Ridge-furrow film mulching has been widely used as a water-saving and yield-increasing planting pattern in arid and semiarid regions.Planting density is also a vitally important factor influencing crop yield,and the o...Ridge-furrow film mulching has been widely used as a water-saving and yield-increasing planting pattern in arid and semiarid regions.Planting density is also a vitally important factor influencing crop yield,and the optimal planting density will vary in different environments(such as ridge-furrow film mulching).How the combination of film mulching and planting density will affect the growth,physiology,yield,and water and radiation use efficiencies of winter oilseed rape is not clear yet.Therefore,a three-year field experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2020 to explore the responses of leaf chlorophyll(Chl)content,net photosynthetic rate(P_(n)),leaf area index(LAI),aboveground dry matter(ADM),root growth and distribution,yield,evapotranspiration(ET),water use efficiency(WUE),and radiation use efficiency(RUE)of winter oilseed rape to different film mulching patterns(F,ridge-furrow planting with plastic film mulching over the ridges;N,flat planting without mulching)and planting densities(LD,100,000 plants ha^(-1);MD,150,000 plants ha^(-1);HD,200,000 plants ha^(-1)).The results showed that the F treatments led to significantly greater leaf Chl contents,P_(n),LAI,and ADM,and a stronger root system than treatments without film mulching throughout the whole winter rapeseed growing seasons.Winter oilseed rape in the MD treatments had better physiological(leaf Chl contents and P_(n))and growth(LAI,ADM,taproot,and lateral root)conditions than in LD and HD at the late growth period after stem-elongation.Grain yield in FMD was the greatest,and it was significantly greater by 34.8-46.0%,6.7-9.6%,87.8-108.3%,38.7-50.3%,and 50.2-61.8%compared to those of FLD,FHD,NLD,NMD,and NHD,respectively.Furthermore,the ET in FMD was equivalent to FLD and FHD,but was markedly lower by 12.2-18.4%,14.5-20.3%,and 14.6-20.4%than in NLD,NMD,and NHD.Finally,the WUE and RUE in FMD were significantly improved by 88.5-94.0%and 29.0-41.8%compared to NHD(the local conventional planting pattern and planting density for winter rapeseed).In summary,FMD is a favorable cultivation management strategy to save water,increase yield and improve resource utilization efficiencies in winter oilseed rape in Northwest China.展开更多
Behavior analysts have long recognized the need to increase at least one behavior when attempting to decrease another and usually focus primarily upon increasing a wide variety of behaviors(White&Haring,1980).But ...Behavior analysts have long recognized the need to increase at least one behavior when attempting to decrease another and usually focus primarily upon increasing a wide variety of behaviors(White&Haring,1980).But the strengthening of any behavior relative to another is not necessarily simple and records of empirically supported treatment options can be interpreted in an over-simplified manner.The current paper attempts to connect various treatment options across behaviors through a common principle-levels of one behavior will tend to increase and levels of another will tend to decrease when the first behavior is made more efficient than the second.The primary objective of the current paper is to articulate a wide variety of variable dimensions available to behavior analysts,teachers,and other professionals responsible for behavior change.In complex environments,many factors are beyond our control and many treatment options are non-viable.The greater the variety of treatment options available,the“larger the analyst’s toolbox”,the greater the chance that viable treatments will be found and that ineffective strategies can be effectively modified before being set aside.One recurring theme is that various forms of response blocking can and should be minimized and replaced with strategies that make more desirable behavior more efficient than less desirable behavior,leading learners to“choose”more desirable behavior.An additional objective of the paper is to reframe the debate about whether it is appropriate to use extinction or punishment,wherein those strategies are frequently interpreted in absolute terms,in relation to decreasing undesirable behaviors,and inevitably result in negative side effects.A more nuanced discussion about extinction and punishment considers the extent to which parametric applications of either might be appropriate to make a less desirable behavior less efficient than a more desirable behavior and includes the potential impact upon increasing desirable behaviors.展开更多
Zero waste is a philosophy and a design principle of dealing with our waste stream for the ~21st century. After reviewing the available information, the goal of zero waste from landfill is considered to be unachievabl...Zero waste is a philosophy and a design principle of dealing with our waste stream for the ~21st century. After reviewing the available information, the goal of zero waste from landfill is considered to be unachievable by using known and proven methods and ~approaches . The comparison of various technologies shows that the conversion efficiencies depend upon the type of system chosen for processing residual waste, and the best overall diversion rate of waste management system that can be achieved is about 71%. The maximum achievable overall diversion rate can be increased to approximate 92% if current environmental regulations to permit the routine use of the bottom ash or char for advanced thermal technologies.展开更多
This study was conducted with two soybean cultivars, Liaodou 13 (L13, phosphorus (P)-efficient) and Tiefeng 3 (T3, P-inefficient), to investigate the effects of biochar on soybean yield and photosynthetic physiologica...This study was conducted with two soybean cultivars, Liaodou 13 (L13, phosphorus (P)-efficient) and Tiefeng 3 (T3, P-inefficient), to investigate the effects of biochar on soybean yield and photosynthetic physiological parameters, at four biochar application rates (0, 1, 5, and 10%, w/w), and two fertilization treatments (0 and 150 kg ha–1). Grain yield, plant biomass, P accumulation, leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll index (Chl), nitrogen balance index (NBI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and sucrose synthase (SS) activities, soluble sugar, sucrose and starch contents, and leaf area duration (LAD) were measured. Biochar had positive effects on Pn, Chl, NBI, SPS, and SS activities, and leaf soluble sugar, sucrose, and starch contents of both genotypes, these effects increased with biochar application rate. L13 benefited more efficiently from biochar than T3 did, as the grain yield of L13 significantly increased by 31.0 and 51.0%, at 5 and 10% biochar, respectively, while that of T3 increased by 40.4 at 10% biochar application rate, as compared with controls. The combined application of biochar and fertilizer boosted the positive effects described, but no difference was found for grain yield in L13 among biochar application rates, while grain yield of T3 continually increased with biochar rate, among which, 1% biochar combined with 150 kg ha–1 fertilizer resulted in T3 yield increment of more than 23%, compared with the application of 150 kg ha–1 fertilizer alone. Altogether, our results indicated that the application of biochar enhanced carbon assimilation in soybean, resulting in increased biomass accumulation and yield. Differences in genotypic responses to biochar highlight the need to consider specific cultivars and biochar rate, when evaluating the potential responses of crops to biochar.展开更多
Employing DEA model and Malmquist productivity index, this paper probes into the urban efficiencies of 24 typical resources-based cities in China and their changes from 2000 to 2008. The research finds that the overal...Employing DEA model and Malmquist productivity index, this paper probes into the urban efficiencies of 24 typical resources-based cities in China and their changes from 2000 to 2008. The research finds that the overall efficiencies of the resources-based cities are just at a general level, and only a few of them reach the optimal level. The scale efficiency is the major determining factor of the achievement of overall efficiency, the effect of which, nevertheless, is reducing. From the perspective of classification characteristics, the resources-based cities in northeastern region have been in the front rank in terms of overall efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency. There is a certain positive correlation between urban population scale and urban efficiency. The analysis of urban efficiency changes shows that the changes in overall efficiency of resources-based cities from 2000 to 2008 had a weak improving tendency. Both the technical change index and productivity change index decreased, indicating that the urban efficiency did not improve during this period, and the tendency of technical recession and productivity decline was obvious. In terms of the classification of urban efficiency changes, the urban overall efficiency improved in each of the four regions from 2000 to 2008, among which western region witnessed the greatest increase. Cities with different resource types have improved their urban overall efficiencies except steel-based cities. The urban overall efficiency increased in resources-based cities of different scales, with greater improvement in small and medium-sized cities than in big cities.展开更多
A sand-based culture system using rock phosphate (P) was developed to simulate the situation in alkalinesoils, with respect to the dominant P form, and five wheat cultivars (Excalibur, Brookton, Krichauff, Westoniaand...A sand-based culture system using rock phosphate (P) was developed to simulate the situation in alkalinesoils, with respect to the dominant P form, and five wheat cultivars (Excalibur, Brookton, Krichauff, Westoniaand Sunco) were tested in this screening system to compare their P uptake and utilisation efficiencies. Resultsshowed that these cultivars differed significantly in their ability to acquire P from the sparingly available form(rock phosphate in this case). The accumulation of P by Brookton was three times that by Krichauff. Pconcentrations in plant tissues did not differ significantly, indicating that all cultivars were similar in Putilisation efficiency. A further experiment showed that the greater ability of a cultivar to take up P fromsparingly available form was related to the ability of a cultivar to acidify the rhizosphere. Seed P content wasa confounding factor in this system, and the use of relatively uniform seed with similar P content, preferablylow, was conducive to a successful outcome of the screening process.展开更多
Maize genotypes vary significantly in their nitrogen use efficiencies（NUEs）.Better understanding of early grain filling characteristics of maize is important,especially for maize with different NUEs.The objectives o...Maize genotypes vary significantly in their nitrogen use efficiencies（NUEs）.Better understanding of early grain filling characteristics of maize is important,especially for maize with different NUEs.The objectives of this research were（i）to investigate the difference in apical kernel development of maize with different NUEs,（ii）to determine the reaction of apical kernel development to N application levels,and（iii）to evaluate the relationship between apical kernel development and grain yield（GY）for different genotypes of maize.Three maize hybrid varieties with different NUEs were cultivated in a field with different levels of N fertilizer arranged during two growing seasons.Kernel fresh weight（KFW）,volume（KV）and dry weight（KDW）of apical kernel were evaluated at an early grain filling stage.Ear characteristics,GY and its components were determined at maturity stage.Apical kernel of the high N and high efficiency（HN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is lower,and under higher N,the yield is higher）developed better under high N（N210 and N240,pure N of 210 and 240 kg ha^–1）than at low N（N120 and N140,pure N of 120 and 140 kg ha^–1）.The low N and high efficiency（LN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is higher,while under higher N,the yield is not significantly higher）developed better under low N than at high N.The double high efficiency（D-HE）type（for both low and high N,the yield is higher）performed well under both high and low N.Apical kernel reacted differently to the N supply.Apical kernel developed well at an early grain filling stage and resulted in a higher kernel number（KN）,kernel weight（KW）and GY with better ear characteristics at maturity.展开更多
Phosphorus （P） is an essential element for plant growth and yield. Improving phosphorus use efficiency of crops could potentially reduce the application of chemical fertilizer and alleviate environmental damage. Soy...Phosphorus （P） is an essential element for plant growth and yield. Improving phosphorus use efficiency of crops could potentially reduce the application of chemical fertilizer and alleviate environmental damage. Soybean （Glycine max （L.） Merr.） is sensitive to phosphorus （P） in the whole life history. Soybean cultivars with different P efficiencies were used to study P uptake and dry matter accumulation under different P levels. Under low P conditions, the P contents of leaf in high P efficiency cultivars were greater than those in low P efficiency cultivars at the branching stage. The P accumulation in stems of high P efficiency cultivars and in leaves of low P efficiency cultivars increased with increasing P concentration at the branching stage. At the late podding stage, the P accumulation of seeds in high and low P efficiency cultivars were 22.5 and 26.0%, respectively; and at the mature stage were 69.8 and 74.2%, respectively. In average, the P accumulation in whole plants and each organ was improved by 24.4% in high P efficiency cultivars compared to low P efficiency cultivars. The biomass between high and low P efficiency cultivars were the same under extended P condition, while a significant difference was observed at late pod filling stage. At the pod setting stage, the biomass of high P efficiency cultivars were significant greater （17.4%） than those of low P efficiency cultivars under high P condition. Meanwhile, under optimum growth conditions, there was little difference ofbiomass between the two types of cultivars, however, the P agronomic efficiency and P harvest index were significant higher in high P efficiency cultivars than those in low P efficiency cultivars.展开更多
Abstract Selection of net with a suitable mesh size is a key concern in the quantitative assessment of zooplankton, which is cru- cial to understand pelagic ecosystem processes. This study compared the copepod collect...Abstract Selection of net with a suitable mesh size is a key concern in the quantitative assessment of zooplankton, which is cru- cial to understand pelagic ecosystem processes. This study compared the copepod collecting efficiency of three commonly used plankton nets, namely, the China standard coarse net （505 gm mesh）, the China standard fine net （77 gin）, and the WP-2 net （200 μm） The experiment was performed at six stations in the Bohai Sea during the autumn of 2012. The coarse net substantially un- der-sampled small individuals （body widths 〈 672 gm） and led to the lowest species number in each tow, whereas the fine net col- lected all small copepod species but failed to collect rare species. The WP-2 net appeared to be a compromise of the two other nets, collecting both small copepods and rare species. The abundance of copepods collected by the coarse net （126.4±86.5 indm-3） was one to two orders of magnitude lower than that by the WP-2 net （5802.4 ± 2595.4 indm3）, and the value of the fine net （11117.0±4563.41 indm-3） was nearly twice that of the WP-2 net. The abundance of large copepods （i.e., adult Calanus sinicus） in the three nets showed no significant differences, but the abundance of small copepods declined with decreasing mesh size. The dif- ference in abundance resulted from the under-sampling of small copepods with body widths 〈 672 μm and 〈 266μm by the coarse and WP-2 nets, respectively.展开更多
We conducted two field experiments to investigate combined effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on nitrogen use and recovery efficiencies of hybrid rice (Palethwe-1) during dry and wet seasons, 2015. Four leve...We conducted two field experiments to investigate combined effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on nitrogen use and recovery efficiencies of hybrid rice (Palethwe-1) during dry and wet seasons, 2015. Four levels of inorganic fertilizer (0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% NPK), based on recommended rates of 150 kg N ha-1, 70 kg P2O5 ha-1, and 120 kg K2O ha-1, were used with cow manure, poultry manure, and vermicompost (5 t·ha-1each) in a split-plot design with three replicates. In both seasons, with 50% NPK, the N uptake level achieved with poultry manure was similar to that obtained with 75% and 100% NPK. The greatest N use, internal, agronomic N use, and recovery efficiencies were obtained with 50% NPK + poultry manure, but were similar to those obtained from cow manure and vermicompost subplots. As the amount of applied N from organic and inorganic fertilizer increased, the N use efficiency and related parameters decreased, due to similar yields among plots with different NPK application levels. Poultry manure resulted in the highest significant correlations between applied N and N accumulation, followed by cow manure and vermicompost, in both seasons. Neither chemical fertilizer nor organic manure alone led to optimum N use and N recovery efficiencies. The combination of 50% inorganic fertilizer (75 kg N ha-1) and poultry manure (5 t·ha-1) enhanced the N uptake, the N use and recovery efficiencies of hybrid rice. Cow manure (5 t·ha-1) in combination with 75% inorganic fertilizer (112.5 kg N ha-1) was an adequate substitute for reduced chemical fertilizer usage. Therefore, this study highlighted combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures had the benefits not only in reducing the need for chemical fertilizers but also in improving N uptake by hybrid rice (Palethwe-1) leading to the better environment.展开更多
In a hard-rock mine,blasting is an important rock-breakage process that impacts energy consumption both in downstream comminution processes and mine productivity.Optimizing the blast fragmentation to improve rock-brea...In a hard-rock mine,blasting is an important rock-breakage process that impacts energy consumption both in downstream comminution processes and mine productivity.Optimizing the blast fragmentation to improve rock-breakage efficiencies during crushing and grinding is key to mine-to-mill(MTM)optimization.This study explores the use of monitoring while drilling(MWD)data to achieve this goal.Representative penetration rates(PRs)were extracted from blastholes to estimate intact rock properties and predict the breakage efficiencies that directly affect comminution energy consumption.Two intact rock properties,tensile strength(TS)and Bond work index(BWI),were correlated with the PR data to predict these efficiencies in crushing and grinding,respectively.Because of the complexity of the raw MWD data and effects of various disturbances,the MWD data was preprocessed and normalized to achieve a representative PR value at each blasthole.This preprocessing entailed defining valid PR ranges from the MWD data that could eliminate the noise related to discontinuity features in the rock mass structure as well as errors in operator behaviors.The PR data was also normalized using the adjusted penetration rate(APR)to minimize the effects of mechanical factors such as drill feed force,torque,and rotational speed.To correlate the representative APR value with intact rock properties,TS and BWI,various laboratory experiments were conducted:drilling tests using a high-precision coring machine,Brazilian disc tests,and Bond grindability tests.Based on the results of these experiments,models were developed to predict rock-breakage efficiencies during crushing and grinding based on APR.The result of this study can be used to obtain blast energy designs that consider comminution energy consumption and efficiency in the downstream rock-breakage processes.展开更多
Researchers face di culties in studying the e ects of driveline e ciency on car fuel economy via bench and road tests because of long working periods, high costs, and heavy workloads. To simplify the study process and...Researchers face di culties in studying the e ects of driveline e ciency on car fuel economy via bench and road tests because of long working periods, high costs, and heavy workloads. To simplify the study process and shorten test cycles, a car fuel economy simulation forecast method for combining computer simulation forecasting with bench tests is proposed. Taking a continuously variable transmission(CVT) as the research object, a transmission e ?ciency model based on a bench test is constructed. An optimal economic variogram based on the original CVT vari?ogram, the boundary conditions of vehicle performance, the road conditions and the driving behavior of the driver is generated in the Gear Shift Program(GSP)?Generation module in AVL Cruise. And on this basis a driveline simulation model that can calculate the fuel consumption based on the driveline data of a test car is built. The model is used to forecast fuel consumption and calculate real?time CVT e ciency under di erent conditions. Contrastive analyses on simulation results and real car drum test results are made. The largest error between simulation results and drum test results in driving cycles is 4.099%, which is 5.449% under constant velocity condition in driver control mode and 4.2% under constant velocity condition in automatic cruise mode. The results confirm the feasibility of the method and the good performance of the driveline simulation model in accurately forecasting fuel consumption. The method can e ciently investigate the e ects of driveline e ciency on car fuel economy. Moreover, this research provides instruc?tion for accurately forecasting fuel economy as well as references for studies on the e ects of drivelines on car fuel economy.展开更多
The metropolitan resources comprehensive efficiencies （also called comprehensive technical efficiency, short for CTE, thereafter）, change trends and causes are investigated using DEA and Malmquist index models, resp...The metropolitan resources comprehensive efficiencies （also called comprehensive technical efficiency, short for CTE, thereafter）, change trends and causes are investigated using DEA and Malmquist index models, respectively, in China during the period 1990–2006. Firstly, the DEA model results show that the metropolitan CTE was just fair to middling with the characteristics of almost declining from the Eastern Coastal to Western China, and only few metropolises were DEA efficient. Secondly, the results also show that the PTE was correlated with the urban population sizes of metropolises negatively, and the SE correlated positively with the urban population sizes of metropolises in 1990, 2000 and 2006, that is, with urban population sizes getting larger the corresponding PTE was decreasing accordingly, and the SE was increasing consequently and the increasing rate was smaller with the scale increase. Thirdly, the influencing factors of metropolitan efficiency were SE and PTE in 1990 and 2000, respectively. But the PTE became the predominant influencing factor with the rapid expansions of built-up areas and population scales of metropolises in 2006. Fourthly, the Malmquist index results show that the CTE change trends were increasing weakly, the technological change trends were declining, and the TFP change trends were declining obviously during 1990–2006, in which they were all increasing during the sub-period 1990–2000, and all decreasing during the sub-period 2000–2006. Fifthly, the Malmquist index results also demonstrate that the CTE change trend was increasing weakly in the Eastern Coastal China, declining in Central China, and declining evidently in Western China. And with the urban population size increasing the increasing trends of SE became weaker and weaker. And the main causes for the CTE being not too high and its change trends and TFP change trends being increasing weakly lie mainly in the technological degeneracy and PTE change trends declining significantly during 2000–2006. Finally, the analyses show that the China’s metropolitan population boom and the rapid spread of built-up area had really caused their resources efficiency losses.展开更多
The removal efficiencies of heavy metals(As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were investigated in the 17 operating municipal wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) and compared with those in four main activated sludge processes. S...The removal efficiencies of heavy metals(As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were investigated in the 17 operating municipal wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) and compared with those in four main activated sludge processes. Significant differences of heavy metal removal efficiencies were observed among four activated sludge processes. The removal efficiency for As(75.5%) in the oxidation ditch(OD) process is significantly higher than that in the conventional activated sludge(CAS) process(38.6%) or sequencing batch reactor(SBR) process(51.4%). The mean removal efficiencies for Cu and Ni in the OD process are 90.5% and 46.7%, respectively, while low mean removal efficiencies are observed for Cu(69.9%) and Ni(16.5%), respectively, in the SBR process. The removal efficiencies for Cu and Ni in the OD process are significantly higher than those in the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic(A2-O) process. These results highlight the differences of removal efficiencies for heavy metals in different processes and should be considered when selecting a wastewater treatment process.展开更多
Leaf area development, dry weight accumulation and solar energy conversion efficiencies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv GLP\|2 under two soil moisture levels in two contrasting seasons near Nairobi, Kenya were investigate...Leaf area development, dry weight accumulation and solar energy conversion efficiencies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv GLP\|2 under two soil moisture levels in two contrasting seasons near Nairobi, Kenya were investigated. The experiment confirms that dry weights and yields of Phaseolus vulgaris are limited by a drought induced decrease in leaf area, leading to less radiation interception as a source for assimilation. However, photosynthetic efficiency in Phaseolus vulgaris also appears to decrease and to contribute to these effects. Finally, an even larger decreases of economic efficiency as obtained in the second season, where stress lasted much later into the season, reveals that such a drought also limits considerably the partitioning and translocation of assimilates to the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris. The efficiencies obtained are in line with the better literature data for other crops.展开更多
The backcross(BC) breeding strategy has been increasingly used for developing high yielding varieties with improved abiotic stress tolerances in rice. In this study, 189Huang-Hua-Zhan(HHZ) introgression lines(ILs) dev...The backcross(BC) breeding strategy has been increasingly used for developing high yielding varieties with improved abiotic stress tolerances in rice. In this study, 189Huang-Hua-Zhan(HHZ) introgression lines(ILs) developed from three different selection schemes were evaluated for yield related traits under drought stress and non-stress conditions in the target and off-season winter nursery environments to assess the selection efficiency of BC breeding for improving different complex traits, and led us to five important results. The first result indicated that the primary target traits should be selected first in the target environments(TEs) in order to achieve the maximum genetic gain. Secondly, BC breeding for drought tolerance(DT) in rice was almost equally effective by strong phenotypic selection in the main target environments and in the winter-season of Hainan.Thirdly, exploiting genetic diversity in the subspecific gene pools is of great importance for future genetic improvement of complex traits in rice. Fourthly, considerable genetic gain can be effectively achieved by selection for secondary target traits among the ILs with the primary traits. Finally, the developed ILs provide useful materials for future genetic/genomic dissection and molecular breeding of complex traits.展开更多
Identification of the spatial mismatch between land use functions(LUFs)and land use efficiencies(LUEs)is essential to regional land use policies.However,previous studies about LUF-LUE mismatch and its driving factors ...Identification of the spatial mismatch between land use functions(LUFs)and land use efficiencies(LUEs)is essential to regional land use policies.However,previous studies about LUF-LUE mismatch and its driving factors have been insufficient.In this study,we explored the spatiotemporal mismatch of LUFs and LUEs and their influencing factors from 2000 to 2018 in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River(MRYR).Specifically,we used Spearman correlation analysis to reveal the trade-off relationship between LUFs and LUEs and determine the direction of the influencing factors on the LUF-LUE mismatch,adopted spatial mismatch analysis to measure the imbalance between LUFs and LUEs,and used the geographical detector model to analyze the factors influencing this spatial mismatch.The results showed that production function(PDF),living function(LVF),ecological function(ELF),agricultural production efficiency(APE),urban construction efficiency(UCE),and ecological services efficiency(ESE)all displayed significant spatial heterogeneity.The high trade-off areas were widely distributed and long-lasting in agricultural space and urban space,while gradually decreasing in ecological space.Wuhan and Changsha showed high spatial mismatch coefficients in urban space,but low spatial mismatch coefficients in agricultural space.Hunan generally presented high spatial mismatch coefficients in ecological space.Furthermore,the interaction of the proportion of cultivated area and transportation accessibility exacerbated the mismatch in agricultural space.The interaction effects of capital investment and technology innovation with other factors have the most intense impact on the mismatch in urban space.The internal factor for cultivated area interacts with other external factors to drastically affect ecological spatial mismatch.展开更多
High temperature and humidity can be controlled in greenhouses by using mechanical refrigeration cooling system such as air conditioner(AC)in warm and humid regions.This study aims to evaluate the techno-financial asp...High temperature and humidity can be controlled in greenhouses by using mechanical refrigeration cooling system such as air conditioner(AC)in warm and humid regions.This study aims to evaluate the techno-financial aspects of the AC-cooled greenhouse as compared to the evaporative cooled(EV-cooled)greenhouse in winter and summer seasons.Two quonset single-span prototype greenhouses were built in the Agriculture Experiment Station of Sultan Qaboos University,Oman,with dimensions of 6.0 m long and 3.0 m wide.The AC-cooled greenhouse was covered by a rockwool insulated polyethylene plastic sheet and light emitting diodes(LED)lights were used as a source of light,while the EV-cooled greenhouse was covered by a transparent polyethylene sheet and sunlight was used as light source.Three cultivars of high-value lettuce were grown for experimentation.To evaluate the technical efficiency of greenhouse performance,we conducted measures on land use efficiency(LUE),water use efficiency(WUE),gross water use efficiency(GWUE)and energy use efficiency(EUE).Financial analysis was conducted to compare the profitability of both greenhouses.The results showed that the LUE in winter were 10.10 and 14.50 kg/m^(2) for the AC-and EV-cooled greenhouses,respectively.However,the values reduced near to 6.80 kg/m^(2) in both greenhouses in summer.The WUE of the AC-cooled greenhouse was higher than that of the EV-cooled greenhouse by 3.8%in winter and 26.8%in summer.The GWUE was used to measure the total yield to the total greenhouse water consumption including irrigation and cooling water;it was higher in the AC-cooled greenhouse than in the EV-cooled greenhouse in both summer and winter seasons by almost 98.0%–99.4%.The EUE in the EV-cooled greenhouse was higher in both seasons.Financial analysis showed that in winter,gross return,net return and benefit-to-cost ratio were better in the EVcooled greenhouse,while in summer,those were higher in the AC-cooled greenhouse.The values of internal rate of return in the AC-and EV-cooled greenhouses were 63.4%and 129.3%,respectively.In both greenhouses,lettuce investment was highly sensitive to changes in price,yield and energy cost.The financial performance of the AC-cooled greenhouse in summer was better than that of the EV-cooled greenhouse and the pattern was opposite in winter.Finally,more studies on the optimum LED light intensity for any particular crop have to be conducted over different growing seasons in order to enhance the yield quantity and quality of crop.展开更多
To investigate the long-term operating efficiencies of container ports, we extend the work of previous researches to present a new systemic and improved method of data envelopment analysis （DEA）-based Malmquist prod...To investigate the long-term operating efficiencies of container ports, we extend the work of previous researches to present a new systemic and improved method of data envelopment analysis （DEA）-based Malmquist productivity index （MPI） in this paper. An approach based on both panel data and multi-inputs/outputs is considered comprehensively, and aims at measuring the operating efficiencies of 10 leading container ports in China from 2001 to 2006 by applying this new systematic influence factor of total factor productivity change is the calculation method. The results illustrate that the main technology change, and the container transportation of these 10 ports is on the healthy development status and will recover and grow reposefully in the following years展开更多
Experiments were conducted for the extraction of phenols from the phenol fraction obtained from the coal tar distillate. The phenol fraction for the present investigation has been procured from Visakhapatnam Steel Pla...Experiments were conducted for the extraction of phenols from the phenol fraction obtained from the coal tar distillate. The phenol fraction for the present investigation has been procured from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Visakhapatnam whose composition is known. The phenol fraction from coal tar distillate can be treated for extracting phenols using caustic soda. An attempt has been made to find out whether the existing practice of using only 8%-15% can be modified by increasing the strength of sodium hydroxide and also explore the possibilities of substituting the sodium hydroxide with KOH as an extractant. The different streams of liquids obtained during experimentation have been analyzed by gas chromatograph. Salient features of the study are that higher concentrations of the alkali significantly improved the separation efficiencies of phenols and also regenerate the phenolate with higher phenol content. Increase in the alkali strength has greatly improved the separation as well as the phenol content in the regenerated phenols. Disposal of effluents containing phenols may lead to environmental problem of ground water pollution and the study throws a light on the removal of phenols from the effluents to the extent possible by using higher strength alkali solutions.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52479049 and 51909221)the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFD1900700)+1 种基金the Key R&D Program of Shaanxi Province,China(2024NC-ZDCYL-02-08)the Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,China(IFI-CWUR202402).
文摘Ridge-furrow film mulching has been widely used as a water-saving and yield-increasing planting pattern in arid and semiarid regions.Planting density is also a vitally important factor influencing crop yield,and the optimal planting density will vary in different environments(such as ridge-furrow film mulching).How the combination of film mulching and planting density will affect the growth,physiology,yield,and water and radiation use efficiencies of winter oilseed rape is not clear yet.Therefore,a three-year field experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2020 to explore the responses of leaf chlorophyll(Chl)content,net photosynthetic rate(P_(n)),leaf area index(LAI),aboveground dry matter(ADM),root growth and distribution,yield,evapotranspiration(ET),water use efficiency(WUE),and radiation use efficiency(RUE)of winter oilseed rape to different film mulching patterns(F,ridge-furrow planting with plastic film mulching over the ridges;N,flat planting without mulching)and planting densities(LD,100,000 plants ha^(-1);MD,150,000 plants ha^(-1);HD,200,000 plants ha^(-1)).The results showed that the F treatments led to significantly greater leaf Chl contents,P_(n),LAI,and ADM,and a stronger root system than treatments without film mulching throughout the whole winter rapeseed growing seasons.Winter oilseed rape in the MD treatments had better physiological(leaf Chl contents and P_(n))and growth(LAI,ADM,taproot,and lateral root)conditions than in LD and HD at the late growth period after stem-elongation.Grain yield in FMD was the greatest,and it was significantly greater by 34.8-46.0%,6.7-9.6%,87.8-108.3%,38.7-50.3%,and 50.2-61.8%compared to those of FLD,FHD,NLD,NMD,and NHD,respectively.Furthermore,the ET in FMD was equivalent to FLD and FHD,but was markedly lower by 12.2-18.4%,14.5-20.3%,and 14.6-20.4%than in NLD,NMD,and NHD.Finally,the WUE and RUE in FMD were significantly improved by 88.5-94.0%and 29.0-41.8%compared to NHD(the local conventional planting pattern and planting density for winter rapeseed).In summary,FMD is a favorable cultivation management strategy to save water,increase yield and improve resource utilization efficiencies in winter oilseed rape in Northwest China.
文摘Behavior analysts have long recognized the need to increase at least one behavior when attempting to decrease another and usually focus primarily upon increasing a wide variety of behaviors(White&Haring,1980).But the strengthening of any behavior relative to another is not necessarily simple and records of empirically supported treatment options can be interpreted in an over-simplified manner.The current paper attempts to connect various treatment options across behaviors through a common principle-levels of one behavior will tend to increase and levels of another will tend to decrease when the first behavior is made more efficient than the second.The primary objective of the current paper is to articulate a wide variety of variable dimensions available to behavior analysts,teachers,and other professionals responsible for behavior change.In complex environments,many factors are beyond our control and many treatment options are non-viable.The greater the variety of treatment options available,the“larger the analyst’s toolbox”,the greater the chance that viable treatments will be found and that ineffective strategies can be effectively modified before being set aside.One recurring theme is that various forms of response blocking can and should be minimized and replaced with strategies that make more desirable behavior more efficient than less desirable behavior,leading learners to“choose”more desirable behavior.An additional objective of the paper is to reframe the debate about whether it is appropriate to use extinction or punishment,wherein those strategies are frequently interpreted in absolute terms,in relation to decreasing undesirable behaviors,and inevitably result in negative side effects.A more nuanced discussion about extinction and punishment considers the extent to which parametric applications of either might be appropriate to make a less desirable behavior less efficient than a more desirable behavior and includes the potential impact upon increasing desirable behaviors.
文摘Zero waste is a philosophy and a design principle of dealing with our waste stream for the ~21st century. After reviewing the available information, the goal of zero waste from landfill is considered to be unachievable by using known and proven methods and ~approaches . The comparison of various technologies shows that the conversion efficiencies depend upon the type of system chosen for processing residual waste, and the best overall diversion rate of waste management system that can be achieved is about 71%. The maximum achievable overall diversion rate can be increased to approximate 92% if current environmental regulations to permit the routine use of the bottom ash or char for advanced thermal technologies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31271643)the Program for Liaoning Excellent Talents in University, China (LJQ2015097)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, China (20170540809)the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFD0101306-04)
文摘This study was conducted with two soybean cultivars, Liaodou 13 (L13, phosphorus (P)-efficient) and Tiefeng 3 (T3, P-inefficient), to investigate the effects of biochar on soybean yield and photosynthetic physiological parameters, at four biochar application rates (0, 1, 5, and 10%, w/w), and two fertilization treatments (0 and 150 kg ha–1). Grain yield, plant biomass, P accumulation, leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll index (Chl), nitrogen balance index (NBI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and sucrose synthase (SS) activities, soluble sugar, sucrose and starch contents, and leaf area duration (LAD) were measured. Biochar had positive effects on Pn, Chl, NBI, SPS, and SS activities, and leaf soluble sugar, sucrose, and starch contents of both genotypes, these effects increased with biochar application rate. L13 benefited more efficiently from biochar than T3 did, as the grain yield of L13 significantly increased by 31.0 and 51.0%, at 5 and 10% biochar, respectively, while that of T3 increased by 40.4 at 10% biochar application rate, as compared with controls. The combined application of biochar and fertilizer boosted the positive effects described, but no difference was found for grain yield in L13 among biochar application rates, while grain yield of T3 continually increased with biochar rate, among which, 1% biochar combined with 150 kg ha–1 fertilizer resulted in T3 yield increment of more than 23%, compared with the application of 150 kg ha–1 fertilizer alone. Altogether, our results indicated that the application of biochar enhanced carbon assimilation in soybean, resulting in increased biomass accumulation and yield. Differences in genotypic responses to biochar highlight the need to consider specific cultivars and biochar rate, when evaluating the potential responses of crops to biochar.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40701044 National Key Technology R＆D Program, No.2008BAH31B01
文摘Employing DEA model and Malmquist productivity index, this paper probes into the urban efficiencies of 24 typical resources-based cities in China and their changes from 2000 to 2008. The research finds that the overall efficiencies of the resources-based cities are just at a general level, and only a few of them reach the optimal level. The scale efficiency is the major determining factor of the achievement of overall efficiency, the effect of which, nevertheless, is reducing. From the perspective of classification characteristics, the resources-based cities in northeastern region have been in the front rank in terms of overall efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency. There is a certain positive correlation between urban population scale and urban efficiency. The analysis of urban efficiency changes shows that the changes in overall efficiency of resources-based cities from 2000 to 2008 had a weak improving tendency. Both the technical change index and productivity change index decreased, indicating that the urban efficiency did not improve during this period, and the tendency of technical recession and productivity decline was obvious. In terms of the classification of urban efficiency changes, the urban overall efficiency improved in each of the four regions from 2000 to 2008, among which western region witnessed the greatest increase. Cities with different resource types have improved their urban overall efficiencies except steel-based cities. The urban overall efficiency increased in resources-based cities of different scales, with greater improvement in small and medium-sized cities than in big cities.
基金Project supported by the CRC for Molecular Plant Breeding, Australia.
文摘A sand-based culture system using rock phosphate (P) was developed to simulate the situation in alkalinesoils, with respect to the dominant P form, and five wheat cultivars (Excalibur, Brookton, Krichauff, Westoniaand Sunco) were tested in this screening system to compare their P uptake and utilisation efficiencies. Resultsshowed that these cultivars differed significantly in their ability to acquire P from the sparingly available form(rock phosphate in this case). The accumulation of P by Brookton was three times that by Krichauff. Pconcentrations in plant tissues did not differ significantly, indicating that all cultivars were similar in Putilisation efficiency. A further experiment showed that the greater ability of a cultivar to take up P fromsparingly available form was related to the ability of a cultivar to acidify the rhizosphere. Seed P content wasa confounding factor in this system, and the use of relatively uniform seed with similar P content, preferablylow, was conducive to a successful outcome of the screening process.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31271645)the Agricultural Science and Technology Project of Shanxi Province, China (20140311007-4)
文摘Maize genotypes vary significantly in their nitrogen use efficiencies（NUEs）.Better understanding of early grain filling characteristics of maize is important,especially for maize with different NUEs.The objectives of this research were（i）to investigate the difference in apical kernel development of maize with different NUEs,（ii）to determine the reaction of apical kernel development to N application levels,and（iii）to evaluate the relationship between apical kernel development and grain yield（GY）for different genotypes of maize.Three maize hybrid varieties with different NUEs were cultivated in a field with different levels of N fertilizer arranged during two growing seasons.Kernel fresh weight（KFW）,volume（KV）and dry weight（KDW）of apical kernel were evaluated at an early grain filling stage.Ear characteristics,GY and its components were determined at maturity stage.Apical kernel of the high N and high efficiency（HN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is lower,and under higher N,the yield is higher）developed better under high N（N210 and N240,pure N of 210 and 240 kg ha^–1）than at low N（N120 and N140,pure N of 120 and 140 kg ha^–1）.The low N and high efficiency（LN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is higher,while under higher N,the yield is not significantly higher）developed better under low N than at high N.The double high efficiency（D-HE）type（for both low and high N,the yield is higher）performed well under both high and low N.Apical kernel reacted differently to the N supply.Apical kernel developed well at an early grain filling stage and resulted in a higher kernel number（KN）,kernel weight（KW）and GY with better ear characteristics at maturity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31101104,31271643)the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China(20102103120011)
文摘Phosphorus （P） is an essential element for plant growth and yield. Improving phosphorus use efficiency of crops could potentially reduce the application of chemical fertilizer and alleviate environmental damage. Soybean （Glycine max （L.） Merr.） is sensitive to phosphorus （P） in the whole life history. Soybean cultivars with different P efficiencies were used to study P uptake and dry matter accumulation under different P levels. Under low P conditions, the P contents of leaf in high P efficiency cultivars were greater than those in low P efficiency cultivars at the branching stage. The P accumulation in stems of high P efficiency cultivars and in leaves of low P efficiency cultivars increased with increasing P concentration at the branching stage. At the late podding stage, the P accumulation of seeds in high and low P efficiency cultivars were 22.5 and 26.0%, respectively; and at the mature stage were 69.8 and 74.2%, respectively. In average, the P accumulation in whole plants and each organ was improved by 24.4% in high P efficiency cultivars compared to low P efficiency cultivars. The biomass between high and low P efficiency cultivars were the same under extended P condition, while a significant difference was observed at late pod filling stage. At the pod setting stage, the biomass of high P efficiency cultivars were significant greater （17.4%） than those of low P efficiency cultivars under high P condition. Meanwhile, under optimum growth conditions, there was little difference ofbiomass between the two types of cultivars, however, the P agronomic efficiency and P harvest index were significant higher in high P efficiency cultivars than those in low P efficiency cultivars.
基金funded by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No.201262017)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.41210008)
文摘Abstract Selection of net with a suitable mesh size is a key concern in the quantitative assessment of zooplankton, which is cru- cial to understand pelagic ecosystem processes. This study compared the copepod collecting efficiency of three commonly used plankton nets, namely, the China standard coarse net （505 gm mesh）, the China standard fine net （77 gin）, and the WP-2 net （200 μm） The experiment was performed at six stations in the Bohai Sea during the autumn of 2012. The coarse net substantially un- der-sampled small individuals （body widths 〈 672 gm） and led to the lowest species number in each tow, whereas the fine net col- lected all small copepod species but failed to collect rare species. The WP-2 net appeared to be a compromise of the two other nets, collecting both small copepods and rare species. The abundance of copepods collected by the coarse net （126.4±86.5 indm-3） was one to two orders of magnitude lower than that by the WP-2 net （5802.4 ± 2595.4 indm3）, and the value of the fine net （11117.0±4563.41 indm-3） was nearly twice that of the WP-2 net. The abundance of large copepods （i.e., adult Calanus sinicus） in the three nets showed no significant differences, but the abundance of small copepods declined with decreasing mesh size. The dif- ference in abundance resulted from the under-sampling of small copepods with body widths 〈 672 μm and 〈 266μm by the coarse and WP-2 nets, respectively.
文摘We conducted two field experiments to investigate combined effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on nitrogen use and recovery efficiencies of hybrid rice (Palethwe-1) during dry and wet seasons, 2015. Four levels of inorganic fertilizer (0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% NPK), based on recommended rates of 150 kg N ha-1, 70 kg P2O5 ha-1, and 120 kg K2O ha-1, were used with cow manure, poultry manure, and vermicompost (5 t·ha-1each) in a split-plot design with three replicates. In both seasons, with 50% NPK, the N uptake level achieved with poultry manure was similar to that obtained with 75% and 100% NPK. The greatest N use, internal, agronomic N use, and recovery efficiencies were obtained with 50% NPK + poultry manure, but were similar to those obtained from cow manure and vermicompost subplots. As the amount of applied N from organic and inorganic fertilizer increased, the N use efficiency and related parameters decreased, due to similar yields among plots with different NPK application levels. Poultry manure resulted in the highest significant correlations between applied N and N accumulation, followed by cow manure and vermicompost, in both seasons. Neither chemical fertilizer nor organic manure alone led to optimum N use and N recovery efficiencies. The combination of 50% inorganic fertilizer (75 kg N ha-1) and poultry manure (5 t·ha-1) enhanced the N uptake, the N use and recovery efficiencies of hybrid rice. Cow manure (5 t·ha-1) in combination with 75% inorganic fertilizer (112.5 kg N ha-1) was an adequate substitute for reduced chemical fertilizer usage. Therefore, this study highlighted combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures had the benefits not only in reducing the need for chemical fertilizers but also in improving N uptake by hybrid rice (Palethwe-1) leading to the better environment.
文摘In a hard-rock mine,blasting is an important rock-breakage process that impacts energy consumption both in downstream comminution processes and mine productivity.Optimizing the blast fragmentation to improve rock-breakage efficiencies during crushing and grinding is key to mine-to-mill(MTM)optimization.This study explores the use of monitoring while drilling(MWD)data to achieve this goal.Representative penetration rates(PRs)were extracted from blastholes to estimate intact rock properties and predict the breakage efficiencies that directly affect comminution energy consumption.Two intact rock properties,tensile strength(TS)and Bond work index(BWI),were correlated with the PR data to predict these efficiencies in crushing and grinding,respectively.Because of the complexity of the raw MWD data and effects of various disturbances,the MWD data was preprocessed and normalized to achieve a representative PR value at each blasthole.This preprocessing entailed defining valid PR ranges from the MWD data that could eliminate the noise related to discontinuity features in the rock mass structure as well as errors in operator behaviors.The PR data was also normalized using the adjusted penetration rate(APR)to minimize the effects of mechanical factors such as drill feed force,torque,and rotational speed.To correlate the representative APR value with intact rock properties,TS and BWI,various laboratory experiments were conducted:drilling tests using a high-precision coring machine,Brazilian disc tests,and Bond grindability tests.Based on the results of these experiments,models were developed to predict rock-breakage efficiencies during crushing and grinding based on APR.The result of this study can be used to obtain blast energy designs that consider comminution energy consumption and efficiency in the downstream rock-breakage processes.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51575220)International S&T Cooperation Program of China(Grant No.2014DFA71790)
文摘Researchers face di culties in studying the e ects of driveline e ciency on car fuel economy via bench and road tests because of long working periods, high costs, and heavy workloads. To simplify the study process and shorten test cycles, a car fuel economy simulation forecast method for combining computer simulation forecasting with bench tests is proposed. Taking a continuously variable transmission(CVT) as the research object, a transmission e ?ciency model based on a bench test is constructed. An optimal economic variogram based on the original CVT vari?ogram, the boundary conditions of vehicle performance, the road conditions and the driving behavior of the driver is generated in the Gear Shift Program(GSP)?Generation module in AVL Cruise. And on this basis a driveline simulation model that can calculate the fuel consumption based on the driveline data of a test car is built. The model is used to forecast fuel consumption and calculate real?time CVT e ciency under di erent conditions. Contrastive analyses on simulation results and real car drum test results are made. The largest error between simulation results and drum test results in driving cycles is 4.099%, which is 5.449% under constant velocity condition in driver control mode and 4.2% under constant velocity condition in automatic cruise mode. The results confirm the feasibility of the method and the good performance of the driveline simulation model in accurately forecasting fuel consumption. The method can e ciently investigate the e ects of driveline e ciency on car fuel economy. Moreover, this research provides instruc?tion for accurately forecasting fuel economy as well as references for studies on the e ects of drivelines on car fuel economy.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China No.40671054 No.40635026
文摘The metropolitan resources comprehensive efficiencies （also called comprehensive technical efficiency, short for CTE, thereafter）, change trends and causes are investigated using DEA and Malmquist index models, respectively, in China during the period 1990–2006. Firstly, the DEA model results show that the metropolitan CTE was just fair to middling with the characteristics of almost declining from the Eastern Coastal to Western China, and only few metropolises were DEA efficient. Secondly, the results also show that the PTE was correlated with the urban population sizes of metropolises negatively, and the SE correlated positively with the urban population sizes of metropolises in 1990, 2000 and 2006, that is, with urban population sizes getting larger the corresponding PTE was decreasing accordingly, and the SE was increasing consequently and the increasing rate was smaller with the scale increase. Thirdly, the influencing factors of metropolitan efficiency were SE and PTE in 1990 and 2000, respectively. But the PTE became the predominant influencing factor with the rapid expansions of built-up areas and population scales of metropolises in 2006. Fourthly, the Malmquist index results show that the CTE change trends were increasing weakly, the technological change trends were declining, and the TFP change trends were declining obviously during 1990–2006, in which they were all increasing during the sub-period 1990–2000, and all decreasing during the sub-period 2000–2006. Fifthly, the Malmquist index results also demonstrate that the CTE change trend was increasing weakly in the Eastern Coastal China, declining in Central China, and declining evidently in Western China. And with the urban population size increasing the increasing trends of SE became weaker and weaker. And the main causes for the CTE being not too high and its change trends and TFP change trends being increasing weakly lie mainly in the technological degeneracy and PTE change trends declining significantly during 2000–2006. Finally, the analyses show that the China’s metropolitan population boom and the rapid spread of built-up area had really caused their resources efficiency losses.
基金Project(2012AA06A202)supported by Hi-tech Research and Development Project of China
文摘The removal efficiencies of heavy metals(As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were investigated in the 17 operating municipal wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) and compared with those in four main activated sludge processes. Significant differences of heavy metal removal efficiencies were observed among four activated sludge processes. The removal efficiency for As(75.5%) in the oxidation ditch(OD) process is significantly higher than that in the conventional activated sludge(CAS) process(38.6%) or sequencing batch reactor(SBR) process(51.4%). The mean removal efficiencies for Cu and Ni in the OD process are 90.5% and 46.7%, respectively, while low mean removal efficiencies are observed for Cu(69.9%) and Ni(16.5%), respectively, in the SBR process. The removal efficiencies for Cu and Ni in the OD process are significantly higher than those in the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic(A2-O) process. These results highlight the differences of removal efficiencies for heavy metals in different processes and should be considered when selecting a wastewater treatment process.
文摘Leaf area development, dry weight accumulation and solar energy conversion efficiencies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv GLP\|2 under two soil moisture levels in two contrasting seasons near Nairobi, Kenya were investigated. The experiment confirms that dry weights and yields of Phaseolus vulgaris are limited by a drought induced decrease in leaf area, leading to less radiation interception as a source for assimilation. However, photosynthetic efficiency in Phaseolus vulgaris also appears to decrease and to contribute to these effects. Finally, an even larger decreases of economic efficiency as obtained in the second season, where stress lasted much later into the season, reveals that such a drought also limits considerably the partitioning and translocation of assimilates to the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris. The efficiencies obtained are in line with the better literature data for other crops.
基金funded by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2012AA101101) from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Chinathe National Science Foundation Project (30570996)+1 种基金the Program of Introducing International Super Agricultural Science and Technology (#2011-G2B) from the Ministry of Agriculture of Chinathe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Project (OPP51587)
文摘The backcross(BC) breeding strategy has been increasingly used for developing high yielding varieties with improved abiotic stress tolerances in rice. In this study, 189Huang-Hua-Zhan(HHZ) introgression lines(ILs) developed from three different selection schemes were evaluated for yield related traits under drought stress and non-stress conditions in the target and off-season winter nursery environments to assess the selection efficiency of BC breeding for improving different complex traits, and led us to five important results. The first result indicated that the primary target traits should be selected first in the target environments(TEs) in order to achieve the maximum genetic gain. Secondly, BC breeding for drought tolerance(DT) in rice was almost equally effective by strong phenotypic selection in the main target environments and in the winter-season of Hainan.Thirdly, exploiting genetic diversity in the subspecific gene pools is of great importance for future genetic improvement of complex traits in rice. Fourthly, considerable genetic gain can be effectively achieved by selection for secondary target traits among the ILs with the primary traits. Finally, the developed ILs provide useful materials for future genetic/genomic dissection and molecular breeding of complex traits.
基金Key Project of the National Social Science Foundation of China,No.23AZD058National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.72004209。
文摘Identification of the spatial mismatch between land use functions(LUFs)and land use efficiencies(LUEs)is essential to regional land use policies.However,previous studies about LUF-LUE mismatch and its driving factors have been insufficient.In this study,we explored the spatiotemporal mismatch of LUFs and LUEs and their influencing factors from 2000 to 2018 in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River(MRYR).Specifically,we used Spearman correlation analysis to reveal the trade-off relationship between LUFs and LUEs and determine the direction of the influencing factors on the LUF-LUE mismatch,adopted spatial mismatch analysis to measure the imbalance between LUFs and LUEs,and used the geographical detector model to analyze the factors influencing this spatial mismatch.The results showed that production function(PDF),living function(LVF),ecological function(ELF),agricultural production efficiency(APE),urban construction efficiency(UCE),and ecological services efficiency(ESE)all displayed significant spatial heterogeneity.The high trade-off areas were widely distributed and long-lasting in agricultural space and urban space,while gradually decreasing in ecological space.Wuhan and Changsha showed high spatial mismatch coefficients in urban space,but low spatial mismatch coefficients in agricultural space.Hunan generally presented high spatial mismatch coefficients in ecological space.Furthermore,the interaction of the proportion of cultivated area and transportation accessibility exacerbated the mismatch in agricultural space.The interaction effects of capital investment and technology innovation with other factors have the most intense impact on the mismatch in urban space.The internal factor for cultivated area interacts with other external factors to drastically affect ecological spatial mismatch.
文摘High temperature and humidity can be controlled in greenhouses by using mechanical refrigeration cooling system such as air conditioner(AC)in warm and humid regions.This study aims to evaluate the techno-financial aspects of the AC-cooled greenhouse as compared to the evaporative cooled(EV-cooled)greenhouse in winter and summer seasons.Two quonset single-span prototype greenhouses were built in the Agriculture Experiment Station of Sultan Qaboos University,Oman,with dimensions of 6.0 m long and 3.0 m wide.The AC-cooled greenhouse was covered by a rockwool insulated polyethylene plastic sheet and light emitting diodes(LED)lights were used as a source of light,while the EV-cooled greenhouse was covered by a transparent polyethylene sheet and sunlight was used as light source.Three cultivars of high-value lettuce were grown for experimentation.To evaluate the technical efficiency of greenhouse performance,we conducted measures on land use efficiency(LUE),water use efficiency(WUE),gross water use efficiency(GWUE)and energy use efficiency(EUE).Financial analysis was conducted to compare the profitability of both greenhouses.The results showed that the LUE in winter were 10.10 and 14.50 kg/m^(2) for the AC-and EV-cooled greenhouses,respectively.However,the values reduced near to 6.80 kg/m^(2) in both greenhouses in summer.The WUE of the AC-cooled greenhouse was higher than that of the EV-cooled greenhouse by 3.8%in winter and 26.8%in summer.The GWUE was used to measure the total yield to the total greenhouse water consumption including irrigation and cooling water;it was higher in the AC-cooled greenhouse than in the EV-cooled greenhouse in both summer and winter seasons by almost 98.0%–99.4%.The EUE in the EV-cooled greenhouse was higher in both seasons.Financial analysis showed that in winter,gross return,net return and benefit-to-cost ratio were better in the EVcooled greenhouse,while in summer,those were higher in the AC-cooled greenhouse.The values of internal rate of return in the AC-and EV-cooled greenhouses were 63.4%and 129.3%,respectively.In both greenhouses,lettuce investment was highly sensitive to changes in price,yield and energy cost.The financial performance of the AC-cooled greenhouse in summer was better than that of the EV-cooled greenhouse and the pattern was opposite in winter.Finally,more studies on the optimum LED light intensity for any particular crop have to be conducted over different growing seasons in order to enhance the yield quantity and quality of crop.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50578030)
文摘To investigate the long-term operating efficiencies of container ports, we extend the work of previous researches to present a new systemic and improved method of data envelopment analysis （DEA）-based Malmquist productivity index （MPI） in this paper. An approach based on both panel data and multi-inputs/outputs is considered comprehensively, and aims at measuring the operating efficiencies of 10 leading container ports in China from 2001 to 2006 by applying this new systematic influence factor of total factor productivity change is the calculation method. The results illustrate that the main technology change, and the container transportation of these 10 ports is on the healthy development status and will recover and grow reposefully in the following years
文摘Experiments were conducted for the extraction of phenols from the phenol fraction obtained from the coal tar distillate. The phenol fraction for the present investigation has been procured from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Visakhapatnam whose composition is known. The phenol fraction from coal tar distillate can be treated for extracting phenols using caustic soda. An attempt has been made to find out whether the existing practice of using only 8%-15% can be modified by increasing the strength of sodium hydroxide and also explore the possibilities of substituting the sodium hydroxide with KOH as an extractant. The different streams of liquids obtained during experimentation have been analyzed by gas chromatograph. Salient features of the study are that higher concentrations of the alkali significantly improved the separation efficiencies of phenols and also regenerate the phenolate with higher phenol content. Increase in the alkali strength has greatly improved the separation as well as the phenol content in the regenerated phenols. Disposal of effluents containing phenols may lead to environmental problem of ground water pollution and the study throws a light on the removal of phenols from the effluents to the extent possible by using higher strength alkali solutions.
