Gianfranco Pergher

Foliar deposition and pesticide losses from three air-assisted sprayers in a hedgerow vineyard

Abstract Three commercial air-assisted sprayers were tested in a hedgerow vineyard, at full vegetative development (end of July; leaf area index = 1.94), using a water-soluble food dye as a tracer. The spraying equipment used was (1) a high-volume (1355 l ha−1) axial-fan sprayer; (2) a low-volume (246 1 ha−1) compressed-air sprayer (3) a sprayer fitted with deflectable air outlets, allowing an adjustment of the output angle, relative to the row direction, from 90 ° to 118 °. All application techniques appeared to be capable of delivering more than 64% of the sprayed material onto the leaves and grapes. The high-volume sprayer provided the most uniform distribution over the foliage. The change of the output angle from 90 ° to 118 ° did not significantly affect total leaf deposition, but increased the overall variability of the deposits.

Neck injury patterns resulting from the use of petrol and electric chainsaws in suicides. Report on two cases

Suicides due to neck injuries caused by chainsaws are uncommon events. The cutting elements of petrol and electric chainsaws produce different features in lethal neck injuries. The accurate evaluation of the death scene, of the power and mechanical characteristics of the chainsaw and of wound morphology are all essential in distinguishing a case of suicide.

Characterization of Biomass Emissions and Potential Reduction in Small-Scale Pellet Boiler

In recent years it has been proved that residential biomass combustion has a direct influence on ambient air quality, especially in the case of cereals. The aim of this study is the characterization of the emissions in small-scale fixed-bed pellet boiler (heat output of 25 kW) of beech and corn, and of its potential reduction to an addition of calcium dihydroxide. In the biomass combustion test 7 fuel mixtures were investigated with regard to the particulate content (PM10), gaseous emissions and combustion chamber deposit.

Medicolegal Investigations Into Deaths Due to Crush Asphyxia After Tractor Side Rollovers

Farm tractors are large, heavy, powerful vehicles with a high center of gravity. When driven carelessly on sloping, irregular, or slippery ground, tractors can overturn sideways and cause the death by crush asphyxia of the driver or passengers, especially if appropriate safety equipment is not fitted or used. The aim of this review is to focus on the diagnostic difficulties with which coroners and forensic pathologists have to cope when a confirmation of crush asphyxia after tractor side rollover is required by judicial authorities. Forensic investigations in such cases must involve the meticulous analysis of the death scene and the mechanical characteristics of the vehicle together with accurate postmortem and toxicological examination.