and density. A positive effect was observed for the CO2 and absorption coefficient emission parameters, i.e., a decrease for each of the newly developed biofuels studied.
</abstract>

Comparison of Effect of Conventional Fuel with Newly Developed Biofuel in Operation and Emission Conditions of Piston Combustion Engine

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This paper presents a review on current and emerging application possibilities for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The introduction section of the paper briefly describes some of the application areas in which drones are currently being used. The next chapters of the paper describe more detailly the use of UAVs for aerial photography, filming, security and logistics, GIS, land and water surveys. The main focus of the last chapters is on the advantages and the disadvantages of the drones usage in precision agriculture, wildlife and nature observations and archaeology. The last chapters also provide information on how the advanced information technology solutions can be implemented in order to provide means for fighting invasive species, to increase the yield of certain crops, to monitor and predict flooding, wildfires and other disasters, etc. This paper provides only overview of the most interesting and widely available applications of the UAVs, but there are also many other more specific and dedicated solutions for implementation of the drones for different purposes.</abstract>

A Review on Current and Emerging Application Possibilities for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Controlled traffic farming is a machinery management system that confines all field vehicles to the least possible area of permanent traffic lanes. It has developed in response to research evidence of widespread soil damage from compaction due to field traffic. The history of research on soil compaction is explored and found to be a relatively new phenomenon. Controlled traffic farming as a topic for research did not appear until the 1980s although its principles and benefits were well established before then. Research expanded over the next decades but changed subtly to more reviews on the topic as well as emphasis on environmental deliverables and some economics studies. Few if any researchers attempted to develop on-farm systems using existing machinery until the mid 1990s when a small and dedicated team in Australia encouraged farmers to experiment. This quickly led to rapid expansion across the continent to its present day c. 13% of the cropped area. Despite changes to extension services in northern Europe at around the turn of the century and a move to subsidiarity, this did not alter the model of controlled traffic adoption. This followed a similar pattern to that in Australia involving individuals rather than organizations.</abstract>

Controlled Traffic Farming – From Worldwide Research To Adoption In Europe And Its Future Prospects

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Strawberry is a non-climacteric fruit with a limited harvesting period. Because of high susceptibility to mechanical damage, strawberry has a small postharvest life. In this research, an experiment was designed to study the mechanical damage phenomena in strawberry during the harvest and postharvest operations together with some physical properties of strawberry. Influences of some other factors such as variety, fruit position in the box as well as box position on the truck were also investigated. Results indicated that the variety, operation stage, fruit position in the box, and box position on the truck, had significant effects on the extent of the fruits‘ mechanical damage. Maximum damage index was related to picking stage. The variety Gaviota showed more susceptibility to mechanical damage than Selva. The maximum damage occurred at the bottom rows in the boxes. Furthermore, it was observed that the higher the position of a box on the truck, the more the susceptibility of fruits would be to mechanical damage.</abstract>

Mechanical Damage Of Strawberry During Harvest And Postharvest Operations

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<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In the recent years, robotic systems became more advanced and more accessible. This has led to their slow, but stable integration and use in different processes and applications, including in the agricultural domain. Nowadays, agricultural robots are developed with the aim to replace the human labour in the otherwise exhausting, time-consuming or dangerous activities. Agricultural robotic systems provide many advantages, which can differ based on the type of the robot and its sensors, actuators and communication systems. This paper presents the design, the construction process, the main characteristics and the evaluation of a prototype of a small-scale agricultural robot that can be used for some of the simplest activities in agricultural enterprises. The robot is designed as an end-user autonomous mobile system, which is capable of self-localization and can map or inspect a specific farming area. The decision-making capabilities of the robot are based on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, which allow it to perform specific actions in accordance to the situation and the surrounding environment. The presented prototype is in its early development and evaluation stages and the paper concludes with discussions on the possible further improvements of the platform.
</abstract>

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Autonomous Robot for Precision Agriculture

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> This paper deals with the relationship between grain yield and grain losses during harvest. Measurements were carried out on a combine harvester with axial harvesting device allowing various adjustments to combine harvester parameter settings, such as rotor speed, gap between separator and rotor, fan speed, holes of the upper and lower sieves. Values of harvest losses in combine harvester with custom settings for the given crops were compared with values of losses obtained by a harvester with manufacturer’s recommended settings. This paper observes the losses in grains of spring barley and winter wheat crops. All the measurements made showed lower grain losses when the combine harvester settings were customized. In general, custom settings provided quantitative losses lower by 0.198% than settings recommended by manufacturer.</abstract>

Influence of the Combine Harvester Parameter Settings on Harvest Losses

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