Smoke Management Systems for Large Volume Space

Atria and other large volume space do not have the compartmentation that has traditionally been a major contributor of fire protection.The effectiveness of sprinklers in these large volume spaces is limited. For these reasons, smoke management systems for large volume spaces is of particular importance. Their primary goal is to maintain an enviroment in which the impact of smoke and heat on occupants is not life threatening. This involves keeping the height of the smoke layer above the highest level of occupancy for a defined period of time, longer than the expected time to evacuate the building. Three approaches to these systems are smoke filling , gravity smoke venting ,and smoke exhaust .This paper describes the design approaches to smoke management to achieve fire safety in atrium.     

Safety Netting Systems in the construction of highway engineering application

The Safety Netting Systems has developed products for geotechnical protection works abroad. This article focuses on the concept of The Safety Netting Systems, types, working principle and performance. The Safety Netting Systems has a simple, technologically advanced, safe, reliable, economical and reasonable. The system has been applied in the part of the highway construction. This article discusses the prospects of its application in the highway construction.     

A kind of Expert Control Combined with the Supervisory Theory for Discrete Event Dynamic Systems

To overcome the shortages of the supervisory theory for Discrete Event Dynamic Systems,a kind of expert control combined with the supervisory theory is proposed,also a practical example is given to illustrate its effectiveness.     

农民专业合作经济组织创建的内部机制分析 --以制度创新中的博弈理论为视角

农民专业合作组织在实践中已经成为我国农村经济发展的合理选择,但在其创建过程中还受到多种因素的制约,运用新制度经济学有关制度变迁与创新理论,从合作组织发起人与社员的制度博弈均衡的角度阐发了合作组织创建的内在机制。     

农村剩余劳动力转移管理信息系统探索

研究目的：为了实现农村剩余劳动力的有效转移,研究方法：提出并建立农村剩余劳动力转移管理信息系统。并根据其系统的目标、设计原则设计了该系统,同时在说明该系统功能的基础上对应用该系统的效果进行了详细的分析,研究结果：其分析结果表明他的使用将非常有助于农村剩余劳动力的有效转移。     

Study on Decision Method in Choosing MIS Softwares for Manufacturing Enterprises

The decision objects and evaluation target architecture in choosing Management Information Systems (MIS) softwares for manufacturing enterprises are proposed. Fuzzy mathematics comprehensive evaluation method is used in decision analysis. The method in is applied practically.     

An overview of APSIM, a model designed for farming systems simulation

The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) is a modular modelling framework that has been developed by the Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit in Australia. APSIM was developed to simulate biophysical process in farming systems, in particular where there is interest in the economic and ecological outcomes of management practice in the face of climatic risk. The paper outlines APSIM's structure and provides details of the concepts behind the different plant, soil and management modules. These modules include a diverse range of crops, pastures and trees, soil processes including water balance, N and P transformations, soil pH, erosion and a full range of management controls. Reports of APSIM testing in a diverse range of systems and environments are summarised. An example of model performance in a long-term cropping systems trial is provided. APSIM has been used in a broad range of applications, including support for on-farm decision making, farming systems design for production or resource management objectives, assessment of the value of seasonal climate forecasting, analysis of supply chain issues in agribusiness activities, development of waste management guidelines, risk assessment for government policy making and as a guide to research and education activity. An extensive citation list for these model testing and application studies is provided.     

The Operations Research Models and Techniques in the Production Planning of Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Based on the definition about the idea of Flexible Manufacture Systems(FMS), a three dimensional systematic views to represent the concept of the FMS production planning and scheduling problem is presented firstly. Next,a four-layer framework model of FMS' s production scheduling problem is put forward. Then, the operations research models and techniques in the static and dynamic scheduling of FMS operation are systematically analyzed, and the existing difficulties are pointed out. Finally,a brief introduction about the trend of using other approaches,such as artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial neural network (ANN), to solve the FMS planning and scheduling problems is given.     

The Software Implementation of Neural Network Fuzzy Inference Cooperation System

This poper sets up a new Neural Network Fuzzy inference Cooperation system which is based on fuzzy inference principle in Expert Systems,take advantage of the powerful learning function, the little sensitivity to input layer's samples,and the fast convergence and so on in FCBP and take advantage of the good sort property and good suit property to fuzzy value in MFART Network.     

Green Infrastructure and Its Inspiration for Urban Green Space System in China

Currently, urban Green Space Systems in China show fragile ecological conditions, the overseas Green Infrastructure is a new idea to construct urban green ecological spaces. Typical Green Infrastructure construction cases in the U. K., such as London greenbelt, park system, green corridor, green chain and Green Grid were studied to analyze problems of China urban Green Space System planning, construction, and management, so as to propose suggestions for improving ecological functions of the urban Green Space System.     

Protection and Development of Traditional Villages Rich in Agricultural Cultural Heritage Resources:A Case Study of Nihegou Village in Jiaxian County

Firstly,the composition and value of heritage in Nihegou Village having the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems(GIAHS) were analyzed,and then dilemmas,challenges and opportunities for the protection and development of the village were studied.Finally,ways of sustainable development of the vil age were discussed.     

全球重要农业文化遗产-青田县稻鱼共生系统保护与可持续发展之思考

浙江青田县龙现村稻鱼共生系统作为全球重要农业文化遗产,其保护和可持续发展的问题现已引起了社会的关注。在调查研究的基础上,分析了青田县龙现村稻鱼共生系统得以长期延续的历史渊源、自然环境条件和人文社会因素等原因。同时,指出了这种稻鱼共生模式在当今市场经济条件下面临的挑战与问题,如市场问题、产业化问题、旅游业发展导致的环境问题、农业文化消失问题等。最后提出了一系列对策措施,如加强全村生态规划,建立稻鱼共生自然保护区,打造稻鱼生产品牌,适度发展农业生态旅游,建立多方参与机制等措施。     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: The Transformation of Communist Systems : Economic Reform Since the 1950S. by Bernard Chavance. Postcommunist Economic Transformation : Essays in Honor of Gregory Grossman . by Robert W. Campbell (ed.).     

How farming systems simulation can aid the development of more sustainable smallholder farming systems in southern Africa

Over the past 20 years, farming systems modelling has become an accessible tool for developing intervention strategies targeted at smallholder farmers in southern Africa. Applying the Agricultural Productions Systems sIMulator (APSIM) to credibly simulate key soil and crop processes in highly constrained, low yielding maize/legume systems has led to four distinct modes of use: (i) to add value to field experimentation and demonstration; (ii) in direct engagement with farmers; (iii) to explore key system constraints and opportunities with researchers and extension agencies; and (iv) in the generation of information for policy makers, bankers and insurance institutions. Examples of application in each of these modes are presented. Despite being demonstrated as an excellent tool for developing intervention strategies and extension material, the use of simulation is limited by a lack of competent local users. Better co-operation within the simulation community, sharing of climate, soil and crop parameterisation and validation datasets, and focussing of efforts on using models to benefit smallholder farmers are suggested as ways of increasing the use and relevance of simulation. Substantial investment in the training of agriculturalists and the further science development of systems simulation is required to tackle the enormous challenges facing agricultural development in the region.     

Climate impacts on palm oil yields in the Nigerian Niger Delta

Palm oil production has increased in recent decades and is estimated to increase further globally. The optimal role of palm oil production, however, is controversial because of conflicts with other important land uses and ecosystem services. Local conditions and climate change affect resource competition and the desirability of palm oil production in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.The objectives of this study are to (1) establish a better understanding of the existing yield potentials of oil palm areas that could be used for integrated assessment models, (2) quantify for the first time uncertainties in yield potentials arising from the use of climate output data from different Global Circulation Models (GCM’s) with varied West African Monsoon (WAM) system representations forced to the same Regional Climate Models (RCM’s). We use the biophysical simulation model APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator) to simulate spatially variable impacts of climate change on oil palm yield over the Nigerian Niger Delta. Our results show that the impact of climate change on oil palm yield is considerable across our study region. The yield differences between the IPCC RCPs were small. The net impact of climate change on oil palm is positive and is dynamically inconsistent. There is no significant change in the simulated yield arising from the differences in the forcing’s data. We found the most effective strategy for oil palm yield optimization under climate change to be shifting of sowing dates and introduction of irrigation.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewd in this article
Bacon, P. E. (ed.), Nitrogen fertilization in the environment.
Ross, S. M. (ed.), Toxic Metals in Soil-Plant Systems.
Kuntz, K., Rechtsprechung in Umweltsachen.
Eichhorn, M. (Hrsg.), Fachwörterbuch Biologie (Englisch-Deutsch).
Franke, G., Nutzpflanzen der Tropen und Subtropen; Bd. 1, Allgemeiner Pflanzenbau.     

Using a multicriteria assessment model to evaluate the sustainability of conservation agriculture at the cropping system level in France

Several international research and development organizations are promoting conservation agriculture in a wide range of contexts. Conservation agriculture is based on a combination of three main principles: (i) minimal or no mechanical soil disturbance; (ii) diversified crop rotations and (iii) permanent soil cover (consisting of a growing crop or a dead mulch of crop residues). However, in the face of the diversity of practices that can be associated with conservation agriculture, of goals assigned to agricultural systems, and pedoclimatic contexts, there is still no empirical evidence about the overall performance of conservation agriculture in France. Global assessments of conservation agriculture, with the full or partial application of its principles and in different contexts, are required to provide a more comprehensive picture of the performance of such systems. We tackled these objectives simultaneously, by evaluating 31 cropping systems with the MASC^® model (for Multicriteria Assessment of the Sustainability of Cropping Systems). These systems were selected to represent a wide diversity of practices, from ploughed conventional systems to crop sequences based on the full application of conservation agriculture principles. Positive interactions were observed between the key elements of conservation agriculture, resulting in better sustainability performances (particularly in terms of environmental criteria). Nevertheless, the systems most closely respecting the principles of conservation agriculture displayed several weaknesses, principally of a social or technical nature, in this study. Careful attention should be paid to attenuating these weaknesses. A more detailed analysis of the results also suggested that decreasing soil tillage tends to decrease the overall performance of the system unless associated with a diversification of the crop rotation.     

Analysis of Unified Power Flow Controller in Damping Low Frequency Oscillation of Power System

With the development and complication of power system, the problem of low frequency oscillation in electric network becomes obvious. Unified Power Flow Controller is one of the most powerful facilities in Flexible AC Transmission Systems, which can improve the transient stability and damp the low oscillation in power system with suitable control. Considering the characteristics of inverter's output voltage magnitude, adjustment of phase and process of charge and discharge of dc capacitance, the dynamic model of UPFC is proposed by a series of nonlinear differential coefficient equations. Based on UPFC's dynamic model, the linear optimal controller of UPFC with state feedback is proposed. In this way, the low frequency oscillation is damped effectively. A simulation is processed basing the theory.     

Design,rationale and methodological considerations for a long term alternative cropping experiment in the Canadian plain region

An interdisciplinary field experiment was initiated to evaluate sustainability of crop production in the Canadian Prairie region. The objective was to develop a resource that would be used to measure change over time associated with input and cropping diversity strategies. The knowledge generated would serve to provide early indications of potential problems and to guide development of improved systems. The study was located near the geographic center of the region on the transition between the semi-arid prairie and the sub-humid parkland regions. The design of the study is reported here, while later papers will report and discuss treatment responses. The study is based on three levels of inputs; organic, reduced and high combined with three levels of cropping diversity: low, diversified annual grains and diversified annual perennial to give a matrix of nine treatments. The site was uniformly cropped and characterized for one year prior to imposition of the treatments, and results used to validate the experimental design. Systems were defined by general principles that incorporate flexibility and allow systems to be changed so they could function in a near optimal state. Several grassland sites and one native prairie site located nearby were characterized as reference points for examining biodiversity and soil quality attributes of the treatments. To accommodate multidisciplinary use of the data, a central database was developed that allows all collaborating scientists to access the data, yet protects data integrity. Overall results to date provide a clear indication that the study provides a resource that is well suited to meet the objectives.     

An New Hybrid Model of Qualitative Diagnostic Reasoning

Two main approaches are used in qualitative diagnostic reasoning.These approaches are the first principle approach and the heuristic knowledge approach.Systems based on the first one can handle hard problems and new situation.On the other hand,systems based on the second perform diagnostic tasks faster but can deal only with the most common problem cases.This paper provides a model using both the deep and shallow knowledges, and presents some algorithms.