Analysis and Design of Agricultural Sustainability Indicators System

The development and characteristic of agricultural sustainability indicators system （Sis）, at home and abroad, was reviewed. It was pointed out that the existing domestic methods of sustainability evaluation can not be accepted by foreign scholars, and their scientific basis is inadequate. The experience and shortcomings of the previous studies on the indicators selection and evaluation methods were analyzed, also with the significance for practice. Finally, a new SIs for agriculture development evaluation was proposed, together with the corresponding calculation and evaluation methods. The farmer development index indicator was proposed to embody the viewpoint that the development of people is the ultimate aim; the dynamic weight calculation method was designed to reflect the various significance of the different indicators when their values were changing; and new indicators integrate methods were also explored.

Standards System and Evaluation Indicators System for Environmental Protection Products

Environmental protection products and equipment are important substance basis and insurance which provide supporting for to the realization of the strategic objective of reduced energy use and emissions while improving the resource economy ＆ environmental kindly society building, as well as the sustainable development economy and environment in a sustainable fashion. Here, the framework of the standards system and evaluation indicators system for environmental protection products are described based on the present deficiencies in independent innovation, lower levels of standardization, and poor operating effectiveness of such equipment in China with a goal of forcing the development of standardization, seriation and currency used in the environmental protection industry. The results presented here should serve as a reference for the promotion of quality and effectiveness in environmental protection products and equipments.

New Change of Technical Indicators System of Watt-Hour Meters

There is an imperfection in the accuracy indicators system and the technical parameters system in IEC standards 62053-21 implemented for watt-hour meters currently. This article quoted some parts of OIML MI-003 and R46 contents to provide a reference of the integrity comparison between the accuracy system and technical parameter system. The comparison result shows that the watt-hour meter accuracy technical indicators system of OIML R46 is more integrated. First reason is that it determines all the accuracy （basic error） defining rules just by using the technical parameter I efficiently; secondly, it can solve the contradiction that no error regulation of the range from starting current to minimum current in the process of providing, handing over and checking watt-hour meter products＇ qualities efficiently. Please pay close attention to the R46 official version which will be released soon, as it is still in the Committee Draft （CD6） stage currently.

Development and Application of Integrated Indicators for Assessing Healthcare Waste Management Systems in Kenyan Hospitals

Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is an important aspect of healthcare delivery globally because of its hazardous and infectious components that have potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. The paper introduces a set of indicators for assessing HCWM systems in hospitals. These indicators are: HCWM policies and standard operating procedures, management and oversight, logistics and budget support, training and occupational health and safety, and treatment, disposal and waste treatment equipment housing. By plotting a mark on a continuum which is defined as good and poor on the extremes and is connected with all other marks in a spoke arrangement, it’s possible to describe a baseline for HCWM in any specific hospital. This baseline can be used to improve awareness of the actors and policy-makers, compare the same hospital at a different point in time, to compare observations by different evaluators and to track improvements. Results suggest that in Kenya, the application of such indicators is useful for evaluating which priorities should be addressed to improve outcomes in HCWM systems. Systematic sampling technique was used to identify and collect data by use of observational checklist, interviews, visual verification and review of documents and a HCWM assessment tool. The objective is to suggest an integrated management tool as a method to identify prevailing problems with a HCWM system. The method can be replicated in other contexts worldwide, with a focus on the developing world. The integrated indicators focus on management of HCW and not its potential impact on human health and environment, an area recognized to be critical for future research.

Critical quality indicators of high-performance polyetherimide(ULTEM)over the MEX 3D printing key generic control parameters:Prospects for personalized equipment in the defense industry

Additive Manufacturing(AM)can provide customized parts that conventional techniques fail to deliver.One important parameter in AM is the quality of the parts,as a result of the material extrusion 3D printing(3D-P)procedure.This can be very important in defense-related applications,where optimum performance needs to be guaranteed.The quality of the Polyetherimide 3D-P specimens was examined by considering six control parameters,namely,infill percentage,layer height,deposition angle,travel speed,nozzle,and bed temperature.The quality indicators were the root mean square(Rq)and average(Ra)roughness,porosity,and the actual to nominal dimensional deviation.The examination was performed with optical profilometry,optical microscopy,and micro-computed tomography scanning.The Taguchi design of experiments was applied,with twenty-five runs,five levels for each control parameter,on five replicas.Two additional confirmation runs were conducted,to ensure reliability.Prediction equations were constructed to express the quality indicators in terms of the control parameters.Three modeling approaches were applied to the experimental data,to compare their efficiency,i.e.,Linear Regression Model(LRM),Reduced Quadratic Regression Model,and Quadratic Regression Model(QRM).QRM was the most accurate one,still the differences were not high even considering the simpler LRM model.

Use of Farmers’ Indicators to Evaluate the Sustainability of Cropping Systems on Sloping Land in Yunnan Province, China

Diversity in the biophysical and socio-economic attributes of agricultural systems makes them uniquely niche based. Farmers are expert in local biophysical and socio-economic situations and can contribute in developing pragmatic indicators of agro-environmental development. During evaluation of an agricultural research project in Yunnan, China, local farmers were capable of evaluating the effects of modified technologies on existing cropping systems and discussed their attitudes to the interventions using their own indicators. Farmers＇ response can be grouped into seven major aspects： i） effects on income, ii） effects on production resources, iii） effects on crop management, iv） existing local knowledge about the technology, v） availability of inputs, vi） access to information, and vii） socio-economic conditions of farming households. Farmers concluded that environmental conditions in the experimental catchment in comparison to an adjacent untreated catchment were better in terms of soil and water losses, vegetation cover and natural resources, infrastructures and catchment management, use of environmentally-friendly technologies, and crop productivity. Success in soil and water conservation programmes depends on the efforts of the farmers and other local users and their greater involvement helps to identify more pragmatic indicators. Furthermore, it increases ownership of the programme, enhances interactions with the project scientists, increases farmers＇ awareness of ago-environmental problems and their possible consequences. These development will enable scientists to develop better targeted interventions and increase the likelihood of adoption of tested technologies by local communities. The use of paired adjacent catchments improved evaluation activities and is proposed as good practice for future catchment improvement programmes.

Visualization analysis of the capability of weapon system of systems for multi-dimensional indicators

In the field of weapon system of systems (WSOS) simulation, various indicators are widely used to describe the capability of WSOS, but it is always difficult to describe the comprehensive capability of WSOS quickly and intuitively by visualization of multi-dimensional indicators. A method of machine learning and visualization is proposed, which can display and analyze the capabilities of different WSOS in a two-dimensional plane. The analysis and comparison of the comprehensive capability of different components of WSOS is realized by the method, which consists of six parts: multiple simulations, key indicators mining, three spatial distance calculation, fusion project calculation, calculation of individual capability density, and calculation of multiple capability ranges overlay. Binding a simulation experiment, the collaborative analysis of six indicators and 100 possible kinds of red WSOS are achieved. The experimental results show that this method can effectively improve the quality and speed of capabilities analysis, reveal a large number of potential information, and provide a visual support for the qualitative and quantitative analysis model.

NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE INNOVATION SYSTEMS: EVOLUTION, DEFINITION AND INDICATORS

The paper examines the three stages of the evolution of national innovation systems: national technology innovation systems, national innovation systems and national knowledge innovation systems. A national knowledge innovation system is a network of institutions and organizations which jointly or individually contributes to the knowledge innovation (including scientific and technical knowledge innovation). The author stresses that knowledge innovation will occur in all processes of the produc-tion, transmission and use of knowledge. There are four subsystems in this system: scientific knowledge innovation, technical knowledge innovation, knowledge trans-mission and knowledge use subsystem. The author also lists some indicators for the System.

Clinical assessment indicators of postpartum hemorrhage: A systematic review

Objective: The assessment indicators of postpartum hemorrhage(PPH) were systematically reviewed to explore their relationship with blood loss as an early warning sign to identify potential PPH for prompt intervention.Methods: A systematic literature search of 9 databases was conducted according to inclusion and exclusion criteria using a comprehensive strategy. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology(STROBE) strategy was chosen as the tool for quality assessment of included studies, and data concerning the basic study characteristics and assessment indicators were extracted.Results: Eleven studies were included in this review. The assessment indicators in different reports covered heart rate, blood pressure, placental and birth canal check, hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(HCT),coagulation function tests, hemodynamic parameters and arterial blood gas, but no data on the assessment of postpartum uterine contraction were found. The relationship between indicators and blood loss varies.The overall quality of 9 manuscripts was comparatively high or moderate, and 2 were rated as low.Conclusions: The association between blood loss and clinical symptoms is not conclusive based on the present studies, and specific cut-off points could not be formulated to determine the approximate amount of blood loss. However, some cut-off points can be considered warning signs for the need of advanced interventions, such as heart rate, prothrombin time, and placental implantation. Further research on comprehensive assessment and cut-off points should be performed such that birth attendants can distinguish PPH as early as possible.

Retrospective analysis based on a clinical grading system for patients with hepatic hemangioma:A single center experience

BACKGROUND The optimal approach for managing hepatic hemangioma is controversial.AIM To evaluate a clinical grading system for management of hepatic hemangioma based on our 17-year of single institution experience.METHODS A clinical grading system was retrospectively applied to 1171 patients with hepatic hemangioma from January 2002 to December 2018.Patients were classified into four groups based on the clinical grading system and treatment:(1)Observation group with score<4(Obs score<4);(2)Surgical group with score<4(Sur score<4);(3)Observation group with score≥4(Obs score≥4);and(4)Surgical group with score≥4(Sur score≥4).The clinico-pathological index and outcomes were evaluated.RESULTS There were significantly fewer symptomatic patients in surgical groups(Sur score≥4 vs Obs score≥4,P<0.001;Sur score<4 vs Obs score<4,χ^(2)=8.60,P=0.004;Sur score≥4 vs Obs score<4,P<0.001).The patients in Sur score≥4 had a lower rate of in need for intervention and total patients with adverse event than in Obs score≥4(P<0.001;P<0.001).Nevertheless,there was no significant difference in need for intervention and total patients with adverse event between the Sur score<4 and Obs score<4(P>0.05;χ^(2)=1.68,P>0.05).CONCLUSION This clinical grading system appeared as a practical tool for hepatic hemangioma.Surgery can be suggested for patients with a score≥4.For those with<4,follow-up should be proposed.

Providing Performance Evaluation Indicators for Intelligent Transportation Systems (The Case Study of Tehran-Karaj Freeway Located in Iran)

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) play a fundamental role in reducing traffic congestion and increasing safety during daily transportation. These systems can also be useful in improving social welfare leading to general satisfaction. Proper performance evaluation can be efficient in improving the performance of these systems, and providing a scientific assessment index system can assist decision-makers in smart communities to plan for the development of ITS. However, the evaluation of these systems requires identifying appropriate indicators of performance evaluation that are consistent with the views of the beneficiaries of these systems. In this paper, performance evaluation indicators of ITS have been identified, and three indicators entitled “environmental and safety”, “assistance in reducing traffic congestion” and “attractive public transport” are presented to evaluate the performance of these systems. Moreover, the intelligent transport systems of the Tehran-Karaj Freeway in Iran are studied, and inferential statistical methods are employed to test the research hypotheses. It is worth noticing that in this study, a one-sample T-test method is used for hypotheses assessment and the SPSS software was used to analyze the findings. Also, the results demonstrated that the performance of ITS in the Tehran-Karaj Freeway regarding the indicators, such as “Declaration of route blocking information due to maintenance or reconstruction” and “Declaration of path geometry conditions” has not been acceptable.

Investigation of a Simple and Cheap Source of a Natural Indicator for Acid-Base Titration: Effects of System Conditions on Natural Indicators

This study investigated a natural indicator for acid-base titration which is extracted from guinea corn leaves popularly called “waakye leaves” in Ghana. Four types of acid-base titration were studied: strong acid versus (v/s) strong base, strong acid versus weak base, weak acid versus strong base, and weak acid versus weak base. The indicator color change, pH range and the average titre values were determined for each type of acid-base titration. These values were comparable to those obtained from three standard indicators: methyl orange, methyl red and phenolphthalein. Total flavonoids (TF) and condensed tannin (CT) from the crude leaves extract were determined which might be the major reasons for the activity of the extract as an indicator for simple acid-base titration. The authors suggest that the natural indicator is cheap, available, simple to extract, user and environmentally friendly and could be an excellent replacement for standard indicators.

Analysis of the Performance Indicators of the PV Power System

The energy assessment of the PV power systems is carried out by using different types of performance indicators that benchmark the output of these systems against the PV panel maximum output at hypothetical operation conditions. In this paper, a comparative analysis of six types of performance indicators is conducted and a new performance indicator which considers PV panel slope and orientation is proposed. The proposed indicator is benchmarking the PV system actual output against the maximum output of the same system if it would operate in two axis tracking mode. The proposed performance indicator is used to develop a friendly user calculator of PV system output that can be used by, energy providers and PV system installers to evaluate the output of the PV grid connect network. The advantage of the developed calculator is high-lighted by a case study that estimates energy capacity of different residential rooftop PV systems installed in a residential suburb in Sydney.

A Set of Coherent Indicators for the Assessment of the Energy Profitability of Energy Systems

The concern on climate change and on the limitations of fossil fuels is leading to the promotion of renewable-based energy options. However, the assessment of the energy profitability of a technology is still a controversial topic, especially when renewable-based systems are compared with non-renewable ones and when the depletion of the stocks of available resources is not accounted properly. As a matter of fact, some popular energy indicators do not seem to cover all the aspects of the problem, with the risk of drawing ambiguous conclusions. A set of life cycle-based indicators is proposed in order to establish a more reliable approach to the assessment of energy products which decouples the different contributions given by renewable and non-renewable resources. The proposed set of indicators has been quantified for different groups of energy products and compared with an energy indicator frequently used (i.e. EROI). A coherent assessment of the depletion of energy resources and of the energy profitability of the products is presented. The indicators could even contribute to understand the feasibility of energy projects and plans by evaluating their impact on the stock of energy resources.

Effect of foot reflexology on pain and physiological indicators in postoperative patients:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim:To determine the effect of foot reflexology intervention on pain and physiological indicators in postoperative patients.Data resources:The Cochrane library,PubMed,EMBASE,MEDLINE,SCOPUS,CINAHL,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),VIP,and Wan Fang Data were searched from inception until January2020.Review methods:Studies were screened according to the PICOS principle.The methodological quality was assessed with Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.Results:5 randomized clinical trials involving 318 participants were included in the meta-analysis.There were significant differences in pain and heart rate in postoperative patients between the two groups.Conclusion:The foot reflexology intervention decrease the postoperative pain and heart rate for the postoperative patients.It can be considered to be an effective non-pharmaceutical therapy to reduce the postoperative pain and heart rate.The evidence is not enough to prove the effectiveness of reducing postoperative blood pressure,respiratory rate,pulse rate and oxygen saturation using the foot reflexology.

Understanding Patients’ Symptoms Management Using Objective and Subjective Indicators among Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Descriptive statistics have been used to document the high prevalence of sleep disorders, fatigue, and pain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objectives: To describe day-to-day variations in sleep indicators, physical activity level, pain, and fatigue measured using objective and subjective indicators in lupus patients with sleep disorders. Methods: We selected three patients with sleep disorders, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (≥9), out of 20 participants followed up for 4 weeks. We compared the self-rated quality of life (QoL) measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) with that of objectively measured sleep indicators monitored using the Nemuri scan. The detailed data collection methods have been previously published. Results: The sleep status generated by the Nemuri scan revealed that Case A with a flare and Case B without a flare required frequent daytime rest. The PSQI sleep duration and sleep latency were generally in agreement with the monitored data, although the PSQI failed to capture the complexity of sleep disorders, particularly the fluctuations in the quality of sleep indicators. Patient C approximately 4 hours on weekdays and 10 hours on Saturday nights. All three cases had high fatigue levels, and their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity duration was less than one-half of duration that recommended by the World Health Association. Conclusion: Visual display for objective monitoring of sleep quality is an excellent tool for understanding patients who require frequent resting and irregular sleep indicators. Objective monitoring of sleep quality, along with self-rated pain and fatigue, promotes an understanding of how patients with SLE cope with severe symptoms.

Monitoring of Sleep Indicators, Physical Activity, Pain, and Fatigue in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Relations among These Variables: A Pilot Study

Background: Poor sleep, fatigue, and pain are major health problems in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, only cross-sectional surveys on these health outcomes have been conducted, and the association between day-to-day fluctuations remains unknown. Objectives: We aimed to characterize daily fluctuations in sleep quality, physical activity, pain, and fatigue in patients with SLE. Method: Exploratory study with a cross-sectional design. Two rheumatology centers (a university hospital and a prefectural hospital) in Japan between September 2017 and May 2019. The sample size was set to 20. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Sleep and physical activity were measured with monitoring devices;pain and fatigue levels were recorded daily during the 4-week period. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Short Form Health Survey-12, the Japanese version of the Lupus Patient Outcome, and SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 were collected at the start and end of the study. Descriptive statistics and coefficients of variation (CV) were tabulated to examine daily fluctuations. Pearson correlation coefficients were obtained for monitored variables. Results: The mean age was 43.7 ± 8.5 years, and the mean SLE duration was 16.0 ± 7.2 years. The mean moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration was 7.8 ± 5.8 min/day, and the mean total sleep duration was 391.8 ± 65.3 min, with a mean sleep efficiency of 88.6% ± 6.1%. Daily fluctuations were high for leaving the bed frequency, MVPA duration, pain, and waking after sleep onset. Seventeen participants showed correlations between some of the variables, such as fatigue or longer MVPA duration and poorer sleep outcomes;longer sleep latency and increased frequency of leaving the bed;and higher physical activity and increased pain and fatigue. Conclusion: The quality of sleep and fatigue fluctuated daily, and correlations existed between these variables, as well as for pain and physical activity. The impact of MVPA duration on pain and fatigue is of concern as increased physical activity may worsen the quality of life patients with SLE. The monitoring of sleep and physical activity using the device seems feasible for SLE symptom management.

Reactive and Robust Planning of Moroccan Citrus Chain Based on Multi-agent System and Performance Indicators

As part of improving services done for various clients in all Moroccan areas, Moroccan exportation group of fruits and vegetables in collaboration with their packaging units and producers, tends to cooperate in order to face with international competitiveness. Indeed, the complexity of networks of partners has led policy-makers to implement new techniques and tools to help control different processes. For this reason, the implementation of a permanent monitoring of different operations ranging from production, packaging, and distribution of perishable products has become paramount. This article aims to propose a model of multi-agent citrus supply chain, based on indicators for monitoring and evaluation of performance of its logistics systems, in order to build a new independent, robust and responsive chain, and to optimize and control the flow of materials and information between the different actors and stakeholders of the chain.

Human impact gradients via anthropogenic pollen indicators:insights gleaned from a case study in the Rif Mountains(Northern Morocco)

Understanding the relationship between modern pollen and vegetation is crucial for interpreting fossil pollen records and assessing human impact on the environment,both of which are essential for effective environmental management strategies.Despite numerous studies on fossil pollen records in the Rif landscape,research specifically focusing on modern pollen and its implications for understanding human impact on the natural landscape is notably lacking.This paper presents novel anthropogenic pollen indicators for the Rif Mountains and seeks to evaluate the gradients of human impact on the southern Mediterranean landscape.We employed a combination of modern pollen analysis,vegetation survey,and ordination techniques,incorporating various environmental and land-use variables.Canonical correspondence analysis(CCA)allowed us to evaluate the relationships between pollen types and environmental variables,helping us identify key anthropogenic pollen indicators associated with land use and human activities:Poaceae,Cannabist,Olea-t,and Asteraceae for cultivation;Brassicaceae,Genista-t,Poaceae,Asteraceae and Plantago-t,for grazing;Apiaceae,Urtica-t and Genista-t for slashing and burning.Additionally,an anthropogenic index score(AIS)was calculated for each sampled location.Correspondence analysis(CA)was then used to correlate each specific pollen type with levels of human impact as follows(a)low(e.g.,Cedrus atlantica-t,Quercus canariensis-t),(b)moderate(e.g.,Erica-t,Arbutus unedo-t,Eucalyptus-t),and(c)high(e.g.,Cannabis-t,Brassicaceae,Olea-t,Nicotiana-t).This paper enhances our comprehension of land-use dynamics and impact levels,providing essential insights for evaluating anthropogenic impact trends and human-induced changes in the Rif Mountains landscape.

Can spatial planning in the Polish Carpathians be enforced? How spatial chaos indicators depict a gap between scientific knowledge and practice

Despite their strategic hydrological importance for neighbouring areas,the Polish Carpathians are experiencing spatial chaos,which may weaken their adaptability to the progressive climate change.The article attempts to answer the question of whether spatial planning,which is supposed to guarantee spatial order,fulfils its role and whether the knowledge of the natural conditions of spatial development is respected in the spatial planning process.Using GIS techniques,up to 238 communes were analysed in terms of their spatial coverage,the degree of scattered settlement,and the violation of natural barriers by location of buildings in areas that are threatened with mass movements or floods;by settlement on excessively inclined slopes and in areas with adverse climatic conditions.Spearman non-parametric rank correlation analysis and the multidimensional Principal Component Analysis(PCA)technique were performed to investigate relations between spatial chaos indicators and the planning situation.The analysis of the data has revealed that spatial planning does not fulfil its role.Serious errors in location of buildings have been noted even though the communes are covered by local spatial development plans.Scientific knowledge is not sufficiently transferred into planning documents,and bottom-up initiatives cannot replace systemic solutions.There is a need for strengthening the role of environmental studies documents in the spatial planning system.This would facilitate the transfer of scientific knowledge into the planning process and help to protect mountain areas.The development of a special spatial strategy for the Polish Carpathians in compliance with the Carpathian Convention is also recommended.