A Cradle-to-Cradle Novel Approach for Wastewater Management in Sustainable Urban Communities

Water, a valuable resource to human lives, is being abused and driven to scarcity. This scarcity is leading some countries and areas to face difficulty in accessing drinking water. As the UN recently stated “by 2050 water shortages and harder access will be reached by around 2/3rd of the world total population” [1], thus, there is a high need to treat and reuse wastewater for domestic purposes, which will lead to less reliance on fresh water as an initial water source. Greywater—defined as the water produced in domestic houses including sinks and bathroom showers, and excluding any blackwater mix which is collected from toilets—is a type of wastewater. Greywater accounts for up to 75% of the daily water produced [2] while it has fewer contaminants when compared to blackwater. This makes greywater a focal point for treatment, and reusing to conserve fresh water and approach net zero water concept. Even though the definition of greywater is the same globally, its criteria can differ from one country to another, from one building to another, or even from the same person’s usage along the day. Accordingly, several treatment methods evolved over years aiming at treating the produced greywater for reuse mainly in irrigation and toilet flushing. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate a novel net zero wastewater approach applying cradle-to-cradle concept for urban communities;while also proposing a sustainable greywater treatment technique that is environmentally friendly, cost-effective and socially acceptable.

Effects of forest management on biomass stocks in Romanian beech forests

Background: Forest management aims at obtaining a sustainable production of wood to be harvested to generate products or energy. However, the quantitative influence of forest management and of removals by harvest on biomass stocks has rarely been analysed on a large scale based on measurements. Two hypotheses prevail: management induces a reduction of wood stocks due to cuttings, versus no impact because of increased growth of the remaining trees. Using data collected for 2840 permanent plots across Romania from the National Forest Inventory representing^2.5 Mha, we have tested to what extent different management types and treatments can influence the biomass stock and productivity of beech forests, and attempt to quantify these effects both on the short and long terms. Three main types of beech forest management are implemented in Romania with specific objectives: intensive wood production in production forests, protection of ecosystem services (e.g. watersheds, avalanche protection) in protection forests, and protection of the forest and its biodiversity in protected forests. Production forests encompass two treatments differing according to the stand regeneration method: the age class rotation management and the group shelterwood management. Results: We show that forest management had little influence on the biomass stocks at a given stand age. The highest stocks at stand age 100 were observed in production forests (the most intensively managed forests). Consequences of early cuttings were very short-termed because the increase in tree growth rapidly compensated for tree cuttings. The cumulated biomass of production forests exceeded that of protected and protection forests. Regarding the treatment, the group shelterwood forests had a markedly higher production over a full rotation period. The total amount of deadwood was primarily driven by the amount of standing deadwood, and no management effect was detected. Conclusions: Given the relatively low-intensity management in Romania, forest management had no negative impact on wood stocks in beech forests biomass stocks at large scale. Stand productivity was very similar among management types or treatments. However cumulated biomass in production forests was higher than in protection or protected forests, and differed markedly according to treatments with a higher cumulated biomass in shelterwood forests.

Risk management of stock index futures

The Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures is taken as a study object and a method of empirical analysis is adopted in order to verify the validity of the application of the value-at-risk (VaR) method in the risk measurement of the stock index futures market. The results suggest that under normal market conditions it is feasible to apply the VaR method in the measurement of the market risks of stock index futures. The daily VaR value of the stock index futures provides a foreseeable profit and loss of the stock index futures. Financial supervisors can adjust their supervising strategies according to the daily VaR value. The speculators can adjust risk capital reserve rates in the same way. The application of this method in China's stock index futures market requires the solutions to specific problems: the absence of historical data, the difficult confirmation of non-risk interest rates etc.

An Evaluation of the Management Effectiveness of a Stock Re-Building Strategy for a Multi-Species Demersal Trap Fishery in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The off-shore demersal trap fishery in the southern Arabian Gulf has been managed by gear regulations and effort constraints which were aimed at rebuilding depleted stocks. In order to evaluate the success of these regulations, a variety of selectivity and other fishery metrics were compared for the key species (Diagramma pictum, Epinephelus coioides and Lethrinus nebulosus) before and after their introduction. With the exception of a minor increase in the mean age at first capture from 1.3 yrs to 1.9 yrs for E. coioides, there were no significant changes in the values or trends in juvenile retention, mean size or the mean sizes and ages at first capture. The comparison of selectivity ogives with data derived independently through an experimental fishing program indicated that the failure of juvenile escape panels to modify the selectivity characteristics of the fishery could not be attributed to a lack of compliance. Furthermore, there were no significant changes in fishing mortality rates, harvest rates, catch, effort, yield per recruit and relative spawner biomass per recruit following the introduction of the management regulations. Age structures were highly truncated and the management measures had failed to increase the relative proportion of older age classes. Stock status indicators suggested that all species were heavily over-exploited with evidence of both growth and recruitment over-fishing. Given the failure of existing regulations to modify gear selectivity, reduce effort and rebuild stocks, the results of the study suggest that management authorities should consider alternative measures including a moratorium on the use of traps in the off-shore demersal fishery of Abu Dhabi.

Model for Optimal Management of the Spare Parts Stock at an Irregular Distribution of Spare Parts

The article presents a model for optimal management of the SP(Spare Parts)stock when they are irregularly distributed.The SPs are distributed irregularly and the supply and purchase costs depend on the number of elements.It is necessary to fix the optimal number of supplies,for which the total purchase and storage are minimal.

Optimal Management of the Spare Parts Stock at Their Regular Distribution

The article presents a model for optimal management of the SP(Spare Parts)stock at their regular distribution.The present research discussion is a multi-nomenclature model with a fixed limit of the stock's value.A study was carried out on the optimal value of storage cost for a unit of stock at a unit of time(hj),optimal value of the demand intensity(λj)and the optimal price of a stock unit(cj),subject to the restriction for the upper limit K of the total value of stocks.

Study on Customer Demand Forecasting Models,Stock Management,Classification and Policies for Automobile Parts Manufacturing Company N.A.C.C.(An Advance on Classical Models)

The primary intent of the current research is to provide insights regarding the management of spare parts within the supply chain,in conjunction with offering some methods for enhancing forecasting and inventory management.In particular,to use classical forecasting methods,the use of weak and unstable demand is not recommended.Furthermore,statistical performance measures are not involved in this particular context.Furthermore,it is expected that maintenance contracts will be aligned with different levels.In addition to the examination of some literature reviews,some tools will guide us through this process.The article proposes new performance analysis methods that will help integrate inventory management and statistical performance while considering decision maker priorities through the use of different methodologies and parts age segmentation.The study will also identify critical level policies by comparing different types of spenders according to the inventory management model,also with separate and common inventory policies.Each process of the study is combined with a comparative analysis of different forecasting methods and inventory management models based on N.A.C.C.parts supply chain data,allowing us to identify a set of methodologies and parameter recommendations based on parts segmentation and supply chain prioritization.

Quantity-based shipment consolidation and stock replenishment policy with lead time in vendor-managed inventory system

In order to let the supplier make more reasonable supply decisions,an integrated continuous replenishment policy for the vendor-managed inventory system is presented,which considers the quantity-based shipment consolidation and stock replenishment with lead time.Then the system cost is analyzed and a mathematical model is built.Since the model is rather complex,the bounds of the optimal policy are first attained,then the problem is solved by a heuristic algorithm.Through experiments the relationship between the order lead time and the corresponding integrated policy is discussed,and the influence on the system cost is also analyzed.The results reveal that the lead time's influence on the system is more serious with the increase of the order lead time,the integrated policy with the order lead time is more reasonable and the optimal policy can minimize the total system cost.Finally,the parameter sensitivity of the model is analyzed.

Carbon Dynamics in Woody Biomass of Forest Ecosystem in China with Forest Management Practices under Future Climate Change and Rising CO_2 Concentration

It is critical to study how different forest management practices affect forest carbon sequestration under global climate change regime. Previous researches focused on the stand-level forest carbon sequestration with rare investigation of forest carbon stocks influ- enced by forest management practices and climate change at regional scale. In this study, a general integrative approach was used to simulate spatial and temporal variations of woody biomass and harvested biomass of forest in China during the 21st century under dif- ferent scenarios of climate and CO2 concentration changes and management tasks by coupling Integrated Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon budget （InTEC） model with Global Forest Model （G4M）. The results showed that forest management practices have more predominant effects on forest stem stocking biomass than climate and CO2 concentration change. Meanwhile, the concurrent future changes in cli- mate and CO2 concentration will enhance the amounts of stem stocking biomass in forests of China by 12%-23% during 2001-2100 relative to that with climate change only. The task for maximizing stem stocking biomass will dramatically enhance the stem stocking biomass from 2001~100, while the task for maximum average increment will result in an increment of stem stocking biomass before 2050 then decline. The difference of woody biomass responding to forest management tasks was owing to the current age structure of forests in China. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of long-term woody biomass to management practices for different forest types （coniferous forest, mixed forest and deciduous forest） under changing climate and CO2 concentration was also analyzed. In addition, longer rotation length under future climate change and rising CO2 concentration scenario will dramatically increase the woody biomass of China during 2001~100. Therefore, our estimation indicated that taking the role of forest management in the carbon cycle into the consideration at regional or national level is very important to project the forest carbon sequestration under future climate change and rising atmospheric CO2 concentration.

Increase of forest carbon biomass due to community forestry management in Nepal

Community forest management helps in mitigating deforestation and forest degradation by addressing the negative aspects of rural livelihoods such as poverty and social exclusion.It is important in regulating global climate by encouraging sequestration of carbon in shoots,roots and soils.We studied the status of community forest management,forest resource harvest and carbon stocks in two community forests of the mid hill region of central and western Nepal.The study was based on primary and secondary data collected through carbon stock measurement from field visits and allometric equations,household surveys,focus group discussions,key informant interviews,and review of past studies.Socioeconomic variables such as gender,age group,livestock and landholding status were related to resource utilization,conservation,and management of community forest.Forest resources such as timber,firewood,fodder and leaf litter were harvested in sustainable ways.People were involved in forest thinning,co-management meetings,guarding and planting trees for forest conservation and management.Density and carbon stock of trees increased gradually in comparison to a previous study.We recommend further research on other community forests for more accurate and better results.

Management Mode of Rural Credit Cooperatives

Cooperative financing, with existing problems involving legal person man-agement and property supervision is highly demanded by farmers in China. It is fea-sible to explore a shareholding system to resolve the management mode issue of rural credit cooperatives in order to introduce investments, formulate the right struc-ture for rational stock and to establish effective monitoring mechanism for property right. Hence, information issuing would be reinforced and a rural credit cooperative would be established to be a modern financial enterprise with transparent property rights.

Using data-limited approaches to assess data-rich Indian Ocean bigeye tuna:Data quantity evaluation and critical information for management implications

The majority of fishery stocks in the world are data limited,which limits formal stock assessments.Identifying the impacts of input data on stock assessment is critical for improving stock assessment and developing precautionary management strategies.We compare catch advice obtained from applications of various datalimited methods(DLMs)with forecasted catch advice from existing data-rich stock assessment models for the Indian Ocean bigeye tuna(Thunnus obesus).Our goal was to evaluate the consistency of catch advice derived from data-rich methods and data-limited approaches when only a subset of data is available.The Stock Synthesis(SS)results were treated as benchmarks for comparison because they reflect the most comprehensive and best possible scientific information of the stock.This study indicated that although the DLMs examined appeared robust for the Indian Ocean bigeye tuna,the implied catch advice differed between data-limited approaches and the current assessment,due to different data inputs and model assumptions.Most DLMs tended to provide more optimistic catch advice compared with the SS,which was mostly influenced by historical catches,current abundance and depletion estimates,and natural mortality,but was less sensitive to life-history parameters(particularly those related to growth).This study highlights the utility of DLMs and their implications on catch advice for the management of tuna stocks.

Soil Carbon Changes Influenced by Soil Management and Calculation Method

Throughout the years, many studies have evaluated changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) mass on a fixed-depth (FD) basis without considering changes in soil mass caused by changing bulk density (ρb). This study evaluates the temporal changes in SOC caused by two factors: 1) changing SOC concentration;and 2) changing equivalent soil mass (ESM) in comparison with FD. In addition, this study evaluates calculating changes in SOC stock over time using a minimum equivalent soil mass (ESMmin) basis from a single sampling event compared with the FD scenario. A tillage [no-tillage (NT) and chisel plow (CP)]-crop rotation (multiple crop and continuous corn), and irrigation (full and delayed)) study was initiated in 2001 on Weld silt loam soil. After seven years, SOC concentration in the 0 - 30 cm depth was 19.7% greater in 2008 compared with 2001. Standardizing the soil mass of 2001 to the ESM of 2008 for each individual treatment showed an average gain in SOC of 5.8 Mg C·ha-1 in 2008 compared with 2001. However, the increase in SOC using ESM was twice the SOC gained with the FD calculation, where some treatments lost SOC after seven years of management. Estimating SOC levels using the ESMmin and, thereby, eliminating the confounding effect of soil ρb indicated that SOC stock was influenced by crop species and their interaction with irrigation, but not by tillage practices. Over all, the ESM calculation appears to be more effective in evaluating SOC stock than the FD calculation.

The New Portfolio Management Process in the Context of the Use of Artificial Neural Networks

The main objective of this article is to draw attention to the subject of portfolio management process, which is often not discussed in the professional literature. It has been shown that globalization affects the portfolio management process, which is presented in the literature in a similar manner. Thus, in this publication, the presentation of the process was made in terms of the classical one, and then the attempt was made to establish its form after the evolution that results from the above mentioned globalization. In addition, this new form is presented from the perspective of the use of artificial neural networks as organizations which invest cash primarily in financial instruments should take into account the mentioned expert tool for the purpose of further development. The publication also shows the key areas which the professional literature focuses on with regards to the subject of portfolio management. The study used the literature from the area of portfolio management, which is the basis for theoretical consideration, but these results have got the cognitive and practical value. They are a basis for separate quantitative research, and the proposed portfolio management process model can be considered cognitively interesting for researchers and investors.

The Strategies of Grassland Management in Farms of Northeastern Part of Poland

Four directions for grassland management are set out under the Common Agricultural Policy： the existing, environmental, productional and integrated. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the agreement of production potential of grassland with the strategy of the CAP on the background of commodity milk production. This work is connected with randomly selected 1656 farms from the north-eastern part of the Lublin province remaining the dairy cattle. Source material for analysis was derived from the evaluation reports of dairy farms and the datas of Voivodeship Statistical Office. Taken the average annual milk production and surface of permanent grasslands, were divided into three groups of management direction： I- existing, II- integrated, III- productional In a separate II group of this management, three subgroups were identified dependent on the volume of milk production： A-（20-50）, B-（50-100）, C-（100-350） thousand of liters. In the studied farms the participation of grasslands in the structure of agriculture fanning lands was significantly higher than the average in the region as well as in the country. The largest research group accounted 49.5% of farms producing 20-50 thousand liters of milk with an average area of 21.23 ha and sustained an average of 9.8 cows. Large proportion of permanent grassland in the structure of agricultural lands and large stocking density per 100 ha of grasslands in northeast farms of Lublin province indicate significant intensification of feed production on the farmlands.

Fishing Dynamic and Stock Status of Endeavour Shrimp(Metapenaeus ensis de Haan)in Bombana Waters,South-East Celebes

The high market demand for endeavour shrimp(Metapenaeus ensis de Haan)has caused intensive fishing for this resource and tends to threaten their sustainability.Assessment of fishing dynamic and stock status of fisheries resource is the main point to formulate its proper sustainable management in the future.The purpose of this study was to determine the stock status of endeavour shrimp in the Bombana and its surrounding waters.The study was conducted from April to November 2021 using a survey method to analyze the length at first capture(L_(c)),length at first maturity(L_(m)),growth rate(K),maximum theoretical carapace length(Loo),and mortality rate such as total mortality rate(Z),fishing mortality rate(F)and natural mortality rate(M).The study results revealed that the endeavour shrimp growth pattern in Bombana was negative allometric and that the ratio of males and females was not balanced.The length at first capture(L_(c))was 29.83 mm(carapace length)and the length at first maturity(L_(m))was at a total carapace length of 31.67 mm.The growth rate(K)was 1.0 per year and maximum theoretical length(L_(∞))was 46.2 mm.The estimate total mortality rate(Z)was 2.52 per year,the fishing mortality rate(F)and natural mortality rate(M)were 0.91 per year and 1.61 per year respectively.The exploitation rate(E)was 0.36 per year,therefore the stock status is not categorized overfishing.In order to ensure the sustainability of the endeavour shrimp,then the effort must be increased by about 28%of the current effort.

基于零库存目标的体外诊断试剂供应链质量评价与改进研究

目的:制定体外诊断试剂供应链的零库存管理目标,评价供应链质量,改进试剂供应中存在的问题。方法:从体外诊断试剂的库存量、供应效率和产品质量方面分析体外诊断试剂管理中存在的问题,制定医院运营、管理质量和患者利益最优化的管理体系,构建零库存管理路径和质量评价模型。选取2020年1月至2023年3月江苏省苏北人民医院采购的21种类型85个型号的体外诊断试剂,根据供应链质量管理方式不同,分别采用按需库存管理模式(模式1)和零库存管理模式(模式2),对比两种管理模式的需求采购、库存管理和临床使用效果。结果:采用模式2管理方式的体外诊断试剂的采购需求达标率、供应能力优质率和临床使用匹配度分别为(93.35±3.62)%、(94.87±2.63)%和(96.08±2.31)%,均高于模式1,其差异有统计学意义(Z=2.489、2.836、2.838,P<0.05),存产品长期积压、环境不达标和信息不及时的例数分别为(2.92±2.54)例、(2.83±1.59)例和(5.58±3.12)例,均低于模式1,其差异有统计学意义(Z=2.959、3.037、3.703,P<0.05);临床科室、医技科室及采购中心对模式2的体外诊断试剂的供应配送和信息沟通的满意度分别为97.8%和93.3%、97.0%和87.9%、100%和84.6%,均高于模式1,其差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)_(临床科室)=5.428、6.133,χ^(2)_(医技科室)=3.958、3.937,χ^(2)_(采购中心)=5.159、4.996,P<0.05)。结论:零库存管理模式能够提高体外诊断试剂需求采购的规范性,降低库存管理中积压失效问题的发生率,提升临床供应服务质量。

从乌海经验看用水预算管理的创新探索

内蒙古自治区乌海市基于自身水资源条件和现实需求,创新探索用水预算管理模式,建立“零基预算”的用水管理规则,明确用水预算管理各项程序,并将用水预算管理与定额管理、计划用水管理有机结合起来,推进全链条节水,构建水资源需求侧管理体系,为提升水资源利用效率提供了制度保障。文章基于对乌海市用水预算管理经验启示的总结,提出对用水预算管理的思考和认识,针对推进全国用水预算管理试点建设提出建议。

土地经营权入股公司:股东出资、保本投资与配套制度

土地经营权入股发展农业产业化经营是深化农村土地制度改革的重要举措,也是促进农业适度规模经营、实现小农户和现代农业发展有机衔接的重要途径。土地经营权入股公司应定性为股东出资行为,以公司法为基础,完善股东出资、法人运行与配套措施等方面的法律法规。在股东出资方面,应限定出资标的物范围,完善农村土地价值评估机制。在法人运行方面,为农民股东优先配置可转换的、可累积的及可参与嗣后分配的优先股以基本实现其“保底收益+按股分红”目的;为农民股东配置优先股赎回权、清算优先权与股份回购保险以基本实现“保本退出”目的。在配套措施方面,国家应灵活运用宏观调控措施以改善农业弱质性问题,完善农村社会保障制度以破除农民失地失业困境。

渔业捕捞策略方法的理论、应用和未来挑战

传统的渔业资源管理决策方法自20世纪50年代开始发展,通过收集数据和评估种群资源状况,提出科学管理建议,并通过管理制度实施管理措施。传统方法在资源评估中常具有较大的不确定性,导致管理建议也具有较大的不确定性。自20世纪80—90年代开始,随着计算机模拟技术的发展,捕捞策略(管理程序)方法在渔业管理中的应用不断发展,目前已发展成为一套较为成熟、完整的渔业资源量化管理方法体系,并在海洋哺乳动物保护、经济鱼类资源开发与养护中发挥重要作用。相对而言,捕捞策略方法在中国的应用和研究较少。本文综述了传统渔业资源管理决策的基本过程,以及捕捞策略方法的特点、优势和面临挑战,提出了在管理措施能够有效实施的前提下,运用捕捞策略有利于促进渔业资源的科学管理和长期可持续利用。针对考虑运用管理策略评价建立捕捞策略的渔业,提出未来应加强渔业与种群生物学基础数据收集、加强种群模拟技术研究与能力建设,以及加快适用于严重衰退渔业资源捕捞策略新方法的开发与应用等建议,以期为中国应用捕捞策略方法进行渔业资源管理决策提供参考。