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Incomplete milking (IM) is one way of mitigating the negative energy balance (NEB) that is characteristic for early lactation and may increase the risk for disease. Our objectives were to test the effects of IM in early lactation on energy balance (EB), metabolic status, udder health, and subsequent performance. To facilitate the practical application, an automated system was used to remove the milking clusters once a predefined amount of milk is withdrawn. Forty-six Holstein cows were equally allocated to either the treatment (TRT, starting on 8 d in milk) or the control group (CON; conventional cluster removal at milk flow rate <0.3 kg/min). Milk removal in the TRT group was limited to the individual cow's milk yield 1 d before IM started and held constant for 14 d. Thereafter, all cows were conventionally milked and records related to EB, performance, and udder health were continued up to 15 wk of lactation. During the 14 d of IM, on average 11.1% less milk was obtained from the TRT cows than from the CON cows. Thereafter, milk yield increased in the TRT group, eliminating the group difference throughout the remaining observation period until wk 15 of lactation. The TRT cows tended to have less dry matter intake and also water intake than the CON cows. The extent of the NEB and the circulating concentrations of fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, insulin-like growth factor-1, and leptin mostly did not differ between the groups. The IM did not affect body condition. Udder health was maintained over the entire observation period in all cows. Our results demonstrate the applicability of the automated cluster removal for limiting milk withdrawal to a defined amount in early lactation. However, it remains to be determined whether the absent effect on energy metabolism was due to the relatively stable energy status of the cows or to the relatively mild IM setting used herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy is becoming the main subject of energy consumption with the accelerating transformation of energy structure. The renewable power supply systems sourced by wind and solar energies have attracted wide attention as they are of great significance to regions that are rich in renewable energy. In this study, the stable power system consisting of solar, wind and liquid carbon dioxide energy storage is proposed for the sake of meeting user electricity load. Thermodynamic and economic performance of the proposed systems with different application scenarios is analyzed and some interesting findings are summarized. The round trip efficiency and energy density of the liquid carbon dioxide energy storage system are 58.34 % and 23.41 kWh/m3, respectively. The start hour of dispatch can cause obvious influence on the energy storage capacity and there is an optimal dispatch start time to achieve the minimum energy storage capacity. The overall energy efficiency of energy storage-aided power system including solar and wind powers is much higher than that of the single sourced system. The energy efficiency of the solar-wind-LCES system is 94.61 % while it is only 80.31 % and 76.29 % for the wind-LCES and solar-LCES systems, respectively. The introduction of the liquid carbon dioxide energy storage into the renewable power supply system can greatly reduce the electricity purchasing investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Define a more general mixed traffic flow with both connected automated vehicles (CAVs) and connected vehicles (CVs). • Study analytical approach for stability analysis of the new mixed traffic flow. • Propose a CV management strategy to achieve stable mixed traffic flow operations. • Conduct an empirical study to validate the effectiveness of the proposed CV management strategy. Recently, the market has witnessed the emergence of intelligent vehicles equipped with diverse functionalities. Among these are connected automated vehicles (CAVs) boasting a comprehensive platooning capability, and connected vehicles (CVs), which essentially refer to human-driven vehicles (HVs) equipped with connectivity features. As a result, CAVs, CVs, and regular human-driven vehicles (RVs) will form a mixed CAV-CV-RV flow to affect stability of existing traffic flow, which is an important characteristic of traffic flow operations. This paper investigates stability of this new mixed CAV-CV-RV flow, explores effect of CVs on stability, and proposes CV management strategy aimed at achieving a stable traffic flow. We firstly establish definition of the novel mixed flow comprising CAVs, CVs, and RVs. Subsequently, we present a general analytical approach for evaluating stability of this mixed flow. Then we undertake an empirical study that incorporates car-following models, validated using real experiments involving the aforementioned vehicle types. Based on findings from our stability analysis, we proceed to propose a CV management strategy designed to guarantee stable conditions within this mixed traffic flow. Results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed general analytical method in assessing influences of various system factors on stability of this new mixed flow. Subsequent to an application of the analytical method, empirical study uncovers a noteworthy finding that CVs prove to be more effective than CAVs in ensuring stable conditions within the mixed flow. Then we can manage market proportion of CVs in order to achieve stable mixed flow, according to varying CAV penetration rates. Specifically, some interesting lessons are learned based on the empirical study: (i) to guarantee stable operations of mixed traffic flow, about one third of CVs are needed to be among HVs, before CAVs running on road (CV-RV mixed flow); (ii) management strategy for stable flow requires an increase of minimum CV proportion among HVs from 33% to 55%, as CAV penetration rates increase up to 50%; (iii) when CAV penetration rates are greater than 50%, the required minimum CV proportion for ensuring traffic flow stability decreases with the increase of CAV penetration rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mud-blister worms are widely distributed in the ocean all over the world. It is well known that they inhabit the shell of shellfish, leading to the collapse of many shellfish farms. Although there are many reports of mud-blister worm incidents, many articles are not published in English, or the species of mud-blister worms have been identified wrongly, or the species names have been synchronized (merged) due to the high morphologically and genetically similar. Therefore, there is a need for a rigorous scientific review on the updated distribution, economic impact and potential treatments of mud-blister worm infestations. The development of shellfish aquaculture has led to the international transfer of shellfish form farms to farms for aquaculture purposes, in which has led to the widespread of mud-blister worms around the world's oceans. Although many treatments have been proposed, most are impractical due to the complexity of logistic, large scale or harmful to the host and environment. However, there are several approaches, including avoidance strategy, management strategy and genetic breeding strategy are potential solutions to mitigate the effects of mud-blister worm infestations in shellfish farms. This information will contribute to the development of aquaculture and fishery management plans to be implemented in shellfish aquaculture. • Shellfish aquaculture caused widespread of mud-blister worms. • Most currently available treatments are impractical. • Avoidance, management and genetic breeding strategy are potential solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of fish pond farming involves diverse practises aimed at increasing fish productivity, such as polyculture stocks, supplementary artificial feeding, adding nutrients, or drying ponds during winter or summer. Since aquatic vegetation has a positive influence on fish richness and biomass, aquatic plants could also have a positive effect on the fish productivity; however, its role has received little attention. Here, we conducted a study in which the productivity of carp was recorded in two ponds, one vegetated and the other with scarce coverage of aquatic plants. During winter, the ponds are dried, and are filled up with water in the spring. Then two-year-old carps are introduced to allow their growth until autumn when the ponds are drained and the fish harvested. The water used to fill the ponds contains no zooplankton organisms, so crustacean populations appear in the water column through the growth of hatchlings from resting stages deposited in the pond sediment during previous seasons. In order to explain patterns in fish productivity, crustaceans, which constitute an important element in the fish diet, were investigated. Particularly, the dynamics of the crustacean species were estimated during the spring and summer and, since cladoceran species are one of the main preferred preys of carp, body and clutch sizes of Daphnia were measured. Moreover, the density of cladoceran resting eggs in the sediment was estimated after the dry pond was filled, and just before the next pond filling. We found differences between vegetated and non-vegetated ponds. In the pond with aquatic vegetation (1) fish productivity was higher, (2) Daphnia species started to grow significantly earlier, had higher relative abundances, and delayed the population decline, (3) large sized European Daphnia galeata dominated over small sized American Daphnia parvula and Daphnia ambigua , and (4) the cladoceran resting egg bank was less eroded during winter when the ponds were dried. The results of this study indicate that macrophytes are likely to operate as a protection mechanism, not only for individual Daphnia , which keeps higher population densities and larger body sizes despite fish predation, but also protects the resting egg bank. This, in turn, was positively related to carp biomass. Accordingly, we consider that increasing macrophyte coverage should be considered in the management strategies for carp pond farming since littoral plant vegetation may act as a refuge for cladocerans as well as a productive ecotone improving the productivity of fish ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The material composition of RAP in different road sections has significant variation. • A systematic procedure for designing the HIRAM material composition was proposed. • The warm mix asphalt technology can be used to optimize the HIR construction parameters. • The management strategy for controlling the HIR construction quality in the field was proposed. The material composition of hot in-place recycling asphalt mixture (HIRAM) fluctuates violently during construction in the field, effecting the hot in-place recycling (HIR) construction quality. In addition, construction cost optimization and carbon emission control are also crucial factors to consider in today's pavement projects. To maximize the benefits of HIR maintenance technology, a systematic procedure for designing the HIRAM material composition and a strategy for optimizing the construction parameters are proposed by considering the RAP variability, construction costs, and carbon emissions. The management strategy for controlling the construction quality of HIR in the field is also proposed, and the feasibility of the strategy for designing HIRAM material composition and optimizing the construction parameters is verified in engineering practice. The results show that there is a significant difference in RAP material composition at different road sections, and the procedure developed in this study can precisely design the HIRAM material composition based on the principle of similarity of RAP aggregate gradation via Fréchet similarity and K-means cluster analysis, and the accuracy of HIRAM gradation design can be improved to 26.5 %. The HIR construction parameters can be optimized by applying the warm mix asphalt technology based on the multi-objective optimization model. At the same time, the benefits are evaluated, showing that the total construction cost and CO 2 emissions of the project can be reduced by 6.67 % and 16.81 %, respectively. Those working in the field of asphalt pavement maintenance may be interested in this strategy, as this study was done intentionally for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an experimental study on a lab-scale adsorption refrigerator, based on activated carbon/ethanol working pair is reported. An extensive testing campaign has been carried out at the CNR ITAE laboratory, with multiple aims. First, the performance has been evaluated in terms of both COP and Specific Cooling Power (SCP), under different boundary conditions, including both air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Attractive SCPs, up to 180 W/kg and 70 W/kg for air conditioning and refrigeration, respectively, were measured. Under the same conditions, COP between 0.17 and 0.08 were obtained. In addition, different management strategies, namely, heat recovery between adsorbers and re-allocation of phase durations, were evaluated to identify their influence on the system. Both strategies confirmed the possibility of increasing COP and SCP up to 40% and 25%, respectively. Moreover, a design analysis based on the experimental results has been carried out, to suggest possible improvements of the system. The obtained results demonstrated the possibility of employing a non-toxic refrigerant like ethanol reaching performance comparable with other harmful refrigerants like ammonia and methanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing pesticide use in agriculture is a major challenge to improve sustainability of cropping systems. It is critical to identify effective integrated farming strategies able to decrease substantially pesticide use. This study is based on a unique French national network of 1012 arable commercial farms involved in a pesticide reduction program. These farms displayed contrasting levels of pesticide use, and covered a large diversity of environmental characteristics and farming practices. Our objective was to identify profiles of management strategies showing contrasting pesticide use levels in France. Two categories of factors potentially related to pesticide use were considered successively, namely factors describing production situations and factors describing management strategies. Regression tree methods were applied to the dataset to identify combinations of factors associated with low vs. high pesticide use levels. Results showed that, among the factors describing production situations, the presence of livestock, climate conditions, and to a lesser extent soil characteristics were able to discriminate groups of farms with contrasting pesticide use levels. Among the factors describing management strategies, the crop sequence, the crop diversity, the pesticide spraying techniques, and soil tillage were frequently selected for discriminating farms characterised by low vs. high pesticide use levels, whereas specific factors such as mechanical weeding, crop cultivars and sowing dates were related with pesticide use in some production situations only. Across production situations, several contrasting strategies led to low levels of pesticide use. Besides, within each considered production situation, different strategies appeared associated with low levels of pesticide use. Our results reveal that a large diversity of strategies exists for controlling pests, weeds and diseases without high levels of pesticide use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lung computed tomography (CT) scan is essential for diagnosing lung diseases in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. As a result, lung CT scans are increasingly prescribed in the early phase after allogeneic HSCT, with no assessment of the added value for global patient management. Among 250 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT in our center over a 2-year period, we evaluated 68 patients who had at least 1 lung CT scan within the first 30 days post-transplantation. The median interval between allogeneic HSCT and lung CT scan was 8.5 days. Patients who underwent an early lung CT scan were more immunocompromised and had a more severe course. Fever was the main indication for the CT scan (78%). The lung CT scan was abnormal in 52 patients, including 17 patients who had an abnormal pre-HSCT CT scan. A therapeutic change was noted in 37 patients (54%) within 24 hours after the lung CT scan. The main changes included the introduction of corticosteroids (n = 23; 62%), especially in patients with a normal CT scan (89%). In univariate models, we found that a normal pretransplantation CT scan ( P = .002), the absence of either dyspnea ( P = .029) or hypoxemia ( P = .015), and a serum C-reactive protein level <10 mg/L ( P = .004) were associated with a normal post-HSCT lung CT scan. We found that the association of these variables could predict the normality of early post-HSCT lung CT scans. Pretransplantation lung CT scans are useful for the interpretation of subsequent lung CT scans following allogeneic HSCT, which are frequently abnormal. Early post-HSCT lung CT scans are helpful in patient management, but prescriptions could be more targeted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrolytic hydrogen production using renewable sources can play a central role in global decarbonization. However, the direct coupling of electrolyzers with renewable energies can cause frequent shutdowns and high production fluctuations unless adopting electrical storage systems or using electricity from the grid that is generally not completely decarbonized. In this study, a system consisting of a wind turbine, short-term battery storage, and an alkaline electrolyzer was analyzed through annual simulations in MATLAB. A power management strategy sets the electrolyzer and battery operating conditions. Firstly, several battery and electrolyzer sizes were investigated for a given wind site for three scenarios (0%grid , 20%grid , and 100%grid) in which the grid guarantees the electrolyzer operation at a minimum load of 0%, 20%, and 100%, respectively. Secondly, the effect of the wind speed distribution on the system performance was investigated by comparing sixteen different wind sites in the 0%grid scenario. The battery presence always led to a LCOH increase. The 20%grid scenario represented a good compromise between the minimization of specific CO 2 emissions, and the minimization of LCOH (that was always lower compared to the 0%grid scenario and the lowest without battery). The shape parameter of the fitted Weibull wind speed distribution did not affect the system. Instead, a greater scale parameter led to both greater hydrogen production and a lower LCOH. • Direct hydrogen generation from wind energy is investigated. • Scenarios with an increasing absorption from the electrical grid were compared. • Influence of Weibull scale and shape parameters on system performance. • Battery use always increases the levelized cost of hydrogen. • Best results when the electrolyzer minimum load operation is guaranteed by grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to compare the reproductive performance of lactating Holstein cows managed with a strategy that included the Ovsynch protocol with exogenous progesterone (P4) supplementation or presynchronization with GnRH 7 d before Ovsynch to treat cows without a corpus luteum (CL), a CL <15 mm, or cystic at the time of the PGF2α injection of Resynch (GnRH-7 d-PGF2α-56 h-GnRH-16 to 20 h-TAI). In a preliminary study, blood collection and transrectal ovarian ultrasonography were conducted (n = 555) at the PGF2α of Resynch [coincident with nonpregnancy diagnosis (NPD)] to define a cutoff value for CL size that better predicted fertility after timed artificial insemination (TAI). A CL size of 15 mm was selected based on statistical differences in pregnancies per AI (P/AI) [33.2 vs. 10.3 P/AI for CL ≥15 mm (n = 497) vs. no CL ≥15 mm (n = 58; no CL, CL <15 mm, or cystic)]. Subsequently, in a completely randomized experiment, cows were enrolled in a management strategy that used Ovsynch with P4 supplementation [Ovsynch+P4; GnRH and controlled internal drug release device (CIDR)-7 d-PGF2α and CIDR removal-56 h-GnRH-16 to 20 h-TAI] or a PreG-Ovsynch protocol [PreG-Ovsynch; GnRH-7 d-GnRH-7 d-PGF2α-56 h-GnRH-16 to 20 h-TAI] to treat cows without a CL, a CL <15 mm, or cystic at NPD and the PGF2α of Resynch. Cows with a CL ≥15 mm at the PGF2α of Resynch completed the protocol and received TAI. Data were available from 212, 192, and 1,797 AI services after Ovsynch+P4, PreG-Ovsynch, and Resynch, respectively. At 39 d after AI, P/AI tended to be greater for Ovsynch+P4 and PreG-Ovsynch combined (35.1%) than for Resynch cows (31.1%), whereas P/AI were similar for Ovsynch+P4 (34.4%) and PreG-Ovsynch (35.9%). The hazard of pregnancy for cows that received the experimental treatments at least once was similar for cows in the Ovsynch+P4 (n = 124) and the PreG-Ovsynch (n = 132) group (hazard ratio 1.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.87 to 1.53). Median days to pregnancy were 52 and 59 for cows in the Ovsynch+P4 and the PreG-Ovsynch groups, respectively. The presynchronizing GnRH injection of PreG-Ovsynch induced ovulation in 86.0% of the cows. At the first GnRH of Ovsynch, the proportion of cows with a CL based on ultrasound (86.6 vs. 15.0%), P4 >1 ng/mL (82.8 vs. 31.8%), a follicle ≥10 mm (98.0 vs. 84.4%), and P4 concentrations (3.7 vs. 1.1 ng/mL) was greater in PreG-Ovsynch than in Ovsynch+P4. Conversely, more cows ovulated in response to the first GnRH of Ovsynch in Ovsynch+P4 (71.9%) than PreG-Ovsynch (58.3%). At the PGF2α before TAI, more cows had a CL based on ultrasound (92.1 vs. 77.0%) and P4 concentrations were greater in PreG-Ovsynch than in Ovsynch+P4 (4.1 vs. 2.6 ng/mL); however, a similar proportion of cows had P4 >1 ng/mL (79.1 vs. 82.7%). We conclude that the Ovsynch+P4 and PreG-Ovsynch treatments for cows without a CL, a CL <15 mm, or cystic at the PGF2α injection of Resynch led to P/AI similar to that of cows with a CL ≥15 mm, and that both management strategies resulted in similar time to pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hierarchically managed network-on-chip (NoC) based manycore systems with over one thousand processor cores, resource management is critical to efficient operation of the whole system. Meanwhile, the fault-tolerant design of the management structure is as important as the fault-tolerant design in the micro-structural level and the system level, which should require more attention towards constructing resilient manycore systems. This paper presents RCFTM, a hierarchical agent-based role-changeable fault-tolerant management strategy based on the modified role-changeable management framework for resilient NoC-based manycore systems. It is a distributed and adaptive strategy which can reconstruct the management hierarchy dynamically and it is capable of providing an intrinsic ability to tolerate various damages to the management hierarchy due to permanent core faults. The fault-tolerant capability of the RCFTM strategy is first evaluated with MATLAB for a large scale manycore system. Results show that the RCFTM strategy has better fault-tolerant capability than the conventional replacement strategy which relies only on backup cores. Then, the RCFTM strategy is implemented in C on a 5×5 NoC-based manycore system, where a full-system simulation platform is utilized. Experiments show that, with 20 K bytes ROM and 35.6 K bytes RAM footprint for the RCFTM strategy on each agent, the system can successfully tolerate both single and multiple core faults. Results also show that the RCFTM strategy only introduces less than 1.48% computing overhead of a working agent while the system is fault-free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been extensive literature discussion regarding data-poor assessments, but considerably less on harvest strategies for data-poor fisheries. There is also a large body of work around harvest strategy development for data-rich fisheries. However, there has been little discussion or specific guidance regarding the process of developing and implementing formal harvest strategies for data-poor fisheries. We outline such a process, illustrated using case studies of data-poor Australian Commonwealth fisheries. The process comprises: (1) compile and review available information; (2) identify possibly indicators; (3) identify reference points for key indicators; (4) select an appropriate harvest strategy and decision rules; (5) if possible, formally evaluate whether the harvest strategy options are likely to achieve the management objectives; and (6) implementation. While this approach is similar to that for data-rich cases, there is less statistical or estimation detail within each step. Even with minimal capacity, the guidelines outlined here, backed by even the simplest form of management strategy evaluation, provide an approach that should enable harvest strategies to be proposed and associated monitoring to be implemented. Monitoring requirements may be explicitly built into harvest strategies via trigger reference points and control rules related to data-collection. While prior formal evaluation provides the best basis for testing the efficacy of a harvest strategy, there remains disparity between the corresponding required capacity and what many agencies and institutions worldwide are capable of providing. Thus, the extent to which harvest strategies may be effectively evaluated and implemented remains an unresolved challenge for data-poor fisheries, but one whose resolution is predicated, at least in the first instance, on adequate monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new methodology has been discussed on economical power management of a grid-connected CHP system which consists of a wind turbine, photovoltaic array, polymer exchange membrane fuel cell and an electrolyzer. Hence, the paper also attempts to present the thorough modeling of energy management of the hybrid system in the form of a nonlinear optimization problem; through which offline energy management is regarded to use the available options in order to determine the role of each generator in producing heat, power and hydrogen in the system under study. In addition to this, variable tariffs of daily exchange with local grid have been taken into account in different operation conditions so as to reach real utilization requirements. Based on these facts, choosing the most suitable model for each element of the hybrid system has been considered in regard to their dynamic behavior. The proposed hybrid system is to supply the electrical and thermal demands of renewable energy laboratory of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman (SBUK). The economical energy management is comprehensively studied and surveyed in the form of various scenarios while the hybrid system is connected to the grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cl− may have harmful effects on water reuse. • Present situations and challenges of Cl− in reclaimed water were analyzed • Non-selective and selective technologies for Cl− removal were compared. • A holistic framework of Cl− control towards sustainable water reuse was proposed. Chloride ions (Cl−), which are omnipresent in reclaimed water, can cause various problems in water reuse systems, especially during water transmission and at end use sites. Although reverse osmosis (RO) is considered as an effective technology to reduce chloride, its high investment and complex maintenance requirements hinder its application in many water reclamation plants (WRPs). Recently, several technologies bringing new options to better deal with chloride have gained increased attention. This review provides detailed information on the harmful effects, concentration levels, and sources of chloride in reclaimed water and summarizes and discusses various chloride removal technologies, including non-selective methods (e.g., membrane filtration, adsorption and ion exchange, oxidation, and electrochemical methods) and selective methods (e.g. precipitation and specially designed electrochemical methods). Among these, Friedel's salt precipitation and capacitive deionization showed attractive development potential. This review also proposes a holistic framework for chloride control from aspects of "Fit-for-Purpose" planning, technical system development, and whole process optimization, which could facilitate the planning and operation of long-term sustainable water reuse practices. [Display omitted]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, a new approach to energy resources management in a residential microgrid is proposed and evaluated in simulation, using energy and economic criteria. Its aim is to improve energy efficiency as well as interaction with the electricity grid. So, a grid-connected building located in Perpignan (south of France) and equipped with energy production and storage systems has been modelled using the TRNSYS software. We designed and managed these systems optimally and highlighted configurations that promote self-consumption of energy. In addition, the negative impact on the grid of local power generation (related to both energy injection and extraction) is minimized. The combination of photovoltaic solar panels and a vertical-axis wind turbine as a viable energy mix option for residential buildings in Southern France has also been evaluated. At least, we appraised the way electricity storage impacts on performance as well as the savings one can achieve by shifting some domestic loads from on-peak to off-peak periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legume-based catch crops (LBCCs) may act as an important source of nitrogen (N) in organic crop rotations because of biological N fixation. However, the potential risk of high nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions needs to be taken into account when including LBCCs in crop rotations. Here, we report the results from a one-year field experiment, which investigated N availability and N 2 O emissions as affected by three LBCCs, i.e., red clover (CL), red clover–ryegrass mixture (GC) and winter vetch (WV), two non-LBCCs, i.e., perennial ryegrass (GR) and fodder radish (FR), and a control (CO) without catch crops. The effect of two catch crop management strategies was also tested: autumn harvest of the catch crop versus incorporation of whole-crop residues by spring ploughing. LBCCs accumulated 59–67 kg N ha −1 in their tops, significantly more than those of the non-LBCC, 32–40 kg N ha −1 . Macro-roots accounted for >33% of total N in the catch crops. In accordance with this, LBCCs enhanced the performance of the succeeding unfertilised spring barley, thus obtaining a grain yield of 3.3–4.5 Mg ha −1 compared to 2.6–3.3 Mg ha −1 grain yield from non-LBCC and the fallow control treatments. Autumn harvest of catch crops, especially LBCCs, tended to reduce crop yield. The annual N 2 O emissions were comparable across treatments except for fodder radish, which had the highest N 2 O emission, and also the highest average yield-scaled N 2 O emission, at 499 g N 2 O-N Mg −1 grain. Although the sampling strategy employed in this study introduces uncertainty about the spatial and temporal variability, differences in seasonal emission patterns among catch crops were captured and harvest of catch crops in late autumn induced significantly higher emissions during winter, but lower emissions after residue incorporation in spring. In comparison with non-LBCC, LBCCs have the potential to partly replace the effect of manure application in organic cropping systems with greater crop production and less environmental footprint with respect to N 2 O emissions. However, harvest of the catch crops may reduce crop yield unless the harvested N is recycled as fertiliser to the crops in the rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) consist of emergent macrophytes that are placed on a floating mat in a pond for water treatment and aesthetic purposes. FTWs may have unique advantages with respect to treating urban runoff within existing retention ponds for excess nutrients. However, research is lacking in providing guidance on performance of specific species for treating urban runoff, and on timing of harvest. Harvesting is needed to remove nutrients permanently from the retention pond. We investigated vegetation effects on FTWs on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal performance and storage in above-ground FTW macrophyte tissues. The study evaluated pickerelweed (PW, Pontederia cordata L.) and softstem bulrush (SB, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani ) over time in microcosms flushed with water obtained from a nearby urban retention pond in northern Virginia near Washington, DC. While the literature exhibits a wide range of experimental sizes, using the term mesocosm, we have chosen the term microcosm to reflect the small size of our vessel; and do not include effects of sediment. The experiment demonstrated PW outperformed SB for P and N removal. Based upon analysis of the accumulated nutrient removal over time, a harvest of the whole PW and SB plants in September or October is recommended. However, when harvesting only the aerial parts, we recommend harvesting above-ground PW tissues in July or August to maximize nutrient removal. This is because PW translocates most of its nutrients to below-ground storage organs in the fall, resulting in less nutrient mass in the above-ground tissue compared to the case in the summer (vegetative stage). Further research is suggested to investigate whether vegetation can be overly damaged from multiple harvests on an annual basis in temperate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ninety six crossbred pigs were used in a 4×2×2 experiment to determine the influence of management strategy, moisture infusion and ageing on pork quality. The treatments were i) management strategy (MS) during the last 28days pre-slaughter (Control: conventional diet; Ractopamine (Rac): porcine somatotropin (pST); and combined (Rac+pST): Rac for 28days and pST for the final 14days), ii) moisture infusion (MI) (0% and 10%) and iii) ageing period (24h and 7days). L* was decreased by pST and Rac+pST, followed by Rac and then the Control MS. Shear force was increased by Rac and Rac+pST but not by either pST or the Control MS. MI decreased L* and shear force while ageing for 7days increased L* and yellowness, and decreased drip loss and WB shear force. MI or ageing for 7days improved sensory pork quality. The results from this experiment indicated that as expected MI and ageing can be used to improve pork quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A case study of Dahu landslide from Linbao Henan in China was discussed in this paper. Based on various kinds of basic data, the 3D numerical model of a geological structure which possesses all kinds of information including the mechanical characteristics and the geometrical parameters of geological discontinuities were known from previous works. Thus, both the whole geological structure and all kinds of geological components involved in a slope can be visualized on computer, the complicated analysis and calculation can be then carried out easily and effectively. Firstly, the combination of 3D numerical model with the limit equilibrium analysis theory in slope stabilization can easily provide the present stability factor. Then according to monitoring data of the total station, the potential sliding trends are analyzed if landslides do not occur. Secondly, there are a number of uncertainties on the factors of multi-forms of disaster, such as, rainfall, earthquake, and mined-out area. The unascertained mathematics theory is applied to the stability comprehensive evaluation. It shows four landslide bodies get to be at unstable state if there are some inducements. Thirdly, sliding distance and movement scope were predicted if landslides occur. On the basis of the analysis above, the treatment of the landslide body called isolated method of culvert was proposed. It has solved the contradiction of landslide and mining radically, and provides important technical assurance for safety and sustainable development of mine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During the past few decades, construction and demolition (C&D) waste has received increasing attention from construction practitioners and researchers worldwide. A plethora of research regarding C&D waste management has been published in various academic journals. However, it has been determined that existing studies with respect to C&D waste reduction are mainly carried out from a static perspective, without considering the dynamic and interdependent nature of the whole waste reduction system. This might lead to misunderstanding about the actual effect of implementing any waste reduction strategies. Therefore, this research proposes a model that can serve as a decision support tool for projecting C&D waste reduction in line with the waste management situation of a given construction project, and more importantly, as a platform for simulating effects of various management strategies on C&D waste reduction. The research is conducted using system dynamics methodology, which is a systematic approach that deals with the complexity – interrelationships and dynamics – of any social, economic and managerial system. The dynamic model integrates major variables that affect C&D waste reduction. In this paper, seven causal loop diagrams that can deepen understanding about the feedback relationships underlying C&D waste reduction system are firstly presented. Then a stock-flow diagram is formulated by using software for system dynamics modeling. Finally, a case study is used to illustrate the validation and application of the proposed model. Results of the case study not only built confidence in the model so that it can be used for quantitative analysis, but also assessed and compared the effect of three designed policy scenarios on C&D waste reduction. One major contribution of this study is the development of a dynamic model for evaluating C&D waste reduction strategies under various scenarios, so that best management strategies could be identified before being implemented in practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this experimental work was to study the influence of the operation mode (i.e. cycle time and relative duration of ads-/desorption phases, R) as well as of the operating conditions on the performance of an adsorption chiller. The testing campaign demonstrated that the management optimization strongly improves the performance of such kind of machines. The Coefficient of Performance (COP) and the Specific/Volumetric Cooling Power (SCP, VCP) vary, respectively, in a range of ±133% and ±43% when the cycle time (τcycle) increases from 5 to 20 min at fixed boundary conditions (T e = 15 °C, T c = 35 °C, T h = 90 °C) while a further increasing in performance (up to 15%) is reached, at fixed cycle time, by protracting the duration of the adsorption phase at the expense of the desorption one. The complete set of results allowed to draw a map of performance suitable for the optimization of the management mode taking into account the specific application. At T e = 15 °C, T c = 35 °C, T h = 90 °C, if high SCP is required (e.g. automotive air conditioning), the optimal choice is τ cycle = 7 min and R = 2.5 (SCP = 394 W/kg, COP = 0.60, VCP = 223 W/m3) while to assure a good efficiency (e.g. solar cooling) the proper management is τ cycle = 20 min and R = 1 (SCP = 204 W/kg, COP = 0.69, VCP = 116 W/m3). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Grassland-based beef-cattle farms are dynamic systems that are difficult to manage, particularly because of their sensitivity to uncontrollable environmental factors such as weather. The design of farms and management strategies capable of coping with a wide range of conditions is thus a challenging issue. The SEDIVER discrete-event simulation framework presented in this article has been developed to support the construction of dynamic simulation models of grassland-based beef-cattle farms for evaluation and empirical design purposes. The originality of the models built with SEDIVER lies in the explicit representation of: (i) management strategies as the planning and coordination of activities in time and space through which the farmer controls the biophysical processes occurring within the system and (ii) the diversity in plant, animals, grassland and farmland, and the management opportunities and difficulties that this might induce. An application example illustrates the kind of simulation-based investigations enabled by SEDIVER. A grassland-based beef-cattle farm in France is examined for two contrasted management strategies: the first one corresponding to the actual practice and the second one paying increased attention to and exploiting plant and grassland diversity. The simulation results showed that the second one could roughly double fodder yields and thus ensure farm self-sufficiency for fodder. Thanks to the capacity of a SEDIVER-based model to take practical production considerations into account, it is possible to increase the realism of farm simulations and the credibility and relevance of the farming systems which can thus be designed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Saline water has been included as an important substitutable resource for fresh water in agricultural irrigation in many fresh water scarce regions. In order to make good use of saline water for agricultural irrigation in North China, a semi-humid area, a 3-year field experiment was carried out to study the possibility of using saline water for supplement irrigation of cucumber. Saline water was applied via mulched drip irrigation. The average electrical conductivity of irrigation water (EC iw ) was 1.1, 2.2, 2.9, 3.5 and 4.2dS/m in 2003 and 2004, and 1.1, 2.2, 3.5, 4.2 and 4.9dS/m in 2005. Throughout cucumber-growing season, the soil matric potential at 0.2m depth immediately under drip emitter was kept higher than −20kPa and saline water was applied after cucumber seedling stage. The experimental results revealed that cucumber fruit number per plant and yield decreased by 5.7% per unit increase in EC iw . The maximum yield loss was around 25% for EC iw of 4.9dS/m, compared with 1.1dS/m. Cucumber seasonal accumulative water use decreased linearly over the range of 1.5–6.9% per unit increase in EC iw . As to the average root zone EC e (electrical conductivity of saturated paste extract), cucumber yield and water use decreased by 10.8 and 10.3% for each unit of EC e increase in the root zone (within 40cm away from emitter and 40cm depths), respectively. After 3 years irrigation with saline water, there was no obvious tendency for EC e to increase in the soil profile of 0–90cm depths. So in North China, or similar semi-humid area, when there is no enough fresh water for irrigation, saline water up to 4.9dS/m can be used to irrigate field culture cucumbers at the expense of some yield loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Constant harvest rate as a management strategy for the Pacific sardine (Sardinops caeruleus) fishery in the Gulf of California is supported by an analysis of variations in the catchability coefficient (q), stock abundance and commercial catch. Catchability was analyzed based on population length-structured data standard length (SL), expressed as CPUE, for 26 fishing seasons (1972–1973 to 1997–1998). We used a deterministic model of catchability to estimate the catchability-at-length assuming catchability depends on length and sardine behavior. Results demonstrated that catchability increases with sardine length, with low values for older sardines (sizes greater than 20.5cm SL), which are poorly represented in catches. Most changes in q-at-length values can be observed within the range of 12.5–15.0cm SL, which corresponded to first maturity and first capture lengths, respectively. Catchability-at-length pattern was represented for an exponential model with adjusted R 2 =0.94. Moreover, we observed an inverse power relationship between catchability and stock abundance with a slope value of β d =−0.58, which indicates the existence of hyperstability or density-dependent catchability. The strong fluctuations in biomass of the Pacific sardine, the pattern of hyperstability, and the current state of the sardine fishery defined to be harvested at the maximum allowable catch, are the rationale for recommending a constant harvest rate as management strategy, with a value of HR=0.29 and maintain the current minimum legal size of capture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The European Communication Monitor (ECM) research explores the current developments for communications disciplines, practices and instruments. It is an extensive research project to monitor trends in communication management, analyse the changing framework for the profession driven by European integration and evaluate specific topics of relevance to public relations practice. Specifically, the 2008 ECM edition is focused on aspects such as: strategy and control, interactive channels, corporate social responsibility, intercultural challenges, influence on management decision making, cooperation with agencies, and future budgets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Population viability analyses are widely used to support decisions for the management of single species, but there are few studies that explicitly take into account realistic economic costs. In this study we determine the most cost-efficient conservation management options for the white-banded tanager (Neothraupis fasciata) in the protected areas of the Cerrado in central Brazil. We use the PVA model VORTEX to simulate the ability of different management options to improve population persistence and then assess the effectiveness of each option given a fixed budget. We discover that the best strategy for improving the viability of white-banded tanager populations is to use fire management and nest protection to increase fecundity. In small reserves and a low budget then fire management alone is the best strategy, but if the budget is larger fire management with nest protection as a mixed strategy is better. In large reserves the best strategy is to do nest protection and with large budgets there is a negligible difference between spending all the money on nest protection versus a mixed strategy. If we had not included financial considerations in our analysis of management options then we would have discarded fire management as an option, even though it can be the best strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lake Taihu is the third largest freshwater lake in China and has provided local communities with valuable fisheries for centuries. However, we have only a limited knowledge of its ecosystem. In this study, a trophic model was constructed for the Lake Taihu ecosystem. This model was used to evaluate and analyze the food web structure and other properties of this ecosystem using data covering the period from 1991 to 1995. Using the model, we evaluated the impacts on local fisheries of various management scenarios comprising two basic management regimes: (1) setting fishing mortality for the top predator (large culters, Erythroculter mongolicus and Erythroculter ilishaeformis) to 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2, and (2) adjusting overall fishing effort to 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.25 times the current level. For both scenarios, fishery profit and cost were evaluated to provide an understanding of how components of the ecosystem interact. We identified possible causes of fishery overexploitation in the lake ecosystem and described the necessity of developing ecosystem-based management. The results showed that Lake Taihu had six theoretical trophic levels (TLs), with the trophic flows primarily occurring through the first five TLs. System properties such as transfer efficiency, Finn''s index, Finn''s mean length, connectance index, system omnivory index, primary production/respiration ratio, and net primary production all indicated that Lake Taihu was an immature, fairly simple ecosystem in which a relatively low fraction of total primary production was utilized. At the same time, the ecosystem was also experiencing high fishing pressure. Yet despite this, the low ascendency index (25.9%) and high system overhead ratio (74.1%) indicated that the system was highly developed and relatively stable, a condition that might result from the high degree of recycling in the system. Among the harvesting strategies considered, a strategy of either decreasing the fishing mortality of the top predator (large culters) to 0.3 or, alternatively, reducing the overall effort on the system by a factor of 0.75 appeared to be most effective at increasing the efficiency of the fisheries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study under field experimental conditions in apple orchard agroecosystems investigated the effects of pest management strategies (i.e. none, organic, conventional and integrated) on enzyme activities, in relation to soil properties. Enzyme activities chosen are implicated in the major biogeochemical nutrient cycles such as C (cellulase, fluoresceine diacetate hydrolase, β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, phenol oxidase), N (arylamidase), P (acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases, phosphodiesterase and phosphotriesterase) and S (arylsulfatase). Redundancy analyses and decomposition of the variances were performed to clarify how enzyme activities are affected by management strategy and soil properties. Results showed that the effects and their proportion attributable to management strategy and soil properties varied considerably depending on enzyme activity. Phenol oxidase activity was the only case where total variance was principally explained by management strategy (i.e. conventional and integrated) rather than by soil properties, and thus it seems to be an attractive potential indicator to assess soil quality in this agrochemical context. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Accurate sizing and optimization of a grid connected PV-battery system. • Evaluating the techno-economic impact of battery performance models on the system sizing. • An efficient battery model is more beneficial and leads to more accurate battery sizing. A battery storage has emerged as the most widely-used storage option, due to its flexible and complementary functionality for renewable energy systems such as solar PV and wind power. In order to ensure the efficient operation of batteries in energy systems, a proper battery model is essential in predicting realistic battery performance under various operating conditions. Accurate knowledge of the state of charge, state of power, and battery efficiency is a necessity for the development of advanced grid management applications. This paper investigates the techno-economic impacts of two battery modelling scenarios on the sizing and optimization of a grid-connected PV-battery system. Scenario 1 is based on a common simple battery model and control strategy which represents the battery status without reflecting dynamic behavior. By contrast, Scenario 2 is based on a complex battery model involving estimation of battery current-voltage characteristics under various operating conditions. A rule-based operational strategy linked to a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is further employed for the simulation and multi-objective optimization of a grid-connected hybrid PV-battery system. The battery life cycle cost and the self-sufficiency ratio are analyzed and optimized as objective functions, and battery capacity constitutes as a decision variable. The results show that in order to reach the same self-sufficiency ratio, the optimization of a hybrid energy system based on Scenario 1 leads to solutions with a higher life cycle cost and requiring bigger battery capacity, compared to that of Scenario 2. Moreover, under the same design parameters, the system optimization based on Scenario 2 delivers more power to the end-user, which leads to a higher self-sufficiency ratio compared to when the system is simulated based on Scenario 1. This study proves that an efficient battery model with sufficient accuracy is techno-economically more beneficial, and leads to more accurate battery sizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recruiting native coastal vegetation and preventing the reinvasion of exotic Spartina alterniflora is a major challenge in China, due to harsh tidal environment for vegetation establishment and rapid Spartina colonization. This paper first reviewed the revegetation course of native Scirpus mariqueter in a coastal wetland in the Yangtze Estuary, where the adjacent Spartina was effectively eliminated. From 2014 to 2019, the area of planted Scirpus increased by 26.7 times, and the plant density and biomass growth amounted to the levels of mature sedge community. The establishment of Scirpus promoted the sedimentary accretion with an annual sedimentary rate of 9.2 cm yr−1, which was significantly higher than that in the mudflat. Six years of monitoring revealed that the revegetation approach with belowground propagules (corms) was effective for Scirpus establishment under strong hydrodynamic disturbances in the tidal mudflat because the morphology and germination rate of corms benefited the anchoring function of seedlings. Both recruited Scirpus and the original community expanded constantly due to positive feedback between plant progradation and sedimentary accretion. Then, we implemented a model simulation under the scenario of Spartina retention. The prediction showed that the high-speed invasion of Spartina would colonize and replace the whole Scirpus community in the study area during the period of 2014–2019. Hence, our results highlighted the importance of coupling Scirpus recruitment with Spartina eradication in guaranteeing recolonization of native coastal sedges. As a long-lasting management strategy, unremitting field monitoring and assistant decision-making tools (such as the forecasting models) on Spartina reinvasion risk are highly suggested for preserving the restoration of native marshes. • Rhizocorms of native Scirpus are ideal revegetation material in tidal environment. • Positive feedback between plant and sediment favors both Scirpus and Spartina. • Spartina reinvasion is a high risk for restoration of native Scirpus. • Management strategies are suggested for Scirpus recruitment and Spartina control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Guanting Reservoir, one of the drinking water supply sources of Beijing, suffers from water eutrophication. It is mainly supplied by Guishui River. Thus, to investigate the reasons of phosphorus (P) loss and improve the P management strategies in Guishui River watershed are important for the safety of drinking water in this region. In this study, a Revised Field P Ranking Scheme (PRS) was developed to reflect the field vulnerability of P loss at the field scale based on the Field PRS. In this new scheme, six factors are included, and each one was assigned a relative weight and a determination method. The affecting factors were classified into transport factors and source factors, and, the standards of environmental quality on surface water and soil erosion classification and degradation of the China were used in this scheme. By the new scheme, thirty-four fields in the Guishui River were categorized as “low”, “medium” or “high” potential for P loss into the runoff. The results showed that the P loss risks of orchard and vegetable fields were higher than that of corn and soybean fields. The source factors were the main factors to affect P loss from the study area. In the study area, controlling P input and improving P usage efficiency are critical to decrease P loss. Based on the results, it was suggested that more attention should be paid on the fields of vegetable and orchard since they have extremely high usage rate of P and high soil test of P. Compared with P surplus by field measurements, the Revised Field PRS was more suitable for reflecting the characteristics of fields, and had higher potential capacity to identify critical source areas of P loss than PRS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the development of a systems based model to characterise farmers’ decision-making process in information-intensive practices, and its evaluation in the context of Precision Agriculture (PA). A participative methodology was developed in which farm managers decomposed their process of decision-making into brief decision statements along with associated information requirements. The methodology was first developed on a university research farm in Denmark and further revised during testing on a number of research and commercial farms in Indiana, USA. Twenty-one decision-analysis factors were identified to characterise a farm manager’s decision-making process. Then, a general data flow diagram (DFD) was constructed that describes the information flows “from data to decision”. Illustrative examples of the model in the form of DFDs are presented for a strategic, a tactical and an operational decision. The model was validated for a range of decisions related to operations by three university farm managers and by five commercial farmers practicing PA for cereal, corn and soybean production in Denmark and in Indiana, USA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is essential that airlines efficiently perform aircraft maintenance in order to ensure aviation safety and schedule punctuality. Traditionally, the arrangement of the maintenance manpower supply has been based on staff experience, and has been performed manually following simple rules. This is not only time-consuming but often ineffective. In this research we consider technicians with multiple types of aircraft maintenance certificates incorporated with three flexible management strategies and the related operating constraints to develop a mathematical programming model. With suitable modifications, eight different flexible strategic models, associated with different strategy combinations, can be generated to help an airline effectively manage its maintenance manpower supply. The models are formulated as mixed integer programs. Because the problem sizes of the proposed models are expected to be huge in real applications, we have developed a solution algorithm to efficiently solve the problems. We employed the mathematical programming solver, CPLEX, to reach a solution for all the problems. Finally, to evaluate the models and solution algorithm developed in the research, we performed a case study using the operating data from a leading Taiwan airline. The preliminary results indicate that the proposed models, and the solution algorithm, are both efficient and effective. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper defines a new concept "bridging telecommunications service" (BTS) in the telecommunication service market. It is a service concept related to the substitution of consecutive generations of telecommunications services. The roles and characteristics of BTS are identified and related management strategies are developed against the background of the typical life cycle of telecommunications service: new service development, marketing, and service termination strategies. Management strategies developed in this paper are examined and their implications drawn out in two representative cases: CT-2 service in Korea and PHS service in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues in favour of a simulation approach relying on an explicit and rigorous modelling of the management strategy that underlies the farmer’s decision-making behaviour. A strategy is defined as a roadmap of intended technical tasks over a management period. It is tied to an overall objective and specifies what to do depending on the situations encountered. An essential feature is its flexibility, enabling it to cope with stochastic fluctuations of the environment. In order to evaluate the worth of a strategy, the advocated approach relies on a simulation tool with which the effects of applying the strategy are evaluated under different hypothetical weather conditions. The example of a rotational grazing dairy production system is used to illustrate the modelling and simulation of a management strategy covering a production season. SEPATOU, the simulator built for this application domain, is designed to be used by extension services and farming system scientists. It provides a framework for virtual experimentation that can help to enhance decision-making capabilities of primary producers and find new or more profitable management strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although many optimization models for water quality problems have been developed, methodology for judging the necessity of applying them is scarcely worked out. The universal optimization scheme presented here is to determine a management strategy for controlling water quality in a generic body of water. Dynamics of a water quality index is represented by an ordinary differential equation, and a linear system model is deduced. The H∞ control theory, which summarizes system stabilization and error minimization, is applied to a generalized water quality control problem including the linear system model. A class of H∞ controllers is identified, and a temporal discretization scheme for a controller is proposed. Three application examples demonstrate the conception of universal optimization and the validity of its implementation using an H∞ controller. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many fisheries have alternative target stocks and selectively exploit the one with the highest expected income. Although target switching is very common in practice, few attempts have thus far been made to study target switching. In this paper, we investigated the potential effects of target switching on the yield and sustainability of fish stocks by equilibrium analysis and stochastic simulation. The equilibrium analysis showed that we can increase Fextinction by switching. The stochastic simulation revealed that well-planned target switching increases yields and simultaneously decreases the risk of the stocks collapsing. Target switching decreases fishing pressure on the less-abundant stock and helps the declined stock to recover. Therefore, the minimum stock level is increased by switching. As switching keeps both stocks at productive levels, the total yield is increased by switching. Target switching is effective, especially when the catchability increases with the depletion of a stock population. Target switching depends on the availability of information on stock abundance. Thus, we examined the vulnerability of switching to stock assessment errors. If the stock assessment is very uncertain, then little or no switching is recommended. Target switching can have substantial effects on fisheries. Therefore, we must investigate the mechanisms of switching and incorporate switching into management plans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Understanding of the impacts of key influential factors on RDS related heavy metal (HM) contamination is crucial for developing effective RDS management strategies to support the stormwater pollution mitigation. In this paper, three factors (i.e. traffic condition, slope of road and antecedent dry period) were considered to investigate their influences on the accumulation of RDS and adsorbed HMs. Positive correlations between truck and Zn/Ni content in RDS, car and Cu/Pb content in fine RDS, as well as bus and Cu content in coarse RDS were observed. Relative to sloping stretches, RDS from level stretches generally presented finer size distributions and aggravated HM contamination in fine fractions. Moreover, the fine RDS and adsorbed HMs increased significantly with the accumulation of RDS. Based on these findings, optimized RDS management strategies were proposed to enhance the removal of washable RDS in pollution hotspots. For example, tandem sweeping technologies, performing high efficiency in capturing fine particles, are suggested to be employed during the steady period of RDS accumulation, in order to reduce fine RDS effectively. The outcomes of this study provide useful reference for the source control of stormwater runoff pollution. • Vehicles of different types were indicative of specific HM contamination. • RDS on level stretches showed heavier HM contamination. • RDS presented aggravated HM contamination during the steady period of accumulation. • Optimized RDS management strategies were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work examined the production of crop straw and livestock-poultry manure (CSLM), both important resources for biogas and soil management, in five multi-ethnic regions of China (i.e. , Yunnan, Tibet, Liangshan, Garze, and Aba) from 2007 to 2016, all of which mainly inhabited by Tibetan, Qiang, and Yi people. The CSLM production was evaluated with breakdown from multiple dimensions, based on geography, species source, nutrient composition, etc. The total production of crop straw of the studied regions increased from 18.44 Mt in 2007 to 21.90 Mt in 2016, and that of manure increased from 223.56 Mt to 309.02 Mt. Further analysis aimed to evaluate to what extent the nutrients from CSLM can substitute or supplement chemical fertilizers. In this regard, the content of nutrients in CSLM was quantified in the form of N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O, and then compared with the present application of chemical fertilizers in the studied regions. The results suggested that the reuse of waste from agriculture and animal husbandry by returning them to the fields would effectively reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and help combat poverty in the remote and ethnic minority areas, and should be advocated to realize sustainable agricultural development. Introducing practical policies on renewable resources is necessary to financially incentivize farmers, ensure the comprehensive utilization of CSLM, and reduce environmental pollution from CSLM, particularly in the relatively underdeveloped multi-ethnic regions. • Illuminate distribution characteristics of CSLM in multi-ethnic regions from 2007 to 2016. • Clarify the potential for CSLM as a resource to replace chemical fertilizers. • Comprehensive utilization of CSLM provides not all the N but all of the P 2 O 5 and K 2 O. • Soil amendment and biogas should be advocated in management strategy of CSLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The modeling optimized the sizing and power management of PV household-prosumers. • Deadband recovery ensured maximum utilization of battery when providing SCSE and FCR. • The profitability of PV household-prosumers increased up to 14.01% by FCR provision. • Battery aging affected the final prosumer profitability because of the replacement cost. • Supercapacitors extended battery lifetime up to 21% and reduced energy cost by 3.68% This study provides a methodology to assess the techno-economic performance of photovoltaic household-prosumers that jointly provide self-consumption/sufficiency enhancement (SCSE) and frequency containment reserve (FCR). It thus addresses the following issues: (i) battery aging; (ii) supercapacitors joined to batteries building hybrid storage systems; (iii) management strategies of SCSE and charge level in energy storage systems; (iv) an integrated system with a 1-ms simulation step and high-resolution inputs. The methodology was applied to one Spanish household-prosumer. The study compared three charge-level management strategies by using different technical and economic performance indicators and concluded that the deadband recovery was the best. Moreover, the best techno-economic indicators were achieved by broadening the storage capacity band of unrestricted operation for SCSE (30–90%). Regarding the prosumer sizing, the optimal converter-battery configuration was determined so as to minimize the total energy supply cost. Long-term performance confirmed that when FCR provision was added to the SCSE, profitability increased up to 14.01%, with a relatively low impact on battery aging. A sensitivity analysis guaranteed a cost reduction of 3.68% for the prosumer energy and of 16% for the storage system life cycle at the optimal hybrid storage sizing. This sizing involved a 1% supercapacitor hybridization and a time constant of 150 s for power splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Larger piglets within-litter drank milk replacer as a supplement to suckling. • Few smaller piglets with low suckling success compensated with milk replacer. • In larger litters; more compensated for low suckling success with milk replacer. • Piglets were not weaned early and nourished solely on milk replacer. • Sub-optimal milk cup design and/or milk replacer for smaller piglets. Due to genetic selection for large litters in pig production, piglets are often supernumerary to the teats on the sow. Providing milk replacer as a second feed source is increasingly being used to rear large litters. This results in increased competition at the udder when all piglets remain at the sow. We hypothesise that larger litter size and being amongst the smaller piglets within-litter (irrespective of absolute weight) is associated with increased likelihood of drinking milk replacer as a supplement to suckling or to compensate for low suckling success. The study design was 2 × 2 factorial with two standardised litter sizes at day 1 (LSD1) of either 14 piglets (LS14) or 17 piglets (LS17) and two housing conditions in either crates (CRATE) or loose housing (LOOSE). If piglets died, they were not replaced. The piglets' suckling and drinking behaviour along with their growth rate was recorded weekly. The results showed a clear preference for suckling the sow over milk replacer. None of the piglets changed entirely to drink milk replacer. LS17 compared to LS14 was associated with more piglets with low suckling success (P ≤ 0.05) and the risk of having low suckling success was higher for the smaller piglets within-litter (P ≤ 0.05). About half of the piglets with low suckling success were able to compensate and sustain growth by drinking milk replacer (P ≤ 0.05). The largest piglets within-litter were more likely to drink milk replacer as supplement to high suckling success compared to only suckling (P ≤ 0.05). When taking into account the absolute weight of the piglets in the start of the week, piglets drinking milk replacer in addition to suckling had a higher growth rate in the following week compared to piglets who did not supplement suckling with milk replacer (P ≤ 0.05). Thus, the present study could confirm that some of the piglets experiencing a competitive disadvantage at the udder could compensate with milk replacer. However, the milk replacer was mainly used by the larger piglets within-litter and as a supplement to increase growth of piglets who had access to a teat. Several factors may have affected the piglets' ability to use the milk replacer: high effort to drink from the milk cup due to inadequate design, poorer nutrient quality of milk replacer than of sow milk, and/or suckling the sow satisfies other behavioural and physiological needs than solely nourishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean warming associated with global climate change renders marine ecosystems susceptible to biological invasions. Here, we used species distribution models to project habitat suitability for eight invasive ascidians under present-day and future climate scenarios. Distance to shore and maximum sea surface temperature were identified as the most important variables affecting species distributions. Results showed that eight ascidians might respond differently to future climate change. Alarmingly, currently colonized areas are much smaller than predicted, suggesting ascidians may expand their invasive ranges. Areas such as Americas, Europe and Western Pacific have high risks of receiving new invasions. In contrast, African coasts, excluding the Mediterranean side, are not prone to new invasions, likely due to the high sea surface temperature there. Our results highlight the importance of climate change impacts on future invasions and the need for accurate modelling of invasion risks, which can be used as guides to develop management strategies. • We mapped current and future potential distributions of 8 invasive ascidians. • Distance to shore and max sea surface temperature were crucial variables. • The majority of invaders have occupied a small portion of their potential habitats. • Four species will have substantial increase in potential ranges as time progresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllostachys edulis (Moso bamboo) is of great significance to forestry in China. Increased attention has been paid to exploring the role of underground ecology, especially soil microorganisms, in the cultivation and ecology of Moso bamboo. Mulching-intensive management can benefit Moso bamboo forests with low yields. However, the response of soil bacteria to changes in soil biochemical properties after intensive mulching is still unclear. In this study, the responses of the soil bacterial composition to changes in soil biochemical properties under different management conditions were analysed by sampling a bamboo forest under four management conditions: control, mulching, alternation and long-term mulching. The results showed that mulching and alternation could improve the diversity of soil bacteria at the phyla and genera levels, while long-term mulching had the opposite result. The relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes, TM7 and Bacteroides were lower in the control plots than in the other plots, while those of AD3, Verruca and GAL15 were higher. The results also showed that C (carbon), N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) accumulated rapidly in the mulching, alternation and long-term mulching plots due to the extensive application of organic and compound fertilizer. Soil acidification became obvious with the extension of mulching time. An increase in the C/N led to a decrease in substrate soil quality. Large amounts of total phosphorus (TP) and NO 3 −-N accumulated under long-term mulching, while the amounts of available phosphorus (AP) and NH 4 +-N decreased. The change in the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content was consistent with that in the MBC/microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), which decreased significantly in both the mulching plots and the long-term mulching plots, and alternation ameliorated the trend. MBC/MBN and pH were positively correlated with the bacterial composition at the genus level, while TP, NO 3 −-N, soil organic carbon (SOC) and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were negatively correlated. The results showed that the soil bacteria did not benefit from the availability of relatively low-quality (high C/N) substrates, which was reflected by an imbalance in the soil bacteria composition under long-term mulching. Therefore, mulching is beneficial to the improvement of soil biochemical properties and the development of bacterial communities in a short period, but long-term mulching results in a significant decline compared with the other three management conditions. The soil biochemical environment and bacterial composition of Moso bamboo forest can be properly elevated by alternation, which is a necessary supplement to mulching and long-term mulching. • Mulching helps to quickly increase the bacterial abundance and diversity. • LT mode inhibits bacteria because pH and NH 4 +-N decreased, while NO 3 −-N increased. • Elevating soil bacterial abundance and diversity by AL mode is obvious after MU mode. • MBC/MBN and pH were positively correlated with bacterial development. • TP, NO 3 −-N, SOC and WSOC were negatively correlated with bacterial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Data on temporal and spatial variability of water balance components is crucial. • There are inadequate models integrated to Geographical Information System (GIS). • GIS based W et S pass water balance model for northern Ethiopia was applied. • The model estimated annual actual ET was 575.9 mm (78.4% of mean annual rainfall). • There is temporal and spatial variability in ET, runoff and groundwater recharge. A tool to understand water balance components is crucial for developing water resources management strategies. However, there are inadequate reports on the application of water balance models integrated with Geographical Information System (GIS) at ungauged sub-catchment scale. The objective of this study was to estimate hydrological water balance components using a flexible, physically and GIS based W et S pass water balance model for the Dura sub-catchment, northern Ethiopia. W et S pass model input data included grid files of soil types, topography, slope, land use, temperature, precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PET), wind-speed and groundwater, and parameter tables (dbf file). Descriptive and Inverse Distance Weighted were used to analyze the different data. Model outputs included actual evapotranspiration (ET), surface runoff and groundwater recharge. The PET of the area was computed using different methods and performance assessment showed < 2% of error, indicating all are robust for supporting decision making. In the study sub-catchment, the mean annual PET and actual ET were found to be 1560 and 576 mm, respectively. The model-estimated annual actual ET was calculated to be 78.4% of the mean annual rainfall. However, there is spatial and temporal variability in ET across the sub-catchment. About 77.5% of the annual actual ET was estimated during the summer season. In the study sub-catchment, about 7.9% and 13.7% of the mean annual precipitation are effective in contributing to groundwater recharge and surface runoff, respectively. On the basis of the model results, the majority of the Dura sub-catchment is generally characterized by low groundwater recharge and high actual ET. The water balance components estimated using the W et S pass model are closely comparable to the observed data as their fitness was showed using R2> 0.90 and D < 5%, indicating that the model outputs are important for supporting decision making. On the basis of the model results, it is thus suggested to introduce and implement appropriate site-specific integrated soil and water management schemes such as water conservation structures that enhance groundwater and reduce runoff in the study catchment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Optimal neck management in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), a rare malignancy, remains uncertain. This study aimed to analyse patterns of cervical lymph node metastases and corresponding clinical outcomes and to investigate the value of elective neck irradiation (ENI) in this population.Methods and Materials: This study retrospectively reviewed clinical records, imaging findings, nodal metastasis features and treatment data of 217 patients with ONB treated at our hospital during 1991-2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the influence of cervical lymph node involvement on treatment outcomes. Survival and regional failure rates were compared between patients with or without ENI.Results: Thirty-two patients (14.7%) presented initially with cervical lymph node metastases, most frequently at levels II (10.6%, 23/217) and VIIa (5.5%, 12/217). Patients with and without cervical node metastasis differed significantly in overall (OS) (41.9% vs. 86.1%, p < 0.001), progression-free (PFS) (41.9% vs. 84.8%, p < 0.001), regional failure-free (45.9% vs. 89%, p < 0.001) and distant metastasis-free survival (41.5% vs. 86.1%, p < 0.001). Cervical lymph involvement was an independent factor affecting poor OS (hazard ratio, 0.184, 95% confidence interval, 0.078-0.436, p < 0.001) and PFS (hazard ratio, 0.198, 95% confidence interval, 0.088-0.445, p < 0.001). Moreover, 43.8% patients (95/217) underwent ENI, which significantly reduced the incidence of regional recurrence from 10.7% to 3.2% (χ2 = 4.396, p = 0.036) but did not significantly affect other survival outcomes. Regional failures could be resolved using salvage treatment.Conclusions: Our findings indicate the importance of systematic therapy for patients with initial cervical lymph node metastases. ENI is not recommended for N0 disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]